Squishy Cheeses and Life-Improvers
Cottage cheese, pimento cheese, and us bringing our trademark cheese???
Cottage cheese, pimento cheese, and us bringing our trademark cheese???
the linkage:
Cottage cheese—"whey cool," per the WSJ; a forever classic, per us. Skip the TikTok recipes and try this savory Bon Appétit salad or this (also BA) horseradish dip. If you’re in NYC, get yourself to Dimes for the breakfast Papaya D’Lite. (Somehow related: charred Mexican zucchini recipe.)
Calling all pimento cheeseheads: We rec Callie’s and Zingerman’s, wanna try this NYT Cooking frittata, and got a real history lesson from Serious Eats.
It’s a life-hackathon, and the winners are the sticker produce thing, Option-Shift-Command-V and keeping stain remover in the bedroom (see also: Miss Mouth’s, savon de Marseille, and Soak).
All hail long vacation lunches! If you happen to be in Paris, get yourself to Glou and Mokonuts.
Some community Thingies submitted via our Instagram: Taylor Swift Lyric Sporcles, Famous Amos cookies (um, this, ℅ the History Channel!), and the Nili Lotan Brady tee (file under: regrettably worth it).
What’s regrettably worth it in your life? Do you have a family apple? Share with us at 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, or @athingortwohq—or join our Geneva! And for more recommendations, try out a Secret Menu membership.
the sponsors (and promos!)
Treat your hair to Nutrafol. Take $15 off your first month’s subscription with the code ATHINGORTWO.
Find more weeknight dinner recipes at Pillsbury.com.
Get your groceries with Thrive Market and take 30% off your first order plus snag a free $60 gift when you use our link.
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This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.
Laura Ingalls Wilder, Savannah Bananas, and the Floss Life
It’s time to revisit some ghosts of podcasts past, from rain clogs to private creative practices to an incredibly detailed review of an electric flosser.
It’s time to revisit some ghosts of podcasts past, from rain clogs to private creative practices to an incredibly detailed review of an electric flosser.
the linkage:
Our discussion of fun sports experiences is ongoing thanks to the Savannah Bananas, an exhibition baseball team that’s a must-follow on Instagram and TikTok. More on their founding story via WBUR.
A morning-pages follow-up: Wendy MacNaughton created a DrawTogether 30-day Drawing Habit Experiment Challenge as a visual companion/alt. A quick hospice aside: Check out her forthcoming book How to Say Goodbye and the new release The In-Between: Unforgettable Encounters During Life's Final Moments by Hadley Vlahos R.N.
A IG Thingies contributor recommended Plasticana mules as a summer rain shoe. And speaking of summer moisture, our listener Carly suggests battling mosquitos with Tougher than Tom Mosquito TNT. Report back?
On a private writing—or any creative!—practice, this Hanif Abdurraqib’s tweet thread.
Looking for a gift? May we suggest some of the items we are obsessing over, like Cat’s Cradle (see also: this TikTok), a Slate Flosser, Message sandals, and the Forme bra.
Can’t shut up about the podcast Wilder! It digs deep into Laura Ingalls Wilder (good and bad) and made us think of this classic 2007 Jezebel piece by Lizzie Skurnick.
Let us know your flossing philosophy at 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, or @athingortwohq—or join our Geneva! And for more recommendations, try out a Secret Menu membership.
the sponsors (and promos!)
Give professional counseling a go with BetterHelp and take 10% off your first month with our link.
Perfect your at-home manicure with Olive & June and use the code ATHINGORTWO for 20% off your first Mani System.
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This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.
The Other Summer Dressing, Overhosting, and Minor League Baseball
It’s time to soothe your mind about summer (salad) dressing stress! Also, we talk the ideal American sporting event and overhosting, a term that speaks to us more than we’d like.
It’s time to soothe your mind about summer (salad) dressing stress! Also, we talk the ideal American sporting event and overhosting, a term that speaks to us more than we’d like.
the linkage:
Some dressings for summer and really whenever: Via Carota’s, Toro Bravo's, and Kewpie’s BUT FROM JAPAN. Both Mark Bittman and Samin Nosrat do a strong miso-mustard, and our no-recipe recipes are a honey-mustard (just honey, French’s yellow, red-wine vinegar, and olive oil) and the never-fail combo of ketchup, mayo, Old Bay, lemon, and salt.
Re: minor-league (and G league) sports, more on the short-lived Pizza Rats c/o the New York Post.
If you’re magnesium-curious, look into the ones from Moon Juice, Calm, and ReMag.
What makes a summer dressing to you? Let us know at 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, or @athingortwohq—or join our Geneva! Grab a Secret Menu membership for all the recommendations.
the sponsors (and promos!)
Trust Shopify with all your ecomm needs and get a free 14-day trial with our link.
Try SKIMS Fits Everybody and get free shipping on orders over $75.
YAY.
This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.
Creativity and Exercise Updates That Feel Weirdly Related
Can we spend a little time talking about creativity and exercise, including how our takes on both are feeling surprisingly similar these days? GREAT. Let’s get into it.
Can we spend a little time talking about creativity and exercise, including how our takes on both are feeling surprisingly similar these days? GREAT. Let’s get into it.
the linkage:
For more on morning pages, we direct you to The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. And, a book that comes up a lot despite our mixed feelings about it: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert.
A YouTube vid Erica followed to write a novel, as recommended by Mary HK Choi.
Some workout wardrobe staples include unitards—check out Girlfriend Collective and Héros—and the posture-correcting sports bra from Forme (more from Fast Company).
If you need a work-out pep talk, you can always count on Coach Bennett. (And while we’re here: Thanks for programming this ep, Sarah.)
How do you keep going with exercise? Are you a morning-pages person? Let us know at 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, or @athingortwohq—or join our Geneva! Grab a Secret Menu membership for more, more recommendations.
the sponsors (and promos!)
Discover so many more natural diamond truths at naturaldiamonds.com/thankyou.
Thwart PMS with Jubilance and get $10 off with the code ATHINGORTWO.
Amp up your garden with Fast Growing Trees and take 15% off your entire order with the code ATHINGORTWO.
YAY.
This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.
Bugs and Mattie Kahn’s (Young and Restless) Thingies
We’ve been graced with Thingies from Mattie Kahn, the author of wonderful new book Young and Restless, all about the teenage girls who have fueled America’s biggest-deal social movements. But first: bugs.
We’ve been graced with Thingies from Mattie Kahn, the author of wonderful new book Young and Restless, all about the teenage girls who have fueled America’s biggest-deal social movements. But first: bugs.
the linkage:
Some great bug-repelling options include Gardner FlyWeb Fly Light Classic, LIV by Thermacell, Neepa Huts, Lygfzf screens, Bluefeel Kruca Camping Fan, and incense c/o Fredericks & Mae, Rinnesha (put it in a kayari buta!), and Madison James.
Young and Restless—the perfect read for right now…or any time.
Mattie’s Thingies include Sunday-morning newsletter review time (ft. Lauren Sherman’s Line Sheet, Becky Malinsky’s 5 Things You Should Buy, Hunter Harris’s Hung Up, Eater’s Add To Cart, and Rachel Tashjian Wise's Opulent Tips), Frog Hollow Farm (um, a Battle of the Peaches Box!), Salt & Straw ice cream deliveries, the Forsyth skirt by Kallmayer, and Saie Glowy Super Gel.
Have Thingies you NEED to tell us about? Share them with us at 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, or @athingortwohq—or join our Geneva! Grab a Secret Menu membership for more, more recommendations.
the sponsors (and promos!)
Try professional counseling with BetterHelp and take 10% off your first month with our link.
Tackle PMS with Jubilance and get $10 off with the code ATHINGORTWO.
Stock up on groceries with Thrive Market and get 30% off your first order plus a free $60 gift when you use our link.
YAY.
This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.
Gummies, Night Phones, and a Couple New *Strategies*
Sound your alarms! Today we’re rounding up alarm clock suggestions from our listeners, dedicating a much-needed 15 minutes to talk about gummy candy, and incorporating some new lingo into our (ever-evolving?) vocabs.
Sound your alarms! Today we’re rounding up alarm clock suggestions from our listeners, dedicating a much-needed 15 minutes to talk about gummy candy, and incorporating some new lingo into our (ever-evolving?) vocabs.
the linkage:
Alarm clocks suggested by our listeners include Lexon Cubissimo (shoutout to Sarah in our Geneva!) and Flip+ Travel. Also, how genius is having a NIGHT PHONE!?! (<< TY, Kara.)
Next time you want a gummy treat, chew on BonBon. Come on with their their gift boxes, and grab a bag of Kolsvart while you’re there. Reading while you’re chomping: "Sweet and Squishy as Ever, the Gummy Universe Keeps Expanding" from NYT.
Our philosophy around clusters of convenience (and ending errands with a little treat) reminds us of this Gossamer interview with Molly Young.
What are your favorite clusters of convenience? Share them with us at 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, or @athingortwohq—or join our Geneva!. Grab a Secret Menu membership for more, more recommendations.
the sponsors (and promos!)
Give the best gifts with MoMA Design Store.
Do your hair a favor with Nutrafol. Take $15 off your first month’s subscription with the code ATHINGORTWO.
Master the at-home manicure with Olive & June and use the code ATHINGORTWO for 20% off your first Mani System.
Tell PMS to peace out with Jubilance and get $10 off with the code ATHINGORTWO.
YAY.
This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.
Summer Dressing Conundrums Continued
As the temps rise, we’re starting to think more and more about what to wear in *this weather* (and, while we’re at it, the celebs we love so much we’d like to give thim a daytime talk show).
As the temps rise, we’re starting to think more and more about what to wear in *this weather* (and, while we’re at it, the celebs we love so much we’d like to give thim a daytime talk show).
the linkage:
Are you paying enough attention to Brandi Carlile? As in, are you watching her coach her daughter on how to use a drill? See also: The Highwomen and their songs "Crowded Table" and "Redesigning Women" specifically.
Onto summer dressing! (Shoutout to our last summer dressing ep, too.) And the never-ending search for summer dresses! In an effort to replicate the glory days of an old cotton Apiece Apart Josefina dress, Claire is trying out the Flore Flore Esme dress.
For denim shorts, Claire recommends Raey’s Rivet and Tahiti styles, and Erica loves Agolde’s Parker take.
Summer shoes! On the sandal front, look to Message and Emme Parsons’s folded slides. For chipped-pedicure days, Repetto, Drogheria Crivellini, Martiniano (for The Row-ish look), and Rothy’s—they do a buzzed-about Mary Jane. Your open-toe mule fuel: Reike Nen (padded cut-out and woven and fringe!), Staud Simone and Janine, and Dries Van Noten (<< sale-alert-worthy).
On a T-shirt journey? We’ve been into Buck Mason, Flore Flore, Sunray, Sunspel, and The Great.
The button-up—under-appreciated summer savior! we like Alex Mill's Double-Button Shirt, Estella’s Gemma, Chava Studio's custom (!!) designs (and their Madewell collab), and Citizens of Humanity’s Kayla. For some styling tips, look to Leandra Medine, Amy Smilovic, and this YouTube tutorial.
Onto accessories that help you keep your cool! MoMA Design Store has exclusive colors of fans by Nishikawa Shoroku Shoten (at it since 1585!!!), and peppermint oil (Claire likes the De Mamiel Altitude Oil) works wonders.
As for HOT RAIN, maybe a garden clog is the answer?? Gardenheir has Italian AND French styles, and we also like the SeaVees Bodega and Birkenstock Super-Birki. Best lightweight rain jacket: Patagonia Houdini. Or should we lean into pochos, like the ones from Rainkiss, Rains, Stutterheim, and Puebco?
UM, who wants to start that umbrella company? Let us know at 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, or @athingortwohq—or joinour Geneva! For more recommendations, try out a Secret Menu membership
the sponsors (and promos!)
Get some green with Fast Growing Trees and take 15% off your entire order with the code ATHINGORTWO.
Discover so many more natural diamond truths at naturaldiamonds.com/thankyou.
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This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.
Community Spaces, the Hair on Our Faces
Grabbing into a bag full of community-building opps, a fantastic celeb memoir, unhinged TikTok content, a hair-removal tool we’re into, tulip hacks, and….juice marketing?
Grabbing into a bag full of community-building opps, a fantastic celeb memoir, unhinged TikTok content, a hair-removal tool we’re into, tulip hacks, and….juice marketing?
the linkage:
Our adventure at Peoplehood—more on that here—has us adding Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community by Robert D. Putnam to our reading list and thinking long and hard (too long, too hard?) about Amanda Mull’s piece for The Atlantic on Bed Bath & Beyond’s closing.
File Tell Me Everything: A Memoir by Minka Kelly alongside Demi Moore’s Inside Out.
Check out the hashtag #Unhinged7thheaven on TikTok for a wild ride.
We endorse: Tweezerman’s Smooth Finish Facial Hair Remover, this trick that makes tulips stand tall, and the copywriting going on over at Eager.
Thoughts on sharing contacts…or anything at all? Hit us up at 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, or @athingortwohq—or join our Geneva! For more recommendations, try out a Secret Menu membership.
the sponsors (and promos!)
Get professional counseling with BetterHelp and take 10% off your first month with our link.
Slip into SKIMS Fits Everybody and get free shipping on orders over $75.
Give Bad on Paper a listen—if you like this podcast, you’ll like that one.
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This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.
Oblivion Time and Taking Our Fandom More Seriously
Don’t zone out just yet! This week we’re talking about what we do during our “oblivion time” and fandoms of our past, present, and future.
Don’t zone out just yet! This week we’re talking about what we do during our “oblivion time” and fandoms of our past, present, and future.
the linkage:
Some fandom-related content: “The Bethenny Clause,” the book Everything I Need I Get from You by Caitlin Tiffany, the article "‘It Made Me Believe That Love Wasn’t Real Anymore. And I Puked.’ Swifties on Cornelia Street take the Joe Alwyn breakup news as well as you’d expect" by Rachel Handler for Vulture, and the article "Psychologists Say That Belonging To A Fandom Is Amazing For Your Mental Health" by Brianna Wiest for Teen Vogue. Also: our past convo about this (and concert specifically).
Also relevant to our personal fandoms: The Baby-Sitters Club and the fact that the artist Hodges Soileau is selling the original paintings of the covers, Gudetama (and his NYT Dining section coverage), and the My Best Friend’s Wedding soundtrack.
We want to know: How are you filling your oblivion time? And do you have alarm clock recs?? Share them with us at 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, or @athingortwohq—or join our Geneva! For more recommendations, try out a Secret Menu membership.
the sponsors (and promos!)
Support your hair with Nutrafol. Take $15 off your first month’s subscription with the code ATHINGORTWO.
Drink water like never before thanks to air up. Get the best of both worlds, tasty flavors, and all the benefits of water today at https://airup.link/40V3Ltw
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This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.
Walking, Recycling Bottles, and Two Nostalgic Mall Brands
We’re reminiscing about niche educational retail chains of our youth, making a case for pecans, and learning the rules of a hot girl walk (<< there are rules).
We’re reminiscing about niche educational retail chains of our youth, making a case for pecans, and learning the rules of a hot girl walk (<< there are rules).
the linkage:
Our research on Zany Brainy (which now has a nostalgic merch project) revived our affection for Sanrio, Klutz, Creativity for Kids, and Brain Quest.
Enter the The Nature Company v. Natural Wonders discourse via this YouTube video. Also, Buzzfeed's got a zesty take on a bunch o’ bygone mall stores.
Onto pecans, the nut’s nut. For pies, we rec the recipe in Stars Desserts by Emily Luchetti…and the one on the back of the Karo corn syrup bottle. Also for your consideration: Food52’s flourless pecan cake, Smitten Kitchen’s peach and pecan sandy crumble, NYT Cooking wok-fried asparagus and walnuts (subbing pecans), and Claire’s breakfast combo of pecans + Cocojune yogurt + berries.
The hot girl walk comes to us via TikTok user Mia, @exactlyliketheothergirls. And walk, don’t run, to the ample NYT walking coverage: "The Next Walk You Take Could Change Your Life," "A Little Motivation to Take a Walk," and "Whatever the Problem, It’s Probably Solved by Walking."
The NY State bottle bill, fascinating stuff that we learned about from Rothy’s. Related: The Guppyfriend washing bags to keep microplastics out of waterways.
Share your Zany Brainy memories with us at 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, or @athingortwohq—or join our Geneva! For more recommendations, try out a Secret Menu membership.
the sponsors (and promos!)
Score the best gifts from MoMA Design Store.
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This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.
Food Phenom Sue Chan’s Thingies and the Oh-So-Good Judy Blume Doc
Judy Blume forever!! A rallying cry and also the name of an incredible doc we need you to watch. And, let’s talk Thingies with Sue Chan, a tastemaker’s tastemaker—if you’ll allow it—who has all the event-hosting and condiment intel you need over at Care of Chan.
Judy Blume forever!! A rallying cry and also the name of an incredible doc we need you to watch. And, let’s talk Thingies with Sue Chan, a tastemaker’s tastemaker—if you’ll allow it—who has all the event-hosting and condiment intel you need over at Care of Chan.
the linkage:
Plz watch the documentary Judy Blume Forever! And dig into Forever…, and Wifey with us?
For all your *entertaining needs*, check out Sue’s site Care of Chan, which launches Thurs., April 27, with guides, interviews, and essays from chefs, florists, and producers to help us all feel more confident and comfortable with any sort of event-hosting we’re taking on.
Sue’s Thingies include condiments from The Japanese Pantry (specifically togarashi—also love us some Cabi and The Mala Market!), dried fruits from Yun Hai, masa from Masienda (their La Chicharra bowls, too), produce from Cookbook Los Angeles and the Hollywood Farmers' Market, a donabe from Toiro Kitchen, and custom stationery from Pettinaroli in Milan (for more gifting: Flamingo Estate). Some of her favorite restaurants for booking a six-top in NYC are Odeon, Omen Azen, and Lucien.
Share your Thingies with us at 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, or @athingortwohq—or join our Geneva! For more recommendations, try out a Secret Menu membership.
the sponsors (and promos!)
Turn to Shopify, the trustiest ecomm platform around, and get a free 14-day trial with our link.
Drink water like never before thanks to air up. Get the best of both worlds, tasty flavors, and all the benefits of water today at https://airup.link/3Mhd7M7. Use code ATHINGORTWO for 15% off your purchase.
Listen to Bad on Paper—if you like this podcast, you’ll like that one.
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This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.
Cowboy Boots, Grapefruit Techniques, and Clearing a Path for Love
This week’s grab bag includes clearing a path for love, the country-music equivalent of The Great British Bake Off, beige rice, and, ya know, lots more.
This week’s grab bag includes clearing a path for love, the country-music equivalent of The Great British Bake Off, beige rice, and, ya know, lots more.
the linkage:
Are you watching My Kind of Country? Start with Dhruv Visvanath’s cover of “Ring of Fire."
Shout out to Chalo cowboy boots and this Brie Larson cover story for Harper’s Bazaar for styling inspo.
Sam Youkilis’s Instagram brought the topic of cutting citrus back to the podcast. See also: Priya Krishna and Connie Wang’s essays about cut fruit as a culturally Asian love language.
An idea: Joe Holder’s one-week-a-month reboot.
Cosigning a Jill Singers Thingie, The Rice Factory New York.
Liana Satenstein’s piece in Vogue about Donna Karan gave us the Y2k fashion we want to embrace.
Share your thoughts about today’s ep with us at 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, or @athingortwohq—or joinour Geneva! For more recommendations, try out a Secret Menu membership.
the sponsors (and promos!)
Level-up your underwear with SKIMS Fits Everybody and get free shipping on orders over $75.
Drink water like never before thanks to air up. Get the best of both worlds, tasty flavors, and all the benefits of water today at https://airup.link/3nNRCZ7.
Make that garden grow with Fast Growing Trees and get 15% off your entire order with the code ATHINGORTWO.
YAY.
This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.
We Reintroduce Ourselves—and Share *Your* Thingies
If you’re a new listener curious about our ~lore~, you’re in luck! But before we discuss us, let’s talk about you and some of the Thingies you’ve been evangelizing about on Instagram.
If you’re a new listener curious about our ~lore~, you’re in luck! But before we discuss us, let’s talk about you and some of the Thingies you’ve been evangelizing about on Instagram.
the linkage:
Moisturizing agents recommended by listeners include Dior Creme Abricot, Olive & June Overnight Hand Treatment, Dr. Hauschka Lip Care Stick, Weleda Skin Food, Everyday Oil, Brazilian BumBum Cream, Ouai Body Creme, Tubby Todd, Summer Solace Tallow, Lucas’ Pawpaw Ointment, and tinted ChapStick. (Wait, sorry, did we know about custom ChapStick??)
Also you all shared beauty products we’d never heard of before, like Kate McLeod Sex Stone, Nicole Caroline Facial Ice Sphere Kit, Londontown Kur Illuminating Nail Concealer, and The Ordinary Brow Serum.
Earrings you can sleep in! From Maison Muri and Hey June. Also: clear earring backs for napping!!
What else are you obsessing over? Keyboard-cleaning goo like this stuff from Kikkerland, stain removers like Savon de Marseille and Grandma’s Spot Remover, and salad dressings like the ones by Little Creek Dressing and the Gotham Greens Green Goddess.
People feel strongly about Oofos—are they the new Crocs?!
Our favorite Thingie of all? Bringing tea on a walk, leaving the mug in a random bush, and picking it back up later. Iconic.
Share your Thingies with us at 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, or @athingortwohq—or joinour Geneva! For more recommendations, try out a Secret Menu membership.
the sponsors (and promos!)
This episode is brought to you by Betterhelp. Get professional counseling with BetterHelp and take 10% off your first month with our link.
Give your hair an assist with Nutrafol. Take $15 off your first month’s subscription with the code ATHINGORTWO.
Tune into to Bad on Paper—if you like this podcast, you’ll like that one.
YAY.
This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.
Seam Rippers, Gifting Pacts, and Leftovers
This week, we’re covering pressing and important moments in culture (the Scandoval), products of innovation (seam rippers), gifting strategies, a revelatory cookbook all about leftovers, and a topic we can not let sit any longer: cute postage stamps.
This week, we’re covering pressing and important moments in culture (the Scandoval), products of innovation (seam rippers), gifting strategies, a revelatory cookbook all about leftovers, and a topic we can not let sit any longer: cute postage stamps.
the linkage:
If you’re new to the Vanderpump Rules Cinematic Universe, we highly suggest Sexy Unique Podcast as a viewing companion.
Message Monsters stamps by Elise Gravel, a children’s book author, are available on foreverstamps.net.
Museum Gel will secure breakables from gentle earthquakes (toddlers running around the house included).
To have your leftovers world rocked, we recommend The Everlasting Meal Cookbook: Leftovers A-Z by Tamar Adler, which is a companion to Love An Everlasting Meal: Cooking with Economy and Grace.
Do you have a gifting plan? Thoughts on the Scandoval? Share with us at 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, or @athingortwohq—or joinour Geneva! For more recommendations, try out a Secret Menu membership.
the sponsors (and promos!)
Try out professional counseling with BetterHelp and take 10% off your first month with our link.
YAY.
This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.
Manicures and Mess
May we discuss manicures, messes, and the intersection between manicures and messes and the social pressure to present as *having it all together*? Let’s go.
May we discuss manicures, messes, and the intersection between manicures and messes and the social pressure to present as *having it all together*? Let’s go.
the linkage:
On gel manicures: Uché Blackstock is going to keep getting them, and Claire is too—but now with Maniglovz to protect her hands from those UV lights (and with CND Shellac whenever she can).
For a one-coat at-home mani, Olive & June Cosmic, Pleasing Pearly Tops, and Dior Glow deliver a shimmery, sheer finish. A listener said Dazzle Dry is one of their Thingies, and multiple of y’all have called-out Londontown Kur Nail Concealer (<< the name!). For growth (and nail-biting-prevention), try Nailtiques. For setting yourself up for DIY success, arm yourself with Olive & June dry drops and the brand’s clean up brush.
We have a lot of thoughts about mess, and so do some other people. Dig into For Scale’s “Exquisite Chaos” installment, "Girl Clutter" by Molly Soda, “What If You Just Didn’t Clean That Up?” by Kathryn Jezer-Morton for The Cut, and “This Trend Is a Mess” by Callie Holtermann for NYT. For a listen, check out "How to Keep House While Drowning" on Terrible, Thanks for Asking with guest KC Davis, the author of How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing.
Our convo also reminded us of the books All Joy and No Fun: The Paradox of Modern Parenthood by Jennifer Senior and In My Room: Teenagers in Their Bedrooms by Adrienne Salinger (a sampling of some of those pics here).
And a retaliation to the white-box era we’ve been living in can be found on @officialsadbeige.
For a clustercore explainer, we’ve got Better Homes & Gardens. For primo examples, we always think of friend-of-the-pod Rumaan Alam and David Land’s collection of George Washington paintings in their dining room, and dip into Catherine Newman’s home tour on A Cup of Jo.
Two messfluencers to know: Alix Earle and Julia Fox.
On the topic of digital messiness, how many tabs do you have open right now? Let us know at 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, or @athingortwohq—or joinour Geneva! For more recommendations, try out a Secret Menu membership.
the sponsors (and promos!)
Try Shopify, the trustiest ecomm platform around, and get a free 14-day trial with our link.
Level-up your sandwich with Hero Bread—10% off your first order with the code ATHINGORTWO.
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Super-Stylist Karla Welch’s Thingies and Some Distraction Action
Karla Welch, celeb stylist and co-founder of The Period Company, is here to talk Thingies, from life-changing books to an L.A. bagel worth a one-hour wait. Also, we dig into distraction…and deleting social-media accounts.
Karla Welch, celeb stylist and co-founder of The Period Company, is here to talk Thingies, from life-changing books to an L.A. bagel worth a one-hour wait. Also, we dig into distraction…and deleting social-media accounts.
the linkage:
Re: the impact of social media on our societies, ourselves: Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now by Jaron Lanier (and Zach Baron’s GQ profile of Jaron), Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport (and David Marchese's NYT Mag interview with Cal, and (what’s new?) Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman.
Get your Karla Welch fix via her MasterClass on personal style and by shopping The Period Company, which now available at Walmart.
Karla’s Thingies include Emergent Strategy by Adrienne Marie Brown (which made us think about Saving Time by Jenny Odell), Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, her client Sarah Polley (see also: Sarah’s film Women Talking and her New Yorker profile), Rhode peptide lip treatment, the NYT Cooking app (follow this IG account for the full commenter experience), Erewhon’s strawberry glaze smoothie, and Courage Bagels in L.A.
Share your Thingies (and dream Thingies guests) with us at 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, or @athingortwohq—or join our Geneva! And for more recommendations, try out a Secret Menu membership.
the sponsors (and promos!)
Get that protein and fiber with Hero Bread—10% off your first order with the code ATHINGORTWO.
Go plant-crazy with Fast Growing Trees and get 15% off your entire order with the code ATHINGORTWO.
Listen to Bad on Paper—if you like this podcast, you’ll like that one.
YAY.
Magic Mike and Girl Scouts (Channing, Call Us)
If you’ve been asking “Why aren’t more podcasts talking about Magic Mike’s Last Dance and Girl Scouts?” you’ve come to the right place. Shall we??
If you’ve been asking “Why aren’t more podcasts talking about Magic Mike’s Last Dance and Girl Scouts?” you’ve come to the right place. Shall we??
the linkage:
What do the critics have to say about Magic Mike? Here’s Shirley Li at The Atlantic, Emma Specter at Vogue, A.O. Scott at the NYT, Richard Brody at The New Yorker, Bob Mondello at NPR, and Kyle Smith at the Wall Street Journal.
Channing’s look right now! Specifically this Met Gala pic and this Variety cover! He and Zoë Kravitz share a stylist, Andrew Mukamal (who was featured on Kell on Earth—see also: this Interview interview with Kelly Cutrone).
If you’re into the business side of Magic Mike, check out WSJ’s story “For Magic Mike, Channing Tatum Looked for Strippers Moms Could Love.” As for Channing’s other creative projects: Sparkella, Born & Bred Vodka (more from BonApp), and the much-hyped romance novel he’s writing with Roxane Gay. (Unrelated but also totally related, Tessa Bailey’s reverse-harem romance Happenstance.)
Oh, Girl Scouts, preparing girls to meet the world with courage, confidence, and character since 1912! We love the logo redesign by Collins, and if you need a cookie source, buy them from Troop 6000, a first-of-its-kind program designed to serve families living in temporary housing in the New York City shelter system, or from trans girls around the country.
Another scouting org we love: Radical Monarchs, which creates opportunities for girls and gender-expansive youth of color—this doc is great.
Share your Magic Mike reviews with us at 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, or @athingortwohq—or join our Geneva! And for more recommendations, try out a Secret Menu membership.
the sponsors (and promos!)
Try out professional counseling with BetterHelp and take 10% off your first month with our link.
Help your hair with Nutrafol. Take $15 off your first month’s subscription with the code ATHINGORTWO.
Get more out of your bread with Hero Bread—10% off your first order with the code ATHINGORTWO.
Sleep well with Boll & Branch—get 15% off your first set of sheets when you use the promo code ATHINGORTWO.
YAY.
Tantrum Logic, Serendipity Tax, and Food Revelations
Our two new favorite terms and a bunch of thoughts on what to eat (such a conundrum, always, why?), coming at you on this week’s episode. Dig in!
Our two new favorite terms and a bunch of thoughts on what to eat (such a conundrum, always, why?), coming at you on this week’s episode. Dig in!
the linkage:
Ok, food things: We’re big fans of the the Food52 Simply Genius cookbook (and Food52 Genius Desserts, too) by Kristen Miglore. To start, try the 5-minute tomato sauce from Heidi Swanson (which reminded Claire of this slightly more complicated sauce she had last summer) and Canal House’s chicken thighs.
Some other cooking wins: this polenta soup recipe from Christopher Kimball, oven-fried artichokes, Ali Slagle’s cheesy white bean tomato bake, and Toro Bravo's radicchio salad with manchego vinaigrette.
This Eater story by Jaya Saxena speaks to our love of tiny spoons and brought this amazing T-shirt to our attention.
Let us know your tiny spoon stance at 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, or @athingortwohq—or join our Geneva! And for more recommendations, try out a Secret Menu membership. .
the sponsors (and promos!)
Level-up your bread with Hero Bread—10% off your first order with the code ATHINGORTWO.
Get that MBA with The Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business.
YAY.
Rachel Tashjian’s Opulent Thingies (and a Splash of Cringe)
This week, we’re talking Thingies with Rachel Seville Tashjian Wise, fashion news director at Harper's Bazaar and creator of the coolest invite-only newsletter on the block, Opulent Tips. Also, we bring you more CRINGE.
This week, we’re talking Thingies with Rachel Seville Tashjian Wise, fashion news director at Harper's Bazaar and creator of the coolest invite-only newsletter on the block, Opulent Tips. Also, we bring you more CRINGE.
the linkage:
For mTo ride the cringe wave, check out this perfect Julie Houts post, Yasi Salek and the podcast Bandsplain (friends, the T-shirt), and the newsletter Club Leftist Tennis’s installment “Tennis is for Weirdos” by Kate Wagner. Also, NYT’s misread of cringe.
Rachel’s Thingies: hats (including ones from The Hat Shop, Amy Downs, and Gigi Burris), collections of strange objects (see also: Leanne Ford’s Feel Free mag), the weird Hitchcock movies like Vertigo (for more good blond wigs: Wong Kar Wai’s Chungking Express), designers who are creating wardrobes (including Toteme, Casey Casey, The Row, Sofie D'Hoore, Lauren Manoogian, 7115 by Szeki, Lafayette 148—read Rachel’s story for more on this!), and this profile of Judith Thurman along with her book, Isak Dinesen: The Life of a Storyteller.
Some other things discussed: the Isaac Mizrahi doc Unzipped, the brands Puppets and Puppets and Luar, the Lydia Tár Twitter account, Spur Jewelry’s usage of close friends, and Etéreo Vintage.
Have thingies you want to share? Let us know at 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, or @athingortwohq—or join our Geneva! And for more recommendations, try out a Secret Menu membership.
the sponsors (and promos!)
Try our beloved ecomm platform, Shopify, and get a free 14-day trial with our link.
Explore an MBA with The Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business.
Get more out of your bread with Hero Bread—10% off your first order with the code ATHINGORTWO.
YAY.
Room Dividers, TVs, and Three Gals About the Internet
Hello, this is she! Today we’re reaching into a grab bag filled with TVs, social omnivores, room dividers, and favorite internet follows.
Hello, this is she! Today we’re reaching into a grab bag filled with TVs, social omnivores, room dividers, and favorite internet follows.
the linkage:
For more on the social omnivore, check out this Bon Appétit article by Ali Francis.
Room dividers have come a long way—see: Lichen, The Inside, Sarah Ellison's for DWR, and Sight Unseen’s round up.
Delightful follow number one: Emily Sundberg and her newsletter Feed Me. She wrote "Whole Milk Mounts its Triumphant Comeback" and "Welcome to the Shoppy Shop" and recently surfaced this 2019 interview with Kevin Systrom by Stella Bugbee, too. (Related-ish newsletters: After School by Casey Lewis and Public Announcement c/o Chris Black and James Ellis.)
Number two: Delia Cai, whose debut novel Central Places is out now—*please* see also: her IG for the book, her Twitter account, and her interview on this pod. (Other v specific IG follows: @smallbizmemez and @dankartdirectormemes.)
Number three: the financial-literacy TikToker Seema Sheth aka Bobeema and her financial cleanse series. Speaking of $$ stuff, Carl Nassib’s compound interest lesson from Hard Knocks and Women and Money by Suze Orman.
Finally, this tweet (by Lily Marotta, co-host of the Celebrity Book Club podcast) transported us.
Where is the TV in your home? How you you answer the phone? Let us know at 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, or @athingortwohq—or join our Geneva! And for more recommendations, try out a Secret Menu membership.
the sponsors (and promos!)
Look into getting an MBA with The Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business.
YAY.