The Weather Podcast

Summary

Episode Summary: "The Weather Podcast"

Hosts: Jennifer Romolini and Kim France
Release Date: February 24, 2025
Duration: 57 minutes

In this engaging episode of Everything is Fine, hosts Jennifer Romolini and Kim France delve into the relentless weather patterns affecting their lives, weaving personal anecdotes with broader reflections on aging, relationships, and contemporary culture. Titled "The Weather Podcast," this episode offers a candid and humorous exploration of navigating life over 40 amidst challenging weather conditions.

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1. Battling the Elements

Kim France opens the conversation by expressing her frustration with the persistent bad weather. At [02:12], she admits, "I kind of suck today. This whole week kind of sucks," setting a relatable tone for listeners dealing with similar struggles. Jen Romolini sympathizes, noting the oppressive cold and unrelenting rain, which have significantly limited outdoor activities.

Jen shares a vivid account of battling severe rain that led to flooding in her garage. At [03:38], she describes the rain as "pouring off the building" and likens it to a "monsoon, thunderstorm, atmospheric river or something." The ordeal highlights the real-life impact of extreme weather, affecting daily routines and causing household headaches.

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2. Personal Life and Social Gatherings

The hosts transition to discussing personal endeavors amidst the bad weather. Jen recounts hosting a dinner party despite being in a foul mood due to the weather. At [05:08], she reflects, "I was a cunt so much that I was, like, talking to myself," showcasing her self-awareness and humor. She details the effort put into the event, from preparing red wine braised short ribs to individual molten chocolate cakes, ultimately leading to a successful evening with guests staying until midnight.

Kim shares her own recent kitchen adventure, purchasing a sleeper sofa from Craigslist. At [07:35], she praises the convenience of the moving app, Lug, stating, "If this had been around when I was younger, I can't even imagine how much better my life would have been." This anecdote underscores the blend of frustration and satisfaction that comes with home projects.

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3. Reflections on Media and Culture

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing media figures and current cultural phenomena. Jen critiques Joe Rogan's influence, questioning his intelligence and susceptibility to manipulation. At [11:04], she muses, "Do you think you're smarter than Joe Rogan?" leading to a spirited debate about empathy and intelligence in media personalities.

The discussion shifts to Saturday Night Live, where Kim praises the inclusion of older audience members and the retention of classic sketches. At [18:00], she notes, "They did a really good job of incorporating the strongest stuff, which was a lot of the early seasons." They also touch upon new TV shows like "White Lotus" and "Friends," analyzing their appeal and thematic depth.

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4. Navigating Aging and Daily Routines

The conversation naturally flows into personal routines and the challenges of aging. Both hosts share their experiences with maintaining fitness. Jen talks about her gym streak, enjoying the satisfaction of staying in shape despite the effort involved. At [24:17], she describes a weightlifting class where she felt "in better shape than all of you," emphasizing the empowering aspects of exercise.

Kim discusses her reluctance to join a gym, citing past experiences like dropping her membership at Equinox. At [26:00], she considers strategies to incorporate gym time into her daily schedule without it becoming a burden. They exchange tips on balancing home responsibilities with personal well-being, highlighting the importance of manageable goals and self-care.

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5. Listener Q&A: Beauty and Self-Care

Towards the end of the episode, Jen and Kim address listener questions, offering advice on beauty routines and self-care practices:

• Skincare Regimens: Jen recommends Sunday Riley for a comprehensive skincare line, praising products like the "Auto Correct" and "Good Genes." She states at [47:50], "Sunday Riley is just really good. If I had to, if I really had to, only one brand. That's the one I would have." Kim shares her preference for Kosas products, emphasizing the personal nature of skincare choices.

• Nail Care: The hosts discuss their minimalistic approaches to nail care. Kim admits at [46:05], "I clip them every once in a while. I'll put some lotion on them and push back the cuticles." Jen confesses her dislike for nail maintenance, highlighting the varied approaches women over 40 take towards self-care.

• Work-from-Home Gym Tips: Addressing the challenges of fitting gym time into a busy schedule, Jen advises setting small, achievable goals like "30 minutes of the elliptical," while Kim echoes the importance of manageable objectives at [52:31].

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6. Book Recommendations and Personal Growth

In response to a question about foundational books, Jen shares her admiration for authors like Margaret Atwood and Raymond Carver. She explains at [49:14], "Cat's Eye... everything that Raymond Carver ever wrote... that's the first time I was like, oh, that's how I want to write." This segment underscores the role of literature in shaping personal and professional identities.

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7. Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans

As the episode wraps up, Jen and Kim reflect on their personal plans and the importance of having something to look forward to. Jen mentions an upcoming trip to Mexico City, aiming to create joyful experiences despite the dreary weather. Kim discusses her birthday plans and the possibility of spending it in Philadelphia, showcasing the balance between personal milestones and relationship dynamics.

The hosts close by emphasizing the value of resilience and community, even in the face of weather-induced challenges. Their authentic and humorous dialogue provides listeners with both solace and practical advice for navigating the complexities of life over 40.

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Notable Quotes:

• Kim France at [02:12]: "I kind of suck today. This whole week kind of sucks."
• Jen Romolini at [03:38]: "It's like a monsoon, thunderstorm, atmospheric river or something."
• Jen Romolini at [11:04]: "Do you think you're smarter than Joe Rogan?"
• Jen Romolini at [24:17]: "This is the most satisfying moment of my life."
• Jen Romolini at [47:50]: "Sunday Riley is just really good. If I had to, if I really had to, only one brand. That's the one I would have."

Conclusion:

"The Weather Podcast" episode of Everything is Fine masterfully intertwines personal narratives with broader societal observations, offering a heartfelt and humorous take on the trials and triumphs of women navigating life over 40. Through candid conversations and relatable experiences, Jen and Kim provide listeners with both entertainment and meaningful insights.

Transcript

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[Kim France]

Hi and welcome to Everything Is Fine, a podcast for women over 40. We are your hosts. I'm Kim France.

[Jen Romolini]

And I'm Jen Romolini.

[Kim France]

And as I was just telling Jen, I kind of suck. I kind of suck today. This whole week kind of sucks.

[Jen Romolini]

You're in a foul mood.

[Kim France]

I'm in a really foul mood and I'm gonna try to turn it around. I really am. Because it's not fair to anybody.

[Jen Romolini]

It's nobody cares. Nobody care. I don't care if you're in a foul mood. I mean, you also were just describing the weather there, it sounds unpleasant as fuck.

[Kim France]

It's really unpleasant as fuck. And it is relentless. Like, it's been going on for a while. It's gonna keep going on for a while. Yeah, it just. The only time I leave the house is first thing in the morning to walk the dog.

[Jen Romolini]

Like, too cold to go out anywhere.

[Kim France]

It's just too cold and the sun is out. And I like when the sun is out, no matter how cold it is. I always think it's good to just get out, to reset yourself in the middle of the. But I just.

[Jen Romolini]

Can.

[Kim France]

I know what it's gonna feel like. And the whole. And the production. The production of going out and putting on the long johns.

[Jen Romolini]

Maybe you're done with living in wintry places. Maybe you're done.

[Kim France]

Jen, I have been thinking the same thing today. Suddenly, maybe this just isn't.

[Jen Romolini]

You know what I mean? Like, this doesn't have to be a thing you endure. There are places where this doesn't occur.

[Kim France]

I know, I know, but it's matching up, you know, my desire to be in a place that doesn't get cold with, like, the places that don't get cold.

[Jen Romolini]

Yeah. The places that don't get cold, well, then they're just on fire. I mean, there's just, like, no escaping, like, extreme weather at this point anywhere. No, there really is all the same. Well, that rained here last week a way. I've never seen it rain anywhere since. This is the weather podcast again. It was raining so much, and we were again, like, our garage was flooding again. Like, we were ready for it this time, you know? Apparently somebody's coming out to, like, look at the gutters. Who the fuck knows? But there was rain just, like, pouring off the building. Like, it was raining sideways. Like, it was like a. It was like a monsoon, thunderstorm, atmospheric river or something. So it was kind of raining sideways at one point, but there was just rain just, like, gushing off the side of the house. And, yeah, it was a lot. And it was a lot of leaking. And, you know, my husband, he really can't handle shit. He really. It's just like. I don't know. Like, I don't know what it is about me that I can just be like, all right, well, that's fucking happening. Fucking sucks, but all right. It's really calamitous for him in a way that things like that are not clematis for me. I'm like, oh, all our shit's wet. Okay. You know, like, I have other things. Like, I was raging over the Weekend for no reason. Well, I know why. We had a dinner party. We had a dinner party.

[Kim France]

You threw a dinner. You threw a dinner party?

[Jen Romolini]

I did. I had such a fucking nice house to have a dinner party. I was like, we should have a dinner party. But of course, I think of everything for a dinner party. Like, oh, we should clean the bathroom and, oh, this needs to happen. And, oh, these groceries need to be shopped for. And da, da, da, you know, whatever. And oh, that, you know, what am I going to serve things on? Like, all the multiple details that go into sort of any endeavor in life, but especially, you know, you're having people over, what, you know, where are the napkins, etc. But so I was real cranky and I was such a cunt. I was just like. I was a cunt. I was like a cunt so much that I was, like, talking to myself, you know? Do you ever have that where you're so mad that you're, like, talking to yourself?

[Kim France]

Where you're like, muttering, yeah.

[Jen Romolini]

You're like, oh, of course nobody fucking thought of this. Just like a bitch. But then it was delightful. I made red wine braised short ribs, which I don't even eat beef, but I know they're like, the most delicious thing to make. And I did eat them that night. I made wild mushroom risotto. I made a salad. And then I made these, like, individual. Because I found all my little ramekins. I made individual molten chocolate cakes.

[Kim France]

Wow.

[Jen Romolini]

I know. And it was really nice. And our guests stayed until midnight. I was like, oh, this is a good party. Like, we had a good. We had a. Was this a good hang?

[Kim France]

That was a good hang. Staying till midnight. But also, people never throw dinner parties anymore, so when they do, it's so exciting.

[Jen Romolini]

It's so exciting. And, like, it's exciting to be in a really comfortable space that's like, oh, let's move to the sofa now. We lit our fire for the first time. Like, that was super fun.

[Kim France]

Oh, nice.

[Jen Romolini]

Yeah, so it was super. It was super fun. But, you know, then it takes. Takes it out of you because then you're like, oh, now we have to clean up. And now we have to, you know, whatever. It's like. It's like everything. Everything worth doing is a fucking hassle. So I did that. And then my other thing that happened over the weekend was I got a sleeper sofa on Craigslist Marketplace, which I know sounds disgusting, but it was, like, from some influencer. And also it didn't come with a mattress, so I'M gonna have to get the mattress myself, which is exactly what I wanted to do. But fuck, man, was it an ordeal to get this piece of furniture into my home. I mean, it was like, there's an app called Lug. Like, if you ever have to move something, there's just an on command. Like, if this had been around when I was younger, I can't even imagine how much better my life would have been. Like, lug. It's called Lug. And you just go on, you're like, I need this thing moved at this time. Like, in the next half hour, I need two people to move it. And here are the addresses. And it's pretty fucking cheap, too. It was, like 100 bucks to move this thing. Enormous monstrosity of a sofa bed. It's kind of cute, but.

[Kim France]

It is cute.

[Jen Romolini]

It is cute. But now, anyway, that was fun. And I also, like, went to a part of LA I've never been to, and I like, met this influencer who looked totally different online. Turns out she lives in a tiny, tiny apartment with three daughters. Little teeny girls.

[Kim France]

Wow.

[Jen Romolini]

Yes. Yes. And she was so relieved that it was me picking up this sofa instead.

[Kim France]

Of some creepy man.

[Jen Romolini]

Exactly. She. You could just see, she was just like, oh, fucking, thank God, a normal person. But it was so funny because, like, she had this tiny apartment. Three, three little daughters, like, going from 11 to four, and then one area of the apartment with a ring light, like, where all the magic happens. Like. Like, it was so crazy. Just like the things that are happening online versus real life are crazy.

[Kim France]

They absolutely are. What kind of influencer is she? Just, like a cute clothes influencer.

[Jen Romolini]

Exactly, exactly. Exactly. She was, like a very cute Asian girl and has, like, good style. And, like, you know, she was like, oh, will you give me your Instagram handle so I can post who took the sofa? And I was like, sure. All right. Meanwhile, like, Daryl and Chris are, like, trying to maneuver this fucking thing. That weight is a tank.

[Kim France]

Hilarious.

[Jen Romolini]

It was so. So. But know what? It was like, fun. It was fun because I was not on my phone and I was, like, around people. It was fun.

[Kim France]

Yep. You were encountering new experiences and new people.

[Jen Romolini]

That's all we need in this life. Yeah. And then I also went out. I also went out and had dinner at somebody's house. So I had a fucking jam packed President's Day weekend.

[Kim France]

Wow. That is a jam packed President's Day weekend. I didn't really have such a jam packed President's Day weekend. And I blame this motherfucking Weather.

[Jen Romolini]

Yeah, yeah.

[Kim France]

You know, Valentine's Day, we both decided, you know, we never make a deal about Valentine's Day.

[Jen Romolini]

Right, Right.

[Kim France]

And then that day, I think I may have made some kind of comment like, I mean, it wouldn't kill you to get me some flowers.

[Jen Romolini]

Yes. I'm sorry, but that's hilarious. And also, sorry, Paul, but like, yes. Alex didn't even fucking get me a card. I was like, you could. I picked up a card at the grocery store.

[Kim France]

I mean, I didn't pick up a card. My. But I didn't do anything like that. But the day of, I was like, you know, would it kill you?

[Jen Romolini]

Yeah. There's a fucking deli down the street.

[Kim France]

Like, yeah, it's so easy. They even make them with like the little teddy bears, like, attached to them.

[Jen Romolini]

Don't start on this fucking teddy bear again. No more teddy bears for you.

[Kim France]

I'm looking at that teddy bear right now. We have to hide it upstairs in a high shelf in the closet because the dog is very competitive with it.

[Jen Romolini]

So crazy. So crazy. So crazy.

[Kim France]

I know.

[Jen Romolini]

So fucking crazy. Adult stuffed animals. Here's a question that I've been thinking about a lot.

[Kim France]

Yes.

[Jen Romolini]

That I. I had this idea the other day. I was wondering, do you think you're smarter than Joe Rogan?

[Kim France]

Yes, I think I'm smarter than Joe Rogan. I don't even know why I waited that long to answer.

[Jen Romolini]

I don't. I think I'm only smart. Like, I was like, you know, these people are fucking so stupid. These fucking idiots. I fucking hate them all. They're so, like, Elon Musk, smartest guy, but also fucking dumb. And also, is he smart? Is any of his shit good? I don't know. But, like, I was actually, like, thinking about how Joe Rogan's like, how easy he is to manipulate and how he's like, that sounds like a good idea. You know, whatever.

[Kim France]

Yeah.

[Jen Romolini]

And I was like, I kind of am like that too. But the thing is about me is that I know that I, like, I know when I'm not smart. Like, I know that I'm ill informed. I would never on this podcast, not that we are in any way as big as Joe Rogan, but I would never on this podcast, like, be like, I highly recommend this thing that I don't know shit about without saying, I don't know. I know absolute nothing about this. But I think other than that, I don't know that I'm that much smarter than him. I really was thinking about it at my Smarter than Joe Rogan.

[Kim France]

That's funny.

[Jen Romolini]

You don't. You don't think. You think that. You just are.

[Kim France]

I think I'm smarter than Joe Rogan because I think that there's a kind of. I think, oh, this is gonna sound so stupid, but empathy is a kind of intelligence.

[Jen Romolini]

Okay. All right, so you don't think he's Empathy. Do you think he's willfully ignorant? Do you think it's just. Cause it's easier to be ignorant that he's willfully ignorant? I don't know. I've just been. I guess I've been trying to figure out these men. I heard him. I heard Joe Rogan the other day be like, elon Musk has got all this money. He doesn't want your money. He's in the. He's. He doesn't want your Social Security. He's a billionaire. Why would he. And it's like, no, no, fuck him.

[Kim France]

No, you fucking.

[Jen Romolini]

He wants our data. He wants to, like, rule the fucking world, you cunt.

[Kim France]

Ugh. No, I mean, I do think. I do think that he is. I think he's a lackey for all those guys. You know, I just. I don't think you can be truly intelligent without some kind of, you know, empathy that is missing from conservatism.

[Jen Romolini]

But Joe Rogan is not a conserv. Like, this is what I'm saying. Oh, by the way, just another person came out of the woodwork because now the RFK junior Is, like, in. And everyone's like, oh, yeah, I hate vaccines, too. Another person I know who I thought was a totally normal person. She had been a Miss Pennsylvania one year. Like, not that that makes her a normal person, but she had won the crown of Miss Pennsylvania. She, like, wrote this long post on Facebook. She's so happy. RFK Jr. S in. Why? The flu shot is terrible, and she would never take it. And thank God. Thank the Lord Jesus that we have somebody who's gonna protect our health.

[Kim France]

All I have to say is thank the Lord Jesus that we have pharmaceutical companies that are so much more powerful than RFK Jr will ever be.

[Jen Romolini]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. You're right. You're right.

[Kim France]

I mean, that is one thing that makes. I mean, because this. Him with the SSRIs.

[Jen Romolini]

Yes.

[Kim France]

I mean, it's too much. It's too much that SSRIs are responsible for school shootings, that children get violent when they're on SSRIs. Children don't get violent against themselves and try to end their lives when they're on A. I can't even. I can't even.

[Jen Romolini]

But no, but then you have to. Because then you have to just be like, oh, and his solution. His solution sounds so great. We're gonna send this. Cause just really, I really want you to think about this.

[Kim France]

Oh, camps. Send them to the world camps.

[Jen Romolini]

Organic farms. Everyone's gonna have to go work on. Anybody who has depression or mental illness is gonna have to go work on an organic farm. And this is gonna solve all our problems. We'll just, like. We'll just, like, grow. Or like, if you're depressed, grow it. Grow a carrot.

[Kim France]

Oh, my God.

[Jen Romolini]

It's just like. It's just like, oh, well, we'll kick out everyone who's working in these farms and. Cause, you know. Cause they're here illegally. And even though they're willing to work for, like, wages that, like, most Americans are not willing to work for, God love these people. And like, he's like, no, no, no. We'll make them mentally ill. Go work in these fucking farms here. I've solved it. I can't. I can't, I can't.

[Kim France]

It's like, once I forget who's described somebody this way to me, maybe I made it up myself, but I don't think I did. I think somebody said it to me that a certain person was so stupid. They think you're stupid.

[Jen Romolini]

Yes. Yes, I think you did make that up. You said that to me years ago. I think that's a you thing.

[Kim France]

Yeah, it was definitely something I observed at Conde Nast.

[Jen Romolini]

I love that you're now quoting yourself. You've reached an age where you're just quoting yourself. It's incredible.

[Kim France]

I turned 61 really soon.

[Jen Romolini]

Oh, my God. That's right. That's right. What? The third, the third. Right? The third, the third, the third. That's what I thought. Right. Cause I'm the 13th. Yeah. Birthdays. Here they come.

[Kim France]

Here they come. You know what? Bring them on. That is how I feel. Bring them on. Because I'd heard about yet another person near my age who died.

[Jen Romolini]

Oh, better than death. Birthday is better than death. Yes.

[Kim France]

Birthday is better than death, any way you slice it.

[Jen Romolini]

Yeah. Oh, God. I'm sorry.

[Kim France]

Wait, what are you sorry for?

[Jen Romolini]

Your friend died. No, I'm sorry your friend died.

[Kim France]

Wasn't even a good friend. It was just, you know, when you hear about yet another person, it's just like, oh, by the way, did you watch the SNL anniversary special?

[Jen Romolini]

I've only watched the clips on social media. I've only watched fucking speaking of, like, every week I need to bring up a new hot person. You know who's fucking hot Is Kevin Costner.

[Kim France]

Ugh. I know, but I think he's, like, bad.

[Jen Romolini]

Is he bad or are you confusing him with Dennis Quaid? Is he bad or is he just insufferable because of Waterworld?

[Kim France]

Well, he did. He starred in that show. The Western show.

[Jen Romolini]

The Republican show.

[Kim France]

Yes, the Republican show. He was the star of that show.

[Jen Romolini]

But is that.

[Kim France]

But the show doesn't really, really have politics in it. It's just to show that it's just Yellowstone.

[Jen Romolini]

Yeah, it's just about freedom. But is he. But the thing is, is he just like. Is he insufferable or is he. But is. Anyway, I think he is. Of all of those men, I think he is aging the best. I was looking, and I was like, fucking hot damn, Kevin Costner. You look like. I was watching him admire Cher. And I was like, yes, you look amazing. Anyway, tell me about the snl. I don't know.

[Kim France]

I watched some of it. There was a basketball game going on at the same time, so we were sort of battling back and forth for the remote. But I watched a lot of it. And one of the things I really liked was they showed the audience a lot. And it's clear that, you know, there were a lot of movie stars and beautiful young women and people like that in the audience.

[Jen Romolini]

Steven Spielsberg. Yes.

[Kim France]

But in the main, the people who were in the audience were older.

[Jen Romolini]

Okay.

[Kim France]

You know, like the audience. Just the friends of Lorne or, like, you know, the writers who'd been there for 30 years and were in the audience. And there were all these kind of like. And all these, like, former cast members.

[Jen Romolini]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Kim France]

And it was really cool to see, like, there was a real. I was worried that they would either canonize the first seasons or they would ignore the first seasons. But they did a really good job of including incorporating the strongest stuff, which was a lot of the early seasons. I never watched Saturday Night Live ever, ever, ever, ever. But I did watch that.

[Jen Romolini]

I haven't for a while. I did see the movie that came out about the first episode ever. What was it called? Saturday Night Live or I don't know what the hell it was. Just came out last year. I've watched that. No, I mean, I feel, you know, I'm happy that it exists. I'm happy that it's part of our, you know, part of the culture. I wonder what happens to it after Lauren goes, you know.

[Kim France]

I know. Well, Tina Fey, they Say, well, that.

[Jen Romolini]

Wouldn'T be such a bad idea. Honestly, she's pretty smart.

[Kim France]

Yeah, she is pretty talented.

[Jen Romolini]

She's pretty smart and pretty talented and pretty funny and an amazing writer.

[Kim France]

Honestly, the funniest part, they did Black Jeopardy, which, you know, and they had Tracy Morgan and then they had Eddie Murphy being Tracy Morgan.

[Jen Romolini]

Oh, my God. Oh, my God. I have to. I have to watch that.

[Kim France]

It was hysterical.

[Jen Romolini]

I have to watch that. I watched White Lotus. I watched the premiere of that.

[Kim France]

Me too.

[Jen Romolini]

Me too. I'm psyched for it. I'm like, ooh. I'm especially excited about the friends, the three friends. I'm like, oh, that's gonna get juicy. Middle aged friends.

[Kim France]

I know the real. All the ugliness could actually come from the friends.

[Jen Romolini]

Yeah. I'm really excited.

[Kim France]

I'm watching it and I'm like, okay, who's the obvious apparent asshole who's gonna turn out not to be the asshole?

[Jen Romolini]

Walton Goggins. Oh, you mean of the friends of the three girlfriends.

[Kim France]

No, no, no. Of the whole cast.

[Jen Romolini]

Walton Goggins.

[Kim France]

Yeah.

[Jen Romolini]

Has to be, right? I mean. Cause he see. Cause it's so over the top that he's an asshole. It has to be that he becomes not the asshole.

[Kim France]

Yeah. Or the son. Or the horny son.

[Jen Romolini]

The horny son. It's a good setup this year. It's a good setup, I think. I mean, you have to like e. You have to get bought into the whole show or not. And I recognize that it's like a little bit, like, frivolous. And I don't know if it's as good as everybody says it is, but I enjoy it very much.

[Kim France]

Well, it's like, can this thing be both an escape watch and also an indictment of capitalism?

[Jen Romolini]

That's very astute. And I think that it is both of those things. Okay. I think it's both of those things. I mean, look, it's not. But in terms of the quality of it, like, sometimes I'm like, the acting is uneven. The writing is a little uneven. It's not succession for me. It's not like, whoa, this is so tight that I, you know, this is amazing. But it's. I think it's great. I'm really excited. I was so excited to see Parker Posey.

[Kim France]

Yeah. And she was great.

[Jen Romolini]

She's great.

[Kim France]

She's just herself.

[Jen Romolini]

She was great. She's just the best.

[Kim France]

Yeah. I saw some people writing that they thought her accent was not authentic. And then someone else wrote in and said, actually she grew up in the South. Yeah.

[Jen Romolini]

And Also, I don't give a shit. Like, that's the thing. I love her so much that I'm like, I don't give a shit. Do whatever accent you want. Do whatever phony fucking phony ass accent. I don't care. It doesn't matter.

[Kim France]

Yeah, no, I liked it. And the three girlfriends, I mean, I thought, like, that was the one moment I thought, okay, this is intriguing, but it's also a little ham fisted with the three girlfriends.

[Jen Romolini]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I thought so too, but I. Cause it was really obvious, but I was like, I still can't wait. I can't wait to see. I can't wait to see that dynamic. Because three friends is always a problem. You really cannot have. You can't have three friends. You have to have one friend or you need to have a group of four friends. Three is never. It's impossible. And I was very intrigued by what's clearly going on there, which is going to be like, two of the friends are very wealthy and one of them is not. And that's going to be interesting. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So I was into it. And also they obviously have a budget. The first. The first season, I was like, this is a fogging luxury resort. Like, the chairs are like plastic. Like, now they have. Now they have the. Now they've given him the money to Mike White. Money to.

[Kim France]

Yeah, yeah, do it. No. Yeah. I was. After I watched it, I was like, am I up for this? Like, am I up for the brand of ugliness that this show brings with it, you know?

[Jen Romolini]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Kim France]

I don't know. I don't know. Like, I was glad I watched it. I'll probably. I know I'll keep watching it. But like, I was like, am I up for this? Especially the way I've been feeling lately. Like, do I need that? It's like, I hate when people say, why do people write sad books when there's so much sadness in the world? You know, that always really bothers me. But in this moment, I'm like, can I take it?

[Jen Romolini]

I think you could take it. Also. This fucking weather's gonna be gone in three weeks. You're gonna be fine. Three weeks, it's gonna. Three weeks. Okay, three weeks. It's gonna then be like the forever cold, damp until May. But, like, at least you're gonna be out of this soon. It's gonna be just wet soon.

[Kim France]

Let it be wet. Let it be wet. Just like, let me go outside.

[Jen Romolini]

Yeah. I mean, do you just need more bundling?

[Kim France]

I have so much bundling. That's part of the. I mean, it's not part of the problem, but, I mean, it's just a pain in the ass. To bundle correctly and then go outside and come back 15 minutes later and unbundle. It's just a pain in the ass.

[Jen Romolini]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Kim France]

I have no real problems. That's the thing. I have no real problems. I'm an asshole.

[Jen Romolini]

It's okay. I love you anyway.

[Kim France]

Bitching about the weather.

[Jen Romolini]

It's okay. That's. That's. That's what's going on with you this week? I have continued my gym streak.

[Kim France]

Amazing.

[Jen Romolini]

Last night I was in this, like, weight lifting class. Like, you know, like, they're not like heavy weights. I'm. I'm like lifting like five to eight pounds, whatever. It's like, you know, you're doing the weight reps and whatever. And I was looking around because, you know, this weird. This. This is a progressive gym and it's for everybody. And I was looking around at all these young queer people and I was like, I am fucking in better shape than all of you. This is the most satisfying moment of my life.

[Kim France]

I need a gym. Like that.

[Jen Romolini]

It was so great because, like, I'm in pretty good shape for an older lady, you know, And I. But anyway, yeah, it was very satisfying. Like, we were having to do, like, I don't know, like, doing the leg kicks and shit. Like, you know when you're. You have your hands down and you're like racing your legs and people were like, dropping and I was like, nope, not me, not me. I'm gonna keep going. That was fun. I like this gym and I also like it because the fact that I'm going to a gym means I don't need to pressure myself so much to walk everywhere. So then I can, like, live a life of convenience in Los Angeles and. Because that's the way Los Angeles is built, to drive everywhere.

[Kim France]

Right? Of course. Yeah.

[Jen Romolini]

And I've just always been like, no, must walk. Must get my steps in. And so this is actually creating a lot a more convenient life for me because I'm like, oh, it's okay. I went to the gym.

[Kim France]

That's such a good side effect of it.

[Jen Romolini]

We'll fucking see if it lasts. Like, you know, I have. I'm not really known for my consistency, so.

[Kim France]

No, me neither. And in a way, that's why I. Like, in a way. No, entirely. I know I, like, I haven't started going to the gym because in my mind I'm like, why go? You're just Gonna stop going again.

[Jen Romolini]

I know, I know, I know. But see, I'm trying to think to myself, well, wait, but I'm in control. I could keep going if I want to. I could make this continue. I'm just trying to make it continue. We'll see. It's been like two weeks. I really would like to, I really would like to get my money's worth out of it. Because that's the other thing. Like you can't, you'll never, you can't quit.

[Kim France]

So then you. Well, that's the other thing. That's why I don't want to join a gym. They opened up a really nice gym two blocks from me. There are two other, like, not even that nice ones, but also pretty close ones on Flatbush near me. But once you join, I know what it's like to unjoin Equinox. It's a pain in the fucking ass.

[Jen Romolini]

It's a pain in the ass. No, you have to, you have to be like, okay, well if I go or if I don't go, this is a, whatever it is investment for the, like you're basically going to be in for a year so you know you're not getting out of it. But that could be something like, sorry, I don't mean to be this person. I don't fucking know. But that could be. If it's two blocks away, you could bundle up, go there, get hot and then at least you would be warmer on the walk home.

[Kim France]

Well, no, I have figured, I've thought about what I would do because I walk the, you know, I wake up early, I walk the dog, then I would like come home. Don't change, just go straight to the gym. Yeah, like wear my gym clothes out, like work out and then come back home at around like 11 having like showered and worked out.

[Jen Romolini]

Yeah, could happen.

[Kim France]

Any, I mean anything could happen.

[Jen Romolini]

Let's take a quick break from some ads.

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[Jen Romolini]

And we're back. I think we're gonna go to Mexico City for spring break. I think it's actually going to happen. We have to get our kids passport updated because kids passports run out every five years and whatever. But once we figure that out this week, I think we're gonna go. And now I'm like, ooh, that's like. You just do need something to look forward to. I'm like, that restaurant looks good. Like, that will be fun. Look at that museum that we could go to. I need to be able to live in a fantasy.

[Kim France]

Yeah. You know, and I think I had a little bit to look forward to before we took our little Mexican vacation.

[Jen Romolini]

That's right.

[Kim France]

And now I feel like there's nothing to look forward to until spring.

[Jen Romolini]

What are you doing for your birthday?

[Kim France]

Ugh. Paul's not even gonna be in town for my birthday. Aww. I know. He has. He can't. It's a work thing. He can't not be there. It's not a terribly important birthday.

[Jen Romolini]

Where is he gonna be?

[Kim France]

He'll be in Philly. I could always go with him.

[Jen Romolini]

Go to Philly. You could plan something fun in Philly.

[Kim France]

It's true. There are Actually, I just saw you say that, and it was, like, plan something. P H U N and P H I L O Y for some reason. That fun in Philly. Fun in Philly. There are good restaurants in Philly. They're actually restaurants I could get excited about going to in Philly in a way that there aren't in New York.

[Jen Romolini]

Totally, totally. Really good, really good restaurants. Like, really good without, like, really good restaurants in Philly without the New York scene of the restaurant, which is always the worst. I mean, like, amazing Italian food.

[Kim France]

My mom is taking Paul and me out to dinner this week to. I forget the name of the restaurant, but it's new and it's very happening. She's been there before, and she's super excited to go back. I just. I'm not psyched. Yeah, I'm not psyched. I'm not psyched for, like, a super happening SoHo restaurant.

[Jen Romolini]

No, no. The sound is always bad. It's always, like, a sensory overload of sound because nobody cares about sound anymore because they don' Soundproof restaurant rooms like we used to, with, like, carpeting and, you know, whatever. Not that I think we should have restaurants that are carpeted, but that used to be the thing, because then it was, like, pleasant to be in there. You could hear each other. Yeah. I don't. I don't. I don't. I don't love that. I don't love that. No, I'm telling you, I just. I want to be over people's houses for dinner. Like, my friend Liz the other night, we had. We had tomato soup and a big salad, and somebody made some, like, giant cheesy bread, and we just, like, sat around and, like, talked and ate and drank. And I've been really into amaro as, like, my drink. Like a nice, clean, like, little Amaro with a ice cube in it. A couple of those. I've been trying not to drink too much because of the cancer.

[Kim France]

Yeah, me too. Me, too. It's okay. It's okay not to drink too much.

[Jen Romolini]

It is. It's not so bad not to drink too much. Like, just have some water.

[Kim France]

Yeah.

[Jen Romolini]

In the middle. Yeah. I don't want to start becoming a person who is, like, not afraid to go out, but, you know, you get, after a while, you just, like. I don't even know how to go out anymore. You know? I don't want to become that. But at the same time, I think I'd rather be in people's houses.

[Kim France]

Yeah. I'd rather be in people's houses anytime than in restaurants. Absolutely. Absolutely.

[Jen Romolini]

I mean, bars are different. I like a bar.

[Kim France]

A bar can be fun. I'm meeting a friend at a bar on Friday. I'm kind of excited about it.

[Jen Romolini]

Oh, there you go. That's something to look forward to.

[Kim France]

Yeah, it's a thing. That's true. It's not like there's nothing. No. Like I said, I have no real problems. I have no reason to really be bitching. Everything is really pretty much great. I just, like. I just, you know, I know people can relate. I just wake up some days and it's like, not today.

[Jen Romolini]

Yeah, no, of course, of course, of course. And because you're not like. Like, you're not getting, like, a kid out the door. Like, there's not a thing. Besides the dog. There's not, like, a thing you have to have to do. Like, Charlotte said to me the other day, because I've been making. I've been. I was testing those, like, molten chocolate cakes before we had people over for dinner, and. And they were. They had Covid. Oh, they had Covid last week. I didn't get it.

[Kim France]

Oh, geez.

[Jen Romolini]

I somehow didn't get it. I was like, first off, I gave the test. Like, I was like, you know, I'm Covid. And then I was like, oh, shit, you have Covid.

[Kim France]

Oh, wow.

[Jen Romolini]

I thought was gone. And then Alex and I didn't get it. I don't know how. But last night. Last night, they had to go back to school today. And last night they were like, is it wrong that I just want to play video games and, like, eat chocolate cake all day? Like, I don't really want it. And I was like, no, that's what everybody wants.

[Kim France]

That's what everybody wants to do.

[Jen Romolini]

I was like, that's it. It's like, you're not a terrible person because, like, you had kind of a week of that, and that's what you. That's where you would like to continue. It's fine.

[Kim France]

Yeah, no, it's what we all want. I mean, that's the other thing is I'm just highly unmotivated.

[Jen Romolini]

Yeah, well, that's winter.

[Kim France]

It's just winter. I'm just highly unmotivated. I don't feel like doing any work at all.

[Jen Romolini]

Yeah, yeah, right. Well, we've talked about this. Like, also, work begets work, you know? Like, I'm basically writing 500 words a day, which they're not great. They're not together. I don't. Like, I'm just, like, sort of writing disparate scenes from, like, who knows what's gonna happen here? And it's making me a better writer everywhere because I'm writing 500 words a day. It just is. It's fucking weird how the brain works like that.

[Kim France]

No, I think that's probably true, but.

[Jen Romolini]

I'm not as interested in things like, I need to paint this office. It's a horrible tan color, and I'm like, I just. I don't want to do any labor. I really don't. I got, like, injured myself, and I don't want. I don't want it. I don't. I'm like, oh, if I reach the old lady age where I'm just like, oh, I need to hire a guy for that, I kind of do.

[Kim France]

Why not hire a guy to paint your office?

[Jen Romolini]

Because I just, like, I could do it. That was the. The big argument we had yesterday. Alex was like, if you're not gonna tape every. If you're not gonna tarp and tape, then you can't fucking do it. And I was like, I'm just gonna slap some paint on here. And he was like, no, don't do it. Just. We'll hire somebody. Because I don't really want to do it. Right. I just want it done.

[Kim France]

You just want it done, but you also want to have done it. I think that it just. Sometimes the difference in the way you were raised and the difference in the way I was raised just astonishes me. It's really true.

[Jen Romolini]

No, I'm really resentful, though, like, of this house that we moved into that they freshly painted it tan. The whole house. The whole house is packed.

[Kim France]

They didn't. But they didn't ask you what color you wanted it painted before you moved in?

[Jen Romolini]

No, we just, like. Well, when we saw it, it had been freshly painted taupe. Who the fuck wants this? It's like a hospital tan. It's so depressing. And, like, we've, like, slowly painted enough rooms that got it away from this, but, I mean, it's every bathroom. They just, like, blanket tauped.

[Kim France]

They had some taupe they needed to get rid of.

[Jen Romolini]

That's it. You're right. That's exactly somebody. Some, like, construction guy, whoever she hired was like, hey, we got all this extra paint. We'll just fucking use it in. In unit D. Horrible. My friend was over, and she was like, yeah, it's like a. It's like a hospital. And I was like, yes, that's exactly what it is. It's like a sad, like, hospital room. It's like a little, kind of fleshy it's disgusting. What else is on your list? I don't want to just gab about paint.

[Kim France]

Oh, my God, my list. We talked about everything on my list. I want to leave New York because winter is terrible.

[Jen Romolini]

Okay, wait, what's on the. But we didn't talk about. What are the possibilities? Where would you go?

[Kim France]

Well, that's the thing. Like, how do I figure out a warm place that I would also be happy in? I mean, people like New Orleans. But there are hurricanes.

[Jen Romolini]

Yeah, you don't want to be in New Orleans. I don't think that would be right for you.

[Kim France]

No, I don't think that would be the right call for me.

[Jen Romolini]

I think that's an amazing city, but the weather there's kind of tough too.

[Kim France]

Yeah.

[Jen Romolini]

I'm using my hand strengtheners while we're talking.

[Kim France]

I can see that.

[Jen Romolini]

Trying to strengthen my hands. I don't think I have arthritis, but I'm just trying to strengthen them. That's so good.

[Kim France]

You're on such a. You're being very self improvementy.

[Jen Romolini]

I know.

[Kim France]

It's so annoying in general.

[Jen Romolini]

What a fucking annoying person to talk to.

[Kim France]

It's slightly annoying. It is slightly annoying. But I admire you.

[Jen Romolini]

I'm trying to come up with my spring look as well.

[Kim France]

Really? Any thoughts?

[Jen Romolini]

I want to wear a lot of a line dresses. I think the belts are. I think the big thick belts are going to come in. Like, I think they're gonna come in and I. What I wanna do is I wanna wear like some like, you know, a line dresses with like a big thick belt. Like kind of Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman when she's at the polo game. Except not polka dots.

[Kim France]

Not polka dots. But that shape.

[Jen Romolini]

That shape. I think that shape with like flats I think could be really cute.

[Kim France]

Mm, yep, I see that.

[Jen Romolini]

Trying to get excited about clothes because I really am just like, I just keep looking at my wardrobe and being like, get the fuck out of here. What are you. I hate you.

[Kim France]

I just wear the same five things every day. I wear the same five things every day. It's very unexciting.

[Jen Romolini]

I don't think that. I think you have an excellent wardrobe right now. I think you are in peak. Peak wardrobe. Like I've been seeing, like, what is this sweater today? This is so cute.

[Kim France]

Thank you. But it's a black sweater. Imagine that.

[Jen Romolini]

I know, but it looks, looks good.

[Kim France]

Yeah, it's not. It's not bad. It's not bad, this sweater. But I like this nice dinner that I'm going out on with my mom. This week. I don't know what to wear to it. Like a cool restaurant. What the fuck do you wear to a cool restaurant? I don't know. I'm not gonna wear like. I could wear a pretty little dress, but I'm not gonna wear a dress. It's fucking freezing out.

[Jen Romolini]

Yeah, yeah. You'd have to get like seven pairs of tights.

[Kim France]

I know, I know.

[Jen Romolini]

Although you probably. You have the fleece tights, don't you? The tights.

[Kim France]

I have a pair. I do have a fl. Pair of fleece tights that are pretty good.

[Jen Romolini]

Yeah, those are pretty good. And you. I'm imagining you have a sleeping bag coat that comes all the way down to like, your ankles.

[Kim France]

I don't. I have a. Goes past my knees, but not down to my ankles.

[Jen Romolini]

That I bought one of those. Here's a blast from the past at Brooklyn Industries, of all things. Remember that? I still have it and it's perfect for this kind of weather. And I wore it. I wore it in Iceland when it was like that. Like bitter. I think it was like sunrise at 10am, sunset at 3pm wow. It was like, whoa. But I wore that there with a fur hat and a. Like a fleece neck warmer. And then like a scarf around the whole thing. Like there's some, you know, there's some. You know, it's just not always the cutest shit, but you know, you can.

[Kim France]

Yeah.

[Jen Romolini]

The sleeping bag coat, I really think that goes all the way down. It's a horrible thing to like lug around if it's not that cold. But it could help.

[Kim France]

Yeah, it could help.

[Jen Romolini]

Okay. What can you wear? You could wear your tuxedo jacket.

[Kim France]

That's true.

[Jen Romolini]

You haven't worn that. I bet in a while you could wear that with like a blouse underneath it. Pair of normal pants with long johns and like boots.

[Kim France]

Just like jeans. I could wear jeans.

[Jen Romolini]

Yeah, jeans. That'll be so cute.

[Kim France]

Yeah, maybe I'll do that.

[Jen Romolini]

You gotta get some use out of that. That jacket.

[Kim France]

Oh, boy, do I ever. Jeez.

[Jen Romolini]

I know I sometimes wish that, like, I lived next door to my friend. Like, I feel like. I wish that we lived in like, compounds so that you could just be like, come over and tell me what to wear.

[Kim France]

Oh, my God. That's like my dream.

[Jen Romolini]

I know, I know.

[Kim France]

That's like my dream to have like. Like a bunch my friends all, you know, living in property adjoined by like a pool.

[Jen Romolini]

Yeah.

[Kim France]

Pond or something.

[Jen Romolini]

Yes, yes.

[Kim France]

That is my dream. I would love that. What would be better?

[Jen Romolini]

It would Be so. Well, this is when I'm like, whenever I'm like, why? What are the are people doing with their money? Like, if I had that money, I would have a compound in the south of France. Like I'm like always, I'm always thinking about compound. Compound is like the thing I think about all the time. Like, you know, a six residence compound where all your friends could come be. You could have like artist retreats there. You could have whatever. Like compound, compound, compound.

[Kim France]

Yeah. I mean, what could be better? I would, I would love, I mean if anything happened to Paul or if we were not together anymore, like, I would seriously look into one of those women only communities.

[Jen Romolini]

No, my sister in law and my new brother in law, Alex's sister and my new brother in law, they got married in the fall. They were over, they were over on Saturday night and we were talking about like, where we all want to go, like next and you know, where do we want to get old? And Alex and my sister in law's husband are both like, yeah, I want to move to upstate New York and have like seven dogs. And you know, just like, whatever, just like peace out, never see people. And I was like, what the fuck is wrong with you? You'll die so fast. Like, you can't just be a loner in your old age. Have you read Nothing Plus?

[Kim France]

Can I just say, my friend Jonathan and I were texting this morning and he lives up in Woodstock and he's like, there is a horrible ice storm. I can't even walk out my front door. And so he went to show me what it looked like. He went and filmed himself walking. And sure enough, like, the film ends with him just like wiping out. And I was like, what do you do? Like, if you can't go into your yard, how do you drive your car? How do you get food?

[Jen Romolini]

And also, what the fuck with the six dogs? Like, I don't want anything to do with this.

[Kim France]

That's part of Paul's fantasy as well.

[Jen Romolini]

The six dogs, that was also my brother in law's fantasy. It was like the six fucking dogs. I was like, this is ridiculous. I was like, I picture old age. I will be wearing a fur hat and like go, I don't know, like going to the opera or something. But like, I will know my bodega guy. I will get my laundry done by people at a certain, you know, I'll be like, thank you for my laundry, doing it. I don't want to do that. I'm 80. Oh my God. And then my, then my Sis Liz was like. She was like, yeah, but the thing is they're gonna die, so we're gonna have 20 years without them anyway. She was like. And I was like, that's a grim thought, but also probably sadly true. I mean, I hope that I live to 95. If Alex cares to go to the doctor ever and join me, that would be great. But no pressure. Should we. Listener questions.

[Kim France]

Are we becoming post verbal?

[Jen Romolini]

Yes, I think so.

[Kim France]

Yes. Let's.

[Jen Romolini]

Okay, I'm going to start this off, but this is another question that everybody asks and I never have an answer to. Trini London's lotions and potions. They're all over my social media feed. I think they're fine. I like Trinni London's concealer. It's a concealer and serum combination. I think they're fine. I think they're overpriced. I think they take too long to be delivered and I think shipping is too expensive. So that's my experience with Trini London. Okay, how do you care for your nails? Any favorite products? I started Gel X Manicures this past fall and I find sitting in a nail salon so tedious. Looking for low maintenance at home solution. I feel like the patriarchy is going to win while we are all sitting in that fucking nail salon.

[Kim France]

Well, they're not going to win on my account because I never get manicures.

[Jen Romolini]

Well, what do you do with your nails? You just clip them?

[Kim France]

I clip them. I clip them every once in a while. I'll put some lotion on them and push back the cuticles. But no, I don't, I don't. I have such stubby, ugly fingers.

[Jen Romolini]

That's not true.

[Kim France]

No, look, there's.

[Jen Romolini]

I know, I know. Your fingers. I. I could picture your fingers without.

[Kim France]

You showing them to me. They're practically paws.

[Jen Romolini]

They're not pa. They're not paws. And you don't have like. You don't have like old. You don't have wizened. You don't have Wizard M Night. Shallow Hand. Shallow whatever. You don't have old hands like I do. I have zero tolerance for doing anything to my nails. I will. I hate clipping them. I hate filing them. I actually find it viscerally just such an uncomfortable thing. And I don't, I don't love going to the nail salon, but I get manicures like every three weeks. So I have nothing to contribute here for at home. But I know a lot of people do their nails. I. There's no way I would ever do it. I'm bad at it and I hate it.

[Kim France]

Wow.

[Jen Romolini]

Yeah. Sorry. That's like the thing, that was the thing during the pandemic that I missed the most because I was just like, these fucking nails are a disaster and I can't, I don't think I have like the fine motor skills to do what you need to do.

[Kim France]

Yeah, some people do and some people don't. I definitely don't. It's all I can do just to clip them.

[Jen Romolini]

Yes. If someone wanted a complete one brand skincare regimen for day and night, which brand regimen would you recommend? I would say Sunday Riley. For me. I would say Sunday Riley. You get the autocorrect, you get the good genes, you get the vitamin C serum, you get the eye cream. They're my favorite line of. And not that expensive. Like, not La Mer prices. More expensive than I would probably pay regularly. But every time I have Sunday Riley, I'm like, these products are amazing. And I would only use these if I didn't feel so guilty to buy them.

[Kim France]

I don't, I'm so inconsistent with my skincare.

[Jen Romolini]

Yeah.

[Kim France]

That it's hard to say. But I mean, I used the Jones Road when they gave me my makeover. They gave me a moisturizer. I've been using that. But like, I don't do the. I don't put a serum on. I put sunscreen. I mean, I guess. Kosas.

[Jen Romolini]

Yeah, they really like Kosas. Yeah.

[Kim France]

Yeah. Maybe I'd say them.

[Jen Romolini]

Yeah. And the thing is, this stuff's like so personal, you know, it's like you don't, it's, it's so, it's just so individual, you know, what's going to work for your skin is. Yeah, my skin is not going to work for yours. But I, I, Yeah, I think Sunday Riley is just really good. If I had to, if I really had to. Only one brand. That's the one I would have. But that's a really good question and an interesting question, I think. Okay. Jen mentioned one of her foundational texts in passing last week. It was a joke. I said never. You'll never make love in this town again was a foundational text.

[Kim France]

That's right.

[Jen Romolini]

And it got me wondering for both of you, what are a few books that you consider your touchstone books? The novels or memoirs or guides that have most changed you or made you feel seen.

[Kim France]

Such a hard question. And it shouldn't be anything by Laurie Colwyn. You're going to list like 10 things right now and I'm going to feel like an idiot. Because all I said was, anything by Lori Colin.

[Jen Romolini]

Well, you could say anything. But, I mean, I would say there's two Margaret Atwood books that are. They're very meaningful to me. The Edible Woman and Cat's Eye. I think when I was really young, I was really into Ernest Hemingway. Like, obsessively so. Creepily so. The Sun Also Rises, you know, I mean, these aren't, like, cool books. They're just what I was into. And then Raymond Carver, like, everything that Raymond Carver ever wrote. Cathedral. What we talk about when we talk about love. Where I'm calling from. Will you. I think there's. Will you please be quiet? Please? Like, all of them. That was, like, the first time. That was one of the first times that I was like, oh, that's how I want to write. I want to be a writer who can. Like, this makes sense. This writing makes sense to me. Rhythmically, it's spare. I'm never going to be, like, a fancy, flowery writer. This is. It just spoke to me so much. I loved those books. I'm sure there's a million others, but that's, you know, that's the top of my head. Okay, this is trivial, but if you work from home, how do you manage going to the gym to work out and then not staying in workout clothes all day? I like looking put together with a proper outfit. And I can't seem to figure out how to not change a million times a day. It's especially annoying if I have to drop my kids off or have a meeting before I go to the gym. Am I going to change three times? I mean, sure, change three times. I go to the gym in the evening or afternoon. I go in the gym after school.

[Kim France]

I think if you have to change, you have to change. But what I do is when I wake up in the morning to walk the dog, I wear whatever I wore the day before.

[Jen Romolini]

Okay. Okay.

[Kim France]

So that cuts down on some of the. Or I put on sweats. If I'm not putting on sweats, I just throw on whatever jeans or whatever I was wearing the day before. But if you change a few times a day, you change a few times a day. I get dressed every day. Even during COVID I got dressed every day. I stopped wearing a bra, but I definitely still got dressed every day. I put on makeup every day.

[Jen Romolini]

Yeah, I try to do the same thing. Cause if not, I could really, like, sink and spiral. Like, if there's not some. That creates, like, a kind of order. Like, feeling like I'm presentable creates a kind of order. And if not, I don't know where things would go. Yeah, but why not wear the same clothes? Wear workout clothes to take your kids to school and then go to the gym and then change into regular. Then change into clothes for your day.

[Kim France]

That sounds reasonable.

[Jen Romolini]

I mean, I don't know. Or just fucking. Just change a lot. I think you just have to change a lot. It's just the way it is. Any tips for making going to the gym not take so long? I mean, I'm so new at this. I too am finding it a vital way to cope with the constant barrage of terrible news. But it seems so time consuming and I'm self employed. I think that don't put pressure on yourself. Like, one way that I've been getting myself to the gym is by being like, I'll just go and do 30 minutes of the elliptical and then I'll come home.

[Kim France]

Yeah, small manageable goals.

[Jen Romolini]

Exactly. You don't have to be like, and it's gonna be legs day, and it's gonna be like just getting to the gym and doing, you know, 25 to 30 minutes of cardio or 25 to 30 minutes of the weight machines and then going home is. That's. That's an achievement.

[Kim France]

Yep. I 100% agree with that advice.

[Jen Romolini]

Okay, let's see, what else do we have here? It's so exciting. I know it's several months away, but my husband and I are going to London the first two weeks of July. We're going to two outdoor concerts. I've been reading tips about bringing wellies or other rain boots. Do you have any suggestions on where to look that are appropriate for warmer weather? I don't want to.

[Kim France]

Oh, she wants. She wants wellies.

[Jen Romolini]

She wants wellies. I don't want to wait until June to start shopping for them. I'd like to get a pair soon so I can break them in before we go.

[Kim France]

There's a very fabulous French brand called Le Chambeau. I think that's what they're called. They make some pretty great. I mean, they're like riding wellies.

[Jen Romolini]

Oh, that's cute.

[Kim France]

But they're pretty cute. I mean, there's always hunter, but hunters say Hunter. Really big on them.

[Jen Romolini]

Yeah, that's true. That's true.

[Kim France]

Which I don't like.

[Jen Romolini]

No, me neither. There is that iconic picture of Kate Moss. Linda Wellies. So hot. And the cutoffs.

[Kim France]

Yeah.

[Jen Romolini]

It was never me, but it was such a. So hot. Okay, I have a question for Jennifer Romolini and her novel writing. I know it's early days. But what do you plan to do with said novel after it's done? Shop for an agent? Use the one you've had on Ambition Monster. I ask because I wrote a YA novel during the pandemic lockdown and don't know what to do with it. I've tried to find an agent, but no luck. So far. I do not have the following to make self publishing even worth the investment. Thoughts? I mean, I will use my agent. My agent will represent me for any book that I want to do. She's explained to me, which is nice of her. I mean, if she likes this book, you know, I think that finding an agent, especially for fiction, is a numbers game because they're not working with you on the proposal. So they really just have to like your writing. It's a little different than nonfiction. Right. Where they can shape the book a lot more. I mean, this is what I think. Like I'm not an expert in this particular thing, so I think it's my experience with or friends who have had this experience. What I've noticed is it's just keep going and keep trying to get an agent. If you're not going to self publish, then you just need somebody and ask for specific feedback about what's not working for them, why they're rejecting it. That's what I would do. But yeah, I don't know. It's tough out there.

[Kim France]

It's tough. It's really tough. Finding a fiction agent is. I mean, I know how friends of mine felt when it finally happened for them.

[Jen Romolini]

Yeah, it's really tough. It's really. And I think it's a lot tougher than nonfiction.

[Kim France]

I think so too because we have.

[Jen Romolini]

Friends who are established writers, like have published a couple of books and are struggling to find an agent for, you know, fiction. So. Okay, this is kind of deep. But in Jen's book, she mentions her siblings had an easier, more upper class, upper middle class, suburban childhood than she did. I was wondering if she ever feels resentment towards them. I am the younger sibling in this scenario. My brothers still hold a grudge all these years later. I don't know how to make it better. Do I apologize for being born after them? One wants monetary compensation out of our mother to make things right. Quotes, quotes. Which is ridiculous, but he actually said it. This sounds like a your brother problem, not a your problem.

[Kim France]

Yep.

[Jen Romolini]

No, I don't resent my siblings at all for that. I've just. One of the things that was helpful for me to come to terms with my childhood and sort of, you know, I guess, quote, unquote, heal was to understand how different their childhoods were and understand why they might function in a different way in the world than I did because things were tougher for me. But at the same time, I also recognize, and maybe your brothers, no offense to them, need some emotional maturity. I also recognize that I have a lot of strengths that my siblings don't have because of how I was raised.

[Kim France]

Very good.

[Jen Romolini]

Yeah. But that, you know, I don't know how you're going to get out of this one. Sorry about that. Okay. It's a very specific question about the Grace and Stella under eye masks. When do you. Wait, I'll just ask you. Kim, when do you use an under eye mask? Do you use them? When do you use them?

[Kim France]

Never.

[Jen Romolini]

Never.

[Kim France]

I have an Ole Henriksen eye cream and I use that. But no, I'm not one for masks, really.

[Jen Romolini]

This person is concerned about the order of when to use them. I don't think it matters. I think we really, really get caught up in the order of skincare when dermatologists I've talked to are just like, it doesn't really fucking matter because it.

[Kim France]

All squishes together on your face anyway.

[Jen Romolini]

Yeah. I mean, sunblocks should always come last and obviously cleaning your face first, but other than that doesn't really fucking matter. And, like, use these whenever if you're going. Like, be lucky that you're actually remembering to use them as what I say.

[Kim France]

Yep, I think that's probably it.

[Jen Romolini]

I think that is it. I think that is it. That is. That is. That is a show. And again, just look it up. And it's 57 minutes. It's really miracle. Thanks for listening to Everything is fine. We're your hosts. I'm Jen Romalini.

[Kim France]

And I'm Kim France.

[Jen Romolini]

If you like the show, please rate and review it across the platforms. It really helps people find the show and it makes a difference to whatever that we don't really understand. If you want to support the production of the show, you can go to our Patreon, which, damn, I need to go over there. I haven't been there in a while. I'm. Thank you all for still being there, Whoever's still there. Patreon.com everythingisfine It's $3 a month and it helps us keep the lights on. If you want to find Kim, you can find Kim at Kim Francis. You can find me at jenromalini.substack.com you can find both of us in a robust and private Facebook group. We are also on Instagram @EIF podcast. The show is mixed and edited by Natalie Rivera. Thank you so much as always, Natalie and we'll be back next week. I'm Jen. And I'm Jess and we're the hosts of the beauty podcast Fat Mascara. We fell in love with the brand Violette FR after we had its founder, French makeup artist Violette Seurat, on our show. I need a minimalist but effective skincare routine, so I love Violette Fr's Boom Boom Milk. It's a multi purpose rebalancing spray that protects your skin's natural microbiome and improves overall skin health. The main ingredient, fermented birch SAP, is a miracle worker. Use it alone or as your first step. You can also sandwich it between your active topicals. A French secret for less reactive skin visit violafr.com to discover boomba Milk, a French skincare essential that will bring your skin to its healthiest state.

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