Links we sent our friends #15

New music on repeat, winning dupes, and guest links from writer & podcaster Jillian Anthony

How is it the Monday before Labor Day?

Sam and I drove home from the Cape last night listening to Jon Batiste’s World Music Radio while Jude and Oliver (our dog) snoozed. Aja and I’ve talked about how it feels like there’s a universal tension every year as Labor Day approaches — I’m looking forward to some quieter weekends ahead, but I’m also determined to make the feeling of summer stretch as long into the post-Labor Day days as possible.

I figure I have at least a few more good weeks left to live in my new jellies.

If you’re new to the newsletter, here’s where you can catch up on who we are and skim some of our favorite essays from the archive. This week, we’re sharing bonus links from a special guest, writer and podcaster

Jillian Anthony

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We’re excited to feature bonus recommendations this week from Jillian Anthony, a writer and editor based in Austin, Texas who authors the Cruel Summer Book Club newsletter about change and living well.¹ There, she writes essays about her own life and personal growth and shares links to everything she’s reading and thinking about. She also hosts a podcast of the same name where she has deep conversations with authors (like Ashley C. Ford) and artists (like Adam J. Kurtz) about Big Change and creativity.

Jillian’s links:

1. Writer

   Madeleine Dore
   is in a “daytime season” of life. She stopped drinking nine months ago and shares how much brighter her life has become. Let the light in. (Aliza: Like Aja!)

2. As a proud cat lady, this endless lint roller is one of my favorite purchases of the year. The Chom Chom Roller collects pet hair with some simple up and down swipes, then you can remove the pet hair from the back, and it’s ready to reuse!

3. This week I revisited comedian Tig Notaro’s well-known comedy set “Live.” In a four-month period in 2012, Tig had pneumonia, C. diff, lost her mother, and was diagnosed with breast cancer—and this set is the hilarious, honest aftermath of all of that tragedy. I also zoomed through her great memoir I’m Just a Person.

4. Tomás Matos is my favorite follow on TikTok. Their confidence, joy, incredible style, and strong sense of self always inspire me and make me smile.

5. Installation photographer Thomas Jackson’s airy, dreamlike art really makes me feel something. I will buy one of his prints someday.

6. I saw this golden Gustav Klimt Tarot deck in a mystic shop in California, and I can’t stop thinking about it.

Aliza’s Links:

1. My Spotify is filled with a recent wave of new releases. Miley and Olivia released the first singles from their forthcoming albums.² Mipso’s latest album, Book of Fools, came out on Friday. Already have it on repeat.

2. My Instagram algorithm has determined that I need more 90s throwback content — and maybe they’re right(!), because I’m getting sucked in. Seriously, where are people digging up this or this? 

3. Mari Andrew
   is a writer and illustrator I’ve been fan-girling for years.³ She recently shared a list of 100 Things I Know. I’ll admit that I haven’t finished the full list yet (it’s long!), but have found it comforting to read a few at a time. For example: “If you learn to cook one thing, learn to make a vegetable taste really good to you.” 

4. A feminist classic that I just added to my reading list. Critics credit Rich for “revolutionizing how women thought about motherhood and their own liberation.” 

Aja’s Links:

1. This tomato and feta sheet-pan recipe looks so good (and near-impossible to mess up, which is ideal for a novice like me.) The commenters are raving.

2. Are you sleepy or tired?

3. This spaghetti dust is potentially sacrilegious but nonetheless would be handy to have around in a pinch — pun intended — for a quick yet delicious meal.

4. I wish I needed a rug because these are beautiful.

5. Cheap products that are better than their most expensive versions, according to Wirecutter.

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Thank you again to

Jillian Anthony

for joining us this week!

On Thursday, we’re sharing the first submissions and money tips that resulted from our request for you to share your money questions (you can still submit questions too!)…

Love,

A+A

1. ICYMI: We did a guest feature in Jillian’s newsletter last week!

2. Can anyone listen to Miley’s without tearing up — just a little?

3. Mari’s book Am I There Yet? is a perfect gift.