Hear me out: cute coasters around my house that I tend to collect when I travel. When I sit down with my coffee and set it on a fun coaster from a kitschy travel shop, instant mood boost!
Oh I have heard you out! That is a very fun idea. I sometimes do magnets, but love the idea of having a little collection of something to remind me of travels.
My favorite Instacart thing is being able to send flowers to people all over the country. Who needs to spend $75 on a mediocre bouquet when you can send a $30 mediocre bouquet and surprise your friend! I will also confess to Instacarting Prosecco from Costco, but that deserves an entry of it's own.
As a former fountain pen snob, I have transitioned to 100% digital journaling (hello, GoodNotes!) I know, I know, I am a disappointment to writers everywhere. It also keeps my knitting patterns, calendar, etc.
Walking has also become a mental health necessity. I haul my giant Doodle around our neighborhood and cackle as I listen to funny podcasts.
Oh my goodness! I'd never thought of using it for flower deliveries before, that's such a good idea! And absolutely no shame in whatever gets your journaling!
One minute you're staying out until the bars close at 2 a.m., the next minute half your pleasures in life are spatulas. Life comes at you fast (i get it!)
Can also vouch for the tiny tongs. You were right! My newest one is what I would call snack cheese, specifically the Tillamook or Kerrygold varieties. I toss one in my lunch bag every day and always look forward to eating it after lunch. Two minutes of joy every time.
Tiny tongs are a STAPLE in our house as well. Only rule is that when you use them you have to sing “tiiiiinnyyy tonnnnggssss” not sure why but it has stuck, similar to our endless number of jingles and songs where we use our dogs name instead of the actual lyrics.
I’m loving my newly acquired OXO cold brew maker. A few years ago my 80-year-old told me about his exciting discovery at a local coffee shop (cold brew! 😱) and then purchased the OXO brewer. My partner recently nabbed a barely used one from Buy Nothing for me and I’m glad my dad influenced me to get one (and that it was free!). I’m especially enjoying making a carafe of decaf so I can have cold brew in the afternoon and still sleep at night.
Love this list, thank you for sharing it. Reformer Pilates really helps me not only physically but also emotionally (less anxiety when I go...ha at least during the session), podcasts, Libby, agree that McDonalds coke the BEST.
Consider this the butt kick I need not to cancel my pilates class this evening! It does make my life better but when I fall out of the habit, getting back in is so hard!
Co sign on reformer pilates! Definitely not a cheap habit but so worth it for me. I’ve been going since late October and it’s been life changing: less chronic pain, more flexibility, great for my mood
Agree about Reformer Pilates! I just started taking it this summer and - expensive, yes(!) - and also it really has helped me to feel both physically and mentally stronger.
honestly the most sure fire pick me up on a bad day (not every day but probs on average one a week lol) is a mcdonald’s coke and fries. there’s a mcdonald’s less than a 5 min drive from my house and if i use the app I normally get the fries free
OK I'm going to need to hear more about this travel fan. Are we talking standing or nightstand fan? Or, like, handheld baby fan. I could definitely be in the market for something like the latter for hot subway rides!
I have the “SMARTDEVIL Small Mini USBDeskFian” from Amazon. I also have one of those portable handheld ones for the beach, but forgot to take it on vacation 😜 (GAIATOP Portable Handheld Fan)
If you're going for a "bigger than handheld" small travel fan, highly recommend a "stroller fan" - they usually have a little bendy tripod designed to wrap around the handle of a stroller or carseat handle, but that also makes them great for attaching to all sorts of things. I keep one in my car and charged because you just never know when you'll need it!
My Keurig. Making coffee through a morning fog while trying to wrangle small humans was not working. I am a better person and parent when the coffee brews itself.
Can attest to the life changing nature of a good hair towel! As someone with a lot of long and thick hair I never found the Aquis towels to be big enough or comfortable enough - the crown affair towel is absolutely incredible and is holding up a lot better for me. I love it enough to bring it with me when I travel because it makes such a difference in drying my hair more quickly and making it look nicer!
How fun! I love reading all these answers. Mine, in no particular order:
- My nespresso machine. I have worked from home for like 8 years or so and so rarely go out for coffee and now with this I never go out for coffee. Being able to make it so easily never gets old.
- Next up is the Moca Master. I usually have a Nespresso and then make myself regular drip coffee. Serena Wolff raved about it and last Prime Day we got one and it does make superior drip coffee.
- Walks and/or tennis outside. I live in NE Ohio and try and take advantage of the nice weather as much as I can between work and kids!
- My local library. Just an amazing place and so much for adults and kids.
- Gardens. The joy I get from going outside every morning and checking on my plants is so ridiculous but I love it.
Hear me out: cute coasters around my house that I tend to collect when I travel. When I sit down with my coffee and set it on a fun coaster from a kitschy travel shop, instant mood boost!
Oh I have heard you out! That is a very fun idea. I sometimes do magnets, but love the idea of having a little collection of something to remind me of travels.
Ohhhh I love this! I buy ornaments when I travel.
And practical! She says with her iced coffee sitting on a very absorbent stone coaster from Beach Plum Farm in Cape May.
We collect brewery coasters from new places we go, and it brings me a lot of joy!
My favorite Instacart thing is being able to send flowers to people all over the country. Who needs to spend $75 on a mediocre bouquet when you can send a $30 mediocre bouquet and surprise your friend! I will also confess to Instacarting Prosecco from Costco, but that deserves an entry of it's own.
As a former fountain pen snob, I have transitioned to 100% digital journaling (hello, GoodNotes!) I know, I know, I am a disappointment to writers everywhere. It also keeps my knitting patterns, calendar, etc.
Walking has also become a mental health necessity. I haul my giant Doodle around our neighborhood and cackle as I listen to funny podcasts.
I so enjoy your posts. Thank you!
Oh my goodness! I'd never thought of using it for flower deliveries before, that's such a good idea! And absolutely no shame in whatever gets your journaling!
This is SO smart. I am stealing this idea immediately!!!
- Oxo Fish Spatula
- GIR Skinny Spoonula
- Bluetooth eye mask
- Grapefruit Liquid IV + lemon juice + a lot of really cold water. I call it "super water" and it is so restorative
Not sure how I feel about my list being 50% spatulas but I do use them every day...
One minute you're staying out until the bars close at 2 a.m., the next minute half your pleasures in life are spatulas. Life comes at you fast (i get it!)
I love that oxo spatula so much
My Bluetooth eye mask is hands-down my favorite thing in life.
Ooh! I love the Grapefruit Liquid IV, so I’m definitely going to have to try “super water”!
Tiny travel size sunscreens in every purse/bag. No more reapplying excuses! Related: driving gloves for sun protection
Can also vouch for the tiny tongs. You were right! My newest one is what I would call snack cheese, specifically the Tillamook or Kerrygold varieties. I toss one in my lunch bag every day and always look forward to eating it after lunch. Two minutes of joy every time.
The cult of tiny tongs! We ride at a reasonable 7pm for dinner!
Tiny tongs are a STAPLE in our house as well. Only rule is that when you use them you have to sing “tiiiiinnyyy tonnnnggssss” not sure why but it has stuck, similar to our endless number of jingles and songs where we use our dogs name instead of the actual lyrics.
So with you on snack cheese! It started when I got a cheese advent calendar at Christmas, and got very used to my daily cheese treat.
i l🩷ve this so much. my mini list:
💕 pecan nut-thins & cabot gouda cheese (perfect blend of crunchy/salty/sweet/creamy. eat obsessively daily, and never gets old)
💕 pilot purple/violet v sign pen liquid ink medium 2mm nib tip 0.6mm line width (ty, sofia coppola)
💕 venti strawberry açaí refresher with green tea, no water, extra ice
💕 all the pretty bookmarks i can afford/store (which are a lot 😬)
💕 collecting words in my notes app to read when bored/writing/magic is needed (e.g., rømmegrøt, aubade, sigil, plummy, graphomania/graphorrhea…to ♾️)
I’m loving my newly acquired OXO cold brew maker. A few years ago my 80-year-old told me about his exciting discovery at a local coffee shop (cold brew! 😱) and then purchased the OXO brewer. My partner recently nabbed a barely used one from Buy Nothing for me and I’m glad my dad influenced me to get one (and that it was free!). I’m especially enjoying making a carafe of decaf so I can have cold brew in the afternoon and still sleep at night.
Love this list, thank you for sharing it. Reformer Pilates really helps me not only physically but also emotionally (less anxiety when I go...ha at least during the session), podcasts, Libby, agree that McDonalds coke the BEST.
Consider this the butt kick I need not to cancel my pilates class this evening! It does make my life better but when I fall out of the habit, getting back in is so hard!
Co sign on reformer pilates! Definitely not a cheap habit but so worth it for me. I’ve been going since late October and it’s been life changing: less chronic pain, more flexibility, great for my mood
Agree about Reformer Pilates! I just started taking it this summer and - expensive, yes(!) - and also it really has helped me to feel both physically and mentally stronger.
Not listed in any particular order:
1) TV! Gilded Age and the Outrageous are my latest
2) Michel Thomas Language Learning app - favorite language learning app I’ve tried so far. highly recommend!
3) SkyTing TV yoga
4) Danger Decaf coffee - best decaf coffee I’ve had - love having one each afternoon.
5) Morning Pages though not necessarily in the morning - still just as effective!
+1000 on Michel Thomas!! Helped me learn quite a bit of French, and retain it!
It’s so good isn’t it?? I’m surprised more people don’t know about it!
Read about his life! It’s an amazing story! https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michel_Thomas
Woah! Fascinating! I had no idea!
I just started watching Gilded Age and loving it so much! It is so low stakes (so far!) and soothing!
honestly the most sure fire pick me up on a bad day (not every day but probs on average one a week lol) is a mcdonald’s coke and fries. there’s a mcdonald’s less than a 5 min drive from my house and if i use the app I normally get the fries free
I feel like McDonalds on foot just doesn't hit the same! Tremendously respect this answer!
- mega babe thigh rescue
- neck fan
- Harper Wilde wireless bras
- Trader Joe’s corn chips
- Trader Joe’s mini ice cream cones
- a travel humidifier
OMG how could I have forgotten Thigh Rescue! An all time lifesaver!!!
And funny enough, I just bought some "hold the cones" after a long hiatus. I forgot how good they are!
I have a travel fan and love it SO MUCH. Even if I’m just staying overnight visiting my parents, it’s in my bag
OK I'm going to need to hear more about this travel fan. Are we talking standing or nightstand fan? Or, like, handheld baby fan. I could definitely be in the market for something like the latter for hot subway rides!
I have the “SMARTDEVIL Small Mini USBDeskFian” from Amazon. I also have one of those portable handheld ones for the beach, but forgot to take it on vacation 😜 (GAIATOP Portable Handheld Fan)
If you're going for a "bigger than handheld" small travel fan, highly recommend a "stroller fan" - they usually have a little bendy tripod designed to wrap around the handle of a stroller or carseat handle, but that also makes them great for attaching to all sorts of things. I keep one in my car and charged because you just never know when you'll need it!
What travel humidifier do you like? I've been wanting one!
It’s from hey dewy! My husband got it for me one year and I love it!!
1. Laneige lip mask
2. Mushroom coffee and oat milk mixed with a frother
3. Coffee pot — so basic, but we bought one during Covid and were absolutely shocked by how easy it was to drink coffee at home?
4. Spotify daylist (for instance, right now pink Pilates princess glamorous Tuesday morning)
5. Kindle and NetGalley apps on my phone — always be reading
My Keurig. Making coffee through a morning fog while trying to wrangle small humans was not working. I am a better person and parent when the coffee brews itself.
Can attest to the life changing nature of a good hair towel! As someone with a lot of long and thick hair I never found the Aquis towels to be big enough or comfortable enough - the crown affair towel is absolutely incredible and is holding up a lot better for me. I love it enough to bring it with me when I travel because it makes such a difference in drying my hair more quickly and making it look nicer!
Now, that's a ringing endorsement!
I bought a beautiful set of matching glasses with glass straws to drink my coffee out of and it's 10/10 changed the coffee game
I love fun glassware, it really does add a joy factor!
How fun! I love reading all these answers. Mine, in no particular order:
- My nespresso machine. I have worked from home for like 8 years or so and so rarely go out for coffee and now with this I never go out for coffee. Being able to make it so easily never gets old.
- Next up is the Moca Master. I usually have a Nespresso and then make myself regular drip coffee. Serena Wolff raved about it and last Prime Day we got one and it does make superior drip coffee.
- Walks and/or tennis outside. I live in NE Ohio and try and take advantage of the nice weather as much as I can between work and kids!
- My local library. Just an amazing place and so much for adults and kids.
- Gardens. The joy I get from going outside every morning and checking on my plants is so ridiculous but I love it.