hyperfixation report #005

hey, remember me?

Hey friends!

Boy, things are bad right now, huh? Understatement of the decade!!! So maybe this is a weird time to decide to come back to Substack, but I find myself yearning for a space to yap. Maybe it’s an avoidance tactic, maybe it’s the desire to feel more control, I don’t know.

Either way, I plan to be at least semi-active on Voted Most Talkative again. I think, for now, it will be very loosey goosey because I am myself a loose goose at the moment, but hopefully it’ll be a fun distraction whenever it shows up in your inbox.

That said, some housekeeping:

• I do not currently plan on resuming my GOSSIP GIRL recaps. Womp womp! I know. I love them, they take an insane amount of time that I need to put elsewhere. Maybe one day! It’s not a never, just a not right now. If you subscribed for LINCOLN HAWK FAN CLUB, you can go here and toggle off the subscription for VMT and still be on the list if LHFC comes back.

• Paid subscriptions will turn back on Monday, Nov. 18. If you were paying monthly before, and you aren’t sure you wanna opt into that given erratic deliveries, I get it! You can update that here.

• I’ll be using affiliate links, which means I make money if you buy something from me. I think affiliate links are a very chill way of supporting people you follow, because it’s free on your end, but if you don’t feel the same, I get it. Follow your bliss. Just letting you know that’s the deal!

And now, the reason we’re here: hyperfixation report #005.

I started sharing these collections to Instagram because I often find myself hyperfixating on things, and chunking them together was a fun way to find a through line. Also, I just like sharing the things that I like! So here we go!

1) Shushu/Tong Spring 2025

I believe it was Mandy who first shared Shushu/Tong’s Spring 2025 collection to her stories, and I was immediately obsessed with this color combo: the freshness of the mint paired with the vampiness of the oxblood in these ladylike shapes. Oxblood is very much trending at the moment, and I think this will be a nice way to transition them into spring. (Though, to be honest, I’d copy it right now.)

2) This Staud Coat

Naturally, that Shushu/Tong look led me to hunt down clothes in mint, a color which is shockingly not represented in my wardrobe. Staud has a few very promising pieces, including this Sanza coat, which ticks all the boxes. (It goes without saying that I’m also eyeing the sequined stuff, like this Eton minidress or the Casey midi skirt.)

3) A velvet bustier by Sergio Hudson

While a bit more cherry red than the russet tones of the Shushu/Tong collection, this velvet bustier by Sergio Hudson is gorgeous. It’s also $2700 but who is counting?!

4) Bella Hadid in YSL for Self Service Magazine

Mamma f*cking Mia!!!! Or, in the words of my beloved Alyssa Vingan, “Damn, Bella!” She’s just so hot. It’s that simple.

5) Damiano David’s “Born With a Broken Heart” video

Speaking of hot people: I didn’t know facial structure like this was even legal. I’ve been aware of Damiano since his band Måneskin took off, but that sound wasn’t exactly my speed; his solo single very much gives Harry Styles vibes, and I can’t get enough of the video’s homage to Old Hollywood. Can more men start dressing like Gene Kelly? Thanks.

6) Luxurious pajama sets

After years and years and years of turning my nose up at pajama sets – who needs to spend money on sleep clothes when you can just wear old tees and sweatshorts? – I woke up one day and I was like, I need luxurious matching pajama sets. I think there’s something to be said for having things in your life that just make you feel good. As a trial run, I bought a few sets from Amazon (which I will not be linking because I am positive they are flammable trash, but I’m getting good wear out of them), but for my next round, I’m eyeing these Lunya washable silk sets.

7) Leuchtturm Classic Notebooks

I love these notebooks from Leuchtturm so much. I’ve probably bought a dozen in different shapes and sizes since going freelance, and I use them for everything: morning journaling, brainstorming plots, jotting down questions for interviews. I was picking them up at McNally Jackson, but the color selection has become dire in recent months and I’m scared they’re becoming more scarce.

8) A dapper-looking Mets hat

I went from zero to 60 on baseball hats this year, so it’s not exactly like I need another. Also, I very recently railed on about how ridiculous I find sports merch that comes in colors which aren’t the team’s colors. (ENOUGH with the pink please!!!!) But there’s something kind of chic about this checked Mets cap, no?

9) The Toteme jacket

I posted about this Toteme jacket on my Instagram stories a few days ago, and the responses were nearly a 50/50 split between people who felt like this style has moved into classic territory and those who felt it was played out. I am, quite admittedly, years late to this trend, considering this jacket was everywhere several seasons ago, but it wasn’t until I saw how Leonie Hanne styled it that I thought it was something that could work in my wardrobe. It also fills a gap in my closet: I don’t have a lightweight jacket that can be easily layered with other pieces and that can work in casual contexts. This one in monochromatic camel tones feels perfect for me.

10) A REAL PAIN

This was easily my most anticipated film of the year, and it did not disappoint. I think it’s so special and intimate and beautiful; Kieran and Jesse both give incredible performances, but I can’t stop thinking about Kieran in particular. If he doesn’t get nominated for an Oscar, something has gone very wrong. See it in theaters if you can.