Genuine Curation™

If the truism that says we are each a product of the people and things with which we interact is true (and it is, of course), then I am all for sticking with high-quality, durable, useful, and/or beautiful things and services. (People are a bit more complex; we’ll go into that another day, yes?) These are a few of my favorites and constants. Some of them are absurdly cheap and generic. Some are quite pricey and brand-specific. I’m not independently wealthy, and so I can vouch: the latter are worth saving up for. I’ll add to this list periodically. (Please note: I’m not being compensated by any of these brands. These recommendations are based upon my own usage.)

• It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want To Be.  A brief, no-nonsense guide to bucking the f*ck up and making things happen. Written by the late, great Paul Arden, ostensibly for ad agency people, it’s great advice for life in general. I am never not reading this.

• Moleskine 18-month, soft-cover, extra-large weekly planner. I use a digital calendar and a digital project management system, but this thing is my lifeline. It’s big, it’s got plenty of room for notes, and that soft, plain-black cover is an utter delight.

• Frye Campus 14L boots. I got these in black, nearly four years ago. I have cleaned/shone them perhaps twice. They look quite new, get more comfortable with each wear, and go with everything. I wear them almost constantly.

• Leggings With The Worst Name In The World. (Why such a stupid name? WHY.) This is the One Pair To Rule Them All, y’all. Cons, right up front: they’re a little bit techno-shiny, and snag a bit too easily for my taste. Pros: everything else. They go to my ankle, they go with everything, they fit like a dream. And they’re cheap! *throws confetti on self*

• NARS Lipstick in Shanghai Express.  The color is phenomenal, it has a decent flavor/scent (some lipsticks taste terrible, no?), it has massive staying power, and the packaging is fantastic.

• NARS Blush in Orgasm. Well, naturally. Instant health! (And, uh, the packaging is fantastic.)

• Philosophy the supernatural tinted primer. Does what it says on the tin! Makes your skin look poreless and dewy. (And lasts forever, by the way.)

• Smith’s Minted Rose Lip Balm. Less old-lady than the regular rose version; less attack-dog than plain mint. Such a lovely, old-fashioned tin; such a nice, rosy color.

• Origins Never A Dull Moment.  Scrubs wreck my skin. This one has, for years now, done nothing but do away with dead skin and make me look glowy. It also smells great. Bonus: they’ve put this stuff in a tube, as opposed to the less-hygienic jar it was once in. (And rumor has it even the menfolk will use this when no one is looking. Ahem.)

• Silk-filled duvet. Full disclosure: I got mine on trade (from a company that, sadly, is no longer). No matter: it’s worth the cost. Every night when I go to bed, and every morning when I wake up, I think about how nice the duvet feels and how great it is that it’s naturally allergen-repellent.

• Hendrick’s Gin. The most wonderful liquor ever made. It’s made in tiny, tiny batches, infused with cucumber and rosewater, and tastes like you’re drinking a cool, delicately fragrant breeze through juniper pines. I got a little misty-eyed just typing this.

• Penzeys Spices.  Visiting the Penzeys store near me is sort of equal parts pirate treasure and Disneyland. There’s something new to discover everywhere you turn; there are tons of ideas and suggestions; and it smells delicious, like cookery magic. (Less wonderful is the somewhat humiliating fact that I accidentally drooled, twice, the first time I visited. Seriously.) Anyway, you can go around and sniff things and read up on things and buy a tiny jar of mysterious potions to change and improve upon the flavor of your food. The smaller jars run about $3. (Try the Turkish spice mix! And the Old World one, too.)