10 Things We're Doing Besides Shining Bright Like a Diamond

Ya heard? We’re feeling real fancy these days, care of some seriously special pieces from our favorite fine jewelry designers. Go get ogling, get pinning, and get hint-dropping because Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. And in case you’re curious about the costs behind these beauties, we’ve got a podcast ep with superstar Anna Sheffield that addresses exactly that.

erica’s things

• Eating my feelings at the end of a loooong week in the form of a spread of Wisconsin cheeses from Fromagination. Standouts: this world champ (that's a big deal!) and this sheep’s milk gloriousness made by two women named Anna.

• Sweating the workout motivation that is The New Jock—it’s kinda like Into the Gloss, but for fitness.

• Taking in the real-talk of the podcast Terrible, Thanks for Asking, where interviewees opt not to answer the Q “How aaaare you?” with “fine.” (Warning: not easy-listening.)

• Growing some wintertime basil without even trying in this kind-of-insane, definitely magical contraption.

• Appreciating the punny title and so much more about Cathy O’Neil’s book Weapons of Math Destruction about the dark side of big data.
  

claire’s things

• Resurfacing a favorite feminist moment as inspiration for the weekend. Let’s all agree to never settle for pickle juice.

• Cheating on my highlighter with this balmy goodness.

• Trying to get a better understanding of how the Supreme Court operates, with the help of More Perfect.

• Having it brought to my attention that not everyone is following the New Yorker cartoons Instagram account, which is especially on-fire these days.

• Realizing something really, really important about pre-peeled avocados.

turn it up to 11 - from claire

• Declaring that not all bath mats are created equal.

10 Things We're Doing Besides Self-Caring

Right now feels like a pretty good time for self-care and escapism, yes? We’ve got some hot (and steamy, for that matter) tips for you right this way: a podcast ep containing our ruminations on relaxation along with romance novel recs from an expert. 

erica’s things

• Taking the first step toward improving my atrocious posture: a chill-but-tough class at New York Pilates. Also, these stretches look like a nice break from the sad desk slump.

• Laying off the caffeine for a bit and mixing some of this stuff with almond milk when I’m in the mood for something creamy-dreamy instead of herbal tea.

• Embracing sweater weather, with this man as my role model.

• Toasting an affianced pal’s move to buy her gown at Bridal Garden, a Manhattan boutique with some serious deals on serious dresses—the sales of which benefit education for disadvantaged kids.

• Deep-cleaning my fridge and realllly patting myself on the back about that. (I have this to thank.)
  

claire’s things

• Drowning in an embarassment of podcast riches: the Longform interview with Terry Gross and the three-parter Making Oprah. I took actual notes on these—a first for my podcast-listening career, I think.

• Keeping a packet of these wonderfully effective things in my purse to combat salt-and-sand destruction of winter boots—like Handi Wipes for your leather goods.

• Forcing Erica to listen to me read way too many sections of Eat the Document out loud. Knowingly written, just-enough suspenseful, and highly relevant to these times we’re living in.

• Praising the ladies at Negative Underwear for coming out with a good-looking, no-underwire bra that I’m pretty obsessed with. Holy comfort, Batman. And so cute, too!

• Adding my signature to what might be the most pressing petition of our time. Antsy for you to do the same.

turn it up to 11 - from erica

• Thinking of buying myself a 34th bday present. This? This? These?

10 Things We're Doing Besides Being Better Empathizers

That thing where your friend is going through one of life’s crappier moments and the only things you can think of to say seem inadequate at best and ham-fisted at worst? Emily McDowell’s got a card to solve for that—and, now, a book for it, too. She came on the podcast and taught us all about what empathy really means and how to do it better. 2017 goals, for sure.

P.S. Resolving to binge-listen more this year? Our whole A Few Things archive’s here.

erica’s things

• Giving much consideration—and, hey, some laughs!—to the spelling of the abbreviation of casual (as in “keepin’ it…”).

• Lifting an oil stain out of a silk tie with the magic of (wait for it!) cornstarch.

• Stumbling upon a DIY project that feels very appropriate after a blustery few days in NYC: ice-dyeing.

• Treating my iPhone to a new 2017 look and furthering my <3 <3 for Moglea in the process.

• Stayin’ on top of resolutions goals with the clean, no-nonsense Strides app. Here’s to getting enough sleep—we can do this.

claire’s things

• Making a lazy meal out of falafel chips dipped in Sohha’s Everything Bagel yogurt. If your grocer’s holding out on you, grab the topping, some plain yogurt, olive oil, and pine nuts, and make your own.

• Trusting this guy and this guy only with framing all of my late grandmother’s paintings.

• Double-tapping my way through Joana Avillez’s so-spot-on #goldenageofinstagram series.

• Pinching pots (or something that vaguely resembles them, anyway) at La Mano Pottery in NYC—it’s got a laid-back vibe and warm, patient teachers.

• Living for R. Eric Thomas’s hilarious, cathartic writing, especially in these trying, post-Mariah-meltdown times.

turn it up to 11 - from claire

• Feeling extra-grateful for these guys while trudging through this weekend’s snowy sidewalks.

10 Things We're Doing Besides Taking 35% off Some of the Best Things

Our 35% off limited editions bonanza is nearly over, and, frankly, it’s hard to believe this and this are still around—two winter warrior pieces if we ever saw ‘em. Go scoop up those (and so much more!) with the code EDGEOFSEVENTEEN through Wednesday, and stave off the January blues for just a little bit longer

erica’s things

• Transforming any ol’ faucet into a water fountain with the aid of this smart little thing.

• Taking in the 1) snow and 2) fireplaces at Scribner’s Catskills Lodge.

• Relying on a real handy, well-designed app to answer the Q: “But where is this movie streaming on the internet?!”

• Amping up eggs with Mama O’s Kimchi Paste. Next up: rubbing the stuff on fish filets—and maybe roasted carrots?

• Fantasizing about traversing Peru via train aboard the fancy-pants Belmond Andean Explorer. I assume Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, and Jason Schwartzman would be bunking in the next cabin over.

claire’s things

• Wondering if it’s not too late to awaken my inner T. Swift via one these seriously good-looking contraptions.

• Thawing out frozen fingers by the fire at Tullibee, the cozy and delicious bar/restaurant scene at Minneapolis’s latest boutique hotel, The Hewing. The fries alone are worth the trip. (More of our MPLS faves here!)

• Wanting to kick my own letter-writing habit into gear after spending some serious time on this treasure trove of ‘em. This is a great place to start.

• Finding new ways to stoke my Picasso appreciation at the LACMA’s thought-provoking exhibit that charts his work alongside fellow superstar and sometimes-rival Diego Rivera’s.

• Landing on a flick my nephews and I can all get into: Kobu and the Two Strings, a beautifully animated, funny, and magical adventure. (That said: It could have been a lot better.)

turn it up to 11 - from erica

• Saying “see ya, wouldn’t wanna be ya!” to 2016. Come on, 2017, we can do better.