A Few Things With Claire And Erica

You may not know them by name, but Sue Conley and Peggy Smith are the dairy mavens who founded Cowgirl Creamery, the famous Bay Area maker of such delicious cheeses as Mt Tam and Red Hawk. On this ep, Claire and Erica had the pleasure of hearing the full story, which involves a Steinbeckian post-college road trip, a stint at Chez Panisse, and—you guessed it—a thriving work-wife relationship. P.S. Hey, have you grabbed a copy of Claire and Erica’s book Work Wife: The Power of Female Friendship to Drive Successful Businesses? And, if not, what are you waiting for?!

Are you listening to the Cool Moms podcast? Because you should be. It’s hosted by Elise Peterson, an artist and illustrator, and Lizzy Okpo, co-founder of the fashion line William Okpo, and they both joined Claire and Erica on this ep to break down how they tackle motherhood, maintain their identities, and resolve conflicts between the two of ‘em (keeping their astrological signs in mind, of course). P.S. Want a signed copy of Claire and Erica’s book, Work Wife: The Power of Female Friendship to Drive Successful Businesses? Pre-order it today, and your wish is granted!

Today on the pod, Claire and Erica chat with two extraordinary sisters, Leah and Bea Koch, founders of The Ripped Bodice, the only romance-novel bookstore in all of the United States. But they’re up to even more than that—from landing a deal with Sony, to writing a novel, to promoting racial diversity in romance publishing—and manage to make it all happen without ruining family Thanksgiving. P.S. Speaking of books, pre-order Claire and Erica’s, Work Wife: The Power of Female Friendship to Drive Successful Businesses, today for your very own signed copy!

What an ep! This week, Claire and Erica had the pleasure of chatting it up with Aminatou Sow, Ann Friedman, and Gina Delvac, the three long-distance work wives behind the gold standard in bestie podcasting, Call Your Girlfriend. They share their meet-cutes (Gossip Girl and poolside nail-painting were involved) as well as what makes their partnership work like it does. Hint: consistency, accountability, and having each other’s back. P.S. Claire and Erica’s book, Work Wife: The Power of Female Friendship to Drive Successful Businesses, is coming March 5! Pre-order your signed copy stat, huh?

Hey, there, we missed ya! To celebrate our return from hiatus, we’re bringing you a meet-cute, a pseudo-breakup, and the full story of a thriving bi-coastal relationship on the podcast today. Who are we chatting with? That would be Andrea Oliveri and Nicole Vecchiarelli, co-founders of Special Projects, all-around work-wife powerhouses with tons of advice on making their professional relationship hum and juggling the tough stuff in between. P.S. Pre-order a signed copy of Claire and Erica’s book, Work Wife: The Power of Female Friendship to Drive Successful Businesses, for so many great interviews and much intel.

This week on A Few Things, we’ve got Mary H.K. Choi, a.k.a. @choitotheworld, a.k.a. the brilliantly badass writer whose debut novel, Emergency Contact, is charming existing YA fans and converting new ones, both.

First things first: Claire and Erica have quick updates on the competitive alpaca scene and the conclusion of The Great HDVB Shortage of 2018. Then—even more excitingly, if you can believe it—Olivia Milch joins us to talk about her first feature film Dude, which she wrote AND directed and that’s out on Netflix now. NBD.

We’re re-running some of our favorite episodes from the archive! Originally aired 10.24.18. This week, Claire and Erica talk all things running with Coach Bennett, motivational guide and total athletic powerhouse (his résumé includes a four-minute mile!). On the docket: how meditation practice plays into his running philosophy, who should run a marathon, and hot tips for newbies that might just motivate you to lace up your shoes and go for a jog. P.S. The perfect slouchy beanie can be hard to find, but don’t worry, this cashmere stunner has you covered juuust in time. Get yours for 10% off with the code AFEWTHINGS.

We’re re-running some of our favorite episodes from the archive! Originally aired 8.20.18. Today, a topic that’s been much-requested by our listeners: parenthood! Claire and Erica share their own personal decisions, some recommended reading, and a little bit of news. (We missed you, too.) P.S. We’ve been generously swiping on the hydrating, brightening Olio e Osso balms ever since we got our hands on them, and you can do the same for 10% off with the code AFEWTHINGS.

This week, Claire and Erica sit down with longtime pal Julie Alvin, SVP of content strategy at Refinery29 and self-certified expert on how to make a long-distance relationship (or in her case, marriage) thrive. She makes it feel quite aspirational. P.S. Our huge holiday sale is here, and, wow, are the deals hot. Up to 60% off some of our very favorite things!

This week on the podcast, we’ve got a fellow work wife on—her name’s Amy Zitelman, and along with her sisters Shelby and Jackie, she runs Soom Foods, source of the creamiest, dreamiest tahini we’ve ever tasted. She’s sharing hard-earned wisdom on starting a business and genius ways to use the little sesame-seed paste that could. Oh, and we’ve got the last Alex update of 2018, and he’s bringing big news! P.S. Make like Claire’s unborn son and get your hands on these Candylab toy cars (big kids love them, too). Score yours for 10% off with the code AFEWTHINGS.

Today in soft news, there’s a lot going down in the realm of stuffed animals, and Claire and Erica have the whole scoop. But an even more delightful subject is their interview with the food blogger and recent cookbook author Tieghan Gerard. The mastermind behind Half Baked Harvest, she’s spilling on how to entertain for a big ol’ group and what it’s like to have her mom as her business partner. P.S. Once this sophisticated and cozy Norden candle burns out, you’ll have a beautiful new piece of pottery. Get yours for 10% off with the code AFEWTHINGS.

What’s on Claire and Erica’s minds right now? Favorite recipes and food-freezing qualms, the Instagram accounts they can’t stop thinking about, and so many more juicy highlights from their weekly 10 Things newsletter. Get into it all below. P.S. These gorge vases by Heather Stewart Harvey practically arrange flowers for you. Get yours for 10% off with the code AFEWTHINGS.

This week, Claire and Erica get totally inspired by Gina Hamadey, the mind behind the brilliant project Thank You Year. What is this undertaking exactly? It involves Gina, a freelance writer and editor (who previously worked at places like Oprah Magazine and Food & Wine), sending a thank you note for every day of the year. She’s got a lot to say about how the project has changed her life...and how it might do the same for yours. P.S. Ready to stick your neck out for faux fur? Start with this ridiculously soft Apparis scarf. Get yours for 10% off with the code AFEWTHINGS.

We’ve loved us some Grace Bonney for a long while (see: this A Few Things ep featuring her and her lovely and talented wife Julia Turshen). So Claire and Erica were especially thrilled to get to talk to the Design*Sponge founder about her new magazine Good Company, the ever-changing world of blogging, and how to deal with critics sliding into your DMs. P.S. This Tamaki Niime scarf might be the softest thing to touch your neck. Get yours for 10% off with the code AFEWTHINGS. P.P.S. Be the gem that you are and leave us a review on iTunes? We’ll love you either way, but we’d really appreciate it!

This week, Claire and Erica talk with fall in love with Katie Sturino, founder of style blog The 12ish Style, dog momager to these famous pups, and the mind behind Megababe, the internet’s most empowering female hygiene brand. Clearly, there’s plenty to discuss. P.S. You’ve got to try this silky, smooth, and delightfully sheer tinted face oil that Claire calls “foundation for dummies.” Get yours for 10% off with the code AFEWTHINGS.  

This week, Claire and Erica talk all things running with Coach Bennett, motivational guide and total athletic powerhouse (his résumé includes a four-minute mile!). On the docket: how meditation practice plays into his running philosophy, who should run a marathon, and hot tips for newbies that might just motivate you to lace up your shoes and go for a jog. P.S. The perfect slouchy beanie can be hard to find, but don’t worry, this cashmere stunner has you covered juuust in time. Get yours for 10% off with the code AFEWTHINGS.

In this very dairy-heavy episode, Claire and Erica are talking ice cream cakes, miniature coffee creamers (officially known as milkettes!), and more things that you’ve probably heard of—but maybe don’t appreciate as much as you should. P.S. Keetra Dean Dixon’s Glassy Retooling Crayons are standalone works of art and totally functional drawing tools. Get yours for 10% off with the code AFEWTHINGS.

This week, we got to break it down with Angela Garbes, a total badass and the author of Like a Mother: A Feminist Journey Through the Science and Culture of Pregnancy, the only parenting book Claire insisted her husband read immediately. But having or expecting a kid is hardly a prerequisite: Angela’s work and POV are totally fascinating for anyone who was born on this planet. P.S. Who’s got the best socks on the internet? Of a Kind, duh. Get yours for 10% off with the code AFEWTHINGS.