None of the footage I saw from the Capitol on Wednesday captured the terror quite like this Chris Hayes segment — I think, in part, because of the incredibly chilling audio that is present throughout it.

Meanwhile, if you want something cathartic, definitely watch Joe Scarborough’s rant, along with this video.

Be safe and well this week. ✨

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Just Good Shit: 01.03.21

A couple hours ago, my girlfriend asked me what I was going to include in my newsletter today and I said “just a bunch of little articles,” which was apparently not quite as specific of an answer as she was looking for.

Anyway, here are all your little articles!

On the blog (ICYMI)

And there’s a new episode of the podcast this week!

Reading

The Mutated Virus Is a Ticking Time Bomb, The Atlantic.

Some Covid Survivors Haunted by Loss of Smell and Taste, New York Times.

The Year When Everyone Bullied Their Mayor, The New Republic.

‘Such a Personal, Private Thing’: Rethinking the Home Pregnancy Test, New York Times.

Rev. William Barber on Greed, Poverty and Evangelical Politics, New York Times.

The Questions of Male Consent That Puncture Both Fantasy Worlds of 'Bridgerton' and 'Wonder Woman 1984', Pajiba.

Wonder Woman’s Middle Eastern Stereotypes Should Have Stayed in the 1980s, Slate.

Watching

We’re halfway through The Flight Attendant, which is great so far, and have also been binging At Home with Amy Sedaris. Also The Reagans, which is infuriating but really well done. And Wonder Woman 1984 and Bridgerton, both of which were…bad (and not in a fun way imo).

Have a good week! 🗓

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The best things I published in 2020

Photo of laptop by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

As the year comes to an end, I wanted to share some of the work I’m most proud of! Here are some of my faves:

And my book! 💻

Earlier: The best things I read in 2020.

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The best things I read in 2020

In my mind, I read very little this year besides news articles, tweets, and Notes app apologies from canceled girl bosses. But when I checked my “best of 2020” tag in Pocket over the weekend, I was surprised/happy to discover that I actually read quite a bit of good shit on the internet this year! So here, in no particular order, are my 2020 favorites:

This Is Not the Apocalypse You Were Looking For, Wired.

Do DC Renters Who Are Evicted Know About Their Court Dates?, DCist.

‘I apologize to God for feeling this way.’, Washington Post.

The Soft Butch That Couldn’t (Or: I Got COVID-19 in March and Never Got Better), Autostraddle.

Coronavirus, Charity, and the Trolley Problem, Crooked Media.

The N95 shortage America can’t seem to fix, Washington Post.

A Failure, But Not Of Prediction, Slate Star Codex.

What Did Emile Weaver Know?, ELLE.
Content note: this is a pretty harrowing article about the death of a newborn.

Tear Gas Doesn’t Deploy Itself, The New Republic.

You Want a Confederate Monument? My Body Is a Confederate Monument, The New York Times.

My Mustache, My Self, NYT Magazine.

The Consequences of Your Actions, Design Mom.

The Darkness Where the Future Should Be, The New York Times.

How hard will the robots make us work?, The Verge.

Eating for Two, The Cut.

Learning to Swim Taught Me More Than I Bargained For, NYT Magazine.

Applying for Unemployment Is My New Full-Time Job, The Cut.

How Salon Shutdowns Are Disrupting Black Women's Haircare, Jezebel.

Dear Fuck-Up: My Close Friend Is Being Radicalized On the Internet and I Don’t Know What to Do, Jezebel.

Apparently, I’m Too Fat to Ski, The Cut.

The very real, totally bizarre bucatini shortage of 2020, Grub Street. ✨

Also: The best things I published in 2020.

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This tinsel is a pretty good way to spend $15

Living room decorated for rock star music-themed birthday party with gold and silver tinsel curtains covering the floor to ceiling windows

One of the unexpected winners of the at-home birthday celebration I threw for my girlfriend a couple of weeks ago was the pack of metallic tinsely curtains ($15.99 for two silver and two gold on Amazon) I bought.

Each curtain is approximately the width of a door and fairly long/tall, with a horizontal adhesive strip at the top; I put three over the window/door to the terrace, and one over the bedroom door, and they genuinely made the space feel different and celebratory.

Rockstar themed birthday cake topped with candles and tinsel curtains in background of photo

In fact, we liked them so much that we got a second pack to use for the “office holiday party” that we had on Tuesday night.

Gif of at-home office holiday party with silver and gold tinsel curtains on floor to ceiling windows and green and red party lights

The curtains flutter and reflect light in a really nice way, and you actually don’t need to do anything else to make them shine. But if you want to take things up a notch, you could turn on a mini LED party light. (We used the one that came in a company swag bag my girlfriend received a couple of months ago, but you can get a similar one for $16.99 on Amazon.)

Even though you can see some window showing behind the curtains in these photos, they look great and plenty thick IRL. (But if you wanted to make them appear thicker, you could easily double them up.)

We also kept them up for our “supercouch” (aka air mattress inflated in front of the couch) movie day.

Living room with inflated air mattress covered in Christmas blankets and gold and silver tinsel curtain covering floor to ceiling windows

Living room with a Yule log on TV, paper chain decoration under it, and silver tinsel curtain covering door to bedroom

I was pleasantly surprised by how much delight/novelty the curtains provided; in this bleak year, it’s always nice when a small thing actually helps quite a bit. If you’re a New Year’s Eve person and want to do something to mark the occasion while also being safe, or if someone in your household has a birthday coming up, these are totally worth it.

Get the gold and silver four-pack from Amazon for $15.99. (They also come in a bunch of other colors, like this pretty rose gold.) ✨

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Just Good Shit: 12.20.20

I’m back with the penultimate newsletter of 2020! You’ll get one more from me this year, FYI, but it might not come next Sunday night (because I may or may not get around to putting together all of my favorites from this year by this time next week).

For now, here’s what I’ve been up to…

On the blog

Just a bunch of Christmas shit I’m into right now

There’s also a new episode of the pod this week. And I was thrilled to guest-host this week’s episode of NPR’s Life Kit! I talked to Dr. Andrea Bonior about getting through the holidays this year.

Writing

Reading

‘I Trust Science,’ Says Nurse Who Is First to Get Vaccine in U.S., NYT.

My Mommies and Me, JewishCurrents.

My Hell on a Cargo Ship I Could Never Leave Because of COVID, Slate.

Weddings to Die For, NY Mag.
(Also read the original Texas Monthly story!)

How the School Reopening Debate Is Tearing One of America’s Most Elite Suburbs Apart, Slate.

Kids Are Watching Pornography. Here’s How to Talk About It., NYT.

Who Can Guess What Jeffrey Toobin Did Wrong? (Not So Fast, Malcolm Gladwell), Defector.
”Secondly, when you decide to open your pants and masturbate in the middle of a work meeting (note: never do this), that super duper is not a ‘private’ moment. That is the middle of a work meeting, and somebody has decided to haul their sex junk out and fiddle with it in the middle of the work meeting.”

The legal titan and the ‘Real Housewife’: The rise and fall of Tom Girardi and Erika Jayne, LA Times.

What’s It Like to Be Directed By Nancy Meyers?, Vulture.

I Got High and Made Croissants Like Meryl Streep, Vulture.

Crying into a white cashmere throw, LaineyGossip.
Spot-on analysis of the Hallie Meyers-Shyer mess.

An Oral History of the World’s Biggest Coupon, NYT.

The Prom Isn’t the Gift to Queer Teens It Thinks It Is, Vulture.

James Corden Should Have Been Banned from The Prom, Vanity Fair.

Beeswax tapers FAQ, Reading My Tea Leaves.

Ways to Create Holiday Magic, Shutterbean.

Have a lovely night and a very cozy week! 🎅🏽

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Just a bunch of Christmas shit I’m into right now

Hi! Even though Christmas is only a few days away and a lot of your planning/shopping/decorating is likely done, I thought I’d share some of the festive recipes/playlists/DIY projects I’m into right now!

Decorations

I bought the wooden Advent spiral above from OakTree Vibrations on Etsy and it’s been such a nice addition to our home! (It looks like the shop is currently closed FYI.) Figuring out the right size candles was a Whole Thing, but I’m currently using these white candles with a little ball of clay stuck under each one to hold them in place.

I’m also very, very, very happy with my bay leaf wreath, which I’ve wanted for years.

This is my go-to method for lighting a tree; it works perfectly every time.

Here’s a Twitter thread of all my favorite Christmas aesthetics.

If you want some additional inspiration/dreaminess, look no further than this Swedish blog.

And if you want to go in an entirely different direction (read: kitsch), I cannot recommend these gold and silver “curtains” ($15.99 for a set of four from Amazon) enough! I bought them as part of the decor for my girlfriend’s birthday last week and she loved them — they totally transformed our space and made it look like a cozy/cool bar. Pair it with a mini LED party light (which we had lying around from a company swag bag, but you can get one for $16.99 on Amazon) on the red/green setting and you’ll be in business.

Finally, a tiny tip from me to you: If you have a smart plug, put your Christmas tree on it! It’s really nice to be able to turn it off from bed at night, especially if you live alone — it’s like having someone tuck you in.

Things to make

Some fun things from my IG saved items: googly eyes on gifts, a gift wrap gift bow, peppermint sparkle, a Caprese candy cane board, and baked gruyère with garlic and herb (recipe here).

Also: how to transform a Christmas garland, how to make a very cute Christmas tree train, and how to make a gift bow out of newsprint. I’m also planning to make tissue paper stars and eggnog snickerdoodles this week.

Holiday entertainment

TV: I’ve been absolutely obsessed with NYT Cooking’s Christmas cookie videos; they are all so soothing and nice! I also love 2019’s cookie medley; Susan Spungen feels like a real life version of Meryl Streep’s character in It’s Complicated. We’ve also been watching old holiday themed Barefoot Contessa episodes, which is delightful.

Movies: Jingle Jangle is great! Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square, however, is unwatchable. And I’m due for a Carol rewatch. On Wednesday, we’re going to inflate the air mattress in front of the couch (basically turning the living room into one large soft square) and cover everything in Christmas/winter blankets, and then we’re going to watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Elf, and a couple other classics.

Books: David Sedaris’s “SantaLand Diaries” is a classic. And I’m really enjoying re-reading Elin Hildebrand’s Winter Street novels.

Holiday vibes

Here are some of my favorite Christmas playlists and albums:

Santa Claus is a Black man by Aminatou Sow
Noel by Caity Weaver
Jazz & Blues Christmas
French Christmas
Songs For Christmas — Sufjan Stevens
Simply Christmas — Leslie Odom Jr.
A Charlie Brown Christmas

I definitely need to make a new mega Christmas playlist at some point soon because the one I spent several years curating has been lost in the abyss of iTunes on old computers.

I’m also still drinking a lot of hot chocolate, and VanLeeuwen’s peppermint stick ice cream is currently on my grocery list.

Not all yule logs are created equal! After trying a bunch, I’ve found that I like this fireplace best. I also love this soothing snowy scene.

Finally, here are some old pieces of mine/that I edited that you might enjoy right now:

And there’s still time to send gifts/gift cards to trans young people in need via @transanta! ✨

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Just Good Shit: 12.13.20

Hello! Here’s what I’ve been up to this week.

On the blog

Reading

Dianne Feinstein’s Missteps Raise a Painful Age Question Among Senate Democrats, New Yorker.

Crime Wave Hits Bodegas, Threatening a Lifeline in the Pandemic, NYT.

FKA twigs Sues Shia LaBeouf, Citing ‘Relentless’ Abusive Relationship, NYT.
Just devastating.

‘All of This Is Kind of Killing Me Right Now’, Grub Street.

Hanukkah Is a Hardcore Badass Holiday That’s Perfect for the Pandemic Age, MEL.

A nice alternative to doomscrolling. (Full instructions here.)

The Last Article On Workout Motivation You Will Hopefully Ever Have to Read, Amen, VICE.

“I think everyone could use a lighthearted/happy story right now so here goes.” Kelly Victoria on Twitter.
This is so good, I read it twice and definitely cried.

Holiday ideas

How to Light Your Christmas Tree the Easy Way, Amidst the Chaos.
This is my go-to method for lighting a tree.

How to Do Gifts in 2020, Shondaland.
I like the Santa 2.0 idea, and the idea of doing some kind of scavenger hunt.

How to Transform Your Christmas Garland, A Beautiful Mess.

Top a Present With a Newsprint Bow, NYT.

Our Christmas Tree Train, A Beautiful Mess.

Have a good night! ❄️

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Just a bunch of good gift ideas we forgot to include the first time around

My girlfriend and I spent a lot of time curating all of our 2020 gift guides…and, in several instances, remembered or came across something brilliant within 12 hours of publishing. So to close out the gift guide season, here are a few stragglers we wish we’d included on previous guides.

Good gifts for anyone…

See the original gift guide here.

Kikkerland solar-powered rainbow maker

We got one of these earlier this year and like it so much; you simply stick it on a window and it throws rainbows all over your room, which is way more delightful than you might expect.

Get the single crystal rainbow maker for $41.25 from Urban Outfitters or from Uncommon Goods for $33, and get the double crystal rainbow maker from Kikkerland for $55. (If you’re not sure whether a window-mounted setup will work for your person, Urban Outfitters also sells a tabletop version of the rainbow maker for $44.95).

For the design-minded kitsch-loving somebody in your life…

See the original gift guide here.

We are out of office risograph art

Art in general is really expensive, which is part of why I like risographs (a high-speed, low-cost alternative to screen printing). We Are Out of Office capitalizes on risograph printing’s “spot colors” to create really bright, charming, and (primarily) food-inspired art, all of which is available from Etsy.

We bought their sardines ($12.67) and pomodori can ($12.67) prints to hang in our kitchen, but the Japanese candy ($12.67), De La Rosa Marazapan ($12.67), or “thank you, have a nice day” shopping bag ($50.67) prints would make great gifts as well.

If you want to get multiple prints for multiple people, you should take advantage of their combined shipping offers (starting at $25.34 for two or more prints and starting at $88.67 for seven or more prints).

“if u gay, perfect” candle

This candle, which has the most lovely, mild fragrance, is from Lil’ Deb’s Oasis, a beloved restaurant that would really benefit from folks buying merch right now. Get it for $24.69. (And if the person you’re shopping for isn’t queer, then they might like the Love or Luck candles instead).

For cozy types who are always just vibin’…

See the original gift guide here.

Equal Parts Stock Pot

This 8-quart pot is one of the items on my wish list this year; I’m going to fill it to the brim with dried beans and bay leaves and talk about how she and the Our Place pan are girlfriends. Available in five colors; get it from Equal Parts for $110.

Piecework Puzzles

These puzzles feel like they were created for me personally in a lab; I feel both seen and attacked. All of the puzzles are beautiful, but I’m particularly drawn to the breakfast-themed Rise & Shine ($36), 80s working woman Power Lunch ($36), and vintage recipes-esque Punch Line ($36).

For the sweet, smart, fun, and cool youths in your life…

See the original gift guide here.

Lorien Stern bucket hat

Listen, I Googled “Gen Z bucket hat” and I still don’t totally understand why they’ve taken a shine to buckets. (Something about ‘90s trends and TikTok? Y’all mind if I just slip away into obsolescence really quick?) Regardless, I’m always into practical gifts (it protects your teen’s face from the sun!), especially one as cute as this particular bucket hat. Get it from Lorien Stern for $32. If the teen in your life gives off more of a business casual vibe, then they might like some of the solid colored, corduroy options from Urban Outfitters ($15 or $19).

Color-changing LED light strips

According to several sources, teens love these (they are very big on TikTok). You can find the lights several places, including Amazon ($29.99), Walmart ($29.98), and Urban Outfitters ($29.95).

Tie-dye basketball

I was told sports “build character” growing up. I’m not sure if that’s true or not, but what I do know is that the NBA has been showing up for racial justice in a meaningful way for a while now. These are good values to instill in a kid, and perhaps a cute, tie-dye ball will help them pick up the only team-sport I personally recognize. Get it from Urban Outfitters for $29.

For people who want to cronch on something delicious…

See the original gift guide here.

Odd-sized measuring cups

all-clad-stainless-steel-measuring-cups-spoons-ultimate-se-o.jpg

I got these as a gift seceral years ago and still absolutely love them — having a 2 tsp, 1 and ½ tbsp, and 2 tbsp spoon is life-changing, and I love the measuring cups as well. Get them from Williams-Sonoma: the odd-sized measuring spoons for $20, the odd-sized cups for $40, or the set of two for $50.

Food52 stackable wine glasses

4befdd52-4b2d-4247-90fd-9e32056cdd6e--2020-0728_bormioli-rocco_essential-glassware-set_1x1_james-ransom-360_1-.jpg

I recently discovered these via Kelsey Keith’s newsletter, and was blown away by how practical, stylish, and affordable they are. They come in increments of either 8, 9.5, or 11.75 ounces (and each set is the same price, regardless of size). Get a set of six from Food52 for $36.

Bikini Bananas rocks glasses

We recommended Shannon Mustipher’s cocktail book, Tiki: Modern Tropical Cocktails, in two of our gift guides and it’s turned out to be one of our best-selling recommendations. So, in addition to the book — which you can purchase from Bookshop for $27.55 or Amazon for $22.25 — get your loved one some cute glasses from Chicago-based tiki bar Lost Lake as well. Buy them from Lost Lake for $20 per glass. And if you want to lean into holiday kitsch, Lost Lake also offers extremely cute “Jingle Bell Square” rocks and Collins glasses as well ($20 per glass). ✨

Annnnd here they all are one more time:

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Good gifts and stocking stuffers under $30

One of my favorite things about holiday shopping is finding all the fun little items that will help round out someone’s present, or that will work nicely in combination with something else to make a fun and personal gift. Here are bunch of little items that I think would make good stocking stuffers, Secret Santa gifts, last-minute gifts, and/or white elephant gifts that people actually want to take home.

A good puzzle book

Some options: Perilous Problems for Puzzle Lovers ($15.95 from Target or Amazon); Can You Solve My Problems?: Ingenious, Perplexing, and Totally Satisfying Math and Logic Puzzles ($14.67 from Bookshop); or Sleuth & Solve: 20+ Mind-Twisting Mysteries ($16.19 on Amazon).