Love List, Fall 2020

Updated September 2020

Spotify Subscription

I’ve been loving having music on as much as possible lately. It really sets a tone: classical for (trying to) work, Disney for dancing with my kids, jazz for trying to be cool cooking with wine, Game of Thrones for my very many “I’m losing my sh*t” moments, etc.

Plus, there are audiobooks and stories that keep my kids occupied for stretches of time. You can subscribe for free (yes, there are ads) or opt to go premium for $10/month. (I also love my Sonos speakers scattered throughout the house.) ~ Brit

The Good Place

I always meant to watch this show when it came out years ago, but I never did. Now I’m bingeing it, and it is AWESOME. Hysterical, smart and attention-grabbing. ~ Marissa

Indian Matchmaking

This Netflix series is an absolutely fascinating look into the practice of professional matchmaking!! If you don’t binge watch, I will be shocked (Aparna, tho, amiright??) ~ Meg

NYT Keep Calm and Crossword On (~$14)

I love doing crosswords, and I’ve been keeping a puzzle open on our counter to work on whenever I have a few minutes (yes, this is mostly when my kids eat lunch). It’s a subtle distraction, and it reminds me of my sister ❤️. ~ Brit

What Should Danny Do? (~$12)

My kids have been fighting like crazy over the past couple of months. I’m not sure if it’s pandemic related, but I imagine that all this together time isn’t helping.

A friend recommended this book and it is the most AMAZING thing! As you read along, your child has the “power to choose” to make good or bad choices to change the outcome of the story. ~ Melissa

True & Co. Body Lift Triangle Adjustable Strap Bra (~$58)

I only have one thing to say: this bra feels like… nothing at all. It’s truly amazing. ~ Charlene

Leggings for… Life

Alo High Waist Leggings (~$98)

Have you heard of Alo? These “lounge pants” truly feel like BUTTER! They are so comfortable and soft. I will live in them all winter long. ~ Marissa

Nike One Lux Tights (~$90)

I just participated in a formal review panel of these tights and I am in LOVE! They are SO soft, thin and don’t sag. Perfection!
~ Meg

Zella Live-In High Waist Leggings (~$59)

I literally don’t own any pants besides leggings (is this a problem?) and these are just perfect — medium support that holds you in in all the right places. I wear them for everything. [Also comes in plus size.] ~ Brit

Merrell Hiking Shoes

We got Merrell hiking shoes for the whole family, seeing how much hiking we’ve been doing lately. Love!
See men’s & women’s here and toddlers & kids here.
~ Melissa

I’m a Voter Grayson Shirt (~$148)

I love Grayson’s shirts — they’re so comfortable and soft, right out of the box, but get softer with each wash! For every “I am a voter” shirt purchased, the brand donates ten percent of the proceeds to the I am A Voter foundation. Also: vote! (Get registered at rockthevote.org.) ~ Charlene

Odele Beauty Hair Care

Everything from this women-owned line of “clean” hair products is safe for the entire family to use. I love the Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner — it smells SO good, but… neutral. Not overpowering. It cleanses my hair really well and takes out all the residue. Afterward, it’s so much softer and shinier than when I use other products. ~ Marissa

Shout out: I Just Want to Hang Out With You

Heather Reed, our former social media director, has contributed to a new anthology on parenting teenagers. You’ll be there soon (godspeed). Doesn’t hurt to be prepared!

Check it out 🙂.

Fire Pit

Last summer, my husband and I purchased a portable fire pit (any one will do) for our patio. We LOVE going outside after the kids are in bed to drink wine around it and have a little “pandemic date night.” We also use it to make s’mores with the kids. ~ Melissa

Outdoor Movie Night Gear

Every so often, our neighborhood gets together for a socially distanced movie night in someone’s front yard. I bought my husband a projector for Father’s Day one year and we use that against a screen (or you could use a white sheet). Add some chairs, an outdoor blanket, and popcorn for the full experience. It’s especially nice in the fall once the sun starts setting a little earlier…. (Bonus: your kids will think you’re a superhero for doing this.) ~ Melissa

What’s making you smile? Let us know in the comments section!

About the Author

Brittany Clair Researcher and Sr. Editor

Brit is the author of Carrying On: Another School of Thought on Pregnancy and Health and Rest Uneasy: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in Twentieth-Century America. She has an MA and a PhD in history and previously worked as a medical history professor. She's taught and written on the history of women’s health, pediatrics, parenting, and motherhood. Brit lives in Maine with her family and spends her days reading esoteric academic literature, walking, listening to audiobooks, and writing about anything that interests her (which is many things). Outside of work, you can find her packing lunches, waiting out a tantrum, making a list, or looking for something one of her kids lost. Her favorite time of day is after her kids go to bed.