You know the meme format…
No one:
Absolutely no one:
Person: *insert unsolicited rambling*
That’s me with everything I like, just gushing to any poor soul within earshot. For someone who regularly criticizes consumerism, I’ll never not rave about products that make my life better, even if just by making it more beautiful. We’ll save unpacking the importance of beauty for another time.
In an effort to assess the value of the stuff in my life, I decided to make a list of my daily essentials—things I repeat buy, never take off, or keep on deck for a reliable pick-me-up. They synthesize routine and aesthetic, and anything that feels even somewhat utilitarian eases my spending guilt. Behold, the broke but moisturized starter pack (because we love a second meme reference):
- Starbucks reusable cold cup
Sure, there are better reusable cups—insulated options that maintain your drinks’ temperature for long hours. I have a Yeti. It slaps. But there’s something special about the classic Starbucks reusable. The way it looks just like one of their disposable cold cups. How it actually fits in my baby hand. The fact that it goes with every outfit (priorities). As far as chains go, I’m kind of a Starbucks stan. - UNIQLO socks
One of the only men I’ve ever met off Tinder (whom I’m still friends with today. More on that… later.) put me on to UNIQLO socks three years ago. They truly have the best colors, textures, and styles. I’m pretty biased, though, as half of my non-thrifted clothes are from there anyway. Nonetheless, do not underestimate the power of good socks. - New Balance 990s
I didn’t want to partake in this trend, but when I found a pair for $28 at the Marshall’s back in my home area, I had to cop. They quickly became and remain my favorite shoe. Sporty and understated, I will repurchase. - Gold jewelry
Most of my pieces are heirlooms from my mom’s safe that I don’t take off. If you like that look, I highly recommend investing in 14k solid gold pieces. You can often find good deals at places like Kohl’s and Macy’s who are (probably) dying to survive in the Amazon age. I’ve linked one example above. If you’re not there financially, look for gold-filled, which lasts far longer (we’re talking 10-15 years versus months) than standard gold-plated and is decently priced. - Brandy Melville scrunchies
Brandy Melville does a lot of things right for me, mostly because I love good basics and don’t believe in paying an arm and a leg for them. Their scrunchies are nice and stretchy and come in great materials and colors. The red one adds a good pop. - Olive Oil
I mentioned it in my most recent Daily Drip and it deserves to live on this list. I eat pasta every day. My 2020 resolution is to keep eating pasta every day. How could this possibly be achieved without organic, cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil? I buy different bottles all the time, but love GOYA as a brand when it’s available. - How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style, and Bad Habits
I made an ex read this before I’d date him. Not because I have some weird delusion of being Parisian or chic, but because it’s just a generally beautiful text about complex, strong women and taste. I’ve read it front to back a hundred times and return to my favorite passages whenever I long to feel understood, which is unsurprisingly often. - The Ordinary serums
At this point, who doesn’t own at least one of DECIEM’s suspiciously affordable products? I repurchase the Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 and the Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion every couple months. - A tote
One can never have too many totes. Mine are all collected from different entities/experiences: work, a local event space, my (now canceled) subscription to The New Yorker, Trader Joe’s. If I were to buy one, it’d probably be that “Gah!” one linked above from independent San Fran boutique, Lisa Says Gah just because they’re super fun, or I’d snag one of the Outdoor Voices ones from Poshmark. - Sugar scrub from a local farm back home
My skin (especially my hands) gets so rough. I need a good, clean exfoliant to restore moisture on a regular basis. The sweetest people sell this stuff at the farmer’s markets back home and you can buy it off their site. I use the lavender. - Narcisco Rodriguez For Her
The only perfume I’ve ever re-purchased. Many an Uber driver have asked so they can buy it for their wives. I’d be satisfied to learn even one saw it through.