Ask the Editor: Vol. VI, No. Ten

Am I better? Three rounds of antibiotics, a full bottle of narcotic cough syrup, and a steroid prescription later, I am…improved. I can’t hear out of my left ear. I still cough, though not as much. And I’m still snoring. But, hey, I took a three block walk without wanting to die, so that’s cause for celebration.

Let’s dive into the mailbag, because a few of the questions that came in this week are time sensitive.

Abra,

My daughter started her period today. I haven’t had one in a decade and don’t know what the best products are. I need guidance. Can you and your readers help me help her?

Sincerely, Serena

If you want to tackle tampons and pads, the only brand I use is Cora. A friend’s daughter is 15 and likes Honey Pot. Both are cotton and eco-friendly. It’s anecdotal, but I’ve mentioned before that since switching to cotton my cramps are 95% improved.

For me, however, the biggest innovation of this millennia has been period underwear. I love them. I wear them almost every day, because postpartum and perimenopause means anything can happen down there on any given day.

Knix are my favorite brand. I’ve never once had a leak. You do need to spray them with stain remover to get them really clean in the wash. When Saalt partnered with lace undies company Hanky Panky, I bought a few pairs of those as well.

She doesn’t know yet whether she has heavy or light periods, but for really heavy ones, I’m told Period boy shorts are the only way to go because they hold 9 tampons worth of liquid. The company also has some resource guides explaining menstruation.

DM: My fave lip gloss is discontinued. Suggestions? Prefer mauve or rosy pink.

It’s awful when something you love is discontinued by a brand. I may never recover from the loss of Max Factor 2000 Calorie Mascara. Summer Fridays lip oil is still my favorite. If you want something in a squeezable tube, Outset makes a great product that also hydrates.

Hi Abra,

I’m in the bridal party for a wedding happening in late May in Georgia. The bride (my youngest sister) is insisting we wear stilettos. These. Her ceremony and reception are all on the hotel lawn. Can you suggest a different, similar shoe my other sisters and I might be able to walk in without aerating the grass?

Any advice on suggesting this course of action would also be useful as she is convinced that she will die if there is no picture of us in our matching blue shoes because we wear blue shoes to every family wedding.

Wedding is in nine days. — SHJ

First off, she’s not going to change her mind. I think you already know that. Heel stoppers can keep you above the Earth, but you might also ask her venue if they have an aisle runner that can help you make your stroll past the guests easier.

You could try telling her that you’ll all wear the shoes for photos, but walk down the aisle in something more practical. If you wear blue shoes to every wedding, do you have shoes from a different wedding still? If not, and she’s amenable to change, these light blue suede block heels from Marc Fisher and these sandals from Badgley Mischka are both nice.

Hi Abra,

Thank you for continuing this blog. Would you do a post on what shirts can be tucked or not and also a refresh on available bodysuits? I struggle to tuck in and am not sure if it’s a body type thing (i am athletically built and petite). I work in a traditional law firm environment and would love to figure out how to make this work.

Thanks for your insight! DR

To tuck or not to tuck is a surprisingly complicated question. I think your instinct to look for bodysuits is probably the right one. A traditional firm likely means business suits, and a bodysuit is a good option. Commando makes a sleek button up body suit. Kohl’s has a similar one for less. Quince also carries several bodysuit styles.

If you don’t want to tuck, look for a top with a hem that is straight. Most blouses have shirt-tail hems. If you find one that is straight across and hits near the top of your pants, you don’t have to tuck. This one from Ann Taylor and this shell from J.Crew Factory are both good examples.

DM: Bestie’s birthday is May 31. $100, super hard to shop for. No kids, hobbies. Loves luxury.

I feel like a broken record, but if she doesn’t have the Theraplush hand cream, buy her that. If she does have it, get her a limited edition trio of scents.

If that won’t work, I just bought myself this gorgeous two-tone pendant from Lili Claspe. The earrings are also gorgeous. I like them so much, I may also buy myself these. Her jewelry is nicer quality than Gorjana at a similar price.

Hello,

My niece is turning four. Her birthday party is next weekend and I need a cool gift that is also educational or skills building. My brother set a limit of $50. Loves color and animals.

Love the blog. Lacee

Sloane is almost four and she’s been loving these Crocodile Creek floor puzzles. Lots of great themes, easy for little hands to maneuver the pieces.

Last year, a friend made us a “restaurant pack” as a gift. It was a cute backpack with a drawing tablet, some travel magnet blocks, and some Melissa and Doug Aqua Art books. It’s a great thing to give a kid at a restaurant that’s not a screen.

My next purchase for Sloane is this Kiwi Co. Wind Lab. It’s a great toy to experiment with, but it doesn’t ship until late May, so that may be a consideration given party timing.

DM: (I posted that I even wear hiking boots on walks because my back is so bad.) Which hiking boots do you like?

I’ve always worn the Merrell shoe boots. I wear these Moab Speed 2s for walks. They’re lighter than my old boots, but good for a moderate trail. I’ve been talking about a solo hiking trip to Olympic National Park this fall, and if I do that, I’ll buy a real boot in the same style. I like that Merrell has the Vibram outsoles now, which I think have better traction than most options.

{this post contains affiliate links that may generate commission for the author}