The Women Behind Omsom, Our New Kitchen Go-To, and Rethinking Instagram
What’s up over here? We’re still giving too much headspace to Instagram...but our perspectives are shifting. And we’re also eating some of our very best meals of quar, thanks to Vanessa and Kim Pham, the sisters behind Omsom and its outrageously good Vietnamese, Thai, and Filipino sauces. Dig in?
Pledging to Shop Better
The two of us are calling our reps, donating money, consuming so much news, researching our primary candidates...and also rethinking where we spend our money and the businesses that warrant our support. We have SO MANY THOUGHTS. Also: We’re giving a free ad spot a week to a Black-owned business. If you’re interested, drop us a line at podcast@claireanderica.com!
All Our Uncanny Valley Thoughts...And When You Need to Go to the Doctor
Have you all read Uncanny Valley? Because this episode is a long way of saying, “Wow, you really should.” We are bubbling over with thoughts about Silicon Valley, gender and tech, and Anna Wiener’s all-around exceptional writing. Oh, and we also have something to say about going to the doctor during these times, as people who’ve had to go on multiple occasions.
How We’re Working Together Now and John Jannuzzi (Master of Creative Pursuits!)
You know who wrote the book on socks (and started one of the best Tumblrs and bakes internet-famous cookies)? John Jannuzzi, and he’s here to share his creative side-hustle tips (but not any of the burnt malted milk and Kit-Kat cookies—he’s keeping those for himself). Before we dive in, though, can we discuss long-distance collaboration between two people who live four blocks apart? Yes, we’re talking about us.
Precious Condiments and Non-Zoom Ways to Be a Pal
We’re getting saucy—even more so than usual?—and dipping into the spreads, schmears, and drizzles we’re treating as essential supplements to our souls as well as our fridge-clearing batches of fried rice.
Seeking Comfort in Mugs, Mugs, Mugs, and Surprisingly Good Home Manicures
What does it say about us that we’re taking a great deal of pleasure in having a mug of something warm as a near-constant companion? You be the judge! Also for your consideration: a nail-painting tool, a line of chic retro dinnerware, a milk-frother, and an oddly satisfying timer to help get at least a couple to-dos checked off.
The IGs We’re Following, the Tees We’re Wearing, and the Hashtags We’re Starting
This week in “it’s the small things” content, we’re sharing the Instagram accounts bringing us joy, the T-shirts we have possibly (definitely) too many thoughts about, and the campaign we’re launching to book our dream pod guest. Let’s make #qaiqaispromise happen, people!
How We IG (And, You Know, Think About Social Media in General)
Apparently, we have a lot of pent-up thoughts about Instagram in need of an outlet, namely this episode of this podcast. Dive in for how we think about consuming and posting (in this time and in less insane ones), the features we want from the app, and, importantly, our differing takes on liking and commenting on celebs’ accounts.
Square-Toe Shoes, the Joy of Eating Two Meals a Day, and an Alex Update (!!!)
Things we’re rejecting (some days): three square meals. Things we’re embracing: square-toe shoes...and also special treats in pretty much any form. Including a long-distance update from our one-time pod producer Alex, the Roz to our Frasier.
Marisa Meltzer’s Excellent Book This Is Big and, Somehow, Billy Idol
This week in “it’s the small things” content, we’re sharing the Instagram accounts bringing us joy, the T-shirts we have possibly (definitely) too many thoughts about, and the campaign we’re launching to book our dream pod guest. Let’s make #qaiqaispromise happen, people!
Trying to Make Webonair Happen and Another Round with Mickey Drexler
Here we are again, talking about stuff no one else is talking about (and we hope that’s a good thing?). Today, we’re digging into a surprisingly handy word and plenty o’ business insights from the bonafide retail legend Mickey Drexler, who’s lived through plenty of ups and downs.
The Newsletters We Always Open...and Perhaps Too Many Thoughts on Ironing
Reading newsletters and doing ironing—two indoor-kid activities no doubt! Ok, seriously, though, take care of yourselves, find some good distractions, and maybe try to get some fresh air?
Jason Polan’s Legacy as an Artist and an Incredibly Kind Human
There’s so much to think about right now, it seems, but we’re going to take this opportunity to focus on one truly magical person: Jason Polan, an artist we’ve been in awe of for at least a decade who passed away at 37 in January. In a word: heartbreaking—but also a push to embrace living as much as he did. As we reflect on his life, his work, and his approach to both, we wanted to resurface an interview we did with him back in 2017, and if it makes you feel compelled to draw something (anything!), we bet he would have really liked that.
Nikki Ogunnaike’s Introduction to Menswear—and a Smart Little Decision-Making Trick
As you may have guessed, we recorded this ep when our days and our lives felt very different. We hope it’s a good distraction—we could use a lot of those right now!
When Nikki Ogunnaike got a new job as GQ’s deputy fashion director, we were immediately all, “What’s it like?!” So we took this opportunity to ask her about making the move from women’s fashion to men’s...and where she gets the bags she couldn’t afford when she was starting out. Oh, and while we’re at it, we’re sharing a three-minute exercise another friend used to make a tough decision, too.
Three Literary Gems and a Love-It-Or-Hate-It Condiment
Not to brag or anything, but our reading has range. Please accept the authors we discuss in this episode—buzzed-about novelist Kevin Wilson, person you’ve definitely heard of Jessica Simpson, and children’s book phenom Sandra Boynton—as proof. But first: We schmear it on thick with the Marmite.
Shopping Strikes and What We Spied (and Mostly Liked) at the Trade Shows
How do we train ourselves to be better fashion consumers? Claire, who is as surprised as you are that she’s three months into a shopping ban, has some learnings. And! We’re delivering plenty of intel from our visit to the home and lifestyle trade shows (AKA, the time we went to the Javits Center for fun).
Kim France and a Weirdly Moving Meditation Technique
It’s possible you’ve been consuming content by Kim France for thirty-ish years, and we’re here to talk about all of it (including her new podcast—which, have you listened?!). Also, not to be the people who talk about our meditation experiences, but we kind of can’t shut up about this one time, ok?
How We’re Eating Our Eggs, Organizing Our Homes, and Wearing Wide-Legs Pants in This Weather
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.
Our Most Enthusiastic Tokyo and Kyoto Recs—and How to Shop The RealReal
Taking a vacation to Japan is overwhelming. Sharing travel picks is overwhelming. Shopping online consignment is overwhelming. But you know what? We went ahead and tackled it all here, and we’re pretty proud of ourselves, thanks.
Phil Chang’s Wild—and Hugely Informative—IG and Vacuums that Don’t Suck
We’ve got some real dirt today—or, rather, we have ways to clean it up (including a stick vac that’s maybe falling out of favor?) and a guest who’s dishing it on his Stories, which we consider must-see IG. Tune in and then hit up @heyphilchang to see what we mean...