A Thing or Two with Claire and Erica

We’re giving you the styling and Thingies scoop with our special guest Lakyn Carlton! Bonus scoop: the pros and cons of scooped-out foods.   Introducing the scooped-out pizza, ℅ Minnesota’s Hazelwood Food & Drink. And leave it to the New York Post to provide scooped-out bagel commentary in 2010 and 2016.   Get more Lakyn via her fantastic newsletter True Style and her virtual and in-person styling sessions.   Lakyn’s Thingies include Muddy Paw Coffee in L.A. for a dog-friendly coffee experience (and proximity to one of her go-to vintage shops, The Curatorial Department), her Bown of London robe (additional robe content: ones from Block Shop and Ulysses and the romance novel Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn), and a custom doormat from TheDoormatory on Etsy.   Share your take on pizza with salad and/or personal style at 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, or @athingortwohq—or join our Geneva! Try out a Secret Menu membership for more recommendations.   Do ecomm right with Shopify. Get a free 14-day trial with our link. YAY.   Produced by Dear Media

Buckle in, listeners, because we’re diving head-first down the rabbit hole of *cringe*. What does cringe look like these days? How do we embrace it—the good kind? How do cut everyone (ourselves included) some cringe slack?   If you’re not getting our newsletter!   Today’s prompt: Nell Diamond’s repost of a tweet from @isabelunraveled. (For more on Nell, founder of Hill House Home, dip into these profiles from New York Magazine and Harper’s Bazaar.)   The Justin Long post. Discuss!   For some cringe backstory: Kaitlyn Tiffany’s story “How Did We Get So ‘Cringe’?” for The Atlantic.   We had to revisit Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic—because avoiding cringe and chasing perfectionism are related…no? See also: Ninth Street Women by Mary Gabriel, David Brandon Geeting’s installment of the Perfectly Imperfect newsletter, and the edition of Kaelen Haworth’s Kael Mail newsletter about ins but no outs.    Check out Her Country by Marissa R. Moss. Among the themes: how Kacey Musgraves, Maren Morris, and Mickey Guyton gave up on wanting people to like them to find success.     On finding affection for your younger self: this Anne Helen Petersen newsletter, Jonah Hill’s doc Stutz, the podcast Mortified, Justin Cooley on his role in Kimberly Akimbo, and Mo Willems in the NYT.   A definition of post-cringe; an example of post-cringe: Kaitlin Phillips.   How are you embracing cringe? Who’s your cringe-spiration? We need your thoughts at 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, or @athingortwohq—or join our Geneva! For a whole lot more recommendations, try out a Secret Menu membership.   Download the free Zocdoc app and book that doctor’s appointment—now’s the time! Help out your hair with Nutrafol. Take $15 off your first month’s subscription with the code ATHINGORTWO. YAY. Produced by Dear Media

We are rejuvenated-ish from our holiday breaks and are ready to fill you in on winter-wedding dress codes, the pegboard discourse, sexy high school, and, ope!, more Midwest updates.   Our discussion about wedding dress codes brings us back to Kayleen Schaefer’s story for The Cut “The Bride and Groom Formally Request That You Dress Up.” And for actual winter beach dressing, see this 2017 Vogue cover and Harrison Ford’s shorts with sweaters.    We loved this 2019 NYT story about how brand names become generic.      Re: pegboards, Julia Child’s is obv the ultimate, but for mini ones, look to Quark and Little Anana.    If you’re also disillusioned by movie trailers, read this Vox story by Alissa Wilkinson. (Also, we endorse She Said the movie…but She Said the book more.)   Next time you're in the Midwest, get kringle from O&H Danish Bakery or a *kringle single* from Racine Danish Kringles.   What foods are you sneaking into the movies? Let us know 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, or @athingortwohq—or join our Geneva! And try out a Secret Menu membership for a whole lot more recommendations. This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode. Take care of your hair with Nutrafol. Take $15 off your first month’s subscription with the code ATHINGORTWO. YAY.   Produced by Dear Media

This week’s conversation knows no bounds! We’ve got key limes, medical answers via TikTok, makeup-buying IRL, a photo-minded Instagram follow, induction stoves, and a solution to the silicone storage bags issue (because there is one).   Have you made Alison Roman’s take on key lime pie? It involves yogurt/sour cream, a win if you ask us. Related-ish: Leaked Recipes: The Cookbook: A Collection of Over 50 Recipes Found in the World's Biggest Email Leaks and the Stories Behind Them, Neiman Marcus’s “leaked” cookie recipe, and Bill Smith's Atlantic Beach Pie.   Um, medical updates, coming through! Thanks to @roseytimestwo for bringing slipping rib syndrome to our attention. Also: Our pitch for Capsule for your prescription needs still stands (and check out Alto Pharmacy if Capsule doesn’t serve your city).    Shopping in-person brought the impressive Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Complexion Drops into Erica’s life (paired with a brush from Vapour).   If you’re over storage bags soaking up the scent of your dish soap, try HoldOn for compostable kitchen (and garbage!) bags.   For an incredible lens into imagery’s impact on society, Emily Keegin and her IG is blowing Claire away.    To learn more about induction stoves, dig into this Fast Company article and Melissa Clark’s NYT story and follow what Copper (thanks for sharing, Sofia!) and Impulse are up to.    Have thoughts on any and all of this to share? Reach out to us at 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, or @athingortwohq—or join ur Geneva! For a whole lot more recommendations, try out a Secret Menu membership.   This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode. Try professional counseling with BetterHelp—now’s the time!—and take 10% off your first month with our link. YAY.   Produced by Dear Media

The holidays can be *hard*, and if you need some guidance on figuring out how to show up for the people in your life, Nora McInerny knows what she’s talking about. Fire up this rerun from 2021, and crack open her latest book, Bad Vibes Only, which makes for an excellent way to kick of a strong year of reading.   In case of emergency gifts for grown-ups: consumables (candles, condiments, beauty products!). For babies: Lewis swaddles and Sophies. For kids: Twee chalk, Sunprint Kits, and Omy coloring posters.   Dig into everything Nora McInerny puts out into the world, including the tremendous podcast Terrible, Thanks for Asking and her books It's Okay to Laugh (Crying Is Cool Too), No Happy Endings, and Hot Young Widows Club (and created a Facebook grief support group of the same name).   The NYT piece on the sex educator Justine Ang Fonte and the platinum rule.   The Ring Theory, which we really buy into and talk about a lot!    A Kids Book about Empathy...that’s potentially useful for adults, too.   Friends, this TikTok series from Carly Aquilino on Y2K fashion.   Hit us with your guest noms—or anything else—at 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, or @athingortwohq. Or join our Geneva! And try out a Secret Menu membership for a whole lot more recommendations. This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode. Download the free Zocdoc app and book that doctor’s appointment. New year, healthy you? Care for your hair with Nutrafol. Take $15 off your first month’s subscription with the code ATHINGORTWO. YAY.   Produced by Dear Media

One of our most popular (winning??) episodes of 2021, coming at you!   The usefulness of the term bitch eating crackers (BEC) (for context: Someecards).   Celebrity memoirs as audiobooks: Inside Out by Demi Moore, Acid for the Children by Flea, and Yearbook by Seth Rogen (see also: this profile by Jonah Weiner for NYT Magazine). Next up: My Life So Far by Jane Fonda, Faithfull by Marianne Faithful,  The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish. Oh, and: the podcast Celebrity Book Club with Steven & Lily. Also: Please read Open by Andre Agassi and J.R. Moehringer!   Important breaking news: There is now Spelling Bee merch.      Let’s hear Claire’s QVC pitch for the Pattern mist spray bottle!! Somewhat related: Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater...as a hair product?   Erica’s 11 a.m. tea go-to: Soul Chai. Another (slightly sweetened rec): Dona.   A workspace-changing Philips Hue light strip. You may also like: Gorilla mounting tape, Storage Theory Power Perch, and the Pretty Handy Girl video for changing your doorknobs.   Jewelry renovation with Spur = talk about amazing. Have thoughts?? We want ‘em: 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, or @athingortwohq—or join our Geneva! And try out a Secret Menu membership for a whole lot more recommendations.   Produced by Dear Media

Get ready for an extra-magical grab bag episode—partly because we’re recording in person! Its stars: a question we loved so much, our conflicted boots, gossiping about toddlers, an impassioned pitch for Farmer's Fridge, setting calendar alerts for topics of conversation, and the most revelatory jeans that have ever crossed our fitting-room doors.   Movie we’re itching to see: Women Talking (thanks for the pitch, Fran.) based on this Miriam Toews book.   The winter boots we have mixed feelings about…but wear the crap out of: Claire’s No.6 clog ones (covered by The New Yorker *and* The New York Times) and Erica’s Doc Marten zip chelsea style.   Should you find yourself in an airport: Eat Farmer's Fridge! Try the baja bowl, green goddess salad, or pineapple coconut chia pudding.   Dr. Harvey Karp’s Happiest Toddler on the Block, source of toddler gossip advice.   Anne Helen Petersen on calendar culture.   For some WOW-inducing jeans, check out Ganni’s Figni style (and perhaps watch the vid of how they work?). For more on statement flies, see Tibi’s double-waisted Sam jean and this Vogue story. Another good denim source: Totême.   Have thoughts about jeans/winter boots/airport food? Let us know 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, or @athingortwohq—or join our Geneva! And try out a Secret Menu membership for a whole lot more recommendations. This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.     Zip over to Noihsaf Bazaar to buy, sell, and even make new friends. Get that good ecomm experience with Shopify. Get a free 14-day trial with our link. Count on LifeMD to get the telehealthcare you need, when you need it. YAY.   Produced by Dear Media

Let’s talk Thingies with Monica Khemsurov & Jill Singer! They’re the masterminds behind Sight Unseen, our go-to design resource since 2009, and the authors of the new book How to Live with Objects that has helpful tips aplenty (along with ample inspiration). Plus: a hate-gift idea and a belated love letter to Normal People.    How about a donation to Moms for Moms, pitched to us as an A+ hate-gift by a listener?   Monica and Jill’s book How to Live with Objects is out now! Wow, is it great—and what an ideal present for the “person who has everything” type.   Their Thingies, coming through: oversize decor, miniature fountains (Monica’s is from Lily Clark.), only buying the best version of a consumable something (Jill loves the Marie Veronique Barrier Lipid Complex, rice from The Rice Factory New York, and Glaser Organic Farms Almond Butter.), microwaves (David Chang Cooking at Home and Anyday cookware fans unite!), and saved search terms when exploring vintage objects.    Are there entertainment-y things you’re SHOCKED we haven’t talked about on this show? Leave us a voicemail at 833-632-5463, email us at podcast@athingortwohq.com, DM us at @athingortwohq —or join our Geneva and share!    This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.   Care for your hair with Nutrafol. Take $15 off your first month’s subscription with the code ATHINGORTWO. Check out Noihsaf Bazaar to buy, sell, and even make new friends. Download the free Zocdoc app and book that doctor’s appointment. YAY. Produced by Dear Media

Ope! We’re back with a grab bag of questions: What does “After Dark” mean to you? How does one explain what consulting is? Are you signed up for Dua Lipa’s newsletter? What does it mean to actually *build* a bear? All this and more in your ears now!   For some discomfitting Build-a-Bear products for adults, enter The Bear Cave. For other “but what does it MEAN?” After Dark content, check out National Parks After Dark and this edition of Emily Henry’s Book Lovers.    Check out this YouTube video from Charlie Berens for on ope usage and Midwest vs. Everybody’s great ope merch. Also: on the rise of the Midwestern vibe.   Takeaways re: "A ‘Landmark’ as Women Will Coach Against Each Other in Men’s Soccer," which also made us think about this episode of Throwing Fits.   Join us in subscribing to Dua Lipa’s newsletter Service95 and listening to her podcast At Your Service.    Share your thoughts on all of this at 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, or @athingortwohq—or join our Geneva! And try out a Secret Menu membership for a whole lot more recommendations.    Get into professional counseling with BetterHelp and take 10% off your first month with our link. Visit Noihsaf Bazaar to buy, sell, and even make new friends. Feel great in Honeylove and get 20% off with the code ATHINGORTWO. Dig into your business’s numbers with Netsuite. YAY.

For this glorious ep, we partnered with Noihsaf Bazaar, the Duluth, Minnesota–based resale site curated by real people with excellent taste. Wow, how excited we are to talk secondhand shopping and Thingies with the very in-the-know founder Kate Lindello…and we’ll also take this (any?) opportunity to go nuts for corn nuts.    Kate’s Thingies include Monastery Attar Concentrate (perhaps start with—or gift—the discovery kit), Tibi Style Class, the Dik-Dik from Matek (which makes us think of dickey situations from Nanamica and Mijeong Park), Better Things, Peter Witrak’s mobiles, the wool cloud from Scarf Shop, and, of course, Minnesota in general (and Grandma’s Marathon specifically).    Hit us up at at 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, or @athingortwohq to let us know your dream Thingies guests, and for even more recommendations, try out a Secret Menu membership and join our Geneva.  Join a super-cool community of buyers and sellers at Noihsaf Bazaar. So much awesomeness to be had! We dare you to find a more informative (and enticing) brands page anywhere, and don’t sleep on the kids and home finds, ok?   Produced by Dear Media