Sharon:
I Cheerfully Refuse
It’s weird and wonderful. Leif Enger uses language in ways you’ve never considered, and the plot smolders in the background of his descriptions of times, places, and people of the not-to-distant future. I was riveted.
Pet Portraits
Jamie Clark has painted multiple portraits of my dogs, and I love her sweet, realistic watercolors. They make me smile every time I see them.
Melanie:
Dryer Balls
I try to do what I can to cut back on toxic products in our house, and we’ve been using these for years! No static, and we use essential oil drops (see below) to give a soft scent to our clothes.
Essential Oil Drops
We put a few drops of these on the dryer balls! I really like the Still Breeze scent, but they are all nice and light.
“Blood Relatives” Podcast Series from In the Dark
If you’re familiar with the In the Dark podcast, you might already know about this latest installment. I’m totally hooked! It’s about a horrific crime in the 1980s in England, and a new examination of the facts that could upend what the police and prosecutors say happened that night.
Rebecca:
Moving Boxes You Give Back
I just moved, and I used reusable moving boxes for the first time. I went with Stack because it’s what was available where I live, but there are lots of options in various cities. They get dropped off at your house and picked up after, which means you don’t have to worry about recycling loads of cardboard boxes. They also gave me incentive to unpack because I needed to return them by a certain date.
Killers of a Certain Age
If you are looking for a fun albeit gory book: I loved this novel, about a group of women who just retired as assassins (and were the first all-women assassin team) but now appear to be targeted themselves
You’re Wrong About Podcast
I love You’re Wrong About because I’ve never listened to an episode and not gone “I didn’t know that!” — each one has at least something new in there to learn. I wrote my thesis for my psych degree on the bystander effect and found this episode about it fascinating even though I had spent semesters studying the topic.
Terry:
The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11
The tragedy of 9/11 was my first real window into the world as a rural small-town kid. I remember the day so vividly, and have always had a deep fascination with how people helped one another. I devoured this book and really enjoyed the way the stories and information were presented.
Easy Water Filter
We have a lead water main that the city is taking its time to replace. We got tired of filling our filtering pitcher, so we added this under our sink. It’s affordable and VERY easy to install!
Emilie:
Gluten free flour + recipe!
I combine this flour and this recipe for the easiest, and really the most delicious, gluten free rolls I’ve ever had. The best part is that it takes only an hour for them to be done. I no longer dread holiday meals because I can have rolls that even non-GF family members eat!
Note: it’s not wheat-free but it adheres to all US/EU standards for being celiac-safe and is one of the official flours that the Italian Celiac Association uses.
Swedish Dish Cloths
Swedish dish cloths are all the rage, but the online boutiques make them so pricey. These are great and affordable. (I should know, I’m Swedish!)
Dani:
Mood Lighting
I’m obsessed with how “fancy” these make my home feel at night — without a super fancy price point! I use them in my kitchen and they create great uplighting on my cabinets. I also use them in our hallway up on our second floor, purely for drama. They are great for hiding ugly outlets!
PLUR1BUS
I wouldn’t usually recommend a show after watching only two episodes, but in the case of PLUR1BUS, I’m 100% confident that anyone who likes the work of Vince Gilligan (creator of Breaking Bad) will love this thriller. It has the most compelling opener I’ve seen in recent memory.
Kari:
Folex Spot Cleaner for Carpet and Upholstery
The most MAGICAL carpet, fabric, and interior cleaner I’ve ever used. Food stain on your beige carpet? Spray, dab, repeat, and it’s GONE! Kids spilled ketchup on the nice tablecloth? Spray, dab, repeat… POOF! Like it never happened. I keep two bottles around the house at all times. Melanie and Sharon also fully endorse this spray!
House of Guiness on Netflix
If you loved Peaky Blinders or Rebellion, chances are you’ll love House of Guinness too.
