As the weather warms up, we're gravitating toward items that help us create a certain atmosphere: great-smelling candles, tasty drinks and snacks, comfy places to sit. Swipe through for our favorite picks this month.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Jack Rudy's Cocktail Co. Olive Brine
"I'm obsessed with dirty martinis and making them at home has always been my white whale. I've tried every olive brine in the grocery store (from bottled olive brine to the actual liquid in a jar of olives) and I can definitively say, this is by far the best brine for at-home martinis. This will certainly be a staple in my fridge for the rest of my life." —Hannah Rimm, Associate Editor, Money Diaries
Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. Olive Brine, $, available at Jack Rudy Cocktail Co.
West Elm Andes Sofa
"I never thought I could love a couch as much as I love my Andes Sofa in distressed forest green velvet, but after a year of spending 95% of my time on this couch, I couldn't be more in love. It's such a good size for my small (but not tiny) apartment and is also comfortable enough for naps or (vaccinated) visitors." — HR
West Elm Andes Sofa, $, available at West Elm
Revival Bath Sheet
"I'm really picky about my towels, and had basically given up on finding the perfect one: plush, yes, but also actually absorbent. In recent years, I'd been using exclusively linen towels, because I'd grown annoyed with the super-soft kind that didn't really get me dry. But, I no longer need to sacrifice any coziness, thanks to Revival's new line of bath towels. I'm particularly partial to the enormous bath sheets (I have the rose, which is approximately the color and silken texture of a kitten's tongue), which I lounge in post-shower as if in a robe, swaddling myself like some giant, happy baby, perfectly dry and perfectly comfortable; just perfect." — Kristin Iversen, Director of Lifestyle, Wellbeing, & Social IssuesRevival Rugs Bath Sheet, $, available at Revival Rugs
Twomey Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, 2018
"With vaccinations now open to adults of all ages (in America, anyway — a huge privilege that should not be taken for granted!), we will soon be able to do a lot of the stuff that was put on hold for the last year, including one of my favorite things to do ever: dropping over to a friend's with a bottle of wine. Whether for a big party or a small hang, I can't wait to get inside other people's homes again. I really, really miss sitting on a couch that is not my own. And while some gatherings will call for a bottle of whiskey and others a case of hard seltzer, I'm definitely going to be bringing a bottle of this Twomey pinot noir the next time I go to my best friend's, to make it an even more special occasion. Its incredibly drinkable — lush and fruity, with darker, lightly funky notes that hit the back of your mouth; the ideal way to celebrate finally getting to sit and gossip over glass after glass of wine with your friend again." — KITwomey 2018 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, $, available at Twomey
Carrière Frères Amber Candle
"This was the year I got really into candles — like, I've had different ones that I light at different times of day and on different days of the week, just to make everything feel... different, and not more of the same. Also, I did this because candles smell really nice, and I love things that smell really nice. Lately, though, I haven't been rotating so much between candles as I have just been lighting the same one over and over again: Carrière Frères Amber candle. Warm and spicy, smelling simultaneously of incense and sunshine, the Amber candle is said to have energizing and inspiring properties, and I'm going to choose to believe that this is true, because I know I feel a lot less like lying facedown on my floor and pretending the world doesn't exist when this candle is burning and infusing my home with its delicate scent. Oh! If you're more into florals, I can also recommend Trudon's Maduraï candle, whose heady jasmine fragrance is instantly transportive and just what I want burning next to me whenever I take a bath." — KICarrière Frères Carriere Freres - Amber (Glaesum) Candle, $, available at Candle Delirium
Five Two Ultimate Baking Tool Set
"Just because we're not still in peak sourdough times, doesn't mean we're not still baking at home. At least, I am, because while meditation has never really been my thing (I've tried!), I love meditative activities, like kneading dough and daubing egg wash over the surface of a pie crust and smoothing icing along the contours of a cake. And, is there anything more satisfying than cleaning up by pulling a bench scraper across your counter surface? Not to me there isn't — that's my own, hyper-specific ASMR. All to say, I love Food52's new baking tool set, which lets me lead my best baking life, scraping and frosting and daubing away — heaven." —KI
Food52 Five Two Ultimate Baking Tool Set, $, available at Food52
Brightland Digestif Candle
"Okay, I'm adding to the lifestyle candle brigade with Brightland's new 'Digestif'; It's meant to help digest the smells in your kitchen after you cook up a mean meal and I 100% endorse it. Have you ever tried to cover up the odor of boiled eggs with a floral candle and it just morphed into an even worse smell? This candle doesn't do that. The notes of Neroli, Citrus, and the famous Brightland Olive Oil seamlessly envelope the room but don't make your kitchen smell like roses because…kitchens don't normally smell like roses. If you're a fan of the olive oil and like a more natural aroma, I would definitely recommend testing out this fancy fragrance detox candle." — Alexandra Polk, Associate Lifestyle Market Writer
Brightland Digestif Candle, $, available at Brightland
SodaStream Fizzi One-Touch Sparking Water Maker
"I like all water, but I mostly drink sparkling water. I'm at a 9:1 ratio of bubbly to flat. As such, I can't satisfy my fizzy water habit with La Croix and Pellegrino alone; I'd be generating too much waste. So: SodaStream. I use mine every day. This is my second one, and it's much quieter, easier to use, and slimmer than the older generation I previously had. Plus, SodaStream now mails you full canisters with a shipping label to make mailing back your empties super-easy (though they do charge you for shipping)." — Mirel Zaman, Deputy Director of Lifestyle, Wellbeing, & Social Issues
SodaStream Fizzi One Touch Sparkling Water Maker, $, available at Amazon
Storm Empire No Show Socks
"I found these by searching for 'no show socks' on Amazon and sorting by 'customer review.' These were highly rated, and I was suspicious. There are so many seams... Don't they hurt? But review after review mentioned how the seams were more comfortable than the traditional no-show sock, and didn't put that painful pressure across the top of your foot. I caved and I'm glad I did. They don't slip down, they don't hurt, and you can't see them under shoes. Perfect." — MZ
Storm Empire Storm Empire Unisex Premium No Show Socks, $, available at Amazon
Niuta Amber Glass Spray Bottle
"I bought a prayer plant, and it quickly entered that 'alive but not thriving' stage that houseplants can enter before dying for real. I learned that misting it with water every few days might help, so I got this. The spray is perfect and it looks chic enough to leave out by my houseplant between uses. It's also glass, so it's safe to add essential oils to it if you want to use it to store DIY cleaning spray instead of plain water." — MZ
NIUTA Amber Glass Spray Bottles, $, available at Amazon
Beautiful Air Fryer
"I was a little bit intimidated by this air fryer when I first unboxed it, and it took me a few days to actually put it to use. When I finally did make my (gluten-free) chicken tenders, I was in awe of how easy it was and how perfectly it cooked the chicken. It was honestly so delicious, I was ready to be on an episode of Top Chef. In the days since, this air fryer has earned permanent counter space. It's also really sleek looking, and doesn't disrupt the flow of my kitchen too much. I'm excited to try out new recipes in it!" —Leora Yashari, Senior News Editor
Beautiful Beautiful 6 Quart Touchscreen Air Fryer, White Icing by Drew Barrymore, $, available at Walmart
Jasmine, Oud & Sandalwood Candle
"I've been obsessed with this candle for the duration of quarantine now — it's the one that I savor every time I light it because I want it to last longer. Luckily, it's a pretty slow-burning candle to begin with, but the fragrance really fills up the room. It smells warm and cozy, and I wasn't really sure what "oud" was before this, but needless to say I am now obsessed. This scent is basically everything I've ever wanted in a candle without the expensive price tag." —LY
Lulu Candles Jasmine, Oud & Sandalwood | 9 Oz. Jar, $, available at Lulu Candles
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
What We Actually Bought (& Loved) For Under $100
The ONE Quarantine Wellness Habit I’ve Maintained
11 Refillable Beauty Products That Are Super Chic
from Refinery29 https://ift.tt/3mUW4AQ
via IFTTT
