#54: What a triumph!
Packed with a woman's world for the holidays
Hello Dahlings,
I wish I could have a glass of wine right now. I am trying not to drink during the weekdays. I know. It’s a terrible idea. It really is; I don’t recommend it.
Allora, since we’ve established I am of sound mind - may I resurface some sage advice I sent out last year?
As we enter the holiday season let’s try to put our best foot forward and use this as an opportunity to invest in the world we want. For me, that world hosts flourishing businesses owned by women, Black, Lantinx, LGBTQ+, and Asian people and is full of sustainable goodies.
I do not think we need to be perfect about this, ensuring every gift is sustainable etc. I just think we just need growth, or rather to keep it in mind more than usual. So, without further ado, a Backpack with a bunch of sustainable gift options from women owned brands.
Happy shopping, B
P.S. Next week you’ll be receiving a Front Pocket. Also, If you find this Backpack to be particularly helpful, I’d so appreciate it if you sent it to someone that you think would enjoy Backpack. Thank you!
“I think every woman should have a blowtorch.” - Julia Child
packing
📌It’s safe to assume that all links below lead to female-founded businesses/products unless otherwise noted as #blackowned or bookshop.org.
Reading If you are going to buy any books this holiday purchase them from Bookshop.org or your local book store! Some books I highly suggest: Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat for the chef (or wanna be chef) in the family and all of the Neapolitan Novels (My Brilliant Friend) by Elena Ferrante for the book lover in the family. Both written by female authors!
Wearing. Use Poshmark or the Real Real. I have bought shoes, dresses, bags all from those places at prices that are half the cost and incredible quality. Pro tip: You can make an offer and negotiate the price on Poshmark; never pay the listed price. Here are two of my picks right now: Reformation Green Dress, Soludo Collette Heels. or you can go super old school and borrow dresses from your friends 😊 P.S. MOST re-sale stores on Poshmark are run by women.
Hosting. Use your real silverware and dishes - and put the dishwasher to work! (pro-tip: make sure it’s empty before ppl arrive). Consider cloth napkins - which also make a nice elegant gift to a host.
Note: If you need more silverware or dishes - thrift it! You can find some fun vintage plates, designs, or something super simple for cheap. If you are going ALL out, you can rent it.
Eating. Gifting food is a lovely treat. Zac’s Sweet Shop is apparently Beyonce approved, ships nationwide and is #Black-founded - the cookie pizza caught my 👀. For the chef in the fam consider Brightland garlic infused olive oil. For anyone: Cobbler Bars from Carla Hall or maybe good ol’fashion Milk Bar pie.
Pro tip: “I'm in a rush and forgot to get something” go to the grocery store - get the ingredients to your favorite dish, write the recipe in the card - Viola! Thoughtful and sustainable. Don’t cook? S’Mores is the recipe go-to for that.
Drinking. A nice bottle of JAJA Tequila for someone like me. And get Disco Inferno for the mixologist in the fam (Lina, I know you read this, get this for John maybe?). And then for the coffee people there is touchy coffee.
P.S. I also found this brand called Zaddy’s for canned cocktails and I just want this for the Fourth of July. But needed to mention here because the name, branding, and all is chefs kiss.
One of a kind. Get a custom candle made to look like a loved one. Minorah but modern and hand crafted. This puzzle candle. This gorgeous vintage table lighter. An art print - I love this one, Ayo (esp for a portrait wall). And another print I love is from artist Ashley Johnson, “Southern Woman in White Dogwoods.”
Experiencing. The world is back. And you don’t need to go big and get t-swift tickets as a gift. Find local jazz performances, plays, art exhibitions, restaurants to treat loved ones to! I like the idea of getting a reservation (in a hard to get spot), with a gift card for someone to go with them and make memories or for them and their partner. Alternatively, get tickets to something completely bougie like the Opra or ballet and make a night of it.
Wrapping. Brown paper bags, newspapers, magazine pages, old scarves, cloth napkins, or used gift bags from last year - try to make use of things in your home vs. purchasing more wrapping paper. My favorite? A stuffed stocking with some newspaper. Gives it a classic look.
Repacking.
front pocket
At first the downfall of Twitter seemed fine to me. Until I considered how it’s the powergrid for the world, and now I am sad. And this incredible take: “I think we'll look back on the last decade as a time when social media gave previously marginalized groups the ability to speak directly to elites and, as a result, elites lost their minds.”
keep packed
Women’s access to healthcare. I still have a monthly contribution to Fund Texas Choice. And they are gonna need it since Abbot was re-elected. Faced with some of the strictest abortion requirements
unpacking
Purchasing gifts from Amazon and Walmart. I don’t care that Bezo’s is giving his money to charity, I’d prefer living wages for his employees or a thriving small business America. Truly, his newest stunt - we should all be like - yes good AND what else?
Gifts for the sake of gifts. Skip out on just getting anything for the sake of it I.e. Bed, Bath, and Body basket that never gets used. Get wine instead for that person. Wine always works or chocolate!
More advice from Julia Child
This week’s SL is from Avis DeVoto in the HBO series, Julia - Highly Recommend to 👀 it!