When I wrote I Just Wish I Had A Bigger Kitchen, creating a meaningful pre-order bonus felt really important to me—not only to say thank you for supporting my book in such a big way, but because early orders really help get the book out into the world. With that in mind, last summer I recorded a 10-part podcast discussing themes of the book with women I deeply respect. I know many of you started following after the book came out, and therefore never got the chance to get the pre-order bonus. With this being the one-year anniversary of those podcasts, I want everyone to get to hear these incredible conversations. In this exclusive series, I talk with ten incredible women about ten different areas of discontentment, each one inspired by a chapter in my book. I personally learned so much in each one and plan to listen to them again this summer. Here they are, free for you to enjoy!
Hannah here! If you’ve been #blessed with a large chest like myself, then you understand that finding cute summer clothes that you can still wear a bra with feels like the plot to a Mission Impossible movie. For my qualifications, I would like to share that I am 5’2” and currently a 36G cup size (thank you 14 months of breastfeeding!!!) and have been a D cup since high school…so yes, I am a card-carrying member of the large-chested community.
If your chest also has its own zip code, welcome friend - this is a safe space. Here are my biggest tips when shopping for summer clothes:
Don’t be afraid to size up. I have to size up in almost every top and dress — and even though it’s not exactly my favorite thing for my self-esteem, I try to remember that it’s just a number. If I’m buying a matching set, I almost always need to get a smaller short/pant size and a larger shirt/top size. Get whatever size(s) you need to fit your body and don’t be ashamed of that. No one will be checking your tags when you’re out wearing your cute, flattering outfit. For example, in this 100% European Linen Tank, I would probably get an XL so it could still be flowy and I’d have room to tuck it into a skirt or shorts with a cute belt.
Aim for sleeveless, not strapless. While I mourn that a halter top or spaghetti strap is nowhere in my future, I realized that cuts like a boatneck or tank-style dress/top still allow me to wear a real bra and feel summery. Something about having my shoulders and arms exposed helps me feel less constricted and keeps me cooler. This 100% Organic Cotton Poplin Boat Neck Maxi Dress would be so flattering and would not show any cleavage. And, if your arms are not your favorite thing to show off, I’d try this Stretch Cotton Jersey Side Tie Midi Dress - the Moonstone Blue colorway is so stunning.
Define your waist (without buttons!). Even though it’s tempting to throw on the boxy oversized shirt or a shift dress, I always feel more confident when my waist is showing and I don’t look like one giant AirPod. Things like smocking, ruching, peplum, and waist ties/belts all do a fantastic job of this, whereas tighter tops with buttons always look like they’re about to pop off. This 100% Organic Cotton Gauze Tiered Maxi Dress has gatherings at each seam and at the shoulders that will gently define your figure. The only exception to the ‘no buttons’ rule is if the buttons are decorative or the shirt is loose, like this Cotton Ruffle Trim Tank.
If you’re looking for more info on caring for your “heavy machinery,” I recommend starting with Caralyn Mirand Koch. She’s a former lingerie & underwear model turned content creator, has an Undergarments tab on her website and an IG story highlight all about bras.
Also, to my other large-chested ladies: if you have a tip you swear by that helps you shop, please share it below. I am sure we could all benefit from it!
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This is why you should wait to unpack when you return home from vacation.
This is every parent after watching Toy Story 5.
This is what I packed for each kid on the airplane—low-cost, high-reward. There really is something about having a bag with your name on it. Everything linked here.
My code with Skylight is still active! NAPTIMEKATE30 for $30 off the digital calendar that has saved us for years now (and chore chart system we started this summer that I am genuinely impressed with!)
It turns out film students don’t watch films. “‘I used to think, If homework is watching a movie, that is the best homework ever,’ Craig Erpelding, a film professor at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, told me. ‘But students will not do it.’” Also, non-film students do not watch films. “Matt Damon, the star of many movies that college students may not have seen, said that Netflix has started encouraging filmmakers to put action sequences in the first five minutes of a film to get viewers hooked. And just because young people are streaming movies, it doesn’t mean they’re paying attention. When they sit down to watch, many are browsing social media on a second screen. Netflix has accordingly advised directors to have characters repeat the plot three or four times so that multitasking audiences can keep up with what’s happening.” Not encouraging. via Don’t Worry About the Vase
The creators of Barbie and Hot Wheels were husband and wife. via Marginal Revolution.
Be careful driving on Taylor Swift (and other top artists) release days. “Using event study analysis, we show that music streaming – an indicator for smartphone use, where streaming most often occurs – sharply increases, by nearly 40%, on dates of major music album releases, while U.S. traffic fatalities increase by nearly 15% on those same days.” Also via Marginal Revolution
Where to send your kids to school is something where people seem to have lots of differing opinions. I don’t think there is a one-size-fits-all answer, but if you are making this decision this summer, I will say that this point from this essay is something that Kate and I have found to be manifestly correct: “going to a neighborhood school is one of the best community building hacks available to parents.”
There are 20 quadrillion ants on the planet – i.e., 2.5 million for every person. That’s, um, a lot of ants. via the Friday Update
I have accidentally found my summer audiobook genre. Over the last two weeks, I've blown through books by Annabel Monaghan and Katherine Center and have loved every one. It all started when I asked my best friend for a book recommendation. She suggested The Bodyguard, which I devoured in 24 hours, and it quickly became my favorite background noise for chores, walks, and drives. Their books are funny and heartfelt, with main characters who are often in their mid-to-late thirties navigating real life—not just twenty-somethings falling in love. The romance has depth, the characters are lovable, and the spice level is very low (which I personally appreciate). They've been perfect for folding laundry, cooking, and sneaking in a walk, and now I'm on the hunt for more authors like them. Here are my favorites, ranked:
Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan (this is her latest release and is up there with my top 5 favorite books I’ve ever read)
If you have recommendations adjacent to this, send them my way!
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