It's the Little Things

20 of them, to be exact.

Welcome to the midweek letter, a rotating assortment of personal writing, interviews, recommendations, AMAs, giveaways, and other fun things.

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My aim for this newsletter has always been more life than lifestyle. Recommendations are everywhere, and with plenty of people curating all sorts of things (and doing an excellent job!), why add to the chorus?  

But every so often, I’ll get a request to share my own recs, and I aim to please. Plus, I must admit, I take great delight in reading about what other people enjoy — especially why they like it — even if the item in question has no use or appeal for me.

To that end, here are 20 random things that bring me joy — from shampoo to notebooks to my go-to gift to a gadget that brings peace of mind. Even if you’re not in the market for, say, a little bag shaped like an anthropomorphic peanut, I hope you’ll enjoy reading.

The little feet, though.

1. Peanut with Feet

I keep a zippered pouch packed with my essentials (keys, lip balm, earbuds, wallet) so I can transfer it from bag to bag without leaving anything behind. For years, I used a little envelope-style pouch. But then I found Peanut with Feet. I can’t tell you how much joy it brings me to see it riding around in my bag, like a jolly little legume stowaway.

If you’d like a pouch of your own, I found seven variations here, and a few others here (the brand is Brunch Brother, if you’d like to search yourself). They also make AirPods cases, laptop sleeves, and other assorted merriment.

Le Pen cup.

2. Colorful pens that make writing fun.

Approximately 70 gazillion years ago when I worked in book publishing, my imprint published the picture book Marcel the Shell with Shoes On by Jenny Slate. One day while Jenny was in the office, she pulled out a Le Pen, which she cited as her favorite. I have no idea if she still feels that way, but I can tell you that I’ve used them ever since. They have a precise tip, don’t bleed through paper, come in a wide array of colors, and last for years.

3. And the MVP (most valuable pen).

I was initially attracted to the design-y bullet pen, when a salesperson held up this little friend. “Trust me,” he said. And though trust doesn’t always come easily to me, I listened. I’m glad I did. It weighs nothing, writes smoothly, and I’m never without it.

Just ran out and must immediately remedy this.

4. It’s a condiment! It’s a snack! It’s dessert! It’s whatever you want it to be.

Granola Butter, how do I love thee? With apple slices, mixed into yogurt, slathered on seeded toast, straight from the jar. I’m partial to the cinnamon roll and cookie dough flavors, though I’ve never met one I didn’t like. It’s nut free, gluten free, soy free, dairy free, vegan, kosher, and top 9 allergen free — so it’s easy to share (but I never want to).

My little deskside gym.

5. Movement Motivators

Ever since the great arm numbness episode of 2021, I keep a set of hand/wrist/ankle weights near my desk as a visual cue to take breaks and move throughout the day. Their presence feels more beckoning than intimidating, and I love how easy they are to incorporate into lots of moves. Bala and Equipt make popular versions, and there are often sets listed on eBay and Poshmark at lower prices.

6. Absurdly Bougie Floss

Here’s a couple things I never thought I’d do: 1) Pay $10 for dental floss. 2) Recommend said floss on the internet. But here we are! Life is surprising. Cocofloss is grippy, tastes great, and most importantly, I actually use it on a daily basis. My dental hygienist is still not super happy but less on my case than before pleased.

7. Nose Hair Eradicator

A less sexy item there never was, but I will always and forever recommend this little friend, who painlessly does away with nose hairs (and any random errant fuzz). Because these things have a way of popping up when you least expect them, I never travel without it.

8. Beloved reading companion.

Meet my favorite bookmark. It’s shaped like a tattooed arm, wears gold nail polish, and is cooler than me. It’s from ARK, a family-run Scottish business that makes many wonderful designs. (Shipping to the U.S. is pricey, but I’ve been able to find their stuff at bookshops and gift shops stateside.)

ABOUT: BLANKS journal on the left, Circa notebook on the right

9. Notebooks for those who have a hard time keeping notebooks.

There are those who journal — humans who are capable of filling notebooks and even filing them away for years. And there are those who tear pages out and rip them to shreds, like a feral demon intent on destroying the evidence of their innermost thoughts. I am the latter.  

But Circa notebooks (above, right) are my friends. You can add and remove pages, as needed. You can also move them around. They have different styles of page inserts — lined, unlined, formatted for to-do-lists and calendars, tabs to create sections — so you can build a notebook that works best for your needs. Brilliant.

10. But if you ARE a journaling type:

ABOUT: BLANKS (above, left) makes the most beautiful notebooks out of recycled vintage book covers. (Fellow NYers: they stock a large selection at Front General Store in DUMBO, a shop where I wish I could purchase just about everything.)

…And while we’re on the subject, these David Shrigley notebooks are hilarious and a good reminder to not be too precious, or to take it all too seriously.

11. Art that fits in the palm of your hand.

Uusi makes the most beautiful tarot cards, playing cards, and oracle decks. But it doesn’t get more gorgeous than Materia Prima, an expression of the Periodic Table across 84 richly detailed, foil embossed cards.

The book I reference more than any other.

12. THE best tarot book(s).

I’ve written about these before, but if you’re interested in learning more about tarot, Rachel Pollack’s books are the gold standard. Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom is THE classic. Tarot Wisdom is an expanded later edition, with various interpretations of each card from different angles. While I highly recommend them both, Tarot Wisdom might be the better buy for beginners.

(If you’re interested in reading more about tarot books, here’s a whole post about it.)

Why yes, I did clean my bathroom to take this photo.

13. Detox Shampoo

I hate spending a lot on shampoo because, well, it literally goes down the drain. But since I tried a sample of this clarifying potion, I’ve never been without it. I use it a couple times a week to remove buildup from products, sweat, and general grossness, and my hair has never been happier.

14. Holy Grail Face Cleanser

If you’ve been reading for a while, it’s no secret that I’m a Jordan Samuel stan. The Matinee Cream Cleanser is my everyday go-to, and the cornerstone of my routine. It’s non-foaming, unscented, and leaves my skin feeling clean but never stripped.

15. Your-nails-but-better polish.

It seems like every time I so much as glance at my phone, I see an ad for some new, expensive nail polish that promises to give you a barely-there manicure in five minutes flat. But I’ve been partial to Sally Hansen Hard as Nails since my mom kept a bottle in the refrigerator all throughout my childhood. (Apparently this helps prolong its life, though the jury is out.) It’s under five bucks and readily available at drugstores, Target, and behemoth online retailers who shall not be named.

16. …or the complete opposite.

I’ve searched far and wide for the perfect almost-black nail polish — chic and edgy, one step shy of looking like I’m auditioning for The Craft. Enter Ophelia, a deep neutral that skews black with hints of grey and brown. Perfection.

Don’t worry, I don’t burn candles near books. I just put it here to look pretty for you.

17. It’s the vessel for me.

Candles may not be the most groundbreaking gift in the world, but they remain a solid one. L’or de Seraphine* candles come in beautiful, reusable lidded glass vessels (like the gorgeous Fornasetti versions, at a fraction of the price). There are multiple sizes, designs, and scents to choose from. I’ve started keeping a couple on hand for any last-minute host or thank-you gifts.

(*Amazon link because the brand’s site is currently getting a refresh.)

18. Beaded bracelets for grown-ups.

Beaded bracelets run the gamut from cheesy to bougie (to Swiftie). But you’ll almost always find me wearing a tiny stone bracelet (or three), as a reminder of some intention. Wax and Wane makes the nicest ones out there. They have a wide array of styles and sizes, all made-to-order, so they actually fit your wrist.

19. Wisdom on-the-go.

By the time I mentioned the Wiser Than Me podcast in a recent post, I was already late to the party, but so many folks had never heard of it that it bears repeating. Julia Louis-Dreyfus interviews iconic women (Diane von Furstenberg, Sally Field, Fran Lebowitz, Amy Tan, Billie Jean King, Ina Garten, Beverly Johnson, Rhea Perlman…) and it’s not to be missed.

20. Phone Detention

The moment I read about it in Joanna’s wonderful interview, I rushed to order a kitchen safe of my own. Sure, I could simply place my phone out of sight and promise not to look at it. But would I actually do that? No, I would not. This this little box keeps it safely locked away so I can get stuff done — or find some peace of mind. A modern-day necessity.

…and that’s it! I’m sure I forgot something, but that’s okay because I’ll save it for next time. :)

As always, thanks for reading. See you on Sunday. x