My workaround for Dictator Mom mode

Also in here: Nate gets his own section

Hi! How are you?

This morning I found myself at the drugstore before dawn in search of acetaminophen, accompanied by a tiny, feverish family member who howled all night and drained our household supply of infant Tylenol. Special thanks to Mother Nature who gave us this glorious sunrise for our trouble.

“A [woman] sees in the world what [she] carries in [her] heart.”
– Von Goethe

mom talk

Today’s piece of motherhood wisdom came to me from a book which I have come to like less as I parent more, BUT there were a few gems within its pages, especially if you trend Dictator Parent, as I do:

today’s bouquet

• Jennifer Garner continues to delight me to no end. She found herself hosting an interview about a book she hadn’t read and I don’t think she could have done better if she had read it! A great listen (occasional cursing fyi).

• Healing wounds.

• Would love to meet the world’s oldest tree! (Remember when we met the world’s biggest?)

• I kid you not, I’ve randomly heard this proverb four times in the past seven days: “The best time to plant a fruit tree is five years ago; the second best time is today.”

• On the phone the other day, I was muddling through a problem with my friend Adrienne, and she said the exact thing I needed to hear: “It’s ok that this is hard for you right now.”

• During our respective seasons of breastfeeding, my mom would jokingly call my sisters and me “milkmaids,” it made me laugh so hard. I’d love to hang this embroidery in my kitchen as happy reminder.

• Ever wanted to look inside someone’s bank account? Here ya go. (via Laura)

• A tip I liked if you’re not ready to quit Instagram cold turkey, but want to change your behavior/ usage: unfollow everyone you don’t know. No more influencers, chefs, news, anything — ONLY people you know. Sounds doable! 

• Trader Joe’s announced the winners of the Customer Choice Awards!

• Do you ever notice when someone gets a new phone case? My mom had this cute $9 ombré case on her phone after years of the same one and I was like!

in my cart

• I am the opposite of a purse person; this pink-and-red stripe canvas bag is, however, perfect.

• Tuckernuck is having a sample sale today, I found some great stuff under $100. First up, obviously, two floral dresses: a lilac Hyacinth House midi ($69) and a periwinkle spring dress ($69). Pearl + shell earrings ($29) and everyday hoops ($19)! Splurge category: a beautifully-tailored yellow dress ($299).

• Just ordered this popover in the blue stripe colorway, but now I’m wishing I’d done the red/pink! To match that perfect Boden bag ;-)

• (Psst, grab $30 free here. For real life.)

Nate + Mick // Kodak Ektar 100 film

three picks from nate

Welcome to the section the survey responders wanted most: links from my dearly beloved. Take it away, Nate.

1. Taylor Tomlinson was announced as the host of After Midnight and I couldn’t be happier about it! My review: I love Taylor Tomlinson’s standup. If you haven’t seen her phenomenal specials, do yourself a favor and watch them ASAP as possible. After Midnight is a reboot from Comedy Central and gained a quick cult following, so I was excited to hear it was coming back and ecstatic that Taylor would be hosting. Obviously, this CBS/Tomlinson version is still finding its footing, but if I had one critique, it’d be to let Taylor start each ep with a short monologue to show off her craft/humor and connect her to the audience more.

2. I’m an ad guy, of course I’m going to share some of my favorite ads...

• Proudly Second Best. Simple. No need to overcomplicate such a sweet message.

• The Original Impossible. As a copywriter, I’m incredibly jealous of the writing in this ad.

• The Generation Gap. This is fun.

3. If you are in LA, you MUST eat at Howlin’ Rays!

• TikTok review: LINK

• My review: I’ll keep this short and sweet, it might be the best sandwich I’ve ever had in my life. It’s on the same level as Au Cheval’s cheeseburger. IYKYK.

Thanks, Nate!! xo

last thing

• Most clicked link from last week: reading glasses

• Readers today: 1,407

• Grateful for you!!! xo