7 Best Quarantine Purchases
Hello! My oh my, it has been awhile!! Since the last time I posted way back in October, A LOT has changed to say the least. 2020 has been a wild year - can you say global pandemic, murder hornets and an election year to top it off? Uggh. There are moments it feels like time is going by so slowly with nearly every day looking the alike, but at the same time, I can hardly believe we are nearing the end of August! Time certainly moves differently right now.
We have been quarantining in New York City and with the exception of a handful of times where we rented bikes, have not left our neighborhood in over five months. For someone who loves to travel, not being able to jump on a plane to explore has been an adjustment. Despite the craziness, mild anxiety and periodic boredom, I have been using this time to slow down a bit, cooking up a storm and tackling a never ending list of books! After looking back on these last few months, I wanted to create a list of our top purchases we have made during this time to help make quarantine a bit more enjoyable!
KitchenAid Pasta Attachment Set
I purchased this pasta attachment set back in April and haven’t looked back! I can’t even tell you how much I love this thing. The KitchenAid pasta attachment set comes with a pasta roller, fettuccine cutter, and spaghetti cutter. It attaches directly onto your KitchenAid Mixer and makes rolling out and creating pasta noodles so easy! It took me a few tries to get the consistency of the dough down, but having fresh pasta at the ready is a dream come true! We’ve been making a lot of Cacio e Pepe this summer using this recipe.
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Via Citrus Meyer Lemon Tree
Okay, so this was a completely random and to be honest a TOTAL impulse buy. I don’t remember how I came across their website, but as soon as I saw the tiny little lemon tree, I immediately fell in love! This little tree brings so much joy to Alex and I and we love looking it at it each morning. Currently, we have four little lemons which are still green and lots of pink and white buds. I am looking forward to when they finally ripen although the growing process is taking a lot longer than I thought!
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Driftaway Coffee Subscription
This isn’t exactly a new purchase as I got the Driftaway Coffee Subscription for Alex as a Christmas gift last year, but with both of us at home everyday, it has been nice to splurge a bit on coffee beans. The first time you sign up for the subscription, Driftaway sends a tasting kit with four small bags of coffee beans and after trying each, you fill out a flavor profile on what you like best. After the initial taste test, once a month you are sent a different bag of beans that meets your flavor preferences. It has been fun trying out new coffees and we always look forward to when a new bag of beans arrive! In between our Driftaway coffee delivery, we use Stumptown coffee beans.
Leahlani Mermaid Mask
With extra time on my hands, I have been taking more time with my evening skincare routine and try to do a face mask at least two or three times a week. One of my absolute favorites is the Leahlani Mermaid Mask - it is super hydrating, smells like honey and leaves my skin feeling so soft and smooth.
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Postable
In New York City, all non-essential businesses were closed until June and thus I was unable to browse my favorite stationary store for birthday and holiday cards. Luckily, my sister-in-law turned me onto Postable! After browsing their massive card selection and choosing the card(s) you want to send, just type in your message, add an address and Postable will mail the card directly to your recipient. It is super easy and a perfect socially-distanced way to continue to show your loved ones you are thinking of them. Plus, the font options are amazing and after sending a birthday card to a friend, she asked if I was taking hand writing classes the writing was so pretty!
Aveeno Cracked Skin Relief Cica Balm
I don’t know about others, but after upping my hand washing over the last few months, my poor hands have been so cracked and dry. After searching online for options, I came across this Aveeno Cracked Skin Relief Cica Balm on Target’s website and after reading the reviews, I immediately added it to my online cart. This stuff works wonders - thick, creamy and not too greasy. I use it every night before bed and during the day if my hands feel particularly dry.
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Real Oyster Cult
One of Alex and my favorite summer traditions is going out for oysters and drinks. As we are limiting where we are dining out during this time, this is one tradition we both have missed greatly. Enter Real Oyster Cult. I initially came across their website after searching for fresh oyster delivery back in May for our 11th wedding anniversary. We ordered 30 oysters total - three different kinds and they were shipped fresh from their farm in Massachusetts. Real Oyster Cult even includes a little thermometer in the shipping package which indicates if the oysters have stayed at the correct temperature. We purchased a shucking tool and glove off Amazon and it turns out Alex is pro at shucking oysters! Who knew?!? We have ordered from Real Oyster Cult twice this summer and plan to do it again at least once more. It makes for a special and fun evening in!