Joan Juliet Buck is a skilled storyteller, as anyone who read her memoir, The Price of Illusion, can confirm. Now she’s bringing her talents to a podcast. On her show Serial Tales, she’s serialized The Companion Fog, a novella about a mystical remedy for bad news. In the story, people disturbed by news reports and the general goings-on of the outside world receive some divine intervention in the form of a fog that shields them from reality. Buck’s narrative is equal parts gripping and humorous, and listening to her made-for-radio voice may remind listeners of simpler times, when entire families would huddle together in the living room to listen to The War of the Worlds. Eerie theme music, courtesy of Laurie Anderson, completes the effect. (radiofreerhinecliff.org) —Ashley Baker

As a thank-you gift for watching her dachshund, my neighbor turned friend Lizzy Koury dropped off a few jars of za’atar from her spice company. Inspired by her Lebanese heritage, Koury launched Home Spice while living in Charleston, South Carolina, where the flavors of her home were not easy to find. Unlike other za’atar blends, Home Spice is free of fillers, cracked wheat, and preservatives—it’s just herbs, salt, sumac, and sesame. Now I sprinkle a little of it on most of my meals and snacks. So far, my favorite combinations (in addition to the obvious ones, such as hummus) are za’atar on popcorn or dried peaches. Plus, her whipped za’atar honey makes a great addition to any cheeseboard. ($12.99, homespicezaatar.com) —Gracie Wiener

Ever wonder what your dogs do while you’re at work? With Furbo Dog Camera, you’ll get real-time updates about what your pups get up to when they’re alone. The device—a white gadget with a 360-degree camera—connects to phones, so you can monitor your pets via livestream. (If you load up the machine with treats before leaving the house, you can even use the Furbo app to toss your pet food from work.) After two years of working from home, leaving our pet for an entire day involves some separation anxiety for both parties. Furbo helps ease the transition. ($210, furbo.com) —Clara Molot

In 1941, jeweler Fulco di Verdura unveiled his design for the Three Stone Ring. Symbolizing the past, present, and future—and fidelity, love, and friendship—the ring has been one of Verdura’s most popular designs for decades. Now the New York–based house (along with its workshops and lapidary partners) has introduced a charitable, limited-edition version made of blue topaz, yellow citrine, and 18-karat gold—the colors of the Ukrainian flag. All proceeds will be directed toward World Central Kitchen, which is providing meals to Ukrainians who have been displaced by the war. For serious collectors, now is the time to abandon restraint and invest in your personal collection—while also measurably improving the lives of those who are suffering. ($14,500; verdura.com) —Ashley Baker

The end of summer has brought us a gem of a movie about, of all things, the end of summer, and the fraught, uncertain future four best friends face as they gear up to start middle school. Summering is the kind of smart, bittersweet story you can bring your daughters to, a rare coming-of-age tale about girls on the cusp of their teen years. Influenced by Victor Erice’s haunting The Spirit of the Beehive, Guillermo del Toro’s phantasmagoric Pan’s Labyrinth, and Rob Reiner’s adaptation of Stephen King’s The Body, the film opens when the four girls stumble upon a dead body in the woods. They are tested as they try to solve the mystery of the dead man’s identity without help from parents or the authorities. All four friends are raised by single mothers, and as elements of fantasy and horror shape the narrative, the girls intrepidly follow clues to scary places—both external and internal. The film was “born from a desire to make a film for my children and especially for my daughter,” said the film’s director and co-writer, James Ponsoldt. It’s “a film about fears and anxiety—and ultimately, hope—in the age of Covid.” (bleeckerstreetmedia.com) —Sam Kashner

A new Eames rocking chair from Herman Miller will run you $745. When I set out with roughly $100 to find a used one for my bedroom, I assumed I would live the next several years without the chair. During the hunt, I discovered Kaiyo, a New Jersey–based online shop for used furniture. They always have a large stock of Herman Miller chairs and tables—along with other well-designed but expensive brands, from Milo Baughman and Selig to Ligne Roset—so I checked their Web site nearly every day for two months. Eventually, a gently used rocker in my budget appeared. In addition to selling beautiful and barely used pieces at good prices, Kaiyo offers quick delivery to New York City; items usually come within three to five days after purchase. (kaiyo.com) —Jensen Davis