The First One 💌
Welcome to the first issue of Late to the Party. Thanks for being here 💘. Here are five things I love a lot right now, in no particular order:
#1: Clover Sonoma “Clover the Rainbow“ Milk
I rejected the non-dairy milk thing a long time ago. Give me the udder, babe! I do not want to eat my cereal with oat milk. I do not want a soy milk latte. Coconut milk is good. We can keep her. But the only thing I want to dunk my Oreos in gets squeezed out of a cow. I do go for lactose-free milk, though, because I am not ugly and therefore have some tummy troubles.
I’m not going to lie to you, this milk is definitely for children. The brand (Clover Sonoma) has a completely different section for it on their website. The carton has a rainbow on it, plus a fun doodle of a cow. I’m sure the adult stuff is good (they too have a lactose free version), but I am dedicated to infusing my life with childlike wonder at every turn. I get the Lactose-Free Organic Whole Milk. It’s so creamy– perfect in a latte or a bowl of cereal, and also the perfect companion for the large slices of leftover birthday cake I’ve been eating. Plus, they partner with independent family farms, have a nice commitment to sustainability, and are a certified B-Corp - slay!
If you don’t have a dairy allergy and have been avoiding cow’s milk due to mob mentality, there is hope. And you may be entitled to financial compensation. That last part is a lie, but just…buy some whole milk.
#2: Morrow Softgoods Duvet Set
My bed is the most important thing in my home besides my cat, Pickles. It is where I Lay, which is a true hobby of mine. I like to think I lead an active lifestyle, but I realize now that my active lifestyle has grown around my need to Lay. Crawling into a made bed is one of the greatest gifts of the human experience (up there with knowing who Dorinda Medley is and the smell of a Jet-Puffed marshmallows bag).
I leveled-up my Laying when I changed all my bedding to linen. Yes, locals! Even in the winter. It’s feels so soft and clean. Morrow is the best of the best (they roped me in via an Instagram ad; when will they make a vaccine for that? Hmm??) and their color palette is filled with muted teals and greens and mustards and stones and slates and it’s simply So Pleasing To Me! My favorite is mauve. I’m ngl, she’s pricey pricey. But if Laying is a passion, I think it’s worth it. Pickles enjoys it too.
*They were also nice enough to give me a code for you to use if you decide to go ahead and purchase - use Capri10 at checkout 🥲
#3: Axel Arigato Dice Lo Sneakers
I love shopping. But I hate shopping for shoes. I feel like everything makes my very narrow feet (Gavin lovingly refers to them as my bananas) look weird, and I’m a baby about breaking them in. I don’t know how to walk in heels and I never plan on learning, so I’m often on the hunt for sneakers that don’t look ridiculous with dresses or trousers. Last summer, I fell victim to Axel’s paid media team (I promise you, this will be a theme throughout this newsletter) and ended up purchasing a pair of their Dice Los as a birthday present to myself. They go with everything, had absolutely zero break-in time, and are the comfiest sneakers I’ve ever owned. I have this pair, but once I wear them out I might go for the cream.
#4: One Mighty Mill Whole Wheat Everything Bagels
A toasted bagel with butter is my death row meal (plus a Popeye’s six piece spicy tenders and a blue Powerade). I ate one almost every day growing up, and it’s what I spent all of my Board Bucks on in college. Around the time I graduated and started w*rking (derogatory), the Wellness Influencer™ conglomerate seized power– and to make a long story short I developed a very not unique (nightmare scenario) fear of bread. A bagel evangelist no more! Sad. But about seven years, a PubMed account, and some therapy later, I am healed from that delusion.
Another falsity to which I clung? That buying pre-bagged bagels at the store would only result in heartbreak. In my experience, they never tasted fresh, had a bunch of unnecessary additives, and rarely, if ever, hit the way I wanted them to. Enter: One Mighty Mill. The only other bagels I’ve enjoyed as much as theirs are: 1) Cohen’s, my hometown bagel spot, and 2) Every Bagel I’ve Ever Eaten at My Grandparents’ House (they live right outside of New York City).
The One Mighty Mill bagels don’t taste like a regular bagel - they aren’t comparable in terms of flavor and texture. It’s because they stone mill their flour, which is rare. Now, almost everything is made with industrially milled flour, which strips the grains of their nutrients and natural flavor– all in the name of extending shelf life. Fake!!! When you slice through an OMM bagel, it’s like, soft? Super fresh? Idk. But they’re SO good. They toast perfectly. They’re great for sandwiches. They don’t make my tummy hurt after I eat them. I’m just so smitten. They make mini bagels, bread, tortillas, and pretzels too. They all are so good. Eat more carbs.
#5: Loops Face Masks
The absolute highest quality sheet mask I’ve ever used. For one, it does not feel like a sopping wet diaper wipe– one of the many failings of regular sheet masks. The only way I can describe the texture is extremely durable gelatin (it’s hydrogel lol). They’re impossible to rip. I know this because when I’m finished using one, I always try to destroy the eye holes (it’s giving Sid), and they barely even stretch. The side that goes on your face is textured so it doesn’t slip (ie: you don’t feel like a loser putting it on). I remember when I first tried one, I was immediately shocked at how cooling it felt. How do they do it?! I don’t really care.
They have eight different masks (why did I want to say they had eight different flavors? Lobotomy.), plus under eye gels. You can really tell the difference between them, which is impressive. I use Clean Slate in the sauna at the gym after my workout, Night Shift before bed after a long day, Double Take before a wedding or party, etc. They are all performers. I also love bringing Loops to girls nights or giving them as presents. They make everyone happy! And they make u look hot!!
Welp, that’s all for today. If there’s anything you want me to try or write about, let me know! I hope something in here ends up bringing some joy to your life ❤️🔥.