A Single Girl Shopping List Because Who Even Knows What's Happening Anymore
Sometimes you just want things to be nice, but then there’s a global pandemic and you haven’t seen a friend in person since March 8th and every morning when you wake up the cat is staring at you like you’re on a chopping block of some kind and nothing feels in control or okay and maybe it’s time to look at cool things on the internet. Anyone else? Anyhoo, I’m all about being kind to myself these days. Whatever I need, feel, can’t handle right now, etc., I’m listening to myself and operating with a sense of gentleness that seems to be helping me deal with the fact that life is very, very changed right now. So below, peruse a few things I love and use right now to keep it together.
Gain Laundry Detergent: The era of unscented is over. I have actually written extensively about why I made the switch from my all-natural, scentless detergent to this delight for the olfactories. There is something about the scent of this stuff enveloping my home on laundry day that makes me feel happy and comforted. I’ve gone so far as to purchase this scent in air freshener format, too.
Journals: Here’s the thing about this surreal time, I have a feeling we should be documenting it. How we coped, what we felt and learned, this is a unique situation, one that will be in history books someday, and it’s rare that an entire globe goes through something together. I suggest keeping a journal, however detailed you’ve got the energy to be, so that you always have a personal record of a global pandemic. Also how pretty are these? Super affordable, too!
Produce Keeper: The longevity of our produce is paramount right now. Store packaging can’t do the heavy lifting we need it too, and some of us shop as package-free as possible anyway. These reusable storage containers have rave reviews about their abilities to keep your berries (among other things) fresh for longer than previously imagined possible. Especially as a single woman, I am always looking for solutions that help me prevent waste. These come in a variety of sizes as well, for anything you’d prefer didn’t rot before you get around to eating it!
Muffin Mold: Muffins are a single person’s friend. Perfectly portioned, rather adorable, everyone else can keep their loaves and breads, smart single people will bake and freeze in muffin format, thank you. I’ve just about had it with my metal pan and it’s complete refusal to ever really be clean, so I think it’s time to make the switch to the superiority of silicone molds. I also like that these are in six-muffin format, in case you’ve halved a recipe, there’s no need to use (and wash!) a whole half-empty giant tray in the oven.
Very Cool Mug: These remind me of the floor of a french restaurant and since I cannot go to a french restaurant, I shall bring its ambience to me in mug format. I also enjoy personalized things and homewares from Anthropologie, so this is a no-brainer piece of kitchen cuteness, where I’m concerned.
Couch Cup Holder: Getting up from the couch is for quitters. This plush pillow thing is both soft and sturdy, and allows you to hold your mug of wine I mean tea while you’re Netflixing, greatly minimizing the risk of spilling things into your lap like we’ve all 100% done at one point or another during this quarantine. If you want to fill one mug with cheddar bunnies and the other with a lovely sauvignon blanc, I think that would be very nice.
Wine Mug: This is my new favorite thing. While wandering around Target for essentials (this is a lie, I was looking at the Legos), I came across a section of Zak mugs and tumblers that caught my eye because the colors were so cute and the price point was so amazing. I bought one of these, in this color, intending to use it for roof wine this summer, but in the meantime I’ve been using it for iced coffee and I’m obsessed. You cannot beat this price point and they have so many different styles to chose from. There’s no way I’m stopping at just one.
Mini Food Processor: The mini chopper! This has got to be one of my favorite kitchen items, ever. It is essentially a mini food processor that lets you chop and puree and blend and such without having to mess with or wash your giant version of this machine. I use this for so many things, I’m actually irritated it took me so long to buy one—this thing was MADE for single home cooks. Things I’ve annihilated in here that worked out well: shredded coconut, breadcrumbs that were too big, berries for jams and fillings and things, tomatoes that I wanted to turn into sauce, nuts that I wanted to add into meatballs for texture and nutrition, all the salad dressings, the list really goes on and is limited only by your creativity. It is just so easy to use and care for this thing, it’s truly a genius purchase.
Wow, No Thank You by Samantha Irby: Do you ever read something and feel literally unable to process how talented someone is? That’s what’s happening to me as I read Wow, No Thank You by Samantha Irby. I am overwhelmed. If you are in your late 30s/early 40s, this book is going to bring back so much for you. After reading a passage about her Ani Di-Franco inspired tattoo, I spent two hours making an autobiographical playlist on Spotify and I’m telling you, it’s the best thing I’ve done with my time in quarantine. I cannot recommend this book enough!!
Vionic Sandal: I have Plantar Fasciitis, which is a fancy way to say pretty severe bone spurs in my heels. Basically what this means is I have lots of pain when I walk barefoot or in flat shoes. It’s an easy fix though, I have custom inserts for my sneakers, and I wear ankle boots with a low heel to put my feet in the proper walking position for me. I also tuck these little affordable inserts in all the shoes I own (I superglue them down) just for added comfort. But sandals are always an issue. I can’t stick in blue inserts, that looks weird, and I can’t only wear heeled sandals, because typically they’re more dressy and also not super comfortable. Vionics is a very foot-friendly brand that makes sandals that, as you can see here, lift my feel and give strong arch support. Essentially, with Plantar Fasciitis the shoe’s interior has to be elevated in design to meet my weird foot shape where it is. These do, and they’re on sale! Now about my lack of pedicure…
Upbeat Candle: If you haven’t yet shopped Clare V. for Anthropologie, give yourself a little treat today and PERUSE. Start with the candles, which are really thoughtful scents packaged in summer, ready colors that remind us the gray days of winter are long gone. Since our ability to leave the house is also long gone, I have found it really helps if my space smells nice. Just a thought. The whole collection is actually outstanding, I have the throw blanket in my cart as we speak.
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