The DM | Issue Nine
Or the one where we offer you some light at the end of this lonnnnnng tunnel of a week
Not gonna lie, it’s been a bit of a rough week for us. If you’d like to donate to the victims of the Boulder shooting, please do so - here is a GoFundMe where you can donate to Officer Tally’s family. He leaves behind seven children and a wife.
Here is a fund to donate to the other victim’s families of this mass tragedy. And here are their names again so we remember that no matter how many of these happen, each victim is so much more than a statistic. All of these people were humans who mattered.
And though there really is no way to transition from this topic lightly, as my old pal Dumbledore says, happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if only someone remembers to turn on a light.
So with that, we offer you that light, in the form of a spoon full of raspberry preserves, a hungry marsupial, and the best song you may ever hear. Sound on. You’re welcome.
And now... On to The DM Issue Nine.
From Meg
Apartment Aspiration
While the rest of you are drooling over Zillow house porn (hey, just the messenger), I find my apartment therapy joy through home design tours on literally any website that provides. Like a moth to a flame, you show me a headline that says ‘this home tour will blow you---’ and I’m already clicking.
This past week alone, I found a rundown schoolhouse turned GORGEOUS kitchen (seriously, watch out Princess Diaries this is the makeover that Anne never gave us), this quarantine cabin, this Parisian apartment, what Kelly Wearstler imagines Lebron James’s garage should look like, and the cutest jewelry store in all the land (admittedly not a home, but also would still live here).
As a bonus, here is the renovation-related Instagram account I would marry if it were human.
Some grocery relaxation
Guided home tours aside, what about guided grocery meditations? Follow me down this marketing stretch where Whole Foods partners with Headspace to deliver an IGTV series called Food for Mood. Admittedly, as a proclaimed stress eater of an occasional 3PM anxiety cheese stick, mindful eating is a topic of interest.
But let us not be fooled by titles such as ‘Joyful Shopping’ and ‘Cooking with Gratitude’, that this is not a shameless (if not very creative) ploy to not really give you as much a peace of mind, as it is to give them a piece of wallet. Lesson? Everything is capitalism. Even meditation. But hey, at least it comes with a free headspace trial and maybe some free cheese samples Whole Foods, eh, eh? Bring back free samples! I digest digress.
Maybe just lower your expectations
Perhaps the answer to real happiness is just to… change your standards of what makes you happy. Letting go of some things, makes way for appreciation for new things. Like embracing elastic through the era of fun pants (Lizzo is on board). Like considering a world after Leighton Meester’s headbands. Like finding joy in eating out of a can.
And between now and when we speak again, here are three things that provide instant gratification:
Wearable vaccination: there’s a hat for that!
Casual vibrations: Maude released an 'all-body vibrator’ otherwise known as... an electric massager. Ahh, marketing.
Paid relocation: This website shows you every place in America that will pay you to move there.
From Devon
Feeling saucy
I’ve been on a sauce streak as of late, by which I mean I’ve tried a few new excellent ones that worth sharing about. First up is Om Som, a (well-branded) collection of shelf-stable Asian sauce packets that are made with traditional aromatics and seasonings and ready to add to proteins and veggies (my favorites are Lemongrass BBQ and Spicy Bulgogi). Second, the all-around-excellent LA-made Zab’s pepper hot sauce, which I add to almost everything. Third (and technically an oil, not a sauce) is Linji chili oil from Denver, which, when added to pizza, is truly *chef’s kiss*.
Lastly, what’s on my ‘definitely don’t need but would be cool to have’ sauce shortlist? These decorated Tapatio bottles.
Tulle me about it
I’m in total awe of artist Thomas Jackson’s photos of colorful nylon tulle floating above the beaches along the California coastline. If you need a mental break and/or some light fluff to focus on instead of heavy reality, I highly suggest you, too, peruse his Instagram.
What’s cooler than being cool?
Though I am a longtime martini fan, I did not know that pre-batched ‘freezer martinis’ were a thing until recently reading about it. A brilliant idea for these still-staying-at-home COVID times, I’m itching to try out this seemingly foolproof way to ensure for ice-cold cocktails during ‘tini time.
See also: post-pandemic martini bars.
Everyday magic
Nine DM issues in and it should come as no surprise that I’m a fan of Like Magic, a new ‘project’ all about sharing ‘feel-good, actionable ideas for elevating everyday moments.’ Started by one of my favorite bloggers, here you’ll find sweet stories of surprises and delights, such as a ‘thank you’ cake in lieu of a note (which I’m definitely copying), this tree-planting tradition, and a cookbook club (which makes me miss my own here in Denver).
Oh, the ordinary things
When I was feeling a bit out of sorts recently, Meg sent me the below poem (thanks, co-writer - all of the credit here goes to you) and though it’s simple, it has a lovely message well worth holding onto and passing on. Should you find yourself in a ‘ho hum’ mood, give it a read - or at the very least, go buy an orange to enjoy by yourself or with others.
And, before you go, a quick snapshot of what I’m currently:
Dreaming of: staying at this stylish ocean-view California hotel
Really liking: this sunset-colored electric lighter I *impulsively* bought after a *few* drinks
Listening to on repeat: ‘August’ by Flipturn | ‘California Stars’ by Wilco | ‘For The First Time’ by Best Coast | ‘Thank You’ by Bonnie Raitt
Buying for the kiddos in my life: poet Cleo Wade’s new children’s book and a lovely book by an Asian American author
Making: refrigerator focaccia —> focaccia sandwiches
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