Things I like: Favorites of 2024
Items I actually use—and places I've actually been—and recommend
Yesterday, I boarded a plane to California. A few friends and I have had this trip to Joshua Tree on the books since last fall. But it feels strange to be here for vacation when only 150 miles away, wildfires still burn. Already so much tragedy has happened in 25 days of 2025, and it’s hard not to feel despair. It’s probably why I’m still partially living in the past, not hurrying or rushing into this new calendar. Comforts lately include reading in bed with a foamy cappuccino on my nightstand. I try to drink it slowly instead of gulping it down. I’ve been staying in bed longer than usual, on weekdays and on weekends, savoring the warmth of my own body in the blankets before stepping onto the cold, wood floors. My other recent comfort is quite the opposite: dawn runs with my neighborhood run buddies. Nothing like a blast of cold air to the face to wake up to the world.
For this Things I like column (more here), I pulled together some of my favorites from last year. It’s not that I’m not looking forward to this year. This trip with the girls will be fun even though my heart is heavy. But there’s something comforting and romantic about memories that are absent of the any present pain.
Stay: Baja Club. This was a tough choice because I was lucky to stay at some amazing places last year. But if I had to choose just one, it’d be our time at Baja Club in La Paz, Baja California Sur. It helped that Steve came along so I wasn’t staying in a luxury hotel all by myself, which gets pretty lonely. From the architecture and interiors to the breakfast and bar, this place was immaculate. I felt really treated. It was a comped two-night stay, but I’d pay to return in a heartbeat. Located right on the coastal boardwalk, the Malecón, we were steps from the beach and restaurants, and our room had a clear view of the ocean.
Dining: DŪM in Todos Santos. On one of our final nights in Baja Sur, we had a 7-course meal in the jungle at this Michelin-recommended restaurant. Of course dinner was delicious: the passionfruit lavender mocktail, the appetizer representative of land, water, and fire, the risotto with anise, and the baklava and truffles as dessert. We left feeling fat and happy. What I loved most about this experience was its setting. The owner told us that when they built the restaurant, they didn’t remove any trees, so all of the dining areas are spread out and nestled naturally between the palms. Very private and romantic!
Book: Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. If you’re wanting a dreamy but dramatic read, this is my recommendation. It was the first novel I picked up by Ann Patchett, which I followed up with the fan favorite, The Dutch House, but I still liked this one more. Much more. It was part love story, part family history, set between a cherry orchard and lake in northern Michigan. You know those books that remind you of falling in love? That was this. I’ll probably read it again this year.
Practical purchase: Dreamegg white noise machine. In 2021, we started sleeping with a box fan on to drown out the neighborhood noises. And then we couldn’t sleep without it. We’d run it even in the winter, tilted away from us so we wouldn’t catch a chill. Then I discovered that they make white noise machines like the Dreamegg. It’s made for babies lol so comes with lullaby songs. Also rainforest sounds. But we keep it on the basic white noise setting. The battery lasts about a week. I’m thinking of getting another one for when one of us travels.
Everyday beauty: Egg Mellow cream by Too Cool For School. If this product is full of bad things for me, I don’t want to know. Keep it to yourself. I love the way it smells. I love the way it makes my skin feel. I love the packaging. I put this on my face every morning after cleansing and before makeup.
Jewelry: A pair of chunky gold hoops. I’ve been through several pairs of gold hoops but this pair by Machete are by far my favorite. (Plus, I haven’t lost them yet like my other pairs.) Chunky but not heavy. High quality but not expensive. I wear them almost every day. I’m still on the hunt for a smaller hoop.
Gear: Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody. I would never pick out this color for myself. I usually go for navy blue or black or brown. But I’m so glad I have it in my wardrobe, a perk of being a gear tester. I throw it on for errands, hikes, patio hangs, etc. If I could only keep one puffy, I would keep this one.
Clothes: Le Bon Shoppe Balloon Pants. These sweats are another item I wear almost every day. I stopped wearing sweats for a while because I felt like a slob. Somehow these make me feel less like a slob. Is it the balloon shape? Is it the pockets? Is it because they cost $90? I don’t care, I will keep wearing them. The French Terry is thick but drapes nicely, and the elasticated ankle cuffs lock in warmth. I wear them as jammies and I wear them with a chore coat.
Handmade: Knitted mittens. My friend Latasha and I did a skills exchange last winter. I sewed her a shirt, she knitted me mittens. Look how beautiful these are! These have become one of my most cherished items. I’ve been wearing them a lot since it’s been so cold in Portland. I wrote about our skills exchange, and Latasha documented the whole process in a vlog. I love swapping handmade things with friends!
Fabric: Cotton canvas. I wish I had 100 yards of this fabric from Blackbird Fabrics. It’s so versatile and easy to sew, and the 8.5 oz is crisp but not stiff, that I want to make every pattern out of it. I could even experiment with dying. So far, I’ve made a jumpsuit and pants. Next up is a matching coat. I’ll order more than I think I need when the time comes.
Sewing pattern: Henrietta Skirt by Spaghetti Western Sewing. All year I’d been looking for a skirt like this at thrift stores and flea markets but could never find just the right one. Sure, I could buy it new for $180—or I could make it myself. Not only did I sew the skirt of my dreams, this pattern is my favorite sew to date. It took an evening. I wear it all the time and feel feminine but not precious. I’m making one for a friend for her birthday, and wouldn’t it look cute in a pinstripe?
Investment: Serger. For my birthday, Steve bought me the Singer Heavy Duty Serger. Its purpose is to encase the raw edges of seams, which are usually hidden on the backside of your garment but are prone to fraying without some type of finish. I held off for a few years before collecting another expensive machine because I wanted to make sure that I was committed to sewing, unlike so many other hobbies of mine. And YOU GUYS. This little guy is a game changer. The zig-zag stitch was a fine alternative but looked really messy. It took a little getting used to and finagling to figure out how to use it. Thank god for YouTube. Now my handmade garments are as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside.
