The Weekend Edit No. 22

5 fun things, including our living room makeover, PJ's favorite new beauty product, and what we look like as AI dolls (lol)

Dear reader,

Happy Saturday morning! How was your week?

Was it all green lights and sunshine? Or was it a whole lotta rain and cold winds? Around here, it was a mix of both. A little sunshine, a little stress, a lot of coffee. And somewhere in the middle of it all, a reminder that sometimes the quietest moments—the ones with no headlines, no drama—are the ones that fill us up the most. After a slow start to the week (our favorite kind), everything picked up and suddenly our days were full of Zoom meetings, nonstop emails, and figuring out what to make for dinner. There was a lot of takeout this week.

Spring is stretching her arms, tossing off the covers, and making us believe (once again) that fresh starts are actually possible.

And speaking of fresh starts...we’re so excited to share something new with you: Ask Away, our new advice column, is launching next week here on Okay McKay! Think of it as your safe space for all the questions you’ve been carrying around—big ones, small ones, and everything in between. We can’t wait to read what’s on your mind and offer a little wisdom, warmth, or maybe just the reminder that you’re not alone.

The first issue comes out next week. If you want to submit a question, you can use this Google Form to do so.

Lastly, before you slip into weekend mode, stay awhile. Below, you’ll find the things that made us smile, think, plan, and pause this week. Because sometimes the best part of a Friday isn’t what’s coming—it’s reflecting on the week we made it through.

PS: We jumped on the AI doll trend where ChatGPT turns you into a doll, and below is ours. It’s bad, y’all haha, and it looks nothing like us. But still fun!

Also, and this happens pretty much every Weekend Edit- this newsletter is too long for email, so you may want to click through to Substack see the whole thing.

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Here’s what else went on this week:

Every Wednesday we get a few hours to ourselves when our kids go with their aunt, so we decided to have a little date night out. Nothing fancy, just stir fry and then a quick trip to the store, but it was still nice to have a few quiet hours to ourselves. Gotta keep the romance alive you guys!

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Last night, we celebrated my younger sister’s 31st birthday at her and her wife’s gorgeous new house, and it was so much fun! We don’t get to all be together like this very often, so when we do, I soak in every minute. There was food, there was wine, and there were a whole lotta laughs. I live for nights like these.

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In case you missed yesterday’s Reel, we finally shared our new painted living room! The color we went with is Smoke Bush by Benjamin Moore, and we absolutely love it. It fits in perfectly with the more earthy, moody colors we’re infusing into our Craftsman Bungalow home. The mustard curtains and frames really pop against the darker walls. In short, we love it!

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PJ found these Frownies Facial Patches online and, with over 37k reviews, he ordered them immediately. So far, he’s loving them! The company has been around for 130 years, and they say that Frownies “are the longest-standing wrinkle treatment option on the market, providing a highly effective, non-invasive alternative to injectables.”

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Lastly, we had another date night this week, though this time it was a double date with two of our best friends! Since we hadn’t seen them since before my birthday, they surprised me with my favorite birthday cake and bought our dinner, which made me want to cry it was so sweet. I love our friends so much and I can’t imagine doing life without them.

Have a cozy weekend, friends.

Welcome Distractions

Something to Watch

Paradise on Hulu. After hearing about this show for months, we finally started it and it’s SO good. If you're craving a series that blends political intrigue with a post-apocalyptic twist, this show is a must-watch. Set in a subterranean bunker following a global catastrophe, the show follows Secret Service agent Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown) as he unravels the mystery behind the assassination of President Cal Bradford (James Marsden), navigating a web of secrets and power struggles in a society teetering on the edge. With its gripping narrative and stellar performances, Paradise will keep you on the edge of your seat, questioning every alliance and motive.

Something to Read

Gentle Suggestions. This vulnerable, sharply funny piece by Aminatou Sow who writes

Crème de la Crème

(that I saw on Cup of Jo) explores the tangled relationship many of us have with alcohol—how it becomes tied to our identities, our social lives, and even our pain. Through personal stories of teenage stealth, college chaos, and adult reflection, Aminatou considers what it really means to "drink to have fun" and whether the fun is worth the fallout. It's a gentle but unflinching look at addiction, self-awareness, and the deeper questions we often avoid when we say we're just out for a good time. If you've ever wondered where your drinking ends and your sense of self begins, this is well worth your time.

Something to Listen to

Pop Pantheon Podcast. If you're a Britney Spears fan—or just fascinated by pop culture's most complex icons—the Pop Pantheon podcast's five-part Britney Spears series is essential listening. Hosted by DJ Louie XIV, each episode dives deep into a different era of Britney's career, from her early days as a teen sensation to the challenges of her conservatorship and beyond. It features insightful guests like The New Yorker's Doreen St. Félix, NPR's Ann Powers, and The New York Times' Caryn Ganz. The series offers a nuanced exploration of Britney's artistry, legacy, and the cultural forces that have shaped her journey. The series ends in a compelling debate: Does Britney Spears belong in Tier 1 of the Pop Pantheon? It's a thoughtful and thorough examination that invites listeners to reconsider what it means to be a pop icon. Whether you're a lifelong fan or new to her story, this series provides a rich, engaging look at Britney's impact on music and culture. Britney was such a big part of my early life, and I found revisiting her through this series to be bittersweet. In short: I loved this series.

Feature Friday

Tap the image to shop

This week’s Feature Friday is a mix of our favorite items that we use weekly, including one of our favorite (gay) coffee table books, a candle we keep on our dresser, the neck massager I use while I’m working in the office, and our favorite board game to play after dinner with friends.

Happy shopping!

1. Loving A Photographic History of Men in Love 1850s1950s

2. Maude Burn No 3 Jojoba Oil Massage Candle

3. Electric Heated Bidet

4. Homedics Duel Neck Massager

5. Shower Steamers Aromatherapy

6. The Chameleon Board Game

PS: click here to shop everything on one page.

This Week’s Vlog

In this week’s video, we do something we haven’t done in two years, I start painting our living room, and PJ shows you all the gardening work he’s doing on the farm. It’s a fun video, and we hope you enjoy!

You May Have Missed…

A Sex Bucket List for Couples (That’s Actually Fun and Not Cringe)

Introducing Our New Advice Column: Ask Away

Wait, Are Hickeys Actually Sexy?

Have a wonderful weekend. We’ll see you on Tuesday. If you feel up to it, please like this post and share it! It helps get the word out and lets others discover Okay McKay. Thank you, friend!

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