Links we sent our friends #27

Plus a gift guide from the founder of Mmoody Kids

When I first met Justine, we were twelve or so. She was the cool new girl in my ballet class, and I desperately wanted to be her friend.  

I can’t remember when the friendship sparks officially started flying. It might have been one day before class, as we changed into tights and leotards in the dressing room that couldn’t have been more than five square feet — or maybe it was when neither of us could (ever) keep a straight face as Ms. Beth introduced new choreography in the center of the floor — but soon we were strolling the aisles of Blockbuster for hours on end and having sleepovers almost every weekend. 

Which brings me to our links this week…

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Today, Justine’s a stay-at-home mom, new resident of the Hudson Valley (hey, Brooklyn expats!), and the founder of Mmoody Kids, a handmade kids’ clothing line sewn from vintage and scrap fabrics.

She’s also still on my short list when I need a shopping consult.

Mmoody Kids has been featured in the NY Times and The Strategist, and partnered with dozens of other wonderful, mom-owned (!) brands like Parachute Brooklyn and Milk Teeth. 

mmoodykids

A post shared by @mmoodykids

Justine’s Links:

What to buy for…

Your best friend: 

1. Beauty Items: I’m always on the go. When I need a quick refresh, this facial spray from Josh Rosenbrook is so luxurious. 

2. Accessories: I love this stylish crossbody phone necklace for multi-tasking queens. 

The kids in your life: 

3. Clothing: A pair of one-of-a-kind Mmoody Kids pants — duh! 

4. Stocking Stuffers: Have a bunch of kids coming to your holiday gathering? Put together little bags with candy and something small like this train whistle or this or this.

5. Crafts: Their parents may be annoyed but… the kids will be absolutely stoked when you give them their own batches of slime.

6. Costumes: Super Smalls is the fool-proof option for kids who love to play dress-up. Think Pretty Pretty Princess (if you’re a child of the 90s) but way better. 

Your lover: 

7. Acts of Kindness: Nothing says I love you like letting your partner sleep in. 

8. Jewelry and Accessories: This sleep mask is sleek and sexy. And a classic gold chain is always great. This one is from Assembly, a unique New York-based brand with his/hers jewelry and an upcycled clothing line. 

9. Pajamas: If your partner is on the fem side, this nightie is comfy, sexy and sweet. 

Your in-laws: 

10. Kitchen Items: For under $50, this kitchen item is often overlooked but underrated. It’s not one you’d typically buy for yourself either, but when it’s a gift, it feels super special. For over $50, this festive glassware is unique and cheery. 

11. Home Improvement: You can’t go wrong bringing more nature into your loved ones’ lives. This bird feeder looks great in any yard. 

12. Cooking: For someone who loves to cook, a nice dutch oven is above and beyond. 

Your siblings: 

13. Food and Perishables: Last year, I got both of my brothers this essentials bundle from Momofuku, famous for their noodles and spicy things. 

Aja’s Links:

1. Friend of the Newsletter and first-class writer Lilly Millman from

   This Is Why!
   wrote a piece for Vox titled How I stopped buying my way out of everything that I’ve shared with multiple friends. One of Lilly’s many great lines: “Shopping made it easy to envision myself in a new life — one where, instead of working a series of dead-end jobs and hardly leaving my apartment, I was always surrounded by friends, eating at the best restaurant in my city, and casually wearing the perfectly put-together outfit that would reify me as a Hot Girl.”

2. Speaking of clothes… this Instagram account reimagines what Taylor Swift would wear if she was stylish (sorry, sorry, it’s true.)

3. I’ve disrupted the local supply chain (read: bought out my Whole Foods) of the BEST coconut water. I drink it plain, mixed with lemonade for a fun mocktail, and one time, when I ran out of oat milk, in my coffee (it was delicious). So refreshing, delicious, and light.

4. Madison Huizinga
   ’s reflection on being a little too happy spending time solo hit home for me.

   In the Company of Oneself

5. A helpful graphic showing the difference between good and bad pumpkin pie!

Aliza’s Links:

1. Priscilla (and Jacob Elordi, of course (Aja: sweat emoji)) had me in a trance when I saw the movie in theaters last week. Will definitely be rewatching Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette over Thanksgiving break — anyone else?

2. The seasonal treat from Trader Joe’s I now cannot live without. 

3. Excited for this “western” belt (and a few other gifts for myself and Sam) to arrive next week. Because Black Friday now means “sales all month” and Madewell is 40% off almost everything right now.

4. The recent article about an article by

   Clara
   that had Sam keep asking “What are you laughing at?” from the other room.

5. The article Does Anyone Feel Like An Actual Adult? by Kathryn Jezer-Morton for The Cut — a topic on which there is so much more to say. (The short answer: no.)

Thursday’s issue is the 2023 gift guide, curated by us and a few more friends just in time for the holidays — it’s a fun one!

Love,

Aliza & Aja

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This week’s header image is from Justine Bronaugh for Mmoody Kids.