Category: stuff

There’s a chance of a hard freeze next week and it’s getting darker and darker–and I saw this long string on Twitter about how to make our second pandemic winter a little nicer:

 

Yes, the daylight simulating lamps are nice but I use them less now that 1) I’m on antidepressants and 2) I don’t work in a windowless basement. But another lamp that’s wonderful for those dark mornings is a sunrise alarm clock. I’ve had mine for years and couldn’t make it to the early gym class without it in the winter.

People in that thread mention getting outside every day, which is something I want to try to do this year. If it’s snowy or icy, microspikes to go over your boots are life-changing–you won’t have to worry about falling down, at all, not even on a sheet of ice. (I speak from actual experience on winter trails.)

Lots of people talked about making your house cozy with twinkle lights and candles and I’ve stocked up on IKEA tealights. But literally being warm and cozy also helps me deal with winter and a hot water bottle is wonderful for that. I’m late to the party but I love mine (which I found on Am*zon; however, they’re available pretty widely and I’d wish I’d seen this before I bought mine).

Anyway, thinking about how to improve winter now makes me feel a little more in control of the long slide into the dark of winter and another round of holidays without my mom. I hope there’s something in that string of replies that helps you, too.

 

(None of these are affiliate links, because that is mercenary and also beyond my bloggy skill level.)

 

I don’t really review anything other than fabric and patterns, but there are a few things I bought recently that unequivocally make my life better. Maybe they’ll make your life better, too?

1. Coway Airmega 1512  Air Purifier

We bought this early in the summer to deal with wildfire smoke. It’s the recommended air purifier from The Wirecutter; it was also highly recommended by friends. Everyone is right here–the first one we bought for the bedroom/top floor helped with my allergies so much, we got another one for the main floor. I wake up so much less stuffy now and it makes cooking odors just disappear. And it handles wildfire smoke like a champ. (Sold out at Coway but you can find them at Am*zon, W*lmart, or Bed, Bath & Beyond.)

 

2. Shiseido Medicated Hand Cream

I bought this on a whim to get free shipping from YesStyle, which is kind of like playing beauty roulette, but I won big: This is the best hand cream I’ve ever used. There’s no fragrance and it’s not greasy, not even a little bit. It magically makes your tired old crone hands look plump and even. The medication in it (an anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, according to a friend) helps all your little scrapes and hangnails heal amazingly fast. And it’s $10 for a big tub. (Looks to be temporarily sold out at YesStyle, but you can find it on eBay or Am*zon.)

 

3. Moft Laptop Stand

I’ve been working from home for 18 months now and I don’t think I’ve used my actual office in about a year. I blame Toby, who wants company while he sleeps on the couch, but I’ve also found I like moving my workspace throughout the day. The laptop stand that sits on my desk felt too hard to tote around, so I found a folding one that attaches to the laptop itself. Amazing! Raising the laptop even a little bit really helps with my posture and it’s so convenient to have it “built in.” Your spine will thank you. (Buy direct from Moft or from Am*zon, if you must.)