Links we sent our friends #17

Fyre Fests (plural), Halloween costumes, and two great dinners

Last week was rocky for both of us. I gave myself a bad cut while (attempting to) slice bread, while Aliza was struck by a nasty stomach bug. Chantal, who’s a Friend of the Newsletter and, more pertinently, doctor, picked up my call on the second ring and walked me through what to do — even offering to drive over and stitch me up herself so I didn’t have to go to Urgent Care on a holiday weekend.¹ 

I had a chance to return the karmic favor a few days later; when Aliza told me she was too ill to see Bottoms that night², I handled the refund process for the tickets she’d bought.

Both moments — taking care of and being taken care of — felt equally good. And that reminder was helpful. I’m quick to support my friends when they need it but often reluctant to reach out when I do… and I shouldn’t be.

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Aja’s Links:

1. My internet niche is “petty drama,” so I eagerly clicked on this article about “the Fyre Fest of Pizza.”

2. Speaking of: Fyre Festival II tickets are now on sale. I can’t wait to watch this from afar. 

3. Smitten Kitchen’s recipes always hit. Sam and I made this buffalo chicken cobb salad for dinner last week and it was delicious — plus, unexpectedly beautiful. (This would be even easier if you used premade ranch or Caesar dressing and/or a rotisserie chicken. Just saying.)

4. If you need a pick-me-up, check out the top feel-good Tiny Desk concerts.

5. This free AI tool will take grainy, out-of-focus pictures and make them look high-quality. Great one to bookmark. (Aliza: Woahhhh!)

6. Plus-size vintage clothes (loooove the dresses).

Aliza’s Links:

1. Minx is back! I guess it’s time to purchase a Starz subscription. (Aja: Yes!!)

2. A Better Way to Think About Young Kids and Screen Time: let’s cut the guilt.³

3. As Jude’s first birthday — and my first year of parenthood — quickly approaches, I’ve been thinking about testing out the concept for

   Elizabeth Gilbert
   ’s new Substack: Letters from Love. Gilbert writes, “I will teach you how to write yourself letters from unconditional love — how to open your imagination to that universal friendliness, and how to download its messages.” Stay tuned.

4. The sheet-pan recipe that doesn’t get old.⁴ Jude’s a big tomato and pasta fan these days, so leftovers worked great for him too. 

5. An Etsy shop with incredibly sweet, homemade kids’ costumes — and DIY kits! I looooove Halloween, but am prone to last minute decisions.⁵ Any ideas for this year? (Aja: please share ideas for adults too. Halloween is my kryptonite.) 

Later this week, we’re sharing issue number two in our Body Image series: on Aja’s relationship to exercise. Judging by the notes we got, the first issue resonated with many of you — we’re excited to hear your thoughts on Thursday’s piece.

Love,

A + A

1. In the running for the tenth circle of hell, if Satan were on an expansion kick.

2. We ended up seeing it on Saturday instead.

3. Speaking of screen time, we’re taking our first flight with Jude this Friday since he became mobile — like, really mobile. I ordered a $40 iPad dupe on Amazon and a special “spill-free” snack cup in anticipation of what should be an interesting new experience. But if you have other “flying with a 1-year-old” tips, I’d love to hear them!

4. Similar, but also different from, this chickpea-forward option from Bon Appetit that Aja shared a few weeks ago.

5.  6-week-old Jude dressed as a football last year.