Issue #224: welcome to the first-ever Softies... 🏆

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issue 224 ~ week of june 11, 2021

editor's note

Morning ,

This week, we're hosting the first-ever Softie Awards (right here! right now! buckle up!). 🏆🏆🏆

The truth is staying in looks a lot different these days because going out is more exciting, nerve-wracking, intentional, and complex than it was even 16 months ago. So this week, we're tipping our hats to the little things — all the soft things that feel like a hug after a long day of learning to be outside again.

In naming these all-in-good-fun winners, we hope you'll be able to find some joy-filled moments at home this season... even if you're happily spending more time outside it. 🤗 A special shoutout and big thanks to everyone who voted in this week's readers' choice bracket on the @girlsnightinclub Instagram Stories. It's good to know that even after all this time, a night spent reading, scrolling Instagram (whoops), and eating a pint of Ben & Jerry's in our softest loungewear is still sometimes *just* what the doctor ordered. 🍨

May the Softies be ever in your favor,
Tyler Calder, Director of Content at GNI

Pictured: Parachute robe, goober candle, and Big Friendship

Softies Picks

voted on by the GNI team

🏆 Best bedding item (and most hotly debated category) goes to....

After much Slack ado about bedding (seriously, this was one hot topic amongst the team this week), one item came out on top: Parachute's buttery soft linen bedding. Yes, it really is that good.

Honorable mentions include: Super cozy Brooklinen sheets, a beloved Gravity weighted blanket, and the Buffy comforters (note: with this one, some like it cloud-like and cozy and some prefer it cool to the touch).

🏆 Most comforting read of the year...

You didn't think we could host a mini awards ceremony without shouting out some of our favorite reads, did you? The Softie for the book that felt like a hug when we needed it most goes to... Big Friendship by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman.

Honorable mention books that were there for us through it all: Wow, No Thank You by Samantha Irby, Home Body by Rupi Kaur, and The Power of Ritual by Casper ter Kuile.

🏆A favorite way to get back into the swing of routines...

Splendid Spoon offers an easy way to get protein-packed, ready-made, plant-based, gluten-free meals that can be delivered right to you — think smoothies, soups, grain bowls, noodle bowls, shots, and more. Get $50 off your first order here. Sponsor

🏆 The comfort watch you're most likely to revisit (a lot)...

Was this the year we sought out the most comfort TV of all time? Yes. Did we name a winner that's something we've rewatched a million times in that time frame? Also yes. Our Softie for comfort watch goes to Always Be My Maybe (Netflix).

Honorable mentions go to: Ted Lasso (Apple TV), Never Have I Ever (Netflix), and Gilmore Girls (Netflix).

🏆 Most beloved piece of soft clothing that can transition to the outdoors...

Let the winner in this category show that we might be going outside now, but that doesn't mean we're ready for pants: It's the Outdoor Voices exercise dress!

Honorable mentions: Girlfriend Collective high-rise leggings (size up!), the Brother Vellies cloud sock, and pants that are a true exception to the rule.

🏆 Best new business/shop/maker...

Here's to the just-getting-started makers and brands that are making our lives at home a little more enjoyable. This year's Softie for favorite new business goes to... Omsom for meal starters that changed the game.

Honorable mentions include: Topicals for soft skincare, Kinfield for products that make a venture outdoors a little more enjoyable, Abcrete & Co. for minimalist home decor, and Lotta Blobs for mirrors that remind us that your walls can be as fun and experimental as you make them.

🏆 And the GNI team's Softie award for favorite follow goes to...

A lot of folks!! @browngirltherapy for carving a corner of the internet for children of immigrants, @minaa_b for her always sage mental health tips, @otistheyorkiepoo (Katrina's dog) for being cute, @thatcurlytop for sustainable lifestyle ideas, and @yoleendadong for having the funniest TikToks around.

Read the full list of Softies winners here — including favorite indoor clothes, best game, favorite pantry item, and more. And if you've got a Softies-worthy rec, tell us about it here and you could be featured in an upcoming Reader Rec.

Sponsor Spotlight: Parade

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Here's what we're eyeing from Parade lately:
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Make Your Case

This week, we asked the GNI team to award a Softie to three things in their lives they love above the rest...

Alisha Ramos, CEO & Founder:
“I’d choose these exfoliating shower scrubs I grew up using in Korea (my mind is blown as to how people shower without one?!); my mini bluetooth speaker, which is so good for outdoor hangs and listening to podcasts in the shower; and Oribe hair products, which are very pricey, but I cannot live without them as someone who blow dries my hair almost every day and needs as much help as possible smoothing out the frizz.”

Mary Anne Porto, Associate Editor:
“My fave pick of the past year has been the fashion analysis genre on YouTube. Do I know much about fashion? No. Do I watch every single video from this YouTuber, this one, and this one? Yes! Next would be my robot vacuum (truly a self-care hero), and last would be the Weleda Skin Food line — all of it!”

Tyler Calder, Director of Content:
“I’d award a Softie to the two-sock method (wherein I only buy standard black and white ankle socks and save myself the hassle of ever having to match them); a Softie each to newish interior design tools Spoak and Dendwell; and a bonus pre-emptive Softie to In the Heights because I'm so excited to see a community that means so much to my family on a big screen (maybe even in a theater!!)."

Carey Polis, Senior Director of Content Strategy & Audience:
“I choose bench scrapers! No more dropping diced onion on the ground when transferring from your cutting board to a pan. Next up would be the za'atar from Z & Z — it’s by far the best I’ve found (and I’ve hunted). And my last Softie would go to these Eric Michael sandals which I have worn to the ground and re-purchased because they are so comfortable and go with everything."

Katrina Kagan, Partnerships Manager:
“This year I discovered Ilia’s Limitless Lash Lengthening Mascara, and it’s the best clean beauty upgrade I’ve ever made. I also think nothing deserves a Softie more than my Allbirds — they’re sustainable, supportive, and so so soft. And lastly, there is nothing softer (both physically and spiritually) than my dog Otis, so I'd give a Softie to his Wild One harness kit. It’s got the minimalist vibe I like and it’s comfy, but durable for all of his cute little adventures.”

Olivia Rogine, Director of Brand Strategy & Special Projects:
“This portable LED lantern is by far the best thing I own (its soft-but-powerful glow earns it a Softie in my book!). I also love my Shhhower Cap because it’s super cute, stays put, and doesn’t let any water in. And my final Softie would go to puzzles as placemats — that’s it, that’s the rec. It’s like one artsy, massive, and interactive coaster.”

Megan Soh, E-Commerce & Product Development Lead:
“Since I’ve taken to gardening, these Classic Work Gloves have held up better than all the others I've tried (and are very soft!). While I’m on the hunt for the perfect sun hat, Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen has been my shield from the harsh Texas rays on my face (I reach for Glow Oil for my arms and legs). And my home is a no-shoes zone, so a breathable pair of house slippers is a MUST — aside from pairs stolen from hotels, my faves are from these from MUJI and this pair from HAY. (I also have to give a bonus Softie to my Olfa Touch Knife, which has always made opening packages softer on my hands this past year.)”

take action and take care

Ways to take action this week... Learn about the Equality Act and tell U.S. senators to support the bill, which would prevent discrimination by government programs on the basis of sex or sexual orientation. You can read more about other legislation related to LGBTQ discrimination here.

Ways to take care… Mark your calendars! Find an IRL Pride celebration or virtual event, like them.’s Out Now Live virtual celebration or Audre Lorde Project’s Community Care Day. Chat about mental health and self-discovery with Real and John Paul Brammer, author of ¡Hola Papi!: How to Come Out in a Walmart Parking Lot and Other Life Lessons.

Thanks for reading and supporting GNI and our partners — they help make the creation of this free newsletter possible. Just a note: GNI may receive a small commission from items you purchase from this newsletter.

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Issue #224: welcome to the first-ever Softies... 🏆

Softies Picks

Make Your Case

Older messages

Issue #223: candles, sandals, and summer calendars ☀️

bras, books, and meatloaf for the soul 📚

Issue #221: breads, spreads, and everything in between 🥖

Question of the day: Which puzzle are you? 🧩

Issue #220: how nostalgia became the highlight of my week 📺

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