Sale PSA: An excellent long brown/tan coat from Weekend MaxMara, now 40% off, pretty Jimmy Choo mules, now 40% off, a merino waffle beanie from Everlane, now $35 (I have this and love it…am a beanie addict) a knit shirt from Joseph, 40% off, the compact down jacket from Uniqlo, now under $40, and a chic double face jacket from Lafayette 148, now 40% off.
As most of you know (especially if you are in California): we just went on lockdown again!
Not that much changes for us as we weren’t dining out (that’s now been axed), but there are some changes on stuff we were doing earlier – no playdates (no mixing households, even outside), and playgrounds are closed.
I understand why it has to happen. The numbers are catastrophic. It sucks that it is over the holidays. It also sucks that we couldn’t you know, get it together before then. It is so surreal to see photos from friends who are in Taiwan who are attending weddings, having huge parties…maskless…and it’s totally fine because they’ve managed to control Covid.
Also, just an observation: the lockdown seems more controversial this time. Even in quite liberal Silicon Valley. People are OVER IT. I know a few parents who are going to be “selectively” following the rules. Or really kind of not following them at all. We ourselves will be following…but you know, I do understand the frustration all around. Believe me, I do. My kids have been home since March!
So…moving on. I have eaten two containers of this Jingle Jangle from Trader Joe’s so far. I don’t know what makes it so special because it’s just a mix of a bunch of other stuff but it’s so addictive and yummy. I recommend it. Do yourself a favor and buy it! And ignore the nutritional info.
Some random gift ideas:
For myself: I am not a tech person at all but think I’m going to get the new MacBook with the M1 chip. I’ve had my laptop for eight years! How long have you used a laptop for, before upgrading?
This is my go-to children’s gift right now. Not MY children because we have way too many stuffed animals (I know I’m contributing to the problem). But isn’t this the perfect stuffed bear? And the price is reasonable.
I also got this LL Bean beanie to keep in my car as sometimes I forget a hat (isn’t it cute) but the big logo is both alluring and makes me self-conscious. I didn’t realize it was acrylic until it came but then I realized that apparently a lot of beanies (like this popular Carhatt model) are acrylic?
This Everlane “cloud” cardigan. I’ve been very impressed with Everlane this season! I have ordered a few sweaters, returned some and just snagged this Merino Zip when it briefly reappeared last night (the other one I grabbed is the Cashmere Polo. Both are sold out for now). I had originally ignored this cardigan as I thought it might be something synthetic but then liked the color and styling so much that I finally clicked and was surprised to find it was a mix of merino/cotton! Very nice. But honestly I’ve bought too many sweaters. A wonderful gift though.
Lululemon fleece joggers. Yes these are high priced. However I think we have all become sweatpants connoisseurs have we not? And I like the specific range of sizes. These are going on my possible self gifting list.
Finally for men, I have purchased my husband this inexpensive massage gun. Yes it looks a little wonky but we had borrowed a friend’s much more expensive version earlier and he loved it. I also ordered him this Arcteryx jacket when it went on sale but it went back to full price – I will update when it goes back down!
What are you buying/giving for gifts this year?
7 Comments
Lilian
December 7, 2020 at 10:51 amI get people being done with lockdowns, I really do. Just like you guys, we haven’t been out – heck, we haven’t eaten out since March! However, just hours away from us, they ran out of morgue and cold container storage for bodies. It’s like my whole state HASN’T figured out we’re in a whole pandemic.
**we did make the news because of that ‘don’t twerk in a fine dining establishment’ scandal (heavy sarcasm). I was more worried about ‘Rona twerking all over those plates of food and tables in close quarters, tho’
Evie
December 7, 2020 at 11:33 amI too am very impressed and jealous of Taiwan’s current situation of being able to have full award shows, concerts, indoor dining and film/tv productions. I think the success has to do with several factors:
1) Self-sufficiency and risk management: When it was proposed masks may be helpful, they mandated everyone to wear masks and ramped up production domestically. The safety measures implemented may have been over the top, like wearing a mask outdoors even to exercise, but they worked. In North America, we wanted to “wait and see” for guidance from UN, which takes a long time due to bureaucracy.
2) Team spirit vs Individual rights: The main message from the Taiwanese government was everyone needs to do their part. This was further emphasized by all the “influencers” including celebrities who keep reinforcing the message to wear a mask, social distance and stay home. In North America, we’re too obsessed with individual freedoms and thoughts we’re allowed to interpret the rules to our convenience rather than follow them.
3) They still haven’t let the guard down: The concerts/shows being held still require masks, and they have no cases!
Anyway, this has been my analysis from reading news articles and instagram posts from Taiwan. I’m not from Taiwan, but I follow the culture.
Leslie
December 7, 2020 at 1:24 pmYes, I am heartbroken every time I reach out to a student who has been missing (online) class and learn that they’ve lost more family members to COVID, while others are traveling and gathering and living like it’s all over and no big deal. Until we really wake up and recognize the truth of our interconnectedness, we are headed rapidly toward our own extinction, and that of the earth itself.
OK, I need to go get some Jingle Jangle now! Also, I’m typing from my 2011 MacBook Pro, LOL, so this is the longest (and running!) time I’ve used a laptop! The massage gun looks amazing. Is this for him to use on you or himself? 😉 and Arcteryx is awesome gear. I purchased a packable down jacket from their recycle program and it’s like new, so I’m vouching for that option being legit for those who want to do the resale option. I’ve also worn Uniqlo’s packable down through a trek in the Himalayas and can vouch for that one being a great option too!
Thanks Kat for bringing humor and fun reads to the blog in these days – loved the piece from last Weekend Update about Marc Jacobs and his jewelry!
Winnie
December 7, 2020 at 6:54 pmPart of the reason why Taiwan’s response has been so successful is because they were not so successful when the SARS pandemic hit years ago. I remember how panicked my parents were, going to Home Depot every night and buying out the stock of masks so that we could ship them back to our relatives there. I think that Taiwan learned a lot from that pandemic and had a really good plan in place in case something like that happened again, which they implemented successfully this time. There’s a long list of things that have gone amiss in the US’s response to this pandemic, so all we can do is protect ourselves especially since the government will not.
The new regulations haven’t changed anything for me either. I’ve been extremely conservative about venturing out and the one time I did eat out (at a fancy restaurant nonetheless), the protocols weren’t up to my standards and I was extremely uncomfortable the whole time. I’ll happily take my food to go and eat it in the car rather than risk getting exposed or even worse exposing someone.
Kate
December 8, 2020 at 1:13 pmJust got the new M1 MacBook Pro for work – highly recommend. Personal laptop is a 2018 Air and wish I had this instead.
Elizabeth Brooks
December 8, 2020 at 3:00 pmHusband and I BOTH have that Arc’teryx jacket. It’s awesome even at full price.
For gifts this year, I am following Nick Kristof’s charity guide for the folks who aren’t in dire straits. Seems like no one really needs more “stuff” anyway. For friends in rough seas, I can’t exactly buy their groceries (pride) but I can give LinkedIn Premium memberships or resume doctors for those looking for new jobs, for families with kids baskets of baby stuff, wine…..any luxury or helpful resource that I know they are stretched to afford – again, preserving people’s feelings.
Nvie
December 9, 2020 at 7:04 amNumbers are rising in my country but restrictions have been relaxed, petty traders, small businesses, tourism-related players can’t take it anymore. Now the government announces it will be up to us to take care of ourselves and families, not them.
Boys went back to school since Mon, youngest for a week and two more weeks for eldest before closing for the holidays. They are happy to see their friends back in school after closing for a month recently.
Numbers will remain high as there’s mass testing for migrant workers, happening right now. We are taking all precautions, still not comfortable with interstate travels, hotel stays etc. Looking forward to Christmas dinner and subsequently my birthday, a week later.
It will be a rollercoaster ride again at least for another 6 – 9 months over here but everyone is more accustomed to the volatile situation, we will make it through 2021! I don’t miss social life, happy being a hermit at home with my family. Being an OCD, I am thrilled I don’t have to shake anyone’s hand anymore in the future and happy that I get to wash my hands even more frequently!