Hope you’re having a good start to your year. To be honest, I feel quite bummed about this latest Covid surge. I had a quiet holiday — didn’t travel or do much. Because of omicron and the high rate of transmission here in New York City, I’ve been laying low. No more visiting museums, working out at the gym, or dining in. (I had just started eating inside restaurants again this fall, though I felt nervous about it.)
We are all unpacked in our space now after the big move, and have acquired the major pieces of furniture we needed, starting with a bed. The bed and sofa were key to making this place feel more like a home. What is home, if not a place where you can veg out and watch TV?
Since I’ve been seriously nesting and on a housewares buying frenzy these last few months, I thought I’d share some of my favorite buys for our new apartment.
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Quince Turkish Spa Bath Towels – By far the best towels I have ever owned! They’re luxuriously thick and soft yet don’t take too long to dry. They rival any nice hotel towels. I prefer them to my other towels, which are Macy’s Hotel Collection. (Though I’ve owned those towels for many years, so it’s not a fair comparison.) A set of two retails for a reasonable $39.90. I actually bought the organic ones in gray, which cost $5 more for the set. But those have disappeared from the site. Quince ships directly from the factory, so things might take a little longer to arrive — these shipped from Turkey — but they’re worth the wait. If you’re interested in Quince, here’s my referral code, which will take $20 off your first order. UPDATE 6/4/22: Here’s my full review.
Ikea Idealisk Colander – This large stainless steel colander has adjustable arms that you can place over your sink. I’ve neglected all my other colanders since getting this one because it’s so convenient to use. (Other brands make a similar product, but the $10 price at Ikea can’t be beat.)
CB2 Matte White Utensil Holder – I appreciate when objects are simple and get the job done. This ceramic utensil holder from CB2 is sturdy and large enough for my many cooking implements. I also find the minimalist look and slightly tapered shape very pleasing.
CB2 White Matte Utensil Holder – $16.95
G-TING Dish Drying Rack – I spent more time than I’d like to admit shopping for a dish rack. My requirements: small-ish but capable of holding a fair amount, attractive, and drains well. (Duh! But, I’ve had dish racks that didn’t drain well, which led to grossness.) This dish rack from G-TING meets all those requirements. With its wooden handles, it strikes a handsome look, similar to Yamazaki Home’s Tosca Dish Drainer Rack. But it’s cheaper and more functional because of the adjustable swivel spout. (The tray on the Yamazaki looks like it requires emptying by hand. Who has time for that?) Only con is that the wooden handles get discolored, but I’ve been oiling them whenever I oil my cutting boards and that seems to help.
Made by Design 18-Piece Glass Dinnerware Set – Made out of tempered glass, these dishes from Target are lightweight and reminiscent of the Corelle dishware I grew up with — but the shape is more modern. The set consists of dinner plates, salad plates, and small bowls for six. I also added these 44 oz glass dinner bowls. Ikea makes similar glass dishes at an great price, so I added some serving bowls from there. Though the shape is different, they fit right in with the Target ones in terms of texture (a matte exterior and a glossy interior). So far, I really like these dishes and hope they’ll prove to be more chip-resistant than my prior porcelain dishes.
Threshold Glass Bath Canister – These tinted glass canisters with a ridged design add an elegant touch to my dated bathroom. I bought two: one to store Q-tips and another for reusable cotton rounds. But, be careful as the entire thing is glass, including the lid. Alas, the Mister already broke one so I’ll be ordering a new one soon.
