Margo's Got Money Troubles

Under $100 finds for girls on a budget.

I’ve had a nasty bout of congestion for the past week and there doesn’t seem to be enough Tylenol PM or Breathe Easy Tea to help. The kind of stuffy nose that makes you feel like your head is filled with cotton and you only half sleep, open-mouthed and disgusted by your own crustiness.

Ignore the massively over whipped salty vanilla frosting — because, oh boy, did it still taste phenomenal.

I’m distracting myself with fun books (see below), a very delicious brown butter pumpkin cake from Alison Roman’s

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and deep internet dives for a Strega Nona costume (have you heard, it’s a Strega Nona fall??). I plan on handing out candy to the kids parading down Main Street from a big ol’ pasta pot.

Links, links, links!

• I’m watching Disclaimer and am engrossed, even though Vulture calls it a “flaccid, pretentious slog.” Ouch. All of the characters are horrible and you’re not rooting for anyone, but episode #3 was pretty darn sexy and I’m now walking around saying “Kylie’s nipples” in my best husky BBC voice. Curious to see where the show goes.

• COS has some excellent new things for fall like this ribbed turtleneck sweater and this faux shearling jacket in a rich, chocolatey brown.

• Holiday pants sorted. Or these.

• The new Athena Calderone collab for Crate & Barrel just dropped!

• Natalie Merchant on repeat these days. Comfort music at its finest.

• Apparently I have holiday parties on the brain — how good is this tie-front jacket styled over a little skirt or dress? Or Doen’s new holiday collection, including this beautiful top.

• As the weather cools I dream of offering tea to people to sip as they browse. How perfect would these little espresso cups be in the store??

• Any and all of these jewels.

Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rupi Thorpe

To be honest, this isn’t in a book I would normally pick up — something about the hot pink cover and the illustration of the woman face down on the couch — but I am so glad I did. I overheard a fellow bookseller talk about how much she liked it (and I really adore this woman, she radiates joy, which translates to unbridled trust in the book suggestion department).

I’m not spoiling anything because it’s revealed early on, but 19 year old Margo has an affair with her married English professor at a community college in Fullerton. When she gets pregnant, she decides to keep the baby, going against everyone’s pleas not to throw her life away.

After she loses her job and two of her three roommates move out, furious at the crying baby in the next room as they study for mid-terms, Margo needs to make money. Fast. Her ex pro wrestler dad, Jinx, moves in and Margo starts posting content to an OnlyFans profile. It is smart and feminist and very funny. I was thoroughly charmed by Margo as she navigates being newly adult as a new mom. Entertaining and heartwarming, it was exactly the book I needed for a week under the weather.

And it’s soon to be an Apple TV show starring Elle Fanning and Michelle Pfeiffer (and Nicole Kidman because apparently Nicole Kidman is now in everything).

The title says it all, but Margo's Got Money Troubles so everything on this roundup is under $100.

1. A sherpa onesie for baby Bodhi. Cuuuuuute!!

2. Margo needs a good pair of slippers to navigate those early days with an infant. And these are “wicked good.”

3. I’m mad about this little wool bandana for $35!

4. These lightweight silver hoop earrings in an interesting, irregular shape feel perfect for Margo.

5. Margo needs a cool, leather-looking cropped jacket to wear on nights when Jinx is babysitting her kid.

6. Every 19 year old should have a cool pair of joggers. I love the look of these for under $50.

7. Margo’s dad, Jinx, is a pro wrestler and I learned so much about the world of WWE!! It made me think of an interview Rick Rubin did a few years ago for On Being (my favorite) where he talks about his love of pro wrestling, saying it’s the most honest representation of real life. The whole interview is worth a listen, but especially his take on WWE and how it reflects humanity. The Creative Act lives on my bedside table.

8. Some sexy lingerie would absolutely boost Margo’s OnlyFans performance.

9. A Toteme-esque sweater for a fraction of the price for when Margo needs to look pulled together.

10. Momofuku noodles are the absolute greatest! So quick, so delicious. They regularly get added to lunch thermoses or whipped up to keep hungry children from going off the rails. Far, far superior to the Cup Noodles I slurped down in college.

11. Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe

12. *This is not under $100 but at one point Margo makes some money and splurges on a black blazer that saves her hide. She says she’s never spent so much on a piece of clothing before and this tailored blazer is what I pictured.