JANUARY
Welcome to Customer Copy!
Welcome to Customer Copy! A place for all things media, food, design, wellness + more. Each month, I’ll be sharing products + practices that I’m obsessed with in the Fancy/Fun/Functional/Free approval matrix. It will be a space for observations, tips & tricks + essential life hacks. I hope you find these things as valuable as I do + I can’t wait to share them + continue the conversation with all of you. Most (but not all) items on the matrix will be linked so don’t hesitate to message me if you ever need more intel. Ok let’s get into it…
I want to note that all of this is just for fun, and I’m certainly aware of how futile it may seem in the context of what we are currently witnessing under this administration. I want to remain sensitive to that and I will also be sharing resources here on ways to get more involved on a local or community level. I hope this offers some levity, joy, or inspiration. With love, X.
JANUARY:
FANCY:
No other single (body) skincare product has changed the game for me more than Cyklar. Every single person I’ve put on to these products has become obsessed - I recently turned two self-proclaimed shower-haters into believers after just one use. All of the scents go crazy (my favorite is Crescent, maybe skip Vanilla Verve) but its specifically the body wash + the in-shower balm that you need. A general fix for winter skin plus you’ll immediately become the best smelling person you know. Claudia Sulewski did her big one w this.
Never beating the bougie allegations especially not in this section but as far as hospitality and boutique hotels go, Tourists is undeniably one of the greats. Beautiful, thoughtful design, perfect room service, MassMoca, sexy amenities, inviting shared spaces, dog friendly, hiking trails, personal porches/balconies… she’s the one. Drinking a mezcal negroni by their pool or one of the fire pits on their lawn is peak summer joy. Check for weekdays/off season dates for discounted rates, + they also often offer discounts for MA residents or 3 night stays.
BALLERINA FARMS PROTEIN POWDER:
This fave may have an expiration date on it because I do get a sinister vibe from her millionaire husband but my god this ballerina is a genius. It’s just the best protein powder on the market. I’m not even a strawberry girl like that but the strawberry creme flavor? biiitch. Maybe it’s the genius marketing of selling it with an accompanying weck jar (for a $7 upcharge) and a subsequent slice of the Ballerina Farmer Dream, but ultimately it’s that it tastes like a fucking strawberry milkshake. I look forward to it every morning and it’s the easiest 24 grams of protein I think a person can get. Is $74 entirely too much money to spend on protein powder? Yes. Am I on a recurring monthly subscription that I can’t imagine my life without? Also yes.
I care about socks more than the average person and probably more than I should but I’ve done a lot of market research and it’s my earnest belief that the Camper Socks from Le Bon Shop are as good as it gets. I’ve sent 3 separate pairs to 3 separate people in my life and each of them has *called* me to say thank you + sing their praises. The whole Le Bon Shop catalog is excellent but if you can only get one, get yourself a pair of campers and thank me later (ily you’re welcome).
Want your home to smell like the hottest person you’ve ever met + also a Japanese spa? Just trust me.
FUN:
I had these in LA when I was there earlier this month and placed an order on their website before I even got back to Boston. I feel like this one isn’t complicated - if this sounds like something you would like, double that expectation and place an order. (Pro-tip: order the spicy version too.)
My girl Sam put me on to these and I just think they’re the best quality x price on the market. I ordered one, tried it on, immediately ordered it in two more colors + then ordered one for each of my besties. They’ve become my winter weekend uniform + something of an emotional support object. If the phrase “fleece marshmallow” does anything for you, you’ll love these.
I will not be expanding further at this time. The books, the tv show, doesn’t matter. You’re either with it or you’re not but if you’re with it, I’m with you.
Worth the hype and the line. If you’re in LA it’s a must. Get the salad, any pizza, the princess cake + whatever wine your server recommends.
The best pop culture podcast out. Currently on hiatus before season 3 but you’re gonna wanna like and subscribe now so you never miss a dispatch from these genius besties.
FUNCTIONAL:
Simply the best tasting probiotic on planet earth. I’ve been a coconut cult stan for a while but this flavor is decidedly the best. It functions as a daily probiotic, and they recommend a spoonful on an empty stomach every morning. If you’re a passionfruit or probiotic head, this is for you.
This book changed my perspective more than any other ever has. If you’re not interested in spirituality, this may lean a little woo woo for you, but if you’re down it’s truly life changing. I really appreciate how it balances spirituality with research-backed neuroscience, and Dr. Tara Swart is a brilliant + endless resource. I’ve gifted this book to a few friends and it’s deeply resonated with all of them. A really great book and practice to start the year with.
Perhaps the single best organizational tool in my routine. I have this calendar hanging in my office and I use post-its to stay organized with appointments, events, birthdays, etc. Previously it only came in black + white, but this year they came out with a color version, with different colors for each month and it’s sparking a lot of joy for me personally. (If sold out here, just google it + you can order from other websites)
If you’re doing dry Jan or just interested in alternatives to alcohol, these are perfect. They’re micro-dosed (2mg THC, 4mg CBD) and can be added to seltzer or any other drink. They’re really mild and ultimately just feel like drinking a good mood. You can get them shipped directly to you, all of the flavors are great, and you’re gonna want one in your bag at all times (esp. for long flights).
The best meditation app I’ve found. You can customize your wheel for circumstance-specific 5-20 minute guided meditations (ie. sleep, travel, walking etc). Great for anyone who’s curious about meditation but hasn’t yet established a practice. 10/10 recommend.
This is obviously not new and probably not news to any of you, but I made this recently for friends who had never had it before and was reminded of its truly transcendent power. It’s ultimately just a perfect pasta - easy, cheap, comes together in >30 mins, and uses 90% pantry items that you probably already have. It should be a permanent fixture in your weeknight dinner rotation if it isn’t already.
FREE:
I listened to the first season of this podcast around this time last year and it was all I could talk about. It is the single most brain expanding piece of media I’ve ever consumed. The series explores the lives and minds of non-verbal autistic children, studying their apparent ability to communicate without words - ie. telepathically. I understand that it may push against the boundaries of lot of people’s understanding of reality, and some may find it straight up insane, but I really enjoyed the way it challenged the limits of my understanding and the questions it brought up for me. If nothing else, it leads to really interesting conversation. Listen to it with your smartest friend and then plan a dinner date just to talk about it.
If you’ve been over to my house in the last 3 years chances are I’ve poured you a glass of wine and forced you to watch an episode of this youtube series. Its like MTV Cribs but better. Perfect for watching at home on weekend mornings while folding laundry + fantasizing about disposable income.
Just thought you guys should know you can still play these whenever you want.
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Ok that’s January! See you next month! Love you mean it.
Xx,
-X