FROM: STELLA

TO: LAURA

1. I’ve been missing Los Angeles a lot this week. My husband bought me an early Mother’s Day gift of a huge Porto’s Bake at Home box. I also just finished reading Malibu Rising (which I loved!). Wish I was eating a fresh guava cheese tart from the beach but my daydreaming will have to do for now.

2. I am completely obsessed with these hands-free slip-on sneakers. I bought them after getting a very targeted Instagram ad while 8 months pregnant and they’ve been a game-changer for chasing my toddler while also holding all the things.

3. I’ve been greatly enjoying the AVL Today newsletter. It’s a great way to stay up to date with all things Asheville and I love the personality that they add to each mailing. I’ve learned so much about the city and always feel like I’m “in the know” thanks to this daily dose of local news.

4. Colby is obsessed with these little retractable toy cars. He loves to race them around the house and I love that they are an easy small toy that fits in my purse for an simple distraction when we are out and about.

FROM: LAURA

TO: STELLA

1. I had Covid over the last week, and so, spent a lot of time by myself. I am intensely grateful for Paxlovid that for sure had me feeling a lot better in record time. I had a day and a half of intense symptoms (fever, chills, cough, body aches, shortness of breath), a day more of aches and weakness, and then miraculously felt like nothing had ever been wrong! Can’t recommend the antiviral enough. (I got mine by way of a telehealth visit on Sesame, scheduled for within an hour!)

2. Two pieces on motherhood that I found to be in conversation with each other recently (ok and also two pieces that had me sobbing): This excerpt from Jessi Klein’s new book, I’ll Show Myself Out, that I cannot wait to read and The Lost Daughter starring Olivia Colman. I made the mistake of reading and watching these while I had Covid and was unable to physically touch (hug, cuddle, suffocate) my kid for a week… do not recommend.

3. Our house project is very underway. We have a second story! The framing and roof is complete and windows are getting finished up soon. We’ve also started to enter some of the more fun phases (for me) of architectural detailing, tile deliveries, light fixture decisions, etc. I liked this read on construction tips from women in the industry.

4. The Motherly podcast has been doing a mini-takeover by Joyce Brewer, blogger/author/parenting talk show host, and I’ve so enjoyed all of the episodes so far! I think bringing on a different host with different perspectives and experiences was a great call by the show.