I have now reached the age where it is a compliment to tell me I look younger than I am.
This has happened my entire life, but is only now welcome.
It was not welcome when I went to my youngest sister’s elementary school orientation and the teacher offered to help me find my classroom. I was in high school.
It was not welcome when I was in my first job as a psychologist and told I looked like I was straight out of high school. I was 27.
It was not welcome when I was a college professor and told I looked like a student. I was in my 30s.
It was welcome last week, however, when I went into Sephora to buy some skincare and the 19-year-old sales girl could not believe I was about to turn 40.
Today’s post is a just-for-fun list of 40 all-time favorites, from TV shows to books to restaurants to stores to social media. I hope you enjoy! And leave a comment sharing some of your favorites with me!
Favorite Brene Brown Book: The Gifts of Imperfection
Favorite Parenting Book: The Power of Showing Up
Favorite Movie: Little Women (Wynona Ryder version). I have two sisters, so I love a movie about sisters. See also Pride and Prejudice.
Favorite Song: “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac/ The Chicks
Favorite Food: Chips and Salsa
Favorite Local Restaurant: Farmacy
Favorite Store: J. Crew Factory
Favorite Product: Polish Pops. I’ve been using these semi-cured gel nail wraps for 3 years now and I am obsessed. I get so many compliments on the cute designs and I love how damage-free they are. After doing salon gel manicures for years beforehand, I save a lot more money now doing this at home for myself and don’t get the damage of removing gel. Their holiday designs are the best, the ombre and glitters are so pretty, and right now I’m wearing Summer Crush. Use code DRCAMDEN for 15% off.
Favorite Skincare: DRMTLGY. Maybe this is why I look younger than I am? I’ve been using skincare religiously since I was 20. It started as a good face wash, moisturizer, and daily sunscreen. Now I use a six-step day and night routine of DRMTLGY’s medical grade skincare products. The Needle-less Serum is life-changing (and so far keeping me needle-less) and I also love the Universal Tinted Moisturizer as my daily sunscreen and the Brightening Eye Masks. (Sadly, the eye corrector did not work for me so that is the one product I don’t recommend.) Use my link to save 15%!
Favorite TV Shows: Friends, The Crown, and Bridgerton. Bridgerton even inspired my most-read Substack of all time:
Favorite Memoir: You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith
Favorite Place to Travel: Beach (we like the Clearwater, FL area) or Charleston, SC
Favorite Vacation: My honeymoon to Excellence Cancun, Mexico
Favorite ice cream: Cookies and cream
Favorite coffee: Caramel brulee latte
Favorite social media: Instagram
Favorite podcast: For the Love, Calling Home
Favorite summer activity: pool or splash pad with my kids
Favorite makeup: Thrive Causemetics. I love the Brilliant Eye Brighteners, the EmpowerGloss Lip Serum, and the CC Cream. (Also their eye corrector works for me, but not their “creaseless” concealer!) Use my link for $15 off!
Favorite influencer: Dr. Becky and Nedra Glover Tawwab
Favorite mental health teacher: Dr. Alison Cook
Favorite writer: Shauna Niequist
Favorite Substack: Emily P. Freeman
Favorite new hobby: Emily Lex watercolor books
Favorite place to take my kids: playground or bookstore
Favorite life hack: keeping a to don’t list, which I describe in this Substack
Favorite mantra: “I am doing the best I can.”
Favorite self-care: mindfulness and yoga
Favorite YouTube channel: Yoginimelbourne
Favorite purity culture book (besides my own): The Great Sex Rescue by Sheila Wray Gregoire
Favorite trauma book: Try Softer by Aundi Kolber, Therapist+Author
Favorite Substack article I wrote: The Middle Path Will Cost You. This is my most vulnerable post about my ongoing tension with being too conservative to be progressive and too progressive to be conservative.
Favorite enneagram type: 1s because I love their dedication to self-improvement and growth! And we’re both Type A. (I’m a 6.)
Favorite way to connect with my kids: special time
Favorite date night with my husband: dinner and a play at Theater Knoxville Downtown
Favorite candy: Twix
Favorite book of 2026 so far: The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout
Favorite quote: “Above all, trust in the slow work of God.” —Teilhard De Chardin
Favorite spiritual growth book: Prayer in the Night by Tish Harrison Warren
Favorite therapy skill: Walking the middle path, which I describe in this Substack:
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