issue #184 - another favorites one
A few housekeeping notes before we dive in:
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I’ll be at MM.LaFleur’s UWS store on Thursday evening for a summer travel event - a conversation with Marie Claire’s Entertainment Director Neha Prakash, my first book (How to Pack: Travel Smart for Any Trip) available for purchase, and you can shop the Power Pieces I’ve been packing and wearing for the past 10 years. Tickets are free and available here - I hope to see you there! If you’d like a peek in the book, here’s an excerpt.
Today’s issue is another favorites one - but we’re talking about the mundane favorites. Many of these are what I call linchpin items (things that helped me establish the habits I’ve been trying for years). Some are old favorites that have found their season or reason back into my life. And some are just random.
That’s how I roll.
Linchpin Items
The Humble Co floss picks - I can’t tell you how many different types of floss and picks I’ve tried to floss with any regularity. These must be my Goldilocks, because I’ve finally become that person and I never want to go back. The design of these picks make it easy to reach your back teeth, it glides easily, and it leaves a little minty feeling behind thanks to the natural xylitol and mint that the floss is coated with.
Shiseido facial cotton pads - like flossing, I have been consistently inconsistent with incorporating a chemical exfoliator in my skincare routine (and I find the texture of most AHA/BHA pads to be too abrasive for my skin). And I previously assumed that all cotton pads were created equally, but these changed my mind entirely. They are cloud soft, perfectly absorbent, and I love that they don’t have any ridges or texture. I use these to apply Alpha H Liquid Gold on my non-retinol nights (currently loving this particular retinol), and also with micellar water to remove eye makeup at the beginning of my skincare routine.
The Outset Firming & Plumping Vegan Collagen Prep Serum - if you’re not mixing half a pump of serum into your foundation or skin tint before applying, you need to. I learned this tip from Aditya, and I’ve been wearing makeup more often because I love how it feels. While I typically prefer a serum with more actives in my skincare routine, this is the one I use on retinol nights or when my skin is irritated and needs a breather (in addition to becoming a staple in my makeup routine).
Fashion
Birkenstock Gizeh sandals - I’ve owned my silver Gizeh sandals for 5 years now, and I look forward to breaking them back out with every summer or warm weather trip. While these took a bit to break in and mold to my feet, they’re absolutely perfect now. I don’t care that they’re not the most stylish sandal out there - I can walk miles in them without any pain, they’re easy to put on, and they just make me happy.
Lalina Evelyne Mini crossbody and Garden Party 30 tote - every time I wear either of these bags, someone compliments them and then are shocked when I send them the link. These bags are amazing quality, shockingly roomy, and comfortable to wear. That they’re also at a more accessible price point is the icing on this cake. The only downside is the long shipment time - but I promise it’s worth it. Use LALINA10 for 10% off.
Bodysuits - I’ve been reaching for bodysuits and pairing them with a matching wide-legged trouser or satin slip skirt, or a contrasting Tencel jogger and feeling like a million bucks in said look. This t-shirt style bodysuit (also in a crew neck) is so good that I bought it in every single color, and these ribbed sleeveless bodysuits pair beautifully with my new LEZÉ trousers (use code hitha15 for 15% off). I took my typical M in the t-shirt style bodysuit, and sized down to a S in the ribbed ones.
Random
Together app - I’m lucky to work with brands I truly love, and Together (who sponsored last week’s newsletter) has been a lifesaver on two fronts - in logging my parents’ care (their medical team, physicians, prescriptions and pharmacies in both NY and PA, symptoms) but also my own in advance of my surgery and the physical and mental health care services I’m getting right now. This app is our family’s hub so we stop asking questions about physician contact information, symptoms, or sensitive information over text and instead have it all securely saved in the app. I know many of us have sandwich caregiving responsibilities, and this app has been a huge help in our lives in saving us time and energy on asking and answering questions, or logging information for everyone to check and to easily share at appointments.
Madein 6” chef’s knife - I don’t know if my hands are just weak or small or both, but they get tired after using a chef’s or Santoku knife after a while. This smaller chef’s knife is the exception - it’s the absolute BEST and I have yet to be disappointed by any of my Madein purchases (I also love their nonstick frying pan set and universal lid).
iCloth lens cleansing wipes - this is both random and mundane, and also one of my most frequently purchased items. I use these little clothes to keep all my screens and lenses clean, to clean Rho’s glasses daily (how do they get so dirty so quickly?), and also to wipe down commonly touched surfaces on my airplane seat or hotel room when I’m traveling. Boring, it most certainly is. And also that linchpin item to keep my most commonly used items clean.
What We Read This Week
Hitha
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros - this book had fantasy romance fans buzzing, and I can see why (my Kindle was barely out of my hands over the day and half I read it). Fourth Wing is a reminder that execution is everything when it comes to creating something compelling. In many ways, Fourth Wing is familiar - dragons, brutal magical school, enemies-to-lovers romance, rebellion. It’s Divergent meets Game Of Thrones, or an adult Dragon Masters. But the story and world that Yarros created is immersive and compelling and I loved it. I’m already counting down until the sequel comes out (in November!)
Glossy: Ambition, Beauty, and the Inside Story of Emily Weiss's Glossier by Marisa Metzler (out September 12) - pre-order this immediately, because it’s one of the best books I’ve read all year. Marisa Metzler’s impeccably written and reported tome on Glossier is more than a peek inside a once-buzzy company, but a careful and thorough examination of the “girlboss” era of the 2010s (its start, catastrophic growth, and then its fall). More importantly, it’s done with incredibly honesty and respect, which I’ve found is Metzler’s calling card and I’m in awe of her craft.
Unfortunately Yours by Tessa Bailey - enemies-to-lovers and fake relationships are two of my favorite tropes, and Tessa Bailey is one of my favorite authors for both of those tropes. So when you give me both, set in Napa in the wine world, I’m all in. I’ll let you enjoy the rest, but this also gave me vibes of one of my favorite Netflix Christmas movies (A California Christmas), and I’m glad I have the prequel to dive into.
The Long Game by Elena Armas (out September 5) - this was an ideal book to read right after Ted Lasso wrapped - it has those vibes, but is its own story that if Roy and Rebecca (in a daughter figure role, not ex-wife) were the objects of each other’s affection and loathing while hiding out in a remote North Carolina town. That’s all I can say without giving it all away, so I hope you’ll trust me and just read it. You won’t be disappointed.
Heart Talk by Cleo Wade - I picked up Heart Talk a few years back in a local bookshop and it's become somewhat of a bible to me. Cleo Wade is a beautiful poet, and each page is filled with such gorgeous, empowering, and compassionate language. Whenever I need to ground myself, I have a moment of silence and flip to a page in the book - it always seems to fill my heart with what I need. I highly recommend keeping this book near your nightstand and reading from it when you need that extra boost of love and support from the universe.
Annihilation: A Novel (The Southern Reach Trilogy Book 1) by Jeff VanderMeer - I am loving digging into something different than I normally read, and Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer is just that. Annihilation follows the attempted mapping of a cordoned off zone called Area X which has seen some bizarre happenings by a team of 4 expert women. I love reading an adventure story about women, and I love the journey through this confusing, sometimes beautiful and occasionally brutal environment.
So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson- I always come back to this book. I am a big, BIG Jon Ronson fan and even though this book is 7 years old it feels ever relevant. Ronson was discussing cancel culture before cancel culture even really existed.
The Daydreams by Laura Hankin- 4 former teen actors get back together for a reunion show 13 years after their Season 2 finale abruptly became a series finale. One of them made it big in Hollywood, one of them is an attorney, one of them is married to an athlete, and the 4th has been in and out of rehab. Flipping between then and now, this is fully of juicy drama - such a fun beach read and I really enjoyed it!
You, Again by Kate Goldbeck- This is a perfect 2023 NYC book, perfectly of its time. The sarcasm, the toughness, the humor, the wit, the candor, the very New York moments - perfection. Pop culture references are top notch. Of course there is romance and 🌶️ and very messy people and an amazing side cast. And it will rip your heart out before it puts it back together. This is out 9/12/2023 and all you Emily Henry fans need to pre-order this book. Different stories, but very similar vibes.
Top #5SmartReads Of The Week + Last Week
What Is A ‘Married Single Mom’ (Parents)
Why our allergies are getting worse —and what to do about it (NPR)
I’m A Financial Planning Expert: Here Are 7 Investments You Should Make To Secure Generational Wealth (Go Banking Rates)
Picking The ‘Right’ Sunscreen Isn’t As Important As Avoiding These 6 Mistakes (NPR)
Back Under The Bar Postpartum — And Post-Transition (Romper)
'Anti-dopamine parenting' can curb a kid's craving for screens or sweets (NPR)
11 Retirement Savings Changes You Need To Know About (Newsful)
Who Am I Without My Ambition? (Downtime)
Ashley Park’s Main Character Energy From ‘Joy Ride’ Is Here To Stay: ‘I’m Treating Myself Like A Lead Now’ (Women’s Health)
The rest of the week’s reads (and conversations!) are below:
Monday June 5, 2023
Tuesday June 6, 2023
Wednesday June 7, 2023
Thursday June 8, 2023
Friday June 9, 2023
Monday June 12, 2023
Tuesday June 13, 2023
Wednesday June 14, 2023
Thursday June 15, 2023
Friday June 16, 2023
On a personal note, I will be taking the next few weeks for surgery and recovery (more on that here). Taber (my right hand woman who runs #5SmartReads) and our team will be taking over, and I hope you enjoy reading what they have to share.
xo,
HPN