Newsletter Archive

An energizing cross-Atlantic trip, can’t lose kid games, and better-than-fair-trade chocolate

Hi there, I just got back from London, where I watched my sister run her eighth (!) marathon. In very Annie fashion, as soon as she finished she proceeded to thank everyone around her and ask if we needed anything. I was with my mom and my fairy godmother Lina, who were patient as I … Continue reading An energizing cross-Atlantic trip, can’t lose kid games, and better-than-fair-trade chocolate

Highs and lows + sprinkle cookie magic, poetry appreciation, and the best thing to do with broccoli

Hi there, This month began with a flurry of birthday celebrations, including a dreamy girls surf trip in Rincon, Puerto Rico (highly recommend!), and is closing out with a nine days of norovirus (round two, if that’s even possible). High highs! Low lows! All against a backdrop of a country where we inexplicably, heartbreakingly continue … Continue reading Highs and lows + sprinkle cookie magic, poetry appreciation, and the best thing to do with broccoli

Big feelings and a big milestone, the ideal transitional cocktail, and our new favorite bedtime ritual

Hi there, I’m turning 40 in a few days and I’ve spent a lot of this month cycling through many feelings about this milestone. But after varying degrees of anticipation, anxiety, and ennui, I’ve reached a generally zen state. It’s a big birthday, which calls for some introspection, some celebration, and some indulgence — all things I enjoy.  I … Continue reading Big feelings and a big milestone, the ideal transitional cocktail, and our new favorite bedtime ritual

New lists for a new year, chic-meets-comfy jammies, and an aperitivo-worthy soda

Hi there, It’s 2023 … ! I’m not into resolutions but I do like to make space to process each year before charging into the next. It doesn’t have to happen on January 1 and it doesn’t have to take long — I spent 45 minutes this Thursday scribbling away and felt infinitely more grounded … Continue reading New lists for a new year, chic-meets-comfy jammies, and an aperitivo-worthy soda

What to make after Thanksgiving, cute + affordable mom jeans, and a heat-free hair curler

Hi there, We made it through Election Day and the Red Wave that wasn’t and are now in the sped up, compressed sprint to the end of the year. It’s the best time, it’s the busiest time. While I love a cookie party and festive cocktail, it’s always tricky to find downtime amidst the crazy. My strategy is … Continue reading What to make after Thanksgiving, cute + affordable mom jeans, and a heat-free hair curler

Gentle reminder to vote + much-needed cooking inspiration, amazing new kid show, and 2-min makeup

Hi there, For most of my adult life, I thought of elections as something that happen every four years to decide the President. Midterms — and definitely not state and local offices — were not remotely on my radar. That changed somewhere around 2016, and over the past six years I’ve tried to become more … Continue reading Gentle reminder to vote + much-needed cooking inspiration, amazing new kid show, and 2-min makeup

Beach sandwiches, beach reads, and the thing that saved us on an 11-hr flight with kids

Hi there, We’re back from our big family trip to Hawaii (extremely wonderful and love-filled) and all of a sudden it’s almost September. While part of me is sad to close out this time of drippy ice cream cones and perpetually dirt-smudged and sun-exhausted kiddos, we’re all ready for a bit more routine. We’re headed to … Continue reading Beach sandwiches, beach reads, and the thing that saved us on an 11-hr flight with kids

Covid diaries, climate bright spots, and the frozen cocktail we all need

Hi there,

So, we got Covid. Thankfully, it was mild, though persistent. Rob was our patient zero and the rest of us got it shortly after — though it took us a full 14 days to all test negative again. And while there were many stir-crazy and anxiety-filled moments during our quarantine, there were plenty of bright spots as well. We were extremely fortunate to have manageable symptoms, flexible work schedules, and plenty of support. Our friends Emily and John dropped off farmer’s market treats, my dad read to Lilly every day, and we got multiple shipments of ice cream (thanks, Annie and Kristen!). And, amazingly, we were able to borrow a friend’s house in Montauk for a few days for space and access to water. 

As we reenter the world, I’m trying to maintain a little of the space we had when we do all our crazy running around. That means being more deliberate in what I schedule, not filling up every waking hour, and being more comfortable staying in place. And since I assume I have a short period of immunity, I’m hoping to do some group fitness classes and luxuriate in grocery shopping sans mask — at least for a month or so! 

Continue reading “Covid diaries, climate bright spots, and the frozen cocktail we all need”

Feeling ok and not ok + a big birthday, Gen Z explainers, and SPF for all ages

Hi there,

I’ve been thinking about feeling ok and not ok at the same time. As in: Lilly turns five tomorrow and I’m full of awe and love for this sparkly, weird, curious human. As in: 19 children from Uvalde, all undoubtedly sparkly and curious themselves, won’t see another birthday — not to mention the victims of mass shootings in BuffaloPhiladelphiaTulsa, and more.

I was talking to my friend Elana about this and she pointed out that these things are not in tension. “We cannot serve, be kind, be activists, be marching, be donating if we let ourselves get completely emotionally and physically depleted.” She pointed to this amazing fanzine as an example — created to help young activists maintain wellness and mental health.

It’s our job to continue to be angry, sad, and sickened. To do whatever we can, whether it’s donating to Everytown or sending a message to your senator, calling elected officials, or focusing on down-ballot candidates who have the opportunity to enact change at the local and state level — not just on gun rights but abortion, gender-affirming healthcare, and more. 

It’s also our job to take care of ourselves, in whatever ways feel right. Last weekend, we went to Coney Island to celebrate our dear friend Caleb’s 5th birthday. It was was a perfect blue sky day and kids ran gleefully from ride to ride. I didn’t worry about anything besides sunburn, I didn’t check Twitter, I smiled so hard it hurt. We need those times as much as we need the moments of private or collective grief and anger. 

Continue reading “Feeling ok and not ok + a big birthday, Gen Z explainers, and SPF for all ages”

Why abortion isn’t a women’s issue and what we can do now + a beautiful take on grief, date-sweetened chocolate, and flavor flours

Hi there,

I wrote this newsletter on Monday, right before I got the news about the draft (emphasis on draft: abortions are still very much legal) SCOTUS opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade. Over the past few days, I have been processing what this means, not just for reproductive rights but for all the rights that are connected to Roe. I have been thinking about what it means to raise kids in a country that is trying to take agency — over their bodies, over who they marry, over how they conduct themselves in the home — away from them. We’re not moving to Canada but I’m not going to say that thought hasn’t crossed my mind. 

And so, assuming we aren’t fleeing, the next step is understanding what is happening and what I/we can do about it. My original May recommendations are below, and I hope you find them helpful. But first, I’d like to share some resources that I have found useful in thinking about where to put my energy, resources, and anger/sadness. 

Continue reading “Why abortion isn’t a women’s issue and what we can do now + a beautiful take on grief, date-sweetened chocolate, and flavor flours”