As we trudge into, like, the one hundredth month of 2020, I think it’s important not to fall too far down the rabbit hole of sweats-wearing and Netflix binge-watching in whichever tiny ways we can, and keep up appearances, as it were. That’s why, even though on a typical day I may or may not see somebody I want to smell nice for, I use my Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady Hair and Body Oil: it’s my favorite scent, and a good bit less powerful than the perfume itself, which can come on strong.

I really prefer my sweaters to be cashmere, especially now. This one from Naked Cashmere is nice and roomy with a deep V-neck, and the price is pretty good too.

Lipstick sales are down these days, for obvious reasons, but I don’t entirely feel like myself if I’m not wearing it; hence, all my favorite cloth masks are stained on the inside. This is my current favorite hue: Royal from Kosas. It’s super-lightweight, and leaves a nice, berry-ish stain.

I’m always wearing a few charms around my neck on a gold chain, including this show-stopping James Colarusso faceted heart, which is just a little too beautiful. Usually hearts strike me as corny, but this not this one, which has a lovely, sculptural appeal.

My hair is a messy rat’s nest after I’ve shampooed, so I work some of this stuff through my tangles and then comb it out with this Mason Pearson number, and it’s as good as gold: smooth and undamaged.

I love Chantelle panties: they’re super-comfortable and breathable, but at the same time just the right amount of sexy.

I have a notebook in which I jot down ideas I’ve had for the podcast, or for this blog, or lists of recommended books and movies and the like, and when I’m writing in it I use this Rifle Paper Co. pen, which is so pretty, and also nice and substantial and makes me feel like whatever I’m writing down is important, even if it’s just a shopping list.

I have raved about this blow dryer before: it is lightning-fast, and seems to do less damage to my hair than typical blow dryers. It’s pricey, but Dermstore is forever running specials on it, so keep an eye out.

I splurged on this python wallet from Jerome Dreyfuss years ago, and it wasn’t cheap at all, and I had a decent amount of buyer’s remorse. But it has turned out to be a pretty genius purchase: historically, my wallets look trashed after a year or two, but this one still looks just about as good as the day I acquired it.  Here’s something similar and cheaper (though, alas, still not cheap), also from Dreyfuss.