Mother, may I?

Recommendations from my brain to your inbox

May 08, 2026

Actually Good Things is a weekly newsletter written by a human mother who has a mother and thinks being a mom is cool.

This week, while comparing Met Gala looks to Hunger Games Capitol fashion and potty-training my 3-year-old, I’m pondering the day of moms.

Growing up, my hippy-ish parents didn’t make a hoopla about Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or other—pardon the cliché—“Hallmark holidays.” It just wasn’t part of our family culture. So, admittedly, I didn’t do much for my own mother until adulthood.

Now that I’m grown and a mother myself, I find Mother’s Day, well…a bit cheugy.

The “we deserve it” brunches, the booked-in-advance pedicures, the intra-”mama” texts. To be sure, these can all be delightful respites. But it can also feel exhaustingly obligatory—and, at times, a little cringe.

Let’s put it this way: I don’t know any moms whose favorite holiday is Mother’s Day.

(What I’d personally like to do on Sunday is watch the new Lord of the Flies—anyone else?)

I planned to create a gift guide earlier this week but was, ironically, too busy mothering and working to pull off a timely send-out.

Nevertheless, here are actually good things one mom (🙋🏻‍♀️) is fond of at the moment.*

Bubblegum-pink jammies—exceptionally soft, breathable, and make my hips look good
A wear-everywhere pocketed dress that makes me go, “How is everyone not shopping at Uniqlo?!”
A super-plush, stretchy, Lola-dupe blanket that isn’t $400
A really soft men’s graphic tee to wear with biker shorts (I got size M in the tall length so it covers my butt)
A summery crochet mini checkered tote with magnet closure (we love a magnet) and an optional crossbody strap
Upsettingly expensive moisturizer with a funky smell that makes me assume it means business
All-star SPF and effective peptide serum, reminding me that some of the best skincare products are under $30
An on-the-nose collab of my favorite shower product in a special-edition scent of my favorite sunscreen
Indoor-outdoor clogs to carry me through spring and summer
A shockingly comfy sneaker-mule hybrid I didn’t know I needed until I tested it this week
A very, very pretty lip tint that I think might actually be worth its steep price tag