The DM | Issue Thirteen
Or the one where we both went to Mexico at the same time, but separately
¡Hola, amigos!
We took a dip out on The DM last week, as we were both in Mexico (Meg is actually flying back to the States right about now - wave to her in the sky!). Hopefully, you managed to *survive* without us in your inbox while we were lathering up with a lot of SPF and sipping on a lot of spicy margs (different trips, same general itinerary).
Do we wish we were still there? Sure do. However, as it always does when you return home from any adventure, it feels nice to be back to our regularly scheduled programming, serving up a healthy dose of sugar-coated fun from random corners of the Interwebs - with no sunburns to boot, might I add.
Whether this finds you on the beach with a piña colada or still lying in bed at home with coffee, we appreciate you being here, wherever and however you are.
¡Vamanos a Issue 13!
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From Meg
Hello, I’m on a plane
In truth, I wrote my section in the past for you to see in the future, and by the time y’all read this, I will be in the air jet setting for another unknown location because I am a spy. I share all of this to say, travel is back and I’m away for it. What’s not back yet? Alcohol on many planes.
And so, with ten useless drink coupons in both hands, I raise all airlines a proposition. Bring back the baby bottles of Svedka! Release the tiny vessels of Jack Daniels! Turn up Dierks Bentley, remove the sobriety skies, and let us fly, fly, away to tipsier times. All of that said, if you’re looking for the return of food service in the skies, I do have some good news. In-flight service is starting to resume, and depending on your vessel of choice, you’ve got more options than just a prepackaged chicken surprise. Check it out.
Meanwhile, on the ground
While I’m not camplaigning (had to) for happier plane rides, I am also watching in horror at the emergency state of Costco free samples. First of all, can we all agree that one of the best parts of your Costco membership is trying tiny bite-size samples of hot dogs and granola and god knows what else can be nuked in a microwave from kindly, retired folk wearing branded aprons? Can we not agree that the absence of this in our lives is the reason we’re all a little off these days? Well, it gets worse. And let me tell you how.
Costco free samples are back but they are not free samples at all but rather display cases of the food that you can view but not eat next to the same kind, retired person who is now basically Vanna White sans dress displaying Hebrew National hotdogs perfectly arranged in a glass container. I know. It’s upsetting. It hurts my heart, stomach, and brain. And is it really better than the sheer absence of free food at places like Whole Foods and Trader Joes? No. Let it be known: fake free samples are worse than no free samples at all.
The return of the mask
In other news of things not returning, I am enjoying seeing our society stumble back into some semblance of normalcy. It does beg the question however, what do we do with all the masks that many of us won’t be wearing anymore? I hate seeing mask litter as much as the next person but for an entire small industry that was built around the pandemic, there’s not much ‘resale value’ for a used mask. So what do we do with all that remains?
My search proved quite fruitful as it seems the world is already thinking about what to do next. There is the artist making recycled masks into stools, another into lamps. Still, others are turning them into chin rests, clothing patches, wristlets, and headbands. And while it’s not a solution for everyone, it certainly is better than just throwing yours away.
Closing thoughts, masks aren’t the only multi-tasking material out there. I love a good thing that becomes another thing. You too? Jinx.
From Devon
Color me my dream home
For my recent plane ride reading, I picked up the newest issue of Domino magazine, and oh my GOD, it’s such a colorful delight that I’m giddy just typing about it. Since I imagine I’m one of the last few print magazine devotees out there, here are the digital highlights should your day/mind/house/life need a visual pick-me-up: an NYC florist’s incredibly well-styled apartment is small yet dreamy / let’s all vacation at this restored Minnesota lake home, shall we? / the Californian in me is all about this outdoor-centric home with an outdoor shower / and this A-frame ‘she shed’ slash office is the (pardon my French) fucking coolest.
Complimentary compliments welcome
The post-COVID world is upon us and with that will (or has already) come an uptick in long-lost friend reunions, maskless run-ins with acquaintances, and potential conversations with strangers. Good chance it’s going to be a socially awkward free-for-all.
One way to ease your way back in? ‘Join’ the Compliment Club aka ‘a group of people whom actively, enthusiastically, sincerely, and frequently offer words of praise to the people around them.’ Yes yes, I know - this is an ever-so-slightly Pollyanna-esque recommendation that may read with an eye roll. But! What better time to brush up on your complimenting skills? Take it or leave it, but I think you’d be, like, really good at it - plus, the world needs to be told some nice things right now.
Addendums in the spirit of human connection: now that it’s kosher again, why not hug a little bit longer next time? Also, this photo compilation of ‘post-COVID’ hugs made me tear up just a bit.
Cocktail controversy
Remember back in a simpler summertime (aka 2019, *whenever* that was) and the New York Times declared that the aperol spritz was not a good drink - and we FREAKED?
Well, no shame in my game, but I’m a big fan of a perfectly proportioned spritz and of cocktail articles with click-baity titles. Enter: Just Checking In on Frosé. The subhead? ‘Not long ago, summer was synonymous with slushy pink wine. Is it back for a final encore?’ The drama, I tell you!
In summary: frosés are not as popular as they used to be (like any good basic-bitch-loving trend, no duh) but - surprise! - many places still are still serving them. While I don’t mean any disrespect to the rare well-made frosé, I’d like to take this moment to call attention to the frozen drinks we should make this summer instead: a dark and stormy slushy / frozen sunrise margaritas / and frozen boozy Arnold Palmers.
Prone to brain freezes? Look instead to the Trinidad Sour, a tropical-esque whiskey-filled way to (drunkenly) discover that orgeat isn’t just for Mai Tais anymore.
Feeling perky
I’m a seasonal drinker, both when it comes to my booze and my caffeine i.e. hot drip coffees and lattes in the fall and winter, cold brews and iced Americanos in the spring and summer. And, like any good millennial, it’s still an almost daily struggle not.to.buy.a.coffee.every.day. (I love the coffee shop experience, what I can say) - but this summer, my bank account and myself alike will be perked up thanks to this nifty little compact cold brew maker. Admittedly, I got it two weeks ago/used it once, but so far, so happily caffeinated.
For those not looking to clutter their kitchen, I’ve used this method for making cold brew before and it works quite well. Pro tip: add cinnamon while steeping.
Just eat the damn cookie
Actress Melissa McCarthy posted the below note she wrote to herself years ago and, albeit it a set of relatively simple reminders and thoughts, I’m taking them all to heart.
And, before you go, a snapshot of what I’m currently:
Stocking up on: this sunscreen, which the glowing bride-to-be and skincare guru Madeline introduced us to this past weekend
Listening to: ‘Nice Things’ by Tank and The Bangas / ‘Put Your Records On’ by Ritt Momney / ‘Next to You’ by John Vincent III
Watching: Hacks on HBO Max
Planning to make this weekend: lambrusco sangria and strawberry cake because it’s *unofficially* summer, baby!
Thinking about: pressing flowers