The Link Up: Life-Changing Podcasts, Books, Skincare and (What Else?) Vacuums

Now that April Fools is long gone (did you like the “soup” video??) we are ready to get into the serious swing of things. And by serious we mean really fun and new design stuff. It’s a new month and we are all feeling the fresh spring start we all love this time of year. Jess read somewhere that some people start making “new year’s” resolutions in April because it takes the pressure off of the January 1st, no-failure-allowed expectation. But three months in, you have a better sense of what you CAN realistically/want to achieve for the rest of the year. New goals are never a bad thing so we are on board. What would your April resolutions be? Should we actually just scratch the whole new year’s resolutions and just focus it monthly or quarterly? Something to definitely think about. But before you get too deep with the April resolution making, maybe read through this week’s links. Who knows, you may even get some new info that could help shape those goals? Let’s dive in and see…

Emily is a sucker for most things wellness oriented and is dying to try the Goop Glow Powder Packs, has anyone tried them? “Their vitamin packs are proof that marketing WORKS, I feel like I want/need every single one of them.”

Anthropologie recently launched A+ which has such great size-inclusive new pieces, and Arlyn will always applaud a line that doesn’t alienate woman based on their size.

The only thing Velinda’s wife wanted for her birthday after a friend described it as “the best machine she’s ever owned” was the Dyson V7 Motorhead Cord-free Stick Vacuum. According to them (and Arlyn, who has the older V6 version she says she loves so much she’d grab it in a fire), it’s amazing, lightweight, cordless/easy to use and effective…and they have dogs!

Grace and Sara are coming in hot with their new favorite mules, Violet Woven Backless Mules, from Target. They are so affordable and so comfy. Sara has them in black and Grace in the tan.

Ryann cannot stop talking about the show After Life on Netflix. She laughed, she cried hard, and ultimately fell in love with Ricky Gervais. It’s only six 30-minute episodes and is perfect for a weekend binge if she says so herself.

Jess is headed to Morocco for part of her upcoming vacation and has been non-stop dreaming about popping into the El Fenn, a stunning hotel in Marrakech. She’s pretty sure the internet gods are just listening to her conversations (obviously) but it has been all over her Instagram lately and she cannot wait to actually see it in person.

We are no strangers to the Goop podcast but when Julie listened to the episode, “Are We All Psychic?” on a drive down from the mountain house this past week, it struck a HUGE cord and she might have cried. Okay not might, she did. Yes, Julie was the one to tear up this time, not Jess. Cliff’s Notes version is yes we are and all you need is love.

Michael really loves these Comme des Garçons PLAY x Converse sneakers. They are cool, playful AND stylish. He hearts them. Once you see them, you’ll get that very cute pun. 🙂

NEW GOOD BRAND ALERT. The very talented and lovable Kate Hudson has expanded her fashion wings and just launched a super cute earth-friendly clothing company called Happy x Nature. Companies that make good-looking affordable clothing responsibly are hard to come by, so this is an exciting breath of fresh air (which will hopefully stay fresh with more companies adopting similar sustainable practices).

Arlyn, ever on the hunt for good skin, is singing (loudly) her newly found love of the REN Ready Steady AHA Glow Tonic. Hilary Duff has recently been pushing their product on Instagram, and while she normally has good self-control, she couldn’t say no to having skin like our girl Hil. Celeb endorsement or not, Arlyn is obsessed and swears in the two weeks since she’s been using it twice a day, it’s sloughed away a good 5 years off her mid-30s face and it’s made her coveted “holy grail” list of products to always have on hand. (Plus it’s vegan and cruelty-free.) 

Our WONDERFUL book styling assistant Erik has been loving this quote book, Brave Enough, he was gifted. Since it’s a book full of inspirational quotes, he says it’s great to digest it day by day one quote at a time. Giving a designated time during your busy day to reflect on some musings. And the best part is it looks bold on your nightstand in its emerald green hardback cover.

Evidently, we like to read around here. Sara just bought the book, Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis. It’s a really good window into rural white America. As these past three years have shown us more than ever, we ALL live in bubbles that need to be “popped” if we are going to be able to move forward and see where each of us is coming from.

Velinda just discovered Brene Brown and like anyone else who has seen her TED talks, loves her and her message. Velinda loved that it’s smart and research based on topics that can typically lean too self-helpy, like connectedness and the required vulnerability it takes. It’s a good reminder we all could use that it takes courage to be vulnerable and this was a good reminder of the payoff for the brave.

Speaking about TED talks (and books), Emily has been re-reading Find Your Why by Simon Sinek, who had that talk that went gangbusters nearly a decade ago (still so, so good, listen here if you haven’t). It’s all about, well, finding your “why” in your business and as a leader, and holding firm on it to ensure your team is fulfilled and constantly inspired. If you’re a manager or leader, there are so many golden nuggets here.

Lastly, we are stunned and broken hearted learning about the sudden and very unexpected death of Ryan Harter. He and his wife (and their team at Harter Creative) shot the closet org video and the Target holiday video in Portland. He was truly the sweetest person and we can’t imagine the pain his wife and two small children are in. They obviously are in need of help so if you are able, please donate anything you can to their GoFundMe.

With that said please go enjoy this day to the fullest and love your loved ones hard. See you all tomorrow. xx