This week—while rewatching Cruel Intentions, a film for the ages set during the prelude to a new academic year—I’m getting into a back-to-school (by proxy) mood.

An unexpected pleasure of being a parent is reliving the back-to-school season from the sidelines. And personally, September feels more like a start to something than January 1.

Here are actually good things a grade-schooler and their grown-up counterpart might have on their back-to-school wishlist.*

Backpacks + a backpack stand

My gonna-be-2nd-grader got this checkered Herschel backpack (that I actually kinda want for myself). I’m planning to bring CalPak’s Luka laptop bag on my NYC trip in September.

We also got this backpack cubby-stand (in white) from the Japanese housewares brand Yamazaki. I’m hoping it helps my kid get into the habit of unpacking and repacking his bag daily—but, you know, we’ll see.🙄

Jeans 4forever

The best pair of jeans I’ve worn in roughly five years is The Yaya from Ayr—a cropped version of The Lala, which Wirecutter once named “the best women’s jeans.”

I got the “let go” wash, an absolutely perfect medium blue with just the right fading, in the short length (I’m 5’4”). Yes, yes, yes. No notes.

Abercrombie’s 90s Straight Jean is less than half the price of Ayr’s, with a similar classic silhouette à la Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. I have the dark wash, also in the short length.

An Old Navy win

We took our kids to Old Navy last weekend for some back-to-school shopping, and I accidentally got myself this short-sleeve polo sweater in two colors:

• Golden glow because I can’t resist chartreuse and its close cousins

• Rainforest jewel because my color analysis told me cool, dark hues are best for my complexion

A perfectly pared-down sneaker

Aldo has these low-profile all-white sneakers. I love the lace-trim detail and appreciate that the leather uppers wipe clean.

Classic pocket lip balms

• Cherry ChapStick

• Burt’s Bees original beeswax

Dr. Pepper Lip Smacker is discontinued, but I’d totally use some in loving memory of Brittany Murphy.

Skincare basics

• A drugstore oil-to-foam face wash

• A gentle spot-fading cleanser bar (8 bucks!)

• A light gel moisturizer that targets discoloration and won’t freak out your skin (which is to say, my skin—I don’t speak for all)

These products might be good if, say, you were a 14-year-old battling breakouts or a 40-year-old looking to correct uneven skin tone.

Water-drinking vessels

My 7-year-old earned a “yes day” in which I say “yes” to everything (how we got there is a tale for another time). I told him he can’t spend all our money or ruin my life but to go ahead and see what I’ll agree to. His only purchase request was for a Frost Buddy, which, according to his buddies at camp, is the coolest thing to drink water out of.

I personally like sipping from these textural studded tumblers while working. (They’re a dupe of the super-popular Starbucks ones from a few years ago.) You already know I got burgundy.

A catch-all sports-mom tote

We have two of the large Bogg bags and use them endlessly for soccer snacks, farmers’ market hauls, swim stuff, yada yada yada.

The medium size recently came into my life, and it’s just as practical. There’s a color and print for everyone (leopard, checkered, hi, hello). But the school-bus-coded, #2-pencil yellow lends a cheery back-to-school vibe.

*Some products with affiliate links might earn me a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What I’m reading lately:

• The Weight of Beautiful, a memoir by Jackie Goldschneider

• Wired | How Teen ‘After-Prom’ Kings in LA Monetized the High School Rager

• New York Magazine | The Pay-to-Play Childhood

• Bloomberg | The Diamond Industry’s Old Guard Wants You to Buy ‘Natural’

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This week—while making my friends take a big sniff of Gap’s throwback fragrances and watching them transport back to middle school via olfactory-evoked memories—I’m doing a summer send-off.

Seasonal travel is done, camps are wrapping up, and the new school year is approaching. I’m not in an ~autumn state of mind~ yet, but it does feel like the sunny season is nearing its end.

And that’s fine ‘cause, you know…I’m a grown-up.

These last few summer weeks have a Sunday-ish feel. I wouldn’t call it “the scaries,” though. In fact, I’m looking forward to non-shorts weather, soup, and witch culture. Late-August is more of an “I’m not a summer, not yet a fall” vibe.

Anyway, here are actually good things I’m into this week.*

Cool-mom swishy pants

These high-rise, wide-waistband Free People track pants feel modern and effortless—and crucially, like I’ve transcended leggings.

I got black but would have totally gone with a bolder color if my size was in stock.

A boxy sweater tee

The new-ish Aerie Offline collection has some really great pieces. This lightweight, slouchy sweater T-shirt, for one.

A high-end hybrid hairbrush

Mason Pearson won’t send me a fancy-schmancy hairbrush to test (I’ve asked). No matter, I tried this half-the-price one from Philocaly and am delighted by the results.

It’s a hybrid, meaning it blends natural boar bristles with nylon. My hair is shockingly smooth and shiny after brushing. The first time I used it, I was like, “Wait, whut.”

A 2-step exfoliator that rivals Dr. Gross

I’ve tried many pre-soaked exfoliating pads and remain faithful to Dr. Dennis Gross for every-other-day use. Having said that, my faith was challenged this week upon using the Exuviance AP25 peel.

Don’t let the word “peel” scare you off. The two-step system first introduces AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) and PHA (polyhydroxy acid) to help loosen and dissolve dead skin cells. After swiping the step-1 pad all over your face, neck, and décolletage, you wait 10 minutes before doing the same thing with the step-2 neutralizing pad.

Meant to be used no more than twice a week, it’s a little more serious than Dr. Gross’s. But my god, the results are like a facial by a competent, lauded esthetician.

Pricey; worth it.

Some supplements

I’ve been taking NAD+ precursors for over a year and think they’re the real deal. Lemme recently launched its own version, which uses the precursor NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide). The price is decent compared to Tru Niagen, though it’s unclear where it sources the hero ingredient.

The idea is that NAD+ molecules are too big to enter cells, especially when taken orally. So the smaller precursor molecules boost NAD+ by giving your body the ingredients to make it.

My husband and I just finished a bottle of Unisom’s sleep gummies. These don’t have melatonin, but the magnesium-ashwagandha blend conks you right out.

See my supplements letter for more on vitamins and sleep aids.

The OG of everything

Vaseline is a non-negotiable household essential. I won’t get into the details, but I reached for the tub for first aid, skincare, and eyebrow grooming several times over the last couple of weeks for myself and my kids.

(You may know I’m usually not into tub-style products because they get germy, but petroleum jelly doesn’t harbor bacteria.)

*Some products with affiliate links might earn me a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Also, I made gooey butter cake (aka Neiman Marcus bars) twice last week. Cake mix is one of the recipe’s six ingredients, and I used this one.

It’s actually kind of a bummer how good these bars are. Like, throw your life away, eat-the-whole-batch good.

What I’m reading lately:

• The Summer Boy, a novel by Philippe Besson

• New York Magazine | A Parent’s Guide to Jackass

• The Wall Street Journal | The Summer That the Monoculture Made a Comeback

• Bloomberg | The Optimization Backlash Has Begun

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This week—while watching the first few episodes of Furious (which boasts a 98% Rotten Tomatoes score and features Emmy Rossum’s natural curls)—I’m finding joy in farm-fresh tomatoes and tomato-themed things.

August is peak tomato season. Where I live in Oregon, the bounty is, well…bountying. Farmers markets and grocers have started selling purply-black, glossy green, and the reddest-red heirlooms, plus teeny-tiny orange and yellow cherry tomatoes.

This time of year, I’ll exclaim to my husband, with something in between a growl and a squeal, “LOOK at these tomatoes!” To which he responds with equal enthusiasm before we discuss exactly how we’ll devour them.

All you need is salt, but there are endless ways to ingest a tomato. This tomato-butter pasta recipe, for one, which says—snobbishly and correctly—not to even bother with the off-season variety.

Here are actually good tomato-y things for embracing the August harvest.*

Tomato-red lips and digits

Typology’s T40 lip oil comes in a lovely limited-edition tomato red.

Essie and Cracked both have a nail polish named Tomato Tamahto—the former is a deeper opaque, and the latter is a bright, sheer jelly.

I’m very fond of tomato red. Even though my color analysis pegged me as a cool-toned deep winter, I sometimes rebel and rock a more vivid orangey hue.😈

Wearable tomatoes

This company called Sauce Town has lots of tomato T-shirts (along with tees featuring tinned fish, pasta, and other dorky foodie graphics). I also like this one from Etsy.

And if you want to be—I don’t know, say, a breezy cool-mom hostess serving Caprese salad, this stretchy cotton tomato-print jumpsuit might be just the thing.

Tomato candle mania

OK, there’s actually a great deal of tomato business (or should I say beeswax?) happening in the candle world right now.

A few nice ones:

• Voluspa Tomato Trellis candle (best smell)

• Choice Blooms Tomato Herbs candle (best visual appeal)

• Flamingo Estate Roma Heirloom candle (best mini)

• Element Brooklyn Jardín Azteca candle (best value—mimics the much more expensive Loewe Tomato Leaves)

Misc. love apples + enhancers

These super-affordable Korean skincare pads call on the natural enzymes of green tomato extract to gently exfoliate.

I like this green tomato toner from Fully, too. Apparently, Cardi B uses this product line.

Flamingo Estate makes a truly superior olive oil—perfect for drizzling on tomatoes and as a host gift.

Compartés has a tomato-white-chocolate bar. Sorry, but it’s unexpectedly good.

Even just searching for “tomato” on Anthropologie, there are dish towels, juice glasses, vases, coasters, framed art, you name it. (I’d like this piece for my kitchen, please.)

Maybe it’s all a bit much, like how mushrooms and bows and bananas and tinned fish have come and gone as late-aughts and 2020s design trends.

Still, there’s no denying how good real sun-ripe tomatoes are. We’ll always have that.

Blessed be the fruit.

*Some products with affiliate links might earn me a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What I’m reading lately:

• Vogue | A New Generation of Musicians Is Making Up for Lost Time

• The Atlantic | Which Screen Is the ‘Good Screen’ Now?

• New York Magazine | How Being Broke Became Social Media’s Last Taboo

• The New York Times | The Return of the Vanity

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This week—while traveling to Miami for a brief stay at Pritikin Longevity Center (the air is thick but I’d pick dewy, balmy humidity over dryness and elevation)—I’m adding to my list of travel-size cosmetics.

I stand by mini beauty products not only for trips but also for everyday use. They take up less space and cost less than full-size products (which I often never use up before expiration, anyway).

So, here are travel-size versions of actually good things I swear by and buy often.*

Hair

• Ouai anti-frizz cream. Currently applying a generous daily glob to help manage humidity hair in South Florida.

• Verb smoothing styler spray. Tiny 1-ounce bottle; also good for humid climates; five bucks.

• Ouai Detox Shampoo. An Abbey Yung Method darling. (I don’t actually travel with this, but as a once-a-week product, the mini size lasts forever.)

• Olaplex Nº5 conditioner.

• 1/10-full can of minoxidil foam. The idea is to use up the almost-empty product by the end of my trip and return with a lighter load.

• 1-ounce foam pump containers. I fill one of these with enough Philip B. Volumizing Mousse to get me through the trip.

Makeup

• Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer. A timeless no-makeup-makeup staple.

• Rare Beauty cult-loved liquid blush. So teensy—takes up almost no space in the makeup bag.

• Victoria Beckham Stylus contour stick. Not technically a mini but slim and packable.

• Ogee cream highlighter stick. Also not mini, but I find the size and easy application ideal for travel.

• Benefit precision-tip brow pencil.

• Charlotte Tilbury mini brush set. Includes the contour one I swear by. (Sold out from most retailers, but I found it on Nordstrom Rack.)

• Charlotte Tilbury lazy-girl eyeshadow stick. Also not a mini but highly packable and space-saving if it replaces a palette.

• One/Size Powder Melt. Dew-preserving setting spray, now available in travel size.🙏🏻

• Caliray tiny tubing mascara. Or Tarte’s if you prefer brown.

Skin

• Tower 28 SOS. 1-ounce version of the fan-favorite hypochlorous acid spray. I use it as a toner, after sweating, and for a midday refresh.

• Fresh soy facial cleanser. Lovely!

• Dieux Instant Angel moisturizer. Everybody loves her.

• Innisfree SPF 50+ sunscreen. A perfect purse-size.

• Glow Recipe SPF 45 balm. Glides like butter; great for on-the-go coverage.

• Sun Bum SPF 30 lip balm. Compact travel-friendly stick; $4.

• Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta exfoliating pads. A few packs of my ride-or-die.

• Quarter-full tube of tretinoin. When a tube gets toward the bottom, it becomes my travel one that lives in my toiletry bag full-time.

Personal care + grooming

• Crest 3D White Brilliance toothpaste. I’m particular about toothpaste and like the taste and texture of this.

• Manual toothbrushes. Soft bristles; comes with travel covers.

• Athena mini razor. Uses the same blade cartridges as the brand’s full-size handle.

• Josie Maran body wash. Smells effing awesome.

• Cadence Capsules. Space-saving magnetic containers for lotions, potions, and pills.

• Create creatine gummies. Variety pack for single-day servings.

• Rizz superfood vitamin gummies. Individual daily packs.

Also, I’ve tested tons of travel bags and luggage. There are many excellent options, but on most trips, I bring the sleek yet practical July backpack and medium-checked July suitcase.

*Some products with affiliate links might earn me a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What I’ve written lately:

• The Daily Beast | These Canned Mocktails Won’t Make You Miss Alcohol

What I’m reading lately:

• The Mad Wife, a novel by Meagan Church

• New York Magazine | The Inescapable Fantasy of ‘90s Parenting

• Time | Meet Me in the Notes App

• The Wall Street Journal | The Happiness Industrial Complex

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This week—while slogging through a semi-smoky heat wave and finishing Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat (humorous and unexpectedly heartwarming)—I’m thinking about all-star cosmetics.

I’m very, very lucky to get the chance to test a superabundance of products. I’ve discovered some real gems over the years (along with many duds and mids).

Here are actually good things I’ve tried, loved, and would absolutely buy again with real money.*

Queens of the makeup drawer

I have fair skin and prefer a cool-toned contour, which can be frustratingly hard to find. My go-to for five years has been Fenty’s Match Stix in the shade amber.

This makeup brush is crazy. It’s the best thing I’ve ever used to blend cream contour. I love it so much that I got another one to replace it after it wore down—but now I have two in my drawer because I couldn’t bear to get rid of the first one. And I’m really, really sorry that it’s $50.

Though it doesn’t look like much, this highlighter balm is a f*cking boss. Not shimmery nor pigmented, it just gives you dewy glass skin anywhere you tap it on (cheekbones and upper brow, personally).

A couple newbies but goodies:

• KS&Co Microfeathering Brow Pen (super-fine tip and works on oily skin)

• One/Size by Patrick Starrr Powder Melt Glass Setting Spray (lives up to its name)

Naturium wins

Naturium is good at its craft. Based on the accessible prices, effectiveness, and user experience, I’d no doubt purchase some of its products if I had to refill my medicine cabinet from scratch today.

This milky sunscreen fluid is ahh-mazing. I forgot how much I adore it and just bought another one for my Miami trip next week.

The brand’s SPF 45 lip balm is a hard yes—in clear or red (a sheer wash of color).

I’m also fond of this simple, gentle, under-$20 face wash. She’s perfect.

Worth-it hair stuff

Kérastase Magic Night Serum makes your hair noticeably better by morning. (Okay, my hair—can’t speak for the masses.)

La-la-looooove Philip B.’s Imperial Volumizing Mousse. Hate that it’s $60 but will devoutly cough it up when my bottle runs out.

I air-dry my hair 95% of the time. But when I wanna look more polished, I grab the T3 AireBrush, a blow dryer-round brush hybrid—surprisingly easy to use and delivers what looks like a salon blowout. I accidentally left it behind on a trip once and didn’t hesitate to buy a new one.

Also highly recommend this flat iron from T3. It actually lives up to the “single pass” claim—one swipe through each hair section is all you need.

This list is far too short, but I’m out of time this week!

*Some products with affiliate links might earn me a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

PS: Substack has this new “scan for AI” feature. I ran it for this post, and the results suggest I’m a mortal—not in cahoots with a clanker.

AI could never.💅🏻

What I’ve written lately:

• The Daily Beast | Nurses Say These Shoes Save Their Feet on 12-Hour Shifts

What I’m reading lately:

• How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder, a novel by Nina McConigley

• National Review | The Copyeditor’s AI Afterlife

• The New Yorker | How Mary Kay Built an Empire Out of Other Women’s Dreams

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This week—while embracing 5:30 a.m. sunrise walks and breathing a sigh of relief that the pollen count is finally down—I’m considering seasonal cozy things.

Can summer be cozy? You betcha! Though “cozy” is often associated with warmth and something to seek during cold winters, dictionary definitions describe it as “comfortable, pleasant, and inviting” or suggesting intimacy and ease.

Anyway, “cozy” isn’t really something that needs to be defined—it’s a vibe.

Here are actually good things I find utterly cozy during the dog days of summer.*

Pretty, pretty picnicking

This quilted ripstop picnic blanket rolls up super compactly. I got the floral Disney one but am eyeing the cowgirl and strawberry prints.

My kids love these NoBiggie sparkling juices. They’re a nice addition to adult spritzers, too.

The Polar kid seltzers are also a hit in the summer (not to mention a way better price per ounce).

And a posh mini-cooler if you’re feeling bougie.

Banana bread + boxed mixes

I make roughly two batches of GoNanas banana bread muffins a week. The cinnamon roll one is glorious, but chocolate chip and salted caramel also slap.

I’ve also been baking cakes with boxed mixes (often adding an extra egg and dry ingredients so they taste more “real”) and whipping up frosting from scratch. The Cravings key-lime kit is a fan favorite.

Did you know Williams Sonoma has baking mixes? I’m gonna try the high-brow/low-brow strawberry sheet cake next.

Cherry pitter

It’s cherry season in the Pacific Northwest. I’ve been getting a tummy ache every weekend from eating too many (a cozy summer thing).

We got a cherry pitter recently—I figure you buy exactly one cherry pitter in your life.

The ease of eating fresh pitless cherries feels incredibly indulgent, in a good way. My 7-year-old loves to do the pitting.

Easy-breezy beauty

No-makeup makeup, clean-girl beauty—whatever you wanna call it, a minimalist, skin-first glam approach is a personal preference for summer.

(No shade to makeup that looks like makeup—there’s no right or wrong way to go about it.)

Right now, it’s the Stila lip-or-cheek cream compact (in the shade Patina, a cool rosy pink). Beyond the cheeks, I like to blend out a teensy dab of blush on the bridge of my nose and the upper corners of my forehead, where the sun would naturally hit.

For a wee bit of coverage that still looks like skin, Pūrlisse BB cream has been my go-to for many years. (I use the light shade and regret to report that the range of dark shades is disappointingly weak.)

On days I skip mascara (most days, lately), I reach for this clear lash and brow gel from Typology.

For an IRL FaceTune finishing touch, a drop or two of Lumify whitening eye drops.

“Why do you put on makeup if we can’t see it?” my son asked, to which I replied, “Exactly.”

Summer cozies can be indoorsy.

Going to the movies is one of the comfiest, most nostalgia-inducing summer things I can think of. Heading inside when it’s still hot out, then exiting after the sun’s gone down and the air feels cooler.

My husband and I will probably go see Jackass: Best and Last this weekend. It’s only 92 minutes and currently has an 88% Rotten Tomatoes score.

Also, some of my coziest childhood summer memories are of watching Shark Week and the Tour de France (Lance Armstrong era) after dinner with cousins, aunts, and uncles during annual San Diego family reunions.

See also: after-sun care and evening showers.

*Some products with affiliate links might earn me a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What I’ve written lately:

• The Daily Beast | What to Buy From Gap’s Athletic Edit

What I’m reading lately:

• Girl’s Girl, a novel by Sonia Feldman

• The New Yorker | When AI Is a Member of the Family

• The Wall Street Journal | Your 40s Used to Be Middle Age. Not Anymore.

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This week—while watching the apparent summer classic American Graffiti (1973) and whipping up a key-lime bundt cake with Chrissy Teigen’s surprisingly good boxed mix—I’m detailing my favorite post-sun products.

If you know me, you know I’m big on sun protection. With Anne Hathaway’s head-to-toe dedication as my north star, it’s SPF 50 for the face, at least SPF 30 for the body, plus a wide-brim hat and some sort of clothing coverage.

Me last weekend:

I’ve gotten comfortable not having a tan. But I do like going outside. A little bit of UV exposure is OK (and inevitable).

Here are actually good things I like to use following time in the sun.*

Cica and aloe

Cica (Centella asiatica), a K-beauty staple, has anti-inflammatory properties (sun exposure is highly inflammatory). The ingredient also supports healing.

I like this Korean cica gel for the face, neck, and décolletage. And while I typically don’t go for skincare in lidded jars (because germs and air exposure), I’m fond of Dr. G’s calming cica moisturizer.

Exoceuticals has a pricey but really nice after-sun lotion with aloe and exosomes—it’s for the body but I use it on my face, too.

This affordable aloe-based gel is also great. Those drugstore bottles work just fine, too.

And if you do get a little pink from too much sun, ibuprofen, baby! (My drug of choice.)

HOCl spray

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is a molecule made naturally by the body. It helps soothe redness and inflammation. This bad boy is also antimicrobial, so it kills the bacteria behind breakouts and body odor, and it can be used to cleanse skin after sweating.

HOCl spray is a hot-weather hero. I’m partial to Tower 28 and Mario Badescu. Both are available in a mini-size, which we love.

Post-sun refreshers

Cold drinks, of course. I’m not afraid of diet soda with aspartame but enjoy the so-called “healthy” ones, too.

Popsicles, yes—the summertime lollipop.

We got the Breville Bambino Plus and have been making what the internet calls a “fridge cigarette” on weekend afternoons: Diet Coke over ice, topped with a shot of espresso and a splash of milk.🤌🏻 (I hate the name ‘cause it’s probably not taking minutes off your life, but whatevs.)

p.m. shower

There’s nothing better than showering after a long day in the sun, either in the late afternoon—then eating dinner feeling all clean with wet, combed hair (so cozy)—or before bed.

My favorite summer jammies are this 100% cotton shorts-and-long-sleeve poplin set from P.J. Salvage. (I have the rosy nights print.)

Another lidded jar I’ll make an exception for is Youth To The People’s adaptogen cream. This stuff is a true savior for stressed or sunburned skin.

I’m moisturizing my body with RMS’s new body butter. The texture is so good. It’s like actual butter (refrigerated, not softened) and somehow not at all greasy.

Having said that, my pajamas are allowed to get greasy streaks on them from all this below-the-neck skincare. I just don’t worry about it.

*Some products with affiliate links might earn me a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What I’m reading lately:

• The New Yorker | The Summer When Everyone Wanted a Good, Good Night

• The New York Times | They’ve Heard the Warnings. Gen Z Is Tanning Anyway.

• The New York Times | ‘Jeuje,’ ‘Zhoosh,’ ‘Zhuzh’: A Word of Many Spellings, and Meanings

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This week, as the U.S. turns up for its 250th year, I’m looking back on one year of Actually Good Things. I haven’t missed a single week since my inaugural send-out on July 3, 2025.

I work hard on this—perhaps too hard, considering the very modest earnings it’s generated. (Don’t worry—I have a real job.) Sometimes, I love it, and sometimes, I feel like I’m giving myself homework for no reason.

Still, it gives me a chance to talk about products I’ve tested for which I may otherwise not get an assignment. Plus, it serves as somewhat of a résumé and a social media outlet at a time when other platforms just aren’t delivering the dopamine hit they once did.

So for now, I think I’ll keep it up.

Here are actually good things currently tickling my fancy.*

(“Tickling My Fancy” would have been a great commerce newsletter name.)

Vestaboard Note

This is one of my favorite things I’ve ever used—like ever. The Vestaboard is basically a modernized version of a vintage split-flap board that connects to WiFi, letting you easily change or schedule messages whenever you want.

Every time it changes, it makes that delightful ASMR split-flap board sound, and the kids come running to see what it says. (The little one can’t read but vibes off the excited energy.)

We got the Vestaboard Note (the smaller version of the original) and had it professionally mounted and hardwired in our entryway hall so it’s dead-center when you walk down the stairs.

You can set it to update with the weather, real-time sports scores, family reminders, you name it. We’ve been having it display what’s for dinner, jokes, vocab words, apologies, “BRB,” etc.

We also gave access to our 7-year-old, who can control it from his iPad. Last weekend, we played a “game” with our kids where we’d alternate between things like “Do 10 jumping jacks” and “Put 3 toys away”—within 15 minutes, they were tired and the living room was clean.

A dewy-dumpling-approved sunscreen

I cracked open Glow Recipe’s new Watermelon Dew Shield sunscreen this week.

If you want a plump, dewy dermis, this is your guy. It doesn’t pill under makeup and smells like a watermelon Jolly Rancher.

Some supplements

Ritual’s new stress-relief supplement comes in these clear capsules containing what looks like three eensy-weensy scoops of ice cream. Tried for a month; would buy again.

Rizz superfood gummies taste really good. (They might be better than Grüns, which may have updated its formula because it’s not as good as before?)

I’ve tested multiple chewable forms of creatine, and most taste like chemically machines. But Create gummies are actually pretty yummy. I got the variety pack—sour cherry, orange, and blue raz are my current faves. (The other brand I like is Momentous.)

Summer pants

Shorts can be a roller coaster full of wedgies and self-doubt. If you’re not a big shorts guy (and even if you are), these super-lightweight pull-on pants are excellent summertime bottoms.

I got the green beam color, a pale honeydew.

Side note: Barrel pants might low-key be the best fit for those who want to transcend skinny jeans without going full-on baggy. They’re surprisingly flattering and normal-looking.

Better than Birks

I was gonna include these in my recent dupes roundup as an alternative to Birkenstocks but realized they’re not actually cheaper than the waterproof Birks. After giving it some thought, though, I think I might prefer Freedom Moses slides.

They’re slightly more low-profile and more durable, IMO. Made of injected PCU (polycarbonate-urethane), these sandals are sturdy yet flexible. Birkenstocks are EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), which is light and cushiony but prone to tearing where the straps meet the footbeds. I’ve had my Moses slides for a few years, and they show almost no signs of wear.

For the record, I do think Birkenstock’s leather-strap, cork-bed Arizona slides are the all-time best in their category.

Possibly the best mattress

Not sure why, but I used to think firm mattresses were for old men.

As I grow more concerned with proper spinal alignment (not a young-person thing to say), I’ve begun to surmise that firmer might be better. It’s not just about firmness, though.

I co-sleep with a tall adult male, and I’m roughly two-thirds his size. We need something that doesn’t dip or shake violently when either of us changes positions or gets in and out of bed.

We got Saatva’s HD hybrid mattress about a week ago and haven’t looked back. It’s an absolute boss for motion isolation and edge support—something I never knew I needed before getting married.

One person can sit on the edge without causing the other person to shift in their direction. Every time I climb on, I’m delighted by how still it stays. I feel like I’m on the top, not sinking into it.

This thing is sturdy, folks—the delivery guys were struggling to get it up the stairs and into our bedroom (bless them).

Btw: After looking up the unexpectedly complex steps to drain and refill the Eight Sleep pod for the mattress swap, we decided to just carefully lift it off without draining. We laid it flat on the floor until the new one arrived, then put it on the Saatva and plugged it back in.

*Some products with affiliate links might earn me a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What I’ve written lately:

• Lifewire | The 10 Best Camera Phones of 2026

What I’m reading lately:

• Yellowface, a novel by R. F. Kuang

• New York Magazine | The Today Show Goes Dark

• The Guardian | Having Children Makes You Smarter? Incredible, But True

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This week—while watching all the best summer camp movies with my 7-year-old, who’s attending sleepaway camp in August (obviously not the R-rated Wet Hot American Summer but definitely The Parent Trap and Camp Nowhere)—I’m embracing a stay-home summer.

We have no family getaways planned from now through August (and, crucially, no stress about packing, unpacking, or en route entertainment for the kids).

Instead, it’s frequent overnight guest visits, swim lessons, camps, farmers’ markets, backyard hangs, cookouts, long walks, daytrips, streaming stateside World Cup matches, and a probably extra-fun 250th 4th of July celebration.

You might say I’m feeling domestic—in more ways than one.

Here are actually good things I’m using to make the most of this very American summer.*

Wedgie-free jean shorts

I know I already mentioned these, but I repeat: These are the Levi’s shorts you want.

I’m also feeling this mid-rise white pair from Good American.

Dime-piece one-piece

This Gooseberry one-piece is the best swimsuit I own—got it last summer, and the brand still carries it.

For something cheekier and more ‘80s aerobics instructor-coded: Los Angeles Apparel’s classic bathing suit.

Really freaking soft pool towels

Cozy Earth and Brooklinen reign supreme. It’s worth getting wet to dry off with one of these. (The chic black cabana stripes and Pride colorway, to be specific.)

Sexy sun protection

Vacation’s Cherry Pepsi SPF lip balm lives in my purse this summer. It’s better than expected, and I had high hopes.

This is another repeat rec, but the brand’s whipped cream sunscreen is just a lot of fun to use.

This mini SPF spray is great for on-the-go. Kopari’s SPF 50 shimmery oil mist is also lovely (but I’d probably never travel with it).

Light-blue ball cap

Ralph Lauren or Madewell. It’s baby blue for the summer.

Floral flag blanket

Rifle Paper Co. has this flower-print Americana throw. It’s as good as it looks online.

Bomb pops + bomb-pop-inspired things

• Original Bomb Pops—so good and pretty cheap.

• Path special-edition water bottles (very good-tasting water included)

• Bloom “rocket blast” prebiotic sodas

• These lollipops

A few children’s books to celebrate and learn about Pride:

• Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer (probably our most-read book)

• My Little Golden Book About Pride

• Little People Big Dreams: Elton John and Ru Paul volumes

Also, I made this fresh-cherry bundt cake last weekend.

*Some products with affiliate links might earn me a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What I’ve written lately:

• The Daily Beast | I Tried Lyma’s ID² Power Gut Bio Complex for a Month

What I’m reading lately:

• The New York Times | ‘Whimsy,’ a New Trend, May Be a Life Raft for Zillennials

• The New Yorker | Are Dads Getting Better?

• The Cut | The Mom Who Runs a Household With a Staff of AI Agents

• Vogue | Hex and the City: Inside Los Angeles’s Booming Witchcraft Scene

PS: Other worthwhile summer camp movies include Moonrise Kingdom, Heavyweights (aged surprisingly well), It Takes Two (MK & A forever), Addams Family Values, and Troop Beverly Hills.

This week—while saying, “Siri, play You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love (the New Order-coded “maggots for brains” track is my fave)—I’m compiling more product dupes I’ve discovered recently.

I realize “dupe” is a polarizing word. I’m not necessarily implying that one brand copied the other—just that the lower-priced option is a reasonable alternative.

With that said, here are actually good things that are sufficiently similar to their higher-end counterparts.*

Supergoop! vs. e.l.f. silicone-based sunscreen

Supergoop!’s Unseen Sunscreen is an incredible product, especially for folks who shy away from SPF because they don’t like the feel. The silicone base keeps it totally sheer with a “slip” consistency that goes on smooth and makes a stellar makeup base. It’s almost $40, though.

In 2023, e.l.f. launched an under-$15 option with a pretty similar ingredients list. It doubles as a makeup primer but is also lovely on its own.

Men (my husband, for one) tend to like this type of sunscreen.

Paula’s Choice vs. The Inkey List ectoin serum

Ectoin is a deeply hydrating, cell-protecting molecule. It’s great when you want to plump your skin for makeup prep.

Paula’s Choice makes an effective ectoin serum (in an unaesthetic container, which, if you ask me, is how you know a product means business).

The Inkey List’s version is also nice and less than half the price.

Andie vs. Quince one-piece

Modest yet not dorky, this flattering, grown-woman swimsuit is essentially the same from Andie and Quince.

Can’t tell the difference? Me neither. Might as well go with Quince ‘cause it’s less than half the price.

Zella vs. Uniqlo pocket shorts

I love my Zella pocketed biker shorts for summer walks. $60 isn’t that crazy, considering they last forever.

But Uniqlo has a more than sufficient version for $30.

Jenni Kayne vs. Quince summer cardigan

Summer isn’t known as sweater season. However, if you need a lightweight, breezy layer in the morning, while outside after sunset, or indoors in frigid air conditioning, an off-white cotton cardigan is the way to go.

Jenni Kayne, queen of knitwear, is great if you can swing the **cough-cough** $300 price tag.

And, surprise-surprise: Quince has one for around $50.

Vitamin A vs. Aritzia straw hat

Did you hear? Scarecrow hats are in for summer (except I appear to be the only one calling them this).

Nonetheless, I’m into it. Premium swimwear brand Vitamin A makes a nice semi-unstructured one, but it’s over $100.

I actually like Aritzia’s raffia hat better. It’s slightly floppier with a more rounded dome and—more to the point—a mid-range price tag.

Cheaper still, this Amazon one. I’d remove the rope tie, but do you.

Victoria Beckham vs. Smashbox skinny contour stick

The right cool-toned contour can be hard to find, let alone in the right size and shape for precision application.

I’ve used Victoria Beckham’s perfectly named Stylus (in the shade travertine) for a few years. It’s pristine.

Smashbox recently launched a similar product at a more accessible price. The fair shade is perfectly cool, and there are more medium and dark shades than VBB’s.

*Some products with affiliate links might earn me a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What I’ve written lately:

• The Daily Beast | The Best Anti-Chafing Products for Friction-Free Relief

What I’m reading lately:

• Whistler, a novel by Ann Patchett

• New York Magazine | What If It All Came Out?

• Bloomberg | Whole Foods CEO Wants to Put a Banana in Your Amazon Box

• The Atlantic | Don’t Even Try to Play This Album in the Background

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This week, while celebrating some very exciting sunscreen news and finally finishing Love Story (🛩️😭), I’m enjoying a vicarious last-day-of-school vibe as my gonna-be-second-grader hightails into summer.

Here are actually good things for leaning into June.*

Beauty with big lemonade-stand energy

I tried a bunch of Knock products recently and really like the branding—it feels modern and playful without making me question the efficacy. This serum spritzer is like sunshine in a bottle—gentle, hydrating, glow-making, and perfect as a pre-makeup base.

e.l.f.’s Thirst Burst is great for tweens, sure, but also more than acceptable for an adult woman. Plus, she’s eight bucks.

This pH-activated tint from Tarte shifts to a custom punchy-pink shade when it hits your cheeks or lips. I like blush with a little balmy shine in the summer.

Graphic tees are so back

Abercrombie has, like, every single officially licensed graphic T-shirt ever right now. Vintage-inspired NBA, Olympics, World Cup, Modelo, Ford Bronco, U.S. Open, band tees, you name it—along with a bunch of unaffiliated designs à la early-aughts A&F.

And the men’s selection is unequivocally better than the women’s.

I got this one ‘cause New York bodegas and tomatoes are two of my favorite things. Cheaper and basically the same quality? Hollister. (It’s this tinned fish one for me.)

Yeah, I know, like what year is it, and how old am I? But they’re 100% cotton and don’t have any brand logos. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Trade your backpack for a tote

This Caraa tote has excellent organization and high-end nylon construction. It’s even better in person. A++

That said, this Amazon one is quite a bit cheaper and pretty good, considering.

Diet soda and I’m not sorry

Diet Cherry Coke (limited-edition retro cans preferred) and Fresca: a coupla’ warm-weather classics.

Functional, fun-for-kids gadgets

These electric bug zappers are clutch for nighttime mosquito defense and athletic fly-killing performances while the kids cheer us on from the dinner table.

A handheld rechargeable fan for soccer games, weddings, barbecues, etc., etc.

Nectarines are so damn good, and no one’s talking about it

I could eat, like, 10 nectarines a day. I think about them all the time.

We’ve been buying a lot of fruit on Amazon—to hit the $25 same-day delivery total and supplement our farmers’ market haul. It’s actually often cheaper (and sometimes better) than what we get at the grocery store.

Also, a few boy things for Father’s Day

Father’s Day is June 21. Some gift ideas:

• Inconspicuous “cool dad” tee

• Crocs Saturday Slides

• Sporty chocolate (See’s forever! I’ll die on this hill)

• STMNT lightweight, highly versatile hair-defining spray and/or shampoo-conditioner combo

• Fancy single-origin coffee

• Quince linen short-sleeve button-down

• PGA hoodie

• Broken-in cotton ball cap

• Vintage-inspired football club tee

• Classic multitool

Unrelated: I made this mini strawberry sheet cake last weekend. I used Duncan Hines cake mix, whipped up homemade buttercream frosting with fresh strawberries from the farmers’ market, and topped it with freeze-dried strawberries. Perfect for a June dinner party.

*Some products with affiliate links might earn me a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What I’m reading lately:

• Go Gentle, a novel by Maria Semple

• Cosmopolitan | Why I Stopped Getting Manicures and Embraced Bare Nails

• The Atlantic | The Biggest Tell That Something Was Written by AI

• Bloomberg | How Barnes & Noble Became Private Equity’s Most Radical Retail Experiment

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This week—while catching I Love Boosters (a delightful, surrealist romp), falling ill, and working overtime on frantic SPF coverage—I’m pondering pour le corps products.

Even for skincare sticklers like myself, the below-the-neck dermis is often neglected. Or maybe caring for it seems less pressing. We only have so much time, after all—and, to be sure, body skin isn’t exposed to the elements (or other human eyes) as often as the face and neck.

Still, I’m trying to give this forgotten frontier the attention it craves. It might not be 10 minutes, twice a day, as with my face skincare routine—but it’s somewhere between that and nothing.

Here are actually good things I’m using to pamper my body skin.*

In the shower

For regular body wash, I’m into Saltair. All the scents are pretty good, but Golden Hour is a warm, summery option.

For exfoliating, I like this dead-skin-dissolving cleanser from Grown Alchemist. Once a week-ish, I reach for the Soft Services Buffing Bar—all hail the queen.

Out of the shower

I hate moisturizing after the shower—anyone else?? It feels like a chore and risks greasy skin leaving marks on clothes or rubbing into my hair.

Even so, I try to do it.

The lowest-effort, everyday option is Curél’s Moisture Milk. It’s technically for the face, but I love how the non-greasy, milky fluid absorbs immediately and doesn’t leave me sticky. Easier still, this Korean spray-on lotion.

And you really can’t go wrong with a pump bottle of CeraVe, a reliable budget-friendly baddie.

On a recent episode of the Fat Mascara podcast, Jessica Matlin said that using drugstore brands like CeraVe “feels like you’re all tucked in for the night.” She’s absolutely right.

SPF

For body sunscreen, I’m bonkers for this quick-drying SPF 50 Australian formula. The light-as-air texture is insane—like, you gotta feel this stuff.

Speaking of light texture, this sunscreen mousse dispenses like whipped cream from a can, spreads easily, and absorbs quickly. A great SPF 30 option and a true win for bringing sexy back to sun protection.

This Alba SPF 45 sunscreen (technically for kids) is one of my forever products. The moisturizing formula rules.

For touch-ups, it’s Supergoop! summery-scented SPF 50 spray.

Before bed

I keep a medley of products on and in my nightstand and use one or two each night as part of my wind-down routine. Again, some of these are intended for the face, but I test tons of products, so sometimes, facial skincare is relegated to the body (respectfully).

The current stack:

• Spicules to help other active ingredients penetrate better. Doesn’t need to be expensive—Mary&May and VT Cosmetics are good.

• Prescription-strength tretinoin two or three days a week.

• Over-the-counter retinol on non-tretinoin days. Nécessaire’s The Body Retinol is a f*cking boss, though Drmtlgy’s version is a better value.

• The new peptide-exosome concoction from Paula’s Choice. A few pumps of this next-gen serum on my arms and legs when I want barrier-supporting hydration.

Misc., etc.

An at-home IPL (intense pulsed light) device allowed me to get rid of most of my leg and armpit hair. You have to do it a lot, like weekly for a few months, and touch up every year or so. But if shaving is an inconvenience or body hair bugs you, it’s worth it. (No judgment or shame either way.)

Thanks to laser hair removal, I only need to shave every couple of weeks. For that, I use the Athena razor.

I rub one of these NassifMD pre-soaked exfoliating pads over my arms and legs once or twice a week. Also meant for the face, but I’m more loyal to Dr. Dennis Gross for that area—plus, this larger size works better for body care.

Lastly, Patrick Ta’s high-shine body cream is a go-to on special occasions. Beautifully formulated and lasts forever.

*Some products with affiliate links might earn me a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What I’m reading lately:

• The Atlantic | The Secret to Winning on Jeopardy

• New York Magazine | The Loneliness Influencers

• The Atlantic | Fold Laundry With Me!

What I’ve written lately:

• HGTV | Koala’s Torquay Sofa Is the Ultimate Family-Friendly Couch

• Lifewire | The 10 Best Waterproof Phone Cases

Want more good things? Upgrade to paid or subscribe below.

A paid subscription gets you:

✔️ Exclusive access to one bonus letter a month

✔️ The classic weekly letter, sent out on Fridays

✔️ A business write-off?

✔️ Favoritism and clout 💅🏻

This week, while turning 37 (a respectable, adult-in-the-room age) and reporting for jury duty, I’m listing off items suitable for adulthood.

My name (Theresa) embarrassed me as a child because it seemed like an adult woman’s name. Well, now that I’m that, I find it fitting.

You know how people say that 40-year-olds today aren’t what 40 used to be? Like, our parents at 40 seemed ancient—and famously, the And Just Like That ladies were around the same age as The Golden Girls (the latter were actually slightly younger, if you can believe it).

Well, it may be more than a millennial delusion.

I asked my kids if they thought 37 was the age of a young or old person, and they both said young—a safe, kind answer.

Anyhow, here are actually good things I’m into right now.*

Saint James iced tea

I’m not even that big of an iced tea guy, but Saint James has it going on. Blood orange is my favorite, but they’re all pretty good.

Quince mid-range sunglasses

Quince sunglasses are good-quality and not so expensive that you’ll be devastated if you lose or break them.

Walking shorts

I know track shorts are beginning to be more of the thing now, but Zella’s pocketed biker shorts are ideal for hot-mom walks.

Nordstrom carries the same staple items from the brand year after year—these wildly popular shorts are going on three successful years. Wash and dry them with heat a million times, and they’ll never die.

Left on Friday wins

I’ve never worn anything from Left on Friday that I didn’t like. It was founded by two former Lululemon execs who know what they’re doing.

This UPF 50 tank works as a sporty everyday top or a high-coverage swim top. And these pants are a wearable reincarnation of The Beverly Hills Hotel Polo Lounge (which we love).

Some lippies

• YSL’s next-gen lipstick: A really pretty nude (a bit like Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk) with a blurring matte finish that doesn’t dry out your lips. Pricey, yes.

• Tatcha’s new glossy balm: If you like more moisture and shine.

• Vacation’s Classic Whip for lips: A lip-balm version of the brand’s SPF 30 whipped-cream-style sunscreen.

Another thing I pay money for that makes me feel like a grown-up? SiriusXM radio for the car.

*Some products with affiliate links might earn me a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What I’m reading lately:

• The Atlantic | How ‘Hacks’ Redefined Greatness

• The New Yorker | Everlane and the Death of the “Good” Millennial Life-Style Brand

• The Atlantic | The Latest Toys for Millennial-Parent Guilt

What I’ve written lately:

• The Daily Beast | Sunglasses That Won’t Slide Off Your Face

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This week—while getting my color analysis done (a surprise to no one, I’m a deep winter)—I’m planning my long-weekend cookout looks.

Alas, the current time of year is not deep winter but Memorial Day weekend (which, until a couple weeks ago, I thought was next weekend—anyone else??). So, I’m figuring out how to dress appropriately when my heart lies with long sleeves and covered ankles.

Here are actually good things I’m wearing during the spring-to-summer transition (many of which are likely on sale this weekend).*

The Levi’s shorts you want

Not too short, not baggy, ‘90s cut. Trust me—these are the ones.

Acceptable pre-summer pants

Not ready for shorts yet? No worries. These off-white pants aren’t too stuffy-looking (or -feeling) for pre-summer dressing.

The perfect cami

It’s hard to tell through the screen, but this Aritzia cami is way better than your average spaghetti-strap tank. Shaping, supportive, flattering—check, check, check.

In fact, I think I’m gonna buy a couple more right now.

A boss of a baby tee—boss baby?

Guys, Good American makes the best baby tees. Thick, stretchy, form-fitting but not skin-tight. I have a few colors, and they last for years.

Jelly slides, like??

I got these slides in brown (love!) but kinda want the clear pair now.

Just a low-profile dad hat

This nondescript ball cap is a perfectly basic, no-logo version of the classic Ralph Lauren hat (and much cheaper).

Be-all and end-all SPF

Yes, I’m a bit of a sunscreen slut. But if I had to use only one until the end of time (on my face, body, and children), Supergoop! Play might be my forever person. She’s pristine—no notes.

The jug size is fun if you wanna invest in a giant pump container to last you through the summer.

*Some products with affiliate links might earn me a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What I’m cooking this weekend

• Lemony orzo with asparagus and garlic bread crumbs

• Coleslaw with miso dressing

My husband is the meat cooker of our household, but I’m the queen of sides.

🥗💅🏻

What I’m reading lately:

• Rejection, a novel-in-stories by Tony Tulathimutte

• The New York Times | Everyone’s Gone Hacky Sack Crazy

• Esquire | What Has Happened to Taste?

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This week, while eating up 80% of the board on Pop Culture Jeopardy!, I’m reflecting on the current state of my hair.

Though I accept that I’ll never have ~great~ hair, clawing my way to good-ish hair might be possible.

I’ve been doing red light therapy on my scalp for over two years and topical minoxidil since last August. These efforts appear to be working (both are backed by research, and the latter is FDA-approved to treat hair loss).

I used to feel like most hair products weighed down my fine hair, but now that I have a little more of it, I’ve expanded my horizons.

Here are actually good things I use to care for my “mid” mop.*

[Just to tie it all together, “What is ‘mid’?” was the answer to this recent Jeopardy! question: “No longer just meaning in the center, this word also means just meh.”]

‘poo

Per Abbey Yung’s pro-drugstore method, I alternate between Pantene Sheer Volume and Head & Shoulders (only the Classic Clean version, no exceptions).

Once a week, I use a clarifying shampoo (more often than that will dry you out). Nécessaire’s new one is lovely. Ouai’s Detox Shampoo is a fan favorite—since you only need a small amount weekly, the mini size lasts a while.

Conditioner

Dove Intensive Repair is the drugstore golden child here.

That said, TypeBea is the best conditioner I’ve ever tried. No, seriously—I’m willing to rebuy it from Revolve (not my first choice for haircare shopping but one of very few trusted sellers I can find). $26 isn’t bad for the best ever.

In-shower rinse

A couple times a week, I do a gloss rinse.

The Kure from Amika is my main squeeze (currently on sale on Amazon). L’Oréal’s Wonder Water is $10, and a little goes a long way.

Masks

Once—maybe twice—a week, I do a hair mask in the shower.

My favorites are quite cheap: Function of Beauty (choose your hair texture) and Elizavecca—she’s seven bucks and has over 45,000 five-star reviews.

Bond-builders

Every four or five days-ish, I apply a bond-builder.

K18 is my ride-or-die (don’t condition first, though—just shampoo and hop out of the shower). Epres’s pre-shower formula is clutch, too.

Both have patented ingredients. And both are pricey but worth the money, if you ask me.

Also nice: Redken.

Stylers

I use Philip B’s volumizing foam after almost every shower—super light and doesn’t leave my hair crunchy or limp. Wish it were cheaper, but it’s the real deal.

This smoothing cream from Ouai is a go-to for flyaway control. Living Proof’s hero product is a classic—can’t go wrong.

Scalp serums

These might not be the catalyst for hair growth. But if you use them consistently, ingredients like caffeine and stem cells can offer light scalp stimulation and reduce shedding.

Vegamour is a tried-and-true option (yes, the one touted by every Podcaster in 2023). Also great: Act+Acre.

I love the TypeBea scalp serum. If you’re already getting the conditioner from Revolve, think about adding this guy, too.

Extras, misc., etc.

I’m still air-drying most days. But when I’m feeling fancy, I use this dryer-brush hybrid for a DIY blowout.

Crown Affair’s holy-grail claw clips are perfect for twisting back unwashed hair—also while doing skincare and applying minoxidil.

I use dry shampoo maybe twice a year, but K18’s wet-to-dry formula is brilliant.

And this overnight hair softener from Kérastase is so, so good.

*Some products with affiliate links might earn me a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What I’m reading lately:

• A Violent Masterpiece, a novel by Jordan Harper

• The Wall Street Journal | The Era of the Tiger Mom Is Over. Enter the Beta Mom.

• The Atlantic | Spencer Pratt and the Temptations of Populism

Want more good things? Upgrade to paid or subscribe below.

A paid subscription gets you:

✔️ Exclusive access to one bonus letter a month

✔️ The classic weekly letter, sent out on Fridays

✔️ A business write-off?

✔️ Favoritism and clout 💅🏻

This week, while comparing Met Gala looks to Hunger Games Capitol fashion and potty-training my 3-year-old, I’m pondering the day of moms.

Growing up, my hippy-ish parents didn’t make a hoopla about Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or other—pardon the cliché—“Hallmark holidays.” It just wasn’t part of our family culture. So, admittedly, I didn’t do much for my own mother until adulthood.

Now that I’m grown and a mother myself, I find Mother’s Day, well…a bit cheugy.

The “we deserve it” brunches, the booked-in-advance pedicures, the intra-”mama” texts. To be sure, these can all be delightful respites. But it can also feel exhaustingly obligatory—and, at times, a little cringe.

Let’s put it this way: I don’t know any moms whose favorite holiday is Mother’s Day.

(What I’d personally like to do on Sunday is watch the new Lord of the Flies—anyone else?)

I planned to create a gift guide earlier this week but was, ironically, too busy mothering and working to pull off a timely send-out.

Nevertheless, here are actually good things one mom (🙋🏻‍♀️) is fond of at the moment.*

• Bubblegum-pink jammies—exceptionally soft, breathable, and make my hips look good

• A wear-everywhere pocketed dress that makes me go, “How is everyone not shopping at Uniqlo?!”

• A super-plush, stretchy, Lola-dupe blanket that isn’t $400

• A really soft men’s graphic tee to wear with biker shorts (I got size M in the tall length so it covers my butt)

• A summery crochet mini checkered tote with magnet closure (we love a magnet) and an optional crossbody strap

• Upsettingly expensive moisturizer with a funky smell that makes me assume it means business

• All-star SPF and effective peptide serum, reminding me that some of the best skincare products are under $30

• An on-the-nose collab of my favorite shower product in a special-edition scent of my favorite sunscreen

• Indoor-outdoor clogs to carry me through spring and summer

• A shockingly comfy sneaker-mule hybrid I didn’t know I needed until I tested it this week

• A very, very pretty lip tint that I think might actually be worth its steep price tag

*Some products with affiliate links might earn me a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What I’m reading lately:

• Elle | Looking Human Is in Again

• New York Magazine | Are ‘Designer Babies’ a Scam?

• The New Yorker | Are Disney Adults the Happiest Debtors on Earth?

Want more good things? Upgrade to paid or subscribe below.

A paid subscription gets you:

✔️ Exclusive access to one bonus letter a month

✔️ The classic weekly letter, sent out on Fridays

✔️ A business write-off?

✔️ Favoritism and clout 💅🏻

PS: Momz rule.

This week, while short-cutting banana bread muffins and planning a Monday-night Met Gala viewing, I’m enumerating my favorite fragrances.

Scent is notoriously hard to describe and ambiguous. It’s astounding that perfume and cologne are bought and sold online. But my descriptors are as good as any, so let’s see if I can move product with the written word.

I’m gonna give each of the below products a good sniff, then type out my thoughts in real time—AI could never.

Here are actually good, um…smells.*

Burberry Goddess eau de parfum

When I take a big whiff of Burberry Goddess, a high-end department store comes to mind.

This is a gourmand fragrance (leaning on dessert-like notes), but it’s not overly sweet whatsoever. I find it pleasantly light yet soft—which makes sense, as it merges vanilla with a hint of lavender.

As always, I suggest getting the mini size to try a pricey product before committing.

Josie Maran Golden Hour

Josie Maran Golden Hour is a fragrance you can mist onto your skin, hair, or clothes. Sniffing it just now, it’s giving milky-citrus, like Orange Julius with a wisp of musk. It’s warm, summery, and provocative—think White Lotus vibes.

I also just really like the bottle and overall look of this product. Since it’s heavy on oils and esters, the fluid has a milk-like semi-opacity.

DedCool Mineral Milk eau de parfum

More milk, while we’re at it. DedCool Mineral Milk is a lactonic fragrance—as in lactic, derived from dairy. No doubt, it’s got a creamy aroma with whispers of sugary fruit and lavender. And the “mineral” part of the name tracks with some salty notes.

This perfume has DedCool’s trademarked Memory Note molecule. The brand says it stimulates the brain’s trigeminal nerve, which is apparently tied to memory and sensory responses. In other words, it’s supposed to evoke nostalgia.

Oui the People Souk Honey eau de parfum

When I sniff Oui the People Souk Honey, it’s like lush florals removed of any sharpness. As the name suggests, there’s definitely a strong honey note, but it’s not excessively sweet. It’s got some mild woodiness, too.

(FYI: Souk nods to the open-air Moroccan markets this fragrance was inspired by.)

It reminds me of Clinique Happy (a 2004 high school status symbol), but less citrusy.

Forvr Mood She Was Here

Forvr Mood She Was Here is vaguely reminiscent of—hear me out—a Barbie doll. I’m talking floral, powdery notes with a playful touch of polyvinyl plastic.

It’s good! I swear. This is also one of the longer-lasting fragrances I’ve tried. A spritz lingers all day.

“Vacation” by Vacation eau de toilette

“Vacation” by Vacation is the brand’s classic sunscreen lotion scent, bottled. I personally like how SPF smells and am on board with the evocative notes of pool water, coconut, banana, and bathing suit fabric.

The brand also just launched “Gelée,” which is more of a spicy, faintly sweet citrus. It’s a modern take on Orange Gelée, an iconic carrot-colored tanning gel that launched a literal century ago.

Btw: Eau de toilettes contain less fragrance oil than parfums and, thus, aren’t as intense or long-lasting. The former is typically more affordable. (An easy way to remember? The cheaper one sounds like toilet—respectfully.)

Gem antiperspirant stick

Say hello to the antiperspirant final boss. I’d been looking for a posh deodorant from a brand brave enough to get chummy with aluminum. And, well, Gem did it, folks.

Of the four scents I tried, coconut-vanilla is my fave. Every time I put it on, I breathe in deeply and go, “Ahhhh!” Reminiscent of cake but not in a cheap or childish way.

I gave my husband the santal (sandalwood) one ‘cause it’s a little more manly (whatever that means) and isn’t sweet like the others.

The price is really reasonable, too. Eight bucks? Honestly, I’d probably pay $20.

Amika Shower Thoughts body wash

Amika body wash has the haircare brand’s cult-loved signature scent. It mixes sweetness with grapefruit and sandalwood.

It’s an unimpeachable smell, if you ask me—a bit like Victoria’s Secret Love Spell, an early-aughts greatest hit.

See part one of this newsletter, Smell like me.

*Some products with affiliate links might earn me a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What I’m reading lately:

• Harper’s Bazaar | Just in Time for The Devil Wears Prada 2, Cerulean Is Trending

• Vogue | The Unexpected Delight of Getting Older

• The Washington Post | What Pants Are in Style Now? You Won’t Like the Answer

Want more good things? Upgrade to paid or subscribe below.

A paid subscription gets you:

✔️ Exclusive access to one bonus letter a month

✔️ The classic weekly letter, sent out on Fridays

✔️ A business write-off?

✔️ Favoritism and clout 💅🏻

This week—while becoming completely engrossed in the new season of Beef and wearing white jeans for the first time in my life (a surprisingly satisfactory experience)—I’m telling you about my backyard.

Our outdoor space isn’t big. In fact, it’s kinda small. But it has what we need, it’s cozy, it’s functional, it hosts well—it’s ours.

Here are actually good things that make my backyard a total banger.*

In-ground trampoline

I always wanted an in-ground trampoline. (Yes, I was inspired by the Kardashians, so sue me.)

When we moved into our current house and finally had the yard for it, we had our landscapers dig a hole and install a 12-foot round kit. The kids use it endlessly, and even us adults are more inclined to hop on.

(You can get a net enclosure, but we opted out ‘cause it’s easier and looks better—safety third?)

Seating, etc.

I love Acapulco chairs. The mid-century Mexican style is super sturdy yet lightweight and easy to move around—comfy, too.

We recently got one of these modern Adirondack rockers. Not cheap, but they can handle any weather, and Polywood backs them with a 20-year warranty.

We have an Article outdoor dining table and these clear-and-black stackable chairs.

Also, DayaLane outdoor furniture is an excellent mid-range, ready-to-ship option if you need something sooner than later and don’t wanna spend a fortune.

Note: This is stuff we’ve accumulated over time. Getting our outdoor space right has been a multi-year project with thoughtful, planned-out purchases.

Kiddie pools + water play

Kiddie pools are clutch on hot days. Funboy makes some of the best inflatable options. (There’s also a Funboy x Skims line I find pretty compelling.)

Honestly, I also like the basic hard plastic kiddie pools you can get for like 8 bucks at the hardware store.

A simple sprinkler toy goes a long way. There are so many of these on the market, and IMO, most are doing too much. They don’t need to inflate or have multiple attachments. This pared-down fire hydrant one has been a multi-year hit.

Inside things outside

Outdoor trash can, guys. It seems trivial, but not having to go inside to throw stuff out is so nice.

I got a commercial trash can because a) it looks better and b) the openings on top allow you to toss stuff inside without getting a flap all gross. (But we still empty it often so animals don’t get any ideas.)

Go ahead, call me a garbage person. But I love my outdoor trash bin and make my guests check it out when they come over.🗑️💅🏻

We also have an outdoor TV. The kids can watch a movie out there while my husband watches sports inside—and everyone’s still in the same general area. (Doesn’t have to be outdoor-rated if it’s covered. Less expensive ones work, too.)

What are we wearing?

I always have a pair of cheap sunglasses and a sunhat handy so I can head out with the kids at their beck and call.

As a family, we go through one of these pump jugs of Vacation sunscreen a year.

I have two pairs of these cheap rubber Birkenstock knockoffs, and they’re freaking awesome. They hold up for years, go with any casual warm-weather outfit, and easily rinse clean if they get grimy.

Also good:

• Crocs unisex slides

• Bombas garden shoes (men’s and women’s sizing)

Quince’s linen pants are one of the original items the brand launched with. Six years later, they’re still a best-seller. I have two pairs and wear them weekly. Perfect for backyard hangs.

Artificial turf

We have fake turf in the backyard, and it’s undoubtedly one of the best decisions we’ve made for the house. It has a perpetually clean, landscaped look and helps the trampoline hole drain. And yeah, you never have to mow or water.

One of my favorite things, though, is that it’s never really dirty, so we hang out in our socks a lot. (We used Celebrity Greens, which I thought was local but just realized does business all over the country.)

Yes, there’s a putt-putt green as well because I’m the world’s coolest wife.

A few other mentionables

• Melamine dishware. Unbreakable; eco-friendly; dishwasher-safe.

• MacKenzie-Childs serving trays. Outdoor-ready with handles.

• Tupperware Heritage Collection retro pitcher. Combined with the fake grass, serving lemonade with this makes me feel like I’m on The Brady Bunch or something.

• An extremely chic midcentury-inspired cooler.

• Outdoor rug. Hose-able; levels up sitting area.

• Charbroil Performance Series gas grill. Gets really hot; cooks fast!

• Waterproof, lockable deck box. For stashing outside toys, blankets, etc.

• Tufted door mat.

• Ant bait stations. Purchased these 12 times and haven’t had an ant in my home since August 2021.

*Some products with affiliate links might earn me a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What I’m reading lately:

• Famesick by Lena Dunham

• The Atlantic | How to Revive the Art of Hanging Out

• GQ | Guys Are Wearing Slutty Little Reading Glasses Now

Want more good things? Upgrade to paid or subscribe below.

A paid subscription gets you:

✔️ Exclusive access to one bonus letter a month

✔️ The classic weekly letter, sent out on Fridays

✔️ A business write-off?

✔️ Favoritism and clout 💅🏻

I read Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project when it was first published in ‘09. One of her “secrets of adulthood” is that what you do every day matters more than what you do once in a while. Over 15 years later, I think about this all the time—and live by it, really.

You don’t need to do your healthy habits every single day. It’s OK to miss some days. But if you want things to make a difference, you gotta do them daily—or like, at least 90% of the time.

Mine? Walking 10K steps, taking my supplements, doing the full two minutes of teeth-brushing twice a day, going to bed at a reasonable hour, reading books, doing my skincare, etc., etc.

Here are actually good things I use every day in the name of noticeable improvements and upheld health.*

1. Prescription tretinoin

I’ve used tretinoin (generic Retin-A) since 2016. If you’re willing to push through the first two or three months of tight, dry skin, it’s sooooooo worth it for a plumper, smoother, more even-toned complexion.

You need a prescription, but this is easier than ever, thanks to telehealth. I get mine from Blair and go through less than two $88 tubes a year.

2. Tru Niagen NAD+ booster

Upon trying NAD+ injections last summer, I felt like I’d unlocked a secret to life. I get them through Shed and have kept up with the pokes as a once-a-week-ish thing.

But daily, I take Tru Niagen capsules. These contain precursors to NAD+, which have a bit more research backing their ability to boost NAD+ levels in the body. Based on peer-reviewed data and personal experience, I think it’s the real deal.

3. Be-all end-all undergarments

I wear one of these exceptionally stretchy, feels-like-nothing Quince thongs virtually every day. (If you want something other than beige, go with Skims.)

I own roughly six of this Eby bra and stand by it as the world’s best. I’ve even convinced some of my bra-retired friends to readopt.

4. Minoxidil foam

Minoxidil (generic Rogaine) is FDA-approved to treat hair loss in men and women. It’s been tested for decades and is clinically proven to promote regrowth for most people.

I’m bummed I didn’t realize this sooner and wasted so much time and money on YouTube-recommended vitamins and castor oil. That said, I’ve been using minoxidil foam on my scalp and eyebrows for almost a year and can confirm it works.

It’s like brushing your teeth, though. It works—if you do it every single day until the end of time.

I’ve mostly used Hers (which is about the same price as brand-name Rogaine). But the Amazon-brand one is slightly cheaper.

5. Kindle

Reading for pleasure is among life’s greatest joys. Some of the best ideas are hidden inside books. Plus, reading is the ultimate guilt-free indulgence because it’s essentially guaranteed to make you smarter.

(I continuously think about how to gently nudge my children to grow up to be adults who read for pleasure. Apparently, only about half of adults have read a book in the past year, which is honestly more than I would have guessed—no offense.)

I used to be a paper-pages purist because I like cover art and lending a beloved book to a friend. But now, I’m all in on the Kindle. It’s the instant downloads and one-tap word definitions for me.

6. Buffy neck pillow

My neck is frequently mad at me for lifting my toddler, reaching to the backseat while driving, or, you know, breathing wrong.

I’ve tried a lot of pillows to remedy the issue. This weirdly shaped hunk of foam from Buffy, aptly named the Neck Pain Relief Pillow, changed the game recently.

It has very specific contours and divots to keep your neck aligned. Plus, a feature I didn’t know I needed: a “winged” opening on either side to fit your mattress-side arm (rather than it going underneath the pillow).

Of course, I wish my sleeping pillow were more classically shaped to fill out a regular pillowcase, but we can’t have it all, can we?

7. Drunk Elephant Lippe

You’ve probably seen me rave about this pristine little lip balm stick before. And I’m sorry, but I refuse to shut up about it. It’s that good.

More to the point, it’s among the few personal-care products I’ve used literally every single day for multiple years.

8. Red light mask

I try to do red light therapy daily, but realistically, it’s more like four times a week.

I generally take skincare, microneedling, and other cosmetic treatments down my neck and “to the tits,” as they say. With that in mind, the Megelin mask has a neck and décolletage attachment.

What’s more, it levels up red light treatment by combining it with VCSEL (vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser) technology. This essentially means it can go deeper to target wrinkles.

*Some products with affiliate links might earn me a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What I’m reading lately:

• The New Yorker | Justin Bieber, Pop Music’s Fallen Angel, Rises Again at Coachella

• Slate | They’re Calling It the Saddest Business Pivot of All Time

This week—while tuning in to Jamie Ding’s Jeopardy! winning streak and sniffling through spring allergies—I’m jotting down the top SPFs I’ve ever met.

It’s still April, but in many parts of the world, the sun’s out. More to the point, sun protection isn’t an exclusively summer thing.

Everyone basically agrees that sunscreen works. So, why aren’t we all wearing it? Perhaps the allure of a tan, the fear of a white cast, or the sheer inconvenience of applying and reapplying.

I personally love sunscreen—it’s a way of life.

Sun protection doesn’t end at SPF, though. Purists like myself also cover with hats, shades, and sleeves—which can be sexy, by the way.

Here are actually good things to safeguard yourself from the thing we need to live that could also kill us if we get too close (the sun, that is).*

Sunscreens

Maybe you check the UV index before heading out the door (🙋🏻‍♀️). Or maybe you’re SPF-curious but haven’t yet found a sunscreen you’re willing to get in bed with. (Btw, I fully support sleeping around until you find The One.)

In the age of peptides and salmon sperm, sunscreen is still the best anti-aging cream. It won’t necessarily make you look younger, but it’ll help you continue looking like you do now.

Photoaging (aka sun damage) is the main cause of visible skin aging. There’s nothing wrong with aging. But there’s also nothing wrong with striving for healthy skin in the name of looking hot—and this is to say nothing of lowering the risk of skin cancer.

Quick explainer: There are two types of sunscreen, mineral (physical) and chemical (organic).

Mineral uses zinc oxide and sometimes titanium dioxide to physically block the sun’s rays. Chemical formulas use a chemical reaction, absorbing UV rays and turning them into heat that’s released through the skin.

To be sure, both types contain chemicals—because almost every ingredient is a chemical, even water—and they both work. There are also hybrids that combine chemical and mineral blockers.

Some people view mineral as more environmentally friendly and better for sensitive or acne-prone skin. But these points are up for debate. If something irritates, it could just as likely be an inactive ingredient as one of the UV blockers.

As long as it’s SPF 30 or higher and broad-spectrum (meaning a sunscreen blocks both UVA and UVB rays), go with one you’re willing to slather on every single day.

I’ve tried tons of sunscreens and am partial to chemical because it doesn’t leave the white cast (a zinc thing). But there are a couple of mineral formulas I’d rebuy.

At the risk of stating the obvious, I’m not a dermatology specialist. But I am an internet scholar who’s tried it all.

For the face:

• Tula Protect + Glow SPF 30: Surprisingly pretty finish.

• Naturium UV Reflect SPF 50: Hate the feel of sunscreen? This milky fluid is your guy.

• Youth To The People Youthscreen SPF 60: For SPF 50+ queens after a dewy glow.

• Tatcha Silken Sunscreen SPF 35: All-time fave mineral formula—pristine.

• Innisfree Daily UV Defense SPF 36: Among the best in the Korean category.

• Beauty of Joseon Day Dew SPF 50: Lovely; under $20.

• Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen: Soft slip feel; doubles as makeup primer.

• EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46: Excellent hybrid formula.

For the body:

• Naked Sundays Body Creme SPF 50: The light-as-air whipped texture is insane. I make people use it when they come over, and they always go, “Oh, whoa, yeah.”

• Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch SPF 30: A classic.

For kids:

• Alba Kids Sunscreen SPF 45: I f*cking love this stuff. Great for adult bodies, too.

• Blue Lizard Sensitive SPF 50: Mineral for those who prefer it.

• Sun Bum Kids SPF 50 Stick: I’ve purchased this five times. I send it to my toddler’s daycare ‘cause it’s easy for his teachers to use.

For guys:

• CeraVe Facial Lotion SPF 30: Simple, affordable, doubles as moisturizer.

• Allies of Skin The One SPF 50: High-end. Trust me, you’ll love this.

• Abib Quick Sunstick SPF 50+: On-the-go hero.

For everyone:

• Supergoop! Play SPF 50: Body, face, kids, dudes, you name it.

• Vacation Classic Lotion SPF 50: The brand’s highly nostalgic scent combines notes of banana, lycra, pool water, and coconut. If this sounds weird, you don’t get it.

• Seaweed Bath Co. Sport Spray SPF 40: Keep on hand for touch-ups, but always start with a cream.

Lip Balm

I have the opportunity to try virtually endless skincare products (will never take this for granted). But you know what doesn’t come through nearly enough? SPF lip products.

Nonetheless, these have been my faves over the years:

• MDSolarSciences Sheer Lip Balm SPF 30: Love her. Pricey, though.

• Banana Boat Sport Ultra SPF 50 lip balm: Wallet-friendly. I swipe this on before my daily walks.

• Supergoop! Glow Gloss SPF 45: High shine; subtle tint.

• O’Keeffe’s Lip Repair SPF 35: Gender-neutral; compact little stick.

Sunglasses

Expensive sunglasses aren’t more durable than cheap ones.

I’ve always liked Peepers (retro oval) and Knockaround (unisex) for under-$40 pairs.

Even more affordable are these Amazon shades—I’ve bought them four times.

Like a bigger frame and willing to spend a little more? Kendra Scott.

Cover-ups

Not pool cover-ups—it’s still April. I’m talking about clothing layers with built-in UV protection.

Spring windbreaker for walking:

• Lululemon light stretchy jacket: UPF 40+ (UPF is like SPF but for fabrics). Feels like wearing a feather; thumb holes for hand coverage.

• Uniqlo cropped parka: UPF 50+. Less than half the price of Lululemon’s.

Long-sleeve tee:

• Left on Friday mockneck: UPF 50. This workout-swim hybrid top is one of my favorite items I own. Size up, unless you want extra compression.

• Lands’ End rashguard tee: UPF 50. More affordable; good quality.

• Free People funnel top: UPF 30. Neck coverage, thumb holes, ultra-stretchy and layerable.

Hats

Hats are highly personal, but here are a few I like:

• Adidas snapback: Classic with simple embroidery.

• Solbari extra-wide-brim UPF 50+: If you’re super-serious about sun protection (or super-sensitive to the sun).

• Oversized visor: I wear this after doing a skin treatment, like microneedling.

Guys:

Don’t be the dude with the sunburned ears and neck.

I’m happy to report that baby bucket hats are in for men. (Not a joke but not not funny.) This Solbari one is really high-quality, plus it comes in multiple sizes to accommodate not-average noggins.

Or go outback-style with this slightly more structured L.L.Bean breezer.

A final word

Sun protection sometimes looks goofy, feels extra, or is just plain inconvenient. But it’s undoubtedly worth it.

When I see someone going all out with coverage, I’m like, “You go! Handle your business.” Hot people—and smart people—take care of their skin.

*Some products with affiliate links might earn me a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What I’m reading lately:

• Margo’s Got Money Troubles, a novel by Rufi Thorpe

• The New York Times | Parents, Consider Underachieving

• The Cut | ‘I Spray Myself With Magnesium and Read Under a Chicken Light’

Want more good things? Upgrade to paid or subscribe below.

A paid subscription gets you:

✔️ Exclusive access to one bonus letter a month

✔️ The classic weekly letter, sent out on Fridays

✔️ A business write-off?

✔️ Favoritism and clout 💅🏻