A Few Things With Claire And Erica

Introducing the chair and half! And reintroducing the greatest city in the world, New York! We’ve brought our enthusiasm, friends, and we’re hoping you’ll join us.   Claire’s dream chair and a half is from Maker & Son. Erica’s dream stool coat rack is by Guillen Ferran for Casa Constante (two others worth knowin’ about from Umbra and Room & Board, too).    SinkPositive!!!   Ann Friedman’s newsletter about NYC energy.   NYC’s Thai restaurant renaissance! Nuaa Table, Fish Cheeks, Thai Diner, to name just a few.   The New York Post on “‘6 P.M. Is the New 8 P.M.’: Why Early-Bird Dining Is Here to Stay.”   The genius New York mag nightlife newsletter are u coming? by Brock Colyar.    More on the TikTok phenom Tinx.   Get excited to cook again with Made In’s professional-grade cookware—15% off your first order with the code ATHINGORTWO. Tune into How To Do the Pot for practical advice about weed for women by women. Wherever you get your podcasts! Find out where to get your COVID-19 vaccine near you at vacci

How do we wrap up vacation? How do we shop for clothes on the internet? Well!    The Atlantic also says you should come home from vacation a day early in this piece about 8 rules for a happy vacation.    Hit us with your online shopping hacks at @athingortwohq, podcast@athingortwohq.com, and 833-632-5463. And get more of ours from Secret Menu.   Find out where to get your COVID-19 vaccine near you at vaccines.gov. Learn about your body with Base and take 20% off of your first month of membership with the code ATHINGORTWO. Get good at doing your nails with Olive & June's tremendous Mani System and take 20% off with the code ATHINGORTWO. Try BetterHelp for professional counseling and get 10% off your first month with our link. YAY.   Produced by Dear Media

If you’ve ever had questions about our (19 years of!) friendship, wade on into this episode, which was sparked by the heartwarmingly genius Summer of Friendship series from Call Your Girlfriend. And if you’ve ever wondered about our thoughts on making The Idea of You book into a movie...well, that too!   More on The Idea of You’s rabid following ℅ Michelle Ruiz for Vogue.   People, watch Friends with Kids! Somehow related: It was Patrick Dempsey who was (at one point) married to the makeup artist, Jillian Fink.   Do you want access to TIOY Facebook group? Have at it.   The author Robinne Lee cites her original inspiration for Solene as Leticia Herrera, the founder of Casa Tua hotels.   Jenna Wortham’s New York Times Magazine piece about the movie Zola and recasting pressure via Twitter.   Tune into the Summer of Friendship eps of Call Your Girlfriend! Our chat about our relationship is part of that joyful series.   Send all of your thoughts and feelings to @athingortwohq, podcast@athingortwohq.com, and 833-63

How many questions do we have for Lola Priego, the founder of the innovative at-home lab-testing company Base? So many that we partnered with the company to bring you all this ep and to get a better understanding of how the medical sector is evolving, the common findings the Base team is seeing in tests, and what factors that might be contributing to bleh energy, sex drive, and sleep—you know, those weirdly hard-to-solve health gripes. Also, re: ZZZs: Let’s kick things off with a talk about pajama habits, shall we??   A Base membership starts at $59.95 per month, and right now, you can get 20% off of your first month of membership with the code ATHINGORTWO.   This Base quiz could prove very useful, whether you opt to join or not.   Call us! Add 833-632-5463 to your contacts, even?   Get more intel about your body with Base and take 20% off of your first month of membership with the code ATHINGORTWO. YAY.   Produced by Dear Media

One thing we’re newly obsessed with: the wide, weird world of FamousBirthdays.com. Nine finds we’re oldly obsessed with and very ready to discuss: Welcome to the latest installment of Thingies, our unstoppable, un-top-able category faves.   Do you know FamousBirthdays.com? Do you know Courier magazine?! Well, there’s a great story about the former in the latter.   Today’s Thingies!!! New Skin Liquid Bandage, Chef’s Choice Diamond Hone Knife Sharpener, Temp Tee Whipped Cream Cheese, D.S. & Durga Auto Fragrances (sold as a set too—and, related, ones from P. F. Candle Co.), Norma Kamali Super Low Back Mio, Hollywood Fashion Secrets Silicone Coverups, Nailtiques Formula 2, Jade Yoga Harmony Mat, and (bonus?) Bug Bite Thing (plus, somehow related, Oh Crap! Potty Training).      Previous Thingies eps one and two should you want to catch up.   KIT at @athingortwohq, podcast@athingortwohq.com, and 833-632-5463, and sign up for Secret Menu if you want more, more, more.   Try Olive & June's tremendous Mani Syst

Are you ready to be charmed? Great, because today we’re discussing baby hummingbirds and hanging with Lauren Chan, who’s a size-inclusive fashion advocate, a model, and the founder-slash-CEO of Henning, which makes luxury, oh-so-cool womenswear in sizes 12 to 24. Soon, she’ll be a TikTok star, too—we have no doubt.   Related to Erica’s How to Do Nothing-esque baby hummingbird *experience*: this glorious Jamie Beck ridiculousness, the Minnesota State Fair’s CHS Miracle of Birth Center, this Travel + Leisure story “The World's Best Places to See Baby Animals,” David Schwimmer on Marcel the monkey, and a taste of hummingbird TikTok.   Shop Lauren Chan’s line Henning! Follow her on Instagram!   Other fashion companies that Lauren admires: Wray, Tamara Malas, Eileen Fisher, and Mara Hoffman.   What’s Lauren wearing? So glad you asked. For jeans and jorts, Citizens of Humanity (in size 33) and Agolde (in size 33 or 34). Speaking of shorts: Henning bike shorts, Aerie sweat shorts, and WSLY nylon shorts from Bandier.

To anyone who’s asked “Um, can y’all dig deeper into CBD?” and/or “Does that stuff actually work?” we bring you an episode full of (extremely interesting!) nitty-grittiness on cannabinoids. We’ve partnered with the impressive team over at Caliper for this conversation with our old pal Jeremy Goldstein to talk science, credibility, regulation, and, yes, hype. If this has you itching to try Caliper, use the code ATHINGORTWO for 20% off your first order.   More on drug-sniffing K-9 retirees.   Deeper-dives into how Caliper approaches regulation and clinical trials.    If you’re interested in the microdose THC company Jeremy and his co-founder Justin Singer started first, check out the line of Ripple products.   20% off your first Caliper order with the code ATHINGORTWO!    You know we love a voicemail, right? And you know you can get us at 833-632-5463, right?   Produced by Dear Media

What would we register for if we were getting married sometime soon? What would we buy if we just really wanted a tablecloth or new drinking glasses? Oh, we have thoughts. And, speaking of wish lists, how exactly do we get our hands on Flea’s Bees honey from the Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist?   For more on Flea (because who doesn’t want more on Flea?): Dave Grohl’s doc What Drives Us, this GQ article about his relationship with the streetwear designer Melody Ehsani, his memoir Acid for the Children, a video of him playing guitar with Koko, a really moving essay for TIME about his opioid addiction, the org he started Silverlake Conservatory of Music, and, finally, Flea’s Bees. Also, of course, his Instagram and Twitter.   Picks for wedding registries—and just, like, living our best dining lives—coming right up! For the master, master list, sign up for Secret Menu and dive on in.   Flatware: Almoco Flatware, Mono Ring Cutlery, Sabre Bistrot Flatware, and Georg Jensen New York.   Dishes: Heath Ceramics, Dansk, J

Longtime hero and first-time guest Atoosa Rubenstein is our plus-one today, and, whoa, is she delivering SO MUCH wisdom—you know, exactly the sort of stuff she was known for as the editor of CosmoGIRL! And Seventeen, but now built for adults. (Related: You’ve gotta sign up for her newsletter Atoosa Unedited.) Before we get into it, though, we need to talk about a term that’s as useful as it is aspirational: public affluence.   Public affluence further reading: “Every Child on Their Own Trampoline” by Jeremy Williams and the 1958 book The Affluent Society by John Kenneth Galbraith.   More on the Buy Nothing Project. See also: this post and this one from Reading My Tea Leaves.    Sign up for Atoosa Unedited, Atoosa Rubenstein’s newsletter—you want in on this!—and read the breakup installment we reference. Oh, follow the Atoosa Unedited Instagram, too.   Tiny, baby Erica interviewing Atoosa in 2004 for Roadtrip Nation.   Some Atoosa go-tos: It Didn’t Start With You by Mark Wolynn, Goop, Armchair Expert, SmartLes

It’s testing central ‘round these parts. First, we dig into snacks (and fall hard for a fancy GF pop-tart comp), and then Claire shares the beauty products that have won her over recently. Obviously both sunless tanner and deep conditioner make a showing.   What are we munching? Well! Wild Fruits Jam Tarts, 12tides Puffed Kelp Chips, and Pipcorn Jalapeño Cheddar Crunchies, since you asked.   Claire’s latest hair favorites: Bread Beauty Supply Hair Mask Deep Conditioner, Hairstory New Wash, Christophe Robin Brightening Shampoo, and Briogeo Scalp Revival Stimulating Massager.   Her new go-to skin stuff: Muri Lelu Mauvaise Herbe Indica Oil, Sunday Riley Good Genes, Consonant Hydrextreme Sheet Mask, St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist, Tata Harper Creme Riche Moisturizer, and Diana Ralys Melt Away Oil Cleanser.   And two make-up things that made the cut: Artis Brush (Oval 6) and KVD Beauty Tattoo Liner.   Send your thoughts on any ‘n all of this to @athingortwohq, podcast@athingortwohq.com, and 83

Feel that cross-breeze? Hard for us to tell if it’s fresh air or creative energy, to be honest. But much more on both ahead...   The opening the windows tweet that really spoke to us both.   The fan Claire recently, aspirationally acquired: this Zonix one in white.   You know Secret Menu? Because you should.   For some context around our creativity check-in, dive into our perfectionism ep (and maybe Big Magic?).   This NYT piece on future block!   Mary H.K. Choi inspired Erica’s writing approach, and Gina Hamadey and her new book I Want to Thank You helped shape Claire’s sketching routine.   Keep the feedback coming! @athingortwohq, podcast@athingortwohq.com, and 833-632-5463.   Better understand your fertility with Modern Fertility’s finger-prick test—it’s $20 off when you use our link. Get a quote from Haven Life, the online life insurance agency that’s all about ease. Look to BetterHelp for professional counseling and snag 10% off your first month when you use our link. YAY.   Produced by Dear Media

If you’ve been thinking more about your meat and/or alcohol consumption—or would like to—pull up a chair and dig in. And, as always, feel free to drop us voicemail at 833-632-5463. Hungry for your thoughts.   Our less-meat news items: Epicurious on not publishing any (new) recipes with beef, Eleven Madison Park’s return with a vegan menu, and Taco Bell’s Cravetarian Taco.    One interesting beef source: Butter Meat Co.   Us-approved meat alts, should you want ‘em: Impossible (burgers with Omsom marinades, Helen Rosner’s Roberto soup, hard-shell tacos with Spicewalla seasonings), Trader Joe’s soy chorizo (for tacos, eggs, pastas with chickpeas!), and Lightlife Smart Deli Bologna for sandwiches.   The MSG essay by Shaad D'Souza (from Bon Appétit, not Eater—oops). Related: @know_msg, Red Boat salt, and Momofuku tamari.   The book name-checked by Chrissy Teigen about women + sobriety: Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol by Holly Whitaker, founder of the recovery p

Just a podcast ep featuring two old pals: Miffy, chic cartoon rabbit, and Amanda Hesser, icon, inspiration, and co-founder of Food52, the site you’ve (we’ve) visited just a few thousand times.   First, some Miffy merch: this light that Erica and Cam own, these napkins, this corduroy stuffed animal, and this Converse collab.    A 2008 Daily Telegraph profile of Dick Bruna, the creator of Miffy.   The rumored Taylor Swift and Katy Perry collaboration.   Our Amanda Hesser fandom runs deep! We love all things Food52, of course, but we’ve been A.H. diehards since we read Cooking for Mr. Latte in the early aughts.   A few Amanda kitchen recs: Bien Cuit sourdough starter, Ortwo pepper grinder, and JK Adams two-tiered lazy susan.   The go-to recipe when Amanda’s kids are cooking: Zuni's Pasta with Preserved Tuna.   For deep-diving on Amanda and her co-founder Merrill Stubbs, check out our book Work Wife, and for more on Amanda’s backstory and business approach, check out this recent ep of How I Built This.   We love

Less running around to meetings, more running routines! If this ep had a mantra, that would be it.   Other running and running-adjacent content: the C25K app, our podcast ep with Coach Bennett, Edith Zimmerman’s Drawing Links newsletter, and Nikki Ogunnaike and Aminatou Sow on IG.   Some “things we’re over” further reading: A BBC article on air travel + the environment, a tweet about overscheduled days, and a NYT article about disability and virtual accommodations.    We want/need your thoughts at @athingortwohq, podcast@athingortwohq.com, and 833-632-5463! And, if you want more of our thoughts—on running and plenty more—come get ‘em at Secret Menu.   Try Right Wellness and CBN, the latest transformative hemp ingredient. Get 20% off with the code RIGHTFORYOU. Take Modern Fertility’s fertility test for $20 off when you use our link. Cozy up to American Giant’s Classic Full Zip Hoodie—15% off your first order with the code ATHINGORTWO. YAY.   Produced by Dear Media

Has perfectionism jumped the shark? And how do we remember names when we start meeting new people again?! Clearly, we have a lot of questions (and some answers).   If you like this, you’ll probably really like Secret Menu.   A couple books that made us ponder perfectionism: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, Yolk by Mary H.K. Choi, and Drop the Ball by Tiffany Dufu.   Related convos: our ambition ep, this episode of Jam Session, and the Wit & Delight posts here and here.   Come and get us at @athingortwohq, podcast@athingortwohq.com, and 833-632-5463!    Download the (free!) Zocdoc app and book that doctor’s appointment you’ve been putting off. Check out Right Wellness and CBN, the latest transformative hemp ingredient. Get 20% off with the code RIGHTFORYOU. Turn to Ana Luisa for sustainable and cool jewelry for Mother’s Day. Get 15% off with the code ATHINGORTWOMD. Tune into The Genius Recipe Tapes from Food52 wherever you get your podcasts. YAY.   Produced by Dear Media

When we can all go out in the world again, will we be getting dressed up? And what will “dressed up” even mean?! Oh, do we have questions—and some answers—about re-entry fashion...and also about kombucha titan GT Dave.   A hot topic, apparently: GT Dave of GT’s Kombucha.   A few shoe lines that have us ready to set aside our Birkenstocks for a minute: Alepel, Kkerelé, and Emme Parsons.   If you’re ready to dabble in hard pants after some time away, Claire loves these AYR jeans.   The centerpiece of Erica’s spring/summer mood board: this Marni tulip-print matching set.   Let’s gush for a sec about the statement-y jewelry from Lizzie Fortunato’s fall collection.   Are we doing bold eye makeup? Like this Violette liquid shadow and Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner?   How are YOU gonna be dressing? Tell at @athingortwohq, podcast@athingortwohq.com, and 833-632-5463.    For a whole lot more from us, sign up for Secret Menu.   Check out Right Wellness and CBN, the latest transformative hemp ingredient. Get 20% off with

We’ve got Mateo Askaripour, author of the extremely buzzy novel Black Buck, with us today—and, hey, we also showed up with our best going-away gift ideas for a stellar boss who perhaps deserves a travel mug thingy emblazoned with his catchphrase.   Gifting Q: Boss going-away gift. Best boss I ever had. Mentor. Mid-fifties. Male. Already gave booze. Our thoughts: Leatherology modern round coaster set, custom Yeti bottle, knives from Opinel or Laguiole, Souda business card holder, or flowers (always).   You gotta read Mateo Askaripour’s debut novel Black Buck! Tell you what!   Sales books that got Mateo started: Jeffrey Gitomer’s The Little Red Book of Selling and Sales Bible.    Books Mateo would say are in conversation with his own: The Spook Who Sat by the Door by Sam Greenlee, The Sellout by Paul Beatty, and Heads of the Colored People by Nafissa Thompson-Spires.   We want your thoughts over at @athingortwohq, podcast@athingortwohq.com, and 833-632-5463. If you want more from us, sign up for Secret Menu.  

You know what’s a grab bag? An episode on nineties screensavers, long breakfasts, box cutters, and recipes we’re embarrassed to share. Join us!   Just a short film of 281 After Dark modules and a very timely tweet.   The tools we wear by: box cutters, measuring tapes (see also: this ep of Gee Thanks, Just Bought It), kitchen scales (the Joseph Joseph TriScale one specifically), dough scrapers, kitchen spiders, and fish spatulas.   Claire’s (embarrassing) buffalo chicken chowder, her favorite coconut yogurt Cocojune, and the bfast tacos she wants to try.   We welcome—cherish!—your feedback. Send it on over to @athingortwohq, podcast@athingortwohq.com, and 833-632-5463. Or leave us a review! OOH, and sign up for Secret Menu.   Gobble up Lesser Evil’s A++ snacks. 25% off your first order with the code ATHINGORTWO. Shop Ana Luisa for sustainable and v. cool jewelry, and get 10% off with the code ATHINGORTWO. Check out Right Wellness for the latest transformative hemp ingredient, CBN, and take 20% off with the cod

Not to get ahead of ourselves, but, well, we’re totally getting ahead of ourselves: Is anyone else a little clenchy about having social lives again...sometime soon? Another topic of discussion: the beauty products Erica has on rotation—top threes instead of HGs!—from sunscreens to deep conditioners.   “Late-Stage Pandemic Is Messing With Your Brain”—or ours, at least.   The energy we’re seeking: John Jannuzzi’s dance compilation videos.   Sunscreens: Coola Sun Silk Drops, EleVen by Venus Unrivaled Sun Serum (related: a must-see trophy room), and Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint.   Body moisturizers: Tata Harper Revitalizing Body Oil (related: this ep of The Glossy Beauty Podcast), Weleda Skin Food Body Butter, and classic ol’ coconut oil.   Deep conditioners: IGK Offline 3-Minute Hydration Hair Mask (a Harling Ross rec) and Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Strengthening Treatment Oil (while doing the Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask).   Nail things: the Bare Hands kit and Olive & June polishes (EC, CV, and SC) along

Perhaps you’ve noticed that we won’t shut up about romance novels? Well, this week we’re chatting it up with Talia Hibbert, one of our favorite writers of the genre, about telling diverse stories, shaping conversations about consent, and writing good sex. But first: Does Erica have too many coffee devices? You be the judge.   The coffeemakers in Erica’s rotation: Bodum French press, Nespresso Pixie (with Woken pods—but Nespresso ones are recyclable in NYC now. See also from the NYT on recycling legislation!), Gemini Espresso Maker (or a single-serving alt from GSI), and Copper Cow Coffee pour-overs.    DM, email, or call us!! At @athingortwohq, podcast@athingortwohq.com, and 833-632-5463.   We’re all about Talia Hibbert’s Brown Sisters trilogy: Get a Life, Chloe Brown (her first traditionally published book), Take a Hint, Dani Brown, and Act Your Age, Eve Brown. Here for more, more, more of her writing.     To dive into the conversation around the lack of representation in the romance-novel world: this NYT ar