Be an inside person
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Actually Good Things is a weekly newsletter with goofy musings and product recs from an internet expert who’s tried it all.
This week—while patiently awaiting the Hilary Duff renaissance and saying, “Siri, play ‘Jingle Bells Batman Smells’” in 100% of car rides with my kids—I’m thinking about the joys of hibernation season.
Yes, the solution to bad weather is proper outerwear, as I’ve preached before. And yes, daily walks outside are likely the ticket to lifelong health and happiness. Still, it’s OK if you’re more of an inside person (🙋🏻♀️).
An inside person is, well, a person who prefers to spend time indoors—a close cousin of the homebody.
Here are actually good things for cherishing inside time during the dreary season.*
Low lighting
Every home designer I follow on TikTok spits on overhead lighting and says (in so many words) your ambiance sucks without low lighting.
I’m working on upping my low-lighting game. These wall sconces cast a warm glow on either side of the bed, and in the great room, it’s an assortment of small table lamps. Even though recharging and battery replacement is annoying, I prefer cord-free options, like this not-too-trendy mushroom light, this little midcentury-modern guy, and this glowy glass one.
I also got dimmable light switches for most rooms and had a Taskrabbit install them.
House shoes
House shoes aren’t just about not wearing outside shoes inside (which is crucial, no doubt). They also elevate your at-home experience.
At this very moment, I’m wearing Rothy’s Cozy Clogs—comfy, not ugly, and machine-washable.
Leveled-up bed setup
I care a lot about sleep and enjoy reading and watching TV in bed (so sue me on that last one).
A couple of recent additions I stand behind are these cooling marshmallowy bed pillows (invented by a kid) and Brooklinen’s washed percale bedding. I typically don’t order bedding when the sizes are inexact because I loathe a baggy fit, but the king/Cal king duvet cover fits our king comforter perfectly.
Movie night snacks
For pseudo date nights, my husband and I cozy up on the couch (this reasonably priced, remarkably deep-seated one, to be exact) to watch movies after our kids go to bed.
The snacks are really critical here. Tony’s Chocolonely is the be-all and end-all of chocolate for me. For fruity-sour, Bubs Swedish candy is devastatingly good—like, it actually bums me out how good it is.
I believe in the Kardashians’ elite brand developers, but somehow, I was still shocked by how incredibly tasty Khloe’s protein popcorn is—specifically the olive oil + sea salt flavor. The milk protein isolate ingredient delivers not just protein but also a white-cheddar-ish vibe.
Good smells
This right here is the best candle I’ve ever smelled—and I’ve smelled a lot of candles.
If you like Capri Blue volcano but aren’t really into the electric blue hue (hi, same), this one’s for you.
Claw clips
You can wear claw clips out, but they’re kind of an inside thing, aren’t they? I have two new ones to push: This flat oval one promises to stay all day—and it does! This Emi Jay one is pricey but durable with a reliable grip.
If you must venture outdoors when it’s raining, and you don’t wanna wear a hooded jacket with your outfit, reach for a plastic rain bonnet for a photographable old-lady-but-make-it-fashion moment. Also a good stocking stuffer.
*Some products with affiliate links might earn me a small commission.
What I’m reading lately:
The Ten Year Affair, a novel by Erin Somers
The Atlantic | The One Line Americans (Weirdly) Choose to Wait In
Wired | The Worst Thing About AI Is That People Can’t Shut Up About It
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