Links we sent our friends #73

Low-key skincare, an unexpected book buying guide, and other heartwarming things to distract you from the news today (at least for a few minutes)

Good morning! Aliza here. As I told my therapist, I’m only watching heartwarming, feel-good content. I’ve accepted that’s about all I can handle at the moment… because, life. (For example: In an act of self-preservation, I will not be seeing the new Florence Pugh film We Live In Time, after several friends shared post-movie photos of their flushed, tear-stained faces. Even though it looks amazing.)

Based on last week’s comments, you may be feeling similarly.

• Reader Sarah T. said: “My friends and I are planning to watch the [election] results together, I will stay up VERY late, and we all have taken the next day off and are doing spa treatments, either in mourning, celebration, or I guess, uncertainty. Regardless, friends make everything better!” (Agreed.)

• Elena Sheppard
  talked about how she’s been “taking brain breaks” in her latest Sunday Reads (a newsletter that I read religiously).

• Brittany Viklund
  shared her post-voting plan — which includes reading a comforting book, cooking, and spending time outdoors.

• Jess Kirby
  compiled a fabulous roundup of ideas (including one from Aja!) for Finding Joy/Taking Care As We Head Into Election Week.

This week, we have more links you might like…

Aliza’s Links:

1. This election energy!

2. Speaking of Will Ferrell, Sam and I both absolutely loved the documentary Will & Harper (which you can now watch on Netflix). Have you seen it yet? 

3. I swear this new blanket is the reason my toddler is so excited to crawl into his crib every night.¹ He squeals (!) with excitement. My next purchase will probably be the adult size. 

4. I do very, very little skincare (I have a two-year-old! I’m tired!) but when I got a facial for my birthday and the facialist recommended two affordable products I couldn’t get at the salon, I figured I could trust her. I’ve added this overnight exfoliant and brightening serum² to my weekly rotation. 

5. How do you draw love… without a heart?

Aja’s Links:

1. I got this cute ponytail holder after seeing this amazing (but much pricier) one on

   Grace Atwood
   . It’s perfect when I can’t be bothered to do my hair (which is most of the time.) 

2. A very helpful guide to buying books for your friends’ babies by

   Carly Martin
   . (Aliza: Aw, I see lots of Jude’s favorites here too.)

3. Wow, I’m obsessed with this Swedish agency that has a fully-functioning ROLLER COASTER in its office.

4. After my friend told me these jeans fit perfectly, I wore them four days in a row.³ (They’re comfortable, too.)

5. Rachel Cohn
   ’s two-part investigation into why it didn’t work out with a “guy she lost her shit over” is so good. In part one, she interviews the dude (just as fascinating as it sounds) — and in part two, she reflects on what she learned. I’m excited to keep reading her newsletter.

You can always see more of our favorite reads here on Bookshop.

Question we asked our friends:

Since we clearly all need a boost right now… tell us about a compliment you’ve gotten that’s stuck with you. (We’ve noticed these tend to be ultra-specific and either point out something about ourselves that we believe strongly or give us a new way of thinking about ourselves.) My whole life, people have told me they appreciate my smile and laugh. Meanwhile, Aja’s sixth-grade teacher once told her, “I think you could handle anything,” which she says she thinks about at least once a month (more during hard times!) And on their first trip together, Sam said, “Wow, even waiting in the airport with you is fun,” in this wondrous tone that makes her smile every time she remembers it.

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In case you missed it:

• My husband won’t take my last name

• The secrets of connecting — from one of the coolest women we know

• Aja’s “hidden gem” sub-reddits (and a Reddit explainer for the uninitiated — like me!)

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1. I’m doing all that I can to keep him in a crib as long as possible.

2. For my pregnant/nursing friends: Both products are pregnancy and nursing safe.

3. Bonus question we asked our friends: How often are you washing your jeans? (Aliza: Only when they smell. That’s right, right??)