The DM | Issue Twenty
Or the one where we admit we're *fall-ing* for you
Hello.
Every morning around 6:32 AM my dog Gertie will put her head on my pillow and slowly push her nose into my eye mask. No Gertie, I will first say. But through persistence and the face of an angel, she will eventually work her way up to laying right next to me, a dead adorable furry weight heavy breathing on my chin.
I share all of this to say that you may think you don’t have the time or the space in your life for us this week. But like Gertie at 6:32 AM inching her way into being the little spoon on my mattress, you are wrong. Because here we are trying to wiggle our way into your hearts. And your bed. Don’t make this weird.
Anyway, no matter where you’re reading this, this issue goes well with taking your first work call horizontally, a fluffy carb, and a furry friend. Even if it’s just in social media formatting.
Is it…. Fall? For real? Is this the fall rain dance song? I think yes.
From Meg
Ok back to bed
While the brand Parachute might not be anything new to y’all, maybe you didn’t know the extent of their magical cotton/linen/fabric powers. I certainly didn’t. It occurred to me this week when I heard the now proven rumor that they had branched into headboards that Parachute is very, very good at collaborations, seasonal product offerings, and just marketing in general (can I get an amen in the form of an exaggerated yawn?). For example, did you know they offer free styling services? Did you know they make dog beds? Slippers? Time will tell if they prove themselves to be the next e-commerce bed, bath, and beyond but it would already appear they are doing just that.
Don’t tock that dial
Once again, you may have heard about Tock, the reservation site where you spend $$ on ‘culinary experiences’ around the world. But something you may not know about Tock is that they also have a playlist section where they create playlists based on cities and then even more specifically around restaurants in that city. For my Denverites, perhaps you peruse Lou’s on a Sunday or Gamay before Noon from Noble Wine Riot? I personally like what Rose’s Luxury in DC is putting out or this harp-heavy mix from Mr. Jius in SF. Do people say things like ‘jam on’? No? Ok, jam on y’all.
Save it
I struggle sometimes with my suggestions on this newsletter because I don’t want it to just be a place where it’s just another space of ‘things to buy’. IDK about y’all but half my time on social media these days is seeing ad after ad of pretty things I need next. And that doesn’t always feel good. So in an effort to stave off emotional instagram shopping and the like, I’ve started to pay more attention to accounts and articles that support that kind of mentality. The Financial Diet is a good one to motivate me to save. The Finance Bar is another. TheSkimm does a great financial-focused newsletter and Morning Brew just came out with a great new email called Money Scoop. So next time I say hey buy this, you can also be like, yeah no.
And if you gotta get on social media, do it for these three things:
From Devon
Pump up the jam
It’s unclear how I came across Scary Pockets, a groovy funk band that does v cool song covers and mashups, but, well, I’m sure glad that I did. While this talented group, who mixes in a rotating cast of special guests, has a Spotify channel you should definitely follow, the magic really happens within their videos. They offer us a Lauryn Hill/Etta James mashup and a fun take on Daft Punk, but my heart belongs to their rendition of ‘Dreams’ (to be fair, there is no version of that song I don’t like) - hit the vid below and let it play to :41, when the good stuff comes in and you’ll just *get it*.
Droning on
They may be nothing revolutionary in 2021, but I still think drone photos are really cool and so do other people because there are Drone Awards. And, in a surprise to no one (me), the winning shots are nothing less than visually spectacular. Happy scrolling.
Call it a throwback
Fun fact for your Friday: in all of their crop top and baggy jean glory, Gen Z are two-stepping their way towards making country cool again, as they have contributed to a 150% uptick in streams of Spotify’s 90s Country playlist as of late. For the record: I’m a country fan, particularly of The (Dixie) Chicks and Shania Twain, so, I for one (millennial) am here for this trend. And, as a marketer, kudos to Spotify for leaning into this trend with some modern country crooners covering the classics, including one of the all-time George Straight bests.
Also in this edition of being reminded of ‘golden oldies’ (or, whatever we call songs from the 90s and 2000s these days), a few jams I revisited this week: Mariah Carey’s ‘Fantasy’, thanks to Donte Colley’s Met Gala dancing promo video / Outkast’s ‘Hey Ya’ in music video form, thanks to Haley / and ‘Dreamgirl’ by Dave Matthews, thanks to one yoga teacher’s savasana music choice.
Who cut the cheese
Break out those cheese boards, bitches - it’s time to lean into the cooler weather, stay in, and learn about ALL the cheeses. From parm to havarti and burrata and halloumi, Cheesemonger Anne Saxelby drops her super gouda knowledge on us while taking us through how to cut, serve, and pair our favorite cheeses. Warning: it’s a tad bit long (worth it) and, upon watching, you’ll want - you guessed it - cheese (if you’re in Denver, head straight to Mike to get your fix or make this grilled cheese at home). Not going to lie, I’ll probably be eating my own plate of raclette (jump to 5:41) by the time you read this.
Catching feelings
Fall feelings, that is. Yes, it’s officially autumn - whether or not it actually feels like it where you live (thanks #globalwarming) - and with that comes a few of *our* favorite things (and I’m not talking about PSLs). If you’re unsure, here’s my suggested hit list:
Find yourself an apple orchard and make these bars a la Queen Ina for a guaranteed good time, or snag some apple cider and make these babies instead. Make allll the soups, freeze ‘em in these nifty cup freeze trays, and then doctor up some storebought cornbread mix to go with it. Try out a new fall cocktail a la a bourbon sour with honey plum syrup to ease the pain that it’ll be getting dark at 5 p.m. soon. Splurge on a new chunky sweater (for the ladies, for the fellas). Or, just say f*ck the leaf-peeping, and head to the beach instead.
And, before you go, here’s what I’m currently:
Listening to: ‘Bad Blood: The Final Chapter’ podcast as I stay v v tuned into the Elizabeth Holmes trial
A big fan of: this tinted lip balm
Wanting not needing: an oysters hat and a Negroni sweatshirt
Really glad I bought: this top-notch and reasonably-priced travel steamer that Caroline brought to Ireland/saved all of our wedding outfits with
Craving for breakfast: cornmeal pancakes and five-star granola