6 Things I 100% Recommend Shopping / Seeing / Trying This Month.
And if you didn’t get last week’s newsletter, it’s all about must-buy beauty products!
Welcome back to Hi Everyone. I’m so glad you’re here! If you like what you’re reading, please consider sharing this newsletter and following @hillarykerr on Instagram. All products mentioned are independently chosen, and some may be affiliate links. Your support is appreciated.
Before we get into today’s newsletter, I just want to say that—if the amount of intensely rude DMs I have received lately are any indicator—I know that not everyone who reads what I write or follows me on social media cares about my opinion on political matters. In fact, there is a very vocal subset who do not want me to talk about anything in this realm, ever. And I have noticed that many folks who have platforms seem to agree with this no-politics policy, saying, and I paraphrase here: We’re just content creators; don’t expect us to talk about complex subjects when we’re not the news, scholars, or activists.
I don’t agree with that.
The reason I don’t agree is because I learn from my community about a wide range of subjects, including politics, all the time. And I know the power of peer-to-peer awareness, because it has impacted me directly. For example, while I am a very active voter now, that is an incredibly big shift from my pre-2016 behavior. I had never voted in an election in my life until then—which is embarrassing, horrific, and the height of privilege, I know—but now I’m that person who participates in every single primary.
I do this, in part, because people I like and respect used their platforms to raise awareness about issues that matter and stressed the importance of voting. It took years to really resonate with me, but it happened. So I am proof that your voice on social media matters, that you're not just screaming into the void.
With that in mind, while I am sadly unsurprised that Roe v. Wade was overturned, I’m also furious and devastated. If you feel this way as well, and are looking for an immediate action to take, I encourage you to directly donate to abortion funds—which help people get the reproductive care they need and deserve—particularly in states that had trigger laws already in place. Click here for more details.
Also, if you really want to make a difference, Jen Rubio, the co-founder and CEO of Away, is matching all donations to the National Network of Abortion Funds for the next day or so, up to $1M. Just use the link in her Instagram bio to donate. I did, and I hope you will too.
READ
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus ($18)
This New York Times bestseller from first-time author Bonnie Garmus came out in April, but suddenly everyone in the world seems to be reading it, including me. If you haven’t picked up your copy yet, I highly recommend that you do. It follows Elizabeth Zott, a stunning, brilliant, funny scientist in the 1960s who accidentally ends up as a beloved star of a TV cooking show. Her dog’s name is Six-Thirty, her spirit is unquestionably feminist, and her abilities are painfully underestimated. Did I mention it’s funny? Because that’s central, too.
TAKE
Joggy Re-Chargies ($58)
I’m always quite curious about what entrepreneur and all-around good egg Ty Haney—the brilliant founder of Outdoor Voices—is up to, so when I heard she’d recently launched a CBD+ company called Joggy, I was intrigued.
The lineup includes a topical CBD and arnica balm, Joy Stick; two kinds of drops, a pre-workout CBD and THCV energizer with a tiny amount of THC called Runner’s HIgh and a more chill version called Ready Steady; and my favorite, the pre-sleep CBD calming gummies, Re-Chargies. I have been happily eating Re-Chargies before bed for a while, and can report that I have easier, deeper, better sleep, and I wake up feeling refreshed. It mellows you out, kind of like a glass of wine, but I never wake up fuzzy. Don’t get me wrong, the vibe is subtle, so don’t expect some sort of rocket ship to the moon. But if you’re looking for a little mellow moment before you drift off, I can 11/10 recommend.
SHOP
J. Crew Everything
Have you all been following J. Crew lately? I must confess, I have not really. AND WHAT A MISTAKE. The other day I read a story, written by one of Who What Wear’s amazing editors (hi Erin Fitzpatrick!), about J. Crew’s head of women’s design, Olympia Gayot, and I couldn’t shop it fast enough. A pair of white suede lace-up mini platform sandals? Yes please. A nautical net and straw bag at a steal of a price? Bought it. The perfect convertible cotton apron dress? Ordered in white and a pale yellowy green. Holy moly I haven’t been into the brand like this in ages. Run, don’t walk.
WATCH
Only Murders In The Building (Hulu, June 28th)
Okay technically Season 2 started a couple of days ago, but life has been so hectic that I know I’m not going to get a chance to start the new season until July 1st, so here we are. If for some reason you haven’t seen the first season, drop everything and watch it at once. While yes, Selena Gomez is a divine goddess, the real gems for me are Martin Short and Steve Martin, who delight on every single level.
As I believe I have explained before, I am a giant scaredy cat, who has no interest in watching anything overly dark or suspenseful. But despite the fact that, as you’d imagine based on its name, this show is technically of the murder-mystery variety, it’s mostly just a charm offensive. It’s a caper, a puzzle, a quiet commentary on the secrets we keep and the power of friendship, and of course has a handful of podcast jokes, which obviously I adore.
TRY
Homecourt Steeped Rose Tray Set ($95)
When I heard that Courteney Cox was launching a company focused on “beauty products for the home,” I was…intrigued. I’ve long thought there was something missing in the space, as most surface cleaners and dish soaps fall into one of two categories: nice and neutral (read: dull) or zippy and bright (read: juvenile). Homecourt is neither. In fact, it’s actually pretty disruptive, luxurious, and subversive in a very elevated and chic way. Honestly it feels like what Tom Ford would want in his home, which I mean as a very high compliment.
As of now, there are only a handful of products—hand wash, hand cream, surface cleaning spray, dish soap, and a candle—but they come in four scents that were created specifically for this brand and are exceptionally thoughtful. This is not your grandmother’s lavender and lemon cleaning spray; perish the thought! It’s sophisticated and efficacious, in scents like Cece, which features a sexy mix of cedarwood, cardamom, and white leather, or Neroli Leaf, which combines fresh basil leaves and crisp orange blossoms. See what I mean: not what you expected!
I’m a sucker for an excellent rose scent, so I like the Steeped Rose trio, which also comes on a sleek black tray from my favorite Japanese home goods company, Yamazaki. The Cipes Mint candle is another favorite; in fact, it’s burning away in my room right now. Long story short: Homecourt is a very ambitious offering with a clear point of view. I like it, Picasso.
MAKE
BBQ Chicken Skewer Salad by The Defined Dish
When I was in high school, I couldn’t shake the intense grip of California Pizza Kitchen’s barbecue chicken salad. I lived for it for years, until I moved to New York for grad school and honestly haven’t had it since. But recently whilst perusing social media, I came across an adaptation of it that’s easy, fresh, and honestly a party for your mouth.
In a rare move, I usually make this recipe exactly as is—except I remove the chicken from the skewers when serving because it’s easier. That said, I’ve unintentionally omitted a number of ingredients along the way (due to poor grocery store planning) and trust me when I tell you it turns out fine anyway.
As for the salad dressing, it’s definitely worth making. Per the instructions, I don’t do the egg-oil mixture and simply sub in a cup of Vegenaise, which I prefer to mayo mayo. (Which is fun to say out loud. Try it: mayo mayo!) Also, if you don’t have fresh corn, I will warm up a bag of frozen corn in my cast-iron skillet with a smidge of butter and salt, and honestly most folks won't know the difference.
As always, thank you for being here, and thank you for sticking around. If you have any questions or concerns, or want me to touch on any topics in particular, I’m all ears. Leave a comment on Hi Everyone’s Bulletin or DM me on Instagram—I’m @hillarykerr—my inbox is always open!