The Coziest Bathrobe This Teen Can’t Live Without

Plus: Lip oils and smart mugs ☕️

Welcome to Late Bloomer, a newsletter and community for teen girls.  

Late Bloomer publishes in collaboration with The Conversationalist, a nonprofit feminist media outlet that amplifies global perspectives with original reporting and commentary. From a beginner’s guide to reproductive justice to navigating changes in adult friendships, join The Conversationalist community for thoughtful stories that are led with nuance and empathy.

Hi! Happy New Year! (Are we still saying that after the first week of January or nah?)

It’s been a minute. 2023 was kinda nutty. On a personal note, I started a new job, moved into a new apartment (which included a four-month co-op board approval process 😵‍💫😵‍💫), traveled to three weddings, watched a lot of reality TV and documentaries, and then got engaged right at the buzzer. Whew. I needed to hit the pause button. 

I told myself that once life started to feel more settled, one of my big intentions was to publish Late Bloomer again with more regularity. That said, I can’t think of a better way to start 2024 than with a new newsletter. 

So, in the words of Julie Andrews, queen of Genovia, “thank you for being here today.” And cheers to hitting the “pause” button when you need to.

Bloomer in the Spotlight 🌼

Meet Clara, a 16-year-old journalist, Gilmore Girls expert, and fellow Swiftie. 

Clara is a high school junior who happens to live just a few blocks away from me in Brooklyn. Below, we talk about her Spotify Wrapped, lip oils, her favorite bathrobe, and much more.

You’re a native New Yorker. Do you like where you live? 

I love it. It’s the best. I really wouldn’t want to be raised anywhere else. I love Brooklyn because if you want to go into the city and go shopping, it’s like a 10-minute subway ride. Brooklyn is so chill. There’s a lot of nature. I just love going on walks and getting coffee. It’s good vibes all around. 

Totally. I feel so spoiled living here. I grew up in a small-ish town and went to a small-ish high school, and I always wonder what it’s like to grow up here as a teen. What’s it like to leave school during your lunch hour and go get sushi? [laughs] It’s kind of amazing. 

I definitely take it for granted sometimes. I kind of forget how special and unique it is. Last night I was having a bit of a moment where I was just so grateful. I was with my friends in a car on our way to this party, and I was like, Wow. I’m so lucky that I’m just driving past the Empire State Building right now. Like, that’s crazy. 

When it comes to college, do you imagine yourself in a city?

I don’t think I’m going to apply to any schools in [New York City] because I want to end up back here after college. I think it’s important to experience something different. At first, when I was thinking about colleges, I was like, “I don’t want to be in New York, but I do want an urban campus.” Now that I’ve actually seen a couple of schools, I don’t know if that’s necessarily true. I toured Wesleyan in Connecticut and loved it. It was so pretty and peaceful. I feel like I could get down with that sort of vibe even though it’s really different from where I grew up. 

What kind of stuff do you like to do with your friends after school or on the weekends? 

We have so much work now, so we don’t hang out that much after school. I used to do my homework at home, but I’ve been loving going to cafes and sitting there for like four hours and getting everything done. When you’re with a friend, especially, it’s a really nice way to be productive. And you don’t feel gross because you’re just sitting in your house [all day]. 

On the weekends, it’s pretty standard stuff. We’ll go vintage shopping, regular shopping, get food. But then a lot of the time we’ll also just end up at one of our houses and just watch a movie or something. 

What was on your Spotify Wrapped? 

Taylor Swift was number one, of course. 

Of course. 

Then Lana Del Rey. 

Really? Me too! 

Oh my god. Yeah, it was Taylor, Lana, then Phoebe Bridgers and then it took a turn and I think it was Fleetwood Mac and the Beatles. 

Mine was Taylor, Lana, Olivia Rodrigo, boygenius, and Phoebe. What TV shows are you into right now? 

I mean, I’m perpetually into Gilmore Girls. I probably watched that show 15 times, but I always come back to it. It’s always an in-the-background show. I’ve also been recently watching Curb Your Enthusiasm with my dad. It’s very funny. Then me and my mom were watching Selling Sunset, which is just like, so bad. 

But so good. I feel like Wesleyan is very Gilmore Girls-coded. 

Oh my god, that’s totally the first thing I thought when I got there. 

What are your most-used apps?

Instagram, TikTok — and then this is pretty niche — but do you know the app MYmta?

Oh, yeah. For checking when the trains are coming? 

I use it so much [laughs]. I use that and Uber. 

That makes sense! What’s something that’s bringing you joy right now? 

OK, I have two things. One is I have this robe from Barefoot Dreams, and it’s the softest thing you’ll ever put on your body. I just lounge in it all day, and it’s the best thing ever. 

Another thing is journaling. I’ve always been a big journaler but I’ve been doing it a lot lately and have been loving seeing my thoughts on paper. It’s such a good release. 

What’s your most-used emoji? 

Right now, it’s the one of this guy dancing. I can send it to you if you want. 

The disco guy? 🕺

Yeah, yeah. 

Nice. What’s your can’t-live-without makeup product? 

That’s a good question. Probably the Dior Lip Glow Oil. I love that stuff. 

I don’t have that but I do have the Dior Lip Glow. 

I have that, too. But I love the lip oil. It’s really good. 

I have the Selena Gomez tinted lip oil. 

Is it good? 

It’s good. I also have her liquid blush, but I stopped using it because I look like Bozo the Clown. 

Alright, next question: If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be? 

That’s a good question. Let me think… lowkey Andy Warhol. 

Ooh. 

He’s such a cool guy. I’ve read a couple of books about that era of New York and he sounds so interesting. I feel like he would have a lot of stories to tell. 

What do you spend the most money on? 

Oh, God. Probably food, like coffee [laughs]. I need a coffee as a reward during the school day because we have a 45-minute break after our first two periods and I just can’t not get a coffee. I need something to motivate me. 

What’s your go-to coffee order?

Usually an iced latte with oat milk. But it’s been cold recently, so I’ll get a cappuccino.

What are you most looking forward to in 2024? 

I feel like between the ages of 15 and 16, I’ve matured a lot and have learned a lot more about myself. Going forward, I feel like I’m going to be able to take what I’ve learned and actually implement it into my life in 2024. I’m a lot more grounded and set in my values than I was this time last year. I feel like it’s going to be a good, grounding, secure year. 

I love that. I meant to ask you before: Are you involved in any extracurriculars at school?  

I’m deputy editor of the school paper, which is my main thing. I’m also the leader of a book club with my friend Ellie.

What was the last book you read? 

The Guest by Emma Cline. We have our meeting tomorrow, which will be our full debrief. We just finished it a couple of days ago, so I’m excited about that. 

So you’re deputy editor of the paper, which is very cool. What do you like more: Editing or writing? 

I don’t know which one I like more. I really like editing and when you get invested in a piece. It’s really satisfying to see something become better. That sounds stuck-up, but it’s nice to see your work come to life. 

Totally—I mean, the editor’s job is to make the writing better! 

But also I love writing. It’s always the topic that will motivate me. If it’s something I’m interested in or passionate about, I’ll really get into it. 

How’s it having a mom who’s a journalist? (Editor’s note: Clara’s mom is an editor at The New York Times.) 

It's awesome, but she tells me every day, “Don’t be a journalist” [laughs]. It’s interesting. I do get to see that it’s not an easy job. It’s obviously really fun now, but I see the realities behind it from her job. It’s important to know if I plan to pursue [journalism].

Beyond the Algorithm 🔮

In which Clara shares a few of her favorite things: 

1. Caudalie Vino Perfect Serum. One hundred percent worth the splurge. This serum is the best thing I've ever put on my skin; I love it so much. It's so hydrating yet not oily at all — I 1,000% percent recommend. 

2. Silk Pillow Case. I always thought silk pillowcases were hoaxes, but I recently picked one up, and not only does it make you feel like a princess, but I have seen an improvement in my skin, and my hair feels silkier. I love. 

3. P.F Candle Co, Golden Coast. This is my favorite candle ever. It's the perfect scent of sage, sea salt, and overall exactly like the name and smells like California. I always have this burning in my room; I wish they made a perfume version. 

4. Levis' Low Loose. I just discovered these jeans a couple of months ago and I already have two pairs — they are my go-to's. I have been searching for the perfect semi-low-rise jeans without being insanely baggy, and these are them. They have the perfect/low mid-rise and relaxed leg while still fitting tight in the hips/thighs. I truly could not recommend these more. Everyone needs a pair. (P.S. They run small, so size up one!)

5. C.O Bigelow West Village Rose. C.O Bigelow, a New York City institution, might be one of my favorite places in the city, and this perfume is just so wonderful. It has the perfect rosy scent without being overpowering. My mom got me this as a present for Hanukkah, and It has been my go-to perfume ever since.

tysm, Clara! 🌼

In the meantime…

Here are some things I have recently bought and/or consumed: 

1. Ember Mug 2. My fiancé and I were gifted this temperature-regulated smart mug by his parents, which is funny because both of us were independently considering buying it for one another. It was in a ton of gift guides this year, and for good reason: It’s pretty great — especially if you’re a slow coffee drinker like me. The Ember Travel Mug 2 (which is sold out atm) would come in handy whether you’re schlepping to class or hunkered down in the library studying. 

2. Glossy. Super-late to the party on this one, but I am finally getting around to reading the Emily Weiss/Glossier book by Marisa Meltzer. I haven’t finished it yet, but it’s just as juicy as everyone says.  

3. The Holdovers. A heartwarming film about a student (rising star Dominic Sessa) and his cranky prep school teacher (Paul Giamatti) who are forced to remain on campus together over the holidays, The Holdovers is not to be slept on. It’s also just nice to see *real* teenagers cast as teenagers, probably because it’s so rare in Hollywood.

(Side note: I learned recently that Keiko Agena, who plays Lane Kim on Gilmore Girls, was 27 in the first season. TWENTY-SEVEN!!)   

4. Logitech POP Keys Wireless Mechanical Keyboard. Do you like aesthetically pleasing tech accessories and the satisfying clickety-clack sound of your nails hitting the keyboard? If yes, this retro wireless keyboard makes sitting at your computer all day feel more cute and less monotonous. 

5. House Hot Chocolate by Dandelion Chocolate. I am picky about my hot chocolate and it brings me no pleasure to report that my neighborhood Starbucks makes the best ones. Sadly, a tall hot chocolate with oat milk costs almost $7. (Inflation, baby!). But this fancy hot chocolate I got as a stocking stuffer tastes just as yummy. It is rich and creamy and is the perfect afternoon pick-me-up. Thanks, Santa!

And here’s a song to get ya through the week: 

P.S. I wanna hear from you! 🐌

Want to nominate a friend (or yourself!) for “Bloomer in the Spotlight”? Got a brilliant recommendation for “Beyond the Algorithm” or just wanna say hey?

Get in touch at latebloomernewsletter@gmail.com 💘