Motherhood, One Year In, and Gluten-Free Bunnies
Congrats to Cam on his first bday and to Claire on her one-year motherhood anniversary! We’ll get into all of the learnings—and bathtime struggles. But first: a rabbit whose diet is raw, vegan, now grain-free. How very 2020 of her.
Congrats to Cam on his first bday and to Claire on her one-year motherhood anniversary! We’ll get into all of the learnings—and bathtime struggles. But first: a rabbit whose diet is raw, vegan, now grain-free. How very 2020 of her.
The linkage:
Ash’s wonderful vet, Catnip & Carrots.
Meaghan O’Connell on breastfeeding and hormones for The Cut.
For pelvic floor and postpartum incontinence stuff, look into Michele McGurk of Danu Physical Therapy in Brooklyn and Rachel Welch of Revolution Motherhood in Manhattan, in Brooklyn, and on the internet.
Underwear for the fourth trimester! From Nyssa.
To understand baby developmental leaps, give The Wonder Weeks app a download.
Products! You knew they were coming. It’s all about the Snoo (which you can rent), the BabyBjorn Bouncer, the Colugo compact stroller, and the Charlie Crane levo baby bouncer.
Erin Boyle of Reading My Tea Leaves shares intel on the Buy Nothing Project here.
the sponsors
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Checking in With Your Unemployed Hosts
A couple of months ago, we went deep on what it felt like to shut down our company Of a Kind (dig into that episode here), and now, with more distance, we have plenty of fresh new takeaways to share. Spoiler alert: We have no idea what our professional futures hold, and we’re cool with that.
A couple of months ago, we went deep on what it felt like to shut down our company Of a Kind (dig into that episode here), and now, with more distance, we have plenty of fresh new takeaways to share. Spoiler alert: We have no idea what our professional futures hold, and we’re cool with that.
The linkage:
For further listening on brushing scams, try this Planet Money ep and/or this Reply All one.
Here's Wendy Macnaughton’s IG post that made us feel seen.
The Tyranny of Tights, Drinking and Not Drinking, and Where We Shop Now
Are black tights getting you down? Are you looking to investigate your alcohol consumption? Are you searching for some new places to shop? This is not an infomercial—it’s just an intro to all that awaits you in this week’s grab bag of an ep.
It’s total mid-February vibes around here, as evidenced by the fact that we’re entertaining ourselves with new egg preparations and spending our weekend nights getting our jewelry in order. And when we do leave the house? Well, we’re pulling on the tallest, warmest socks we can come by.
The linkage:
Our fave stores, for fashion and accessories: Idun, Kick Pleat, Noodle Stories, Love Adorned, Esqueleto, Lizzie Fortunato (don’t sleep on the Fortune Finds home goods either!), Lisa Says Gah, Garmentory, Concrete + Water, and Ban.do.
Shops we love, for home and gifty stuff: Food52, Collyer’s Mansion, Primary Essentials, Coming Soon, Homecoming, Hawkins New York, and Leif.
Tall (definitely investment) boots: Stuart Weitzman’s Lowland and Loeffler Randall's Gia ones.
Sheer tights! Wolford Individual 10s are just great.
Some drinking stuff: Omission GF beer and madeira, beloved by George Washington.
Some non-drinking stuff: Curious Elixirs, Kin Euphorics, Recess, Proteau, Zero Proof dinner series, The Goods article on how 2019 changed the way we drink, Tempest, and a NYT opinion column on A.A. and women (that came out after we recorded and is too relevant not to include!).
the sponsors:
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Mickey Drexler and Sweet Potatoes—a Classic Combination?!
Talk about thrilling: We have a bonafide icon on today’s ep. We’re talking to Mickey Drexler—who spearheaded Gap and J.Crew in their heydays and is now helping make magic happen at Alex Mill—about how he works and just plain does his days. But first: sweet potatoes, which aren’t boring, ok?
Talk about thrilling: We have a bonafide icon on today’s ep. We’re talking to Mickey Drexler—who spearheaded Gap and J.Crew in their heydays and is now helping make magic happen at Alex Mill—about how he works and just plain does his days. But first: sweet potatoes, which aren’t boring, ok?
The linkage:
Three recipes for exciting sweet potatoes! Ones loaded with lentils, citrus, and feta, ones topped with tahini butter, and ones baked into a (paleo) bread. And one non-recipe: almond butter and seasoned rice vinegar mixed into a sauce and topped with furikake.
Mickey Drexler’s latest retail undertaking (led by his son, Alex Drexler!) is Alex Mill. We love it. Erica wears these and this all the time, Claire can often be spotted in this and this, and just about everybody sweats these.
When it comes to meditating, Mickey is into Hamsa and Transcendental Meditation.
A home-goods business Mickey likes: Snowe.
Personal-Care Wonders We Enthusiastically Buy in Bulk
Something we learned in recording this episode: We have a lot of HG beauty products—and you’re ‘bout to hear about all of them. Oh, and about Christmas trees...which, is that still a seasonally appropriate topic?
Something we learned in recording this episode: We have a lot of HG beauty products—and you’re ‘bout to hear about all of them. Oh, and about Christmas trees...which, is that still a seasonally appropriate topic?
The linkage:
Glass-blown ornament resources, five days after Christmas: Old World Christmas (hoodies in particular!), Worthwhile in Charleston (in-store only), ABC Carpet & Home, and Best Made Company.
The newsletter Garden Variety sparked Claire’s dry-orange tree-decor initiative.
Skincare we can go on and on about: Lancôme Eau Fraîche Douceur Micellar Cleansing Water, Yes to Cucumbers Gentle Milk Cleanser, Biologique Recherche P50, Moon Juice Beauty Shroom Exfoliating Acid Potion, Kristina Holey + Marie Veronique Barrier Restore Serum, Noto Botanics Resurface Scrub, Binu Binu Seshin Korean Scrub Mitt, Josie Maran Argan Moisturizing Bronzing Oil, Weleda Skin Food, Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve, and regular ol’ coconut oil.
Makeup we’re way into: Kosas Tinted Face Oil, UnSun Mineral Tinted Face Sunscreen, RMS “Un” Cover-up, Rituel de Fille The Ethereal Veil Conceal and Cover, Rituel de Fille Inner Glow Crème Pigment in Desire, Noto Botanics Multi-Benne Stain Pot in Ono Ono, Lily Lolo Natural Vegan Mascara, Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara, Sania’s Brow Bar Angled Mechanical Brow Pencil, Glossier Boy Brow, Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner Pencil, Revlon Colorstay Lip Liner in Nude, Olio E Osso Balm in Poppy, Ilia Color Block High Impact Lipstick in Flame, Kosas Weightless Lip Color in Rosewater, Kosasport Lipfuel in Pulse, Lansinoh Lanolin Minis, and Sunnies Face Fluffmatte in Baked / Terracotta Peach.
Hair products we’re all about: Conair InfinitiPro Curling Wand, Virtue Smooth Shampoo, Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Conditioner, and Rahua Leave-In Treatment.
Scents that make good sense: Maison Marie Louis No.4 Bois de Balincourt Perfume Oil, Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau de Toilette, D.S. & Durga Coriander Perfume, Te+Te Hinoki Hand Wash, Norden Ojai Ceramic Candle, Dimes Candle, and Saint Olio Neroli Automatic Cleaner.
the sponsors:
Dig into Sakara, and take $60 off, even!
Head to Zola and nab 50% off wedding save the dates!
Try out Acuity Scheduling—and get 45 days free!
YAY.
The O.C., Cheese Curls, and Jaw Massage—Yes, a True Grab Bag
If you’re starved for a dose of our trademark randomness, WELCOME. There’s so much to reflect on today, including Marissa Cooper, paleo puffs, Amazon avoidance, and something *vaguely mysterious* called buccal massage.
If you’re starved for a dose of our trademark randomness, WELCOME. There’s so much to reflect on today, including Marissa Cooper, paleo puffs, Amazon avoidance, and something *vaguely mysterious* called buccal massage.
the linkage:
The O.C. has us thinking a lot about Seth Cohen and Judaism (see also: Tommy Pickles and Judaism)...and low-rise jeans.
A whole lotta healthy-ish cheese curls/balls are having a moment, including Lesser Evil Paleo Puffs "No Cheese" Cheesiness, Lesser Evil Egg White Curls in Huevos Rancheros, and Pipcorn Cheese Balls (in Broccoli Cheddar, too). Oh, and please do read this wonderful New York mag story about Grace Church School that has a LOLZ-y Pirate’s Booty shout-out.
Other food things on our minds: Magic Spoon and Skyline Chili (which have probably never appeared side-by-side before).
For some Amazon long reads, check out The New Yorker piece by Charles Duhigg (author of The Power of Habit) and the NYT piece by Jodi Kantor (co-author of She Said).
To download Kindle books for free, it’s all about the Libby app.
Jaw/buccal massage—we suspect it’s going to trend. Noy Skincare in NYC does it, as does Take Care in NYC and LA.
Gift Guide, Part 2—Because Now’s the Time, Huh?
Welcome to the second half of our very enthusiastic, mildly frantic gift guide! If you’re still trying to track down something for that cool teen ya know, your nana, or anyone who demands practicality, we’ve got you. And hit up last week’s ep if you need more ideas, too. While we’re here, two reminders: 1) Donations are great gifts. 2) Don’t buy junk!!
Welcome to the second half of our very enthusiastic, mildly frantic gift guide! If you’re still trying to track down something for that cool teen ya know, your nana, or anyone who demands practicality, we’ve got you. And hit up last week’s ep if you need more ideas, too. While we’re here, two reminders: 1) Donations are great gifts. 2) Don’t buy junk!!
the linkage:
For teens: Japanese watercolor markers, luggage (check out North Face rolling duffles, Baggu weekenders, and Herschel carry-ons), Olive & June nail polish or manicure kit, gift cert for Nike by You or Miadidas, Katie Kimmel hats/tees/bags, or Ban.do swag
For an eight-month-old baby: Donation to National Diaper Bank Network or RAICES Texas, an ornament (start a tradition!), Lovevery play kit or subscription, or Artifact Uprising board book
For nieces, ages seven and one: Dumye dolls and doll-making kit, Entireworld sweatsuits, Fanny at Chez Panisse cookbook, book-club subscription (Books Are Magic does YA, middle grade, and picture books, and The Picture Book Club customizes the picks), personalized Radio Flyer wagon/scooter/bike, or Crate & Barrel playhouse
For a 94-year-old grandmother: Storycorps recording or flower subscription—we are into Bouqs, Farmgirl Flowers, and Flowers for Dreams
For couples (how ‘bout under $50?): W&P Games or Wolfum backgammon or domino sets (though the latter are a little more $), a restaurant gift cert, or a hotel gift cert (think: Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Airbnb, etc.)
For in-laws: FOOOOOOD. Goldbelly and Mouth are good resources, and we also feel strongly about Alioto-Lazio Fish Company crabs, Zingerman’s clubs for bacon or coffee cake or olive oil, Sqirl jams, Russ & Daughters smoked fish, Joe’s Stone Crab crab claws, and Jeni’s ice cream.
For best girlfriends (under $50!): Massage brush, fancy brush/comb, The Floral Society Edible Seed Kit, Hortense black friendship bracelet with pearl beads, Sunnies Face Fluffmatte lipstick, Hawkins candlesticks, or Boy Smells candle set
For people who value utility over luxury: Shhhowercap, Food52 cutting board (or anything from their Five Two line, really), Thermapen, a booklamp (Wirecutter has a pick), Google Home Mini, mini steamer, Dyson stick vac, Joseph Joseph kitchen scale, Muji travel neck pillow, Uniqlo HeatTech, or Benriner mandoline
For stockings: Noto Botanics lip and cheek stains, Baggu reusable bags, Hibi matches, Le Pen set, Clary balm, MT washi tape, cool postage stamps (these, these, these!), Stasher bags, Stojo cup, Acuballs, Moglea and Society6 phone cases, Helen Levi salt and pepper shakers, or Wit & Delight portable phone chargers
For a nanny or caregiver: Slippers (maybe Ugg or Ariana Bohling?), Zeel or Soothe in-home massage, or AMC gift card
For a Peorian pharmacist named Bob: Gift cert to Bushwacker (fave local store!) or to The Aviary/The Office in Chicago or tickets to see The Book of Mormon at the Peoria Civic Center in January
the sponsors (and promos!):
Try Cove if you get migraines—and get a month of meds for free.
Give Acuity Scheduling a go with 45 days totally free.
YAY.
Gift Guide, Part 1—Whiskey Stones Not Included!
What’s this? A holiday gift guide?! You bet. We solicited your Qs for hard-to-shop-for loved ones on Instagram, and we have so very many thoughts. If you don’t find exactly what you’re looking for here, tune in next Monday for the second half, huh?
What’s this? A holiday gift guide?! You bet. We solicited your Qs for hard-to-shop-for loved ones on Instagram, and we have so very many thoughts. If you don’t find exactly what you’re looking for here, tune in next Monday for the second half, huh?
the linkage:
For pretty/cool playing cards: Look to Fredericks and Mae, Joe Doucet for Areaware, Parks Project, Frank Lloyd Wright, or Woman Cards (there’s a women-in-tech deck, too)
For coworkers (like, $10-$15!): Alpaca keychain, Areaware Little Puzzle Thing, R.P.S pencil case, or Wary Meyers soap
For bosses (like, under $25!): A plant from a nursery or The Sill or a Fort Standard for Areaware totem candle
For employees ($50-ish): Tortuga bookends, Poketo glass straws, or a gift certificate—think a manicure (Tenoverten in NYC, LA, Austin), a massage (The Now in LA), a facial (Heyday in Philly, NYC, LA), or food/drink (Sweetgreen, Blue Bottle, etc.!)
For (but of course) work wives: An experience for you two to do OOO, like a concert, a flower-arranging class, or a workout adventure
For dads, brothers, and men in your life with no hobbies: Snake River Farms wagyu beef, Oceanbox seafood, a leather belt that you get monogrammed by your local cobbler, Glerups slippers, Kingston Wine Co. subscription, Patagonia Houdini or Action Works donation, or a digital subscription—specifically crosswords (NYT or The Inkubator), The Athletic, or Audm.
For the families of significant others when you’re not sure if you need to get them something: holiday bread! We like panettone from From Roy, babka from Breads Bakery, and stollen from Big Sur Bakery.
For a new significant other: A ~fun date~. Sporting event tix! Pottery class! What have you!
For the sig other who loves natty wine, cooking, and the REI sale (under $50, plz): Snowpeak camping dishes/utensils, Pok Pok Som drinking vinegars, Mama O’s kimchi kit, or Victoria tortilla press.
For the professor husband jealous of his fashionable Brooklyn friends but wears mostly sweats: Well, then, nice sweats, like ones from Saturdays (reverse fleece in particular), Norse Projects, Entireworld, and Todd Snyder x Champion. Or Taylor Stitch or Alex Mill clothes.
For Alice Waters–adjacent moms: Alice Waters Masterclass, Hudson Valley Seed Co. seeds, Permanent Collection something, The Floral Society market tote, or a citrus tree.
For fancy stepmoms: Hill House Home monogrammed washcloths (or anything from this brand, really), Caroline Z. Hurley cloth napkins, or Brown Parcel Press calendar
For cooler, younger sisters-in-law: Hysteria by Happy Socks socks, Lunya silk scrunchie, Piecework puzzle, Thompson Street Studio coasters, Machete anything, Hay jug
For suburban sisters-in-law not into too-cool Brooklyn-y stuff: The Floral Society flower frog, Leah Goren pet portrait, Illustrated Bookshelf art (or mug!), Book of the Month club (or books sourced with NPR’s Book Concierge), Parachute or Eberjey robe, Creekside Farms herb wreath
the sponsors (and promos!):
Get 50% off your first Feals order!
Try 45 days of Acuity Scheduling for free!
Give the InfinitiPRO by Conair Texture Styling Hair Dryer a go!
YAY.
What It Has Felt Like to Shut Down Our Company
So, you may have heard: Of a Kind is no more. What’s it been like for us to step away from the business we built and ran for nine years? How are we doing over here? What are we still processing? Oh, so very many thoughts and feeeeeeelings ahead…
So, you may have heard: Of a Kind is no more. What’s it been like for us to step away from the business we built and ran for nine years? How are we doing over here? What are we still processing? Oh, so very many thoughts and feeeeeeelings ahead…
the linkage:
Go to the gyno! In NYC, Erica’s a fan of Pure OBGYN, and Claire loves Vanessa Pena. Also, Claire’s doula, if you’re looking.
Jenny Odell’s book How to Do Nothing feels so right for our transition.
Erica is planning on using this time to deep-dive into some cookbooks—Cannelle et Vanille, Lucky Peach Presents 101 Easy Asian Recipes, and Nothing Fancy in particular.
If you want more on Of a Kind’s run, Callia Hargrove wrote a piece for Fashionista that definitely made us cry.