'Mandatory Meeting with Myself'

an interview with Megan Karp on her self-care ritual

THE WEEKLY EDIT:
On My Nightstand: Ina’s Memoir
In full disclosure, I haven’t turned a single page of Ina’s new memoir (it’s been a very busy season around here), but simply having it on my nightstand sparks joy, you know? I can’t wait to dive in.

On the Tele: Lonely Planet & Disclaimer
If you’re looking for a mind-numbing romance drama (it’s me, hi!), Lonely Planet (Netflix) with Laura Dern and Liam Hemsworth is it! I had low expectations but really enjoyed the self-revelations romance set in Morocco. Disclaimer (Apple), on the other hand, I had very high expectations for. Starring Cate Blanchett and created by Alfonso Cuarón, the psychological thriller/drama about a journalist whose career has been built on revealing transgressions is horrifying when she realizes she’s a key character in a long-buried story—one that exposes her darkest secret. While beautifully made, it’s falling a bit short for me, but I have hopes that it gets better in the coming episodes.

In the Oven: Healthy Pumpkin Muffins
My oldest daughter has loved these muffins for as long as I can remember, and we always make them come fall.

Trying: No Coffee for the First Few Hours of Being Awake
I saw this on one of those random wellness recommendation round-ups and figured I’d give it a go for a slower heart rate type of morning. One week in, and I really like it! The bonus: not making coffee during the morning rush is one less thing to do before we’re out the door.

Using at Home: Aarke Stainless Steel Kettle
The temperatures finally dropped, which brought the gravitational pull toward my tea kettle. I ordered the Aarke after gifting it to a friend last holiday, and it’s wonderful! You can set it to specific desired temperatures for perfectly brewed tea each time, and it’s pretty on the counter.

Mail, Swoons, and More: Merit, Freda Boots, Turtlenecks & Frame Arrows

• I tend to love Merit, so when they announced they were launching a fragrance and sending a sample with purchase, I immediately ordered a new lipstick to try their new scent (Antibe and Classic are my regular go-tos; ordered Power). It arrived yesterday, and the perfume is sadly a strong no for me.

• Freda launched a perfect ankle boot that I can’t get out of my head. They also come in black.

• Anna Quan…so good! Added this top to my wardrobe for a big meeting I have coming up.

• Colder weather naturally has me reaching for my Steve Jobs uniform. This year’s addition is a regen silk noil in coffee from OZMA—very on bland.

• Frame’s The Arrow in smokescreen are en route. Excited for the bootleg silhouette!

Paid Sub Giveaway Winner: Jewell!
Congrats to Jewell who won Credo Beauty’s Fall Favorites AND Credo Skincare. Check your email! xx

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ALRIGHT, LET’S GET INTO IT:
Mandatory Meeting with Myself

I'm a firm believer that if we put ourselves at the top of our to-do lists every day, everything else will fall into place. But how? When? Where? That’s often the challenge for many of us as we try to balance it all, which leads me to my friend Megan Karp. A mother of two—a toddler and a newborn, no less—Megan wakes up before everyone else for what she calls "a mandatory meeting with myself." It’s a ritual she often shares on Instagram (before sunrise), along with her recent Khaite purchases, wellness tips, and moments with her darling little girls. The phrase and practice caught my attention, so I caught up with Megan to learn more about her meetings: what they involve, how she manages to wake up before everyone else, and the other self-care practices she subscribes to. Here’s what she had to say: