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At least once a week — let’s face it, at least once every day — the writers and editors across Refinery29 discuss the latest and greatest products in our lives, from some cool new water bottle that’s been absolutely saving our lives to a state-of-the-art sleep product that’s changed our eight hours for the better. And gatekeeping isn’t in our vocabulary, so we’re here to share the wealth and highlight our favorite products, just for you, each month.
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Susan Devaney, Lifestyle Director
Image Courtesy of Susan DevaneyIn 2019, while working as a writer at Stylist Magazine, I picked up the first book I ever read by author Deborah Levy, The Man Who Saw Everything, and I couldn't finish it. Months later, while working as a writer at British Vogue, I tried again. I picked up The Cost of Living and I devoured it. Now, I’ve read all her work. Her latest work, My Year in Paris with Gertrude Stein, is simply wonderful. Following the lives of three female friends in Paris, Stein beautifully intertwines their lives with Stein's in this biography that mingles with fiction. I’m already awaiting her next book.
Penguin My Year in Paris with Gertrude Stein By Deborah Levy, $, available at Barnes and NobleImage Courtesy of Penguin I’d already heard many great things about the Spanish city of Seville: it’s very pretty; it’s easy to walk around; it’s a foodie haven. Last month, I visited the city to see if these were all true. Staying at the Cristine Bedfor boutique hotel for a few nights, I discovered they were — and more. For starters, my hotel pick was in a prime location for walking to nighttime fun on the Alameda de Hercules, and morning sightseeing walks around the city taking in historic stops at beautiful Catedral de Sevilla and stunning Alcázar of Seville.
Along the way, and dotted around the city, you’ll see many orange trees. Naturally, of course, I started my mornings in the city with multiple glasses of fresh orange juice served by the delightful staff at the hotel. Not to mention, a delicious yogurt bowl breakfast with Seville honey, too. For lunch, I ate tapas every day. Opting to go where the locals went, I tried all the dishes and every one was as tasty as the next.
As a Scot, very hot weather is not for me, which is why when the heat rose in the afternoons I took myself off to the plunge pool on the hotel’s roof top — bliss! Did I mention I did so while sipping on a piña colada or two? What a life!
The Inkey List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick, $, available at The Inkey ListImage Courtesy of The Inkey List I need to improve my grip strength, so my new and local Reformer Pilates studio is calling my name. But before I brave it, I’ve tried my hand at some at-home mat Pilates first. It’s tough going, but I’m steadily improving. To help me, this light blue Onyx mat has been an easy tool to get me going. Not only is it super comfortable, but it’s easy to clean and store away after use. Wish me luck!
Onyx Onyx Yoga Mat, $, available at OnyxImage Courtesy of OnyxA few years ago, I took a two-week trip around Japan and I loved it. Ever since, I’ve been clinging to the hope that one day I’ll get to return and see more of its beauty. In the meantime, I’ll just indulge in all things Japanese, especially the food. Recently, I tried a donburi lunch offering at ROKA in Mayfair in London. From crispy prawn sushi to spinach leaves drenched in sesame dressing to sake teriyaki salmon, the dish instantly took me back to Japan. Delicious!
Image Courtesy of Jacqueline Kilikita I’m not so secretly obsessed with the Tudors and all things Anne Boleyn, so this new book by historian Tracy Borman is right up my alley. It’s fiction but set in a very real place: Hever Castle in England, where Anne grew up with her two siblings, George and Mary. The story reimagines life inside the Boleyn household — a tale of love, ambition, and, eventually, downfall. Borman has a knack for taking historical facts and spinning them into devour-worthy stories (I own most of her books) so I trust I’ll get through her latest work of fiction in no time when it arrives this week.
Barnes and Noble The House of Boleyn: A Novel By Tracy Borman, $, available at Barnes and NobleImage Courtesy of Barnes & NobleThe house we’ve just bought has a breakfast bar, but the previous owners took the matching chairs with them, so I’ve been on the lookout for something that’s stylish but is comfy enough to sit and eat on — and even work on sometimes — as we don’t yet have a dining table. These swivel bucket bar stools with a wooden frame are cute and I’ve just bought them in the Wayfair Memorial Day sale.
Wayfair Saula 34.75'' H Swivel Bucket Bar Stool, $, available at WayfairImage Courtesy of WayfairMy partner and I just moved into a new home and we’re already thinking about entertaining. I’m currently loving all things chrome — glasses, dessert coupes, the works — and I simply had to have this oyster serving platter. I don’t actually like oysters, so I won’t be serving them at parties (and I’m also not made of money). I’ll probably just keep it on display.
beatriz ball Beatriz Ball Ocean Oyster Medium Bowl, $, available at NordstromImage Courtesy of Nordstrom
Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer
Image Courtesy of Karina HoshikawaMy husband and I love going to concerts and live shows, and have always been good about bringing ear plugs to protect our ‘drums. (FYI: Noise-induced hearing loss is cumulative and irreversible — two words you don’t want to see paired together!) I usually bring a freebie pair of foam earplugs that I got from planes or hotels, but I recently upgraded to Loops, and what an upgrade it’s been! Aside from the sustainability factor (I’m trying to phase out single-use products where I can), these are sleek as can be; they truly look like a fashion accessory when I’m wearing them, and the emerald green colorway is so unique. I also love that the Switch 2 model has three levels of sound modulation (controlled by a tiny dial) so I can cycle between Quiet, Experience and Engage modes — three different levels of sound modulation).
Loop Earplugs Loop Switch, $, available at Loop EarplugsImage Courtesy of LoopI’m Japanese, and love nothing more than a crisp glass of sake to go along with my dinner. I was gifted a bottle of TYKU’s Junmai Ginjo, and it was the ultimate surprise. It’s bright, clean, but still flavorful — and pairs beautifully with my go-to takeout sushi. It has subtle fruity-floral notes of peach and vanilla, but is definitely not overly sweet at all. Although the brand is based here in the States, it brews its bottles in Nara, the sake capital of Japan (you may have also seen the famous deer park there). And at just under $30, it’s an absolute steal — and perfect for sake lovers and newbies alike.
TYKU TYKU Black Super Premium Junmai Ginjo Sake, $, available at TYKUImage Courtesy of TYKU
Lisa Dionisio, Newsletter Director
Image Courtesy of Lisa DionisioMy apartment is entering its “stripes” decor phase. I’m really drawn to mixing and matching complementary stripe patterns and this Emma Chamberlain x West Elm bath mat is such a fun addition to my bathroom. It’s absorbent and soft and easy to match with towels and accessories. Next on my wish list are these stripe bedsheets to complete my design makeover.
West Elm Emma Chamberlain Stripe Washable Rug, $, available at West ElmImage Courtesy of West Elm I’m very susceptible to cute dishware and this Le Creuset blueberry cocotte was an instant purchase from my feed. Do I bake or make any sort of fruit cobblers? No. But I love that these mini cocottes are microwave safe and dishwasher friendly. It’s perfect for me to create single-sized servings of soup, oatmeal, ice cream, or whatever I can dish up. Or for those less kitchen-inclined, it makes a fun knickknack container or jewelry holder for your coffee table. It also comes in a strawberry and peach designs that I currently have in my cart.
Le Creuset Le Creuset Stoneware Blueberry Mini Cocotte, $, available at AmazonImage Courtesy of Le Creuset/Amazon
Alexis Parker Bennett, Shopping Partnerships
Image Courtesy of Alexis Parker Bennett I’ve been looking for fun easy ways to bring the airiness of summer into my home. I came across this comforter and it has completely transformed my bedroom. I love the dreamy, calming neutral shade. But the best part is the textured detail that takes the beige bedding to the next level. Plus, it’s cuddly soft and breathable, which is an essential for summer nights.
Wayfair Bedsure Boho Tufted Comforter Set, $, available at WayfairImage Courtesy of Wayfair
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