A Thing or Two with Claire and Erica

Less running around to meetings, more running routines! If this ep had a mantra, that would be it.   Other running and running-adjacent content: the C25K app, our podcast ep with Coach Bennett, Edith Zimmerman’s Drawing Links newsletter, and Nikki Ogunnaike and Aminatou Sow on IG.   Some “things we’re over” further reading: A BBC article on air travel + the environment, a tweet about overscheduled days, and a NYT article about disability and virtual accommodations.    We want/need your thoughts at @athingortwohq, podcast@athingortwohq.com, and 833-632-5463! And, if you want more of our thoughts—on running and plenty more—come get ‘em at Secret Menu.   Try Right Wellness and CBN, the latest transformative hemp ingredient. Get 20% off with the code RIGHTFORYOU. Take Modern Fertility’s fertility test for $20 off when you use our link. Cozy up to American Giant’s Classic Full Zip Hoodie—15% off your first order with the code ATHINGORTWO. YAY.   Produced by Dear Media

Has perfectionism jumped the shark? And how do we remember names when we start meeting new people again?! Clearly, we have a lot of questions (and some answers).   If you like this, you’ll probably really like Secret Menu.   A couple books that made us ponder perfectionism: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, Yolk by Mary H.K. Choi, and Drop the Ball by Tiffany Dufu.   Related convos: our ambition ep, this episode of Jam Session, and the Wit & Delight posts here and here.   Come and get us at @athingortwohq, podcast@athingortwohq.com, and 833-632-5463!    Download the (free!) Zocdoc app and book that doctor’s appointment you’ve been putting off. Check out Right Wellness and CBN, the latest transformative hemp ingredient. Get 20% off with the code RIGHTFORYOU. Turn to Ana Luisa for sustainable and cool jewelry for Mother’s Day. Get 15% off with the code ATHINGORTWOMD. Tune into The Genius Recipe Tapes from Food52 wherever you get your podcasts. YAY.   Produced by Dear Media

When we can all go out in the world again, will we be getting dressed up? And what will “dressed up” even mean?! Oh, do we have questions—and some answers—about re-entry fashion...and also about kombucha titan GT Dave.   A hot topic, apparently: GT Dave of GT’s Kombucha.   A few shoe lines that have us ready to set aside our Birkenstocks for a minute: Alepel, Kkerelé, and Emme Parsons.   If you’re ready to dabble in hard pants after some time away, Claire loves these AYR jeans.   The centerpiece of Erica’s spring/summer mood board: this Marni tulip-print matching set.   Let’s gush for a sec about the statement-y jewelry from Lizzie Fortunato’s fall collection.   Are we doing bold eye makeup? Like this Violette liquid shadow and Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner?   How are YOU gonna be dressing? Tell at @athingortwohq, podcast@athingortwohq.com, and 833-632-5463.    For a whole lot more from us, sign up for Secret Menu.   Check out Right Wellness and CBN, the latest transformative hemp ingredient. Get 20% off with the code RIGHTFORYOU. Shop sustainable and cool Ana Luisa jewelry for 15% off with the code ATHINGORTWOMD. Try Nutrafol to grow thicker, healthier hair. Your first month’s subscription is 20% off with the code ATHINGORTWO. Tune into the Women Who Travel podcast from Condé Nast Traveler (oh, how we aspire to be women who travel again!). YAY.   Produced by Dear Media

We’ve got Mateo Askaripour, author of the extremely buzzy novel Black Buck, with us today—and, hey, we also showed up with our best going-away gift ideas for a stellar boss who perhaps deserves a travel mug thingy emblazoned with his catchphrase.   Gifting Q: Boss going-away gift. Best boss I ever had. Mentor. Mid-fifties. Male. Already gave booze. Our thoughts: Leatherology modern round coaster set, custom Yeti bottle, knives from Opinel or Laguiole, Souda business card holder, or flowers (always).   You gotta read Mateo Askaripour’s debut novel Black Buck! Tell you what!   Sales books that got Mateo started: Jeffrey Gitomer’s The Little Red Book of Selling and Sales Bible.    Books Mateo would say are in conversation with his own: The Spook Who Sat by the Door by Sam Greenlee, The Sellout by Paul Beatty, and Heads of the Colored People by Nafissa Thompson-Spires.   We want your thoughts over at @athingortwohq, podcast@athingortwohq.com, and 833-632-5463. If you want more from us, sign up for Secret Menu.   Slather on COOLA’s sunscreen and organic skincare, both. They’re 10% off with the code ATHINGORTWO. Try Right Wellness for the latest transformative hemp ingredient, CBN, and take 20% off with the code RIGHTFORYOU. Munch on Lesser Evil’s incredible snacks and get 25% off your first order with the code ATHINGORTWO. Take Modern Fertility’s fertility test for $20 off when you use our link. YAY.   Produced by Dear Media

You know what’s a grab bag? An episode on nineties screensavers, long breakfasts, box cutters, and recipes we’re embarrassed to share. Join us!   Just a short film of 281 After Dark modules and a very timely tweet.   The tools we wear by: box cutters, measuring tapes (see also: this ep of Gee Thanks, Just Bought It), kitchen scales (the Joseph Joseph TriScale one specifically), dough scrapers, kitchen spiders, and fish spatulas.   Claire’s (embarrassing) buffalo chicken chowder, her favorite coconut yogurt Cocojune, and the bfast tacos she wants to try.   We welcome—cherish!—your feedback. Send it on over to @athingortwohq, podcast@athingortwohq.com, and 833-632-5463. Or leave us a review! OOH, and sign up for Secret Menu.   Gobble up Lesser Evil’s A++ snacks. 25% off your first order with the code ATHINGORTWO. Shop Ana Luisa for sustainable and v. cool jewelry, and get 10% off with the code ATHINGORTWO. Check out Right Wellness for the latest transformative hemp ingredient, CBN, and take 20% off with the code RIGHTFORYOU. Try COOLA for sunscreen and organic skincare, both. Get 10% off with the code ATHINGORTWO.   Produced by Dear Media

Not to get ahead of ourselves, but, well, we’re totally getting ahead of ourselves: Is anyone else a little clenchy about having social lives again...sometime soon? Another topic of discussion: the beauty products Erica has on rotation—top threes instead of HGs!—from sunscreens to deep conditioners.   “Late-Stage Pandemic Is Messing With Your Brain”—or ours, at least.   The energy we’re seeking: John Jannuzzi’s dance compilation videos.   Sunscreens: Coola Sun Silk Drops, EleVen by Venus Unrivaled Sun Serum (related: a must-see trophy room), and Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint.   Body moisturizers: Tata Harper Revitalizing Body Oil (related: this ep of The Glossy Beauty Podcast), Weleda Skin Food Body Butter, and classic ol’ coconut oil.   Deep conditioners: IGK Offline 3-Minute Hydration Hair Mask (a Harling Ross rec) and Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Strengthening Treatment Oil (while doing the Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask).   Nail things: the Bare Hands kit and Olive & June polishes (EC, CV, and SC) along with the Poppy.   We’re here for your thoughts on socializing, personal-caring, and anything else at @athingortwohq, podcast@athingortwohq.com, and 833-632-5463.   Are you signed up for Secret Menu?   Discover a new restaurant on Caviar and get 20% off your first order with the code ATHINGORTWO2021. Wake up your face with Clarins Total Eye Lift. It’s 10% off with the code ATHINGORTWO. YAY.   Produced by Dear Media

Perhaps you’ve noticed that we won’t shut up about romance novels? Well, this week we’re chatting it up with Talia Hibbert, one of our favorite writers of the genre, about telling diverse stories, shaping conversations about consent, and writing good sex. But first: Does Erica have too many coffee devices? You be the judge.   The coffeemakers in Erica’s rotation: Bodum French press, Nespresso Pixie (with Woken pods—but Nespresso ones are recyclable in NYC now. See also from the NYT on recycling legislation!), Gemini Espresso Maker (or a single-serving alt from GSI), and Copper Cow Coffee pour-overs.    DM, email, or call us!! At @athingortwohq, podcast@athingortwohq.com, and 833-632-5463.   We’re all about Talia Hibbert’s Brown Sisters trilogy: Get a Life, Chloe Brown (her first traditionally published book), Take a Hint, Dani Brown, and Act Your Age, Eve Brown. Here for more, more, more of her writing.     To dive into the conversation around the lack of representation in the romance-novel world: this NYT article, this initiative and reporting from The Ripped Bodice, and a big blow-up re: Romance Writers of America (who were accused of racism) last year.   Other romance recs from Talia: Nalini Singh’s Psy/Changeling series, Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers, the upcoming Kennedy Ryan release Reel, the work of KJ Charles, A Duke, the Lady, and a Baby by Vanessa Riley and its next installment, and The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri.     One movie romance rec: the latest Emma adaptation—pretty and funny, both!    More recs coming your way over at Secret Menu…   Try all the Lesser Evil snacks—you won’t be disappointed. 25% off your first order with the code ATHINGORTWO. Perk up your face! Get 10% off with purchase of Clarins Total Eye Lift—using the code ATHINGORTWO. Find clothes you’ll love to wear with Stitch Fix and use our link for 25% off when you keep everything in your Fix. YAY.   Produced by Dear Media

What bras, tahini, and shaving cream do we swear by? WELL! You’ve come to the right place. Before we get into our Thingies winners: a discussion of the absolute insanity of sprinkles in 2021.    We want to hear from you! You can get us at @athingortwohq, podcast@athingortwohq.com, and 833-632-5463.   Some sprinkles context: a 2016 NYT funfetti article and the 2019 The Power of Sprinkles: A Cake Book by the Founder of Flour Shop.   Some sprinkles resources: Sweets Indeed Sprinklefetti (lightning bolts!), Supernatural (Field Day!), Fancy Sprinkles (Hey Jude—lolz!), Williams Sonoma Sprinkles, 1985, and Cakes by Kristi (Chips n' Guac Sprinkle Mix AND Poker Face) and Etsy just in general.    Round two Thingies winners!!! Negative Underwear non-wire bras (specifically in sieve mesh) and Chantelle underwire demi bras (read also: this rave from The Cut), Soom tahini (more on this podcast ep), Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody, RiseWell toothpaste, Gossamer CBD Dusk and Dawn (tune into this pod ep), Cremo shave cream, the prescription delivery service Capsule, Holy Schmitt’s horseradish (try the cocktail sauce and/or horseradish mustard, too), and the Thermapen Mk4.    For the inaugural Thingies recipients, head this way.   If you’re a super-fan of this podcast, Secret Menu is just for you.   Scoop up COOLA’s sunscreen and organic skincare. Get 10% off with the code ATHINGORTWO. Get a quick boost with Clarins Total Eye Lift—10% off with the code ATHINGORTWO. Shop Imperfect Foods and get 20% off your first order and free shipping with the code ATHINGORTWO. Try Function of Beauty for custom, just-for-you haircare and body care. Use our link for 20% off your order. YAY.   Produced by Dear Media

Something we’re quite sure of: what makes a good in-app workout instructor. Something we’re quite unsure about: what our thirties are meant to look like in this day ‘n age. Kayleen Schaefer has many, many thoughts on the latter. Tune in and then dig into her new book But You’re Still So Young (yes, incredible title).   The on-demand fitness instructors who leap over the ridiculously high bar we’ve set: Melissa Wood of Melissa Wood Health, Coach Chris Bennett of the Nike Run Club app (a previous podcast guest!), Adriene Mishler of Yoga with Adriene (see also: this NYT Mag profile and this Reductress post about Benji the dog), and Robin Arzon and Matty Maggiacomo of the Peloton app.   Read Kayleen Schaefer’s wonderful But You’re Still So Young! And if you haven’t already gobbled up Text Me When You Get Home, maybe it’s your next book-club pick?   A few of Kayleen’s “You May Also Like” recs: The New Better Off by Courtney E. Martin, Anne Helen Petersen’s Buzzfeed piece on burnout and her book Can’t Even, and Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert (also endorsed by Bad on Paper).   Joining Secret Menu is a sure-fire way to make sure you get all our biggest and best finds.   KIT at @athingortwohq, podcast@athingortwohq.com, and 833-632-5463, ok?   Dab on that Clarins Total Eye Lift for a boost in 60 seconds—10% off with the code ATHINGORTWO. Get custom, just-for-you shampoo, conditioner, and so much more with Function of Beauty. Use our link for 20% off your order. Download the Caviar app! You’ll get 20% off your first order with the code ATHINGORTWO2021. YAY.   Produced by Dear Media

Breaking news: Erica is still not having kids—but she does have some fresh thoughts on the subject, especially as many of her pals tackle parenthood. And! If you’d like a shot before your chaser, let us tell you all about The Roommate, porny and praise-worthy.    Ooh, do we have so much more to share. If you want in on that, perhaps you’re interested in joining Secret Menu. If you need some STEAM, get yourself a copy of The Roommate by Rosie Dannan (and it’s spinoff The Intimacy Experiment, out in April).   Relevant having-kids eps of this very podcast: Our original “On Choosing—and Not Choosing—Motherhood” convo and Claire’s take on new mom life and motherhood, one year in.   The piece Erica wrote for Refinery29 about deciding not to have kids and the one Grace Atwood wrote for her site The Stripe.   The installment of Anne Helen Petersen’s Culture Study newsletter that we reference (so good in general, this newsletter).   Our DMs, inboxes, and voicemail boxes are open: @athingortwohq, podcast@athingortwohq.com, and 833-632-5463!   Pat on Clarins Total Eye Lift for a boost in 60 seconds—10% off with the code ATHINGORTWO. Flex your creativity muscles with Skillshare and sign up for a free trial of their Premium Membership. Try Stitch Fix to find clothes you’ll love to wear. Use our link for 25% off when you keep everything in your Fix. YAY.   Produced by Dear Media