A Few Things With Claire And Erica

Have you all read Uncanny Valley? Because this episode is a long way of saying, “Wow, you really should.” We are bubbling over with thoughts about Silicon Valley, gender and tech, and Anna Wiener’s all-around exceptional writing. Oh, and we also have something to say about going to the doctor during these times, as people who’ve had to go on multiple occasions.   The linkage:   You got a dreamy VM you want to leave? 833-632-5463—come on.   Two companies doing a good job thinking about medical solutions during this time: Capsule Pharmacy and Thirty Madison, with its online urgent care.   A case for taking babes to the doctor: this NYT story about vaccine rates dropping among kids.   Breaking news alert: Erica is now the proud owner of the jumbo tin of Luxardo cherries (and is stocked-up on her favorite GF pasta, too). Put your Luxardos in a Tom Collins!   Read o’ the week: Uncanny Valley by Anna Wiener. If you want a taste, it was excerpted in The New Yorker (and also started as an n+1 essay).   Here’s the “Me

You know who wrote the book on socks (and started one of the best Tumblrs and bakes internet-famous cookies)? John Jannuzzi, and he’s here to share his creative side-hustle tips (but not any of the burnt malted milk and Kit-Kat cookies—he’s keeping those for himself). Before we dive in, though, can we discuss long-distance collaboration between two people who live four blocks apart? Yes, we’re talking about us.   Visit www.DailyHarvest.com and use code ATHINGORTWO for $25 off your first Box! Also, visit www.nyssacare.com and use code ATHINGORTWO for 15% off your order!   The linkage:   We’ve picked up some good work habits from the book Making Ideas Happen.   Breaking snack news: The Daily Crave smoked gouda lentil chips might be a wise bulk purchase (as they have been for Claire), and the makers of Pretzel Perfection are donating party mix to school districts and food banks.   How to Wear Socks! It’s John Jannuzzi’s new book. Feels very appropriate for dads ‘n grads, no?   Classic white Bombas! John’s favori

We’re getting saucy—even more so than usual?—and dipping into the spreads, schmears, and drizzles we’re treating as essential supplements to our souls as well as our fridge-clearing batches of fried rice. Also! We’re coming at you with a bunch o’ thoughts on how to practice ~friendship~ right now, whether you prefer a postcard or a week-long game.   The linkage:   Condiment for us (and for you): Chinkiang vinegar, seasoned rice vinegar, mirin, Fly by Jing sichuan chili crisp, Marmite, hoisin, Seedible sesame butter, Thai Kitchen curry paste, Iasa hot pepper in olive oil, Tutto Calabria Rose Marina, Mike’s or Red Clay hot honey, Holy Schmitt’s horseradish and horseradish mustard, and (drumroll) Luxardo cherries, which are available in this large-format option.    A couple recipe mentions: sauteed greens with onions and soy sauce and tofu and green beans with chile crisp.    Breaking news alert: grapefruit updates!! We learned about a grapefruit-eating tactic from a YouTube vid (by way of the wonderful Deez Lin

What does it say about us that we’re taking a great deal of pleasure in having a mug of something warm as a near-constant companion? You be the judge! Also for your consideration: a nail-painting tool, a line of chic retro dinnerware, a milk-frother, and an oddly satisfying timer to help get at least a couple to-dos checked off.   The linkage:   Oh, hey: Take our survey!   We’ve been getting such good VMs, including the one at the end of this ep. If you want to join the fun: 833-632-5463.   Souvenir mugs we have or aspire to have: Russ & Daughters (they’ve discontinued the original), Hart’s, Cafe Du Monde, and Veselka. Also, vintage art museum mugs! And why not just make some on Zazzle and Shutterfly for friends when the mood strikes? A good way to memorialize photos, good or embarrassing.   Makers of the pretty ceramic mugs we want to have and to hold: Molly Anne Bishop, BTW Ceramics, Hasami Porcelain (There are two separate lines: one from Takuhiro Shinomoto, the founder of Tortoise General Store, and t

This week in “it’s the small things” content, we’re sharing the Instagram accounts bringing us joy, the T-shirts we have possibly (definitely) too many thoughts about, and the campaign we’re launching to book our dream pod guest. Let’s make #qaiqaispromise happen, people!   The linkage:   Join the #qaiqaispromise movement. We’re counting on you (and, of course, Qai Qai).   If you aren’t following these IGs, you’re in for a bunch of treats: @grossypelosi, @thetinychefshow, @laurentamaki, @lilystockman, @thelesliejordan, @dritadavanzoladyboss, and @theonion.   T-shirts! Sunspel, Skin, Re/done, AMO, Calder Blake, The Great, and Petit Bateau all make ones we wear ‘n swear by. Claire is also very interested in trying this Bandier tank, fwiw.   Get cookin’ with Sun Basket—$35 off your order with the code ATHINGORTWO.   And make the world a better place with Causebox— 30% off your order plus Free Shipping!   YAY.   Produced by Dear Media

Apparently, we have a lot of pent-up thoughts about Instagram in need of an outlet, namely this episode of this podcast. Dive in for how we think about consuming and posting (in this time and in less insane ones), the features we want from the app, and, importantly, our differing takes on liking and commenting on celebs’ accounts.   Visit DailyHarvest.com and enter promo code: ATHINGORTWO for $25 off your first box!   The linkage:   If you haven’t caught our IGTV stuffs, vids are over at @clairemazur and @ericacerulo. Only some of them are about the romance novel The Idea of You! (HAVE YOU READ IT?)   Speaking of Instagram, you gotta give our Phil Chang ep a listen. Oh, and our Taylor Lorenz ep, too.   The Julia Turshen cookbook Claire mentions, Feed the Resistance.   Two accounts that hit the IG tropes hard and are still very strong follows: Erin Foster and Nell Diamond.   Nab $25 off your first Daily Harvest box with the code ATHINGORTWO. YAY.   Produced by Dear Media

Things we’re rejecting (some days): three square meals. Things we’re embracing: square-toe shoes...and also special treats in pretty much any form. Including a long-distance update from our one-time pod producer Alex, the Roz to our Frasier.   Visit www.causebox.com/athingortwo with code: ATHINGORTWO for 30% off your order!   The linkage:   833-632-5463 for voicemails—we love ‘em.   Are you listening to Who? Weekly? And their extra-special Patreon content? Get on that.   Our dinnertime playlists right now: Sam Cooke Radio + Legendary Women of Country.   Celery! Erica’s in. Claire’s not. Maybe try this salad with dates and parm, this one with apples and gorgonzola, or the braised recipe from Salad for President and decide for yourself?   The ol’ kale-stem shock and awe.   PSA: We now have an Amazon Storefront and a Bookshop.org page if you’re looking to dig up some of our recs.   Relevant to square-toe shoes: The Witches the book and also the movie, the slingbacks that Aeyde is serving up, and a lot of what In

Geez, does Marisa Meltzer know how to get the wheels turning. We talk to her about her shiny new book This Is Big, which digs deep into dieting, wellness, feminism, body positivity, and the intersection of those topics—and also about friendship and snacks. Much to discuss, you see. But first! A truly odd (if entertaining) NYC campaign we didn’t want you to miss.   The linkage:   If you somehow want more on the Billy Never Idles campaign, well, here you go.   Read Marisa’s book, This Is Big: How the Founder of Weight Watchers Changed the World (and Me)! Do it!   Jean Nidetch’s NYT obit from 2015—and the whole Overlooked No More obit project.   A wonderful article Marisa wrote a while back for Elle about diets + feminism.   We enthusiastically endorse Katie Sturino’s Boob Sweat podcast. Marisa shouts-out this interview with CeCe Olisa in particular.   Let’s talk about SNACKS real quick: Graham crackers (with cream cheese, covered in chocolate, or as part of an #indoorsmore situation), The Daily Crave smoked gou

Here we are again, talking about stuff no one else is talking about (and we hope that’s a good thing?). Today, we’re digging into a surprisingly handy word and plenty o’ business insights from the bonafide retail legend Mickey Drexler, who’s lived through plenty of ups and downs.   The linkage:   Introducing a weirdly useful term: webonair.   Have you listened to the podcast Bad on Paper? ‘Cause ya should.   If you didn’t catch our first chat with Mickey Drexler, you can do that right over here.   Alex Mill is Mickey’s latest undertaking with his son...and we have been talking about too much on this podcast, we’re aware.   Here’s the Agnès B. cardigan Erica was wearing that you couldn’t see through your headphones. It got a nice send-up from The Cut recently, too.   Reminder that you can sign up for our newsletter, get coupon codes, etc., etc. on claireanderica.com.    Produced by Dear Media

Reading newsletters and doing ironing—two indoor-kid activities no doubt! Ok, seriously, though, take care of yourselves, find some good distractions, and maybe try to get some fresh air?   The linkage:   Claire bought a full-size ironing board by Brabantia and highly endorses it, and Erica has this hook thingy to hang her ironing board on that she thinks is just great.   The most ironing-enthusiastic person in our world—Claire’s mom—swears by the Miele Rotary Iron (a.k.a. a mangle) for sheets/linens and the LauraStar ironing system (um, as featured in Parasite?!).   To avoid ironing jeans: dryer balls, like these from Heart Felt and these from Food52.   Ok, newsletters! Here are allllll of the ones we love: The Ann Friedman Weekly, Girls’ Night In, Shelter, This Week in Scams, Garden Variety, Here for It w/ R. Eric Thomas (same name as his new book), Why is this interesting?, Cassandra Daily, Well To Do, Deez Links, Quartz Daily Obsession, The New Consumer, Sehat, The Examined Life (from the author of The Ne

There’s so much to think about right now, it seems, but we’re going to take this opportunity to focus on one truly magical person: Jason Polan, an artist we’ve been in awe of for at least a decade who passed away at 37 in January. In a word: heartbreaking—but also a push to embrace living as much as he did. As we reflect on his life, his work, and his approach to both, we wanted to resurface an interview we did with him back in 2017, and if it makes you feel compelled to draw something (anything!), we bet he would have really liked that.   The linkage:   This feels like a great time for voicemails, huh? Give us a ring at 833-632-5463. Just a smattering of Jason Polan’s wonderful work: Every Person in New York (us included), Taco Bell Drawing Club, a Marvel Comics cover, and so many major brand collabs (Nike, Warby Parker, Uniqlo, Levi’s, Soludos, Baggu!). A good use of an hour: reading Jason’s IG captions. Come on with the ridiculously charming ad he ran in The New Yorker for the post office.  @this_girl_is_a

 When Nikki Ogunnaike got a new job as GQ’s deputy fashion director, we were immediately all, “What’s it like?!” So we took this opportunity to ask her about making the move from women’s fashion to men’s...and where she gets the bags she couldn’t afford when she was starting out. Oh, and while we’re at it, we’re sharing a three-minute exercise another friend used to make a tough decision, too.   The linkage:   Voicemails: We love ‘em. You can get us at 833-632-5463.   Our pal Eliza Bent, who recently made a big move and whose decision-making tactic we co-opted.   Follow Nikki Ogunnaike and her #bathroombigfit looks...and maybe subscribe to GQ, which is what we’re doing? See: this Keanu Reeves profile, this Larry David cover story, and this story about how a wide range of dudes are eating in 2020.    Two menswear brands Nikki is v. into: Alex Mill and Brandon Maxwell.   To source the bags she couldn’t get as an assistant, Nikki turns to The RealReal, Fashionphile, and Threads Styling.   Nikki bought multiple c

Not to brag or anything, but our reading has range. Please accept the authors we discuss in this episode—buzzed-about novelist Kevin Wilson, person you’ve definitely heard of Jessica Simpson, and children’s book phenom Sandra Boynton—as proof. But first: We schmear it on thick with the Marmite.   The linkage:   You like coupon codes? Course you do.   C’mon with Marmite’s very knowing mugs and personalized (!!!) jars.   How about putting Marmite on toast with Greek yogurt like Erica? Or on avocado toast like Table on Ten? Maybe you also want to blend it with butter or use it in this chicken dish.   Speaking of salty condiments: We’re very into Momofuku Hozon and Bonji, both available at Peach Mart in Hudson Yards.   Books! Claire’s latest favorite: Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson. If you’re into this, you may also like Magic for Beginners by Kelly Link or Rich and Pretty by Rumaan Alam.   Erica’s latest favorite: Open Book by Jessica Simpson. If we don’t sell you on grabbing a copy, maybe this NYT profile

How do we train ourselves to be better fashion consumers? Claire, who is as surprised as you are that she’s three months into a shopping ban, has some learnings. And! We’re delivering plenty of intel from our visit to the home and lifestyle trade shows (AKA, the time we went to the Javits Center for fun).    The linkage:   A couple of things we love: 1) coupon codes, which you can now find here and 2) voicemails—so leave us one at 833-632-5463 any ol’ time.    We’re all about Man Repeller’s rundown of Qs to pop before you shop.   Read up on Livia Firth, the co-founder and creative director of Eco-Age, and her 30 Wears Challenge.   Reporting from the tradeshows: COLOR! See: Poketo, Hay, Chilewich, Vitra, and Herman Miller.   Glassware (and colorful glassware specifically)! See: R+D Lab, Lateral Objects, Kinto, Sugahara, and Hawkins New York.   Design-y first aid! See: Airinium Urban Air Mask 2.0, Bioswiss bandages, and, elsewhere, emergency preparedness kits from Judy and Preppi.    Oat milk / vegan chocolate!

It’s possible you’ve been consuming content by Kim France for thirty-ish years, and we’re here to talk about all of it (including her new podcast—which, have you listened?!). Also, not to be the people who talk about our meditation experiences, but we kind of can’t shut up about this one time, ok?   The linkage:   Hit up the Sky Ting yoga classes taught by Marisa Meltzer (in NYC) that we loved.   Check out Kim France’s podcast, which she co-hosts with Tally Abecassis, called Everything Is Fine and her fashion ‘n shopping blog Girls of a Certain Age. Both are ideal for women over 40 and the over-40-curious.   How Sassy Changed My Live, which the very same Marisa Meltzer co-authored with Kara Jesella, is itself iconic at this point.   Kim goes deep on her creative partnership with Andrea Linett while running Lucky in our book Work Wife.   For a preview of the book Kim is writing, read her Medium essays about the beautiful house that didn’t make for a beautiful life and depression at the Condé Nast holiday lunch

It’s total mid-February vibes around here, as evidenced by the fact that we’re entertaining ourselves with new egg preparations and spending our weekend nights getting our jewelry in order. And when we do leave the house? Well, we’re pulling on the tallest, warmest socks we can come by.   The linkage: It’s all about tall socks for wide-leg pants in the winter, especially ones from Richer Poorer and Raey. Alert, alert: Weleda Skin Food now comes in body-butter form. We’re living in a peak organization era. Shout out to The Container Store (for Elfa, of course, and also linen drawer dividers), Yamazaki (see: this TP stand, this side table trash can, this towel rack, this leaning coat rack, and whole slew of jewelry organizers), Muji (see: more jewelry organizers), Marie Kondo’s shop, Hay (very into these plastic crates), Kept (this excellent laundry hamper), Open Spaces (especially nice-looking shelf risers), and Food52 (we won’t shut up about them, we know). Dims furniture is real cute. Claire has their bar ca

Taking a vacation to Japan is overwhelming. Sharing travel picks is overwhelming. Shopping online consignment is overwhelming. But you know what? We went ahead and tackled it all here, and we’re pretty proud of ourselves, thanks.   The linkage: For Claire, true RealReal browsing is all about the app. But there is, of course, also a (slightly less addictive) website. Another online consignment shop to check out: Luxury Garage Sale. Why not set sale alerts for your go-to brands on ShopStyle, too?  Our six Tokyo picks! A Yomiuri Giants baseball game, the Yanaka neighborhood for wandering around, Gyoza Ro for dumplings, Mikawa Zezankyo for an outrageous tempura dinner (that you can book on OpenTable), Hakusan Porcelain for truly stunning ceramics, and Kappabashi Shopping District for the restaurant-supply shops (including Kamata knife shop) that will have you thinking about buying another suitcase. What we loved in Kyoto! Kyoto International Manga Museum for an anime deep-dive (which turned Claire onto the Nana s

We’ve got some real dirt today—or, rather, we have ways to clean it up (including a stick vac that’s maybe falling out of favor?) and a guest who’s dishing it on his Stories, which we consider must-see IG. Tune in and then hit up @heyphilchang to see what we mean...   The linkage:   You can find our show notes over at claireanderica.com now. Look at us.   Our robot vacuum endorsements: Neato XV-21 Pet & Allergy Automatic Vacuum Cleaner and iRobot Roomba 960. A somewhat controversial hand vac rec: Black & Decker Pivot Vac. Everybody’s favorite, the Dyson Stick Vac—Claire has the V10, and Erica has the V8—but, wait, should Consumer Reports have us reconsidering? Cam is a Miele fan and will someday be the proud owner of this toy one. Should his brand loyalty change, he could also get a Dyson. Follow Phil Chang’s WILD Instagram. It’s all about his Stories. Further reading from the L.A. Times on Tommy Le, an unarmed Vietnamese-American 20 year old who was shot and killed by a Seattle police officer. To get

Congrats to Cam on his first bday and to Claire on her one-year motherhood anniversary! We’ll get into all of the learnings—and bathtime struggles. But first: a rabbit whose diet is raw, vegan, now grain-free. How very 2020 of her.   The linkage: Ash’s wonderful vet, Catnip & Carrots. Meaghan O’Connell on breastfeeding and hormones for The Cut. For pelvic floor and postpartum incontinence stuff, look into Michele McGurk of Danu Physical Therapy in Brooklyn and Rachel Welch of Revolution Motherhood in Manhattan, in Brooklyn, and on the internet. Underwear for the fourth trimester! From Nyssa. To understand baby developmental leaps, give The Wonder Weeks app a download. Products! You knew they were coming. It’s all about the Snoo (which you can rent), the BabyBjorn Bouncer, the Colugo compact stroller, and the Charlie Crane levo baby bouncer. Erin Boyle of Reading My Tea Leaves shares intel on the Buy Nothing Project here.   www.Biossance.com w/ Code ATHINGORTWO20 for 20% off your full-sized purchase   Prod

A couple of months ago, we went deep on what it felt like to shut down our company Of a Kind (dig into that episode here), and now, with more distance, we have plenty of fresh new takeaways to share. Spoiler alert: We have no idea what our professional futures hold, and we’re cool with that.   The linkage: For further listening on brushing scams, try this Planet Money ep and/or this Reply All one. Here's Wendy Macnaughton’s IG post that made us feel seen. Check out Zola and get 50% off wedding save the dates! YAY.   Produced by Dear Media