I love the icebreaker series we have going among Magpies (read the hilarious and illuminating answers to a recent round of This or That here) and today I thought I’d do something a bit different by prompting you to share your favorite items across really random, niche categories. This might be a fun virtual “white elephant” type experience with lots of great stocking stuffers / small ways to spark joy in the comments.
Share your favorite…
WRITING IMPLEMENT.
COOKING IMPLEMENT.
COFFEE MUG.
LIP BALM.
SOCKS.
UNDERWEAR.
UNDER-THE-RADAR SNACK.
CONDIMENT.
DRINKING GLASS.
EVERYDAY BOTTLE OF WINE.
MUSIC TO WORK TO.
HAIR TIES.
*****
I’ll go first!
WRITING IMPLEMENT. Tru-Red 0.5mm retractible gel pens.
COOKING IMPLEMENT. This is hard. Three things I use daily: Shun paring knife, Epicurean mini cutting board, and the Wustof fish spatula (useful for anything — not just fish — because the edge has a slight groove/angle that helps get under just about anything, including chicken nuggets stuck to a baking sheet, grilled cheese, pancakes, etc).
COFFEE MUG. Intelligentsia. I read somewhere that bone china is the best material to drink coffee from as it does not hang onto lingering flavors/tastes. I love the retro, minimalist vibe.
LIP BALM. Billie super salve. Super-buttery, relatively cheap, and imparts a tiny hit of color. I keep in every purse.
SOCKS. Darn Toughs with micro-cushion. Absurdly warm and comfortable.
UNDERWEAR. Basic, but Hanky Panky. So comfortable, no lines. Been wearing daily for decades. I never pay full price and usually get good deals on them here.
UNDER-THE-RADAR SNACK. Eataly sold little individually-wrapped hunks of really high-quality parmesan cheese that I used to LOVE at happy hour. So delicious with a glass of red wine. Otherwise, I love taralli — a cookie-like Italian cracker that you can usually find with flecks of fennel, red pepper, and other interesting flavors. Not under-the-radar, but secret indulgence: Cheez-Its.
CONDIMENT. Maille Rich Country Dijon mustard and Heinz malt vinegar. I often dip fries into malt vinegar instead of ketchup. (Spoken like a true Marylander. We love malt on blue crabs.)
DRINKING GLASS. CB2 Watson Cooler glasses. Love the design and it has a really nice hand-feel (heavy weight) but a super fine lip.
EVERYDAY BOTTLE OF WINE. Our house red is this French blend, which has been a best-seller at our wine shop forever (we still have our wine shipped down from NYC — we implicitly trust the curation of labels). Under $12 and absolutely delicious. Highly drinkable. Pairs well with a range of foods but easy to drink on its own.
MUSIC TO WORK TO. If I’m really writing, I must have complete silence. If I’m doing something mildly challenging, classical: I like Chopin’s etudes or the soundtrack to the Keira Knightley version of Pride and Prejudice. If I’m doing something mindless, I put on “channels” or “essentials” from Taylor Swift, Carly Rae Jepsen, Haim, Brandy Carlile, or Kacey Musgraves. I also get a hankering for Celine Dion’s “Falling Into You” album with embarrassing frequency — brings me back to my early teens! I loved that CD.
HAIR TIES. Actually prefer clips – can’t live without these. They’re strewn in every bag and drawer I touch. But when washing my face, I’m obsessed with these ones from Slip.
Your turn!
Post-Scripts.
+Admittedly boring things made better by great design.
+Are you a good negotiator?
+“Do you still hang your words in the air?”
Shopping Break.
+This leather-effect laptop case is absurdly chic for the price. Love the sophisticated colors.
+Into these wide-leg utility trousers. Great colors!
+Been seeing these fabulous mini dresses from new-to-me label Arianne Elmy all over the place. So chic!
+Drooling over this coat.
+We love a stripe.
+Such a fun dress for a little lady — perfect for a birthday party, or order now for NYE! Perfect with these glitter mary janes I bought for mini.
+ICYMI: these $16 eye sticks are amazing (so many Magpies wrote in to endorse, and I’m loving, too!)
+Cheerful bubble gum pink sweater at a great price.
+Trendy bag shape alert: long and boxy.
+Intrigued by this award-winning scalp and body scrub.
+Adorable personalized cards for your little man.
+These personalizable tea cups would be such a sweet party favor, or a great gift for a little love.