From the Couch: 9 Things I Loved (and 1 Thing to Skip)
Including the most random, joyful thing I bought while breastfeeding at 2 AM.
Hi, friends.
If you’re new here because of my guest post on
’s newsletter earlier this week, welcome! Thank you for welcoming me into your inbox. It means a lot.This is my quarterly From the Couch post, in which deviate slightly from my bookish focus to pretend we’re hanging out on my couch and tell you about all the random things I’ve loved lately. None of it’s sponsored content; it’s just the stuff I’d talk your ear off about if we got together in person. This edition is a teeny bit late, but in September I was happily distracted by the National Book Awards (not to mention my 3-month-old baby, lol).
Before I dive in, one quick thing! (And OK, I’m an affiliate for this one, but I would tell you about it even if I wasn’t.) Libro.fm is currently running a double promo (!) through October 30. Not only can you sign up for a membership and get two free audiobooks (aka three for the price of one), they’re also having a members-only BOGO sale on audiobooks on this list. That means you could, theoretically, sign up for a new membership, get THREE credits, and use them to buy SIX audiobooks — all for $15. With your purchases directly supporting indie bookstores. (Audible? Never met her.)
My top picks from the BOGO list:
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
Orbital by Samantha Harvey (a Booker Prize shortlister!)
In the Dream House and Her Body and Other Parties (perfect for spooky season!) by Carmen Maria Machado
Also, romantasy lovers, take note: Fourth Wing and House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City #1) are both included, too.
Okay, on to the things I loved!
A silly Squidward glasses tray
I bought a lot of random stuff when I was up breastfeeding at 2 AM this summer, but this is by far the goofiest — and the thing I love the most. I got it on Etsy from this seller. It looks like it’s out of stock now, but maybe they’ll bring it back! Either way, take this as inspo to find yourself a dupe or buy the next random silly thing to cross your Instagram feed. You deserve it.
The perfect new rug for my back deck
Last year, I’d bought a Ruggable patio rug for my back deck, but I didn’t do enough research. The one I got wasn’t waterproof at all, and every time it rained, it took days and days to dry. So while it was washable, it still got modly and gross over the course of one season.
This year, I wasn’t about to put that outside again. So after some research, I settled on this one made from recycled water bottles from Fab Habitat. And reader, it’s PERFECT. I love the bright colors, it’s comfortable to walk on, it’s obviously super fast-drying, and it even came with a nice carrying case to store it in when we put the patio furniture away for the season. Definitely recommend!
If you’d like to easily see all their rugs in this material, just search “outdoor rug for patio” in their search bar.
Portland Leather — again
If you’ve never heard of Portland Leather, they’re a company that makes high-quality leather goods that are only slightly expensive instead of insanely expensive. I’ve had the Mini Crossbody Tote in honey for years, and I love it It’s the perfect size for carrying all the things you need (including a book, obviously).
Well, I’m attending a formal event in November (👀) and decided to finally do something about the fact that I don’t own a bag that goes well with formal clothes. I decided on the Mesa Mini Crossbody in black, but I lucked out and got an “almost perfect” one, meaning it allegedly has some kind of small imperfection in the leather. I say allegedly because if there is one, I can’t see it. The one I got looks perfect to me!
Anyway, if you’re in the market for a good, classic bag that will last you years and years, go with Portland Leather. And if you happen to read this in time, I just noticed that there’s a 25% off sale going on now, but it ends tonight!
3 apps that made my body feel a little better
Recover Athletics: You know how some people’s answer to any ailment is to drink water? My answer to any ache or pain is to do some strength work. Which, just like drinking water, actually probably WILL help ,and also the worst thing that could happen is you’re a little healthier, so why not try? Anyway, in this app, you tell them what hurts, and they give you physical-therapist-recommended rehab exercises to help. I’m currently doing a routine for my left TFL, which sometimes hurts when I stand up, and one for my ankles, which are simply weak and prone to injury after a lifetime of sprains from either ballet or running. Bonus: Recover is owned by Strava, and a premium membership to one gets you access to both.
Runna: At this point, I’ve followed enough running programs from apps like Peloton and Aaptiv that I’m probably capable of putting one together on my own, but returning to running postpartum feels like a different kind of beast. Plus, especially when life is chaotic, sometimes it’s nice when someone else tells you what to do, ya know? Anyway, I decided to give Runna a try because I heard they have a postpartum plan. Their specialty is “custom” training plans (from what I can tell, this involves customizing the recommended speeds and intensities of a templated plan for you based on your current estimated race pace), and so far I am actually loving it. It’s exactly what I wanted. If you’re a slightly more experienced runner looking for a little bit of guidance, check it out!
Every Mother: This recommendation is niche to people who plan to give birth or have in the past, but I used Every Mother for at-home pelvic floor and diastasis recti prehab during my pregnancy and recovery, and it worked great for me. I wasn’t a huge fan of their exercise classes — the instruction style was geared more toward people who never exercise and want a gentle trainer demeaner, whereas I prefer more of the Peloton “you are an athlete” style — but the actual PT exercises and education were very useful and worked well for my body.
3+ items of clothing worth buying (and one that’s not)
I’m on a quest to buy myself clothes that a) fit my body right now, but also b) are good quality and classic and will last me awhile.
Quince sweaters: If your feed is anything like mine, you’ve seen ads for these sweaters all over your Instagram. They are WORTH IT. I bought five of them (oops) and have zero regrets — screenshot of my choices below. I’m actually wearing the 100% Organic Cotton Oversized Cardigan in the photo above (I only take it off to wash when the baby spits up on it, which in my defense is often, lol). Pro tip: I would recommend air drying them and then just popping them in the dryer for five minutes on low to soften them up. Also, if I could do it again, I’d get the knit blazer in a different color — the white is giving doctor.
Pact wide-legged linen pants: Another one courtesy of Instagram ads, and another one worth it. They’re SO COMFORTABLE. But I think they’re really meant for summer, and right now they’re on clearance!
EBY’s Relief Bra: H/t to
at for the tip on this one. I’ve been an EBY member for years (they send you three new pairs of comfy, invisible undies every 3 months for only $30), but somehow I missed that they’d branched out into other products — like this super comfy bra! The material reminds me of this favorite among my friends, which we call the “boob sweatpants,” but the EBY bra has a bit more shape, which I need right now. I particularly love that it came with a band extender, as I’m in a season of my life where my body is changing more than usual.
OK, and here’s where I deinfluence you a bit. You know those viral Good American “always fits” jeans that claim to magically fit four sizes? You can skip them. Yes, they do fit me very well. And yes, they are comfortable. But y’all — it’s because they’re practically elastic. They feel pretty dang similar to my Universal Thread jeans from Target, and they cost like…five times as much. Pass.
As always, thanks for sharing your corner of the internet with me! It would mean a lot if you were to take a second to like this post. I’d love to hear about something you’ve loved lately in the comments, too.
Finally, if you like this newsletter, please send a few friends my way.
See you on Instagram!
— Deedi (she/her)
I had a baby in December and can very much identify with online shopping at 2am. The Squidward glasses holder is so cute!
I needed the reminder to check out Every Mother!