Consumption Junction v.1
things I have bought (and liked)
My intention was for this place to serve as a trail of crumbs to my next book, which you’ll understand when I can tell you all about it. It is so hard for me not to share everything all at once. But this week I am writing about some sad and hard things, and I need a break from them. So here I am, being frivolous.
Shoes: I just started running again, and I realized I didn’t name comfy-shoe-enthusiast Claire Cameron among my running inspirations. I enjoy Claire’s company so much that we took a long walk in Toronto last summer, and when she posted a photo of a tree months later, I remembered it from our walk. I just received her new memoir and am starting it later this week.
Oh the shoes are the On? Cloud?—I can’t even tell what the company is called—Cloudrunner 2 - I had been scared to buy them because the store near me is so annoying, and everyone who shops there is also annoying. But my podiatrist made me go, so I bravely elbowed my way through a La Colombe brand invasion on Abbot Kinney (cursed phrase) to try a pair. And she was right. I can’t stop talking about them.
Candle: I do not think a fancy candle should cost $100. I think it should cost $38, burn cleanly, and not be so pungent that I want to scratch out my nose and eyes.
Toothbrush: Listen I love going to the dentist and I love brushing my teeth, but even if you’re normal, the Colgate Gum Health toothbrush is the most satisfying manual toothbrush you could ever experience. The bristles are actually super soft (like a kids’ brush) and really get into that space by your gums.
Wine: I can only drink natural/low-intervention wine now, because even one glass of conventional gives me a sweaty restless sleep and guaranteed hangover. Lo-Fi is one of my favorite producers. They’re based in Los Alamos, in Santa Barbara wine country, and their tasting room is a storefront where two dudes play records for a few hours, whenever they feel like it. At least, this is the schedule I remember from when I was up there writing for a week. I never made it in, but I admire the commitment to a lifestyle, and I will someday.
Anti-cold fizzy tabs: I never get sick. Good genes, handwashing, and a Zerinol Flu, the second you feel at all sick. Even a little. Just take one, and go immediately to bed. I order them in bulk from Italy, and so should you.
Food Item: Meiji Chocorooms. God-tier snack. Two layers of chocolate (dark and light) in addition to the crunch of the cookie stalk? Plus they’re shaped like mushrooms? I’ll never get over them.
Hat: I suspect we’re going to find out that Quince is making blood sacrifices but until then, I get so many compliments on this hat, and it makes my head look a pleasing shape.
Items for fine hair: I wish I had more hair, but I don’t. Here’s what I do to trick everyone into thinking I do. Shampoo, Shampoo Brush, Salt Spray, Dry Shampoo (between washes), daily Nutrafol, annual PRP (it hurts terribly, but it works)
Kaftans: As it gets warmer in LA, I will be living in these Anokhi kaftans to write and sleep and swim and everything else. Obiously they’re cheaper in India, but then there’s the ticket to India. This is a good price for the quality!
Bathing Suit: Boden, always Boden. I also got this one from Summersalt, which I’m not convinced about, but the baby (she’s 6) loves.
Exfoliating Skin Cream: It’s s little weird/creepy how quickly this will slough off all your dead skin, but summer is coming quick. Gold Bond for everything, frankly.
Foot Treatment: When you can’t Babyfoot! Do the microplane in the shower and then spackle your feet in Kerasol before putting on socks.
Books: N/A, for once. I am currently re-reading all of Laurie Colwin, which tells you about my mental state.
Newsletters I race to read:
, my friend Philip Andelman’s Tripping With Phil (here’s the Paris list that made us friends in the first place), .That’s all for now. If you have any tips for things I can buy that definitely won’t disappoint me, I will consider them.
xo
There was a running shoe shop on Washington Blvd near the pier where the staff were trained to know what shoes you need by watching how you run or walk. I’ve been buying the same Sauconys online since they closed. Abbot Kinney is the worst; those shoes must be incredible
I’m also waiting for the Quince trapdoor to open. I think investigative journalists are busy, though, so the delusion can last a little longer. Until then, hats for everyone!