Yesterday I had the privilege of seeing Here Lies Love at the newly renovated (which feels like a massive understatement) Broadway Theater. I decided to snag a matinee ticket last minute and go by myself, which I often do, and boy was I glad I did!

Here Lies Love is a biographical musical based on a concept album by David Byrne and Fat Boy Slim which focuses on the life of the former first lady of the Philippines, Imelda Marcos, played exceptionally by the extraordinary Arielle Jacobs in this production. The show, which has little to no dialogue unsung, is a 90-minute disco sensation until the show takes a turn and you begin to see the turmoil and tragedies created by the Marcos’s 21-year-long reign.

In this new Broadway production director Alex Timbers partners with scenic designer David Korins to truly transforms the space to provide an immersive experience unlike I’ve ever seen. From the floor I enjoyed watching the show from different angles, literally, the floor audience moves around the space throughout the show, being guided by staff in hot pink jump suites and glow sticks. The blocking takes full advantage of every crevice of the theater, even platforms among the balcony. And a clever use of video cameras and projections not only adds dimension to the storytelling but also assists with visibility when actors might be blocked and out of sight. So no need to worry if you’re vertically challenged, you’ll have no problem catching all the action, even from the dance floor.

The all-Filipino cast is absolutely brilliant, energizing the entire nightclub space from song to song. I honestly felt tired watching all of them run up, down, and all around the theater. While Ms. Jacobs is an obvious stand-out, the ensemble really makes this show something special.

Speaking of something special. Before the show began I met a young woman standing near me. Naturally, we got to talking and I learned that she was a 21-year-old, Filipino-American from California on a short trip to New York City and Boston. She told me how this was her first Broadway show and it was an absolute must-see for her trip. She was giddy and full of excitement to see the first fully-Filipino cast on Broadway and throughout the show she was overcome by emotions.

This. This is why I love theater. And this is why diversity and representation matters.

What a joy it was to bare witness to her first Broadway show and her experience as a proud Filipino woman, seeing her people represented on the world’s biggest stage for musical theater.

While the show has faced a lot of scrutiny and criticism for misrepresenting the trauma experienced in the Philipines and the role the United States played, and by no means is this show perfect, there is no doubt that this show will bring new audiences to Broadway. And isn’t that what we are all rooting for?

This afternoon I ventured downtown to The Public Theater with the hopes of snagging a ticket to tonight’s performance of the recent Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Fat Ham. The play, written by James Ijames, just extended its run and I was optimistic maybe I could either get a last-minute ticket or purchase one for a future performance.

I approached the box office and the attendant behind the glass confirmed they were unfortunately sold out for this evening. Aware it was half hour to curtain for the 2pm matinee, I let the woman standing in line behind me go ahead with picking up her ticket before I continued to inquire about future performances.

Apparently, the woman behind me overheard my exchange with the box office attendant and conveniently had a spare ticket for the matinee performance. I graciously accepted her offer to take her extra ticket. While the ticket was free, she did ask me to consider a donation to her theater organization, Epic Theater Ensemble, which was how she came about the tickets she had. I immediately thanked her, and made a donation before taking my seat in the theater.

Today marks 3 months since I moved back to NYC and what happened today especially feels aligned with how I’ve felt about my return to this incredible city – it feels like I’m in the right place at the right time.

Many have asked how it feels to be back, if I regret leaving or if I wish I returned sooner. I honestly believe both San Francisco and Richmond were important to my journey and my growth as a human. I don’t have any regrets, doubts or reservations about my 7.5 years away. Every person I met, mistake I made and lesson I learned had to happen so I could end up here.

And now, I feel like I’m in the right place at the right time in my life.

PS. Fat Ham was by far my favorite play of 2022 and everyone must RUN (don’t walk) to go see it as soon as you can.

A few weeks ago I returned home from a 3-week trip to Ecuador. It was an incredible adventure traveling around the country from the coast to the mountains. Despite how nervous I felt ahead of the trip (as documented in a previous blog post), once I arrived at my first stop I suddenly realized I remembered how to travel again. The backpacker muscles I hadn’t exercised since December 2019 were pumping iron again.

Ecuador was a gorgeous country with some of the most friendly people I’ve ever met. Maybe it was because of the current climate we live in, but something about this trip felt incredibly meaningful and I walked away feeling a deeper understanding and connection to the privileges I have as a US passport holder. I felt more grateful and appreciative of this travel experience.

I took thousands of photos on my trip but here are a few that I really adore.

This week I booked my first travel adventure since the covid pandemic and was surprised by how planning this trip has made me feel. 

It started when I had to make a decision about upcoming time off I submitted for approval earlier this year, back when there was great momentum in vaccinations and before Delta. Feelings of hope and optimism motivated me to secure about three weeks off for the end of the year. And now I had to make a call as to what I would do with the time off.

Vacationing around Christmas has become a bit of a go-to for me. It’s typically the slowest time for advertising unless you’re specifically working on a project for January (like when I worked on stuff for the 2015 Sundance Film Festival) or February (ie the Super Bowl). Not to mention New Year’s Eve abroad rocks! (See exhibit A from NYE 2019 in Hội An) 

Part of me wanted to just scrap it, stay in Richmond and work. That part of me had grown used to the disappointment of life during lockdowns and quarantines. That part of me saw value in seeing a bank account grow but couldn’t remember the value of investing in travel for personal growth. That part of me feared risk and potential discomforts. This part of me was terrifying because it didn’t feel like me at all.

Part of me craved adventure, once I put my mind to it I could figure it out. That part of me had been couped up too long and was ready to explore again. That part of me could remember how travel makes me feel like the best version of myself. That part of me felt confident that with some research, planning, and expectation setting I could find the right destination to get back out there. This part of me won.

So I booked flights to Ecuador.

And less than 24 hours after booking I almost canceled.

It had been a long time since I had to plan a trip and I got spooked when I found out the bus company I was planning to use to get around was not operating because of low demand due to covid. I panicked.  

But then I reminded myself that I figured out how to travel around Asia for a month by myself and I’m going to figure this out too. I just need to stay calm, do my homework, and take it one step at a time.

As long as the world doesn’t shut down completely again, I’m going to Ecuador!

In this new blog segment, I’m coining “OBSESSED”, I’m excited to share brands that I personally advocate for, tell all my friends/family about, and flaunt proudly. They stand out for their innovation, brand mission, or creative messaging, and connect or influence my beliefs. What are your OBSESSED Brands?

I first learned about NOTO Botanics while listening to Well Made, a podcast by Lumi about the people and ideas behind different innovative brands. During the episode, founder Gloria Noto talks about her personal journey as a makeup artist and the inspiration to create her own cosmetics brand. Captivated by the NOTO’s mission to provide wellness products that are natural, gender-fluid, sustainable, and affordable, I began following the brand on Instagram and that’s when my obsession really took off.

As someone who is a bit intimidated by the skincare and cosmetic category, I found NOTO Botanics to be an incredibly welcoming brand that completely transformed my perspective on the beauty category. Now I own like half of their catalog.  

Obsession #1: A Brand to Believe In
Let’s be real, some brands spend loads of money to do audience research and produce campaigns telling their consumers “we believe what you believe”. Once the trendy CSR campaign expires, they throw some money at a non-profit, then they move on to the next socially-relevant cause.

Then there are some brands that establish themselves from the start on a foundation of principles that an audience will gravitate towards because they believe in those things too.

I believe NOTO is the latter, a brand focused on representation, clean vegan products, activism through identity, and sustainability. They authentically bring diversity and inclusion into every facet of their brand from content, to giving, to product development. I feel good about purchasing and using their products because I believe in the brand’s mission, I support where they give back, and I am proud to feature their products prominently on my counter as a symbol of my aligned beliefs.

Obsession #2: Bold Branding
From the bold-typed labels to the striking brand communications, NOTO was created to stand out. They take their laundry list of promises and break them down into bold message statements, acknowledging that not every piece of communication needs to tell you everything about everything. They’ve been able to master inclusivity, expressing that you can “be for all” without creating a brand that’s watered down for the masses. 

They give powerful meaning to the phrase “NOTO is: uncomplicated”, using it to express that their products have simple, clean ingredients, and are straightforward to use. The statement also can relate to the user, identifying with an uncomplicated regimen and preference a more natural approach to cosmetics.

Obsession #3: Products That Deliver
As important as it is to be a strong brand, without a solid product to back it up, you’re likely not going to garner positive reviews or have many returning customers. Well, that’s no problem for NOTO, their range of products exceeds expectations.

I was a little nervous using what I’d purchased for the first time, not knowing how to incorporate them into my routine or if I’d like them at all. That’s the risk of purchasing something online without getting to test or try ahead buying it. But the directions on the packaging made it easy to understand how the range of products work well together or serve multiple uses in some cases.

Now I use the Resurface Scrub after every shower, and both The Wash and Deep Serum daily. I couldn’t imagine my routine without them.

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Obsession #4: A Community I’m Proud To Be A Part Of
As a straight cisgender female who presents as feminine, I love and respect the gender-inclusive community NOTO has built. I admire the spectrum of users and feel as beautiful using their products as the women, men and nonbinary models they feature.

Being a fellow consumer of NOTO Botanics means that I too care about challenging universal beauty standards, I care about sustainability and the ingredients that make up the products I use, I care about how a brand gives back to organizations help their local and national community and I care about my personal wellness.

What are your OBSESSED Brands? Share in the comments.

2021 has the potential to suck a lot less than 2020. With enthusiasm for a fresh start, I’ve pulled together my ambitions for the new year, taking into account short-term and long-term goals, and outlining specific steps to achieving even the more lofty aspirations. I’ve been inspired to list goals that set out to improve my mind, body, and spirit, and dig deep on what type of accomplishments I’d be most proud of come next December. Here are my 2021 resolutions:

Survive 100 Days Without Social Media

This morning I begin my 100-day journey without social media. I’m not enacting this “radical” cancellation of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn out of some anti-big tech vengeance or need to “fuck Zuck”. I’m aware of my +15-year unhealthy relationship with these apps. My pledge to circumvent them comes solely out of personal curiosity stemming from my desire to know what life is like without them.

Eat Less No Meat (For At Least 6 Months)

Already a self-proclaimed flexitarian, fully stripping meat from my diet shouldn’t be a complete shock. I’ve said for a few months now that I want to go back to a vegetarian lifestyle and now I’m finally going to do it! I’m excited by this opportunity to change things up, continue to understand my body’s realtionship with food, and explore new ingredients and recipes. Last time I was a vegetarian, I really valued how it encouraged me to think about what I was putting into my body and learn about different nutrition sources. Not to mention the money-saving potential by not purchasing meat is a plus!

Another incentive to remove meat from my diet is my commitment to living a more sustainable life (which I’ll talk more about next!). Industrialized agriculture plays a massive contributor to greenhouse gasses, causes water pollution, and puts populations of other animals at risk of extinction, disrupting ecologies around the globe.

Not only am I hoping my body will reap the benefits of a vegetarian diet, but I’m also hoping my conscious will as well, knowing I’m doing my part to improve the planet and its future.

Continue Sustainability Journey & Reduce Waste

Last year I tried really hard to change my habits and consumption choices in the hopes of making small changes that would lead to a more sustainable life. I reduced my single-use plastic consumption, purchased toilet paper made from recycled paper, composted all of my food waste, subscribed to my local CSA, and drove less.

In addition to carrying these positive changes into 2021, I’d like to seek out other optimizations, including reducing the waste I create and collect from purchases and personal consumption. This one is probably going to be the hardest since it will require the most dramatic transformation of my own consumption habits. Americans produce the most waste in the world. It’s so embedded into our modern way of life and will take a lot of unlearning and relearning to change.

For me, I’d like to take it one step at a time with a few simple things like:

• Using reusable bags when shopping to minimize the need for plastic and paper bags
• Avoiding online retailers like Amazon and Chewy who create loads of unnecessary waste with their ludicrous packaging methods
• Minimizing food take-out (including coffee) to cutback single-use cups, and storage containers
• Using cloth rags instead of paper towels for cleaning
• When it comes to purchasing new clothes, buy second hand. This is not only more sustainable, it’s also usually more affordable!

I’m hoping with a few baby steps in the right direction, I can transform many habits overtime. 

Meditate Daily to Better Manage Stress & Axiety

I don’t have to remind you that 2020 was hard AF, and like so many people I checked in with a therapist when I was not coping well with my stress. Like other moments in my past, I let stress overpower me, and severely impact both my physical and mental health.

My physician recommended I try meditation as a method for managing my stress and anxiety. So for a few months over the summer and into the fall, I made the effort to regularly meditate. Full transparency, I SUCK at meditating. I struggle to clear my mind, keep focus, and prevent my mind from drifting. But the effort was there, and I was absolutely seeing a positive result coming from incorporating daily meditation into my routine.

This year, I’d like to return to the practice and no matter how much I suck at it, give it my full effort. I’m going to use Headspace, an app that offers subscribers a range of meditative recordings to follow along to, and create a routine of meditation. 

Read Books By Diverse Writers

This year I’d like to continue my momentum of reading, something I continue to grow passionate about with more time I have at home. This year I’ve set a goal to read 30 books, and as mentioned in my last post sharing my top reads of 2020, I’d like to purposefully incorporate more diverse voices and perspectives into my reading list this year.

I was quite disappointed when I realized how overwhelmingly white, straight, and cisgender my books had been in 2020. It’s important and inspiring to read stories from writers of different races, ethnicities, genders, sexualities, nationalities, and backgrounds. The wider I open my mind to different narratives and storytellers the more open-minded I can be to new ideas and interpretations of the world we’re all living in.

I’m hoping when I smash my goal at the end of the year, I can also proudly see a line-up of works by BIPOC, LBGT+, and international identifying writers, with unique central characters with varying experiences and stories to share.

Continue to Listen & Learn About Marginalized Communities

This might be the most important goal I have for 2021. 2020 was such a pivotal year for the Black Lives Matter movement in the US and around the world. People of privilege like myself finally saw our black, brown, and indigenous brothers and sisters. We saw their suffering and named it. We remember and memorialize those murdered at the hands of the police in this country. And we must continue to listen, learn, and fight for justice, peace and change.

In 2021, I pledge to continue to listen and learn about marginalized communities in Richmond and beyond. When I need to show up, I will continue to show up. Resources I plan to continue engaging with include:

• Listen to the Code Switch podcast by NPR
• Reading reading reading – articles, books, and blogs written about the BLM movement, and works by BIPOC authors. Books already on my reading list for 2020 include:
  • A Promised Land by Barrack Obama
  • The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennet
  • Nobody: Casualties of America’s War on the Vulnerable, from Ferguson to Flint and Beyond by Marc Lamont Hill
  • Black Boy Out of Time: A Memoir by Hari Ziyad
• Prioritizing purchases from Black-owned businesses. A few RVA favorites including:
  • Urban Hang Suite
  • Brewer’s Cafe
  • Ms. Bee’s Juice Bar

And I’m open to hearing from others regarding resources, and outlets where I can listen and learn. 

Run Another Half Marathon

With major events like marathons on hold due to covid, I’ve sorta let myself go when it comes to my physical fitness. I struggled to stay motivated to run seriously without a set a running event to hold myself accountable. What’s more motivating than spending a stupid amount of money to run a fuck-ton?

So it is my hope that by November the world will be somewhat back to normal, and I will be in shape, ready to run the Richmond Half Marathon.

Earn The Promotion

My career means a lot to me. I work really really fucking hard because I’m extremely passionate about what I do. I’ve been so fortunate to find and pursue my professional path and since moving to my current position in Richmond, I’ve been blessed with opportunities, recognized for my hard work and contributions, and supported by all different members of my company. I can attribute my confidence and growth over the past year and a half to the unmatched encouraging culture.

I know that I haven’t just been handed the best job at the best company by luck. It’s taken dedication and work to get her, but I’m so grateful to have landed in a place where my journey feels right on pace with my dreams.

In 2021, I’m aiming to earn the promotion I know I’m capable of, and to be dealt the trust and resposbilities that my hard work aims to achieve. This is my year and I know that I have what it takes to do great work myself and the amazing people I have the honor to work hard alongside.

This is a lot to accomplish in twelve months, but I’m so excited to see what this year brings and the person I come out as on the other side.

This year I had the pleasure to acheive my goal of reading 25 books (and counting). A few interesting stats about the titles that I pursued:

• 20 were written by women
• 13 were fiction
• 12 were non-fiction
• 8 were written by foreign (non-American) authors

Here’s the list of my top reads from the year.

I Want to Be Where the Normal People Are by Rachel Bloom

I’ll confess, read I Want to Be Where the Normal People Are by Rachel Bloom in less than a day. With brilliant use of humor and masterful storytelling, Rachel Bloom covers a wide range of topics from her life including mental health, relationships, self-image, bullying, and more. If you love all things Rachel Bloom, you will love this book. She’ll have you laughing and cry and everything in between!

The War on Women by Sue Lloyd-Roberts

Speaking of crying, I sobbed through 60% of The War on Women by Sue LLoyd-Roberts. Sue spent decades as a journalist, dedicating her life and career to telling the stories of the most vulnerable populations across the globe. In her book, she transports you to places like Ireland, Saudi Arabia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, and Bosnia, shares the horrible suffering and difficult obstacles women face, and introduces you to exceptional women fighting for freedom and rights still today. The book left me feeling both distraught and fired up. There’s so much work to be done for equality and fair treatment of women.

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

The Giver of Stars was also another book I read quite quickly, captivated by the story and deeply immersed in the world of 1930s/1940s Kentucky. The historical fiction novel inspired by a real group of traveling librarians in the Appalachian Mountains, Jojo Moyes crafted warm, relatable characters I felt so connected to, I couldn’t put it down until it was finished.

Educated by Tara Westover

Educated by Tara Westover is easily the #1 book I’ve been recommending to anyone looking for a recommendation, even those who may not normally gravitate towards non-fiction. Tara’s personal telling of her untraditional upbringing in rural Idaho to her completion of a PhD at Cambridge is absolutely captivating, and at times, excruciatingly disturbing. Her journey uncovers the truth hidden behind her family’s radical beliefs, and ultimately, allows her to choose freedom from abuse.

Catch & Kill: Lies, Spies and Conspiracy to Proect Predators by Ronan Farrow

Catch & Kill came highly recommended by a co-worker earlier this year and I’m so glad it made it onto my reading list. The excellent book shares in-detail the background leading up to Ronan Farrow’s famous, Pulitzer Prize-winning exposé of Harvey Weinstein, leading to the #MeToo Movement and Weinstein’s later conviction. The book outlines the extensive research and interview process it took to cultivate and fact-check the stories of alleged abuse, the intimidation, and fear involved, and the political landscape that led the story to be ultimately published with The New Yorker, instead of Farrow’s contracted network NBC.

Syria’s Secret Library: Reading and Redemption in a Town Under Seige by Mike Thomson

I learned about Syria’s Secret Library when the author, Mike Tompson spoke about his new book on the 1A podcast back in May. I’ll be honest, I know very little about the situation in Syria, and hoped that this would shed light on a topic and part of the world I’d never read about. Sure enough, this book exceeded my expectations. Mike Thompson shares the true story of a library established by young people in the town of Darya during the Syrian Civil War. Brought to life through personal accounts from those who built, maintained, visited, and protected the library, I bonded with each character, connected by a passion for reading. For them the books were worth risking their lives, they were symbols of resistance, escape, education, comfort, and so much more. After reading this book, not only had a learned more about the civil war in Syria, but I felt a stronger understanding of the importance of reading and what I privilege it truly is.

In 2021, I’d like to set the goal to read 30 books written by a wider range of authors, including works by BIPOC and LBGT+ identifying writers, as well as writers from more diverse backgrounds and nationalities. Here’s to more reading adventures in 2021!

Maybe it’s a result of being home along more, and craving the sound of other voices, but this year I’ve significantly increased my podcast listening. Over the year I expanded my rotation to a variety of shows, including about two dozen programs I listen to regularly. These are my top 8 from this year, along with a few of my favorite episodes.

1A

This is the podcast I’ve been listening to for the longest, ever since the 2016 election. They cover a WIDE range of topics, many regarding politics/government. This 1A has done an incredible job covering the covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 election, and so much more. I listen to the Friday News Round religiously.

• How Whiteness Affected the Election
• Is ‘Latinx’ The Future Of Latino Identity?
• White Christians Grapple With Their Faith’s Racist Past And Present
• What Is Cottagecore?

Ologies

As host Alie Ward says each episod, “ask smart people stupid questions” as she interviews ologist of different specialties. I promise you’ll be entertained and feel a million times more knowledgeable after listening to Ologies. You’ll have loads of fun facts to share on your next virtual happy hour.

• Plumology (Feathers)
• Thanatology (Death & Dying)
• Disinfectiology (Bleach)
• Nassology (Taxidermy)
• Bryology (Moss)
• Toxinology (Jellyfish Venom)

Gastropod

You don’t need to be a true foodie to love this podcast. Each episode covers the history and science behind food and foodie fads.

• The Curry Chronicles
• The Bagelization of America
• Mango Mania: How the American Mago Lost its Flavor — and How it Might Just Get it Back
• It’s Tea Time: Pirates, Polyphenols and a Proper Cuppa
• This Supd’s For You

Well Made

If you’re a fan of How I Built This, then you’ll LOVE Well Made. Each episode is an interview with different visionaries who seek to transform our patterns of consumption for the better. 

• Giving a Crap with Danny Alexander, co-founder and CPO of Who Gives a Crap
• Decolonizing spices with Sana Javeri Kadri, founder of Diaspora Co.
• Navigating Difficult Times with Davis Smith, Founder and CEO of Cotopaxi
• Creating a Safe Space for Beauty with Gloria Noto, founder of NOTO Botanics

Office Ladies

If you’re a fan of The Office, then this is a must-listen-to podcast! Jenna Fischer (Pam) and Angela Kinsey (Angela) share SO many amazing behind the scene details from the making of the show. 

Robinhood Snacks Daily

I listen to this podcast every morning as soon as I get up. It’s a great way to keep tabs on what’s happening in the business world, specifically in regards to the stock market. 

Even the Rich

Really fun deep dives into the lives and legacies of famous family dynasties. Pro tip: Listen to them in order. I tend to wait until an entire season is released and then binge them back-to-back while doing Sunday meal prep and chores. 

• British Royal Family (Ep 1 of 5)
• The Murdochs (Ep 1 of 6)
• Beyonce and Jay Z (Ep 1 of 6)
• The House of Versace (Ep 1 of 5)

Defining Sustainability

As previously mentioned, one of my 2020 goals was to be more sustainable. In educating myself, I started listening to Defining Sustainability, which helps break down different topic that aims to push sustainability forward.

• Sustainabilty & Spirits
• Racism & the Modern Sustainability Movement
• Feminine Hygiene Products

I’ve been listening to the Travel + Leisure podcast Let’s Go Together, as a way to scratch my travel itch while I’m stuck at home right now. In each episode, Kellee Edwards interviews diverse travelers, from travelers of color to travelers with disabilities, each sharing their personal experiences exploring the world. The most recent episode features two transgender travelers, Kam Burns and Aria Sa’id.

As a woman who often travels solo, I’ve been very open about my experiences and confidence when it comes to feeling safe abroad. Encouraging others to take solo trips with tips for staying smart and entertained while on their own. And showcasing other women’s stories of solo travel.

Listening to Kam and Aria discuss their personal encounters as transgender travelers, I suddenly recognized my own privilege as a straight, white, cis woman. While I’ve had my fair share of awkward encounters at airport security or uncomfortable moments during a night out, nothing compared to what Kam and Aria share in the episode. From uncomfortable pat-downs by TSA and strategically dressing to avoid them, to friends held by customs for hours because they questioned their gender identity.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CF2fBTAh1Xs/

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You can check out this episode and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.

Alright, I can’t be the only one who’s buying some crazy stuff while cooped up inside these past 6 months. Online shopping always gets me a little too excited and before you know it, I have 10 items in my cart that I “HAVE TO HAVE”. And with 1-click purchase power, I’ve spent my entire paycheck on something ridiculous in a matter of seconds.

But not all my purchases have been so crazy. Here are some of the investments I’m quite proud of from the past several months. 

A Simple Countertop Wine Rack

I’m not embarrassed to admit that I’ve been drinking more at home since the lockdown in March, and have been regularly stocking my home with bottles of wine. At first, they would line my counters, standing up like soldiers side by side. Every day I worried about accidentally knocking one over if I wasn’t careful. There’s long debate whether wine should be stored on its side or not, but either way having a classy, mature space to organize my new collection became a clear necessity during quarantine. I opted for this inexpensive 9-bottle countertop rack sold on Amazon. It’s been a great addition to my kitchen ever since!

 

A Hybrid Bike

This is my latest purchase but probably the one I’ve been considering the longest, and easily the most expensive. While it’s been years since I’ve ridden a bike, living in Richmond has inspired me to get back on the bicycle saddle. Maybe I was inspired by my proximity to the Virginia Capital Trail or seeing the new bike lanes recently painted in my neighborhood, but the decision was cemented when I realized the impact it could have if I were to replace driving with biking and cut down my carbon emissions in the future.

Other people were also inspired to purchase bikes recently, and until I started my shopping pursuits did I realize how hard it would be to buy a bike right now. After calling around all of the local bike shops, I finally spoke to the people at Pedal Power and a few weeks later they had a new bike in stock that they held for me to come check out. The staff at Pedal Power were extremely kind, helpful, and made sure I got all of the stuff I needed. They even offer a year of tune-ups for free.

While the selection wasn’t vast, the 2021 Kona Dew I ended purchasing is a great fit. Pictured above, this gravel hybrid bike, who I’ve named Diana, is a dream to ride. We’ve only gone out for three long rides to-date, but I’m excited about the future adventures that await.

A French Press

So it took me until July to realize that I needed to upgrade my home coffee game. I’d grown too accustomed to splurging daily on fancy espresso drinks from my local coffee shop for upward of $5/latte (dairy alternatives are mad steep). What started as my personal contribution to Ironclad, a Richmond business I love and couldn’t dare let go under as a result of the lock-down, became a needless gash in my income and I was unnecessarily hemoraging money to fill my addiction.

After spending two weeks away in July using this Le Creuset® french press nearly every day, I couldn’t imagine my future without it. So I purchased one for myself from Crate&Barrel, ensuring I could get it in the exclusive Ink blue color to match my other dinnerwear.

Numerous Indoor Plants

Perhaps it’s because I missed getting out into nature or because I wanted a way to brighten the space I felt trapped inside of, I’ve added five new plants to my already lush living room since the lockdown started. All were purchased and potted PlantBar here in Richmond, another small Virginia-based company I’m very fond of. Not only did I feel good about supporting another local business, but there’s evidence to support that having and caring for indoor plants could help with stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness.

A Bunch of New Spices

As previously mentioned in my last post, I’ve been spending more time in the kitchen exploring ways to cook new ingredients and trying out new recipes. So naturally, I’ve needed to spice things up, stocking my cabinet with new spices I’ve never cooked with before, including turmeric, curry, Italian seasoning, cajun, everything bagel blend, dill, ginger, and many more.

An Educational Sake Subscription

If you can’t go to Japan (or any other country right now) why not bring Japan to you? And what better way than to experience the foreign country than through the national beverage, am I right?

Truthfully, while all my friends were baking bread, learning to play the guitar, or starting a side hustle on Etsy, I decided to combine two of my favorite hobbies – travel and drinking and embrace a new interest of sake tasting. So I subscribed to a bi-monthly subscription box with Tippsy. Each box had a few sample bottles and cards outlining all the information about each sake – where they’re from, details on their taste profiles, how they should be served, etc. It’s been a great way to learn about sake and try different kinds, risk-free.

Everyday Athleta Masks

Up until last week I’d been rotating between a few disposable masks I’d acquired and handmade masks I’d grown impatient with hand washing every so often. I was craving a set of easy, adjustable masks I could just toss into the washing machine with laundry. That’s when I was served an ad for Athleta masks on Instagram. I was interested but not ready to commit.

A few days later I was talking with a friend about seeing them on Instagram, when she confessed that she’d already purchased the same ones and they were on their way to her home that very day.

Still not 100% convinced I should buy them, I saw another friend post about purchasing them on social media with a raving review of their comfort, simplicity, and reliability. “OK. I’m sold,” I thought to myself, and within minutes had the masks in my shopping cart and purchased with Apple Pay. The masks arrived 3 business days later and I’ve been pleased with my purchase since.

 

What pandemic purchases are you proud of? Share in the comments.