A Few Things With Claire And Erica

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

Are black tights getting you down? Are you looking to investigate your alcohol consumption? Are you searching for some new places to shop? This is not an infomercial—it’s just an intro to all that awaits you in this week’s grab bag of an ep.   The linkage:   Our fave stores, for fashion and accessories: Idun, Kick Pleat, Noodle Stories, Love Adorned, Esqueleto, Lizzie Fortunato (don’t sleep on the Fortune Finds home goods either!), Lisa Says Gah, Garmentory, Concrete + Water, and Ban.do. Shops we love, for home and gifty stuff: Food52, Collyer’s Mansion, Primary Essentials, Coming Soon, Homecoming, Hawkins New York, and Leif. Tall (definitely investment) boots: Stuart Weitzman’s Lowland and Loeffler Randall's Gia ones. Sheer tights! Wolford Individual 10s are just great. Some drinking stuff: Omission GF beer and madeira, beloved by George Washington.   Some non-drinking stuff: Curious Elixirs, Kin Euphorics, Recess, Proteau, Zero Proof dinner series, The Goods article on how 2019 changed the way we drink, Tem

Talk about thrilling: We have a bonafide icon on today’s ep. We’re talking to Mickey Drexler—who spearheaded Gap and J.Crew in their heydays and is now helping make magic happen at Alex Mill—about how he works and just plain does his days. But first: sweet potatoes, which aren’t boring, ok?   The linkage: Three recipes for exciting sweet potatoes! Ones loaded with lentils, citrus, and feta, ones topped with tahini butter, and ones baked into a (paleo) bread. And one non-recipe: almond butter and seasoned rice vinegar mixed into a sauce and topped with furikake Mickey Drexler’s latest retail undertaking (led by his son, Alex Drexler!) is Alex Mill. We love it. Erica wears these and this all the time, Claire can often be spotted in this and this, and just about everybody sweats these. When it comes to meditating, Mickey is into Hamsa and Transcendental Meditation. A home-goods business Mickey likes: Snowe. Wow, do we get psyched about voicemails: 833-632-5463!   Produced by Dear Media

Something we learned in recording this episode: We have a lot of HG beauty products—and you’re ‘bout to hear about all of them. Oh, and about Christmas trees...which, is that still a seasonally appropriate topic?   The linkage:   Glass-blown ornament resources, five days after Christmas: Old World Christmas (hoodies in particular!), Worthwhile in Charleston (in-store only), ABC Carpet & Home, and Best Made Company.   The newsletter Garden Variety sparked Claire’s dry-orange tree-decor initiative.   Skincare we can go on and on about: Lancôme Eau Fraîche Douceur Micellar Cleansing Water, Yes to Cucumbers Gentle Milk Cleanser, Biologique Recherche P50, Moon Juice Beauty Shroom Exfoliating Acid Potion, Kristina Holey + Marie Veronique Barrier Restore Serum, Noto Botanics Resurface Scrub, Binu Binu Seshin Korean Scrub Mitt, Josie Maran Argan Moisturizing Bronzing Oil, Weleda Skin Food, Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve, and regular ol’ coconut oil.     Makeup we’re way into: Kosas Tinted Face Oil, UnSun Mi

If you’re starved for a dose of our trademark randomness, WELCOME. There’s so much to reflect on today, including Marissa Cooper, paleo puffs, Amazon avoidance, and something *vaguely mysterious* called buccal massage.   The linkage:   The O.C. has us thinking a lot about Seth Cohen and Judaism (see also: Tommy Pickles and Judaism)...and low-rise jeans.    A whole lotta healthy-ish cheese curls/balls are having a moment, including Lesser Evil Paleo Puffs "No Cheese" Cheesiness, Lesser Evil Egg White Curls in Huevos Rancheros, and Pipcorn Cheese Balls (in Broccoli Cheddar, too). Oh, and please do read this wonderful New York mag story about Grace Church School that has a LOLZ-y Pirate’s Booty shout-out.   Other food things on our minds: Magic Spoon and Skyline Chili (which have probably never appeared side-by-side before).   For some Amazon long reads, check out The New Yorker piece by Charles Duhigg (author of The Power of Habit) and the NYT piece by Jodi Kantor (co-author of She Said).   To download Kindle b

Welcome to the second half of our very enthusiastic, mildly frantic gift guide! If you’re still trying to track down something for that cool teen ya know, your nana, or anyone who demands practicality, we’ve got you. And hit up last week’s ep if you need more ideas, too. While we’re here, two reminders: 1) Donations are great gifts. 2) Don’t buy junk!!    The linkage:   For teens: Japanese watercolor markers, luggage (check out North Face rolling duffles, Baggu weekenders, and Herschel carry-ons), Olive & June nail polish or manicure kit, gift cert for Nike by You or Miadidas, Katie Kimmel hats/tees/bags, or Ban.do swag   For an eight-month-old baby: Donation to National Diaper Bank Network or RAICES Texas, an ornament (start a tradition!), Lovevery play kit or subscription, or Artifact Uprising board book   For nieces, ages seven and one: Dumye dolls and doll-making kit, Entireworld sweatsuits, Fanny at Chez Panisse cookbook, book-club subscription (Books Are Magic does YA, middle grade, and picture book

What’s this? A holiday gift guide?! You bet. We solicited your Qs for hard-to-shop-for loved ones on Instagram, and we have so very many thoughts. If you don’t find exactly what you’re looking for here, tune in next Monday for the second half, huh?   The linkage:   For pretty/cool playing cards: Look to Fredericks and Mae, Joe Doucet for Areaware, Parks Project, Frank Lloyd Wright, or Woman Cards (there’s a women-in-tech deck, too)       For coworkers (like, $10-$15!): Alpaca keychain, Areaware Little Puzzle Thing, R.P.S pencil case, or Wary Meyers soap      For bosses (like, under $25!): A plant from a nursery or The Sill or a Fort Standard for Areaware totem candle   For employees ($50-ish): Tortuga bookends, Poketo glass straws, or a gift certificate—think a manicure (Tenoverten in NYC, LA, Austin), a massage (The Now in LA), a facial (Heyday in Philly, NYC, LA), or food/drink (Sweetgreen, Blue Bottle, etc.!)   For (but of course) work wives: An experience for you two to do OOO, like a concert, a flower-ar

So, you may have heard: Of a Kind is no more. What’s it been like for us to step away from the business we built and ran for nine years? How are we doing over here? What are we still processing? Oh, so very many thoughts and feeeeeeelings ahead…   The linkage:   Go to the gyno! In NYC, Erica’s a fan of Pure OBGYN, and Claire loves Vanessa Pena. Also, Claire’s doula, if you’re looking.   Jenny Odell’s book How to Do Nothing feels so right for our transition.   Erica is planning on using this time to deep-dive into some cookbooks—Cannelle et Vanille, Lucky Peach Presents 101 Easy Asian Recipes, and Nothing Fancy in particular.   If you want more on Of a Kind’s run, Callia Hargrove wrote a piece for Fashionista that definitely made us cry.   Better Help for 10% off your first month Acuity Scheduling for 45 days FREE Cove for your first month FREE   Produced by Dear Media

Super compelling topics on this week’s episode include paper towels and pasta straws—and if you’re thirsty to know more about what exactly that means, read on. The linkage… For some sustainable sipping, scoop up a Stojo cup and HAY! straws. Check into Willow House in Terlingua the next time you mess with Texas, and don’t miss out on Big Bend in general. Soak up some nineties nostalgia with a viewing of Party Girl. Sign up for the Oversharing newsletter for up-to-date info (and LOLs) on the sharing economy—and read more about responsible entrepreneurship from Ann Yang, who recently wrote about leaving her company Misfit Foods. Make personalized board books your kids can’t destroy with the help of Artifact Uprising. Feals - 50% OFF First Order + FREE SHIPPING Sakara - For $60 OFF your First Order   Produced by Dear Media

We rounded up your mailbag questions all about being a boss, having a boss, and just, like, WORKING and asked Julia Hunter, the CEO of the ultra-cool fashion and home line Jenni Kayne for her take. Oh, does she deliver the insights and realness. The linkage… The Laundress dry-cleaning detox kit and mesh bags. Organic by John Patrick slip dresses—no dry-cleaning required! Don’t forget to leave us a review on iTunes—or give us a call at (833) OF A KIND and leave us a voicemail! Click Here for 15% off at FOUR SIGMATIC with code: AFEWTHINGS Produced by Dear Media

You had questions, and this week Claire and Erica have the answers to some of them—keep an ear open for answers to even more in coming weeks. If you’re wondering what to read next, how to show thanks, or how to prepare for your due date, tune in and hear them drop some knowledge. Plus, hear the stories of how these work wives met their husbands, because apparently, you really wanted to know! Click Here for $60 off your first order with Sakara! Produced by Dear Media

Claire and Erica are deep-diving into all the things they just can’t get enough of—but that don’t exactly qualify as new. From iPhone bedtimes (totally not what you think) to traveling the world for yogurt, they’re covering all the bases. Seriously, this episode is so rich you might just have to add it to your gratitude Journal—but more on that later.   P.S. You heard of our bookWork Wife? Well, then, grab your copy today.   P.P.S. Zip into fall with one of these A+ Lacausa jumpsuits. They’re 10% off with the code AFEWTHINGS.   Produced by Dear Media

Dr. Alexandra Sacks is there this week to give us the scoop on matrescence—basically, the idea that the transition into parenthood is similar to a second adolescence—and, wow, are we thrilled to have her. Listen in to hear her advice for how both moms and the friends and family around them can navigate it. Plus, some bonus HDVB content! P.S. This one is for all the professional enthusiasts out there: Take 10% off the entire Professional Enthusiast by Of a Kind collection with the code AFEWTHINGS. P.P.S. Looking for something to fill up that PE boat bag you’re snagging? How about a copy of Claire and Erica’s book, Work Wife?   Produced by Dear Media

Today we’re busting pilates myths with Heather Andersen, the star instructor-turned-entrepreneur behind New York Pilates, an airy-and-excellent NYC chainlet you’ve definitely heard us talk about before. Listen in for the scoop on pelvic floors, the history of fitness in the U.S., and the future of wellness. P.S. Follow Claire and Erica’s lead and gift this chic Limarium Celestine apron to one of your friends (or, heck, yourself) for 10% off with the code AFEWTHINGS. P.P.S. If you haven’t ready Work Wife already, there’s no time like the present.   Produced by Dear Media