Homebody like me
Recommendations from my human brain to your inbox
Actually good things is a Friday-morning newsletter you can enjoy with your coffee or as a brief break from less-fun emails.
This week, while texting my sisters three months in advance to plan a required viewing of The Devil Wears Prada 2, I’m reflecting on my homebody tendencies.
Google says a homebody is someone who’s “perceived as unadventurous.” (I feel seen.) Cambridge Dictionary says it’s a person who prefers being home “rather than going out with friends or traveling to different places.” Also spot-on—but I can’t explain!
I love being invited to things and hosted by others. And I do like traveling—sometimes. But my home is so good to the point where accommodations have to be, like, really, really nice for me not to wish I was back there.
Here are actually good things that make my dwelling feel better than being almost anywhere else.*
In the living room
Everything I know about interior design I learned on TikTok. One thing is choosing pieces that are to-scale with the room, like the 10-foot faux fig tree in the oversized planter.
Other standout items:
Quince knotted wool rug
The squishiest, choppable pillow inserts + washable covers (Get inserts an inch larger than the covers so they’re extra lofty)
Samsung Frame TV with teak-style frame (Hisense has a more affordable version, though)
Sequin-y shell art piece
In the bedroom
Art deco temporary wallpaper
Hardwired wall sconces
Cord-free salt rock lamp
Coop cut-out pillow for side sleepers
An unbeatably cozy leopard blanket
Faux birds of paradise plant + tall resin planter (Faux or real, good plants and potters are investments)
An insanely comfy pajama set that doesn’t restrict movement (Yes, I recommend a lot of PJs—they’re important to me, and I’ve tried them all)
These fuzzy Ugg socks (I swear wearing socks to bed helps me fall asleep—kick them off seconds before conking out, then you won’t wake up from hot feet)
In the bathroom
If you want your bathroom to look good, don’t decorate it with bathroom decorations. Instead, use regular decor pieces, like framed art, floating shelves, rugs, house plants, etc.
A few items in mine:
Relatively cheap framed art prints
A small wall shelf to place your phone on while peeing (chic and modern, no?), plus others for hand soap and toilet paper storage
Toilet spray that’s more aesthetic than Poo-Pourri (no offense)
A simple circular mirror
Turkish hand towels
In the kitchen
Fable dinnerware
New York Times Cooking
Le Creuset salt crock filled with flake salt, obviously
Dolly Parton cornbread mix (Make it with butter—trust me)
xBloom single-serve pour-over coffee maker
Enameled cast-iron Dutch oven
MacKenzie-Childs serving platter
And in the garage is this exact drink fridge—it’s peak suburbs.
A bit all over the place with the categories today, but 🤷🏻♀️.
PS: I believe in socializing and showing up for loved ones. It’s good for the soul and crucial for longevity. So, I’m not a total hermit and host often.
*Some products with affiliate links might earn me a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
What I’m reading lately:
New York Mag | The Harry Potter TV Show Will Go Full Fanfic
What I’ve written lately:
The Daily Beast | How to Biohack Longevity Like Bryan Johnson
Want more good things? Upgrade to paid or subscribe below.