Welcome to The Simple Things, a newsletter inspired by one of my favorite Oscar Wilde quotes. Here’s where I share what’s currently in my shopping cart, my latest obsessions, and an occasional missive from my dating life. I ramble, so you might have to expand this email to avoid missing anything!
Today’s titular quote is from William Dawson, who is most well-known for authoring The Quest of the Simple Life. While I agree with Dawson philosophically, he clearly does not know the joy that comes with copping a pair of D’accori satin pumps at 50% off.
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Kimchi focaccia makes perfect sense. [Gentle Foods by
]Binging Deadloch on Amazon Prime was one of the best decisions I’ve made in a while. It looks like a high production true crime show but at its heart is a dark comedy that takes place in a sleepy Tasmanian town. A serial killer targeting cis-het white men is on a killing spree and two female detectives, Dulcie Collins and Eddie Redcliffe, are working the case. There’s lots of small town charm, jokes about adorable yet vicious Australian wilderness, occasional pauses to Google Australian slang, commentary on gender roles/identities and the patriarchy, and so many spit-your-water-out jokes. I’ve even started to add “oh bum” to my daily vocabulary, which I hope is a form of cultural appreciation and not appropriation. I’m obsessed and I really hope they come out with a 2nd season soon. I’m also obsessed with the creators, both named Kate, who wrote something they called “The Cunt Manifesto” that they included in their pitch to Amazon, who bought it. [The Guardian]
Hijack on Apple TV had me on the edge of my seat. It was a bit stressful and the ending felt rushed, but still made for a fun couple of hours.
Usually a couple swipes of Aquaphor would help with any chapped lips, but it’s not cutting it lately. A friend recommended this nipple cream that’s geared towards breastfeeding moms and said it’s a great dupe for the Laneige Lip Mask. I haven’t tried it yet, but I’m intrigued!
I’ve been on the hunt for a nice traditional rug and this Hamburg-based company has one of the best selections and prices I’ve come across in a while. [Nain Trading]
I really enjoy the artworks and decor items from the UK-based The Beaux Shop.
Housewares and gifts that are ethical as hell. [The Different Kind]
Fancy air fresheners for you car and anywhere else you might need them. I really like “Hang in there,” this goose figure where you can add drops to its wool ball to diffuse your fragrant oil of choice, and this llama version, too. [Etsy]
With the hottest summer on record, there’s no denying that we are in the thick of climate change. While efforts to curb it are noble, it’s also important that we learn to adapt to it, like getting used to being sweaty all the time (still working on this) and geodesic domes. [NYTimes]
But perhaps no type of resilient home design inspires devotion quite like geodesic domes. In 2005, Hurricane Rita devastated Pecan Island, a small community in southwest Louisiana, destroying most of the area’s few hundred houses. Joel Veazey’s 2,300-square-foot dome was not one of them. He only lost a few shingles. “People came to my house and apologized to me and said: ‘We made fun of you because of the way your house looks. We should never have done that. This place is still here, when our homes are gone,’” Mr. Veazey, a retired oil worker, said. Dr. Max Bégué lost his house near New Orleans to Hurricane Katrina. In 2008, he built and moved into a dome on the same property, which has survived every storm since, including Hurricane Ida. Two features give domes their ability to withstand wind. First, the domes are composed of many small triangles, which can carry more load than other shapes. Second, the shape of the dome channels wind around it, depriving that wind of a flat surface to exert force on.
Different Kind sells ethically produced, unique gifts for yourself and others.
For my road-trip loving friends, Roadie Trip Planner is a great app that makes it easy to plan and share multi-city trips and discover gems on the way.
Highly recommend making your own garlic paste! I use chef and cookbook author Julie Turshen’s method — I leisurely peel the cloves while watching some comfort movies or trashy TV, blitz them in the food processor, and press them in parchment-lined brownie tins before I freeze them for a few hours. After they’re solid, I cut them in to clove size pieces and put them in plastic containers. When your past self looks out for your future self, that’s self-care.
N and I went to Carmel in Buckhead Village for dinner a few weeks ago and I found out I’m really in my 30s because my head almost popped off when my bill arrived. I know the vibes in Buckhead come at a price, but I hadn’t experienced that sort of sticker shock in a while — and I used to live in SF! Thankfully the company was priceless and I got to take my D’accori pumps out on the town, so it all washed out. While dinner was a bit underwhelming, I think it’s great for drinks, apps, and the *~*aesthetics*~*.
Loulou Monsieur Glace is a trés chic ice cream shop in Marseilles. I love that they serve affogato in chocolate-laced waffle cups.
If you’ve ever sent me a letter or a card, I still have it. I keep all my correspondence in file boxes and have them organized by years. Cards by Artkive takes your stash and turns them into hardcover books. This is such a great way of preserving memories without the clutter.
Unlike many of my romantic relationships, sewing and I are still together! I recently added this pretty magnetic pin rest and needle polisher to my cart, which would make it easier for me when I’m hemming. Maybe I should just buy it. [Etsy]
Sometimes you just want to send some swirls of colors in the mail. And that’s okay! [Moglea]
I like all the t-shirts from atthemoment, especially this one that describes my perpetual state:
Look at this coin-operated print machine. Adorable! [Instagram]
Bodega Rose makes irreverent ceramic and resin planters of pop culture items, like a Prada shoulder bag and Nike Dunks.
Little dog’s rhapsody in the night by Mary Oliver
He puts his cheek against mine
and makes small, expressive sounds.
And when I’m awake, or awake enoughhe turns upside down, his four paws
in the air
and his eyes dark and fervent“Tell me you love me,” he says.
“Tell me again.”
Could there be a sweeter arrangement? Over and over
he gets to ask.
I get to tell.
The Green Card game is a visual way of showing how difficult it is for people without American relatives to immigrate to the states.
Comfort Works makes slip covers for furniture from popular brands like IKEA, Pottery Barn, and West Elm.
Publishing is making public your own enthusiasm.
- Robert Caro, editor
Whenever I’m in NYC, I often walk past this house and wonder what or who lives in it. Such a treat to get a sneak peek inside. I’m surprised it’s so large! [House & Garden UK]
These toilets are absolutely wild, practically sculptures. Of course they’re made in France. [Trone]
I recently bought these stoneware TV dinner tray-inspired plates because I thought they looked so cute and useful. Love that they’re dishwasher, microwave, and oven safe up to 400°F for 20 min. Will definitely use them for portioning out leftovers for dinner, keeping chutneys and sauces in their place, and all the charcuterie.
Overhearing a mother calling her tiny baby “my little gyoza”, which I thought was very sweet.
Discovering Magi Planet Popcorn in Sichuan Mala flavor made my week. It’s like kettle corn, but with a generous dusting of Sichuan peppercorn powder. I sneezed about 8 times while I was eating it. Cleared my sinuses better than Astepro. Excited to try furikake, curry, and corn soup next.
Weekend plans: Pilates, heading to a new restaurant’s soft opening, dinner before Beyonce, BEYONCE, laundry, and channeling my Sunday Scaries to preparing for the week ahead. It might be my most social weekend in a while!
oooo enjoy beyoncé!!! and those tv dinner plates are so cute!!
Hope you have an amazing Beyoncé weekend 🪩