This month’s roundup of what to read, watch, listen and do this May by Prim’d “Inspiration Curator” Sophie Davies is a mixed bag that evokes joyful creativity through different forms. This month includes a way to channel your inner badass for greatness, storytelling through art, a witty dose of pop culture and the stunning beauty of couture evolving over five decades. Enjoy!

Read

You Are A Badass - How To Stop Doubting Your Greatness And Start Living An Awesome Life

by Jen Sincero

This Mother’s Day my husband gifted me this book on behalf of our kids, I was a little surprised as it's not his style but intrigued all the same. I know if I was to show my British friends the title of this book I would get a lot of eye rolling and sarcastic comments about the word that Brits just don’t use “awesome”, but as I have lived in the Bay Area for nearly nine years and have two American kids I tend to use it lot… and actually quite like it.

The introduction of the book starts with a quote by a spiritual enthusiast which the author Jen Sincero comments on by saying: “I used to think quotes like this were a bunch of crap. I also didn’t know what the hell they were talking about.” My shoulders relaxed, I started to smile then then proceeded to be entertained by Sincero’s distinctive voice and humor explaining inspiring stories and sage advice. I think we can all admit to having self-sabotaging beliefs and behaviours that can stop us getting what we want and this book promises to help you “understand why you are how you are, how to love what you can’t change, how to change what you can’t love, and how to use The force to kick some serious ass.”

You Are a Badass

Watch

Nothing Left Unsaid: Gloria Vanderbilt and Anderson Cooper

This HBO documentary is about artist, Hollywood actress who was born into one of the wealthiest and best-known families in American history, Gloria Vanderbilt has lived in the public eye for more than 90 years. Can you imagine? Now at 91, Gloria is still drawing and painting everyday as a means of self-expression and as a way of coping with what she calls “the grief for the lost places of your past.”

This feature-length documentary, directed by Liz Garbus is a tribute to her life and features archival footage, unseen home videos, photos, private letters and newspaper cuttings. It also features open conversations between her and her youngest son, news correspondent Anderson Cooper.

My favorite part of the documentary is how they show her drawings come to life to explain the stories behind them, and pieces of collage artwork being used to portray key moments of her life particularly her complicated childhood. A very beautifully executed documentary.

Nothing Left Unsaid: Gloria Vanderbilt and Anderson Cooper trailer

Nothing Left Unsaid: Gloria Vanderbilt and Anderson Cooper HBO Documentary

Listen

npr Pop Culture Happy Hour

Those of you who regularly read our Prim’d blog posts will know that I am a bit of a podcast junkie (closely catching up to my magazine obsession that I am trying to control with a 12-step program). I mostly tune into inspiring entrepreneurial material but sometimes at the end of a long week or weekends I like to switch off from business and listen to something non- work related.

I am thoroughly enjoying the content and fun energy of the presenters of npr’s Pop Culture Happy Hour. Every week there is a happy hour that discusses the latest movie, TV show, play, popular event, such as Hamilton on broadway, The Mindy Project, or the hilarious Bad Movies Quiz.

They also do what they call ‘Small Batch’ which is a shorter version (approx.10 minutes) from a review of Beyonce’s Lemonade album to a ‘Remembering Prince’ tribute. But what I particularly Iove about this show is the entertaining and professional delivery by editor & host Linda Holmes accompanied by the witty input from fellow npr contributors. Their stimulating banter makes me laugh out loud in the car, which is much needed when you are driving in rush hour traffic on Highway 101. Thank you npr Pop Culture Happy Hour for brightening up my days!

npr Pop Culture happy Hour

Do

Oscar de la Renta: The Retrospective

There is just two weeks left to catch the Oscar de la Renta retrospective at the deYoung Museum in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. Friends of mine have been gushing about this stunning exhibition that celebrates his long career that begins in his formative years in Spain and tells the story of how he became such an iconic designer who has dressed some of the most influential personalities and royalty of the 20th and 21st centuries.

The exhibit features 130 pieces produced over five decades and organized into thematic sections; early work: Spanish, Eastern, Russian and garden influences: daywear and eveningwear: and ball gowns and red carpet ensembles. It runs until May 30th and I can’t wait to see it and be transformed to a fantasy world by the “Concorde Couturier”.

Oscar de la Renta: The Retrospective exhibition

Oscar de la Renta: The Retrospective at deYoung Museum, san Francisco

Sophie Davies

Sophie Davies is the co-founder and resident social media and content strategist at Prim'd Marketing. Sophie has worked with an international portfolio of clients in the fashion industry, ranging from Lacoste and Calvin Klein to independent designers, as well as consulting with brands in the lifestyle, wedding, parenting and publishing industries on their social media marketing.

Prim'd Marketing helps businesses and personal brands look and sound like the best versions of themselves through a brand positioning and content marketing program called 'The Brand Plan'. The foundation and guiding light to any subsequent branding, website and content marketing.

You can connect with her on Linkedin, Instagram or Twitter

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