Romy's Must-Have Favorites as a Babble Panel Member

Brooke Amidei
Sep 16, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Sep 29, 2025

Babble is much more than Brooke babbling about her favorite recipes, products, books, fashion... A lot of what we're Babbling about on Instagram, in the Babble newsletter or here on our website comes from our Babble Panel.

What is the Babble Panel? It is a group of midlife women who we consult with daily. They share all the best stuff, and then we Babble about it! (It's like we're adding you to our group chat!)

Throughout the year we want to share with you our panel members' most favorite things. These are things they Babble about to everyone - items they simply cannot live without.

Check out this list from panel member Romy. You might find your next favorite thing.

Romy is a one of a kind friend and human. She is super adventurous, smart, curious and funny. An incredible mom and friend, Romy fits more into 24 hours than anyone else I know. Her energy and enthusiasm to show up and support and experience all she can is unmatched. With how comfortable she is on the ski slopes (or rivers or hiking or camping or...) you would never guess she grew up in the South.

Brooke and Romy met at their third graders chess tournament and what started over a hushed conversation that neither of us wanted to end, has transformed into a standing weekly date of hikes with our dogs, or coffees and lunches, where we almost need to bring an agenda to make sure we get through all we have to discuss. She gives the best advice in every category- parenting, anything medical related (she's a nurse after all), travel, food, and more. My life is so much richer with Romy in it and now we get the chance to share a bit of that with all of you too. Below is her favorite things to Babble about. :)

Favorite Recipe

Half Baked Harvest's Lemon Pesto White Bean Orzo Soup is SO good and is ALWAYS a hit when I take it to people who are sick or have just had a baby. I also like to gift this cookbook and can't wait to check out this new one by Half Baked Harvest.

Favorite Cocktails

The Naked & Famous and The Paper Plane cocktail. Click on each image for the full recipe.

Favorite Parenting Tool

The Brooke Romney Flip Books are the best!

Favorite Accessory

These gold hoops are the best thing I own. They go with everything and are super lightweight. Love them.

Favorite Time Management Trick

Since the election, I have set time limits for most of my apps. I also try to do an hour (at least) with no phone each a day. This has been really good for my mental health, I think.

My New BFF: ChatGPT

I use ChatGPT for trip planning, especially when I'm just trying to come up with the framework for a trip. It can help plan out an entire road trip, and help with packing lists. I also love using it to make playlists with my kids for road trips. I also use ChatGPT for simple weeknight menus with grocery lists.

Favorite Podcasts

I love these podcasts! Mel Robins, The Daily, The Ezra Klein Show, Lisa Damour's Ask Lisa, Plain English

Book Recommendation

I don't know why but I felt like Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson made me do a 180 on capital punishment. It then led me to visit to Montgomery, Alabama and The Legacy Museum, National Memorial for Peace & Justice and the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park, which was really freaking eye opening.

Favorite TV Show

I don't watch much TV but I have started watching Love on the Spectrum. It is a sweet show that talks about very basic communication skills that are applicable to EVERYONE!!!!

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