I think the last time I bought myself something frivolous was about two days before I got laid off from my last job. Since then, the thought of buying myself a little treat hasn’t held much appeal. I’ve enjoyed buying fun things that I need, like these sandals (in black), but I am just now easing back into the idea that dumb little indulgences actually can improve my life, at least a little bit.
I spent over $5 on two separate froofy coffee drinks this week, and you know what? They were so much fucking better than the coffee I make at home that I would have paid even more for them. Then I went and bought a sampler from Taza Chocolate.
Apparently you can grind up the chocolate disk and add hot milk to make hot chocolate, but I’ve just been chowing down on the chocolate itself. Taza is local to me (I’ve toured their factory!) and I know their chocolate is ethically sourced, so I get that added glow of moral superiority when I buy their products.
Other local food/drink companies I enjoy: McRae’s Candies, Mei Mei dumplings, and 1634 Meadery. Do you have a farmer’s market near you? You should go to it—that’s where I discovered all those vendors.
Dissent Pins has a Stand With Ukraine collection, with proceeds going to Ukrainian organizations. I want these earrings:
I’m an ex-Catholic, but the Catholic Worker Movement is badass and all proceeds from this sticker and print go to their Detroit Day House:
And finally, did you know the Euro and the American dollar are basically at a 1-to-1 exchange rate right now? I took advantage of this momentous occasion to buy a sticker of a bee drinking coffee:
Quick hits
Derek Jeter Breaks Silence on Rumor He Gives Gift Bags to Hookups This is legitimately my favorite gossip item of all time, so I am super bummed that he finally denied it. Imagining how soul-crushing this moment must have been for the random bro almost makes up for it though:
“I remember being at a Starbucks one time and there’s some random guy behind me and he says, ‘Hey, I just want to let you know that I’m giving out gift baskets because you did.’ And I turned around and said, ‘You’re a fuckin’ idiot!’ and the look on his face… like, did he think I was gonna say, ‘Yeah, good job, man!’”
Instagram won’t let me embed for some reason, but see: I told you Jenny Slate’s husband’s general store was cute.
This is a good headline:
Scientists have picked up a radio signal 'heartbeat' billions of light-years away It’s not aliens, but (and if you go to the MIT press release they have much more detail) it is most likely a star doing something they’ve never observed before, which they can’t explain. Which is very cool.
Remember I said it was nice of Angelina Jolie to give Måneskin some free press? Celebitchy ran with it, writing more about Må’s lead singer than Angelina. I mean, I can’t blame them: