a hand written grocery list, comforting candle and fragrance recs, and making a house feel like home
Hello.
When was the last time you wrote a hand written grocery list? I frequently write lists (virgo). Most of them live in my notes app, but I try to make a conscious effort to put pen to paper and write out lists, especially for grocery trips. I find immense pleasure going grocery shopping and if my list is on paper, I can put my phone away and fully immerse myself in the experience.
Farmer’s Market grocery trips are the pinnacle of grocery shopping endeavors. I think most of us would prefer this to your average grocery store trip. And if you’re really into the seasons like I am, you understand the allure of watching the produce change as the leaves do. The arrival of Winter citrus fruits, radicchio, radishes, and rutabaga starts to appear in the markets when temperatures drop. Then Spring beckons the arrival of strawberries, apricots, artichokes, and asparagus. Then summer comes around, which can break itself into two categories: early summer fruits and vegetables like blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Then comes cantaloupes, honeydews and tomatoes. Then late summer comes around- the peak of produce (in my opinion. Autumn, too). Peaches so ripe the juice drips down your arms when you bite into it, bright red figs that melt in your mouth, corn, eggplant and peppers. Blueberries bursting with flavor, begging to be baked in a pie. Then the anticipation of autumn is around the corner and there’s a readiness to part ways with hot sticky sweaty days. Autumn comes, the best season of them all, the leaves start to turn vibrant shades of yellow, red, and orange, You’re transported back to elementary school days and back to school shopping when life felt easier and lighter. Apples make their appearance along with pears, pomegranates and pumpkins. Butternut squash, ginger, and mushrooms come to the market and give new inspiration for autumn dishes that bring warmth and comfort into the home.
The seasons are romantic. The home is romantic. The kitchen and this ever-so-subtle nod to domesticity is romantic. Making a hand-written list for the food you bring home to nourish yourself and your family is romantic.
I grew up watching Little Bear on tv and I read Frog and Toad and Richard Scarry and Brambly Hedge and Beatrix Potter which are all heavily rooted in the seasons. Despite having grown up in a city with zero seasonality, I was raised by a mother who gave me the best memories and family traditions that were anchored in whatever season we were in. We would take long road trips to go apple picking in the fall. We’d drive hours up north just to see the snow in the winter. We’d prioritize going to the farm and pick strawberries during spring. And she would throw the best bbq parties with friends in the summer. As we enter into the early stages of spring, I long for these memories and I get exciting writing lists and activities to do that remind me of her and my childhood.
Okay, I digress (again). The hand-written grocery list. You should try it. A hand-written love note. You should try that, too.
Speaking of romanticizing seasons and seasonal produce and being in the kitchen, there are some candles I recommend that have always comforted me anytime I’ve felt homesick:
-Fig Leaf and Cassis by Jo Malone (my absolute favorite): a rich, fruity aroma, capturing the essence of comfort and nostalgia. It’s warm and welcoming- the perfect candle to burn alone or with guests.
-Bibliotheque by Byredo: evokes the scent of a traditional library, blending peach, plum, peony, and violet with a base of leather, patchouli, and vanilla, creating a sophisticated yet comforting ambiance. This was the first candle I burned in our new apartment, so it will always have a special place in my heart.
-Green Tomato Vine by Jo Malone: brings the crisp, refreshing scent of a garden after rain, evoking the comforting connection with nature and the tranquil peace of home.
-Amber Oriental by Mizensir: a deep, enveloping warm scent that creates a sense of safety and comfort akin to the serene spaces of your home.
-Opopanox by Diptyque: a mysterious, resinous scent that reminds me of cozy cloudy days spent at home baking bread or cookies in the kitchen.
And while we’re on the subject of scent, here are some fragrances, body lotions and hand creams that are comforting and feel like home:
-Iris Hand Cream by Frederic Malle: a delicate floral embrace, evoking the comforting presence of a serene, sunlit garden at home.
-Shea Butter L’Occitane Hand Cream: the rich, creamy texture and nourishing properties offer comfort and warmth.
-Hinoki Hand Cream by Le Labo: its woody, refreshing scent, brings to mind the calming ambiance of a well-loved peaceful living space.
-Creme Brulee Body Butter by Laura Mercier: envelops you in a sweet, comforting aroma that recalls the joy of home-cooked desserts shared with loved ones. All the Laura Mercier scents remind me of my childhood when my mom would wear them. Sometimes she would let me use it before bed for sweet dreams.
-Almond Coconut Milk Body Butter by Laura Mercier: tropical and warm notes evoke memories of sunny days and the comforting, familiar scent of home-baked goods.
-Amber Vanilla Body Butter by Laura Mercier: a rich, indulgent fragrance that wraps you in the warmth and comfort of a cozy evening at home.
-Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Body Butter by Kiehl’s: its deeply moisturizing formula feels like a nurturing embrace, reminiscent of my childhood. The milk and honey notes are divine.
-Vitamin E Body Butter by Jo Malone: a comforting, antioxidant-rich lightly scented body cream that feels nourishing and fresh.
-Vanilla Perfume Oil by C.O. Bigelow: exudes a sweet, familiar warmth that reminds me of baking chocolate chip cookies at home.
-Nectarine Honey Blossom & Blackberry and Bay by Jo Malone: a blend of these two fragrances elicit a fresh, fruity scent with a hint of sweetness. This reminds me of a special shopping trip I took with my mom.
-White Rice by D’Annam: a nutty aromatic comforting scent with toasted rice notes that reminds me of the kitchen and home and comfort. This is a second skin fragrance and a step up from Diptyque’s L’Eau Papier.
-Un Ete by Obvious: creamy milky matcha notes- need I say more?
-Eau Duelle EDP by Diptyque: one of the most beautiful vanilla fragrances. This is another milk and cookies at home type of scent.
-Molecule 01 + Iris by Escentric Molecules: a minimalist yet mesmerizing scent that pairs the velvety, powdery notes of iris with the singular, woody aroma with a subtle, skin-like warmth. It’s a ‘your skin but better’ and the Iris makes it softer and sensual. The type of fragrance that only your lover or a close friend can smell upon a deep embrace.
-Monstera by Xinu: I don’t have the words to describe how comforting this fragrance makes me feel. When I tried this on my skin, I was transported to my childhood- a dreamlike transient state of nostalgia that reminded me of a time in my life when I felt calm, easy, happy, free.
Lastly, I want to leave you with some interesting articles:
Read with me:
The Rise And Fall Of The Trad Wife
Alena Kate Pettitt's journey from a leading figure in the "trad wife" movement, advocating for traditional domestic roles, to critiquing its evolution into a complex, sometimes politicized and commercialized online phenomenon, encapsulates the nuanced interplay between nostalgia, feminism, and identity in contemporary society.
The New Yorker
The Psychology Of Why We Get The Ick
This article delves into the psychology behind "the ick," suggesting its roots in evolutionary biases, relationship anxieties, and personal insecurities, while also exploring the potential for addressing and overcoming these sudden aversions in the context of developing relationships.
Time
Have We All Hit Fashion Burnout?
Amid the whirlwind of ever-evolving TikTok and Pinterest trends, the author's journey from adopting "Blaircore" for social acceptance to embracing a unique "slutty grandma aesthetic" underscores the quest for authentic personal style over fleeting viral fashions.
Cosmo
Why So Many Women Are Turning To Therapeutic Screaming
Therapeutic screaming is gaining traction as a form of emotional release, particularly among women, providing a short-term cathartic experience in the face of stressors like the pandemic, economic pressures, and personal crises, despite skepticism from experts on its long-term psychological benefits.
Dazed
Bella Hadid's lavish supplement routine reflects a booming industry, yet despite their popularity, experts caution that supplements often offer negligible benefits to those in good health and could detract from focusing on more effective wellness practices, highlighting a broader critique of the wellness trend's commodification of health.
Dazed
I hope you enjoyed today’s reading and I hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend filled with lots of chocolate bunnies and peeps.
I love you.
Bye. <3