The DM | Issue Twenty Eight
Or the one where we have our cake and eat it too
Hi, readers! Devon here, back at the wheel after walking in a *little* late (mentally, emotionally, and honestly, physically) to 2022.
While I did do a cleanse last week (that said, my current POV: I just ate a very large plate of cheese fries by myself), Dry January has never, will never be my thing and I’m not big on making lofty resolutions. However, I’m subscribing to the rhetoric that if you do do rezzies, you might as well make them something that you enjoy doing - so, I’ve thrown *caution to the wind* and have decided to bake more cakes this year. WILD, I know. Choose your own fun resolution and then come tell me about it, over a slice, natch.
We’re playing a little bit of DM writer ping pong this month, as Meg is taking a beat this week and in her place, we have the wonderful Kelsey here to drop some knowledge - or, in this case, links - on all of us.
Anyways, here’s to hoping for some happy reading now and a happy year ahead for all of us - and if all else fails, I gift you a guaranteed happy moment, thanks to the sweet sweet musical stylings of none other than Mariah.
From Devon
Here’s what I’m currently:
Crushing on: this wallpaper, these art prints, and these bowls
Flagging: spicy ginger tea for cold/flu/COVID season, pasta with salumi bolognese for hibernating season, and a very versatile soup recipe for everything those don’t cover
Listening to: Girl Talk because it still slaps (did I do that right, youths?) even 14 (!) years later and / this sweet song by Roo Panes / a cover of the 80s classic The Promise
Reading: Cleo Wade’s poems, always, and all of these books
Wanting but definitely not needing: a vintage crew neck sweatshirt with custom embroidery because one can never have too many sweatshirts - but sometimes is a price limit
Nerding out: while scrolling through ‘The Year in Type’ and purchasing a marble paper kit for forthcoming snowy day craft time
Considering: that living that houseboat life might be the new dream, particularly one that you have just to throw dinner parties on
Also, this:
From Kelsey
Here’s what she’s currently:
Smelling: The last bit of my Trader Joe’s Cedar Balsam candles. Long live Christmas. This is one seasonal item I load my cart with and will continue to every Fall. Small, but mighty.
Also! This Pura smart home fragrance was one of my Christmas gifts to myself. It fits two scents and you control the intensity and schedule via the app. You can also control the color of the night light. I currently using the Anthropologie Capri blue volcano and Capri blue crystal pine (seasonal scents will never die) but they have scents from Brooklyn candle brand, Homesick candles, and a whole line of Disney scents for all you adult Princesses.
Following: @Amazing.finders on Instagram for all your Amazon inspo. Always recommending great home products and organizing items. Instead of spending hours reading customer reviews, just trust this account that is run by three sisters.
Watching: Extremely late to the Yellowstone game, but aside from the first episode being an HOUR and A HALF long, it gets better from there. The family feels like the Sopranos of the Wild West. If you are on the fence about whether to start, quit holding your horses and get to watching.
Excited about: For the Denver folks, Trellis Wine Bar. A new-to-me neighborhood wine bar in Park Hill. They do blind wine tasting that is led by one of the owners on the second Tuesday of every month. I did one last month and the owner provided me with great materials in determining the difference between types of wine as well as a list of words to make me at least sound like I know what I am talking about (I’m now a sommelier). Also, one of the owners is Celiac, so their menu has(consisting of small plates and charcuterie) plenty of gluten-free options (EVEN ACTUAL BREAD), which is great for someone with Celiac like me! Follow them here: @trelliswinebar
Wanting to travel to: Spring is around the corner and thus, more bachelorette parties are upon us. Just browsing different sites for planning I came across The Trailer Pond. You and 9 of your closest friends can stay on a 130 acre winery in Paso Robles, CA in vintage campers. Each of you get a bottle of wine in your trailer as well as wine tastings on said winery. Other optional add ons include: brunch boxes, farm-to-table meals, yoga classes, movie nights, dance classes and even cheese board lessons. So, if anyone is still reading, I would like this planned for my next birthday, thank you.
Cooking and coveting: This stuffed waffle maker caught my eye searching for Valentine’s gift ideas. Stuffed waffles? The possibilities are endless, my friends.