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Weekend Update

 1. Second cut on a lot of sale items have begun, aka the time where I really like to strike! I’ve been doing the best so far with my shoe shopping – there are lots of good deals out there now, like these  Jimmy Choo sandals, for under $300.

So often I feel that I spend $$$ on designer shoes, only to never wear them because the heels is so high – so I’ve been looking a lower styles almost exclusively these days, to get better cost per wear. These Jimmy Choos are the perfect example – I love the tan, but the black is also classic.

PS: Nordstrom has the lowest price, but if they’re sold out of your size, Neiman Marcus also has them for a little more, and Saks has a higher heeled version (still a reasonable height).

2. Interesting opinion piece via The NY Times – Stop Pretending You’re Not Rich. I could write a whole book about the private vs. public school debate in our area. Oy!!

3. My own wedding was six years ago, and I’m approaching that age where the torrent of weddings we used to be invited to each year has been slowing to a trickle. But I still love them! And I love this article about luxury weddings of the super rich, via Racked (the best piece I’ve read via Racked in a while).

4. Now from weddings to divorces – an interesting little read from The Guardian, about How To Get Divorced, Silicon Valley style.

5. This week, I’m reading The Secret History, by Donna Tartt.

I’m not one of those people who absolutely loved The Goldfinch, Tartt’s most recent work, although I was able to finish it and of course it was very well written. Everyone I expressed this opinion to however, said that I had to try The Secret History, so finally I gave it a try. So far I’ve been enjoying it, and its reference to the Greeks/classics.  The best way I can describe it is a murder mystery but in the reverse, albeit a little slower moving. If you’re used to quick paced thrillers, this may not be the book for you, but if you’re looking for a beautifully written detective story with a strong classic influence, I’d definitely give The Secret History a try.

9 Comments

  • Reply
    Hui
    June 16, 2017 at 11:32 am

    Hi Katherine, again enjoyed a lot the articles that you recommended.
    What is your opinion on private and public schools? Please share! In Switzerland (where I live), private schools are not looked at favorably by the locals as the general level of education is very good. But public schools have also drawbacks, many many in fact.
    Another topic, I am reading now the newest biography on Prince Charles by Sally Bedell Smith. Very well written and entertaining, I think you will like it.

    • Reply
      Katherine
      June 17, 2017 at 11:06 am

      Thank you!!

      You know I’m still deciding on the private vs public – I thought I was firmly on public but I keep getting worn down by friends, etc. I’d love to hear more about Switzerland. I’ll write more once we decide (But that will be a while!)

      • Reply
        Hui
        June 19, 2017 at 12:07 pm

        In Switzerland, only 20% go to university, the rest have professional education. The separation is done as early as 13 years old. Most people go to public school and a minority goes to private school. The drawback of public shool is the timetable, lunch and after school care are only offered at very high extra costs. Women who would like to work have to earn a very good salary to make it economically interesting. Otherwise the extra costs are just too high. Private schools are very expensive. USD 30K is a usual price per year. My children go to a Montessori school which is private (no public Montessori school in Switzerland). We are so far happy with it. However it means a enormous financial sacrifice for us. There is no perfect solution. The most important thing is that your kids are happy and they find learning interesting.

        • Reply
          Katherine
          June 20, 2017 at 11:48 am

          This is fascinating, thank you for sharing! That’s around the same price here – like you say a big financial sacrifice, but many families find it worth it (and even for multiple children!)

  • Reply
    Wendy
    June 17, 2017 at 8:23 pm

    Hi Katherine! I really enjoyed the Secret History! I read Perfume too. I enjoyed that one too.

  • Reply
    Tracy
    June 18, 2017 at 10:33 am

    I finally started reading The Goldfinch two weeks ago and as much as I want to learn what the high-brow literati hoopla is all about, I’m not really feeling it. Neither am I feeling all the personal essays featured on Racked and the website’s general pivot in the past two years.

  • Reply
    A.S.
    June 18, 2017 at 5:20 pm

    How funny–I’m also reading The Secret History right now. Please update us with your thoughts when you’re done!

  • Reply
    Bee
    June 22, 2017 at 9:56 am

    I just finished The Secret History! I didn’t find the story itself to be very compelling, but the writing was beautiful, so I enjoyed the process of reading it. If that makes any sense…

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