Untranslatable words, favorite hand creams, and a snack platter of other things

Welcome to A Few Good Mentions, a weekly (or so) toss-up of five random, share-worthy things I might come across, see, read, do, or eat in a given week. You can find me on Instagram, and my website, which I try my best to update with latest published works. Ok, let’s go!

It’s been a minute, but you know what they say about absence.

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1.

For a night at the symphony, head to…7-Eleven? I loved this New Yorker piece from a few weeks back about the current tactic the convenience story chain is employing to deter loitering.

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2.

Have you guys noticed that even with all the walking we do, New Yorkers don’t really wear gloves in the winter? When we’re tapping away on our phones like a bunch of bozos on these sub-freezing days, we tend to rely more on the warmth of our pockets. I’m pretty bad about this too, but a very stern manicurist recently gave me two directives: moisturize constantly, and wear gloves (I should note that she was holding one of my hands very, very firmly—like, bone-achingly tight—when she said this). So I’ve resolved to do just that before seeing her again. What can I say?!? Fear-based tactics work on me! Anyways, in no particular order of rank, four favorite hand creams I love: Caudalie’s Vinotherapist Hand and Nail cream, which, despite being quite affordable, is something I only buy for myself on occasion; Hand Repair Cream from SkinFix’s Eczema+ lineup; Grown Alchemist’s Antibacterial Hand Cream, which is genius in my opinion, considering these post-pandemic times; and while it’s nothing sexy (neither are dry and scratchy hands), this stuff WORKS. I especially love how it doesn’t leave my palms so greasy after applying. So there you go, bozos.

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3.

Like gezellig in Dutch (a feeling of coziness), or abendrot in German (the color of the sky when the sun is setting), if there’s a feeling or thing you can’t describe with a single, definitive word—in English—it probably exists in another language, here.

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4.

I’ve been obsessed with this new(ish) granola brand from upstate, ever since I tried a few samples at OK Pantry, a favorite (and also newish) shop for good things, both edible and non-edible. I bought the Sour Cherry and Pistachio Rose on the spot, but the Strawberry and Salty Peanut is another flavor I’ve been shoving into my face my the fistful. Turmeric and Super Seed, meanwhile, could be a good foil to some otherwise boring rice, and also makes an excellent salad topper. Once a humble breakfast staple, granola’s been on an ambition tour for a long while now (and the cool design and branding behind this label proves that’s still happening), but I’ve been thinking a lot about the upgrading—and our subsequent fetishization—of basic pantry goods, from canned seafood to plant-based pastas, pretty much since the pandemic.

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5.

If you make one, one-pot thing this weekend, let it be this. Serve it up with slabs of bread (fluffy or firm) slathered in salty butter, and make sure you keep some leftovers—because it’s even better the next day.

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