The DM | Issue Ten
Or the one where we mix things up just a bit
Hi, hello, welcome! Devon here. It’s a big week over at DM HQ - Meg got married (!!!) last weekend, so she’s taking a pause this go-round. As a copywriter with quick wit and magical writing skills, she usually pens these intros, so bear with me as I try to make this one as scintillatingly catchy as hers!
With Meg enjoying that post-wedding bliss, we’re honored to have our good friend Amanda - a financial planning wiz, cat/animal lover, hilarious lady, and all-around general badass - step in to take on half of this week’s DM. Get ready to laugh and be enlightened by our *very first* guest writer (cue the rounds of applause)!
And, just when you thought Meg’s nuptials were the most exciting thing about this intro, we’re also stoked to share that The DM is now on Instagram! Yes, we’ve entered the Wild Wild West of social media, so please - give us a follow, if you’re so inclined, and get ready for the visual/’like’-able/taggable version of our signature ‘word goo’.
Anyways, thanks, as always, for opening up these emails and giving our words and links your valuable time. Go forth, have a great spring weekend, and crack open a few - you deserve it.
From Devon
I’ll have what she’s having
Two friends and I recently dove into the good ol’ ‘best rom com’ debate, made a very long *very subjective* list, and are attempting to do a bracket of sorts to find the “winner”. As the title (and alluded-to-infamous-scene) of this section might suggest, I remain steadfast and true to ‘When Harry Met Sally’ - but admittedly, it was fun to take a dive into what Rolling Stone considers to be the ‘50 greatest of all time’ within the category. Highly recommend reading through said list the next time you’re in need of a movie to watch for the first time (full disclosure: I have not seen ‘Jerry MacGuire’) or for the 90th (hey there, ‘500 Days of Summer’).
See also: the best 101 movie endings of all time.
Practical advice
This one’s a quickie: ‘illustwriter’ Hallie Bateman, a recent follow of mine thanks to Jo, has become a nice virtual source for simple, random, and fairly straight-up thoughts and cartoons about life. She also just wrote a book that’d be a stellar gift for anyone in your life who’s heading down a new path or adventure.
Unrelated yet related: what to say instead of ‘how are you?’ to avoid this response in an (it’s almost over) pandemic world.
Cocktail hour
Are you reading Vine Pair yet or nah? If not, I highly recommend adding it to your regular reading routine for boozy news, tricks, and tips. But if it’s a TLDR situation, I get it: some of my recent favorites including this guide to classic rum cocktails (for those learning or re-learning to love rum), the best wines under $20, and these original home cocktails. Plus, their Instagram is a solid follow for an extra shot of fun.
And while we’re on the subject of alcohol: another soon-to-arrive addition to my liquor collection is this newish cassis because I want to know if a) I like cassis beyond a Kir Royale and b) I’m a sucker for good branding every.single.time. Plus, the cocktails they make with it look warm weather-ready. Stay tuned for reviews.
You know what they say about April showers
Whether the ‘showers' in your April are literal or metaphorical, I hope that they do in fact, bring you some flowers in May. I say this because while I pretty much always have blooms on the brain, I recently visited The Flower Fields in San Diego and am currently hellbent on filling my home with all the ranunculus in Denver.
Some other ways I’m channeling that flower power this month: taking these tips on how to style supermarket flowers / swooning for this SF flower shop and their new flower garlands / and following this bright-and-floral-loving artist. Or, when all else fails, I vote we all go buy ourselves else a bouquet of flowers from a local florist (pro tip: find a shop that lets you pick out your own stems to save a bit of $$$ and make a few little bud vases).
To The Woman Crying Uncontrollably in the Stall Next To Me
Real talk: I don’t think I even need to say it, but the past 13 months have been an emotional roller coaster. And, since everyone is apparently hitting a wall right now, I figured it was apropos to come back for a second round of giving you a poem (title above, poem below) that I hope brings a bit of brightness, lightness, and comfort, regardless of whether you need it now or later.
And, before you go, a quick snapshot of what I’m currently:
Listening to: The Little Lovely Playlist (which has introduced me to a lot of new artists) and ‘it's the 90s and you're the leading lady in a nora ephron rom-com’ (which has reminded me of old faves)
Eyeing: all the bright tropical prints coming out of Farm Rio, particularly this number
Making: my favorite LA baker’s key lime pie and affogatos
Eagerly anticipating: this convo with INA GARTEN AND STANLEY TUCCI (caps 100% intended)
From Amanda
I am honored to be the first guest writer for The DM and let me just say… these ladies have a lot of faith in me to allow my creative juices to flow in the way of words! We’re starting with everyone’s favorite Covid topic…bidets. You read that right - you can’t tell me that you haven’t talked about bidets at least once during this pandemic… especially during the great toilet paper shortage of 2020.
Chocolate Starfish
I’m one of the many millennials to invest in the Tushy…and whether you’re looking for a little spritz to clean off or a straight-up enema (seriously… this thing on full-blast is intense), this is the bidet for ballers on a budget.
For the true royal treatment, check out this boujie number. At $649, it offers a nightlight, automatic deodorizer, perfect-temp stream, and luxurious drying experience. I never thought my ass would see the day but was lucky enough to give it a try and can vouch that it is worth every penny.
The Face
Don’t worry, I’m getting my head out of the toilet and taking the conversation to skin. Let me start by saying that while not an Esthetician, I do spend my free time researching skincare and my failed childhood dream was to be a Dermatologist.
Colorado air is no friend of beautiful skin. We have no humidity, we’re close to the sun, and Denver’s pollution is horrendous. If you’re looking for a simple product to combat the skin woes resulting from our arid environment, give this gentle cleanser a try. With an aloe-base and glycolic acid to gently exfoliate, it soothes and cleans out pores while not breaking the bank.
The one product no one should live without are these peel pads; a few times a week will improve everything from dry, flaky skin, to sun spots, acne, or large pores. I personally opt for the extra-strength and will never look back! If your concern is puffy eyes or crow’s feet, try these sustainable Forever eye mask – Just add your own serum and apply!
Editor’s Note (aka Devon’s addition): to all the Denver folks out there, Amanda is the co-founder of Friend of Jack, an incredible foster-based 501(c)3 dog and puppy rescue 🐾 Head to their website if you’re interested in fostering, adopting, volunteering, or donating on behalf of all those cute puppy faces on their Instagram.
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