Today’s post is a paid partnership with Amazon, highlighting Tennessee-based small businesses.

Hey guys, Joanna here! It’s the beginning of October, and even though it’s still hot in Nashville, it’s also practically Halloween, right? Right.

So my sweet dog Mabel has a whole setup. I’m not exaggerating, she has a corner of the mudroom that is more organized than my own closet was before I started this job. Everything has a bin. Everything has a place. And lately, everything in that bin is from Huxley & Kent, a small business out of Tennessee.

And thank goodness for Huxley & Kent, as Mabel has made it her personal mission to jump up on the kitchen table and steal whatever candy I’ve left out, and she has succeeded more times than I’m willing to admit in writing. (Please don’t report me to the authorities!)

I found them in Amazon’s store during one of my late-night “I need to order things for Halloween and also rewatch nostalgic movies and also did I text back my friend” spirals, when their candy dog toys stopped me mid-scroll. I actually gasped a little. (See pic above for proof, Mabel posed for this one like she knew exactly what she was doing.) Like mother, like dog daughter! I felt like the universe had finally handed me a loophole. She gets her candy obsession. I get to keep my Reese’s!

Once I clicked into the listing I found out Huxley & Kent is a small business based right here in Tennessee, which, obviously, sent me down a rabbit hole. One small Tennessee brand led me to another, and another, and suddenly I had six tabs open and a cart I needed to explain to my husband.

Y’all know I’m obsessed with entrepreneurs, so we spoke to their founder Robin (A DELIGHT) about starting her company. Enjoy!

CATCHING UP WITH HUXLEY & KENT FOUNDER, ROBIN KERSHNER

Take us back to the beginning — what was the moment you knew Huxley & Kent needed to exist, and what problem were you trying to solve?

Huxley & Kent started pretty simply. When I first started in the pet industry, I saw an opportunity to create pet products for my dogs that were well-designed and different from what was already out there. People love their pets and want products that reflect that. I felt there was room for a brand that could bring some personality and joy to the category, and that is still at the heart of what we do today.

Tennessee is woven into this brand’s identity — what does it mean to you to build and grow a business here, and how has the local community shaped who you are as a company?

I’m very proud that we are a Tennessee company. We have been able to build a national business from Knoxville, which I think says a lot about what is possible here. Tennessee has a strong business community, but it also has a sense of community in general. People help each other. They make introductions. They want to see local businesses succeed. That has meant a lot to us as we have grown.

What’s a distinctly Tennessee value or way of doing business that you’ve carried into how you run Huxley & Kent?

Probably relationships. We try to treat people well, do what we say we are going to do and not take ourselves too seriously. We have customers, sales reps and employees who have been with us for many years. I think there is something very Tennessee about building a business around relationships and trust.

Jack-o-latte toy, Candy corn toy, Sour Scratch dog toy, Rosco’s dog toy, Mutterfinger toy

When did Amazon enter the picture for you, and what shifted in the business once you had that platform behind you?

Amazon came after we had already built a strong wholesale business. What it gave us was access to the consumer on a much bigger scale. Suddenly, someone anywhere in the country could discover Huxley & Kent and have one of our products at their door very quickly. It also gave us something incredibly valuable: information. We could see what consumers were responding to, what products were working and where there was opportunity. That has helped us become better at developing products and understanding our customers.

How have you managed to grow nationally while staying rooted in your local community?

I don’t think the two have to compete with each other. We sell products across the country, but Knoxville is still home. Our team is here, many of our decisions are made here and we try to support our community whenever we can. Giving back has also always been important to us. Through the Huxley & Kent Rescue Fund, we have supported more than 150 animal rescue organizations. As the company grows, we want our ability to give back to grow with it.

MORE TENNESSEE SMALL BUSINESSES TO DISCOVER

Talking to Robin sent me right back down that Small Business rabbit hole, so here’s where my Tennessee-themed cart landed:

Daily Crunch
I’ve been friends with Laurel for years and continue to be as inspired by her entrepreneurial journey, as I am about her expansive sprouted nut flavors!

Huxley & Kent Puggin’ Spice Latte Toy
I’m eyeing this one to add to Mabel’s stash next. So cute!

Pastabilities
Their football-shaped pasta is as sporty as I get. Go team!

Goo Goo Clusters
I have a problem with these. A genuine, documented candy problem.

Nemah Firming Lotion
My friend, Mary Lawless Lee’s brand! I didn’t even know she was in Amazon’s store!

Be Amazing Drinks
Peach mango greens, currently my fridge staple.

Until next time, happy shopping, we hope you discover some faves from right here in Tennessee!

Hey Group Chat, Clea here! We had a super relaxing Labor Day weekend and the kids are settled in their new(!) school routines. With the house a little quieter (praise be), I was looking around and realized, damn: I really really love coasters. Like, obsessed.

Pink ones, green ones, marble ones, floral ones. While my new LA home isn’t ready for a tour yettttt, here’s a sneak peak at my favorite functional accessories around the house. (You’ll even get a glimpse of Joanna’s Room AKA the red guest room). Enjoy!

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Joanna, reporting live from Nashville! It’s been a minute. Hope everyone survived back to school, as well as these heat waves. I am soooooo ready for some cozy fall temps ASAP. I’ve taken you on a tour of a few spaces in my home already, which you can revisit below if you missed it.

I haven’t shown you these two off-the-beaten path rooms. Let’s just say they work hard. Enjoy!

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Hi everyone! Are you also melting like butter in a microwave? Same. As we keep our cool and dive into back to school, we thought we’d do another AMA (these are so fun!) Here are 5 of your top asked questions. (Y’all are really worried about our friendship!)

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YOU. GUYS. We just went to Boston to be guests on—wait for it—The Mel Robbins Podcast!(!!!) It was truly an out-of-body experience in the best way. Mel is exactly how she is on her show. So real and authentic and generous and, of course, uplifting as hell. She’s so impressive with everything she’s done and built (top YouTube channel, top podcast, best-selling author), so we were nervous!

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Greetings from sunny Los Angeles! After three weeks of traveling (cc: Cannes!), I am so happy to be back home in LA. I am loving that I can walk to get coffee now, which sounds small but feels monumental after years of needing a car to go literally anywhere in Nashville.

Joanna is visiting with her family this week, and I’m on a mission to make them love LA so much that I can convince them to move here too eventually. It’s no small feat, but I like my odds. I thought it was the perfect time to share my tried-and-true LA spots that I’ll be taking them to below, even though my actual list could be a book (and it’s getting bigger with all the new spots). So stay tuned for round two. Enjoy!

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I’ve been thinking about my “Perfect Day” a lot lately, especially coming off a big trip (see our Cannes recap here!) You’d think it’d be during vacation, right? One with an ocean view or a new city (and bakeries) to explore. But honestly? It’s my regular (albeit optimized!) workday routine. Coffee in bed. Work time. Playtime. Frozen yogurt in there somewhere, obviously. So today I’m walking you through what an actual perfect day looks like for me, start to finish. Enjoy!

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This is the summer I decided I actually CAN wear any dress I want. For 4 years, since my double mastectomy and the subsequent 14 surgeries that followed, I have had varying degrees of discomfort about the way my body looked. I’ve gone from not having breasts, to having expanders, to having failed implants, to now having one breast - and that’s not even counting the scarring and radiation damage. Every single summer, I sit out the flowy dresses with the little straps, and instead choose short sleeves or a high neck. I consider which dress could work with a bra and a prosthetic. Most of the time, I abandon the thought of wearing a dress at all and just wear t-shirts and shorts.

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Hi! I feel like Clea has been hogging the Substack with her fire horse energy. My turn!

I LOVE Clea’s new house in LA, but wanted to share some Nashville love here too. You know, checks and balances. (Is that how that works?) I’ve lived in Nashville for over a decade, so I have Opinions (with a capital O) about the best stops. Drum roll please….

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After more than a decade, I’m officially an Angeleno again! (If you’re asking, “Wait, what? You moved?” Then read all about it here. We’ll wait.)

We moved into our Sherman Oaks abode last week and are loving both the house and the neighborhood. For those of you who aren’t deeply embedded in the San Fernando Valley real estate market (just me?), this neighborhood has it all: tree-lined streets, actual yards, and close proximity to Ventura Boulevard shops and eateries (you’re welcome, Joanna).

The house is…getting there. I’m embracing the fire horse energy and trying to really calm down my perfectionism. While I’m not ready for the full house tour just yet, let’s just say my friend and interior designer Lindsay Rhodes is working her magic once again (she designed my Nashville home, too). Sharing a few teaser pics below, and stay tuned for the whole shebang.

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To wrap up May, we asked you to share your questions with us, from the big move to all things organization, and, per usual, you all delivered. We've been saving these up and cannot wait to finally dive in. Grab a snack, get comfy, and let's get into it.

How hard will it be living apart? And remind us why you’re moving.

It’s not going to be easy, but like with everything we do, we have a plan and we’re creating smart systems. I have vowed *in blood* to travel back to Nashville from LA once a month for Joanna and I to hang out and work on The Home Edit in person, plus we’ll continue traveling together and talking multiple times a day. I’m moving back to LA, where I’m originally from for a lot of reasons, but mostly because my kids were ready for a change. It’s definitely going to be an adjustment, but we’ll make it work!

Do you both have help at home?

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Fire horse energy doesn’t wait for a clear calendar. Neither do I.

As you know, a lot has happened lately: I’m moving to Los Angeles. We re-acquired The Home Edit. I’ve shared the big headlines. But what I haven’t told you is what it actually looked like behind the scenes. Until now. (Have I mentioned how much I love Substack? Anyway!)

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OK, I’m going to be honest — I had no idea how fun this series would be. I love showing you all the lesser-seen corners of my home. So let’s keep going, shall we?

Today I’m showing you one of my favorite rooms: the media room. And then another (surprising) favorite: the laundry room. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, I know. BUT when it’s organized and pretty, it too can become your favorite room in the house. Come along!

MOVIE NIGHT

This room hasn't been photographed much, but it’s a heavy hitter for the kids and their friends. Every movie night happens here. Every sleepover happens here. (Though remaking the bunk beds is either a workout or a character-building exercise. Still deciding.) The sectional alone has been known to sleep up to four people in the great Nashville ice storm of 2026 (a story for another time). I thought the candy in the canisters would stay decorative, but keeping them stocked has become a full time job!

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Joanna here! Since you all loved Clea giving an inside peek into her home, I was like, emmmm my turn. And I’m not even moving! (Yes, that’s a burn. Yes, I’m still feeling feelings about it. And yes, I still love her.) I’m getting in on the home reveals too and sharing some of my favorite—and hard-working—spaces. Enjoy!

DOG DAYS

Mabel's House (more like Mabel's Hotel) nestled under the staircase is anything but a doghouse. It's super elevated and cozy, plus all her supplies (from medicine to dog food) are hidden within reach. We even plumbed the nook for water for her bowls. It's her world, we're just living in it.

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Pull up your calendar right now: Mother’s Day is May 10! Yes, that’s in two weeks. Yes, it is almost May. And yes, we are also deeply confused about how that happened.

We know “robe for Mom” sounds like the gift equivalent of a participation trophy. But hear us out: Have you ever received a really, really good robe? The kind you live in? That’s the Weezie robe (pic above!) and we are both obsessed. So this is the exception to the rule. And John and Jeremy, if you’re reading this (which I’m sure y’all are!) we’ll happily take another, plus a few extras from the list below. Thanks for the partnership, guys!

Our Do-Not-Gift List

Clea
Dish towels with words. Nice words, funny words, sentimental words: Does. Not. Matter.

Joanna
Pajamas that are too long. Even the shorts. (Petite friends, rise up!)

Both of Us
A “cute” mug. No one-off black sheep cups in the pantry. Chills. And if our face is on it, it might accidentally fall to the floor and shatter immediately. Oops.

THE Gift List

How chic would this ring look in a stack? (Psst: First timers get 10% off)

This brand Apartment 837 makes fake flower arrangements that actually aren’t hideous. The gift that keeps on giving.

The scent of this “Leather Appointment” candle stopped us in our tracks.

The aforementioned robe that has changed the robe experience forever.

We actually love these in the birthstone colors of our kids. (Nothing against full names around our necks, but no thank you.)

Clea splurged on this Dior card holder, and she is obsessed. (I mean, you use it every single day. It’s called investing.

Seriously, the only products you need in your shower. Treat yourself.

We see you, mahjong. And we get it. Hell, we love it! But seriously, Rummikub is the GOAT. (Sutton said I can still say GOAT.) And disguised as an elevated coffee table book? No notes.

Perfect pairing alert: This St. Ives sweater with a plane ticket. To St. Ives.

Remember when we were worried about “going from day to night with ease” in the ‘90s? Great news: This perfect summer shoe is doing the work.

Joanna hates (hates, hates, hates!) pajamas that are too long — what are we, hemming our pajamas? Who has time? She needs these in every color.

If you’ve been with us for a while, you know who added this to the list. Best Swedish candies ever!

This gift is not a trick! We are obsessed with these weights because THEY DON’T LOOK LIKE WEIGHTS.

Happy (early!) Mother’s Day to our moms and to every extraordinary woman in our lives. We love you, we appreciate you, we’d be lost without you. You might be seeing some of these gifts on your doorsteps soon! 👀

As promised, we’re flinging open our camera rolls. We’re getting reallllll vulnerable here, guys. Some pics are pretty. Some are pretty real. We’ll be doing this every month — and let’s just say April was a doozy. Enjoy!

CLEA’S ROLL

BUBBLES (AND BUBBLE WRAP)

Packing has started, and so have all the feels. Priorities first: champagne and glassware. Precious cargo, coming through.

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Hi, guys! It was so fun showing you pictures of my Nashville house last week. Truly, it’s the best house and we’ll miss it so much. (Hush, Joanna.) Before I start packing, I wanted to do a deep dive and show you the nitty-gritty organization of some of my favorite spaces. I’m opening cabinets! Grab a snack (from your organized pantry, obviously) and enjoy the show!

THE SCULLERY KITCHEN

I had no idea what a scullery kitchen actually was before building this house. (Quick internet search: a secondary, functional room adjacent to the main kitchen, used as a hidden space for food prep, dishwashing and appliance storage.) Noted! But honestly, this is where I do most of my actual cooking. Air fryer, oils and vinegars, spices — everything organized and within reach.

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Welcome to my Nashville house ✨ This tour has been a long time coming - and now that I’m finally getting around to sharing all the details - I’m moving! It’s hard to believe we are leaving this house that we so lovingly built from the ground-up. We worked with our designer, Lindsay Rhodes, to create a home that blended Parisian design mixed with old Hollywood glamour. Every room has so much charm, character, and detail. I’m going to miss this house SO MUCH, but I’m also so grateful for the time we have spent here as a family.

ENTRY

It was our designer, Lindsay, who had the idea to put in the black and white marble floor in the entry, and I’m so glad we did. It stretches through the downstairs hallway and really sets the tone for the rest of the house. The entry table is an antique from France as is the chair that our dog, Indie, has chosen as his dog bed.

Photos throughout by Alyssa Rosenheck

OFFICE

The office is right off the entry, so I wanted a beautiful desk that I could keep completely clear - but plenty of drawers behind me to hold everything from laptops to stationery.

DINING ROOM

The room started with the wallpaper selection (it’s Gucci - don’t come for me), and we drew from the colors to create the rest of the room. Lindsay found these fabulous chairs and had them recovered in green alpaca to tie everything together.

KITCHEN

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We’re so excited to move our newsletter over to Substack and share with you guys every week here on THE Group Chat! And it feels like the perfect timing, because A LOT has been happening behind the scenes. Grab some candy or champagne and let’s get into it!

Making Moves

First, Clea is moving to Los Angeles. DON’T PANIC. She committed a professional and personal blood oath with Joanna to go back to Nashville one week a month. We may even get it notarized (after we Google “What’s a notary?”). We are still work besties and bestie besties, now with more sleepovers. (Joanna has been marked safe from this announcement.)

Homecoming

Second, we have some exciting business news. Building our brand in partnership with Hello Sunshine over the past four years has been the absolute opportunity of a lifetime. For our next chapter, we have acquired the business back and are revisiting our roots! So what’s next you ask?

We’re still doing what we do best: being your go-to for decluttering and creating systems for your home, loads of bff content, tons of new organizing products AND categories, plus lots of brand newness in the pipeline. (Like our new merch line that we need your help designing!)

Group Chat, Activated!

On THE Group Chat, we’ll be sharing THE tea every Wednesday. Think unfiltered essays, exclusive sneak peeks (who wants to see Clea’s new house?!), long distance friendship catch-up videos, hacks to conquer that junk drawer FOR GOOD, how to organize your carry-on suitcase (we’re a house divided on that one), and much, much more.

It goes without saying, we wouldn’t be here without YOU. We’re grateful for every chapter that got us here. And we are losing our minds with excitement over what comes next.

LFG!
Clea & Joanna