What The Pull is eating, seeing, buying, listening and reading this month.
By Rachel Weisz
Each month, The Pull invites Editor Rachel Weisz to reflect and share her musings on experiences and things that have sparked her interest lately. From food to fashion to random fixations — Rachel invites you to take what resonates and leave what doesn’t.
This month for me is all about stability. It is a craving that stems from the constant changing and evolutions not only from my personal life, but from the ever evolving nature of the digital landscape. Working in media has its perks and I love that no two days are the same, especially in the news cycle. I love change, and often embrace it without even thinking of its consequences. Yet, recently it has become a sore spot for me. I am suddenly craving routine, of something that is my own. Perhaps it is the cooler weather that is bringing a homely sense of sentimentality, or maybe it my mind and body telling me to slow down and take a breather in this ever chaotic world.
That is why this month’s musings are all about things that either bring me joy, or a sense of calm amidst the fast-paced world I live in. Whether I am deciding on a more subdued sartorial palette reflecting the cooler seasons ahead, or choosing to opt out of social media content and opting in the fortnightly substacks — hopefully there is something here that you can takeaway and make your own. There is nothing wrong with slowing down and taking a breather in life — if anything it is a necessity.
Below is a list of recommendations to eat, see, buy, listen and read this April.
Eating: Vietnamese Food
I’ve really been trying to cook at home a lot lately, which ultimately means I deserve to treat myself and go out… right?!
I went to Hello Auntie a few months ago for my birthday dinner, and I cannot stop thinking about my experience. This Vietnamese restaurant lies in the heart of Marrickville and is a short walk from the station. Six of us shared the $75PP set menu, which included some of the most delicious banh mi pate and beef tartare i’ve ever had — and this was only the starters. The food just kept rolling in…to our bellies. We later feasted on some eggplant wonton, papaya salad and prawn fried rice. Although out stomachs were aching at this point, we still managed to get a few slices of lamb rib and BBQ pork jowl in, while our vegetarian friends ate some amazing vietnamese crepes filled with tofu. The cocktails are also superb. The food felt warm and nourishing, and it was such a joyful experience to have with friends.
I cannot wait to go back again this month.
Visit Hello Auntie in Marrickville
Address: 278 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204
Seeing: Challengers
Although i’m not the biggest tennis aficionado, Zendaya has me ready to pick up a racquet and take a swing — so long as I can do it in JW anderson. The designer and creative director Jonathan Anderson of JW Anderson and Loewe is the costume designers for Zendaya’s newest film Challengers, which explores a romantic love triangle between former tennis prodigy turned coach (Zendaya), her tennis champion husband (Mike Faist), and tennis player and ex-boyfriend (Josh O’Connor).
Zendaya recently touched down in Sydney for the Australian premier of the film, sporting a custom tennis-themed Loewe gown. I’m excited to see Anderson’s creative sartorial vision for the film — and how the film itself blends embraces fashion as a source of visual stimulation. You may see me in the bleachers cheering next to Tom Holland.
Challengers will be released in Australian cinemas on April 18, 2024.
Buying: A winter wardrobe
Summer had me feeling giddy in my femininity, draping myself bows and frills and the colours of the rainbow. And while I hope to carry this same sweet sentimentality throughout the year, I find that winter is all about dressing down, and getting a little serious.
As cliche as it sounds, cool weather has me wrapped up in more darker tones – think navy, soft greys and black. I am in need of investing in a warm everyday sweater, and I love this unisex knit by Viktoria & Woods. It’s such an easy staple, and would look gorgeous with some black trousers, matching navy socks and my New Balance 530s.
Not ready to steer away from my fashionable adoration to femininity, I will be embracing this side of me through accessorising. I am in love with this shoulder bag by Par Moi. It is called the Susan bag and is cut from a dead stock wool blend, perfect for the cooler seasons. I love the bow, carrying on the feminine coquette aesthetic into winter while adopting the darker tones that I am after — a perfect match!
Listening: Lo-Fi music
I remember when I was in university, and one of my lecturers would constantly play Lo-Fi music in the background while he taught the class. Even when classes turned to Zoom, a separate window would play Lo-Fi tunes as he spoke about content pillars and flipped through his powerpoint presentations. I honestly never understood the need, and frankly found the slow instrumental vibrations quite irritating. It wasn’t until now, where I need all the focus I can get to write and edit a publication, that I kind of see where he was coming from. Letting soft and easy to digest rhythm play in the background as I write has made me feel more focused, helping to drown out the loudness around me to focus on the task at hand.
Below are two Lo-Fi playlists I have on repeat most days. Perhaps it’s not for everyone, or for every moment (I contrarily listen to hard-style EDM while I run because it helps me run faster), but for work, it’s been a complete game changer.
Reading: Substacks
I’ve been really getting into Substacks lately. I love hearing the cultural musings of other creative talents, and its a refreshing dose of stimulating content that does not affiliate itself with the likes of Instagram or TikTok.
My favourite is fortnightly Substack The Fuse, by writer/editor Divya Venkataraman and novelist Diana Reid. This Substack offers a nuanced and enlightening take on relevant topics that plague the everyday millennial, but doesn’t submit to the pressures of the news cycle or the immediate pop culture narratives that you are bombarded with on social media. I especially loved their third iteration, titled What is a ‘writer’, anyway? which touched on imposter syndrome, social media expectations and identity through the lens of their personal and professional experiences. This kind of conversational yet nuanced exploration of topics is insightful while being easy to digest — which is exactly what i’m after at this point in my life. RUSSH has also recently put out a great list of Substacks to read, which you can find here.
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