It’s been a big week here between being the nanny/night nurse for nine puppies (OMG more pictures at the end of this post + a wee lil’ IG reel of ‘em here) and the massive nor’easter snowstorm that piled SEVERAL FEET of snow on my house.
Think I’m kidding? Totally not. Look at this. Just look at it.
That’s my back deck. About six full feet of snow there. Want to see the front? Okay, good… I’m going to show it to you.
We only live about an hour and change north of NYC in the Hudson Valley, so I mean, c’mon. This is ridiculous. I should have Canadian citizenship just for shoveling out.
But anyway, it was sorta cozy and there’s some really Extra Good stuff this week I want to share with you.
First, birthday shoutouts to these gorgeous souls who deserve the best year ever:
Reyne Hirsch (were’ delayed by about a week, but happy birthday!)
Danielle Cosgood
Shannon Park
Carly Langberger
Janelle Johnson
Isaac H.
Megan Fortelano
If you’re birthday is coming up this week or you want to give a loved one a shout-out, just holler. The whole point of this weekly newsletter is to share things that make people feel Extra Good, so let’s do that.
Onto the goodies!
Smile-inducing:
The four-day workweek is being pushed in Congress. I’m ready to vote. Holy moly, I’ve never been more passionate about a political issue in the history of ever.
An experimental pill sent 18 people with aggressive leukemia into full remission. This gives so much hope to SO many people! Bless you, Science.
In the northern California snow, stranded cows are getting emergency hay drops from the sky.
I think I shared this with you a few weeks ago, but new parents can get a totally free Amazon Baby Registry welcome box filled with diapers, bottles, baby blankets and other goodies. Seriously, it’s free and loaded with top-selling brands. Just have to sign up, so share the link with your pregs and new parent pals.
Eye-opening:
If you live somewhere rural, you already now this. But yeah, USPS ships newborn baby chicks in the actual mail. Shoppers of Tractor Supply know this and might’ve already experienced/shopped the chicks, but I’m sharing again because it’s big chick shipping season with Easter on the horizon. I’m very pro-chicken rainin’, but chicks in the mail seems… like too much.
And actually, eating chicken wasn’t super normal till our grandparents/great grandparents were born. In the early 20th Century, chicken was considered a spring delicacy in the USA, raised seasonally by farm wives and in backyards. Then during WWII, red meat was heavily rationed and chicken farming became industrialized. In 1930, average Americans ate 10 lbs of chicken annually. Now we eat 64 lbs annually.
I wrote/broke this story of Eunice’s truly horrific meal. She’s an ed at Best Products and frankly, a soup survivor. Only click if you have a strong stomach. And yeah, the story has gone viral since and everyone from the Post to CNN has covered it.
What I’m loving right now:
These Cozy Earth wide leg capris strangely make sense at home and outside of the home if styled properly. Also, I never thought capri pants would be back… but here we are.
The Tayshia by Conair hair tools and accessories collection. Frankly, I’m shocked by how good these affordable items are. Sephora quality at Walmart prices.
This GrabEase silicone eating set for toddlers. It’s brilliant and going to be included in a Today’s Parent feature soon enough, but wanted to share it with you first.
Sharing because it’s caring: LOADS of refurbished Macbook Air computers are now available and on sale under $500. Good return policies, and super cheap if you need a dedicated work or school device, etc.
Sales I’m shopping right now:
If you didn’t already know, it’s a massive sales week at Ulta with deals up to 90% off, so I’m devoting much of today’s sales action to irresistible beauty deals.
These prices are only valid for TODAY… so basically, hurry up. They’ll sell out.
50% off Anastasia Beverly Hills clear and tinted eyebrow gels. They’re only $11 each right now.
50% off Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream. For $23.50? Yes, please.
Lancome perfumes are also 50% off. La Vie Est Belle is about $20 right now, and it’s a thoughtful Mother’s Day gift if you’re looking ahead.
Other good sales to shop right now:
Lululemon leggings in 25” length (slight crop) are $49 each.
Lululemon Align tanks are $29 now. Loads of sizes and colors. Decent support (said as someone who owns two).
These hardly-ever-discounted Nike low platform sneakers for women are 25% off.
Musings:
Before I get to the important stuff, I’d like to use this space to show you a few more PICS OF MY PUPPIES OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG.
They’re now 10 days old and wobbling around like toddlers. So cute. So. Stinkin’. Cute.
Wait, also this one:
If it’s your birthday or a friend’s in the coming week, comment here. You’ll get a shoutout in the next newsletter.
Do you have a parenting or birth story essay you want to share? I’m helping my friends at Today’s Parent source some new life-affirming and it-happened-to-me essays from real parents. If you have an important story to share with them (and their millions-strong audience), holler.
Do me a favor? Tell a friend or colleague about the Extra Good newsletter. Means a lot to me.
Talk soon, bubbeleh. <3
Bryce, I need those Nikes! Would you mind double-checking the link for me? Also, if you ever need a pup babysittter, I'm your girl. I just want to snuggle them.
Beautiful baby puppies!!! Love them!