THE LIST
Home of The List, updated regularly
I’m still learning about how Substack works. It seems that it isn’t going to make sense for me to regularly update and email out the same post with more information because the email will be too long and Substack won’t automatically send out updates. That’s ok! We are learning and being flexible! I will send out new “The List” updates via email as their own posts and then I will add the updated items to this post, which will be accessible and available on my Substack home page forever.
Please find below things I have bought and tried with my notes about them!
(NB - I will always put the newest items at the top of the post).
Tuesday July 16, 2024 (latest additions to The List)
It’s Amazon Prime Day! Buying & Trying, as you know, is an experiment for me. I haven’t prepared anything specific for Amazon Prime Day, but today I am sharing things I bought and tried from Amazon specifically.
I am ALSO sharing things that I have not yet purchased, but that I am interested in.
Dolce & Gabbana - From the Heart to the Hands: I just got back from Europe (travel edition of Buying & Trying coming soon!) and one of the major highlights was the Dolce & Gabbana exhibition that we saw at the Palazzo Reale in Milan. IMHO, it was Met Costume Institute level of execution and extravagance. I didn’t want to have to carry around the exhibition book while traveling, so I ordered it on Amazon.
Eucalyptus Oil Shower Spray: I love this spray. I love it! I’m told it makes my room smell like Equinox. I find it very relaxing and this one is STRONG.
Faves Fruit Chews: It’s possible that I mentioned Faves in my “better-for-you” candy post (although now that I look, it appears I did not). I guess - being real with myself - I don’t really think of Faves as indulgent as candy - more like a fruit snack. I’ve always loved fruit snacks. They aren’t for everyone, but they are the original better-for-you candy and Faves is a fruit snack I would recommend.
Muji Drawer with Lid: What’s not to love about Muji container solutions?! I’ve always loved them, especially as they have some that are crystal clear. This one is exactly the right size for my bathroom mirror cabinet, so I keep makeup in it.
Stackable Storage Drawers: Another storage solution, not Muji, but also very clear, which I think makes it look much cleaner than other plastic options - and obviously allows you to see what’s inside!
Small Storage Dresser: The bathroom in my current apartment doesn’t have great storage (you may have noticed from all of these storage options that I’m sharing, that the storage here is lacking). This small dresser is promoted as a bedside table (it would be way too short for that). I use it in my bathroom to hold hair stuff (blowdryer, straightener) and also to act as a small countertop. (NB - I also LOVE the ghd cordless flat iron for when I travel. I will add this to my travel post, but I also want to share it here because it appears that there is a Prime Day Deal).
Thursday June 13, 2024
Birkenstock Big Buckle Arizona Sandals: So I will preface this post by saying that these shoes are definitely more on the man-repeller side of the fashion spectrum, but damn if I don’t love them. My most recent Birkenstock purchase are these black patent leather ones with big gold buckles. I think they’re perfect for summer in the city - pair with a black linen dress, an interesting, easy-going purse (raffia or some other interesting element - a tote, a clutch), gold earrings, and you’re off! (NB - I haven’t tried any of thee products linked here except the Birkenstocks. I like these dress options here from Hill House Home and here from Tuckernuck).
Repel Travel Umbrella: I love this umbrella. It’s reliable and I love that it has the night sky/space on the inside. Probably got this rec from something like Wirecutter, but I can’t remember now.
Benson Mills Placemats: They just look a lot nicer and cooler than $5 placemats from Amazon. I’m not sure that any table I’ve ever had, owned, or used, has been as orderly or neat as the one in the photo below, BUT I can confirm that these placemats generally look good wherever I use them! My friend Meryl has the same ones and she’s much better at tablescaping than I am, so these placemats have a real vote of confidence.
Snake Oil: Ok, so this one isn’t exactly something to buy, although I guess it could be if you don’t yet subscribe to Hulu. This TV show is so much fun - especially if you’re a consumer products nerd. Without going into every detail of the show, teams choose to “invest” in one of two products - both that seem so ridiculous that they shouldn’t exist - but one of them is real, and one is “Snake Oil!” Each episode I’m blown away that the producers have found so many wild products that are real. This is also a great family friendly - it’s silly and there’s a fun element of competition (if you’re that type of family - judgment free zone).
Saturday June 8, 2024
Halfday Peach Iced Tea: I just read somewhere that Gen Z doesn’t like fizz. I don’t like fizz! If anything, I like light bubbles or champagne style bubbles, but I’ve never liked strong carbonation. I met the founders of Halfday a while back - super nice, lovely guys and I’m a big fan of this product! I don’t really drink Snapple, but I did back in the day, and to my memory, Halfday tastes like Snapple Peach Iced Tea.
Dr. Bronner’s Organic Lip Balm Variety Pack: I’ve always thought of Dr. Bronner’s as a very real true blue crunchy granola brand that genuinely has good-for-you and good-for-the-environment ingredients. (Note: I’m no expert on products that are ok or better for the environment - I welcome feedback and information!) The sentiment I have about Dr. Bronner’s has also been reinforced by the fact that my friend Jessie - my truest, bluest earth goddess friend - also likes Dr. Bronner’s products! This product specifically - the lip balm - was on Mamavation - and while I don’t know Mamavation personally, I can tell she’s a real one. Also, the product is good and I feel like I’m using something safe.
Nuria Hydrate Revitalizing Jelly Night Face Moisturizer: This was a rec from QUEEN of buying & trying things, thingsiboughtandliked. I don’t know her, but I feel like we would be friends (my friend Kimmie and I agree on this - also that she would have been in our sorority). She just seems like a down b*tch cool girl. Anywho, I inevitably end up buying & trying most of what she recommends, and this was one of those recs. It is, in fact, very jelly and gel-like. I like how it feels on my skin and I feel like it has the slugging effect of locking everything in. I haven’t reordered yet, but that’s only because I have sooooo many skincare products and I’m trying to get through them before ordering new ones.
Command Large Wall Hooks: In gold if you’re feeling fancy!! These actually hold things like coats, which is a blessing because I have too many coats as is and now I have places to hang more of them! And even places for my guests to hang their coats!
Tuesday June 4, 2024
Standard Straws Made From Agave Fibers (plant-based): I’m waiting for someone to tell me that there is something wrong with these from an eco OR health perspective, but I did get this rec from Mamavation (a rec from my mother) and she seems to do pretty thorough testing!
YUZUCO Yuzu Super Juice: My friends Liz and Takk brought me some yuzu concentrate a few months back - I’ve always loved yuzu flavoring, and now I am fully addicted. I fill up my Stanley cup with ice and water and a splash of this and it’s perfection. I also tried this one, but did not find it as strong / concentrated.
UV Camera for Sunscreen Testing with Mirror: My friend Emily gave me this rec! The product is a small compact - on one side is a camera that shows where you’ve put your UV sunscreen (ie that you are getting effective coverage). On the other side is a mirror (always useful to have in one’s purse). Emily told me that she’s been using this compact to make sure that she effectively covers her baby with sunscreen. I’ve been using it for myself - both to see that my morning sunscreen is evenly applied AND to see if it needs to be reapplied throughout the day.
Sqween Sunscreen: ON THE TOPIC OF SUNSCREEN!!! Please meet Sqween! This company was started by my friend Sam! My business partner Sumukh and I have been advising Sam (so yes, I am biased), but the product it so great and innovative. I’ve been working on a post (not yet published) about how the consumer products I think will hit these days are products that are 1) understandable, not making something net new 2) doing something actually innovative in terms of format or delivery. Sqween’s brush applicator does exactly this! It’s sunscreen optimized (clean and mineral) AND it has a brush applicator, which makes it fun for kids to put on themselves and user-friendly for parents.
Compeed Advanced Blister Care: I’ve been playing with the idea of doing a “desert island” post - ie what products would I take with me to a desert island. Compeed is one of those products. These are the BEST blister covers / foot protectants. You can’t go wrong. I carry them around in my purse.
COSRX Acne Pimple Patch: Great product - helps me stop from picking at my skin, which I’m told is always the worst thing I can do. You put them on your blemishes and they soften things up over night.
mDesign Stackable Plastic Eye Glass Storage Organizer Box Holder for Sunglasses: I put these on my entry table - they look clean and help me remember which sunglasses I have so that I actually wear them!
Opopop Silicone Popcorn Popper - Microwave Popcorn Maker Collapsible Bowl: If you know me well or even sort of well, you probably know that I love popcorn. I initially discovered this brand because it’s a razor/blades model with the popcorn packets - ie they sell you the bowl with packets of popcorn that you use and repurchase over time. I recall the packets being good and user-friendly. That said, we just bought yellow corn kernels and then we spray on some olive oil (see below) and add salt.
FLAIROSOL OLIVIA - The Original Advanced Oil Sprayer for Cooking with continuous spray control: My boyfriend uses this to cook and really likes it. I use it to cook (I cook rarely, but still). I mostly use it on popcorn that we make in the Opopop popper above!! And for that use case. it is excellent. (Also add salt and *chef’s kiss*).
Monday June 3, 2024
Curie Whipped Body Wash and Shave Cream: I must have an older version of this product because mine is yellow. I’ve had this sitting in my shower for a while. I’m trying very hard to get through the products I have before buying new ones! Perhaps TMI - I don’t really shave (who hasn’t done laser at this point?!), so the shaving element is not relevant for me, BUT I could see how this would be a really nice shaving medium. It is also nice as a body wash. And smells great! That said, I have a bit of a mental block having it be a tub that you reach into as a body wash.
Jupiter Scalp Shampoo & Conditioner: These didn’t really work for me unfortunately - but the only scalp shampoos that have worked well for me - in terms of itchiness and dryness (not so much dandruff) - have been Head & Shoulders and prescription shampoo. (I think that’s more of a me issue than a reflection on Jupiter as a company).
B.T.R. Nation Bars - Strawberry Shortcake: The consistency was … as you might imagine a protein bar - nothing to write home about there. The flavor was good! I’ve never met the founder of this brand, but I’ve heard she’s awesome!
Tracie Martyn Face Resculpting Cream: Pretty solid as an everyday moisturizer - probably better for spring / summer because it’s very light. A little goes a long way and it has a nice floral scent.
Tracie Martyn Amla Purifying Cleaner: Smells really good - pretty basic as far as cleansers go. Also seems concentrated like the moisturizer. I had a great facial from Marius’s team at his location in NYC.
LMNT Electrolyte Hydration Packets: My friend Mary Shenouda invited me to the Jack Taylor PR day a few weeks ago and I picked up these packets there. They call their flavors Raspberry Salt, Orange Salt (etc), which I think is very smart because it cues the consumer into realizing that this powder WILL be salty (as are all hydration powders). When I was at ZX Ventures a few years back, I landscaped the entire hydration space (Liquid IV, Hydrant, Cure, etc). I can’t say that I found there to be a huge difference in these products in terms of efficacy - more so in terms of flavor. Liquid IV is VERY sweet. I’ve enjoyed the flavor of Hydrant historically and I also like their hydration caffeine packets for my afternoon pick-me-up instead of coffee. I will admit, usually when I’m drinking a hydration powder the reason is that I want to taste something sweet.
Pac Pac Snacks: I just love this product. I’m sure I’m a little biased because the founder, Michael, is my friend, but this is a light and interesting snack that I think I also mentioned in my BFY candy post (even though I don’t reallllly view it as candy). Strong recommend if you like squishy, tasty, low cal snacks. ALSO if you’re on TikTok, Michael is doing the best videos!!
I may earn some money if you make a purchase through one of the links above. (This is what I see on other people’s Substacks, so hopefully this is the correct thing to write).