EDITOR’S NOTE
Happy Saturday. I’m in NYC for my future brother-in-law’s Broadway debut (everyone, go see Wanted). And while I’d planned to use the Amtrak ride for… anything productive, I spent the whole time scrolling. A few of my best finds:
Fall’s answer to summer’s crochet shoes is here — and I know I’ll be living in it until spring. The JLaw-approved flats are just as understated, even comfier, and somehow make every outfit look more expensive.
Do your toes fall off your beauty radar the second temps drop? Same. Here are the pedicure colors chic New Yorkers are reaching for now. (Proud to report that last one has a permanent spot on my dresser.)
If you missed out on the Oreo Ghosts (aka the best invention since Double Stuf), good news: The limited-edition treat just dropped in a festive new shape. As one fan put it, “I’ll take 45 immediately.”
For those of us (a) hosting something this month and (b) blessed with a single oven, this unassuming kitchen gadget will save us from the frantic side-dish shuffle. Lukewarm mashed potatoes, who?
Speaking of having people over, these are the six bathroom details guests notice before they even flush — some of which are easy to miss when you use the room every day. Time to get started on No. 5.
FEATURED EXPERT:
Melissa Goldberg
Need someone to explain exactly how Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau first met? (Shockingly, it doesn’t have to do with that trip to space.) Or the internet’s obsession with a freaky-looking raccoon named Jimothy? Or what a Dot Cake is and why you should make one? You’ve found your woman.
Melissa Goldberg is the senior editor of the Weekend Skimm, so being chronically online and deeply invested in all things celebrity, entertainment, food, and travel is basically a job requirement. In her role, she edits and oversees the production of theSkimm’s Friday afternoon (Weekend Non-Negotiables), Saturday (Eat, Read, Go), and Sunday (From the Group Chat) newsletters — and is constantly thinking about how to make them even more relevant and compelling for readers.
Prior to theSkimm, Melissa spent just over a decade chasing her teenage dream of being the next Andrea Sachs, Andie Anderson, or People Magazine editor-in-chief. She graduated from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications with a bachelor’s degree in magazine journalism (yes, a thing) and went to work in New York City at O, The Oprah Magazine as a beauty writer and editor before moving to the features department. There, she interviewed celebrities and politicians (Cynthia Nixon, Beanie Feldstein, the late Rep. John Lewis), profiled talented artists (like one of the country’s last disco ball makers), worked alongside Gayle King to produce her monthly column, and wrote ambitious human-interest stories on two tailors providing pro bono suits to wrongfully incarcerated individuals, the first Girl Scout troop for girls living in the New York City Shelter System, and more.
And to answer the obvious question: Yes, she met Oprah, and yes, she was even more magical in person.
These days, you’ll find Melissa in Washington, DC. In her spare time she cooks overly ambitious dinners, attempts to pick up hobbies (the latest: ceramics), reads at a glacial pace, plays with The World’s Best Nieces™, goes to the Dupont Circle Farmers Market religiously, works everything out on the Peloton, and tries as many new restaurants as possible (don’t miss La' Shukran).
Your Leftover Halloween Candy Told Us It Wants To Be These Monster Cookie Party Bars
theSkimm
Halloween candy, we love you, we cherish you, but we need you to disappear. Whether you picked up a reasonable five bags for your 10 trick-or-treaters or went too hard on the November 1 markdowns, these Monster Cookie Party Bars from Jenna Barnard (aka Butternut Bakery) are your exit strategy. From her new cookbook, Simple Sugar, the one-bowl recipe takes a monster cookie (think: the holy trinity of peanut butter, oatmeal, and chocolate chip), loads it with M&M’s and peanut butter cups, and turns it into soft, chewy bars that are technically shareable. Even better? Add whatever candy you need to dispose of ASAP, and you won’t have to spend another night pounding fun-sized Kit Kats on the couch. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
The Time Commitment: About 45 minutes, plus cooling.
Key Tips: For the most even bake, Barnard recommends a light-colored aluminum pan. No kitchen scale? Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off, which she says might be the key to bars that aren’t dry.
Other Takes: Still not through your candy stash? Our condolences. Try…
Halloween Candy Rice Krispie Treats. PSA: The elementary-school bake sale goody you begged your mom to make just got a serious upgrade. Consider our inner child healed.
Chocolate-Covered Popcorn. Sweet, salty, and drowning in melted chocolate and butterscotch, it’s the platonic ideal of a movie-night snack.
Peanut Butter Nutella Candy Bar Brownie. In the very calm words of one fan: “HOLY MOLY I WANT THIS IN MY FACE.”
Stations by Louise Kennedy
theSkimm
Take the historical backdrop of Say Nothing, the sweep of One Day, and the yearning of Normal People, and you get Louise Kennedy’s Stations. The novel follows Róisín and Red, who meet as teens in 1980s Ireland: She’s the “actively unpopular” outcast whose family moved from Northern Ireland; he’s the handsome bad boy who happens to share much of her taste in music and books. The two become unlikely friends, but when a run-in with the law sends Red to England, they lose touch. That is, until Róisín visits her estranged father in London and is pulled back into Red’s orbit — setting the stage for a will-they-won’t-they? that defines their lives for the next couple of decades. Add in a raw portrait of dysfunctional families, addiction, and Irish immigrant life, and it’s no wonder one Goodreads reviewer said it “feels like I’ve been slapped in the face.” In the best way, we assume.
New Mexico’s Coolest — and Most Underrated — City Is Hiding in Plain Sight
theSkimm
We’ll admit: We’ve been doing Albuquerque dirty. For years, it’s felt like an afterthought to artsy Santa Fe or outdoorsy Taos — despite being New Mexico’s biggest city. But while we were overlooking it, Walter White’s hometown has quietly been building a case for itself, with diverse neighborhoods, colorful Southwestern art galleries, an epic food scene (you haven’t lived until you’ve had a green chile burger), and cultural offerings that rival its flashier neighbors. Add in the absurd amount of stunning desert scenery (stay at Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm for the dreamiest morning coffee views) — and, yeah, you can consider this our formal apology.
🎆 Historic Route 66 runs straight through Albuquerque, lined with some of the country’s best-preserved neon signs — but that’s just the beginning for art lovers. The city’s also dotted with dozens of vibrant murals and funky galleries, including one that dates back to 1964.
🖼️ Dive into Albuquerque’s Latino and Native American roots at the National Hispanic Cultural Center (which includes a performing arts center, library, and art museum) and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (owned by the state’s 19 pueblos), where you can learn more about their traditions, buy art and jewelry made by Natives, and taste traditional dishes at the on-site restaurant.
🌤️ Sure, you may be in the self-proclaimed hot-air ballooning capital of the world — but that isn’t the only way to take in the picturesque landscape. Enter: the Sandia Peak Tramway. A 15-minute ride takes you to the 10,378-foot mountain crest, where you can enjoy sweeping Rio Grande Valley views and hikes through verdant ponderosa forests.
😋 Carne adovada (pork braised in red chile sauce) is to Albuquerque as deep dish is to Chicago. Meaning, you can’t leave without trying it. Specifically, at Mary & Tito’s Cafe, a 63-year-old institution known for hearty portions, authentic flavors, and fork-tender meat.
🍺 Albuquerque has a surprisingly legit craft beer scene, complete with its own beer trail. Whether you follow it or do your own thing, stop at Marble Brewery (don’t miss the lime-infused Mexican-style lager) and Bow & Arrow, the first Native women-owned brewery in the US, where beers get the Southwest treatment with ingredients like blue corn and prickly pear.
Fall’s packing up and winter’s moving in. The good news? You only need one jacket for both because Vuori’s Lou Reversible Jacket is two relaxed-fit jackets in one, literally. It has plush, high-pile fleece on one side and a sleek woven side that’s insulated with PrimaLoft® for lightweight warmth. That means twice the outfit options with zero extra hangers. Psst…for the guys on your list, upgrade their wardrobe with the Men’s Seaside Collection — everything is made with ultrasoft brushed-back fleece to keep them warm and cozy. It’s that rare gift he’ll actually wear (on repeat). Catch you on the flip side.*
We asked you to vote on an etiquette question you’d like answered. The winner was:
My coworker keeps coming in sick and brushes it off as “just a cold.” I’m not her boss, so I can’t send her home, but I also don’t want to catch it. How do I tell her to WFH without making it weird?
“Since she’s a peer, you’ll need to employ your winning personality to convince her to put others first — by making it all about her. Remind her how lucky she is to have the WFH option, then express concern for how she’s feeling. You can say something like, ‘You look a little green around the gills. You should really head home before you get any sicker. Grab what you need, and I’ll let the boss know you’re too sick to be around people today.’
Remember, you can suggest, but you can’t force. If she decides to stay, you can — and should — move away from her to avoid catching whatever she’s spreading. And use every germ-fighting weapon at your disposal. But if she’s really sick, like running a fever or vomiting, involve a supervisor or HR.”
FEATURED EXPERT:
Jodi RR Smith
Etiquette expert, author, and speaker
Unleash your competitive side with today's games and puzzles. Go wild.
Your Leftover Halloween Candy Told Us It Wants To Be These Monster Cookie Party Bars
theSkimm
Halloween candy, we love you, we cherish you, but we need you to disappear. Whether you picked up a reasonable five bags for your 10 trick-or-treaters or went too hard on the November 1 markdowns, these Monster Cookie Party Bars from Jenna Barnard (aka Butternut Bakery) are your exit strategy. From her new cookbook, Simple Sugar, the one-bowl recipe takes a monster cookie (think: the holy trinity of peanut butter, oatmeal, and chocolate chip), loads it with M&M’s and peanut butter cups, and turns it into soft, chewy bars that are technically shareable. Even better? Add whatever candy you need to dispose of ASAP, and you won’t have to spend another night pounding fun-sized Kit Kats on the couch. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
The Time Commitment: About 45 minutes, plus cooling.
Key Tips: For the most even bake, Barnard recommends a light-colored aluminum pan. No kitchen scale? Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off, which she says might be the key to bars that aren’t dry.
Other Takes: Still not through your candy stash? Our condolences. Try…
Halloween Candy Rice Krispie Treats. PSA: The elementary-school bake sale goody you begged your mom to make just got a serious upgrade. Consider our inner child healed.
Chocolate-Covered Popcorn. Sweet, salty, and drowning in melted chocolate and butterscotch, it’s the platonic ideal of a movie-night snack.
Peanut Butter Nutella Candy Bar Brownie. In the very calm words of one fan: “HOLY MOLY I WANT THIS IN MY FACE.”
Stations by Louise Kennedy
theSkimm
Take the historical backdrop of Say Nothing, the sweep of One Day, and the yearning of Normal People, and you get Louise Kennedy’s Stations. The novel follows Róisín and Red, who meet as teens in 1980s Ireland: She’s the “actively unpopular” outcast whose family moved from Northern Ireland; he’s the handsome bad boy who happens to share much of her taste in music and books. The two become unlikely friends, but when a run-in with the law sends Red to England, they lose touch. That is, until Róisín visits her estranged father in London and is pulled back into Red’s orbit — setting the stage for a will-they-won’t-they? that defines their lives for the next couple of decades. Add in a raw portrait of dysfunctional families, addiction, and Irish immigrant life, and it’s no wonder one Goodreads reviewer said it “feels like I’ve been slapped in the face.” In the best way, we assume.
New Mexico’s Coolest — and Most Underrated — City Is Hiding in Plain Sight
theSkimm
We’ll admit: We’ve been doing Albuquerque dirty. For years, it’s felt like an afterthought to artsy Santa Fe or outdoorsy Taos — despite being New Mexico’s biggest city. But while we were overlooking it, Walter White’s hometown has quietly been building a case for itself, with diverse neighborhoods, colorful Southwestern art galleries, an epic food scene (you haven’t lived until you’ve had a green chile burger), and cultural offerings that rival its flashier neighbors. Add in the absurd amount of stunning desert scenery (stay at Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm for the dreamiest morning coffee views) — and, yeah, you can consider this our formal apology.
🎆 Historic Route 66 runs straight through Albuquerque, lined with some of the country’s best-preserved neon signs — but that’s just the beginning for art lovers. The city’s also dotted with dozens of vibrant murals and funky galleries, including one that dates back to 1964.
🖼️ Dive into Albuquerque’s Latino and Native American roots at the National Hispanic Cultural Center (which includes a performing arts center, library, and art museum) and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (owned by the state’s 19 pueblos), where you can learn more about their traditions, buy art and jewelry made by Natives, and taste traditional dishes at the on-site restaurant.
🌤️ Sure, you may be in the self-proclaimed hot-air ballooning capital of the world — but that isn’t the only way to take in the picturesque landscape. Enter: the Sandia Peak Tramway. A 15-minute ride takes you to the 10,378-foot mountain crest, where you can enjoy sweeping Rio Grande Valley views and hikes through verdant ponderosa forests.
😋 Carne adovada (pork braised in red chile sauce) is to Albuquerque as deep dish is to Chicago. Meaning, you can’t leave without trying it. Specifically, at Mary & Tito’s Cafe, a 63-year-old institution known for hearty portions, authentic flavors, and fork-tender meat.
🍺 Albuquerque has a surprisingly legit craft beer scene, complete with its own beer trail. Whether you follow it or do your own thing, stop at Marble Brewery (don’t miss the lime-infused Mexican-style lager) and Bow & Arrow, the first Native women-owned brewery in the US, where beers get the Southwest treatment with ingredients like blue corn and prickly pear.
Fall’s packing up and winter’s moving in. The good news? You only need one jacket for both because Vuori’s Lou Reversible Jacket is two relaxed-fit jackets in one, literally. It has plush, high-pile fleece on one side and a sleek woven side that’s insulated with PrimaLoft® for lightweight warmth. That means twice the outfit options with zero extra hangers. Psst…for the guys on your list, upgrade their wardrobe with the Men’s Seaside Collection — everything is made with ultrasoft brushed-back fleece to keep them warm and cozy. It’s that rare gift he’ll actually wear (on repeat). Catch you on the flip side.*
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