The DM | Issue Eleven

Or the one where we pretend it's spring even though it's probably snowing

Earth to the DM, this is our 11th issue and it’s going to be lit… by candle so we can save on electricity, of course. 

Well, y’all. We are officially SICK of snow. As I (Meg) endure what feels like the 7000th snow storm here in Denver in 2021, I find myself fantasizing about unearthing winter’s old Twitter account so I can cancel this season until next year. For those of you who are getting to experience some semblance of spring, please be a dear and hug a tree on our behalf. For the rest of you, well you’re stuck inside anyway, why not follow us on Instagram?

In between now and actual spring, we’ll be over here imagining the patio weather of the future complete with a tropical drink without a mask (I SAID IT!), a sexy little number to hold our goodies (oh, you thought this was going to be something different?), and a playlist that transports us to somewhere MUCH, MUCH warmer. 

Vamos a la DM numero 11. 

If you know someone who might be down to DM, it’d be super fab if you’d (pretty please) send it their way!

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From Meg

Reduce

Earth Day has a rep on the streets of people donning orange vests and using some kind of sticky spear to pick up litter off the highways usually near a penitentiary. 

But ALSO Earth Day can be many other things and there’s no reason to not be creative about when and where and what day (I’m aware it was yesterday, PLEASE DEAL) you participate in making the earth a better place by reducing your carbon footprint. 

For example, you could use Ikea’s free ‘scraps’ cookbook literally tonight. You could order ugly produce from Misfits Market instead of the pretty stuff from Whole Foods tomorrow. You could make it this whole cute branded Instagram story of you using this DIY park ranger litter bag and #DoItForTheEarthstagram this weekend! (Editor’s note: please do not do that).

But also saving the earth can just be about doing less! Don’t order anything. Don’t drive in your car. Don’t shower. Don’t leave your house. If anyone asks why you are on your couch in the dark at noon next Tuesday, just say you’re doing it for Mother Earth. She’ll understand.

Reuse

I guess if you have to do something, I really must insist you join the exciting adventurous world of estate sales. Not only are you participating in being green by buying something that’s not new (or directly from Amazon) but there is something very thrilling about the lead up to an estate sale that you only know if you’ve been to one. I’ve personally been to three now and the adrenaline rush lasted for several days following. 

First of all, everyone shows up at least 4 hours early and puts their ‘bag’ as their place holder at the door of the (probably dead) person’s house. Then, they wait in their cars for hours in anticipation. About 20 minutes before it starts, everyone gets in line and waits by their bag. AND HERE, is where the fun starts. Because the demographic at these events are usually mid- 70’s, outspoken, and male, you may hear things like, “I’m just here for the spoon set in the basement” or “Hey Dale, haven’t seen you at one of these for a while. Still collecting wrenches?” or “If anyone cuts me, I’ll trip them.” These people are the real deal. They know each other, they know what they want, and they will cut you if you take their collectible out from under them. 

Me? I’m just here for the drama and maybe a cool vintage vase or two. Howeveer, if you prefer bidding wars online (less hype, more reward), I also suggest MaxSold, and good ‘ol Facebook Marketplace. 

Recycle?

Speaking of dead people’s things (that’s a sentence intro you don’t read very often), I wrote a few DMs ago about how Washington is the first state to launch Recompose, the U.S’s first human compost funeral home. This sentence is less gross than it sounds, because it’s actually a lovely place full of trees instead of urns and coffins which sounds like a very poetic and a cyclical ‘return to the earth’. Anyway, GREAT NEWS, because Colorado is about to become the second state to launch this concept and so now Denver friends, you too can become a plant when you die! Tree cheers to that, amiright? 

And before you make like a flower and leaf, here are the links I saved for you this week: 

1. When one man’s trash is quite literally another man’s treasure

2. Thistle cheer you up. 

3. And a lightbulb moment (Amish style)

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From Devon

Choose your own adventure

Whether it’s the pandemic or the *shocking* realization that we’re getting older, we’ve all found ourselves wanting to have a really good cocktail in the comfort of our home vs. going out yet - alas! We might just find ourselves with limited ingredients. Well, the next time that happens, never fear, this handy dandy interactive cocktail cabinet is here. This cool tool allows you to pick up to three ingredients you have or want to have in your next cocktail, and voila, a few recipes are thrown your way. Whether you’ve got staples like rye/lemons/eggs or lean more exotic with mezcal/pineapple juice/chiles, you’ll find something fun to sip on, I guarantee it.

When your brain needs a break

I’ve never really been one to seek out ASMR moments or whatever the kids call it these days. That said, as a baker who grew up with younger brothers (aka there were always ample amounts of Legs abound), I recently found myself fixated on this very soothing stop motion animation detailing the ‘baking process’ of a chocolate cake made entirely of Legos. Not a cake person? View the churro video or the Lego Japanese breakfast one instead.

Kind of random, but call it Earth Day

So, National Geographic invited Maggie Rogers (and some other cool musicians) to perform at their Earth Day Eve 2021 celebration, during which she sang ‘Love You For a Long Time’ live in Topanga Canyon, and well - it’s wonderful and beautiful and you should listen. Click the video below and jump a bit to 1:01:33 - or go wild, watch the whole thing, it’s the weekend.

Dress your tech

By now, we know full well that staring at our computer and phone screens all day is not doing us any good. Am I here to solve that problem? No (because that’s what blue light glasses are for, duh). However, I do have something that will brighten up those screens without burning your retinas - this blogger’s extensive collection of fun, eclectic digital wallpaper downloads. Pick one, try it on (your screen), and call me in the morning.

Once you pop

A recent addition to my podcast rotation is NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour. Since I *kind of sort of* drag my feet when it comes to diving into the TV show/movie/book of the moment, it helps me stay hip to the times with recommendations on what I should be watching/reading right now, while also indulging in commentary about cultural favorites of the past. Recent highlights include Chadwick Boseman’s essential performances, favorite concert films, and ‘Legally Blonde,’ 20 years later (i.e. it’s been 20 years and I’m still quoting Elle Woods).

And, before you go, a snapshot of what I’m currently:

• Daydreaming of: recreating this tile backsplash/entire look in my own kitchen one day

• Listening to: ‘Electric Indigo’ by Paper Kites / ‘Good Woman’ by The Staves / ‘The Boxer’ by Simon & Garfunkel

• Eating by the spoonful: a Boulder, CO-based goat milk caramel sauce with lovely flavor and stellar branding (my picks are cinnamon vanilla and whiskey)

• Eyeing: Everlane’s new bathing suits for an upcoming Mexico trip, particularly this red number

• Making: savory spring galettes, of the onion and the asparagus variety

• So excited about: Ted Lasso season two!!