The DM | Issue Fifty Two
Or the one where we got bills we gotta pay
It’s tax season and you know what that means. Or maybe you don’t?
For me, it means the annual closing of merchandise tabs, the ribbon cutting ceremony of perhaps I should be more of an adult this upcoming year, and a time where my heart grows TWO SIZES TOO SMALL because WHERE THE F IS MY MONEY GOING but I digress, perhaps you’re making some cash back this year and if you are that person, then this newsletter is going to be an absolute treat for you.
If you’re a fan of run-on sentences, and cute little ways to spend your cute little tax rebate, you’ve come to the right place. For those of you new here, welcome to the DM. Your (mostly) biweekly sweet treat of what myself (Meg) and Devon are buying, reading, coveting, drinking, eating, well… really anything we want.
Sometimes we play a song when relevant. Like right now. Some LunchMoney Lewis in the DM while I write $$$ to the government.
From Meg
Trust me, buy this
In this week’s ‘trust me, buy this’ (Should this be a reoccurring theme? Plz lmk), I bought some zinc sunscreen that smells very good, doesn’t leave your skin looking white AF, AND is reasonably priced. The trifecta purchase! (Bonus: cute branding, observe below)
I’ve been on a non-toxic tear (more on that in a bit) but apparently, most sunscreen will give you cancer instead of preventing you from getting it so buying the good stuff isn’t just a fun purchase, but a smart one. This guy is by the same people behind those fun pimple patches which rumor has it, also work pretty well. Buy it here!
Let’s keep this clean
As previously mentioned, I am now on a clean beauty crusade. Since visiting my friend Margo in Miami this past week (who taught me all about the things that are hurting my reproduction and potentially causing me future cancer) I simply can’t get enough of looking up the ingredients to everything I put on my body. And let me tell you, a lot of it has not been great. Specifically—- things with sulfates and parabens, but also I found out my mascara has polyester in it. Why!? Anyway, if you too want to embark on this journey together, download the Think Dirty app. It’s my new favorite tool as I clean up my beauty routine.
Honey, honey
Speaking of tech that saves you, a browser extension I am obsessed with is Honey which automatically finds a site’s discounts all over the web and applies them for you AND THEN if you apply cash back through Honey when making a purchase, you automatically get money in your PayPal account. I’ve made like 500 dollars over time by just clicking an extra button without any other commitment. Not to mention always getting a little bit off the total by applying the discount codes available. It is brill. You can download it here for free, and thank me later.
Three of the tabs I had to close to pay my tax bill (sad):
Another shoutout to clean beauty, turns out most of my lotions are not so great. This all-natural body oil is intriguing, albeit expensive. A closed tab for now, but perhaps not for long.
I am obsessed with this sweater. Tax bill aside, the moment it goes on sale it’s mine. IDFC.
Do I need a Polaroid camera? No. Do I need this Malibu Barbie Polaroid camera? Yes.
From Devon
How easy is that?
I’m currently having branding work done for my company, and in the discovery process, one of the questions asked was, “If this brand were a public figure, who would it be?” to which I answered, “A blend of Ina Garten and Alison Roman.” I also answered “Jon Hamm” to “Who is this brand’s celebrity crush?” - however, that is a tangent for another issue.
Anyways, in honor of these culinary goddesses I not-so-secretly aspire to be (shoutout to Alison for her new book and for being nice to me when I said hi to her in Mexico City), allow me to share a few things I feel that would not only be Ina and Alison-approved but also that our tables, kitchens, closets, mouths, etc. would benefit from:
Sweet ceramic platters in shades of blues and white that would be perfect for serving crostinis during happy hour with Ina and Jeffrey.
This cami and cardi set. Nostalgic, yes; cute, definitely; has Alison as their current ‘celebrity’ model, coincidence, I swear.
Penicillin cocktails, which I had at dinner tonight, and forgot how good they are.
An OG crowd pleaser of a dessert that is perfect for this time of year.
Cleaning up
I’m driving down Meg’s ‘keeping it clean’ road but making a quick detour to talk about - cleaning tools. Sexy, I know. But! Look at this wet mop. The moment my Swiffer gives out (can they give out? can I force it to give out?), this stylishly practical addition to my house cleaning arsenal is being added to cart. And, maybe if I’m feeling particularly in-my-mid-thirties, this plunger will be thrown in, too.
Windows rolled down
The weather in Denver during this past week was pure 'fake spring' magic - and, by that, I mean we were gifted a few back-to-back sunny, glorious, mid-April days in high 70s and 80s, which slipped in to give us some hope right before it ends up snowing *again*. These are the kind of days where you actually feel child-like giddiness leaving the house without a sweater, knowing that you will soon be lingering on a patio, with a margarita in hand, allowing yourself to get a little bit sunburned (as a fair-skinned strawberry blonde, this actually is kind of a risky move, but don't worry - I wear lots of SPF year-round, and I call this my ‘base burn’ to rationalize this tiny bit of seasonal skin damage. Let me live!)
This weather also warrants rolling down the windows in the car and blasting whatever music will make you boogie in your seat, and perhaps even singing at the top of your lungs. My soundtrack du jour? This excellently curated blend of 90s hits will bring you an instant dose of joy and is only missing this classic, which you can easily add to queue for the perfectly paired joyride.
And, before you go, here’s what I’m currently:
Dreaming of: a trip to this oasis in Portugal.
Lol-ing at: the hilarious creativity of people on the internet
Envious of: all the interiors in this feed
Bookmarking:
