More Things I Like: The Luxury Edition
It turns out that many of you also want a break from serious adult topics, so join me in even further escapism as I delve into more things I like. I’m going to call this “the luxury edition” as I delve into various extravagant items by my definition. That means there are definitely cheaper options, but I have chosen the fancy road and to quote Robert Frost who didn’t mean this at all, “and that has made all the difference”.
Note: Some of the below have affiliate links which help me defray costs for this website, events, and fun things like swag & stickers. Thank you!
Do you need a $250 blanket? Objectively, no. But it’s the perfect “not a weighted blanket but helps alleviate the constant anxiety of living in modern times” weight. I have laid awake many a night snuggling with this blanket and thinking about how I would definitely fight marauders to keep it during a zombie apocalypse because at least I’d have a cozy blanket and then not everything would suck. Similiarly, I hide this one from all kids and animals because MOMMY CAN’T SHARE EVERYTHING. Doesn’t $250 sound cheap now?
Another shmancy blanket I bought recently and would recommend: Anthropologie Sophie Faux Fur Throw Blanket
Do I have a blanket problem? Yes.
Do you need sweaters made from soft alpaca? I mean, maybe yes? These sweaters are so comfortable yet durable and surprisingly warm for their thickness. A winter staple for me from a responsible company, you can trace where your sweater’s alpaca was sourced from in the Andes, and they are working to increase weaver’s income by 8x. How did I find out about this brand? I literally ran into an alpaca downtown with its caretakers promoting the brand. Now, that’s my kind of marketing. Sign up for their newsletter and save 10% on your first order.
Let’s bury the most expensive item at the midpoint. In the annals of “you paid WHAT for WHAT?”, this takes the cake. If you had told me as a young “we can’t afford everything in our supermarket cart” lass that I would pay not just hundreds but “I’m embarrassed to say” amounts on a coffee machine, I would have stared at you — neither comprehending the amount of money nor liking coffee yet. As far as I knew back then, one got coffee by either stirring powder in water or waiting for a plastic drip maker for approximately forever. WE DIDN’T EVEN HAVE A MR. COFFEE. Anyway, I grew up, married a guy who drank A LOT Of coffee, had three kids and was like SOMETIMES WE NEED NICE THINGS FOR OURSELVES, started with a cheaper Jura model and loved it but needed more water capacity…blah blah blah. My dad also convinced us to get this model by chipping in some of the cost. BUT STILL. I cannot tell you how much this one embarrasses me despite the ease and good coffee it’s brought to me. At least I have no expensive hobbies.
Russ & Daughters Black & White Cookies
Should you ever pay $21 + shipping for 6 cookies? Again, no. But say you’re having a really shitty week, and the perfect cookie would lift your spirits. Say it would keep you from bopping your boss on the nose. Sounding cheap now, right??? This is objectively the perfect cookie. They nailed the perfect sweetness of the icing and the sponginess of the cookie. If you’re in NYC, you can get them at the store. Otherwise nationwide USA shipping (except Hawaii) is available. Ships via Goldbelly which I have a referral link for ($25 off your first order).
The Christmas before COVID, my husband gave me this newfangled gizmo called The Mirror, essentially a human-sized iPad for your wall which allows a virtual exercise coach to join you (pre-recorded or live) in the quiet of your home. This seemed vaguely ridiculous in late 2019, and in fact, was amusingly given to me during the “husband gives wife a Peloton ad” fury that year.
Anyhow, approximately four months later this seemed like the smartest gift a person had ever thought of. With various types of exercise and lengths of routine, The Mirror kept me moving during those long sequestered months of 2020 and beyond. There are enough coaches and recorded content for you to find something to fit your style, and you never have to join live if you don’t want to (very important to me). I’ve stuck with it for 3 years now which says a lot about how good it is and not how good I am at exercising.
Since the Lululemon acquisition, it’s now available just as an app without having to buy the whole Mirror (although I do like the VERY FANCY MIRROR). There’s a free trial, and remember to enter “alanh8p3” at checkout to receive $50 off a Lululemon Studio membership.
