Just Good Shit: 01.09.22

My girlfriend & Chuck having a cozy one

Hello and happy (?????) new year! I had a lovely holiday and then spent this week feeling really crappy due to cold/allergy-like symptoms that are not covid (according to one negative PCR and five negative rapid tests). I’m very bummed, as January is one of my favorite months and I feel very motivated to organize, decorate, and hunker down with some new hobbies. We had big plans to go to Prospect Park this weekend and look at birds, and instead I spent the weekend on the couch taking Sudafed.

Here’s what else I’ve had going on…

Writing

• You might get a breakthrough case of Covid-19 this winter. Here’s how to prepare.

• The best things I read in 2021

• My knitting notebook

Reading

America Quits the Fight Against Covid, The New Republic.

Who Gets the Blame When Schools Shut Down, The New Yorker.

Omicron Is Our Past Pandemic Mistakes on Fast-Forward, The Atlantic.

“If you're going to trust anyone to know the real cost of #COVID19 in terms of deaths, trust life insurance companies.”

Seriously, Upgrade Your Face Mask, NY Mag.
I really like the Harley N95, available from Bona Fide Mask (currently $45 for a box of 20).

Don’t Be Too Cavalier About Omicron — Long Covid Is Still a Real Risk, Rolling Stone.

How to Stay Safe if You’re Trapped in Your Car During a Snowstorm, NYT.

Shoe Obsession for the Ages: Prince’s Killer Collection of Custom Heels, Now on View, NYT.

The 2021 Audubon Photography Awards: Top 100, Audubon.

Entertainment

I’ve been watching Yellowjackets, How To with John Wilson, and Selling Tampa; knitting; watching Rajiv Surendra DIY videos on YouTube (start with his house tour); listening to Like a Virgin; and playing Parks (a Christmas gift from my gf — it’s so gentle and nice).

Have a good week! 🌨️

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My knitting notebook

One of the more useful things I did in the latter half of my first year of knitting was get a small notebook to dedicate to knitting projects. Knitting involves way more math and counting than I’d like it to, and I often found myself tallying counts on the printed pattern itself — which is fine, I guess, but not ideal, especially because my patterns tend to get really tattered while I’m working so they don’t serve as a great record of a project. I also wanted to better record details like the specific yarn and needles I was using and how long each project was taking me. So I finally got a little Rollbahn spiral notebook to keep in my knitting bag, and it’s changed my life.

I set up a table of contents on the first page, and have added page numbers to each subsequent page. Each project gets its own page (back and front). At the top of each project page, I write this:

Started:
Completed:
Yarn

Skeins:

Needles:

Below that, I write Notes: and then use the rest of the page to jot down anything that feels relevant; it might be the date I started a specific component (like a sleeve) or it might be a simple mistake or big source of frustration that I want to remember in case I redo the project later. (I’ve learned the hard way that I…will not remember these things as well as I think I will.) I’ve also been trying to note when I learn a new skill or technique — basically, instead of celebrating the total number of projects I do, I want to highlight all of the things I’m learning, even when I do a project that I don’t end up finishing or really liking.

It’s such a small, obvious thing but it’s been so helpful! 🧶

More journaling content that might be of interest: Starting a house journal, how to start and keep a journal during a pandemic (or any time of major upheaval), the Hobonichi Techo planner, and my book!

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The best things I read in 2021

Happy New Year’s Eve! If you’re planning a cozy night in — which I personally highly recommend — might I suggest reading (or re-reading) some really fantastic longreads from the past year?

Here are all of my faves from 2021, in no particular order:

The Only Strategy Left for Democrats, The Cut.
“Govern like you won, winners.” I think about this line…all the time.

The Road to Terfdom, Lux.

Airbnb Is Spending Millions of Dollars to Make Nightmares Go Away, Bloomberg.

The Pain Was Unbearable. So Why Did Doctors Turn Her Away?, Wired.

The Murders Down the Hall, NY Mag.

As a Black Man in America, I Feel Death Looming Every Day, NYT.

Britney Spears Was Never in Control, The Cut.

Lab-grown meat is supposed to be inevitable. The science tells a different story., The Counter.

On the Internet, We’re Always Famous, The New Yorker.

I Canceled My Birthday Party Because of Omicron, The Atlantic.

How Coffin Flop’s Coffins Got Flopped, Vulture.

It Is Unconscionable That The Gay Community Has Ostracized Me Simply Because I Was Born A Cop, Defector.

And the thing I’m personally most proud of from 2021: Shantay, You Pay: Inside the Heavy Financial Burden of Going On ‘Drag Race’. 🎆

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Just Good Shit: 12.20.21

Hi! This week’s post is late because I was watching Season 2 of 12 Dates of Christmas on HBO Max, a reality TV dating show that also happens to be my new favorite Christmas movie. It’s really light and fun, provides so much ridiculous Christmas/winter eye candy, and is very gay! (The first episode is available on YouTube if you don’t have HBO Max.) Watching it offered a much-needed respite from the terrible news and absolutely rotten vibe of this week.

Here’s what else I have for you…

My shit

• You might get a breakthrough case of Covid-19 this winter. Here’s how to prepare.

• Making the Yuletide Extremely Gay feat. Aubrey Gordon (new podcast ep)

And a couple of things from the archives that might be useful at this exact moment: Guidance for safer vaxxed gatherings (from September, so please err on the side of even more cautious/conservative), how to tell your family you aren’t coming home for the holidays this year, and what to do if you think your cousins might give grandma COVID this holiday (if you’re once again arguing with family, this time about things like taking rapid tests or canceling entirely).

Reading

I Canceled My Birthday Party Because of Omicron, The Atlantic.
“It is easy to despair, but we cannot afford the luxury of nihilism. ... The infectious nature of a virus means that a tiny bad decision can cause exponential harm, but also that a tiny wise decision can do exponential good.” This whole essay is so good.

What if the Flu isn’t “just the Flu?”, The Air Letter.
This is a sobering read. (Also: Please get your flu shot!)

I’m Staying Home for the Holidays Again This Year. Here’s Why., Self.

Why Can’t America Get Rapid Tests Right?, Slate.

The Abortion I Didn’t Have, NYT.

Please Stop Saying ‘Happy Holidays’ When You Mean ‘Merry Christmas’, Hey Alma.

Retailers say thefts are at crisis level. The numbers say otherwise, LA Times.

A parent and daughter battle over an elaborate Lego creation, The Washington Post.
“I am trying to be encouraging here, but I am incensed that you’re going to war with her joy, security and well-being over carpet-cleaning.”

What worries me about making a family into a brand, Mothers Under the Influence.

Ask a Cardiologist: Should Carrie Have Called 911?, Vulture.

Have a cozy and safe one. 🛷

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Just Good Shit: 12.12.21

Safely celebrating a winter birthday during a pandemic is not the easiest thing to do, but I’m pleased to say I made it work on Friday night for my girlfriend’s 30th! After I found out the hot tub boat I had been banking on left for Florida in November, I did a lot of research and eventually came across CityWell, which is basically an indoor/outdoor spa situation that you can book for private parties of up to 10 people. We utilized the outdoor aspect and had access to saunas, a hot tub, and a fire pit, which turned out to be a great jumping-off point for a “winter yeehaw” party. (Turns out, when you type “cowgirl bachelorette” into Etsy, you find a lot of good party stuff. Also, the airbrushed custom sweatshirts our guy Stephen at FreshAirShirts made were truly a work of art.) I also booked Miss Malice, a fantastic local drag performer, as a surprise. It was just a really special night all-around, and, in a huge surprise to me personally, I am pleased to announce that “I love hot tubs” is my new personality!

Now that the party is over (though not her official birthday — that’s on Wednesday), I’m excited to turn my focus to Christmas and New Year’s!

L train ornament from Craftspring

Speaking of, this list could use a 2021 update with some new items but I still love everything on it: Just a bunch of Christmas shit I’m into right now.

Here’s what else I had going on this week…

Reading

The Pandemic of the Vaccinated Is Here, The Atlantic.

Omicron won’t keep us from ending the pandemic. We’re doing that ourselves., Washington Post.

Dr. Michael Osterholm on why he predicts Omicron will beat out Delta in weeks., NY Mag.

When Couples Don’t Agree on the Vaccine, Men Yell at Me.

Who the pandemic’s next phase will hurt the most, Vox.

The other abortion battle, Dispatches and Notes.

The Supreme Court’s New Religious Liberty Case Could Destroy Public Education, Slate.

Law & Order Taught Americans to Root for the Police, Teen Vogue.

As a Black Man in America, I Feel Death Looming Every Day, NYT.
(gift link)

Long hours make bad neighbors, Vox.

Have a good night! 🤠

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Just Good Shit: 12.05.21

Hello there! It’s been a cozy one over here; we got our Christmas tree yesterday, and spent the weekend knitting, drinking the best hot chocolate, and watching Christmas movies. (Decorating is TK, as earlier tonight I took out all of the Christmas stuff and discovered I…got rid of all of our Christmas lights at the end of last year? And seemingly totally forgot about this????) I’ve also learned to plunk out (with my fingers on the correct keys, but plunking nonetheless!!) “Jingle Bells” and “O Come All Ye Faithful” on the piano, which I’m quite proud of, as I’ve only had three lessons so far.

Speaking of Christmas things: please check out @transanta and consider donating gifts to trans youths in need!

Here’s what else I had going on this week…

Reading

This Is How Roe Ends, NY Mag.

Cognitive Rehab: One Patient’s Painstaking Path Through Long Covid Therapy, NYT.
This is just…devastating.

Omicron’s Best- and Worst-Case Scenarios, The Atlantic.

Omicron Won’t Ruin Your Booster, The Atlantic.

Anti-vaxx Chronicles: This story was tough the first time we saw it, turns out it's even more brutal, Daily Kos.

“I had a Very Bad experience with @Hertz over Thanksgiving.”
Wild.

The End of Gendering Wine, Punch.

Here's Why Movie Dialogue Has Gotten More Difficult To Understand (And Three Ways To Fix It), Slash Film.

An Attempt to Make Sense of This Year’s Netflix Christmas Movies, Vulture.

Watching & listening to

I’m really enjoying the new podcast Like a Virgin. I’ve also watched a bunch of queer holiday romance movies for an upcoming episode of the podcast, as well as The Bitch Who Stole Christmas, which is so stupid in the best way.

Have a good night! 🌰

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Just Good Shit: 11.28.21

Happy Sunday night! My Thanksgiving week was great. The Baskin-Robbins turkey-shaped ice cream cake (which I ordered as a surprise for my gf) was a huge hit, and the rest of the food turned out really well. And the rest of the weekend was relaxing and cozy. Here’s what else I had going on…

My shit

• Good gift ideas for the person who is always tending to some little project

• Good gift ideas for the person whose taste is Herman Miller by day and Spencer’s Gifts by night

I was also a guest on the This Is Good For You podcast, talking about puzzles!

Reading

It's Time to Fear the Fungi, Wired.

Did Trans Activists Doxx J.K. Rowling?, Michael Hobbes.

Inside Felicia Sonmez’s Lawsuit Against the Washington Post, NY Mag.

Can You Take a Hint?, Texas Monthly.
Absolutely obsessed with every line of this old profile of Heloise.

The limitations of the 'sapphic anthem', NPR.

They Found a New Bird!, Slate.

What does an actor lose when their prosthetics become the star?, Vulture.

Inside Hidden Hills, Shangri-La to the Kanye Set, Vanity Fair.
Ended up on this 2017 article while watching Selling Sunset Season 4.

The determined thief, the cranberry usurper, and other work potlucks gone wrong, Ask a Manager.

Have a good one! 🌲

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Good gift ideas for the person whose taste is Herman Miller by day and Spencer’s Gifts by night

For the third year running, I am publishing a gift guide inspired by my girlfriend’s taste, and for the second year running, I’m just handing over the reins and letting her write it herself! You know your friend who has impeccable taste but who also, somewhat confoundingly, likes things that are so bad they’re good? That’s who this gift guide is for. And be sure to check out the 2019 and 2020 version too. –RWM ✨

I’m happy to be back with a new gift guide! This year’s influences include Spike Lee’s love of the New York Knicks, Dua Lipa’s cowgirl-themed music video for “Love Again,” and quite literally every single frame of At Home With Amy Sedaris. These gifts are for the person who fusses over small details and cares about quality, but who also likes kitsch and camp and the absurd. I won’t say this gift guide is only for gay people, but it’s definitely for gay people (and not just because it includes multiple carabiner recommendations).

An olive-garnished sweatsuit

My love for food-themed home decor extends into apparel as well, and this olive crewneck sweatshirt and sweatpants situation really hits the spot. Depending on your loved one’s climate, you could opt for the sweatpants or the sweatshorts. And if you want this look to be able to travel from the couch to running errands, then pairing it with the dirty martini baseball cap oughta do the trick.

Get them all from Wear Your Snacks (clothing runs S–XXL): Olive sweatshirt ($60), sweatpants ($70), sweatshorts ($60), socks ($15), and dirty martini hat ($28).

Hola Papi: How to Come Out in a Walmart Parking Lot and Other Life Lessons and some smiley-face bookmarks

JP Brammer — my top Twitter follow and author of my favorite newsletter, ¡Hola Papi! — just published his first book, and folks…it’s a banger. It’s sharp and kind and funny and moving in equal measure. Pair the book with some cute bookmarks, and you’ve got the perfect gift for the reader in your life. Get the book from Bookshop ($23.92) and get a set of 20 bookmarks from Brook Farm General Store ($12.50).

Jewelry for anyone

Apse BB ball bracelet

Perfect for layering and adding just a little something extra to your outfit. I’ve found that the sterling silver and gold filled bracelets pair nicely together. Get them from Apse for $50 each.

Apse initial necklace

A splurgy gift that you can personalize with their initial (or maybe your own? 🥰). Get it from Apse starting at $180.

Catbird initial charm and chain

If you like the idea of an initial necklace but want something a bit daintier, Catbird alphabet charms might be what you’re looking for. You can get just the letter charm for $44, or add on a chain (which starts at $148).

I ❤️ NY

In addition to food motifs, I unabashedly, unironically love New York City and New York paraphernalia. I’m not the only one, so if your loved one is also partial to Zizmorcore, they might like these items:

Standard Baggu: I Love New York

This bag is a workhorse. It holds far more than you’d expect it to, and then some, but it folds down flat, making it perfect for those days you find yourself suddenly and unexpectedly schlepping around the city. Get it from Baggu for $12.

NYC themed felted holiday ornaments

I audibly gasped the first time I saw these felted ornaments, and immediately bought a few as gifts and a few to keep. Get all of the ornaments from Craftspring: Metrocard ($22), holiday taxi ($24), and subway train ($24). (P.S. the subway train ornament comes in multiple styles, which means you can get the person you’re shopping for the train line that’s particularly meaningful to them.)

Susan Alexandra I Love NY card holder

I was gifted a trifold wallet nearly 10 years ago and only bothered to replace it once it became painfully evident that I was filling it to the brim with junk and then carrying that junk around with me everywhere I went. I recently swapped it for this beaded Susan Alexandra card holder, which can comfortably fit about five cards. I feel unencumbered! Get it from Susan Alexandra for $88.

A gift basket from Zabar's

This past year I discovered that Zabar’s will ship anywhere across the country, which meant I had discovered the perfect gift for friends who have left New York (or who simply want to live out their You’ve Got Mail dreams). You can mix and match items to create the perfect custom care package, but Zabar’s also has a wide variety of pre-bundled baskets with treats like black and white cookies, rugelach, babka, and lox, which is the route I usually take. They also sell mugs and T-shirts with their iconic logo, and whenever I wear the shirt or sip from the mug on Zoom calls, I end up getting compliments from my coworkers. Get them all from Zabar’s: Gift baskets (starting at $135), T-shirt ($9.98), and mug ($5.98).

Wooden bird tchotchkes

When Rachel and I visited Acadia, we stumbled across a wooden objects gift shop in downtown Bar Harbor that sold an astonishing amount of wooden birds — at scale!! I’m talking everything from a little chickadee to a giant pelican. We marveled and moved on without buying anything, but I found my mind wandering back to them each day, and by the end of the trip I had gone back and bought a couple of birds for our home as well as a few birds for friends. The craftsmanship of these hand-painted birds is really remarkable, and because they’re such beautiful little objects they make great bookshelf decorations. Get them from In The Woods starting from $39.

For their kitchen

Dusen Dusen oven mitts

It comes in three colorways, but my personal favorite is Berry. Get them from Coming Soon ($26).

Fruit and vegetable shaped kitchen timers

Everything’s better when it’s shaped like food, and these kitchen timers (which would make great stocking stuffers) are no exception. I own the corn timer, but I’ve got my eyes on the pear and the red pepper timers as well. Get them all from Amazon (from $4.65–$10.29).

A penguin sticker for your French press

I recommend Bodum’s French presses each year, and this year is no different — but, there’s a twist this time! You can convert your regular french press into a Penguin Press using this vinyl decal. The seller recommends pairing it with the Bodum Brazil 34 oz french press, which you can buy from Bodum for $19.99. Buy the sticker from Stuff by Andrew Neyer for $6.95.

Aarke Carbonator 3

This is on the pricier side, but it’s a great option if you really want to splurge on, say, your partner. My mom gifted me mine a couple years ago and I’ve never looked back; not only is the Aarke far more reliable than a SodaStream, but I actually like the way it looks on my counter top (the matte black finish is really chic). Get it from Aarke ($219) or Amazon ($164.25).

A hot carabiner

I am a lesbian, and this is my carabiner. If you’re like me and want something a little fancier than your local hardware store carabiner, then Japanese accessory maker Candy Design & Works has you covered. I opted for the Quincy ball-closure carabiner, but really agonized over my selection because there are plenty of other alternatives available that are equally as nice. Get them all from Hightide Store DTLA: Quincy ($30), Holger ($36), Delta ($38), and Gordon ($30).

Gifts you can customize

Vintage sports gear

I typically loathe gift guides that suggest items I can’t tap a link and immediately buy. But here I go, doing the thing I hate! Here’s the thing: Vintage sports merch is a great gift because it’s plentiful, relatively affordable (especially if you’re willing to do a tiny bit of digging), and can be selected to match your recipient’s tastes/preferences from team, sport, city, and/or school to specific article of clothing. There is no one link to recommend, because it really depends on who you’re shopping for.

My advice for finding great stuff on Ebay, Etsy, and Grailed is as follows: 80s and 90s merch is the absolute best, so include that in your search terms if you want to refine your results a bit; defunct team merch and retired styles/uniforms are especially fun (e.g., Seattle Sonics and The Mighty Ducks); teams that won titles, competed in significant tournaments, or even just competed against a major rival will likely have created merch specifically for that event, and it tends to be more exciting than your usual fare (e.g., The Rosebowl). I tend to opt for sweatshirts because they’ll usually give you more bang for your buck (and hold up better over time), but there might be a T-shirt that speaks to you. If you’re looking for hats, search for snapbacks specifically because you won’t have to worry about whether it’ll fit the recipient (and you’ll also have more luck finding brims with contrasting colors, which has a little more ✨razzle dazzle✨). One last thing to keep in mind is that vintage styles tend to run smaller — sellers will typically call this out in the listing, but always double check.

Airbrushed T-shirts

If you’d rather not try to hunt down the perfect vintage sportswear item, then I have an alternative for you: an airbrushed T-shirt from Etsy seller FreshAirShirts. My recommendation would be to use one of the sports T-shirts as a jumping off point and then customize it with your loved one’s favorite team’s colors and name. (That’s what Rachel did with the shirt pictured above, which also got me on the Jumbotron during the game!) This shop offers baseball, soccer, basketball, and football designs, but it’s also worth mentioning that an airbrushed T-shirt isn’t just a gift for a sports fan — it’s a gift for anyone who likes a dumb gag. Might I suggest the couples T-shirts, this shirt that just says “Mommy”, this cowboy hat-centric number, this covid cocktail (????), or this splurgier (lol) pet portrait as thought-starters? (And remember, you can get every shirt made in basically any color.) This seller is also super responsive and helpful when it comes to customizations, which means the only limitation is your own imagination. Get your shirts from FreshAirShirts (starting from $22.99).

Local business T-shirts

Restaurant and bar merch is a great way to support local businesses and show an interest in the restaurants your friends love the most. If you need some inspiration, The Cut curated some great NYC options and we gave some guidance on where to start last year, but really, if it looks like the store owner’s son-in-law’s first attempt at graphic design — in a good way, obviously! — you’re on the right track. My current favorite is the Ferrara “Holy Cannoli” T-shirt ($23).

New Balance 57/40s

The 57/40s are a more modern take on the classic 574s — they still get the job done, just with a little more flair. This particular style comes in a ton of colorways, but my favorites are “Black with pink lemonade,” “Light cliff grey with velocity red,” “Oyster pink with blue chill.” In my own experience, you don’t have to worry about rigidly adhering to men’s vs women’s shoes because the shoe is the same no matter what department you’re shopping in — just find the style you like, and then figure out what your appropriate size is. Get them from New Balance starting from $99.99.

Drag queen merch

Like wearing a band T-shirt, only gayer. I love this Sasha Velour T-shirt ($30), but you can find lots of other options on Drag Queen Merch dot com and My Best Judy Merch.

Stocking stuffers

Baby Baggu

This bag is the perfect size for my in-progress knitting projects, but it makes for a great running-errands-but-not-too-many–errands bag. I own the bag in lawnstripe and black & white cow, but it comes in a wide array of options so trust your gut on this one. Get them from Baggu for $10.

A tiny pet-sized cowboy hat

Give the gift of laughing at how truly ridiculous your pet looks cosplaying as a tiny sheriff. It’s got adjustable chinstraps so it’ll stay secure (much to your pet’s chagrin, I’m sure). Get it from Neon Cowboys for $15. 🤠

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Good gift ideas for the person who is always tending to some little project

Welcome to gift guide season 2021! I’m kicking things off with gifts for the person in your life who is always tending to something — maybe their newest hobby, or the planning doc for the next group trip, or a tomato plant (either real or in a video game). Lightly outdoorsy, but in a very at-home kind of way. Like a dad who is also a mom who is also a dad. This is the gift guide for people with taste that’s quite similar to mine, is what I’m saying.

P.S. Get more gift ideas for this type of person on the 2019 and 2020 version of this list.

Charles Viancin mug toppers

These were actually an impulse buy from a really great store in Bar Harbor, Maine, and they’ve turned out to be great. Basically you just set them on top of a mug to keep your hot beverage hot. They really work, and they are cute! I have the sunflowers (a set of two is $13.50 from Amazon) and I just discovered/ordered the tomato version.

Arts & Crafts T-shirt

For the person who is a jock in their own unique way. Available in sizes S–2XL; buy it from House of Dakh for $29.95.

A guide to local wildlife

This is actually what I got for my mom — who is famously hard to shop for — for Christmas last year, after I realized that she pays pretty close attention to the birds in the trees in her yard, as well as all the other wildlife. In her case, I went with Butterflies of Michigan, Mammals of Michigan, and Birds of Michigan, but you could easily tweak based on where the person lives. I personally own/love New York City Trees, and just last week, after way too much time on the Brooklyn Bird Alert Twitter account, bought Birds of New York Field Guide and Field Guide to the Neighborhood Birds of New York City.

A birdhouse/bird feeder

Speaking of local wildlife, this beautiful modern bird feeder would be a great way to turn the books into a bigger gift. This one is available in two color combinations; buy it for $75 from MoMa Design Store.

Hawkins NY sparkly sponges

These would make for a beautiful stocking stuffer or help round out a cookware-centric gift. Available in three different color sets; get a set of three from Hawkins New York for $6.

A steel toolbox in “the very best size”

If the Mx. Fix-It in your life doesn’t have a spot for their growing collection of tools (or craft/hobby supplies, or whatever), this extremely hot green one would be perfect. Get it from Garrett Wade for $64.55. Bonus pairing: A hot carabiner. Bonus to the bonus: A teeny tiny metal toolbox, which is the ideal place to store all your carabiners.

A solid beech craft storage box

If the person you’re shopping for has lots of little odds and ends — maybe they sew or knit — I’d recommend this beautiful solid-wood craft box, which is the sort of thing they’ll have/use forever. Get it from Garrett Wade for $179.

A gentle, nature-inspired game

I’ve been obsessed with/signing the praises of Wingpsan for the past month, and there are a lot of other options in this vein that are worth checking out:

• Mariposas, which focuses on butterflies and was designed by the same person who designed Wingspan. Buy it for $49.99 from Alderac Entertainment Store or $32.99 from Amazon.

• Parks, which is National Parks–themed and is on my personal wishlist this year. Get it from Keymaster Games for $49.

• Trails, a new game from the Parks team. Buy it for $19.99 from Keymaster Games.

• Arboretum, which challenges players to “create the most beautiful garden.” Buy it from Renegade Game Studios for $21.99 or from Amazon for $20.49.

• Point Salad, a drafting card game that centers on vegetables. Buy it from Alderac for $19.99 or Amazon for $16.99.

• And, finally, Wingspan! Buy it for $60 from Stonemaier Games or from Amazon.

Birkenstock Arizona shearling sandals

Sometimes I’m like “Hm, I can’t really think of anything I want for Christmas this year” and then later I’ll remember these exist. I’m a recent convert to Birks and these just look so luxurious and cozy. Get them for $150 from Urban Outfitters (also available in two other colors) and find some other color options at Birkenstock.

A monochromatic sweatsuit

To wear with a pair of New Balances and a baseball cap on Saturday morning trips to the library and local garden store. The sweatsuit above, which I have, is from Gap (the bottoms are on sale for $25 and the hoodie is on sale for $25, both available in sizes XS–XXXL). I also love the options from Aritizia, which come in a ton of really beautiful colors and different cuts.

Fjallraven Kanken backpack

I’ve never been a backpack person, but I bought this one in September for our trip to Acadia and ended up loving it; it holds a ton of stuff, the color is beautiful, and it’s just super convenient — great for hikes, but also little day trips and/or park visits. It also comes in like 50 colors; buy one from Fjallraven for $80 or Amazon for $76.

Dad Grass or Mom Grass

Are they more of a daddy or a mommy? It doesn’t really matter because there’s something for everyone! I’ve sung the praises of this product times already; it’s a great option for someone who occasionally wants a wine-free way to take the edge off, but doesn’t want this badly or often enough to actually get a weed dealer. Get it all from Dad Grass: a pack of five joints of Mom Grass ($35), Dad Grass ($35), or the Parent Pack (which has five of each) for $66.

Haws watering can

I bought one of these watering cans back in 2015 and it felt like the most indulgent purchase. It’s just beautiful; a genuine joy-sparker. This watering can is also more than just its looks; it’s made by a company that has been doing watering cans for 130 years and is extremely ergonomic/loved by gardeners. Buy one from Horti for $16. (There are also some additional color options on Amazon, but the prices/shipping times vary.)

A metal cookbook stand

This might not look very special on the website, but I own it and I can tell you that it’s really beautiful in person. The packaging is particularly nice, and it’s made of that sort of painted metal that feels very 1950s. It would also pair perfectly with a cookbook! Available in 12 colors; get it for $12 from Hightide Store DTLA. (Also: I love this store so much! Definitely have a poke around; they have tons of great gifts. For example, the Penco clips are great and would be a good stocking stuffer.)

And practical slip-ons to wear when doing all those little projects

I love sturdy house shoes (safety!!!), especially rubber clogs. A couple recs:

• The Super-Birki, which looks like what would happen if a Croc and a Dansko fucked. Available in nine colors (and men’s and women’s sizes) from Birkenstock for $79.95.

• Calzuro clogs, which I’ve had/loved for a while now, and which now come in pistachio green. Available in 16 other colors and men’s and women’s sizes; get them from Calzuro for $106. (Some of the colors/styles are also available from Amazon FYI.)

Perfect to slip on so you can dash outside and check out an interesting bird before it flies away. 🦉

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Just Good Shit: 11.21.21

Image: Kiyana Salkeld / Just Good Shit

Hi, peeps! I had a great first week at Vox and I’m newly boosted, so I’m feeling pretty good at this exact moment! Here’s what else I had going on this week…

My shit

• Great Gift Ideas That Aren't From Big Box Retailers

Reading

You Should Get a Booster Now, The Atlantic.

Dave Chappelle's "Some Of My Best Friends Are Trans" Story Doesn't Hold Up, Michael Hobbes.

Marilyn Manson: The Monster Hiding in Plain Sight, Rolling Stone.

Can a Boxer Return to the Ring After Killing?, The Atlantic.

How Exxon duped “The Daily”, Heated.

Inside the Turmoil at Jezebel, Gawker.

Brittany Luse and Eric Eddings of ‘For Colored Nerds’ Play for Keeps, NYT.

Animal Crossing Happy Home Paradise does what all DLC should: make a great game even better, Polygon.

24 Quotes on Giving Thanks, Justice, and Radical Gratitude, Sojourners.

Revolt of the Goldman Juniors, NY Mag.

Eating

We tried NYT’s Roasted Tomato and White Bean Stew this week and loved it; it came together very easily and the leftovers were great. I also made a recipe I saw on TikTok and it was fantastic — really easy and so delicious.

Have a good week! 💉

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