Before I get to this week’s list, here’s a quick rundown of some things that are helping me rest, relax, and feel a little happy this week:
New books courtesy of Barnes & Noble’s 50% off hardcover sale (including some of their 2023 planners)
Peloton and obé Fitness yoga classes
Walks with my dogs
Uno (I hadn’t played in ages and forgot how fun it was—especially during happy hour)
Writing a list of three things I hope to do over my break
Bormioli Rocco Set of 12 Mini Drinking Glasses
If these glasses had a superlative, it’d be “Most Likely to Receive Oodles of Compliments.” I first heard of them via the Serious Eats stemless wine glass review. They stack for easy storage, they’re perfect for wine, cocktails, and panna cotta, and everyone I’ve known who uses them at my house buys them afterward. (Note: they seem to be on Prime now, but shipping did, for me, take about five days longer than quoted.)
Sonoma Syrup Vanilla-Bean Infused Simple Syrup
This is the best-bottled vanilla simple syrup I’ve tried ever and, to think, TikTok introduced it to me. It doesn’t taste artificial, isn’t too sweet, and has flecks of vanilla bean throughout (while this might not add a whole lot in the vanilla flavor department, it does scream “I’m made of real stuff!”). While it’s available on Amazon (that’s where I’ve purchased it twice), it’s currently out of stock there.
Smitten Kitchen Keepers
I credit this cookbook with getting me out of my cooking rut (it was one of my best cookbooks of the year picks). Everything in here is so highly cookable and repeatable and (mostly) weeknight-friendly and just delicious. I’ve loved all I’ve made from it: lentils with kale and goat cheese, chicken soup with ramen noodles, ginger, and lots of scallions, carrot cake with brown butter frosting, the easiest pork ragu I’ve tried, and more.
CeraVe Healing Ointment
I started getting eczema in 2020 (anxiety, stress, etc.) and the most persistent patch is above my right eye. This is one of the only creams that actually helps my eczema as well as any other dry patches (under the nose, handles, elbows, etc). I can’t remember if I’ve mentioned this ointment in a previous issue, but it’s worth bringing up again in light of dry skin season.
ZippyPaws Woodland Friends Burrow Interactive Dog Toy
My aunt recommended this toy and my dogs absolutely love it. I can’t put the foxes in the stump without my dogs immediately pulling them all out. It keeps them entertained for a good bit and they love that each fox squeaks. The one thing I will note: the foxes are a bit small and if my dogs were larger (my biggest, Fish, is 70 pounds) I wouldn’t want them to play with something so small and potentially swallowable.