Welcome to ‘5 things’, a bieekly round-up newsletter created with the purpose of hopefully introducing you to some cool new things. Whether newly discovered or tried and true—I share 5 things with you that really caught my attention.
I never thought there’d be a day where social media would become my consumption research tool. As someone who likes to look into products before I make a purchase I used to always depend on reviews, blogs, and long-form review videos on YouTube. These days I seem to reach for TikTok first—a weird phenomenon that didn’t exist when we were in the Instagram era.
Although Instagram has been around longer (meaning IG creators have been around longer), I never use it as a search tool. It seems like not many people do and I’ll bet their crappy search function is the culprit. However, with the inception of TikTok paired with the comeback of chatty content, I now find myself doing almost ALL of my buying decision-making on TikTok. I only rely on YouTube if I’m purchasing tech or if I’m looking for a way more in-depth review on a product.
I’ve been thinking a ton about TikTok and it’s power lately so maybe I’ll do an essay about it soon.
Do you use TikTok to learn more about products you want to buy? Or is Google still your go-to way to find reviews?
5 Things
The body lotion that got me addicted to body lotions. If you like woody, warm, sensual scents this is by far one of the nicest smelling hand and body lotions I’ve experienced in a while. I love that it comes in a huge pump bottle. It’s a great fall/winter scent but I’d use it all year round.
This lace and silk slip is all I sleep in now. On my most recent visit to Italy, I finally decided to try out Intimissimi. I’ve been hearing about the brand here and there so I ended up buying some pjs and slips. Now that I’ve slept in silk I don’t ever want to go back to raggedy old t-shirts.
A little trick for managing a busy workload. I’ve been struggling with the feeling of overwhelm since July or August. I have so many tools in my toolbelt (both physical and mental) that I should be using to keep myself focused and keep my workload from crushing me. Yet some how by noon each day, I’m still feeling the same level of overwhelm paralysis. I’m currently testing a new trick where I only focus on ONE task (or category of tasks) per day. For example, today I’m focused on ideating, writing, and researching for upcoming articles and newsletters.
My new favourite mobile tripod (that I also use with smaller cameras). I’ve tried a lot of mobile tripods over the years and honestly most of them sucked. This year I finally found one that had everything I liked in a tripod. Folds up small, has a phone mount that tilts forwards and back, and is strong enough to hold a small camera.
The yummiest fruit gummies. I’m usually much more of a savory snacks girl but gummy candies are definitely my weakness. I rediscovered these Frutia fruit mix gummies at a local snack shop and have been eating way too many.
Interesting Reads
I decentered men. Decentering my desire for men is harder.
The elite college students who can't read books
Why teenagers are deliberately seeking brain rot on TikTok
Currently Reading
Slow Days, Fast Company by Eve Babitz
This is my first time reading anything by Babitz and she truly had me giggling and kicking me feet from page 1. Much like Dolly Alderton, Babitz feels like a comfort read for me. Reading her feels very similar to hanging out with my girlfriends.
