newslettering.

October 26, 2015

newsletters reading my tea leaves

I recently did a little ritual inbox purge and was reminded of a few letters I’ve been enjoying that you might, too. Here’s an update on the newsletters that I’m allowing to fill up the “Promotions” tab on my gmail inbox, in case you’re hankering for a similar inbox purge and replenishing:

Lenny Letter.
I’ll admit the maybe unpopular fact that it took me awhile to warm to Lena Dunham. I don’t know. But when I read the first installment of her new newsletter, Lenny, I was instantly hooked. On the fourth day of reading, I made James bring me my coffee in bed while I read about Jenny Slate’s vajacial. I stayed as perfectly quiet as I could so that Faye would stay sleeping and I could read through Jessica Grose’s entire (short) essay on negotiating maternity leave at a small company. Lenny is relevant, funny, and filled with stories that matter to my womanly heart and mind. Highly recommended, comfort level with the term vajacial aside. 

Meighan O’Toole.
For anyone needing a weekly hit of what’s happening online—or rather, what could be happening online if only you had the tools to get things done, Meighan’s newsletter deserves the right to a bit of your inbox real estate. She’s always got the DL on new apps and services and features and goings-on in the world of the internet. Excellent for anyone running a business. Or a life.

OKREAL.
Real women. Real stories. Real(ly) nice graphic design. Amy Woodside’s website is a favorite and her newsletter reminds me to take a look at what she’s been up to.

3191 Notes
These quiet Sunday morning newsletters always strike the right tone for me, even if—no, especially if—the most salient point is simply to slow things down a little. To appreciate the view out of the window. To be grateful for a rumpled linen napkin. To make something nourishing for body and spirit.

What about you? Still on the newsletter train? (If you haven’t already you can sign up for my letter at the bottom of this page!)

In need of a few fewer newsletters? Unroll yourself. More on what other letters I love, here.

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17 Comments

  • Reply Jillian October 26, 2015 at 11:47 am

    Goodness, Unroll me was the answer to the question I didn’t even know I was asking. I love that service so much.

  • Reply Jen October 26, 2015 at 12:06 pm

    I’ve never been a huge Lena Dunham fan either until I read her newsletter! Most people think I’m crazy, so glad to hear I’m not alone. Thanks for the suggestions of new reading material.

  • Reply Kate October 26, 2015 at 12:13 pm

    I just frantically started to leave a comment to direct you to Ann Friedman’s weekly newsletter before reading your last post recommending it…so for anyone else, Ann’s newsletter is hilarious and informative. Check it out. http://annfriedman.com/weekly

  • Reply Jessie October 26, 2015 at 12:19 pm

    Great list! I’m hooked on Lenny, too — the interview with Hillary was so good. I also love Ann Friedman’s weekly newsletter (the Ann Friedman weekly).

  • Reply Mary Kate October 26, 2015 at 12:36 pm

    I need better things to read on the internet than my relatives’ Facebook posts. Thank you for this!

  • Reply Melanie October 26, 2015 at 1:03 pm

    I’ve recently been embracing the newsletters and I’m loving it! Lenny Letter is making me look forward to Tuesdays!! =)

  • Reply julia October 26, 2015 at 2:23 pm

    ugh! i can’t really deal with lena dunham either. but i’ve heard such great things about lenny, i’m just going to have to check it out. thanks for the other recs!

  • Reply julia October 26, 2015 at 2:24 pm

    oh also, not really a newsletter, but brene brown’s new weekly courage bombs are so far just the pick me up i need on a monday morning.

  • Reply JPB October 26, 2015 at 2:45 pm

    I feel the same about Lena Dunham – Lenny really changed my mind.

  • Reply abby October 26, 2015 at 6:12 pm

    Hi Erin! Thanks for these tips. While I’m taking pages from your minimalist playbook, got any good iPhone cases to recommend? Low bulk, easy on the eyes, baby proof? 🙂

    • Reply Erin Boyle October 26, 2015 at 7:55 pm

      I finally gave up finding the perfect case in favor of the practical one (and after dropping mine twice on the sidewalk.) Not sure the brand but mine’s clear and plastic and utterly nondescript!

  • Reply Zara October 26, 2015 at 7:27 pm

    A friend of mine mentioned that I should check Lenny out, but it completely slipped my mind. Thank you for the reminder!

  • Reply joan October 26, 2015 at 7:33 pm

    Just started following two of these. Thanks Erin!

  • Reply Lea October 27, 2015 at 6:27 pm

    It’s not particularly sexy to talk about reading actual NEWS newsletters, but The Skimm is the best newsletter I read. It’s pithy, unbiased, and simply gives you the news from the day before.

    • Reply Erin Boyle October 27, 2015 at 7:56 pm

      A daily read for me! (Largely inspired my first newslettering post!)

  • Reply Charlene November 6, 2015 at 11:05 am

    Sugarlift, an art gallery out of Bushwick, does a really great bi-weekly newsletter on art world news, gallery openings, and have great photo features at the bottom of each with instagrams and artwork. Basically they do for the art world what the Skimm does for current events…read every one.

  • Reply Annmarie November 7, 2015 at 2:06 pm

    If you like to cook beans from scratch, the Rancho Gordo newsletter is really spectacular. It’s somewhat biweekly but really just goes out when Steve, the owner, has something he feels like sharing. It’s lovely and interesting and generous with recipes and ideas. And not PR-y at all! It’s my favorite one that I get.

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