14 Actually Helpful Quarantine Buys For Single Women
As I walked through the door of my apartment and into my “delousing station” in my entryway, I thought about how the real hero of my quarantine is a backpack that’s also a cooler and the small cross-body bag i wear on the front of myself for the sake of convenient access to credit cards and wipes. I’ll likely have to burn both on a bonfire when this is all over, but without these helpful items my quarantine would be a lot more difficult, indeed. This got me thinking about everything I’ve been using for the sake of comfort, convenience, and retaining control of my marbles during this time of pestilence. They are below, in the hopes that they might help my single sistren, too.
The Cooler Backpack: Real talk, I’d starve without this thing. I live in Brooklyn, I can’t get a grocery delivery time to save my life, so all of my groceries (with the exception of a few things shipped to me from Thrive Market), have arrived home on my back. I originally bought this baby to take wine to the beach (mine is blue and white striped, I tried to find it for you, I couldn’t—it’s okay, this is cute too), but I’ve been using it for grocery runs because it’s SO MUCH MORE comfortable to carry groceries on my back than on my shoulder. The bottom is a cooler, and the top is a normal compartment, so especially in the upcoming warmer weather you’ll be able to keep your yogurt and whathaveyou at a desirable temperature on the walk home.
Do You Mind If I Cancel, by Gary Janetti: A thousand thank yous to my friend Anto who sent me this book as an out-of-nowhere surprise not long after quarantine began. Opening it was truly a highlight during dark days and reading it was a delight. This is the perfect book for when everything feels like a little too much, and you just need to sit on your couch with a cup of tea and read. Honestly I hope he turns this into many, many volumes, such a treat. (FYI I tagged him on Instagram and via DM he did confirm he’s working on his next book, so yay!)
Caudalie Vinosource Intense Moisturizing Cream: I don’t have to tell you how many beauty sales have been taking place throughout quarantine, but I do have to tell you that I took advantage of one of them to try this cream that I’d been hearing rave reviews about forever. In general I love Caudalie products and always have, for some reason they always seem to transport my face to a space every morning and evening, but this cream is sogood. It is THICC and was exactly what my skin needed. It was looking dried out, dull, and sad, kind of expressing all of the anxiety and isolation I’ve been feeling lately. I’ve been using it for two weeks every morning and evening and there’s a plumpness and softness to my skin that was sincerely missing. I’ve also been pairing it with Caudalie’s Vinosource SOS Hydration Serum every morning, too. My evening serum is by Shani Darden (yes, I might have purchased it due to the name) but I haven’t been using it long enough to give you my thoughts yet. I soon will.
A Foot File: I love a good baby foot mask as much as the next gal, but honestly they’re super gross and I don’t always want to be shedding like a reptile. For in-between mask maintenance I use this thing, which is basically what they use when you get a pedicure and works SO well it deserves every 5-star Amazon review it’s got. I use it in the shower because ew, and then apply moisturizer when I get out, followed by socks. It’s a very easy maintenance plan, I think you’ll agree. Just a little precaution against shocking the hell out of our pedicurists when we get out of here.
Inside Out by Demi Moore: How this is not #1 on the New York Times Bestseller List I will never understand. If you follow me on social media (or anywhere really) you’ll know that biographies and memoirs of famous women is 100% my genre. A friend suggested Demi’s book to me and it’s some of the best advice I’ve ever received. This is the best book I’ve read in 2020 and until two days ago I thought that titled belonged to Open Book by Jessica Simpson which is also outstanding. If you need a new read (I mean, what else are we doing), I cannot recommend this book enough. It is fascinating, fast-paced, deliciously detailed, and like…it’s Demi. What’s not to love? Also I just spilled iced coffee on my laptop oops.
Jersey Robe: Friends, I’ve taken to the robes. What are clothes, even? I keep a variety of robes around to swaddle myself based on what mood I’m in or how far I’ve descended into Golden Girls territory, but one of my favorites is definitely a long jersey robe. I love jersey in robe format because it keeps me warm but not sweaty, and it’s easy to toss my robe in the washing machine along with everything else. This one comes in tons of colors and is incredibly affordable, but the one I actually have from Lou & Grey and I sadly I don’t think they make it anymore.
Yogi Tea: I don’t know about you, but I have been drinking LOTS of tea during quarantine. You really cannot compare with the calming nature of a cup of tea. Seriously if you can be stressed out while sipping tea we need to talk. Personally, I really like the flavor and variety of Yogi tea, I have a cup of their bedtime tea before bed and I’ve tried countless other flavors, but explore and find your faves. I also like that I can recycle all the packaging the tea comes in, too.
Lush Shower Gel: I know walking into a Lush store can feel like an assault on your olfactories, but I love shopping them online, especially now when I know I’m supporting one of my favorite businesses. Know that shipping and processing is a bit delayed right now, but if you’re looking for a way to treat yourself and you don’t want to scrub your entire bathtub so you can soak in it every day, Lush shower gels are my favorite treat. I go back and forth between American Cream (which is super sweet and maybe not for everyone) and Honey I Washed The Kids, which is literally like washing yourself with honey without the stickiness. There are SO many scents and honestly I’ve never tried one I didn’t like, and know that if you want to buy the smaller 3.3 ounce sizes they last an impressively long time. Half of my shower products are Lush and it feels like a little moment of luxury once a day.
$6 Knife Sharpener: It’s actually really unsafe to have dull knives, and the last thing we need is a kitchen injury sending us to the emergency room during a pandemic. I know we’re all spending more time in the kitchen than we’re used to, and I’m guessing our knives need attention. I’ve had this $6 gadget for years and it’s saved me buying totally new knife sets MANY times. I just buy one affordable set on Amazon, and keep them sharp with this baby.
Cat Spoon: This is entirely unnecessary in life I just want you to know it exists.
Pretty Tumbler With Straw: You know I love a good tumbler. I feel like if it’s there, and it’s full of water, we’ll hydrate without even thinking about it. This tumbler is like seven bucks and comes with a straw and looks like a crystal. It really sells itself. If you want to fill it with something more fun than water you have my permission.
Wine Insulator: It’s almost sunset-on-the-roof time and while my reusable to-go cup for coffee has been holding wine nicely for this purpose up until now, I’d really like something that will keep my Sauvignon Blanc properly chilled. Nothing accomplishes that task better than a Corkcicle cup. Nothing. Also, this one sparkles.
Sporty Cross-Body Bag: Yes it is technically a fanny pack, no you will not give a shit right now. A bag that sits on the front of you while your groceries sit on your back in a backpack is just smart planning right now. The one I use is by Lo & Sons and is actually a lil too fancy for me right now but it’s servicing. I would prefer a Dagne Dover bag because they’re soft, can fit tons of stuff, and every time I carry my big carry-all from these guys on an airplane someone asks me where I got it. I love this brand, I have several of their bags, and I’m not done. I’ve also never seen a bag done in this sporty gray the way they do and I love it.
Dining In by Alison Roman: Alison Roman is the chef of the apocalypse, it’s true. Her book Nothing Fancy is amazing, and I’m sure many of us already rely on it, but this is her first book, Dining In, also necessary. And don’t forget, Alison Roman isn’t the only one with great quarantine cooking ideas. If you’re looking for something on the easy end of the shelf, Half Baked Harvest has a book of easy recipes specifically for those looking for meal prep or prep-ahead recipes for the week. As a big meal prepper myself, I really value a cookbook with a plan-ahead mindset.
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