Skimm'd with V-Day gifts that don't cost a fortune â Check out what we Skimmâd for you today [theSkimm Logo] [Subscribe]( [Read in browser]( February 3, 2024 Daily Skimm Header Image Skimm'd with [V-Day gifts that don't cost a fortune]( ---------------------------------------------------------------
[Update location]( or [View forecast]( EDITORâS NOTE Happy Saturday. After a week of [trauma dumping on Elmo](, Iâm ready for a leisurely weekend. So weâve brought you the best of what to read and eat, plus where to go if youâre looking for a [low-key ski vacation](. (Itâs also an opportunity to wear that [mob wife-inspired jacket]( you impulse purchased.) Or if youâre like me, and too seasonally depressed to cook, travel, or even do the [will-Taylor-Swift-make-it-to-the-Super-Bowl]( math, you can heat up [the best of what Trader Joeâs has to offer]( this winter and try to figure out why we all suddenly care about [Pookie and Jett](. â Alex Carr / Editorial Director / New York, NY [Book]
âCome and Get Itâ by Kiley Reid theSkimm We loved â[Such a Fun Age](.â (We know you did, too.) Well, Kiley Reid is back â and this time, sheâs taking us to college. Reidâs second novel, â[Come and Get It](,â is set at the University of Arkansas and splits its time between Agatha, a visiting professor whoâs doing research for her new book; Millie, an RA whoâs set her sights on home ownership after graduation; and Kennedy, a student who spends most of her time alone, watching dorm life happen around her. The plot is a slow and steady burn, and asks big questions about race and class. We had a few of our own big questions for Reid. Hereâs what she had to say⦠Q: Despite our preoccupation with money, a lot of people choose not to talk about it. But itâs front and center in âCome and Get It.â Why? Reid: The novels and media that I enjoy most approach the world from a realistic and materialist lens; one that doesnât shy away from highlighting real limitations that most people face. I love normal characters, people who make you say, âOh I know that person,â and most people who you know in real life are deeply connected to how much money they have. People often donât talk about money because it forces them to confront the fact that we live in an egregiously unjust society. The truth is that we all deserve health care and nice houses and education etc etc...so with that understanding, I try to write about the current state of money exactly how it operates in the real world. Q: Youâve previously talked about drawing on your own experiences as a nanny when writing âSuch a Fun Age.â Did you do the same for âCome and Get Itâ? Reid: âCome and Get Itâ is pure fiction, but I have shared many roles that my main characters embody. Iâve been a transfer student like Kennedy, I was an RA for one year like Millie, and Iâm currently an assistant professor like Agatha. Iâm never quite so inspired by my own experiences as I am by the places Iâm lucky enough to visit. I spent one year in Arkansas, and I was incredibly inspired by the beauty of it. I hope that comes across loud and clear in the novel. Q: A fair amount of eavesdropping takes place in âCome and Get It.â If given the ability to eavesdrop on one conversation from any point in history, what would you choose and why? Reid: This is a great question. Itâs difficult to pick just one. But if I had the chance, Iâd have to eavesdrop on some dinosaurs. I need to know what they sounded like. Q: Whatâs the best book youâve read recently? Reid: I recently read â[Disgrace](â by J.M. Coetzee, and I loved it. I love novels that can speak plainly and poetically at the same time. I love characters who make awful decisions, and I love a novel that knows how to move. This one scratched an itch that I didnât know I had. [Wandering Chickpeaâs French Onion Pasta]
The Viral Pasta Dish Thatâs Worth the Hype theSkimm Whoever came up with the saying âIf it ainât broke, donât fix itâ obviously never got a taste of the French onion renaissance. Across the internet, people are putting their own spins on the classic soup â and serving up everything from [toasts]( to [tarts](. One standout variation? [Wandering Chickpeaâs French Onion Pasta](, which is just as savory, just as decadent, and just as comforting as the original. Not to mention, itâs all done in one pot. The Time Commitment: One hour. But keep in mind, half of the cooking time is spent caramelizing the onions, so they get that sweet taste and melty texture â which, trust us, is worth the effort. Wandering Chickpeaâs Tip: Have a dietary restriction? Youâll be surprised by how easily this recipe can be adapted. For a vegetarian option, just replace the beef stock with vegetable stock. Or, if youâre gluten-free, swap in your favorite [gluten-free pasta]( and [flour](. Try It With: [A light and bright side salad](. Boring? Perhaps. But itâs perfect for cutting through all that richness. Other Twists: As we mentioned, the internet is dishing out just about any and every French onion remix â so consider [French Onion Chicken]( or [Mac and Cheese](. Or, try what may be [the absolute best grilled cheese](. You could also savor [this cheesy, creamy dip]( or [side of potatoes](. [Breckenridge, Colorado]
The Colorado Ski Town With Something for Everyone â Even Non-Skiers theSkimm If Aspen is the bougiest of bougie US ski towns, Breckenridge (aka, Breck) is its low-key cousin. Itâs still got the local, laid-back vibe â but also, a vibrant bar and restaurant scene, plenty of fresh powder, and lots of activities off the slope. Plus, itâs relatively easy to reach (as in, 80 miles from Denver) and doesnât cost a small house to visit. ð Just steps from Main Street, [Gravity Haus Breckenridge]( is a boutique hotel with a wide variety of accommodations â from bunk rooms to two-bedroom suites â plus a Japanese-style onsen for post-slope soaks. But for a true ski-in, ski-out stay, consider [Grand Timber Lodge]( conveniently located between Peaks 8 and 9. â·ï¸ From November to May, Beckenridgeâs nearly [3,000 acres of skiable terrain and 187 trails]( are its main attraction. But there are also plenty of other outdoor activities, including [snowshoeing]( and [fat biking](. Whatever you choose, come 4 pm, youâll want to check out the après scene at decades-old [Gold Pan Saloon]( or slopeside favorite [Robbieâs Tavern](. [Breckenridge, Colorado] ð¨ When you need a break from the mountain, visit the evolving [Arts District](, a cluster of studios, galleries, and performance spaces where you can go on [a self-guided tour]( of the areaâs public art or take [classes]( in ceramics, glassblowing, and jewelry making. You could also see a show at [Breckenridge Backstage Theatre](. ð´ [Breckenridge Distillery]( may be known for making more than two dozen spirits with Rocky Mountain snow melt â but its restaurant also serves excellent steaks and seasonal sides. Or, grab an artisanal sourdough pie at [Tin Plate Pizza](. (Pro tip: Donât miss the fresh-baked treats at its sister business [Dynamite Cookies](.) After that, walk over to [RMU Breckenridge]( for live music and people watching. Same vibes, different budget. If youâre looking for a real splurge â in which case, go you â [Vail]( is the spot. Think five-star hotels, plenty of places to eat and shop, and sprawling, powder-covered ski runs. [Ask An Expert Etiquette Edition] We asked you to vote on an etiquette question you'd like answered. The winner was: Q: An old friend recently reached out to reconnect, but I have no interest in doing so. Do I have to respond?
[Woman looking down at her phone concerned ] âIf theyâre manipulative, deceitful, have done something very painful, made you feel unsafe, or donât respect your boundaries, you have every right to not respond ... Plus, no response is still a response. If they follow up, Iâd wait until the end of the day, so you give it some thought and say, âIâm sorry, Iâm not in a place where I can speak with you. Give me time, and Iâll reach out when Iâm ready.â Then youâre just never ready. [In any other scenario], you should give a response ... Again, Iâd wait until the end of the day and then [respond with] a white lie. Something like, âThank you for reaching out. Unfortunately, I have a lot on my plate right now, but I'll get in touch when Iâm more freeâ ... Youâre not saying itâs them â because they actually havenât done anything wrong. Youâre saying itâs you ... Now, if you happen to bump into them, itâll be awkward if you donât mention it, they donât mention it, and you both know. So instead, just say, âOh gosh, I owe you a textâ because sometimes people truly forget.â [Sara Jane Ho in headshot]
Featured Expert Sara Jane Ho [Etiquette expert]( and author of the upcoming book â[Mind Your Manners](â [tell us] Which etiquette question should an expert answer next week? [I got a haircut and didnât like how it turned out. Is there a polite way to tell that to the stylist, or should I just find a new person?](
[My best friend and I always exchange birthday gifts, but she didnât get me anything for my last one. Should I still get her one?](
[I love babysitting my nephews, but my sister recently started dropping them off without asking first. I know sheâs overwhelmed, but how can I tell her this isnât okay?]( [skimm picks] Trending products and brands our shopping team has been loving recently. 1. The perfect V-Day gift for anyone over flowers. Wow your valentine(s) with limited-edition bite-size cupcakes from [this viral brand](. The assortment is full of drool-worthy flavors like Red Velvet, Dulce de Leche, and Dark Chocolate. Plus they ship nationwide. Use [THESKIMM10]( for 10% off.* [Order now](
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--------------------------------------------------------------- 3. The perfect jeans under $100. There's a reason why [we can't stop talking about]( Abercrombie's 90 Relaxed Jeans. They're the perfect balance between fitted and loose â meaning, you'll look cool but not sloppy. [Grab your size]( before it sells out. [Buy them]( [game time][Puzzmo Gif of different games]( Up for a challenge? [These new puzzle games]( are easy to get into, but tough to excel at. (Trust us, weâre still trying.) You can play alone, as a team, or competitively against your frenemies ð. [Weâll see you on the leaderboard](. Have a book, recipe, or travel rec? Or, a dicey etiquette question you want answered by an expert? Submit them [here](. Skimmâd by: Rasheeda Campbell, Melissa Goldberg, Alex Carr, Margaret Wheeler Johnson, and Niven McCall-Mazza --------------------------------------------------------------- Photos by G.P. Putnamâs Sons, courtesy of Elaine Skiadas, Sean Pavone via iStock, Glenn Pettersen via iStock, skynesher via Getty Images, courtesy of Sara Jane Ho, Brand Partners Design by theSkimm --------------------------------------------------------------- *PS: This is a sponsored post. Want to wake up with us every morning? [Subscribe to all theSkimm has to offer](. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Instagram Icon]( [Tik Tok Icon]( [Linkedin Logo]( [Twitter icon]( [Facebook icon](
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