Hi there folks. Happy Friday, to those who are celebrating. I know we tend to say this every month, but let’s say it again (for old times’ sake)—how is it already the end of September? As time seems to go during a pandemic, life continues to feel like it’s both slowly dragging along and quickly speeding past us.

This past month has been…a lot—full of high highs and very low lows. From the news of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death to the very unwelcome grand jury decision in the Breonna Taylor case, this past week in particular was quite jarring, to say the least. And so we keep going. We keep donating and speaking out and fighting against injustice, in whatever ways we can.

Today we’re sharing our monthly roundup of some of the moving and insightful things that caught our team’s attention over the course of the past few weeks. If there’s anything you came across this month that you’d like to share, we’d love to hear your input in the comments. Thanks, as always, for reading. Take care, and enjoy the weekend as best you can.

1. This video from Joy-Ann Reid explains what happened in Wednesday’s grand jury announcement in the Breonna Taylor case, when only one of the three officers involved in the shooting was indicted at all (and none were charged for causing Breonna’s death). This post on Elle lists a number of ways you can help get justice for Breonna Taylor.

2. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died last Friday, leaving behind a broad legacy that touches the lives of all Americans. This piece in The Atlantic by writer Joe Pinsker shares the wide-reaching effects of all she accomplished in her storied career.

3. Novelist Jesmyn Ward writes about the loss of her beloved husband as COVID-19 swept through the country, on Vanity Fair. It’s a powerfully moving piece we’d recommend reading.

4. For those of us in the northern hemisphere, we welcomed fall this week with (mostly) open arms. For those of you in Minnesota, allow me to introduce you to one of my most oft-visited web pages of the season: the Fall Color Finder (if you’re elsewhere in the U.S., I’m sure your state likely has something similar!). And if you’re looking to book a fall road trip getaway, be sure to take a look at our recent list of beautiful Airbnb recommendations, with locations both near and far.

5. This widely circulated article by Emily Ratajkowski on The Cut delves into what it means to own an image, and what it takes for a model to buy hers back. Writer Haley Nahman’s response in her newsletter, Maybe Baby, is also worth a read.

6. Craving some interior design inspiration? Have a look through the beautiful Brooklyn apartment of Joyce Lee, Madewell’s head of design, in this Apartment Therapy tour by Adrienne Breaux. (And if you’re looking for a rabbit hole to go down, might I recommend Apartment Therapy’s *video* home tours? It’s a really good rabbit hole, if such a thing exists.)

7. Speaking of Madewell, it’s worth mentioning that they’re currently hosting their Insiders Event, now through September 28. During the sale, Madewell Insiders will get 20% off of full-price items. Looking for a few recommendations? Okay, cool, allow me to elaborate. I got these jeans earlier this summer and wear them pretty much every single day (except when they’re being washed) and this crossbody bag has become my daily go-to.

8. Here, a quiz, to confirm whether or not you are the worst f*cking parent, courtesy of Kristen Mulrooney at McSweeney’s (hint: you’re probably doing just fine). Also related: this article.

9. A few things we’re watching right now include: Pen15 on Hulu, a comedy that depicts middle school as it really happened in the year 2000 (the second season was just released!), and The Vow on HBO Max, which follows the lives of people who were deeply involved in the NXIVM cult.

10. Looking to get involved with the upcoming U.S. election? Our new business director, Erin, recently shared the link for Vote Forward, an initiative that empowers grassroots volunteers to help register voters from under-represented demographics and encourage them to vote. You can sign up to help here. And, as long as we’re on the topic, you can check to see if you’re registered to vote here.