I usually live in earth tones, but have fallen hard for the vibrant, punchy shades of yellow you can find just about everywhere right now. Known as Gen Z yellow, the hue is this season’s “it” color and I have to admit I was skeptical at first. Bright colors have just never been my thing. That is, until I discovered this canary-colored bag by Espie Roche. Not only is it
Read MoreSeptember Lit List
Watching my kids settle back in at school motivated me to learn a few new things myself—hence, a Lit List that leans towards the educational side. But don’t worry, none of these books will feel like homework! From a guidebook for parents on fail-proof discipline methods to a thought-provoking exploration of the history of humankind, I promise these pages will enlighten and inspire. What’s on your reading list this month?
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Workout Gear for Every Sweat Session
If you’ve read Now & Gen for a while, you know that one of my favorite ways to blow off steam is breaking a sweat. But a workout doesn’t necessarily even have to mean hitting the gym: Carving out some time for physical activity can mean a brisk walk outside with my husband, a yoga class to clear my mind or even chasing around after the kids on our bikes.
Read MoreCamp Out
Outside Magazine recently wrote, “America’s kids are caught up in one of the largest mass migrations in human history: the movement indoors.” This really struck a chord with me. Now, you might know that parent, who allows unlimited screen time at the supermarket, in the car, or while running errands… but I am not one of them. I have rules in place in hopes that my kids can sustain a
Read MoreLove, Gen: Back to School and Back at It
While kids pile in and wrestle for their place in the car and moms file in and wait in the carpool lane, I’m reminded that there’s something refreshing about the beginning of September, about the possibility of starting anew that feels downright romantic. It reminds me of the line Joe Fox, played by Tom Hanks, writes to Meg Ryan’s character in an email in “You’ve Got Mail”: “Don’t you love New
Read MoreWhat I’m Packing for My Mountain Vacation
Every summer, I like to bring my kids back to the place where I spent so many special months when I was growing up: the mountains of Sun Valley, Idaho. Not only is it a nice little break from the city, but it’s a chance for them to get back to the earth and to feel like kids again, with a lot less TV and device time and a whole
Read MoreLove, Gen: We’re Falling Forward
It’s the beginning of August, which means one thing for me and my family: trying to squeeze every last sandy beach weekend and candy-colored sunset out of summer before school and work rev back up—and before you know it, it’s time for the holidays. It’s crazy how that happens every year, right? At the end of summer, I find myself taking time to unwind and recharge. For me and my
Read MoreMercury Retrograde: Susan Miller’s Tips on How to Deal
Even when I don’t know Mercury is in retrograde, I know Mercury is in retrograde: My keys go missing, I can’t find the one document I need, a supposedly well-laid plan with the kids suddenly falls apart. It’s as if the universe is playing tricks on me, and in some ways, it is. Astrologically speaking, what happens is that a couple of times a year, Mercury speeds past Earth (its
Read MoreJuly Lit List: Beach Reads
There’s nothing quite as relaxing—or a better escape, in my opinion—than paging through a book (no matter where your reading nook may be). The beauty of a beach read is that you don’t have to think too hard about it, but that also doesn’t mean that beach reads have to be mindless. There are so many titles I’d like to dig into this year, but I’ve rounded up a handful
Read MoreWhat Makes My Family Smile
Motherhood evokes all sorts of smiles: There’s the pure amusement at the latest silly thing your kid’s done, belly laughs from tickle fights, even the occasional smile through tears when you’re so proud of your children and the little people they’re becoming. My kids make me smile all the time, but the biggest one I can remember of late was when my younger son, Shep, gave me a painting he’d
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