110523: Things that made life special this week
Wolf podcasts, non-stretch jeans, baguette sandwiches, Swedish luxury skincare, and more.
Hello and welcome to Things That Made Life Special This Week, a celebration of the pursuits that add a little something extra to the everyday.
In case you missed it, the Wednesday newsletter was all about making a sports corner at home if you don’t have the space for an entire home gym.
Sorry this is coming two full days late, things are still quite hectic and will be more under control mid-November. This week, I’m at Les, Clérins, our house in France—The Bell’s namesake. And it’s been a very active time recently, so I’ve got a big, bumper list of recs for you today.
Listening: Two touching podcasts about wolves
“Episode 232: Wolf 10” on Criminal and “Episode 72: The Wolves” on This is Love, both hosted by Phoebe Judge. I was surprised by how much I loved these podcasts about an animal I rarely think about and have never seen. They tell stories of a few wolf packs in Yellowstone and their family dynamics, including how the runt of one litter adopted fatherless pups and became the alpha of that pack, changing the definition of wolf power and leadership in the process.
Also listening: 1989 (Taylor’s Version), which barely counts as a rec because it’s so obvious—but “Out of the Woods (Taylor’s Version)” is SO GOOD that it just joined my top five TS songs for sure! Listen with headphones in and dance! (The other top four are currently and in no particular order: “State of Grace (T.V.),” “Exile,” “All Too Well 10 min (T.V.),” and “Death by a Thousand Cuts,” thank you for asking.)
Wearing: Uniqlo HeatTech layers
‘Tis the season to throw a HeatTech under every shirt and sweater to keep bulkiness down while staying warm. I wear these every day in the colder months and they genuinely make me feel warm enough to wear a wool coat in New England winters when otherwise down would be called for.
Also wearing: Wool house shoes from Glerups. These are magic slippers. Warm, breathable, grippy soles, natural fibers, great arch support, cute shape, cute colors. I have The Slip-On in ‘denim’ and my husband has it in ‘charcoal.’ We live in them all day in the drafty country house.
Buying: So much stuff
Besides all my restocks from Sephora (still on sale), I have been wearing out my credit card this week. My accidental break from shopping is definitely over, lol.
Before our trip, I bought these COS non-stretch jeans in off-white, three sizes above my true size. I noticed that in the way they’re styled for the website, the model wears a size 27, though she has a body type that would normally be a 24-25. So, I think they run one size small, then if you have hips and a bottom, you need to size up 2x more for a really loose, comfy leg and the option to wear them lower-rise or with a cinched waist. If your lower body type is less curvy (flat bottom/smaller hips and thighs), you probably only need to size up 1-2x to get the same effect.
I also bought these Made in USA New Balance sneakers in gray for the fall. I have already walked dozens of miles in them, sometimes in the rain, in a dirty city, and they have been super comfy, lightweight, and look like new. I was late to jump on the NB trend (I guess all the cool kids have moved on and are wearing Salomons now?) and my husband thinks I look like Steve Jobs in them, but we can’t expect him to understand fashion. ;)
In Paris, I stopped at two different locations for top quality French chocolate: Debauve et Gallais and À la Mère de Famille. They’re very different styles and I love them both.
I also ordered a few dresses to Boston to try on when I get home. I will report back on what I end up keeping! And I bought a few other treats in Paris, which I will share in Wednesday’s newsletter.
Eating: Sandwich with goat cheese, honey, arugula, toasted walnuts, and sun-dried tomatoes on baguette
I was in the neighborhood of Boulangerie Utopie in Paris one day around lunchtime, and made this excellent choice. I had a baguette sandwich for lunch (and sometimes dinner lol) every day for two weeks for speed and convenience, so I tried a solid range of toppings. This one was the winner in my book. Doesn’t hurt that this is one of the best bakeries in Paris and the bread was superior!
Making: Sandwich with pork rillettes, cornichons, and comté cheese on baguette
I was telling my friend how tired I am of French baguette sandwiches (see above), but then she told me about this one she had at an Eric Kayser boulangerie on her last trip to Paris. I knew I immediately needed to make it at home since all of the ingredients are French kitchen staples. As a side note, America needs to get more into rillettes.
Trying: Sleep meditations on Peloton
After a busy day when my mind is racing, I love Ross Rayburn’s guided meditations to wind down and fall into a deep sleep.
Using: Björk and Berries bath and skincare products
My husband gave me this gorgeous Swedish “eco-luxury” range of products for my birthday last year and I look forward to using them every time we’re at the French house. The White Forest scent is one of the most magnificent things I’ve ever smelled, but they have other scents that I equally look forward to sampling in the future. They don’t have a ton of stockists in America (I found a small range at Saks) so if you’re looking to give your skincare-loving friend a gift she doesn’t already own, this is a great option. A hand & body wash + hand & body lotion duo would be a great gift, or add the body serum if you’re feeling generous.
Doing: Making our house more comfortable, little by little
We have essentially been camping in our French house for a long time, but on each visit it tiptoes toward modern comforts. This time around, we got a dishwasher, two armoires so we don’t have to live out of suitcases, and more rugs so the rooms aren’t as echoey. Small steps, but very exciting.
Following: @hillhousevintage on Instagram
has the most joyful account for those who love all things French country, entertaining, and beautiful living. She inspires me to put on a pretty dress and some red lipstick—and to pause in the afternoon for tea and cake using my best china. Her Substack (linked) is coming soon and she also has an upcoming cottage-y murder mystery novel!Join me in the open recommendations thread on Substack Chat, where I’d love to hear what’s making your life special this week. Here’s how to download the app if you don’t already have it. And have a great weekend!
xx Jane
This newsletter includes a few affiliate links. I like to shop small and don’t exclusively feature brands that are part of an affiliate program, so not all links will earn me a commission. But some will! If you plan to buy something featured in this newsletter, using my link will help support the time and love I put into writing these for you. I appreciate your support so much!