• Atlas Obscura. It's a list of "off the beaten path" stuff compiled by and for weirdos and adventurers. The daily emails contain places to see, unusual things to do, and investigations of odd happenings, urban legends, arcane traditions, forgotten artistry, natural phenomena, etc. Most of the "cool things to see" have recommendations for how best to access these places without being a jerk or (in some cases) dying in the process. They also have a Gastro Obscura list for cool and unusual things to eat/drink. Whenever I travel somewhere new (or somewhere I haven't been for a while) I always check Atlas Obscura for local oddities.
• I adore these gel pens because even the most grisly schedule or to-do list looks better in these bright colors. Writing with them makes me so happy!
• The Art of Manliness. Kind of feel a little bit like I'm peeking from a closet in to a bunch of dudes in a large room trying to be the best dudes they can while no one's looking. But this site is awesome!!!! Need to know how to tie a tie, fix a tire, wear your slacks, cook a burger, look like a million bucks for under $50? This is it. It speaks to the tomboy in me. I LOVE this site.
• Killing Eve. Great series that smashes the Bechdel test. Amazing clothes on a female assassin that aren’t sexified.
• An e-bike aka pedal assist. As a cyclist I felt it was wimping out, cheating. But if I want the full work out, I turn the assist off or go to low. If my knees are clamoring for a lighter day but I want to haul a week's worth of groceries- turn it up. Yesterday I rode up to the top of 3 hills along the river with my dog just for the view and the descent. It makes biking fun again and the car spends so much more time parked.
• The MINDBODY app for booking fitness classes. I use it to check class schedules/instructors for workout studios and to book my classes for the week ahead based on my schedule. When I travel, I use the app to find studios and classes I might want to try. From MINDBODY, I can add the booked classes to my iCal, or text my signup to a friend who might want to join me at that particular class.
• The League of Pissed Off Voters. Sometimes I just can't make heads or tails of a Prop or some other thing on the ballet. These guys are no non-sense in their assessments. I like them as a sounding board for voting. [Ed. Note: This is San Francisco only. I emailed them to ask if there were other chapters, and they wrote back: “A while back, the League was part of a national org called the League of Young Voters. As far as we know, we’re the last local chapter still active. When we try to find similar groups, we typically search for progressive political orgs and labor orgs. We’re sort of our own thing being not a democratic club and researching everything ourselves.”]
• Mommy Makeup. I went to the website to check it out, because the claim was that this is makeup for busy moms who don’t have a whole lot of time to get ready in the mornings. I’m a busy, single mom and have gone more days without makeup than with since having my son, so I am ALWAYS looking for time saving ways to put on my makeup. The founder/creator is/was a professional makeup artist and has a lot of tips and information on the Mommy Makeup site, and lots of tutorial videos for applying all of the different products. There is an option to email them a selfie and the site will email you back with the foundation color and concealer that work for your skin color. I sent in the selfie and got a full list of recommended colors that would work for a natural, everyday look… I do feel like I’m saving time putting the makeup on… I recommend it to all the women I know, whether they are moms or not.
• 10 Percent Happier App for meditation – great for skeptics and has you starting at just one minute if you want.
• I always go to the Environmental Working Group website for product recommendations, because I want a sunscreen that is not going to affect my hormones and is not going to be fully absorbed into my body at high/unsafe levels (here’s EWG’s current article about sunscreens).
• So much to do, so little money. Or, if you'd like to skip the pub and play during the day. This site is a go-to for fun and different events (in the Bay Area). Never lets me down.
• The YouTube Bon Appetit channel. These guys make cooking look easy and enjoyable and they are normal people. Plus they do funny things like try to make Twix from scratch.
• Unstyled podcast. EIC of Refinery 29 interviewing people. She just interviewed Stacy London and it was amazing. Also loved her interview with Elaine Welteroth.
• Wearing a uniform as an adult. My work uniform is print dress, clog heel and or flats and backpack. My exercise uniform is yoga pants, sports bra and t shirt. The only time I have to think about what I wear is when I go to an event. As someone who loves fashion, this makes it fun and less of a chore. I like coloring within the lines. I also carry a backpack most days. Younger me would have been horrified. Older me is psyched for my shoulders not hurting.

For next week

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