Radio 831: A Romance Podcast

Let's kick off 2021 with a true grab bag of an episode! Because who else will tell you allllll the things they're making/eating with rice, why they're fascinated by hospital go bag content, and how exactly they've been making money over the last year, all in one go??

New year, new thoughts to share? Hit us up at 833-632-5463, [email protected], and/or @athingortwohq.

Rice—it's nice! Right now, we're feeling sushi rice for everything, Chrissy Tiegen's coconut rice, Vigo saffron yellow rice, and Samin Nosrat's Persian-ish rice.

And 2020's awards for most fascinating and entertaining hospital go bag reveals go to…@nelliediamond and @hannahbronfman!! Also: Here's the vid that inspired Claire's, which even has a sequel.

This Eberjey PJ jumpsuit (which we both love in just, like, regular life) is actually a worthy hospital go bag inclusion.

The affiliate networks we use (you know, if you run a business that's thinking about these things!): ShopStyle Collective, RewardStyle, ShareASale, and Bookshop.org.

A few other newsletter / micro media businesses we take inspiration from: The Ann Friedman Weekly, Why Is This Interesting?, and Courtney E. Martin.

Feel just great with Sakara's healthy 'n delicious meals. 20% off your first order with the code ATHINGORTWO.

Explore your creativity at www.Skillshare.com/ATHINGORTWO to get a free trial of their Premium Membership.

AND, go to www.FunctionofBeauty.com/ATHINGORTWO to take your hair quiz and save 20% on your first order!

YAY.

Produced by Dear Media

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've been following the career of Alisha Ramos since she was in college—so, um before she technically had a career. If you haven't spotted her two businesses Girls' Night In, a newsletter 'n community for women who love to stay in, and Whiled, a line of cheery, artsy puzzles, everywhere you turn recently, then your pandemic experience has been very different from ours. But before we get into it all with her: Let us discuss how dumplings (the sweatpants of food?) became such a vibe.

DUMPLINGS. In handbag form from Simon Miller, Elleme, and Emily Levine. In cartoon form thanks to Wonton in a Million. As sculpture in porcelain by Stephanie H. Shih and felt by Dumpling Mart. As a light, an ornament, and, hey, a potsticker pipe.

Alisha Ramos is up to so very much—she's the founder of Girls' Night In and Whiled, and she's a very committed Swiftie and gardener on IG.

Speaking of Swifties: a conspiracy rabbithole for you—feel free to search Swiftgron on Tumblr.

The still-very-relevant Stay Home, Take Care resource the GNI team put together at the beginning of quarantine.

For some TikTok ~curation~, follow Aminatou Sow and Zara Rahim...on Instagram.

"Our Shared Unsharing" by Stella Bugbee for The Cut.

A few of Alisha's head-clearing recs: Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel, Floret, Monty Don, and The Gardens of Bunny Mellon. Plus one gardening-related one from Erica: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver.

All of our inboxes are open! Contact us at 833-632-5463, [email protected], and/or @athingortwohq.

For more of everything, get that Secret Menu—subscribe (or even give a gift).

Visit www.Hilma.co/ATHINGORWO to get the starter set with both a free gift, a beautiful tote bag designed by an amazing female artist, AND 20% off.

Slip into our new favorite workout gear, the Sweaty Betty Power Legging, for 20% off with the code ATHINGORTWO.

YAY.

Produced by Dear Media

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've dedicated a helluva lot of our 2020 brain space to 1) the election and 2) romance novels. Who sits at the intersection of those two realms? American hero Stacey Abrams, who has written eight—eight!—of the latter under the name Selena Montgomery. We're talking about one of them, Reckless, today. Another thing we're getting into: books that aren't technically for kids but that kids can take a lot from. A real page-turner of an ep!

Three adult books that influenced us growing up: Our Bodies, Ourselves, Life's 100 Photographs That Changed the World, and The Cake Bible.

Books we endorse having around the house for kids to have access to: Black Futures, Every Person in New York, The Macmillan Visual Dictionary, The Times Comprehensive Atlas of the World, Map: Exploring the World, The Man Behind the Maps, In the Company of Women, D C-T!, and Do It Yourself.

Do you need some Stacey Abrams / Selena Montgomery romance in your life? SURE YA DO. Read Reckless, its sequel Deception, and this very good recent Glamour article by Jenny Singer that explores her novel-writing and its reception over time.

Secret Menu—subscribe, gift a 6- or 12-month gift sub to Secret Menu, etc.?!

Share 2021 episode topics you'd love to hear at 833-632-5463, [email protected], and/or @athingortwohq.

Give Hilma a go to treat those everyday aches and pains (headaches included!!). For 20% off the starter set and a free gift, use the code ATHINGORTWO.

Also, listen to the latest season of Even the Rich, Free Britney, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app.

YAY.

Produced by Dear Media

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If, like us, you've been following Kimberly Drew and Jenna Wortham's work for years 'n years, you're going to really relish digging into Black Futures, the sweeping anthology they created together. This week, we're chatting with the duo about celebrating Blackness, developing a friendship over the course of a creative collaboration, and, um, mispronouncing words. Oh, and before they join us, we're discussing why really big versions of things make good gifts.

You thought we were done with gift ideas? Heck no. 1) a 6- or 12-month gift sub to Secret Menu. 2) DONATIONS! 3) lots of something you know someone already loves. For us, we're talking jumbo takes on Luxardo cherries, Maldon salt, Fruit Roll-Ups, Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Conditioner, Ghirardelli brownie mix, Tate's cookies, sriracha, that Kacey Musgraves x Boy Smells candle, and Red Boat fish sauce and salt.

Grab your copy of Black Futures (which, by the way: great gift). To keep up on Jenna and Kimberly's book tour—and to feel very in-the-know in general—follow both of them on IG: @jennydeluxe and @museummammy respectively.

Black Futures inspirations: The Black Book edited by Toni Morrison, Black Women Writers at Work by Claudia Tate, Losing Ground directed by Kathleen Collins (and just the scope and scale of Kathleen Collins's work broadly), the F series at The Studio Museum in Harlem, and adrienne maree brown (and her book introductions specifically).

Of the SO MANY moments, undertakings, and talents Black Futures delves into, a few this episode touches on: Martine Rose, Black Mama's Bail Out, and the birth of Black Lives Matter in the Facebook posts of Alicia Garza and Patrisse Cullors.

And visit www.hilma.co/ATHINGORTWO to get the Hilma starter set, with a free gift and 20% off!

Produced by Dear Media

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Gift Guide Podcast, the Sequel: Presents Requested. (Can you tell we're a little slap-happy after recording these eps?) If you haven't tuned in for part one, here's the deal: We've got lots of ideas from small businesses, many owned by women and BIPOC, (and none from Amazon)—and we have thoughts on organizations to donate to in someone's honor, too. Are you ready for all the thoughts? Great, let's get into it. Oh, and if you just can't get enough, our 2019 installments are here and here.

BROTHERS!

21 year old brother who has a new passion/major every week. Techie, creative, loves pasta.

• Grossy Pelosi merch: This Too Shall Pasta or Live Laugh Lasagna
• Designy pasta book: The Silver Spoon or The Geometry of Pasta
• Memoirs of people who found/made their own way: Notes from a Young Black Chef by Kwame Onwuachi, Just Kids by Patti Smith, and The Autobiography of Gucci Mane
• Subscription to Courier magazine

Little brother, loves foreign affairs, about to graduate from college, very classic taste

• Subscription to Stranger's Guide, The Atlantic, Monocle, or ProPublica
• A watch! Todd Snyder x Timex collab or Hodinkee for Swatches.
• Norse Projects x Hestra gloves
• J. Press Shaggy Dog cuffed hat

21 y.o. Lil bro who is way cooler than me. Into the outdoors, vintage jackets, anime.

• Hanafuda Flower Cards by Nintendo
• Atsuko long-sleeve
• Parks Project long-sleeve or hoodie
• Pallares pocket knife
• Anywhere Brewer by Alvaro Rodriguez

My 30 y.o. lefty anti-capitalist brother who secretly really likes buying things.

• Something Patagonia WornWear ReCrafted or Todd Snyder x L.L. Bean
• Patreon subscription for Chapo Trap House
• Leftie merch: Call Your Girlfriend The Scam is Structural Hat or Bernie Sanders Rage Against the Machine T-shirt
• Kura Kin sake club from Brooklyn Kura
• Donation to his local mutual aid organization

KIDS!

The 2-year-old that has everything—9 sets of Aunts/Uncles!

• A giant, mascot-style costume for an adult to wear—Elmo? Bear?
• Kid audio player things: Yoto Player and Tonies
• Toy storage: Fabelab bear storage bag and Oh Noo toy wheelbarrow
• The Dough Project
• Donation to National Diaper Bank Project

Kids! Not little but not teens. Bonus for stuff that isn't tech-based. PLEASE

• Cooking thing: Kid in the Kitchen by Melissa Clark or Bella Cucina pastry tart set
• Box set of books: Roald Dahl or Puffin in Bloom
• Something outdoorsy: Tubbs snowshoes, Hamboard shortboard, or cool roller skates by Chicago Skates, Impala, or Moxi
• Da Bomb Fizzers
• Tie-dye kit: Horizon Group unicorn tie dye bundle or Tulip tie-dye party
• Washi tape sets
• Twee sidewalk chalk
• Liewood domino set
• Mary Matson Double Happiness poster (edition of 50, signed and numbered)

TEENS!

Late teen more responsible than me at 30 and already has the lined Birkenstocks.

• Olive & June manicure/pedicure system (or just the mani system)
• Watercolor sets: Beam Paints, LDBA Palette, Case for Making, or anything from Blick
• Original art from Caroline Kaufman
• Safomasi quilted bean bag
• Lorien Stern sloth rug or seal bath mat
• Lotta Blobs mirror
• Breda watch
• Alex Mill tie-dye cotton socks

17-year-old awkward tomboy who has NO opinions on anything she likes

• Book that might get her thinking about what she likes/where she's going: In the Company of Women, Roadtrip Nation's Roadmap book, Start Where You Are journal, or Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling
• Custom Converse or Vans
• If she has an iPad: Apple Pencil

BOSSES AND EMPLOYEES!

Design-minded bosses (one male and one female)

• Puzzles: Four Point Puzzles, Whiled, and Piecework
• Mug that suits each of their aesthetics: Yowie and Mociun
• Design-y chocolate: Compartes bars or Vesta bonbons
• Design-y calendars: 2021 Stendig or Design Letters
• Astier de Villate notebook
• The Granite ceramic matchboxes

Male boss you have a crush on. Should seem to cost about $50 (but ok if it costs more)

• Signed book by his fave author: AbeBooks has a very good search tool, and 1stDibs is good for more coffee-table stuff.
• Body wash or soap that is just on the cusp of inappropriate—Musgo Real soap on a rope?
• Set of two glasses (subtle hint to have a drink together?!): Mia Craft beer glasses, Estelle Colored Glass, or vintage French champagne coupes, maybe with a bottle of something to drink, too.

65-year-old male boss who's super successful, obsessed with Tesla and health and wellness

• Food innovation: Seemore Meats & Veggies sausages or Oishii strawberries
• Gossamer CBD in Dusk and/or Dawn
• Oracle olive oil
• Donation to Partnership for a Healthier America, Back on my Feet, or Fresh Air Fund
• If this person is your dad not your boss: Oura ring or Theragun

18 co-workers. I'm their boss.

• Omsom sauces
• Pineapple Collaborative olive oil or pantry set
• Zazzle or Etsy mugs with superlatives

GRAB BAG!!!

37 weeks pregnant and just want to pick one thing to buy 25 of and call it a day. But what?!

• Five-year journal: One Line a Day, Hobonichi 5-year Techno, or Unbound Planner
• Plant: Holiday cactus from The Sill or herb collection from Bloomscape
• Il Buco Alimentari Sale Fiore or WAJD salt
• Planting a tree via Nature Conservancy
• Donations to No Kid Hungry or Heifer International

My dog walker who dresses like a Tim Burton character and is 22. $50 - $100

• $$
• Kule striped mask
• Something FUN, useful, and a little grown-up for home: Fredericks and Mae cutting board and Areaware table tiles

My mail carrier

• Gift card to a coffee shop on your route
• Thermos: super classic Stanley one or Zojiruchi ones in more colors
• Lands' End ear muffs
• Zippo 12-hour hand-warmer

I need special little things for neighbors/mail people/building managers!

• Seasonings: Momofuku seasoned salts, Burlap & Barrel spice set, or Westbourne spice trio with recipes
• Fancy hand sanitizer: Jao and MCMC
• Gift cert for a neighborhood spot that does lunch

Last gift idea, promise: a sub to Secret Menu.

Give Nutrafol a go for thicker, healthier hair—the code ATHINGORTWO gets you 20% off.

Live that bidet life with Hello Tushy. 10% off and free shipping!

YAY.

Produced by Dear Media

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You have gift questions, and we have gift answers! Welcome to part one of our second-annual gift guide, where you'll find so much cool stuff from small businesses (many run by women and BIPOC!), no Amazon links (but you do you), and thoughts on orgs to donate to, too. Part two is coming next week, and last year's still-relevant installments are here and here. Now, hope you're prepared for an outrageously long episode recap...

PARENTS!

My mom has requested "a new hobby" for Christmas which has sent me spinning. Any ideas? She's very artsy and already gardens and writes fiction. Knitting hasn't worked for her due to her arthritis, and she's a lifelong hater of kitchen activities, most of the cute gifty hobby kits I've seen fall into those categories. Stumped!

• Joone Creative air-dry ceramics tiles kit
• Rose Pearlman punch needle hoop kit
• The Crafter's Box arm-knitting workshop
• Melanie Abrantes Japanese bowl-carving kit

Fic & non-fic books that will nudge my parents to the left without them realizing it.

• What Unites Us by Dan Rather
• Evicted by Matthew Desmond
• Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
• Good Talk by Mira Jacob

I need gift ideas for my almost 60-year-old, tech-y, suburban dad. Hasn't finished reading the books he got for Father's Day but he loves history. Does a lot of biking on his indoor trainer. He has an Apple Watch but we aren't allowed to get him AirPods because my mom thinks he'll accidentally put them through the laundry. He likes food/eating/cooking but had a heart attack 3 years ago so we're not allowed to do fun things (unless they're low sodium/cholesterol). Usually I try to find an activity (movie, bike, ride to brewery, etc.) but covid makes that hard. So many restrictions!!

• Claire puts her airpods through the laundry all the time and they still work! (Mostly.) But for an alt: Rapha x Bang & Olufsen earphones (made for indoor training—bigger than Airpods).
• Subscription to the Peloton app to use with his bike (you don't need the Peloton bike!)
• Smart/wake-up clock: Philips SmartSleep, Loftie
• Beer-plus-history book: Pilsner: How the Beer of Kings Changed the World
• MasterClass: Doris Kearns Goodwin teaches "U.S. Presidential History and Leadership"

Mom and her husband who just bought a new cottage and are DIY fixing it up. The kitchen and garden are especially yucky!

• Online landscaping-design apps like Yardzen or Tilly Design
• Gardening stuff: Floral Society, Floret, and Father Rabbit
• Tools: MoMA Design Store Rainbow Multi-tool set, FIXR tool, and Bosch Blaze laser measurer
• Birdhouse: Andreu Carulla's Bird and Breakfast, Amish cottage
• Coffee-table books: The Gardens of Bunny Mellon and More than Just a House by Alex Eagle
• Donation to Habitat for Humanity

My Jewish parents who are IMPOSSIBLE to shop for and trying to stop eating sugar.

• Popcorn seasoning set: The Spice House or Oaktown Spice Shop
• Engraved Masala Dabba from Diaspora Co.
• Cookbook: Sweet Laurel or Ottolenghi Flavor
• Miznon Israeli falafel or lamb kebab kits
• Chefanie Oy Vey cocktail napkins
• Russ & Daughters tote, tee, hat...in R&D wrapping paper!

My crunchy fire-fighting dog lady MIL.

• Bon Temps tea
• Simpli quinoa
• Soapwalla tasting menu gift set
• Sashiko mending kit
• Ace & Jig x Project Thrive scrap coaster set
• Recreation Center dog bowl
• Donation to BARC Shelter in Brooklyn or her local animal shelter (many have wish lists where you can send dog food, etc!)

Stepmom: hates being cold. She's always cold. But is entertaining outside now in CA.

• Hot water bottle: Amara sheepskin and Chickpea knit
• Something for cooking warm entertaining food/drink outside: Boska mini raclette cheese melter and grill, Royal Rose hot toddy mixers, or FLÎKR Fire personal concrete fireplace
• Flamingo Estate candles—scents like Roma heirloom tomato

SISTERS-IN-LAW!

My sister-in-law is a chic New Yorker and I live in Missoula, Montana. I am a needs-based gifter and she is very much a wants-based gifter. I love to cook, she dabbles in cooking (she's dairy free) and I think she finds me kind of quaint for my homey ways. She is (and strongly identifies) as an Aries. She is a platinum-rewards-level business traveler and boss babe entrepreneur in the music industry. We get along great, but we literally could not be more different and I am ALWAYS stuck on gifts for her. This year I already gave her a gorgeous coffee table book of NYC night photography that I feel pretty good about, but I need a lifetime stockpile of ideas. Budget is $50- $100

• Hermès lipstick
• A pretty colored glass thing with utility: a couple Estelle wine glasses, Maison Balzac glasses, carafe, or pitcher, and Laurence Brabant A La Pointe Candle Holder
• Anything from Casa Shop—some is new, some is vintage, and it's all very good.
• Beklina cashmere petite scarves
• Esker Beauty plantable candle

My very chic sister-in-law who lives in a shoebox in Paris and will need to clear TSA

• Alex Prager playing cards
• Glass oil/vinegar decanter: Gary Bodker or Stover Glass
• Me Issey Miyake Trunk Pleats Bag
• Gilded marble body brush (there's a mini too!), Kate McLeod body stone
• Antipast gloves
• Fancy fashion socks: Darner, Comme Si, and Hansel from Basel

Sister in law who loves to cook. $50 and under

• Iris Hantverk dough scraper
• Visual measuring cups
• Bamboo steamer + chopsticks + Wing on Wo spoons and chopstick rests (or Pearl River Market)
• Trivets: Hawkins cork and Il Buco salvaged antique tile
• Home Cooking podcast sweatshirt
• Short Stack editions
• Colorful pasta from Pastificio del Colle
• Fog Linen oven mitt
• Donation to Soul Fire Farm or The Okra Project

HUSBANDS, BOYFRIENDS, AND OTHER UNDEFINED MEN!

A dude who I've been seeing since early October. We're exclusive but not serious….helllp

• Slippers: Vince suede and shearling, Yoko Wool
• Cool lighter (and possibly candle—Norden??): Tetra slide lighter or Tsubota Pearl tortoise lighter
• Nice bottle o' booze—the one a shelf or two above what he buys himself
• A game for two that you can learn to play together: dominos from Printworks, Wolfum, or Fredricks & Mae; 2-in-1 chess/checkers Set from Ridley's or MoMA
• D.S. & Durga auto fragrance set

Fiance! Together 8 years, postponed wedding. Xmas AND his bday SAME WEEK!

• A piece of art—maybe decide to pick it out together for Xmas (and then you only have to shop for his bday): Picture Room or Absolut Art
• You could even reach out to an artist you like on IG and ask about commissions!
• Custom neon sign with something you two say or your initials : Yellowpop or Brite Lite
• Something sentimental framed via The Heirloomist

A 35-year-old man who loves sports, his dog, his Jeep, the Cubs and classic music.

• Yeti cooler
• Vintage Cubs something—glasses, mug, etc.
• Vintage Jeep sign from eBay
• Dog bed: Dusen Dusen or Found My Animal
• Studio Proba x Slash Objects pet mat
• NES Classic Edition

A 37-year-old suburban dad who misses dance parties and loves the Book Review

• Pop-Up Magazine membership
• Books Are Magic subscription
• MasterClass on dance music with EDM DJ Armin van Buren
• Turntable and mixer

FRIENDS!

My long-distance bestie and I turned 30 this year and we'd originally planned on going on a trip together and getting welded gold bracelets as some grown-up version of friendship bracelets. However, THESE TIMES(™). So now she's moving from Toronto (same country) to New Zealand (different hemisphere! Different continent!). We thought we'd do some sort of big co-gift! Pertinent details for your brainstorming pleasure: She's a Capricorn (reluctantly) and I'm an extremely Pisces Pisces (love 2 cry). Budget is up to $200ish. Needs to be mildly packable considering she has to get it to NZ somehow along with the rest of her earthly possessions. Needs to ship to Canada. LOVE YOU!

• Fancy pair of stud earrings—you each take one. Or singles of White/Space birthstone studs.
• Catbird smallest love letter charm or tiniest key charm that you can get engraved
• Some sort of art/print: Tappan and Uprise Art

Group text friends

• A little food thing: Rice & Miso Everyday soup ball things (if in Brooklyn!); Copper Cow Coffee Vietnamese-style pour-over, Kusmi Tea set with 12 diff flavors, or Sakara popcorn trio
• A mask or mask chain that's a little more *special*: Lizzie Fortunato, Diarrablu, Injuri, Baggu
• Porcelain fortune cookies that you can slip a fortune/wish for them for 2021 into
• An ornament related to an inside joke
• Three Potato Four key tags, specifically the "thank you for being a friend" one
• Rattan pop socket
• Sage bundle
• Verloop pom ribbed slippers

GRAB BAG!!!

My great-grandma who lives across the country and has never met my baby, because COVID

• Calendar with pics of your baby: Artifact Uprising brass easel and Parabo Press classic desk cal
• Locket with pic of your baby: Catbird (can be engraved!)

People whose hobbies are "going for walks in the neighborhood."

• Fanny pack: Tory Sport color-block, Baggu, or Beklina ribbed leather
• Hiking/all-weather boots: Bernardo Winnie
• Puffer scarf: Echo, Eileen Fisher, or Patagonia NanoPuff Scarf
• Audio subscriptions: Libro.fm or Audm

Someone who hates things/prefers experiences, but with Covid it's hard to experience!

• Online cooking class: Sonoko Sakai, Goldbelly Live! Cook-Alongs, League of Kitchens, Momofuku, and Ole & Obrigado.
• Things to enjoy the experience of winter: Yaktrax, Crescent Moon eva foam snowshoes, or cross-country ski lessons
• Dipsea subscription
• Bokksu Japanese snack subscription
• Merch from favorite restaurant/hotel/place they've traveled to
• Games: Ridley's Card Games, Actually Curious, Lacorsa Grand Prix Board Game, Maharam Memory Game, or Helvetiq Matchmaster or SixStix

You know what else makes a great gift—a digital stocking stuffer, if you will? A sub to Secret Menu.

Do you have other ideas and just thoughts in general to share? Hit us up at 833-632-5463, [email protected], and/or @athingortwohq.

On 12/21, we're going to be talking about the romance novel Reckless by Selena Montgomery (aka Stacey Abrams). Join us for a read-along!

Look no further than Sakara for some hearty, healthy deliciousness. 20% off your first order with the code ATHINGORTWO.

Explore b.serene's handmade crystal jewelry, and get 15% off your first order with the code ATHINGORTWO.

YAY.

Produced by Dear Media

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here we are, asking the important questions, including "What's it like to start a record label and run it for 20 years?" and "Who in their right mind decided to eat an artichoke for the first time?" Sam Valenti IV, behind the very compelling Ghostly International, has all the answers to our first query, and we don't think we'll ever really get to the heart (heh) of our second.

Best use of an Instant Pot: cookin' artichokes.

Oddly enthusiastic endorsement: vintage Majorcan and Portuguese artichoke plates.

A couple good ways to put a can/jar of artichokes to good use: sardine pasta and back-pocket canned salad.

Dig into Sam Valenti's Ghostly International—both the musical artists (including the label's very first, Matthew Dear) and the products. Also, follow Ghostly's playlists—their "At Work" one in particular.

A few Brooklyn record stores worthy of Sam's fandom: Rough Trade, Academy Records, and Captured Tracks Shop.

When Sam's looking to discover new music, he can always count on Buy Music Club, Blackbandcamp.info, and Numero Group to deliver.

AND! A handful of other things we talked about: Blue Note Records: Beyond the Notes, That Thing You Do!, The Last Dance, and the podcast How Long Gone.

If you haven't signed up for Secret Menu...well!

We love to hear your thoughts! Send 'em all to us at 833-632-5463, [email protected], and/or @athingortwohq.

Get all of your holiday shopping done with our MoMA Design Store gift picks.

Try a Hello Tushy bidet for 15% off and free shipping.

Up your emotional intelligence with the Curious Tribe newsletter.

YAY.

Produced by Dear Media

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is this the beginning of one very strange holiday season to cap off one very strange year? It's starting to feel like it, and we have some ~initial thoughts~ on how to wrap your head around gifts and a whole bunch o' thoughts from Vanessa Price—who co-wrote the wonderful book Big Macs and Burgundy—on pairing wine with the things your actually eat, including the last of the leftover Halloween candy and whatever Thanksgiving dinner looks like in 2020.

For lots more holiday shopping thoughts 'n ideas, sign up for Secret Menu.

Gift guide eps are coming up!! If there are people you want us to shop for, tell us everything about them at 833-632-5463, [email protected], and @athingortwohq

Buy Big Macs and Burgundy, the book Vanessa Price co-wrote with our pal Adam Laukhuf. P.S., it also makes a great gift.

Vanessa's column for New York mag that led to the book—including that first Sour Patch Kids installment and the very trying s'mores one.

Try Sakara for some truly delicious, plant-rich, ready-to-eat meals—plus 20% off your first order with the code ATHINGORTWO.

Grow thicker, healthier hair with Nutrafol, and use the code ATHINGORTWO for 20% off.

Tune into the hilarious and heartfelt new fiction podcast RomComPods.

YAY.

Produced by Dear Media

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You can only comfort yourself with so many baked goods, it seems, but we've found a workaround: We're putting them in our ears instead of our mouths. What a joy it was to sit down with Lani Halliday, who is making the best inclusive pastries around and unveiled her first physical outpost of Brutus Bakeshop during the pandemic. Yes: She's very bold, and we're very obsessed.

If you're in NYC, grab Lani Halliday's baked goods at Brutus Bakeshop in Crown Heights (and get some amazing New Mexican food from Eric See's Ursula while you're there!). If you're anywhere else, buy her (vegan, GF, soy-free) miso chocolate chip cookies on the internet and keep your eyes peeled for her pop tarts and more, more, more.

More on the Independent Restaurant Coalition—um, 11 million people in the U.S. are independent restaurant employees!

Friends, KIT. You can get us at 833-632-5463 and @athingortwohq any ol' time.

Find migraine relief online—and get 50% off your first month of medication—thanks to Cove.

Shop our MoMA Design Store gift picks and take 10% off with the code ATHINGORTWO through November 23 (exclusions apply).

Try out the plumping, hydrating magic of City Lips. 30% off your order of two or more with the code ATHINGORTWO.

YAY.

Produced by Dear Media

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yeah, so, it's gonna be a real week, and if you're interested in escaping the tweets, push alerts, and polling data for a few, we have some celeb gossip, book recs, and sweaters to cozy up to.

You can support us by 1) leaving a jazzy ol' review 2) subscribing to Secret Menu. Wheeeeee.

We're offering free ads to Black-owned businesses. Get in touch at [email protected].

The very best celeb gossip sources, if you ask us: E! News IG stories, Jam Session, Deux Moi, Gossip Time, The Shade Room, Who? Weekly, Bossip, and Just Jared Jr.

The couple Claire's shipping: Harry Styles and Tracee Ellis Ross. This pic + this clip. Believe what you want. And just read The Idea of You already if you haven't.

And, now for beliebing: Erica is intrigued with Justin and Hailey Bieber's domestic life. This post and this post and a Facebook Watch thing called Baking with the Biebers. Somehow related: Levain Bakery cookies.

Two books that are distracting and immersive (but not light!): The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi and Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam (hear Rumaan on a 2018 ep of our pod, too!).

Gang, it's sweater weather. Brands we love: Demylee, Jenni Kayne, Alex Mill, Acme Studios, Babaà, Ply-Knits, Leret Leret, Ryan Roche, Sézane, Mijeong Park, and Atelier Delphine.

Have something to share? Call us: 833-632-5463. Love those VMs.

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