The DM | Issue Twenty Four (Taylor's Version)
Or the one where we turn ONE
What a past two weeks it’s been for female liberation, am I right? Britney is free, Taylor is serving up 10-year-old lyrical burns, Casa Bonita has risen again and I’m considering the purchase of a choker necklace. Suggestions? @me.
In other POTENTIALLY BIGGER news, it’s our one-year anniversary of The DM.
Yes, you read that right, sports fans (lolz not really), we’ve been shooting out these little numbers for one whole calendar year, and to celebrate, we want to send you some flair. So fill ‘er out, send us on to a friend, and listen to the sweet, sweet sounds about some chick named Amy.
From Meg
These are a few of my favorite things
One of my favorite editorial websites, The Strategist (essentially the hip Consumer Reports), has a weekly column where they ask a celebrity what they ‘can’t live without’. I love this column and not really because of the celebrity aspect of it but more that I enjoy reading about what anyone can't live without. You can’t LIVE without it? Must be important. Then, again it’s never really that important. Still, because no one asked, here are my top five:
Everyday oil: I bought this stuff on a whim at a boutique hotel in April and it’s now my go-to for face lotion, hair oil, cuticle oil, I mean it’s everything. It’s super hydrating and smells amazing. The bottle is pretty too.
Chameleon cold brew: A borderline addiction but regular coffee is just not as good as cold brew. I live off this stuff and every time I leave the country, I’m half asleep without it.
Outdoor Voices Athena top: I’ve written about this holy grail athletic top before and I stand by it.
Chunks clip: The cutest clips your $$ can buy. I shall never buy clips from a drugstore again.
Malin + Goetz Dark Rum candle: It is my 2022 goal to formalize the official scent of my home. Unofficial announcement, this is it. I can hear my husband rolling his eyes from his office as I write this.
Blue box forevs
On the subject of my favorite things, mac and cheese got a rebrand (honestly though, what food hasn’t these days?) and I’m taking a stand that there’s no way it’s better than blue box Animaniacs (the 90’s were a strange time for kids commercials, no?). All of this to say, if someone wants to try the new MC on the block Goodles, and share a blind taste test with me, I’m still game to try.
Speaking of the color blue
I’m honestly not sure if my blue light glasses really work or if they are just a super cute way to use my HSA money. Either way, I’ve been a fan of Ace and Tate since I visited Amsterdam nearly 4 years ago and finally got myself a pair of cool euro kid blue light glasses that I now wear to all my zoom meetings. No one has asked me if they are real, and I haven’t shared and you know what, these are the kind of business relationships that I strive for.
Some other fun things for the weekend ahead
From Devon
Listen up
Confession: I truly enjoy podcasts - but, sometimes, my brain is constantly going 100 miles a minute to the point where I cannot listen to an episode for longer than 5 minutes without my attention drifting elsewhere, much less retain a word of what the people are saying. However, I’ve been on a good listening streak lately, so here are three podcast episodes I liked as of late on my short afternoon walks:
Domino Design Time | Heather Taylor of Heather Taylor Home gives her table setting tips - just in time for holiday par-tays, a textile designer whom Meg and I (and many others of you) adore dishes up her tips on how to set the perfect table, every time.
Extra credit: Swoon-worthy autumn/Thanksgiving holiday tablescape inspo here, here, and here, plus *heart eyes* for these ‘chic Thanksgiving table crafts to make with kids’ (or like, adults, too)
Smartless | Ryan Reynolds - funnymen Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes talk with/heckle my celebrity super crush Ryan Reynolds, and there’s not much to say other than it’s hilarious and just hit play already (thanks, Amanda)
Bon Appetit | Is the martini the best cocktail of all time? - debates if it’s the best of ALL TIME, but it’s certainly at the top of my list, and this convo is a fun one (editors note: I have mentioned martinis in 9 out of 23 DM issues, so it felt just wrong not to in this one; also, if you haven’t caught on that I’m Team *Mostly Gin* Martini by now, well, then, you’re not reading closely and that’s on you).
Extra credit: Our Favorite Martini Recipes by Style (yes, espresso martinis are on there)
What’s cooking?
I had food poisoning earlier this week (a topic we shall cover literally never) and even though I’m just coming around to the idea of eating solids foods again, I’m stoked for Turkey Day. I’ll make Ina’s pumpkin banana mousse tart and not-a-boring-green-salad for #balance, but if you don’t know what you’re adding to your spread yet? Turn to our pal Alison Roman, who has a Thanksgiving video special that proves she not only understood the assignment but also got an A+, as well as a stuffing recipe that sounds f*cking delicious // BA’s compilation of the ‘best Thanksgiving recipes’ for those who just want to scroll // and Jenny’s Turkey Day ‘Burning Questions’. And when all else fails (or burns or flops)? There’s an easy appetizer for that.
Boozy gifting
Though the title might imply differently, I’m not talking about drunken online shopping (an activity my financial advisor definitely doesn’t endorse but I definitely excel at), but rather, giving the gift of good ol’ fashioned alcohol for the holidays (or dinner hosts) because ‘tis the sipping season after all. Some favorite finds from all lady-owned companies that’d be fun to wrap up: new canned Amarino Spritzes // a bottle of artisanal mezcal with sal de gusano (i.e. worm salt) and oranges for a muy auténtico tasting experience // and literally any of the wine boxes from Helen’s Wines in LA (‘Chilled Red + Cookies’ - my theme for winter).
Not into giving the juice straight up? Pair with top-of-the-bar-cart-worthy shot glasses or reusable cocktail straws make for a nifty little party trick.
When the mocktail hits
I’m not one to leave the teetotalers out there drink-less, so - if you’re laying off the sauce during this festive season, consider a NA apple cider shrub courtesy of @oliviamackcool, which I’ve been loving on those nights when I need a bit of a booze break: combine 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp pure maple syrup, and ½ cup apple cider in the bottom of a tall glass and stir // add ice and garnish with a rosemary sprig + apple slice // top with seltzer // et voila!
Kurt Klug appreciation post
This one goes out to my dad, who deserves a shoutout not only because he has been a dutiful every-issue-reader of The DM since Day One, but also because he recently discovered the photo editing tools on his phone - which has come in handy when capturing shorts of his beloved subject, our family dog, Scout. While you can’t check out his ‘work’ on Insta (lol, social media? Kurt would never), I leave you with his latest piece to guide you into the weekend with some wholesome dudes-who-really-love-their-dogs vibes (and go hug your dads and dogs this weekend, if you can).
And, before you go, here’s what I’m currently:
Putting on everything: Zab’s hot sauce
Liking a lot: the throwback Lost JCrew Instagram account
Dreaming of: a stay at this Paris hotel
Asking from Santa: this mini red purse
Loling at/kind of wanting: T.Swfit lyric embroidered sweatshirts
Listening to: ADELE! // Galactic x Macy Gray // ‘Hold U’ by Indigo de Souza