Some Holiday Shopping Thoughts and Weirdo Wine Pairings with Vanessa Price
Is this the beginning of one very strange holiday season to cap off one very strange year? It’s starting to feel like it, and we have some ~initial thoughts~ on how to wrap your head around gifts and a whole bunch o’ thoughts from Vanessa Price—who co-wrote the wonderful book Big Macs and Burgundy—on pairing wine with the things your actually eat, including the last of the leftover Halloween candy and whatever Thanksgiving dinner looks like in 2020.
Is this the beginning of one very strange holiday season to cap off one very strange year? It’s starting to feel like it, and we have some ~initial thoughts~ on how to wrap your head around gifts and a whole bunch o’ thoughts from Vanessa Price—who co-wrote the wonderful book Big Macs and Burgundy—on pairing wine with the things your actually eat, including the last of the leftover Halloween candy and whatever Thanksgiving dinner looks like in 2020.
The linkage:
For lots more holiday shopping thoughts ‘n ideas, sign up for Secret Menu.
Gift guide eps are coming up!! If there are people you want us to shop for, tell us everything about them at 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, and @athingortwohq.
Buy Big Macs and Burgundy, the book Vanessa Price co-wrote with our pal Adam Laukhuf. P.S., it also makes a great gift.
Vanessa’s column for New York mag that led to the book—including that first Sour Patch Kids installment and the very trying s’mores one.
the sponsors (and promos!):
Try Sakara for some truly delicious, plant-rich, ready-to-eat meals—plus 20% off your first order with the code ATHINGORTWO.
Grow thicker, healthier hair with Nutrafol, and use the code ATHINGORTWO for 20% off.
Tune into the hilarious and heartfelt new fiction podcast RomComPods.
YAY.
Lani Halliday’s Booming Pandemic Baked Goods and the Third-Party Hello
You can only comfort yourself with so many baked goods, it seems, but we’ve found a workaround: We’re putting them in our ears instead of our mouths. What a joy it was to sit down with Lani Halliday, who is making the best inclusive pastries around and unveiled her first physical outpost of Brutus Bakeshop during the pandemic. Yes: She’s very bold, and we’re very obsessed.
You can only comfort yourself with so many baked goods, it seems, but we’ve found a workaround: We’re putting them in our ears instead of our mouths. What a joy it was to sit down with Lani Halliday, who is making the best inclusive pastries around and unveiled her first physical outpost of Brutus Bakeshop during the pandemic. Yes: She’s very bold, and we’re very obsessed.
The linkage:
If you’re in NYC, grab Lani Halliday’s baked goods at Brutus Bakeshop in Crown Heights (and get some amazing New Mexican food from Eric See’s Ursula while you’re there!). If you’re anywhere else, buy her (vegan, GF, soy-free) miso chocolate chip cookies on the internet and keep your eyes peeled for her pop tarts and more, more, more.
More on the Independent Restaurant Coalition—um, 11 million people in the U.S. are independent restaurant employees!
Friends, KIT. You can get us at 833-632-5463 and @athingortwohq any ol’ time.
the sponsors (and promos!):
Find migraine relief online—and get 50% off your first month of medication—thanks to Cove.
Shop our MoMA Design Store gift picks and take 10% off with the code ATHINGORTWO through November 23 (exclusions apply).
Try out the plumping, hydrating magic of City Lips. 30% off your order of two or more with the code ATHINGORTWO.
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Who Needs a Distraction?? We Have the Grab Bag Just for You.
Yeah, so, it’s gonna be a real week, and if you’re interested in escaping the tweets, push alerts, and polling data for a few, we have some celeb gossip, book recs, and sweaters to cozy up to.
Yeah, so, it’s gonna be a real week, and if you’re interested in escaping the tweets, push alerts, and polling data for a few, we have some celeb gossip, book recs, and sweaters to cozy up to.
The linkage:
You can support us by 1) leaving a jazzy ol’ review 2) subscribing to Secret Menu. Wheeeeee.
The very best celeb gossip sources, if you ask us: E! News IG stories, Jam Session, Deux Moi, Gossip Time, The Shade Room, Who? Weekly, Bossip, and Just Jared Jr.
The couple Claire’s shipping: Harry Styles and Tracee Ellis Ross. This pic + this clip. Believe what you want. And just read The Idea of You already if you haven’t.
And, now for beliebing: Erica is intrigued with Justin and Hailey Bieber’s domestic life. This post and this post and a Facebook Watch thing called Baking with the Biebers. Somehow related: Levain Bakery cookies.
Two books that are distracting and immersive (but not light!): The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi and Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam (hear Rumaan on a 2018 ep of our pod, too!).
Gang, it’s sweater weather. Brands we love: Demylee, Jenni Kayne, Alex Mill, Acme Studios, Babaà, Ply-Knits, Leret Leret, Ryan Roche, Sézane, Mijeong Park, and Atelier Delphine.
Have something to share? Call us: 833-632-5463. Love those VMs.
the sponsors (and promos!):
We’re offering free ads to Black-owned businesses. Get in touch at podcast@athingortwohq.com.
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Breaking Beauty and Baby Vanity Sizing
We love hot industry intel and gossip! Of all industries, really! And when it comes to the land of hyaluronic acid, celeb makeup lines, and derm backlash, no one gives it better than Jill Dunn and Carlene Higgins of the Breaking Beauty Podcast. But before we go deeeeeep down that rabbithole, we need to answer one pressing question: What looks will Cam be working for fall 2020?!
We love hot industry intel and gossip! Of all industries, really! And when it comes to the land of hyaluronic acid, celeb makeup lines, and derm backlash, no one gives it better than Jill Dunn and Carlene Higgins of the Breaking Beauty Podcast. But before we go deeeeeep down that rabbithole, we need to answer one pressing question: What looks will Cam be working for fall 2020?!
The linkage:
What’s Cam wearing this fall?! Some combination of babyGap (beware of baby vanity sizing!!!), Petit Bateau, Búho, Emile et Ida, Bobo Choses, Oeuf, Poudre Organic, Lewis, Tinycottons, and Patagonia (this vest!). For these brands and lots more, Claire’s all about scraping the sale sections on Smallable, Scandiborn, and Melijoe. And when it comes to shoes: Native, AF1s, Air Jordans, and Timberlands, scuffed-up ideally.
To get so much more of Jill and Carlene, subscribe to the Breaking Beauty Podcast.
Scientists giving their clean-beauty takes: Dr. Michelle Wong (@labmuffinbeautyscience), Stephen Ko (@kindofstephen), and Jen Novakovich (@theecowell).
Some makeup/beauty things having a pandemic moment: LoveSeen fake lashes, Foreo microcurrent bear, root cover-up powders from Color Wow and Clairol, and Christophe Robin temporary hair color.
Splashy new launches: Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez, Makeup by Mario, One/Size by Patrick Starrr, and Forvr Mood by Jackie Aina.
Skincare ingredients in masks! But of course! Check out The HydraFacial Company's FaceLife copper-infused masks and YoRo Naturals' zinc masks and Masque Bar’s hydrogel masks specifically to wear under PPE.
WOC-owned brands to watch (and founders to follow!): Uoma Beauty, founded by Sharon Chuter, who started #PullUpForChange; Cheekbone Beauty, from the Canadian Indigenous founder Jenn Harper; Ami Colé, which is pre-launch and founded by the Glossier and L'Oréal alum Diarrha N'Diaye. Oh, and the derm Dr. Alexis Stephens, too.
For more on colorism and skin-lightening, check out Priya Rao’s Unfair podcast for Glossy.
Affordable and efficacious skincare: Maelove, Good (Skin) Days, Inn Beauty Project, Everyday Humans, and Versed.
Waterless beauty—COOL. OWA Haircare and aN-Hydra Skincare are making big moves, and we’re big fans of the Odacité Green Ceremony Cleanser.
Companies doing good stuff around refillable packaging and recycling: Terracycle, Tata Harper and their new Waterlock Moisturizer, Kjaer Weis, Clé de Peau Beauté, Charlotte Tilbury, and Native.
The 2020 ingredient: Niacinamide.
Skinfluencers worth following: Caroline Hirons, Skincare by Hyram, DermAngelo, and, but of course, Dr. Sandra Lee (aka Dr. Pimple Popper).
Call us! 833-632-5463! DM us! @athingortwohq! KIT, basically.
Checking in on Each Other
You know, it feels like we haven’t asked each other “So, how are you doing? Really?” in a bit, and we’re taking this podcast as an opportunity to do that. We get into pandemic socializing, news-consumption, and soup-making. Recommended pairing for this ep: a walk.
You know, it feels like we haven’t asked each other “So, how are you doing? Really?” in a bit, and we’re taking this podcast as an opportunity to do that. We get into pandemic socializing, news-consumption, and soup-making. Recommended pairing for this ep: a walk.
The linkage:
A couple NYC-specific food things helping us get by: Pierless Fish for seafood and For All Things Good for masa for Claire’s taco nights.
Chris’s new desk, and Thomas’s recent read Hate Inc. that’s informing Erica’s media consumption.
The gray-on-gray-on-gray Birkenstock shearling clogs Claire scored, and the Hobonichi planner that’s keeping Erica’s 2021 mood up.
It’s (coconut-milk) soup weather, ok? Erica’s making coconut curry noodle soup from The Woks of Life, coconut corn soup from Smitten Kitchen, and curried lentil, tomato, coconut soup by Yotam Ottolenghi.
For running in the cold, Claire recommends a Patagonia down hoody and neck gaiter, a Uniqlo down vest, and Yaktrax for snow/ice. Also, The Strategist has a good guide by temp, and Runner’s World will give you gearing-up recs based on the conditions.
For more of this sort of thing, do you know about Secret Menu?
And! You can always, always get us at 833-632-5463 and @athingortwohq.
the sponsors (and promos!):
Get that good skin with Rory’s nightly defense treatment for only $5.
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Mammograms and Colonoscopies! Not as Awful as We Thought!
Our doctor visits are your doctor visits! Or something! Kidding aside-ish, we figured sharing our recent mammogram and colonoscopy experiences might make them at least a smidge less anxiety-inducing for you, and we’re very here for that. Join us on our healthcare journeys, won’t you?
Our doctor visits are your doctor visits! Or something! Kidding aside-ish, we figured sharing our recent mammogram and colonoscopy experiences might make them at least a smidge less anxiety-inducing for you, and we’re very here for that. Join us on our healthcare journeys, won’t you?
The linkage:
We love voicemails (833-632-5463)! We love DMs (@athingortwohq)! We love reviews! About milk pouches, gallon challenges, or anything at all!
Some guidance on when to start getting mammograms: 40 per the Mayo Clinic, 45 per the American Cancer Society, and 50 per the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. So: a real talk-to-your-doctor type of situation!
Some guidance on when to start getting colorectal screenings: 45 per the American Cancer Society. (But ya know: Ask your dr.)
Fancy Brodo bone broth for colonoscopy prep or just, like, life!
Colonics: still having a moment (we guess?).
Breast self-exams! The "Touch Your Tits" vid from Mae Ryan and Mona Chalabi is a great how-to.
If you like what you heard here and want more, Secret Menu is for you.
the sponsors (and promos!):
Check out Erin Williams Art for prints that start at $35.
Try out the shea-butter-based products from Overlooked Beauty.
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What It’s Like to Run for Congress with Adair Ford Boroughs
HEY, we’re back from hiatus! And like everyone else, we’re stressing (spiraling?) about the election constantly. This week, we’re talking to Adair Ford Boroughs about what it’s like to actually be on the ticket—she’s the very impressive and overqualified Democratic candidate running for Congress in South Carolina’s Second District—and our big plans for election day (spoiler: bein’ poll workers).
HEY, we’re back from hiatus! And like everyone else, we’re stressing (spiraling?) about the election constantly. This week, we’re talking to Adair Ford Boroughs about what it’s like to actually be on the ticket—she’s the very impressive and overqualified Democratic candidate running for Congress in South Carolina’s Second District—and our big plans for election day (spoiler: bein’ poll workers).
The linkage:
Gah, we’ve missed you! Have you missed us? KIT with voicemails (833-632-5463) and IG direct messages (@athingortwohq), huh? And join Secret Menu even.
We’re volunteering to be poll workers. Do you wanna do it, too?! Check out some stats about the typical poll-worker demo (spoiler: high Covid risk!) via NPR and a very useful IG story from Helen Rosner about her experience doing this in past years.
Snuffleupagus getting nosy in the voting booth during a 1957 episode of Sesame Street. (And, bless, he is still on the show!)
Dig into all of the many ways you can support Adair Ford Boroughs and her run for Congress. Donate! Phone or text bank! Share her campaign videos! Whether or not you’re in South Carolina!
Another big South Carolina race to watch and support: Jaime Harrison for Senate.
the sponsors (and promos!):
Give the Caviar app a go and get $10 off your food order of $20 or more with the code ATHINGORTWO.
Try Inner Workout for some genuine self-care—the code ATHINGORTWO gets you 15% off.
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Ok, MoMA Design Store’s Design Innovations for Women Are Blowing Our Minds
Two things we love: 1) women’s bodies 2) problem-solving. So imagine our delight when we discovered that MoMA Design Store put together a whole freaking beautiful, educational, and useful pop-up around Design Innovations for Women. In partnership with the MoMA Design Store team, we sat down with Chay Costello and Alex Glazer, the buyers responsible for spearheading this initiative who, yes, also happen to be work wives. We talk menstruation, motherhood, menopause—and you bet your vulvas we asked what it’s like to discuss these topics at the office.
Two things we love: 1) women’s bodies 2) problem-solving. So imagine our delight when we discovered that MoMA Design Store put together a whole freaking beautiful, educational, and useful pop-up around Design Innovations for Women. In partnership with the MoMA Design Store team, we sat down with Chay Costello and Alex Glaser, the buyers responsible for spearheading this initiative who, yes, also happen to be work wives. We talk menstruation, motherhood, menopause—and you bet your vulvas we asked what it’s like to discuss these topics at the office.
The linkage:
You can shop MoMA Design Store’s groundbreaking Design Innovations for Women pop-up online and at their Soho store in NYC until September 27. So, so, sooo good.
A couple of previous podcast eps relevant to this conversation: Pledging to Shop Better and What to Expect When Claire’s Expecting.
Michelle Obama’s recent pod ep on menopause—definitely worth a listen.
A few of Claire’s personal faves in the Design Innovations for Women mix: the Elvie Kegel Smart Trainer and the Haakaa Generation 2 Breast Pump.
For more on Chay Costello, Alex Glaser, and the MoMA Design Store merchandising team, hit up 99U.
Some things and people Chay and Alex looked to as they pulled together this pop-up: Sssh! Periods podcast, Dame’s reusable tampon applicator (available in the UK!), Darcey Steinke’s Flash Count Diary: Menopause and the Vindication of Natural Life, Michelle Fisher and Amber Winick’s Designing Motherhood project, designer of the first bike saddle for women Georgena Terry, designers of the first sports bra (the Jogbra!) Lisa Lindahl and Polly Smith, Womanly magazine, The Unmentionables podcast from Nyssa, and the pelvic-floor physical therapist Sara Reardon a.k.a. @the.vagina.whisperer.
Just a handful of the almost 50 products part of this design movement v. worth checking out: Aisle Period Undies Boxer Brief, TOP The Organic Project Cotton Tampons with Plant-Based Applicator, DivaCup, Elvie Double Breast Pump, The Period Game, Penny Pack First Period Kit, and MoMA Champion Sports Bra.
Leave us reviews, voicemails (833-632-5463), IG direct messages (@athingortwohq)!
We’re going to be on hiatus for the next few weeks! We’ll be re-airing some recent greatest hits, but if you miss us deep in your bones, might we direct you to Secret Menu?
Why We Need Color in Our Homes Now...And the Joy of Kacey Musgraves Merch
Yes, we like white walls and pale wood, but our eyes need some *excitement* these days, and we have a whole bunch of ways to give ‘em what they require (without going full Gigi Hadid maximalist). Also worth adding to your “Hues You Can Use” moodboard: just about everything in Kacey Musgraves’s merch shop.
Yes, we like white walls and pale wood, but our eyes need some *excitement* these days, and we have a whole bunch of ways to give ‘em what they require (without going full Gigi Hadid maximalist). Also worth adding to your “Hues You Can Use” moodboard: just about everything in Kacey Musgraves’s merch shop.
The linkage:
More where this came from c/o Secret Menu! (Click-y name, right?!)
All hail Merch Queen Kacey Musgraves! This longsleeve tee, this velvet poster, her Boy Smells collab Slow Burn candle (and companion Burn in a Hurry lighter), the Lonely Weekend Self-Care Kit, High Time rolling papers, an ugly Christmas sweater, and faux snow (but of course?).
Breaking August news: Kacey’s Christmas album really is so good (and can we talk about this Dolly Parton holiday album announcement?!).
Some of the places we’re getting our colorful interior inspiration: Tina Seidenfaden Busck’s The Residence, Matilda Goad, Justina Blakeney, Ellen van Dusen’s Brooklyn home, Beata Heuman, Laurel Broughton’s Echo Park house, Luis Barragán, and Tony Duquette.
Claire has a green couch! That she loves! It’s the Clad Home Dawson Sleeper in Klein Emerald.
Erica has one (1) wall of wallpaper! She’s obsessed! It’s Josef Frank’s Paradiset.
Tabletop stuff! Wolfum trays, bright taper candles, Opinel steak knives.
Colorful glassware! Lateral Objects, R+D.Lab, Estelle Colored Glass, Keane.
Furniture! The Inside, Inside Weather, Hay, Eric Trine / Amigo Modern, Interior Define.
Ceramics! Studio Hecha, Raina Lee, Concrete Cat, Russel Wright, Fiestaware, Year & Day, Massimo Vignelli for Heller, Raawii.
Lights! La Veste, Eo Ipso, Casa Cosima, Commune.
Textiles! Hillery Sproatt, Dusen Dusen, Aelfie, Tantuvi, Cold Picnic, Society of Wanderers, Marimekko, Bolé Road Textiles.
Paint! Clare, Backdrop, Farrow & Ball.
Related: the Farrow & Ball New Yorker story.
If you want more on colorful home stuff, check our ep with our trade-show recap.
We’re here for your thoughts: DMs to @athingortwohq, voicemails at 833-632-5463, or reviews of this podcast are always welcome.
the sponsors (and promos!):
Check out the powerful MoMA Design Store Design Innovations for Women pop-up.
Listen to Michelle Obama’s wonderful new podcast on Spotify.
Try out Rory’s nightly defense skincare treatment for only $5.
YAY.
The TV Shows and Movies We Won’t Shut up About. And Also Boiled Potatoes.
When you are expressing gratitude these days, are you appropriately prayer-hand-emoji for video streaming (and, frankly, the streaming wars that are keeping us so deep in good content)? We’re taking this week’s ep as an opportunity to really lay our thanks on thick—for The Fight, I May Destroy You, Shrill, and Love on the Spectrum specifically. Light spoilers in some spots (and possibly too much excitement in others).
When you are expressing gratitude these days, are you appropriately prayer-hand-emoji for video streaming (and, frankly, the streaming wars that are keeping us so deep in good content)? We’re taking this week’s ep as an opportunity to really lay our thanks on thick—for The Fight, I May Destroy You, Shrill, and Love on the Spectrum specifically. Light spoilers in some spots (and possibly too much excitement in others).
The linkage:
First things first: boiled potatoes!! With seafood, in a niçoise salad, and as leftovers...which gets you halfway to fried or roasted potatoes like Julia Turshen’s Kinda Sorta Patatas Bravas or these crispy roasted potatoes with burrata.
Also, congrats to white potatoes on joining the Whole30 club. Sorry the announcement of this news didn’t feature a more flattering photo of you all.
Ok, second things second: our watch list. The Fight available for rent on various platforms, I May Destroy You on HBO Max, Shrill (Season 2 specifically) on Hulu, and Love on the Spectrum on Netflix.
Some further reading around Love on the Spectrum: a Time review by Sarah Kurchak, an article from The Cut that runs through the criticisms, and a piece from the Los Angeles Times that gets into the filming behind-the-scenes.
What else should we be watching? Tell us at @athingortwohq or 833-632-5463.
If you haven’t signed up for our Secret Menu yet, well, join us!
the sponsors (and promos!):
Give Michelle Obama’s new Spotify podcast a listen.
Download the Caviar app and get $10 off your food order of $20 or more with the code ATHINGORTWO.
Tune into the Everything Is Fine podcast with Tally Abecassis and Kim France.
YAY.
Jamie Beck on Creating in Isolation—and Us on Ditching “You Guys”
Big day, team! We’re catching up with our very favorite photographer, Jamie Beck, who moved to Provence, France, longer ago than we like to acknowledge and who has been creating all kinds of greatness recently—much of which you can even purchase for the first time. Friends, let’s dive in.
Big day, team! We’re catching up with our very favorite photographer, Jamie Beck, who moved to Provence, France, longer ago than we like to acknowledge and who has been creating all kinds of greatness recently—much of which you can even purchase for the first time. Friends, let’s dive in.
The linkage:
Ok, you have to follow Jamie Beck on Instagram for the full behind-the-scenes.
Jamie’s incredible #IsolationCreation project, which she invited her community to contribute to (and, whoa, did people!).
Lucky us! Jamie started selling her work, in the form art posters featuring her isolation creations—and there’s a signed, limited-edition finale poster coming, too (along with phone cases, camera straps, fine art, stationery, journals, a couple books…).
You know about our Secret Menu? Joining will get you a ~bonus~ members-only newsletter once a week.
Our DMs and voicemails are open! Get us at @athingortwohq or 833-632-5463.
Questioning Ambition
What is ambition anyway? And ambition toward what? Join us as we contemplate—and, frankly, give side-eye to—one of the driving forces of our lives.
What is ambition anyway? And ambition toward what? Join us as we contemplate—and, frankly, give side-eye to—one of the driving forces of our lives.
The linkage:
WOW, Maris Kreizman’s “Where Did My Ambition Go?” essay. (It’s probably worth following Maris on Twitter too, while you’re at it.)
Tavi Gevinson on shutting down Rookie, and Grace Bonney on shutting down Design*Sponge.
The profiles of The Chicks and Viola Davis that resonated.
We want more from you! Get in touch at @athingortwohq or 833-632-5463. If you want more from us, join Secret Menu, which will get you a members-only newsletter once a week.
That Quar Fitness Routine and the Magic of Shea Butter with Naa-Sakle Akuete
However many months in, we’ve found our fitnessing-at-home rhythms (which, no, do not involve dance cardio). Also! We’ve landed on a way to keep our very clean hands moisturized: shea butter, specifically the stuff from Eu’Genia Shea, and we clearly needed to talk to the company’s founder Naa-Sakle Akuete for the inside scoop.
However many months in, we’ve found our fitnessing-at-home rhythms (which, no, do not involve dance cardio). Also! We’ve landed on a way to keep our very clean hands moisturized: shea butter, specifically the stuff from Eu’Genia Shea, and we clearly needed to talk to the company’s founder Naa-Sakle Akuete for the inside scoop.
The linkage:
Have thoughts? We want your DMs and VMs! Get us at @athingortwohq or 833-632-5463.
Online fitness stuff we’re now in long-term relationships with: the Peloton app, Melissa Wood Health (which you can try out on her IGTV), Revolution Motherhood, Exercise Snacks, Sky Ting Live & TV, and Kate Posch’s streaming yoga classes.
Home equipment worth the investment (in money and space!): Bala Bangles, Manduka cork yoga blocks, the Exercise Snacks Snack Pack, and a Jade Yoga Harmony mat.
We’re so very into Naa-Sakle Akuete’s company Eu’Genia Shea and its stocked-at-Target spinoff, Mother’s Shea.
More info on the Target Takeoff Accelerator program Naa-Sakle went through.
Other beauty brands Naa-Sakle wholeheartedly endorses: Sahajan, One Love Organics, True Moringa, Kreyòl Essence, and Thrive Causemetics.
If you want more from us, let us direct you to Secret Menu, which, for four bucks a month, gets you a members-only newsletter every dang week.
the sponsors (and promos!):
Dig into details on Succession Strength. For 20% any of their business-planning products, use the code ATHINGOR20.
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The Baby-Sitters Club and Dating in This Particularly Insane Time with Lindsey Metselaar
As two married gals getting older by the day, this ep feels like a real throwback. We’re talking babysitting and dating—the latter with Lindsey Metselaar, the savvy host of the We Met at Acme podcast who knows much more about the topic than we do at this point. Something we’re obviously NOT talking about: inviting the person you’re dating to the house you’re babysitting at without permission.
As two married gals getting older by the day, this ep feels like a real throwback. We’re talking babysitting and dating—the latter with Lindsey Metselaar, the savvy host of the We Met at Acme podcast who knows much more about the topic than we do at this point. Something we’re obviously NOT talking about: inviting the person you’re dating to the house you’re babysitting at without permission.
The linkage:
Do you know about our Secret Menu? It’s our new thingy where, for $4 a month, you get access to weekly members-only newsletters.
You’ve heard about The Baby-Sitters Club Netflix reboot? Course you have.
Further BSC reading: Michelle Ruiz for Vogue.com, Gal Beckerman for NYT, Katie Baker for The Ringer, and The Hollywood Reporter interview with the showrunner Rachel Shukert. Further listening: The Baby-Sitters Club Club podcast!
Tune into Lindsey’s podcast We Met at Acme to get your regular dating updates and intel.
the sponsors (and promos!):
Add The Newsette to your morning routine.
Snag the latest issue of the health-and-arts mag Womanly.
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Powdered SPF, Single-Blade Razors, and the Tyranny of Gas Stoves
Oh, it’s just us, with a little to say about a whole lot of things! There’s some playlisting, some cookbooking, some sunblocking, some angsting—you’ll see when you dive in.
Oh, it’s just us, with a little to say about a whole lot of things! There’s some playlisting, some cookbooking, some sunblocking, some angsting—you’ll see when you dive in.
The linkage:
We have a new thing! It’s called Secret Menu, and, for $4 a month, you get access to a very special members-only newsletter. Yes, intriguing.
Powdered SPF! We’re all about it, especially for babies, scalps, and pandemic scenarios when you definitely don’t want to be touching your face in public. Brush On Block is our new (translucent) go-to.
The source of our playlist-for-the-ages tip: the wonderful Cat Dash. Related: Spotify’s Time Capsule feature.
The quick version of what Claire refers to as the gospel theory of activism.
A recent installment of Courtney Martin’s newsletter and one of Mona Chalabi’s excellent graphics compare the duration of the current BLM protests to the Montgomery bus boycott.
This Mother Jones article "The Gas Industry Is Paying Instagram Influencers to Gush Over Gas Stoves" 1) is about so much more than that headline conveys and 2) got us RILED. Sigh, related: Pregnancy risks related to air pollution disproportionately impact Black mothers.
Our most recent book purchases by Black authors (for ourselves and for gifts!): Vegetable Kingdom by Bryant Terry, The Dooky Chase Cookbook by Leah Chase, The Cooking Gene by Michael W. Twitty, Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert, and Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender.
The single-blade Oui razor—so chic, so worth it! Read this Glossy interview with the founder Karen Young for more context (paid subscription required).
Check out the Encyclopedia Womannica podcast! Every weekday, there’s a new, five-minute episode introducing game-changing women throughout history.
Going Big on Big Friendship with Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman
Um, aspirational friendship alert!! We’re bringing you THE Ann Friedman and Aminatou Sow, hosts of the podcast Call Your Girlfriend, brilliant minds behind Shine Theory, and authors of the book Big Friendship that all of your pals are going to be talking about on the group text. They’ve gotten practice writing—and talking—about the hard things in their relationship and working through conflict and, in doing so, are downright inspirational. But what’s new?
Um, aspirational friendship alert!! We’re bringing you THE Ann Friedman and Aminatou Sow, hosts of the podcast Call Your Girlfriend, brilliant minds behind Shine Theory, and authors of the book Big Friendship that all of your pals are going to be talking about on the group text. They’ve gotten practice writing—and talking—about the hard things in their relationship and working through conflict and, in doing so, are downright inspirational. But what’s new?
The linkage:
Big Friendship! Have you ordered your copy yet?!?!
If you aren’t consuming all that Amina and Ann create, get on that—starting with Call Your Girlfriend and Shine Theory.
To share any and all thoughts with us, DM us on IG at @athingortwohq or leave us a VM at 833-632-5463.
the sponsors (and promos!):
Subscribe to the Folding Chair newsletter for a weekly rundown of underreported stories impacting Black lives.
YAY.
House Shoes and Our Favorite Contemporary Novels by Black Authors
Slip on your comfiest shoes (ideally the ones that don’t go outdoors?) and get ready to curl up with a good book—or, rather, our enthusiastic endorsements of 26 novels by Black authors. YA and romance included, duh.
Slip on your comfiest shoes (ideally the ones that don’t go outdoors?) and get ready to curl up with a good book—or, rather, our enthusiastic endorsements of 26 novels by Black authors. YA and romance included, duh.
The linkage:
If you want more from us on Instagram, head to @athingortwohq. If you want to give us a ring, dial up 833-632-5463.
Some (Birkenstock-y) house-shoe picks: Arizona Essentials EVA, Boston Essentials EVA, and Boston Suede with Shearling.
NOVELS BY BLACK AUTHORS! That we love! Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid; Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue; The Idea of You by Robinne Lee; The Wedding Date, The Proposal, The Wedding Party, and more (!!) by Jasmine Guillory; The Nickel Boys (and next up: Sag Harbor) by Colson Whitehead; My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite; American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson; What We Lose by Zinzi Clemmons; An American Marriage and Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones; The Mothers (and next up: The Vanishing Half) by Brit Bennett; Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson; Homegoing (up next: Transcendent Kingdom) by Yaa Gyasi; We Love You, Charlie Freeman by Kaitlyn Greenidge; Americanah and The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
YA NOVELS! With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo; The Hate U Give and On the Come Up by Angie Thomas; The Sun is Also a Star and Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon.
Listen to Tayari Jones on our podcast or on Death, Sex & Money (where she talks about getting a call from Oprah!).
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?
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?
The linkage:
Andrea Whittle wrote about whether the protests will change IG for W mag.
Whoa, did this @_nanders post get the wheels turning about the WHY of sharing content that’s getting shared a lot.
We always love Mary H.K. Choi, and this ep of her Hey, Cool Life! pod about optics and allyship really landed.
Another shout-out for 15 Percent Pledge!
We are obsessed with Kim and Vanessa Pham’s Omsom sauces, made in collaboration with the NYC restaurants Fish Cheeks, Jeepney, and Madame Vo.
For more ideas on how to put Omsom sauces to excellent use, their Instagram is a treasure trove.
Cookbooks endorsed by Vanessa and Kim (for reading as much as cooking): I Am a Filipino by Nicole Ponseca and Miguel Trinidad and Dishoom: The First Ever Cookbook from the Much-Loved Indian Restaurant by Shamil Thakrar, Kavi Thakrar, and Naved Nasir.
Get us on Instagram at @athingortwohq or by phone at 833-632-5463.
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!
Listen here. 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!
The linkage:
The Who? Weekly episode intro that really spoke to us.
Check out the 15 Percent Pledge, which the Brother Vellies designer Aurora James started to urge major retailers to pledge 15% of their shelf space to Black-owned businesses. But it applies to consumers, too!
Some places to find more Black-owned businesses to support: Instagram highlights (1, 2, and 3) from Erica, a spreadsheet compiled by Lingua Franca, restaurant spreadsheets via Helen Rosner’s IG, Julee Wilson’s list of 125 beauty brands, Black-Owned Brooklyn, Shoppe Black, banks (and many other businesses!) from Amira Rasool’s IG.
The Harvard Business School 2014 working paper "The State of Small Business Lending" that we cite a bunch.
For some abysmal venture-funding stats, read the Techcrunch article "US VC Investment in Female Founders Hits All-Time High" and this Forbes piece that breaks down dollars for Black and Latinx women.
This Onion headline (and whole story) about private equity!!!
We’re all about shifting online book purchases to Bookshop.org.
Get in touch! On Instagram at @athingortwohq or via phone at 833-632-5463.
the sponsors (and promos!):
Head to BiblioLifestyle for A+ book recs, and subscribe today to get their summer reading guide.
Check out the stunning pottery from Lolly Lolly Ceramics, and get on the email list to be first to hear about restocks.
YAY.
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.
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.
The linkage:
You got a dreamy VM you want to leave? 833-632-5463—come on.
Two companies doing a good job thinking about medical solutions during this time: Capsule Pharmacy and Thirty Madison, with its online urgent care.
A case for taking babes to the doctor: this NYT story about vaccine rates dropping among kids.
Breaking news alert: Erica is now the proud owner of the jumbo tin of Luxardo cherries (and is stocked-up on her favorite GF pasta, too). Put your Luxardos in a Tom Collins!
Read o’ the week: Uncanny Valley by Anna Wiener. If you want a taste, it was excerpted in The New Yorker (and also started as an n+1 essay).
Here’s the “Measles for the One Percent” article from New York mag that Claire references.
Glossary of the references in the book if you wanna check your answers.
Such good writing about premiocre by Amanda Mull and Venkatesh Rao!
the sponsors (and promos!):
Whip up some Sun Basket. Get $35 off your order with the code ATHINGORTWO.
Treat your hair to Nutrafol—20% off with the code ATHINGORTWO.
YAY.