11 Things For Single Women While They're Not Leaving The House, Ever
I don’t know what’s happening. The world feels very scary and whether it is or isn’t as bad as Twitter makes it out to be, I don’t like this. But I also acknowledge that maybe there’s a lesson here we’re meant to learn. Maybe we’re meant to slow down a little, do less, take care of ourselves more. And while I’m currently planning the biggest group dinner I can pull together once we’re all allowed to hang out and hug again, in the meantime I’ve gathered a list of comforting things that I’m adding to cart for use until the world starts spinning at its regular clip. And probably for awhile after that.
If you’re feeling particularly scared/isolated right now, you might find reading this or this helpful.
Affordable Work Chair: While I’m a big fan of your average dining chair + a pillow behind your back, I know that my methods don’t work for everyone. If you’re experiencing back or sciatic pain while suddenly working from home for the foreseeable future, this chair is an affordable way to get more office-like support. It comes in fun colors so this doesn’t have to be a totally terrible experience, but there are more classic versions, too.
Work From Home Pants: Please don’t punish yourself with jeans right now. We are working from home every day of the week and deserve to do so in comfort. Also, you can’t see yourself from the waist down in video chats. Go for comfy. I am a very particular little weasel when it comes to comfy pants. I want them closure-free, with a wide elastic waistband, and something of a boot cut is preferred over a tapered leg. I’ve basically been chasing down one discontinued pair of pants I found one time at Target. I just bought these as a replacement and they are exactly what I need in a WFH pant. In general, right now is an amazing time to shop Gap’s athleisure, not only because we need it, but because the entire site is really, really on sale.
$37.77 at Gap with codes ALLYOU and GAPFRIEND. If you sign up for Rakuten before you shop, you’ll get 10% cash back on your entire purchase.
Work From Home Pants Part 2: I have been working from home for years, and I can tell you the value of a good work from home legging. More often than not, I’m working from home in Girlfriend Collective Leggings, for multiple reasons. First, they’re frikkin leggings, why not? Second, they’re very well made, supportive, and almost feel like you’ve put on real pants. And lastly, they’re cute, so you’re essentially always ready for that once-daily walk you need to go on when you work from home every day so you don’t loose your actual marbles.
Current Candle: I love candles of all kinds. I’ve been known to spark up a Thymes classic or a Boy Smells Purple Kush on occasion. But on a recent Target run, I fell victim to that most classic of traps: the homewares section. I don’t know why the Hearth & Hand candles just seem to nail it, but bless them. Cardamom and Vetiver is my current scent, I kind of see it as a great year-round option that I like to keep burning while I work, I find it has a centering, calming effect. I get the $14.99 size ranges because I find that anything smaller than that tends to not distribute much scent, this design is really beautiful. Also, I have a sneaky feeling that the Sea Salt & Lavender scent from the same line is going to be my go-to candle for summertime. It just smells like optimism and being outdoors more often.
My Favorite Shoes: This one hurts. (Not literally, they are the comfiest shoes I’ve ever owned.) I was planning to buy these for my upcoming trip to London and Paris, but since it seems that the trip is no longer upcoming, I might have to wait. I have a pair of these in white and I cheerfully refer to them as my Trader Joe’s Shoes, they’ve seen some wear and I didn’t really want them to be a part of my Parisian wardrobe, so this new pair is gonna have to happen. They have a hidden wedge inside which I need because I can’t wear flat shoes. (Plantar fasciitis or heel spurs, long story.)
Very Nice & Affordable Hand Cream: I initially bought this because I’ve been using Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost cleanser as my “shower face wash” (you know what I’m talking about) for like two years, figuring it would be good stuff, and I’m right. It’s the only thing keeping my constantly washed hands from feeling dry and crack-y, and given the fact that it’s a gel and not greasy at all and I can go back to typing two seconds later without covering my keyboard in slime, this might be my go-to lotion for life.
Untamed, by Glennon Doyle: If, like me, you love a good read but are not super into fiction at the moment, I strongly recommend Untamed, the latest memoir from Glennon Doyle. I am flying through this book, it is such a beautiful read, you’re sort of watching a woman become herself, if that makes sense. I absolutely love this book and I’m so proud that it’s going in my “what I read during quarantine” pile. Yes, there is a pile.
The BEST Pet Mess Cleaner: I have been meaning to tell you all about this for quite awhile. I have a cat who loves to barf. TMI, I know, but pet owners know it happens, and when it does, you need a VERY trusty cleaning product to help you out. I once accidentally bought this version of Nature’s Miracle for dogs, and I found that it is the BEST at cleaning up cat messes, too. Seriously my animal has DEFILED my living room rug, but you’d never know it.
Everyday Bracelet: Shopping for jewelry is my coping mechanism. Also I’d always intended to add this to my next shopping list and dammit if Coronavirus is going to derail any more of my life. You know how I feel about pearls. I’ve been doing a ton of jewelry bookmarking during this isolating time, partly because I’m in the market for a few things but also because it’s a good way to pass the time. I love pearls I can wear every day without having to take off, so I’m looking for something delicate and high quality like this. For something on the more affordable end, I really like these Madewell friendship-style bracelets, too.
Davines Liquid Spell: Whelp, I found my all-time favorite hair product during a global pandemic, go figure. This came in a recent Birchbox of mine, and it’s a foamy product that I use pre-blow-dry and it makes my hair smooth, shiny, but also somehow voluminous. Which is hard to do with hair as fine as mine. In general, every Davines product I’ve ever used has been outstanding. The price tags can be scary, but when you add up what you spend on products that don’t work as well, it’s worth every penny.
$45 on Amazon and worth it if you have fine hair.
Posture Corrector: I owned this before Coronavirus, and I’m really glad I own it after, too. I have terrible posture as a result of scoliosis, and while there’s nothing I can do to make my actual frikkin spine straight, I can use this thingy as a sort of posture “trainer.” I wear it for about an hour every morning (you start by wearing it for 15 mins and work your way up), and I find that I have started to really look forward to wearing it, and I’m able to wear it for longer and longer periods of time. It will feel a little uncomfortable at first, but I actually really love it, and so do about a gazillion people leaving it Amazon ratings. Pro tip: If you find that the straps are irritating you, wear a thicker top such as a hoodie, etc.
Fancy Pajamas: Eberjey Pajamas are the gold standard in loungewear. I don’t make the rules, these are just facts. I once bought a set of their Gisele pajamas at a sample sale and I have bought two more sets since. They are the softest, most luxe pajamas ever, it is impossible not to feel relaxed and fancy when you wear them. I’ve taken to pretty much existing in these after work hours. They also come in shorts if you prefer bare legs, but since I shave my legs quarterly I’ll go with the pants.
$120 at Verishop and one of my favorite investments of all time.
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