Hatch Rest ~ $70

This ok-to-wake clock has been amazing to help get my children out of bed without too much fussing. Once they see that the light turns yellow and hear the birds chipping, they know it’s time to emerge and get ready for the day.

Kizik Sneakers ~ $69

With their hands-free design, Kizik sneakers are the easiest shoes to slide on — no laces or velcro to mess around with. Seriously, the transition out the door has never been easier. My kids have been wearing them every day for a year, and they’re still as good as new!

Dry Erase Whiteboard ~ $6

Use a dry erase whiteboard like this one to jot down your kids’ morning checklist. It’s magnetic so you can put it on your fridge, or simply set it somewhere they’ll see it when they wake up.

Weekly Clothes Organizer ~ $14

Get all the outfits ready the Sunday before the school-week with this handy hanging organizer.

Succession ~ Max

If you’re not watching this series, now in its fourth season, you should be. Reportedly based on the real-life media-mogul Murdoch family, this series is equal parts drama and dark comedy. Though I can’t say I find any of the characters particularly likable, the ever-changing dynamics, alliances and hierarchy among them is fascinating and intriguing.

The Unlikely Village of Eden ~ $17

This touching and raw memoir by Emma Nadler details her journey in caring for her child, Eden, born with an incredibly rare genetic condition. This book is perfect for all parents and caregivers; it’s a beautiful reminder that life doesn’t always (or perhaps ever?) go to plan, and that it’s okay (necessary, even) to lean on your village, and ask for and accept help.

Iris&Romeo Best Skin Days SPF

An SPF that also gives you a youthful glow? Yes, please. Best Skin Days has become a staple in my morning skincare routine. I love the slightly whipped feel of the lotion, and my skin is left looking dewy and healthy.

LumaGlow LED Light Therapy Wand ~ $124

The LumaGlow LED Light Therapy Wand is a game-changer for skincare enthusiasts. Its compact design and versatile functionality make it easy to incorporate into your beauty routine. The wand’s red and blue light therapy targets acne, fine lines, and wrinkles, leaving the skin looking radiant and rejuvenated.

Rockin’ BLINKS PJs

Made from Pima Cotton, Rocking’ BLINKS sleepwear is so buttery soft, you’ll wish the PJs came in adult sizes. Each set, which are all gender neutral, come with a card with specific sleeping information to help you understand sleep (and its challenges) at your child’s age. The company was founded by Lola Sanchez Liste, sleep consultant, mom of two and Charlene’s neighbor.

Garnet Hill Asian Wrap Organic Shortie PJs ~ $69

Soft as butter and 100% organic cotton, these Asian-wrap PJs are my go-to for staying cool at night this summer. These PJs are super high-quality and last forever.

Koolaburra (by Ugg) sandals ~ $65

Want to feel like you’re walking on clouds? Then slip these on your feet. No, I’ve never walked on clouds, but if I did — I assure you this is what it would feel like. Soooo comfortable and super cute to boot, these Koolaburra sandals will be your new summertime favs. Trust me.

Sezane Baskets ~ $varies

Baskets and woven bags are all the rage this year, and we are loving it. So get your picnic chic on for all your outings – kids or no kids. We love the selection at French brand Sezane.

JBL Clip 3 Speaker ~ $50

Bring the party to your day trips at the beach. This portable speaker is waterproof and you can clip it on your beach bag or backpack to keep it secure.

Yeti Can Insulator ~ $25

You know that feeling when you take a sip of your seltzer only to realize it’s warm and completely flat? Get yourself a Yeti insulator so you never encounter that problem ever again. You’re welcome.

Parenthood ~ Hulu or Peacock

Don’t laugh, but I had never watched Parenthood until I caught COVID over the holiday break, and not only did it save me from sheer isolation boredom, I got obsessed! I watched all 6 seasons in 2 weeks (24 episodes per season… yes, I’m bragging). Parenthood is the OG “This Is Us” — a heartfelt depiction of parenthood and family in all their beauty and complexities. It also was ahead of its time in showing what having a kid on the spectrum could look and feel like. ~ Charlene

Firefly Lane ~ Netflix

Back in January when I was recovering from surgery, I stumbled across this show on Netflix. It’s a touching story that follows a set of best friends, Kate and Tully, through their early teen years when they first meet, all the way through adulthood. Heartwarming, hilarious and everything in between, Firefly Lane made my recovery time fly by. Now if only I were friends with this pair in real life… ~ Marissa

Baptiste Power Yoga Podcast

I have recently started doing yoga again regularly and am obsessed with this podcast — it’s the perfect mix of challenging, athletic, and mindful at just the right tempo. Since the classes are “real” studio classes, you truly get the full experience at home. ~ Brit

The Chalene Show

The Chalene Show is a mixed bag of lifestyle, self-help, fitness and really, just everything. It’s what I turn to when I’m in the mood for something light, but interesting.

Start here, with “Becoming Epic with Aprille Franks“. All I can say is that I’ve listened to this ep 3 times. ~ Meg

The NYT Daily Mini

The Daily Mini has become part of my morning ritual. My alarm goes off; I hit snooze; I open the NYT Games App; solve the Daily Mini Crossword puzzle; check out the Leaderboard to see how my friends did; and kick myself for not putting on my glasses before solving said puzzle. The Mini keeps me sharp (or at least it makes me feel sharp) and is another great way to connect with friends. Oh, and it’s actually more exhilarating to tie than it is to win… ~ Charlene

Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, by Oliver Burkeman

Smartly described by one reviewer as “a much-needed reality check on our culture’s crazy assumptions around work, productivity, and living a meaningful life,” this book is a refreshing, wry, and highly philosophical addition to the stacks of books that purportedly claim to help us “do it all.” I willl 100% be revisiting this book, it’s a keeper. ~ Brit

The Body Keeps Score, by Bessel van Der Kolk

This book was a game-changer for me. I now understand that the body and the mind are FULLY connected – not what we are taught in western culture/medicine. It’s so good to finally understand how trauma you’ve suffered has damaged your body and your health, and how to move forward from it. The author uses recent scientific advances to show how trauma literally reshapes both body and brain, compromising sufferers’ capacities for pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust. ~ Meg

Bookshop.org

I am late to the party here, but Bookshop.org allows you to purchase books online and support your local bookstore — it’s a wonderful alternative for anyone looking to move away from Amazon. ~ Brit

Air Fryer ~ $varies

Much like the Instant Pot, an Air Fryer has once again changed my life. It’s so easy to cook food quickly and with such little mess (chicken nuggets in 10 minutes instead of 35? Yes, please!), now I wonder how I lived without it. ~ Meg

Lorimer State Bag Fanny Pack ~ $90

My favorite day-to-day bag! I love that I can wear this cross-body or as a fanny pack. It has two separate compartments, so I can organize it effectively: one side for keys, wallet, chapstick, and all my essentials; and the other side for my kids’ stuff (epi pen, bandaids & hair ties). ~ Marissa

Farm Rio Clothing ~ $varies

If you need to add a little (or a lot of) color to your wintery days, check out Farm Rio. This Brazilian sustainable brand’s motto is “dress in happiness,” and boy, do they deliver. Every piece is cheerful, exotic and full of life. ~ Charlene

Athleta Pranayama Wrap ~ $89

This slouchy wrap is an everyday staple for me — I’ve had a piece like this for years and tried tons of different brands… this is the hands-down winner. I literally bought three of them. ~Brit

Rhone Loungewear for Men ~ $79

I bought a Rhone loungewear set for my husband for Christmas, and he’s been living in it. It’s butter soft and roomy — perfect for lazy Sunday mornings. I also love that they offer a waste-free alternative to shipping: their packaging is completely reusable, and their shipping partner, Olive, will come to your place to pick it back up. ~ Charlene

Tower 28 Mascara ~ $20

This mascara checks all the boxes: it defines and elongates every single lash; it’s gentle enough for sensitive eyes; and it’s nontoxic. All of Tower 28’s makeup line has a been a win for me so far, especially their tinted sunscreen foundation and their lip gloss. ~ Charlene

Olaplex Hair Repair Treatment ~ $62

I only recently started to embrace my curls. But after a lifetime of hair straightening, my locks needed a little help to get the bounce back. This treatment has been a game changer, and I’ve gotten so many compliments about my hair. If only I could go back in time and tell my 14-year-old self to drop the straightening iron… ~ Charlene

This is The Story of a Happy Marriage, Ann Patchett ~ $15

This collection of essays from Ann Patchett has everything: humor, love, friendship, family, and all the rest. It will make you laugh, smile, cheer, wonder, and think. *Patchett reads the audio version, and listening to her read her own work is a treat all its own. ~ Brit

Liane Moriarty audiobooks ~ $varies

I hadn’t read anything by Liane Moriarty since Big Little Lies, but after reading Farhad Manjoo’s case for listening to her books, I tried some out and I’m *hooked. As he writes: “Although her prose is unflashy and her subject matter seemingly pedestrian — Moriarty writes tightly plotted domestic dramas about middle- and upper-middle-class suburbanites — her observations are so precise, her characters’ psychology so well realized that I often find her stories burrowing deep into my brain and taking up long, noisy residence there.” ~ Brit

Heavyweight

Did you ever wish you could change the past? In his podcast, Heavyweight, humorist Jonathan Goldstein goes down memory lane with his guests to help them resolve moments from the past they wish they could change. This podcast is about turning points — about getting answers to long-lasting questions; it reckons with the past, and does so with a perfect balance of storytelling, humor and emotion. ~ Charlene

The Sex Lives of College Girls

Mindy Kaling’s newest series — an homage to friendship and self-discovery — follows four roommates from different walks of life navigating their new freedom on a prestigious campus (and all the endlessly entertaining shenanigans that ensue). It’s bright and fun and honest; and the cast (including Pauline Chalamet!) is stellar. ~ Charlene

Encanto

If you haven’t seen this yet, what have you been doing for the last three weeks? The latest from Disney & Lin-Manuel Miranda is well worth a watch — it’s visually stunning, the songs are amazing (duh), and the story is sweet and magical. ~ Brit

Yoga with Adriene

The beginning of the year is often ripe with resolutions, new routine and month-long challenges. This one, though, stands out for helping you connect to yourself with purpose while also decreasing anxiety and building muscle tone and stamina. It comes with a daily email — plus, it’s free, good for beginners and advanced yogis alike, and on-going (you can start it any time of the year). ~ Charlene

Madewell Quilted Scuff Slippers ~ $29

These cute indoor slips are super soft and cozy but still give your feet room to breathe. I’ve been living in mine since September… bonus: the faux fur is made from recycled materials! ~ Brit

Elemis Pro-Collagen line ~ $varies

Elemis offers spa sessions in bottles. Seriously, their pro-collagen line is divine and restorative and luxurious. A treat for all mamas in want of a little pick-me-up for their skin. ~ Charlene

Going There, by Katie Couric ~ $19

Salacious and sweet, this Katie Couric tell-all is a true page-turner. Listen to it on Audible to hear her narrate it herself — even better! ~ Marissa

You Were Born for This, Chani Nicholas ~ $16

This book is a great primer for astrology newbies who’d like to know a little bit more about themselves and their potentials. Going over our sun, moon and rising signs (and how they all interact with one another), Chani Nicholas’s book offers a portal to self-discovery and self-acceptance. ~ Charlene

We Can Do Hard Things podcast

I’m a bit obsessed with author Glennon Doyle (if you haven’t read Untamed, do yourself a favor and get it!). She hosts this podcast with her wife, Abby Wambach, and sister, Amanda. Each episode is like having intimate conversations with your best friends about HARD THINGS, sprinkled with a serious dose of humor, humility and a whole lot of “feel-good” vibes. ~ Marissa & Readers

Ted Lasso

The ultimate feel good show of 2021 — Ted Lasso is warm and hilarious and charming and filled with optimism and real emotions. If you’re not familiar with the premise yet: a small football team coach from Kansas, played brilliantly by Jason Sudeikis, is hired to coach a professional soccer team in England… despite knowing absolutely nothing about soccer. ~ Charlene & Readers

Only Murders in The Building

Are you obsessed with true crime series? If so, you will enjoy this show, which follows three strangers who share a love for true crime and find themselves wrapped up in one. The character dynamic between Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez is unique, and the humor pitch-perfect. ~ Charlene

About Time

A newsletter crafted by Kaity Velez and Jessica Pallay (“two gestationally geriatric friends learning how to get older”), About Time talks about all things hormones, aging, relationships, and all the awesome, not-so awesome and weird things that happen once you turn 40 (including missing periods and the impossible quest of finding underwear made for the 40-and-over ladies among us). ~ Charlene

Not Safe For Mom Groups

A stigma-free community where moms can express their rawest thoughts and ask their most pressing questions, without judgment. You’ll get to be part of conversations that push the boundaries usually attributed with motherhood — right in your inbox. ~ Charlene

Colorfulkoala Leggings ~ $29

Better than Lululemon – although I love them too – Colorfulkoala makes an AMAZING legging! At $29, you’ll want to buy all the prints! Just make sure to get their 75% polyester/25% spandex blend (stay away from nylon, in my opinion that style doesn’t feel as nice). ~ Melissa

Madewell Threader Bar Earrings ~ $28

These earrings are so awesome — they can look the part for any kind of outfit. I like that they add a bit of flare while still being light as a feather. ~ Brit