12 Things That Got Me Through a Horrible Year
Dwell’s executive editor Jenny Xie picks her desert island essentials—if the desert island were a global pandemic.
Dwell’s executive editor Jenny Xie picks her desert island essentials—if the desert island were a global pandemic.
A year ago, when a friend tipped me off about the shelter-in-place order that would soon blanket the Bay Area, I was incredulous: Two weeks spent confined to our homes? The idea seemed outlandish—we were having dinner at a popular Burmese restaurant in Oakland, and though there were admittedly more free tables than usual, a presiding sense of normalcy made the prospect seem far-fetched. We’re not a country that does well with government-mandated restrictions, I pointed out.
Of course, those initial two weeks have stretched to 52 and counting—and while we’ve undoubtedly struggled with hunkering down, social distancing, and even mask-wearing, those of us who have been lucky enough to remain in our homes or find safe harbor with family have settled into new routines. Much of what’s brought me comfort during the pandemic can’t be bought—Zoom sessions with far-flung friends, bike rides along the shoreline—but in terms of earthly possessions that have made home feel like a refuge, these are the MVPs.
The first time I draped this chunky weighted blanket over me, I thought, "Oh, no. This isn’t going to work." But that was before I learned how to relax under its soothing, calming, immersive weight. It’s like a hug you can wear! Plus, the oversized knit is undeniably cute.
Bearaby Cotton Napper
A cool and cozy, highly breathable knitted weighted blanket made heavy with nothing but layer upon layer of natural, organic cotton. Ideal for all sleepers.
After I was mugged last summer, my dear friends put together a care package that included this rosewater spray. It’s meant to be used as a face mist, but I like to spritz the air at the end of my bedtime routine and stand under its floral drizzle for an instant pick-me-up.
Heritage Store Rosewater Spray
This cult fave is two ingredients of versatility. Refresh, set, hydrate, and uplift. Damask Rose Oil soothes and softens skin, while Vor-Mag™ Water charges and energizes mood.
It’s hard to recommend candles because scents are so personal, but this has been, hands-down, the most intoxicating mix I’ve encountered: gardenia, ginger, coconut water, jasmine, and sandalwood. It has depth without being too murky, and is floral without being too sweet.
Night Space Midnight Candle
Perfect for the bedroom or bath, the Midnight Blue Ceramic Candle features notes of black orchid, coconut and white ginger to give your space the sexy floral touch it's been craving.
It’s been a landmark year for hot springs and hot tubs in my life, I’m happy to report. I recently got a matching set of these organic waffle-weave robes that make the transition from rejuvenating water to cold night air a spa-like experience in and of itself (okay, or at least spa-adjacent).
Coyuchi Unisex Organic Waffle Robe
The classic spa robe, reinvented. Made from organic cotton in an airy waffle weave, it’s pre-tumbled to be soft from day one and gets more so with every wash. Unisex styling with a streamlined fit that keeps it comfy and flattering with double belt-loops.
I am not a "nails" girl. I’ve had exactly two manicures in my life, and then only due to peer pressure, so it took a sale and pandemic boredom to convince me to try this set from Chillhouse (I got Wavy Baby, Dot Matrix, and Editor-in-Chill). They were easy to put on, lasted a good while, and made me feel femme even though I’d been wearing the same pair of leggings for a week.
Chillhouse Chill Tips Reusable Press-On Manicure Kit
Chill Tips are salon-quality pop-on nails you can apply at home, with no mess, wait time or smudging. Made with non-toxic, high-quality materials that are comfortable and fully customizable. Includes tools and non-damaging glue.
Is your idea of a good time getting emotionally vulnerable with friends, lovers, or even complete strangers? Are you ready to risk crying over a card game? Then boy, do I have just the thing for you! This deck includes questions and interactive prompts with three levels of intimacy so you can really dig deep with the people you care about—or are just getting to know.
We’re Not Really Strangers Card Game
We're Not Really Strangers is a purpose driven card game and movement all about empowering meaningful connections. Three carefully crafted levels of questions and wildcards that allow you to deepen your existing relationships and create new ones.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, The Chameleon is a game that’s more party-friendly (when those are a thing again) and feels like a mashup of Mafia and Codenames. It’s easy to learn and quick to play, so you’re not glued to the table for hours—no offense to Catan lovers.
The Chameleon Board Game
Blend in. Don’t get caught. Six players. One word each. Everyone sounded pretty convincing, but someone isn’t who they say they are. That someone is The Chameleon. In each round of The Chameleon, a secret word is selected from a Topic Card in the middle of the table. Everyone knows what the word is, except for the player with the Chameleon card… but which player is it? Using cunning, social deduction and some serious mob mentality, each player shouts out a related word to prove their innocence and tries to track down the impostor. Once everyone’s said their piece, the voting begins and the moment of truth arrives. In order to successfully track down the guilty player and win the game, players will have to use all of their teamwork and witch-hunting skills. If you’re the Chameleon, however, the rules are much more simple. Don’t. Get. Caught.
Being indoors for long stretches of time has brought me renewed appreciation for my plants, not the least of which is the gigantic monstera I inherited from an upstairs neighbor. Seeing the tender green fronds unfurl in the spring—despite minimal care on my end—were legitimate highlights to my day.
Bloomscape Monstera
Lively and wild with large, tropical leaves. Also known as the Swiss Cheese Plant
I’m eternally grateful to have spent lockdown in California, where the weather is magnificent and there’s plenty of outdoors to explore. I got a lot of mileage out of this seemingly bottomless backpack, which has all the bells and whistles you need for a long weekend in the mountains.
Osprey Kyte 46 Pack
Exploring the sandstone canyons of the desert, thwacking through routes filled with pokey brush and trees, or clearing wilderness trails with Pulaski ax in hand—this is what the women’s-specific Kyte 46 was made for. Built with durable fabrics for demanding outdoor conditions and activities, the Kyte has all the features you need to enjoy the experience and get the job done. The integrated raincover deploys quickly to keep your gear dry, the rear stretch mesh shove-it pocket stores small items like a jacket for quick access, and Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment makes it easy to free your hands without stopping to take your pack off. Like all of our packs, it also includes unparalleled fit and comfort. Built with sturdy nylon fabrics, and built to withstand whatever the backcountry throws at it.
Like many of us, I experimented with new recipes during lockdown, most of them of the drink variety. I’ve been known to do a "Jenny pour" instead of measuring proportions, so for my birthday I got a new barware set from Viski in sleek gunmetal black—this one’s pretty similar.
Aloono 11-Piece Cocktail Shaker Bar Set
This bar set is a must-have for cocktail lovers or professional bartenders alike.
There was no shortage of powerhouse novels published in 2020. Two that have left a lasting impression are How Much of These Hills Is Gold by C Pam Zhang, a mythic tale of a Chinese family set in the old American West, and Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam, a story about two families colliding in the Hamptons that’s deeply unsettling in the best way.
How Much of These Hills Is Gold
An electric debut novel set against the twilight of the American gold rush, two siblings are on the run in an unforgiving landscape—trying not just to survive but to find a home. Ba dies in the night; Ma is already gone. Newly orphaned children of immigrants, Lucy and Sam are suddenly alone in a land that refutes their existence. Fleeing the threats of their western mining town, they set off to bury their father in the only way that will set them free from their past. Along the way, they encounter giant buffalo bones, tiger paw prints, and the specters of a ravaged landscape as well as family secrets, sibling rivalry, and glimpses of a different kind of future. Both epic and intimate, blending Chinese symbolism and reimagined history with fiercely original language and storytelling, How Much of These Hills Is Gold is a haunting adventure story, an unforgettable sibling story, and the announcement of a stunning new voice in literature. On a broad level, it explores race in an expanding country and the question of where immigrants are allowed to belong. But page by page, it's about the memories that bind and divide families, and the yearning for home.
Leave the World Behind
A magnetic novel about two families, strangers to each other, who are forced together on a long weekend gone terribly wrong. From the bestselling author of Rich and Pretty comes a suspenseful and provocative novel keenly attuned to the complexities of parenthood, race, and class. Leave the World Behind explores how our closest bonds are reshaped—and unexpected new ones are forged—in moments of crisis. Amanda and Clay head out to a remote corner of Long Island expecting a vacation: a quiet reprieve from life in New York City, quality time with their teenage son and daughter, and a taste of the good life in the luxurious home they've rented for the week. But a late-night knock on the door breaks the spell. Ruth and G. H. are an older couple—it's their house, and they've arrived in a panic. They bring the news that a sudden blackout has swept the city. But in this rural area--with the TV and internet now down, and no cell phone service—it's hard to know what to believe. Should Amanda and Clay trust this couple—and vice versa? What happened back in New York? Is the vacation home, isolated from civilization, a truly safe place for their families? And are they safe from one other?
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