Michelle's Melange: Edition 7
The internet discoveries that captured my attention last month: a throwback Barbie Nintendo game, must-have patterned rollerblades, and aspirational Euro beach fashion.
March 9, 2021
Recently, I was having some phantom memories of a game that I used to play with my cousin Leila— a 90s Barbie game for Super Nintendo.
I remembered one level that involved roller skating on the beach and dodging obstacles like beach balls and frisbees against a synth-y soundtrack that really got you in the zone. I found some clips on YouTube of Barbie Super Model and there was something satisfying about having my memories validated. I was transported back into the sunny realm of its mini games and the vividly colored, pixelated aesthetic of the whole thing.
I aspire to be this lil 90s roller skater Barbie, minus the tripping on frisbees and colliding with pedestrians. Now that the Aussie skate brand Impala has made the rollerblades of my dreams, I may have a chance.
I’ll admit, the pastel colors and cutesy design jumped out at me from their marketing email and influenced my rapid purchase. After a few years of watching regulars at the 6th Ave Golden Gate Park skate zone enjoy what looks to be the peak of their week, I’m ready to join the wheel party.
Because I’ve already made the choice of dorky rollerblades (and it sure is a choice in these times of sold-out chic pandemic roller skates), there was nothing stopping me from leaning into loud protective gear. If the 3 piece set below doesn’t scream Barbie doll, then....
Anyone else out there having an urge to partake in new, adorable hobbies? Readers, report back!!
Fashion obsessions of the moment
You may or may not already be familiar with the Spanish designer Paloma Wool, who captures me with her design’s simplicity, her cool knits, and her incorporation of funky psychedelic/geometric patterns into stretchy, flattering clothes. She consistently makes me crave spending €150 on ribbed halter tops and €300 on flatform boots in colors akin to “pea green” or “school bus yellow,” guaranteed to clash well with anything else you own.
There’s a common thread that runs between her and two other brands I love, Gimaguas & Beatrice Valenzuela. Beatrice also does the simple-but-good styles so well— including leather slides in an ideal rainbow of colors— and has an Instagram presence that is highly aspirational. Imagine doors-open LA living, one pot Mexican dinners on the balcony, and desert camping trips with 2 kids that manage to involve the comforts of home plus photogenic antipasti and champagne cocktails. A gal can dream!
I think Beatrice personifies the lifestyle that is implied by her own clothing as well as that of Paloma Wool and Gimaguas. It’s some sort of bronzed European summer feel that I get from the brands, a fantasy world where I can imagine my everyday uniform would be a tiny knit or wool top (a miraculously non-itchy one) paired with a linen two piece set and simple sandals. True to form, Gimaguas’ clothes are designed by a set of Spanish twins who are, in fact, bronzed and appear to be out beach hopping for inspiration. Is this my version of “dressing for the job you want,” replacing “job” with “lifestyle”? Gotta think on that one.
A few things to read
Unexpectedly, Substack newsletters have been providing the sort of interesting content I didn’t know was lacking from my days spent cycling through endless tabs of articles.
The gal at I Know a Spot went with “my” idea of reviewing real estate listings and does it better— she groups a few listings by theme and describes the design elements that jump out to her from each spot.
The Dirt newsletter brands itself as “Extremely Niche Cultural Content,” which is very up my alley for obvious reasons. Their brief write-ups about phenomena like Pelotons & YouTube’s ambience rooms usually introduce me to something new and/or offer a different point of view on the micro trends of the moment.
There’s an element of a daily (Dirt) or weekly (I Know a Spot) quick read that feels current and somehow different from blogs of the past. I guess that’s why we’re all here together on Substack, eh?
Thank you for reading me! Let me know what you think of these loosely tied together tangents. Feel free to share with others who would enjoy my writing and throw this post a lil heart if it so moves you.
<3 Michelle