By the time October 1st rolls around, I’m ready to pretty much exclusively watch anything scary. So when G and I learned that Hereditary (the movie we’d both wanted to see in theaters) was available to rent, we did so that very night. And let me just say that it. is. terrifying. I don’t spook easily, but this was so well-paced and acted (seriously, Toni Collette should win some sort of award for her performance) that I forced G to pause it a couple of times I was so freaked out. It’s more psychological thriller (a la ‘The Shining’ and ‘Rosemary’s Baby’) than a pop-out and scare you kind of film, which is what made it all the more riveting. – Emily
When it comes to pajamas, I’ve always been a t-shirt and boyshorts kind of girl, but Lunya recently brought my sleepwear to an entirely other level. I recently donated my XXL tees, and replaced them with Lunya’s washable silk set and Restore series, which I love for lounging in all day on a lazy Sunday. Not only do I feel like a grownup, but I actually love slipping into them after work. I feel sexy, confident, and most of all comfortable. Sweet dreams! – Leslie
When “strobing” became a beauty thing a few years back, I wasn’t on board. Whereas subtle highlighting along the cheeks was something I could get behind, the idea of disco-level shimmer just felt aggressive. But when my mom suggested I give MAC’s strobe cream a go (she’s a fan), insisting that it was all in how it was applied, I decided to give it a try. I rubbed it in-between my fingers and then dabbed it along my cheek and brow bones and was pleasantly surprised by the understated, yet illuminating results. My tired skin looked immediately more luminescent and I like that it’s buildable, should I ever crave a much more dramatic look for a night out. – Emily
If you’ve been watching my Insta stories over the past month, you’ve seen me using this machine to make a variety of milks, butters, and smoothies. To say I’m obsessed is an understatement; it’s one of the best birthday gifts I’ve ever received. The actual food it produces is so good, I can’t see buying nut milk or butter from the store ever again. – Geoffrey
Over the past several months, I’ve been trying to cut down on gluten and starches, using them as a “topping” rather than a “base,” which means I’ve been eating a lot of zoodles as a grain and pasta alternative. While I usually cut my own at home using a tool that’s harder to clean than it is to use, I’ve been loving the bagged zoodles at Trader Joe’s for lunch. At the beginning of the week, I bring a big container of a tomato-based pasta sauce packed with roasted vegetables and ground chicken, and several bags of zoodles to work. At lunch, I microwave the zoodles in their steamable packs (each bag is about $2), then top with pasta sauce. Voila! Incredibly easy and healthy lunch. – Leslie
While this book leans a bit more romance-novel-turned-mystery than my usual thriller, I was still very much on board and finished it in 48 hours. It’s about two people who meet (Sarah and Eddie), then spend seven amazing days together—only for Eddie to completely fall out of touch. Sarah suspects something sinister happened to him, and the book uncovers the truth from his past and why he disappeared. – Emily
I learned about this app months ago, when girlfriends kept recommending it to me, but only recently started using it regularly. Based on Kayla Itsines’s ‘Bikini Body Guide’ program, it has several programs to choose from, including one that teaches you how to use gym equipment, and another with a focus on ‘mind and body.’ I’ve been loosely following the classic BBG program, doing at-home workouts when I don’t have time to go to the gym. The thing I love most about it is that each workout takes just 28 minutes, and they’re hard and motivating with great video instructions and even an Apple TV app (though I usually just use my phone). What’s not to love? You can sign up for a month trial here. – Leslie
I’ll happily eat chicken tenders from the frozen food section, mediocre delivery pizza, and pre-packaged mac and cheese, but I have a hard stop when it comes to bottled dressing. I’m sure part of it had to do with the fact that my parents made theirs from scratch, so anything that’s not homemade, in comparison, is overwhelmingly disappointing. But as my life has gotten busier, I’ve found that the inconvenience of having to whip up a homemade variation means that I’ve stopped eating salads altogether. Enter: Primal Kitchen Vinaigrette. A gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free alternative that sounds super healthy, but actually tastes as though you just whipped it up. I’m a big fan of the Dreamy Italian, but I look forward to trying out all of their different varieties. – Emily
I’ve tried a lot of endurance/energy foods on my quest to find the perfect fuel for long rides… and this product may be the final one I use. Originally created and used by elite athletes (including Eliud Kipchoge, who just set the current marathon record), this hydrogel doesn’t have a strong taste or sticky consistency, but the high carbohydrate formula is absorbed quickly and distributed evenly throughout the bloodstream, without causing digestive issues, which often accompanies many of these products. Simply put, if you’ve tried gels, drinks, or any sort of endurance products, give this a shot. You won’t be disappointed. – Geoffrey
Put simply, this movie, starring Timothée Chalamet (swoon) and Steve Carrell, is a true story about a family navigating their son’s drug addiction, relapse, and recovery. There’s nothing especially unique about the story itself—but that’s exactly what makes it so memorable. As someone who knows very little about drug addiction first-hand, I felt like it beautifully illustrated how painful addiction is for everyone it touches. Though I should probably mention that the movie has mixed reviews—a friend of mine who has struggled with addiction said that, to her, it isn’t an accurate portrayal, and Rotten Tomatoes is also split—but I haven’t stopped thinking about it weeks later, which to me makes it a movie worth watching (or at least reading the original story it’s based on). – Leslie
Of all the beauty products I use, serums are the ones I get most excited to try. They make the most noticeable difference (at least for me), and Peach & Lily’s Glass Skin is no exception. It sinks in instantly, leaving my skin looking dewy, plump, and refreshed. Whereas other serums get almost too slick and oily, making it hard to layer on my other products, this one acts as the perfect base. It’s no wonder that it keeps selling out almost instantly, which is why I’m savoring my bottle and using just a little, both morning and night.
A little over a month ago, I cut out refined sugars from my diet. It wasn’t as difficult as I thought it would be—I never had a strong sweet tooth—but I missed the routine of having something sweet after dinner. I’ve recently taken to eating these coconut butter cups, which contain just enough coconut sugar to hit the spot without being overly sweet (just 2.5 grams of sugar total per cup!), and are filled with coconut butter (a healthy fat). They’re just as satisfying as a bowl of ice cream to me, but make me feel much better! – Leslie
