Hi friends,
It has felt like a lifetime since I’ve posted anything to blog because, well it has been! How are you all? I miss the weekly interaction of the blog but have really become a bit passive as we continue to slog our way through 2020. My cooking feels less than inspirational, and since I have only dined at a restaurant maybe twice since the beginning of Covid, I’m not doing any restaurant reviews. Nor would I as my heart breaks thinking of the challenges so many have faced this past year. Talk about running into a brick wall – I really hope that most can hang in there until we find our new normal post vaccine.
I thought instead of talking about food, I could entertain you with a list of some of the purchases I have made since the beginning of Covid last March. Some were from necessity (aka blue light glasses) but others were simply small pick me ups and indulgences to soothe the soul. I threw in one item that one of my girls bought and who knows, perhaps you’ll find something you can purchase for a special someone’s holiday gift (as long as they are female for the most part!). Although there are several links to Amazon, many of the products come from smaller, women-owned businesses too! And I also have been supporting my local businesses as much as possible during the pandemic and encourage you to do the same as best you can! We need our independent stores to survive!
Also, and before we were assaulted with Covid in March, I had very uncharacteristically made a new year’s resolution this year which was simply to read a certain number of books which I achieved this past week. Hooray! I’m sharing a few of my favorite titles with you, many of which I’m sure you have read or hear of, but just in case.
I’d so love to hear from you in the comments if you’ve acquired anything fun that you can share with us all so please weigh in.
And of course, I hope you all enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving next week whatever size celebration it might be. Stay safe.
˜
Now, not too many people know this but I am a huge fan of robes. All types, I don’t discriminate. As long as they are comfy and soft, I am so happy and I have quite the collection including a few that were my mother’s that were in mint condition (naturally) that I couldn’t part with after she passed away. Terry, silk, cotton, flannel I love all of my robes and wear most of them, a lot especially during Covid!
Recently, I discovered Heidi Carey’s robes and bought this one that I am in LOVE with. It’s light weight french terry with scalloped edging. The sleeves are slightly shortened so if you are washing your face (or dishes), they don’t get wet. Smart! It comes in white as well and I believe Heidi has plans to introduce more colors…
Another favorite robe is this flannel version from Garnet Hill. I purchased my first one a few years ago and got this lovely blue print recently. I tend to run hot and this robe is just warm enough, no bulk and the print was as lovely as suggested online…
Don’t tell my husband (or maybe you should!) but I am also hoping to get this short-sleeved number from Weezie because there is a season for everything!
And although I didn’t purchase it in 2020, this robe from Lake Pajamas is also one of my favorites with the softest cotton ever in a soft pink stripe.
Keeping with the theme of lounge wear, my leggings have been worked to the bone this year and not necessarily while my feet have been moving. I happened to purchase a few new leggings pre-Covid and fell in love with the Lululemon Allign 28 inch especially. The website says they feel like butter and I agree, super light in weight and great for working out or just chilling with your favorite Netflix show…
And how about something cute and not so expensive to go on top? This hooded mini sweatshirt dress is soft and not very expensive. I got it in the pink color which may not be available any longer but there are more options including a pretty fog blue…
Keeping things cosy, you know I am a big fan of the clothing line, Alice Walk. Remember my interview with founder, Emily Kenneally? Emily continues to bring beautiful products to the market that we can wear and feel good in, even if it we are only wearing them at home. I recently bought one of her new launches, The Cashmere Sweater in a color that is not usually one I wear, forest green, but looked absolutely lovely online. I was so pleased with the purchase, so when she introduced two new colors, I scooped up another in misty morning. Unfortunately, the absolutely scrumptious Alice Walk blue is sold out in my size but if you want to give someone a hint for a nice holiday gift, point them in this direction!
Still with me? Good! It’s a long list today!
Different price point and mostly sold out, but bookmark this sweater from another one of my online favorites, Boden whose clothing is well made, predictable, fairly priced with great sales! This Rosslyn Fluffy Cardigan is fun and very lightweight almost giving it the feel of a homemade sweater – the fit is a little loose but I like that because again, I run hot! Boden has some really fun “sweatshirt” style dresses right now so this might not be my last purchase from that website!
Two more entries in the soft and cuddly category. First is this fleece from L.L. Bean. I love L.L. Bean and it’s not just because I went to college down the street. I remember when I was a counselor at Waukeela and I had a “24-hour” day off. Another counselor and I drove to L.L. Bean in Freeport which was open 24 hours a day (still is I believe!) and we lived to tell the story. Right of passage! So fun strolling the aisles in the middle of the night! Anyway, I love their coats and when this hi-pile fleece jacket popped up in one of my favorite colors I grabbed it, using my bean bucks to defray the cost and somewhat justify the purchase 🙂 Can I tell you that I live in it? I do. If you need a fleece for someone, I strongly recommend…
Like Alice Walk, Dudley Stephens is another women-owned brand that I have been following for awhile. I love their fun fleece tops and purchased their Park Slope Turtleneck style in blush recently. They offer two fleeces, a traditional fleece and a lighter terry fleece which is the material I chose. I love the fit and feel and was really happy with the purchase. I sized up one size on this one…
Sadly, one of my favorite fun purchases is now sold-out in this pink color. From the queen of domesticity, Martha Stewart, here is the down short sleeved jacket you never knew you needed. It looks like it may be available again in a few colors for a February delivery so order now. Keep your eyes peeled for this one to come back around, just like Martha has done time and again! I love her. PS – her show, Martha Knows Best, on HGTV is fun to watch!
Last on the clothes front, please take a look at Rungolee, another woman-owned business based in St. Louis that I was introduced to through my friend, Carlota. Owned by Anjali Kamra, Rungolee historically sold through home based trunk shows and holiday fairs, etc. Anjali did an incredible job during Covid pivoting and using Instagram to show her beautiful clothes to the world. I had one of her Brooklyn Full Sleeve blouses in a green fabric, but she showed a short-sleeved version in a gorgeous lavendar. I asked and she was able to make me a long sleeved blouse using that fabric. I love it, although I must admit that I haven’t had an opportunity to wear it anywhere! Maybe on Thanksgiving. But I absolutely love it. I sized down in this blouse as it is roomy but my regular size would have been fine as well. Here’s a picture of the lavendar fabric in the short sleeved blouse – swoon…
Ok, here are some rapid fire suggestions now.
Early lockdown purchase to make drinks a little more special were these short stemmed cosmo/martini glasses…
When you are tired of your masks, why not introduce an animal print! We’re going to need to keep things interesting folks…
Do they even make good toaster ovens anymore? This is a question we’ve had to ask ourselves many times over the course of our marriage. Now, the truth is I just wanted a traditional “toaster”. You know, the kind that makes toast, not a frozen chicken pot pie for one when it’s girls night out. Well, we thought our toaster oven was on the fritz so I jumped into action and got The Cuisinart Artisan Bread 2-slice toaster that we actually really love. It’s great for multiple pieces of small bread, or can accommodate the longer fancy loaves. Here’s the funny thing though – the outlet had been tripped so the toaster oven wasn’t really broken after all. Hee hee…
Speaking of appliances, daughter #2 purchased this Ultrean Air Fryer for her apartment and says it is terrific. Maybe a great holiday gift for your young adult? I’m considering getting one, although I’ve been advised that we don’t need more appliances…
Because if I had my way, I would love to get this propane fueled pizza oven that some friends told us about. It looks so fun, doesn’t it? Just not sure where we would store it or how much use we’d get out of it to be honest.
Speaking of gifts, I have one of these gorgeous candles from Jill Rosenwald’s studio who you may recall from this “In Conversation” post with her a few years back. She has partnered with Boston-based small businesss, Noted Candles to make these treasures and has added 3 more styles to the jars…
Last rec before my books, but these may be the most important because we are all spending a fair amount of time in front of screens during the pandemic. At first, I purchased a really inexpensive pair of blue-light glasses from Amazon and within a month’s time they were really not doing anything for me, and got cloudy. Turns out, a lot of the protection for blue light is sprayed onto the lense, rather than imbeded in the lense itself. But I found a brand called Caddis and have been telling everyone about them. Now they are not inexpensive, but what better investment than your eyes honestly? If you can splurge for them I would say go for it, and like Wayfair, they have a virtual try on. Really fun. I got two pairs, one that looks a little funner for Zoom calls and one that feels as protective as can be, even though I resemble a bug when I’m wearing them since I have a narrow face! PS – you can purchase these glasses as readers or as I do with no magnification since I am near sighted.
The Miklos comes in lots of colors, but this matte pink caught my eye (no pun intended)…
And the D28 which I have in gloss black…
Last for today, here’s a small list of some of the better books I have read this past year. Probably titles you’ve already read, but just in case these are the ones I would recommend and tried to put them in categories. Note I have linked to two of my favorite independent bookstores, The Concord Bookshop and Wellesley Books but you do you!
Light Fiction…
A little less light fiction…
Historical fiction and non-fiction…
Say Nothing: a True Story of Murder and Mystery in Northern Ireland
A Constellation of Vital Phenomena
The Woman Before Wallis: A Novel of Windsors, Vanderbilts and Royal Scandal
Memoir…
And also…
Make Your Bed: Little Things that Can Change your Life and Maybe the World
Great thanks for the book list. My book club was searching for a December book. We chose the Vanishing Half. Kudos to The Kitchen Scout for your continued work. Linda R.
Loved Say Nothing and The Splendid and the Vile! Will try your other refs. Love robes too so I will check these out. Miss seeing you! Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving with your family!
Val, what a wonderful list, I have my eye on a few of your book recommendations and I just ordered the oversized hoody in blue… wish I had it today!!
That is a commendable and extremely impressive book list you have read, Val! WOW! Perhaps you are like our mutual friend in LC, who finally, with COVID, gave herself permission to read in the middle of the day. I am still working on that. Loved The HomeGoing (and its easy to remember title!)
We missed you! Funny timing we are getting ready to make your yummy cranberry jalapeño salsa , as we do every Thanksgiving & Christmas! Thanks for more great recs just in time for the holidays!
Wishing you and your family much joy and great health!
So appreciate your book recommendations Val and particularly glad that you’ve linked to independent bookstores!
Great list, Val! Just ordered the air fryer for the girls’ apartment and several of your book picks for me!