Monday Memo No. 133
From life hacks to personal obsessions, this Monday Memo multitasks.
Podcast Episode: The Life and Legacy of Sidney Poitier
Earlier this month, Sidney Poitier, one of the greatest American actors of all time passed away at age 94. I can certainly think of no actor, past or present, whose body of work was more impactful. Sidney Poitier’s many awe-inspiring performances are forever etched in my memory and I loved listening to this podcast episode of The Daily in which Wesley Morris, notable film critic, discussed Poitier’s life and work. “His legacy is so much wider and deeper than the art itself,” Morris said. “This man has managed to affect what we see, how we relate to people, who we think we are, who we should aspire to be. And if that’s not a sign of greatness, I don’t know what is.”
Frill Collar Layering Tops
You know that feeling when your sweater just needs a little… something? Try a layering top with a bit of frill. These divine tops from ME+EM are lightweight, sleeveless thanks that effortlessly polish your sweater outfits with delicate, classic detail. The next time you throw on a sweater and feel “unfinished” try a v-neck or high neck version of these smart essentials. (Also, very excited to style these in Spring and Summer, too!)
Sisters First Children’s Book
This adorable Sisters First book is the perfect gift or library addition for anyone who is currently raising sisters, or expecting their second girl. Written by former first daughters Jenna and Barbara Bush, these best-selling authors have now penned multiple books on the unique joys and bonds that sisters share. I definitely teared up reading this one to Coco for the first time!
Foot & Calf Massager
File under “Amazon impulse purchases that were a home run.” I don’t know what I expected when I added this Foot & Calf Massager to cart, but I remember clicking the “Buy Now” button and immediately thinking, what the heck did I just order?! Wow, did it exceed my expectations. Tired legs? Aching feet? A partner reluctant to be your perpetual massage therapist? Get this gadget immediately. The multi-use massager can be used on feet, calves—even arms—and has adjustable massage (and heat!) settings that soothe away whatever injustices the day’s schedule did to your body. It has a remote control so you can adjust the settings with the tap of a button and I really appreciate the magnetic port on the machine that holds the remote so you never lose it. Seriously, use this massager just once while watching an episode of your show in the evening and you’ll be hooked.
Custom Desks & Chairs
Recently, my friend Katie Sturino recommended this custom office furniture from Label 180, so obviously I had to find out how it works. (Check out her custom desk if you haven’t yet, it’s STUNNING.) The process is SO simple, you choose from the brand’s incredibly chic desk styles, then select the size that suits you best, and the fabric you love most. The result is a desk that feels completely unique to you in an era of far too many repetitive choices. (They offer desk chairs too, and you sit in them literally all day, so don’t skip personalizing your most important seat!) I also love that each desk comes with a custom glass blotter, so you get the look of a fabric desk, with the functionality of a firm workspace.
Alice Walk Cotton Weekender
Alice Walk is clothing for those who put quality over everything. The brand’s timeless pieces pair classic, wearable design with exquisite fabrics, the results of which are timeless wardrobe staples you will keep (and wear!) forever. I love this cozy pullover with button detailing and would very much like two in every color. Never has throw-on-and-go looked so chic. Definitely signup for emails to be in-the-know about restocks!
Paul Arnhold Glass
How breathtaking (and fun!) is this Paul Arnhold glassware? It’s like a good mood in hand-blown glass form. Made in Brooklyn, these unique pieces are truly one of a kind, as no two are ever exactly the same. Meaning, if you’re looking for a gift that will never be duplicated, shop from Paul Arnhold’s utterly joyful, striking pieces, stat.
Bow Earrings
Perhaps it’s a symptom of being immersed in baby clothing, but I started wearing these Lele Sadhougi bow earrings a couple of months ago, and I really haven’t taken them off since. More recently, I’ve been drooling over these beauties since my friend Blair introduced me to them, and I love that they have a bit more drama. Unfortunately, now I also want every single pair of bow earrings made by The Pink Reef, including (but certainly not limited to) these and these. I think the green is my favorite.
Photicular Animal Books By Dan Kainen
On a recent trip to our local Children’s Museum, I found the “Jungle” version of this Photicular book series and was completely captivated. The books appear to have a video screen on each page, but it’s really a “photicular” image. (Here’s a YouTube video that shows you the inside of the books in action.) I immediately bought every version of these books that I could find. They would make an outstanding gift for any child, or even an animal-loving teenager, too!
My Dry Shampoo Hack For Extending Your Blowout
I’ve shared this dry shampoo trick before in a lengthier post and I’ve also divulged this on Instagram many times. And yet, years later, I still get bombarded with questions to reshare, so I finally made a Reel showing you the stupidly easy yet highly-effective way I extend the lifespan of my blowouts. And, you probably already have everything you need at home. Basically, just apply dry shampoo immediately after you blow-dry your clean hair. Don’t wait until the grease arrives, prevent it by applying right away, before oil has a chance to haunt your strands! I notice a BIG difference in how long I’m able to go between washes. I mean it’s a solid 4-5 days, and without my dry shampoo hack I have to wash my hair every second or third day unless I am absolutely certain that the outfit I’m wearing looks good with a hat. A big hat. Note: Everyone is different, so be careful if you suffer from dandruff or other scalp issues as heavy use of dry shampoo may exacerbate them. Personally, I’ve done this for years and have never had any issue with dry shampoo buildup on the scalp.
Laptop Port For USB, USB-C, SD Cards, and More
We love taking professional photos with our DSLR camera every chance we get, so are constantly in need of a seamless way to upload those memories. This laptop port is my absolute favorite because it contains USB, USB-C, Thunderbolt, SD and Micro SD ports all in ideal number and placement. I love that the device is super compact and almost becomes an extension of your keyboard surface, so the port isn’t dangling from your laptop while you work. Also, the placement of the SD and Micro SD ports on the bottom of the device keeps them more protected than other card readers that leave them jutting outward, exposed to accidental hits. Also, at less than $33, it’s incredibly affordable. If you’re unhappy with Apple’s removal of USB ports on Macbooks or if you need access to the many additional ports this device provides, I highly recommend.
Thin Under-The-Rug Extension Cords
If you’re unhappy with the outlet placement in certain rooms of your home, consider running an extension cord underneath your rugs—specifically these extension cords. They’re extra thin to allow for minimal rug disruption and tripping opportunities. Here’s a great video from Chris Loves Julia if you want to see them in action!
Wordle
Yep, I too have been consumed by the gaming phenomenon that is Wordle! If you love puzzles and word games, go ahead and let yourself get sucked into this maddeningly addictive world. It’s a daily puzzle where you have six tries to guess the day’s “word,” and it’s a lot harder than you think! The results are really fun to share and compare, too. Personally, I love that you can only do it once a day so there’s no danger of getting addicted and distracted from your to-do list.
Dish Squeegee
What are we supposed to scrape dishes with, OUR HANDS? This soft and flexible dish squeegee is much smarter and more efficient than scraping your dishes with whatever dirty knives or forks are lying around. Get your dishes cleaner, faster, or prep them for the dishwasher instantly. I also love that it spares your dishes extra scraping and scratching. This is the smartest $7 I’ve spent in a while.
Self Portrait Jacket
This Self Portrait jacket is most certainly an investment piece, but after thinking about it constantly for weeks, and recognizing how many times it would’ve been perfect to throw on, I feel really good about purchasing it. This faux fur jacket has a slightly vintage look to it, while still keeping things current and classic. You really need to zoom in on the detailing with this one. If you love the look but aren’t sure about the texture, try this option in an all-season boucle fabric. Either version would be perfect going out to a nice dinner over a black slip dress or worn with a tee, leather joggers and tennis shoes to a basketball game.
Necessaire AHA Gel Deodorant
Typically I don’t enjoy gel deodorants AT ALL. However, I really (REALLY) love this AHA Gel Deodorant by Necessaire. You can opt for the eucalyptus scent or an unscented version but the key here is AHA and Niacinamide in the formula which really kill the odor-causing bacteria and allow the formula to dry quickly and completely clear. This deodorant is an excellent option for anyone who needs an effective, clean deodorant.
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