At least once a week, the writers and editors on Refinery29’s Life team get into a long Slack conversation about some cool new item that’s been absolutely saving or changing or elevating our lives. So we decided to share the wealth, and highlight some of our favorite products each month.
Here’s what we found ourselves eating, drinking, carrying, wearing, and decorating our apartments with all January long.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Apple’s Fitness + service, but it expired last month — and after having used it all of 2021, I immediately starting shelling out my own bucks to renew. I still haven’t been back to in-person classes, and this subscription is one of the reasons that I don’t really miss them — the Apple trainers are so great and positive (and often funny), and the workouts are accessible and always put me in a better mood. I usually stick with strength or HIIT videos, and I rejoiced when Apple added Pilates to the mix late last year.” — Mirel Zaman, Director of Life Apple Fitness+” data-src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/UsqPvQa7n06_Zfwrgizd8w–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYwMw–/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/JEGnpIyNPKDflF9su3xkwg–~B/aD0xNTA3O3c9MjQwMDthcHBpZD15dGFjaHlvbg–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/refinery29_778/934f7fc1bc5bf2ddf6bd39df1737962e”>
Apple Fitness+
“I had a free year-long subscription to Apple’s Fitness + service, but it expired last month — and after having used it all of 2021, I immediately starting shelling out my own bucks to renew. I still haven’t been back to in-person classes, and this subscription is one of the reasons that I don’t really miss them — the Apple trainers are so great and positive (and often funny), and the workouts are accessible and always put me in a better mood. I usually stick with strength or HIIT videos, and I rejoiced when Apple added Pilates to the mix late last year.” — Mirel Zaman, Director of Life Apple Fitness+
Martha’s double chocolate chip cookies, which are truly outrageous) produces a sticky dough, and at times, I worry about how much I waste as I wash it off my hands — one full cookie’s worth, at least. I saw someone mention Danish dough whisks on TikTok and a few months later pulled the trigger on the purchase — and I wish I’d gotten one sooner. I’ve used through my holiday baking spree (three or four types of cookies plus croissants), and I can say it mixes dough amazingly, blending ingredients efficiently and thoroughly without requiring much elbow grease at all. And even my stickiest batters are easily cleaned from the prongs.” —MZ
Jillmo Jillmo Danish Dough Whisk, 12 inches, $, available at Amazon” data-src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/oLE1V2dydM.9Vc1Ugod08w–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTk2MA–/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/CMI22CUzdNq5IfGrxauU7w–~B/aD0xNTAwO3c9MTUwMDthcHBpZD15dGFjaHlvbg–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/refinery29_778/3d3e7a865db8b4996b66da6603bdfec3″>
Jillmo Danish Dough Whisk
“I love baking cookies, but I can’t justify taking up my precious, precious NYC counter space with a stand mixer. I’ve never been able to effectively blend my wet and dry ingredients with a fork or spoon, so I tend to mix dough with my hands. But at least one of my standby recipes (Martha’s double chocolate chip cookies, which are truly outrageous) produces a sticky dough, and at times, I worry about how much I waste as I wash it off my hands — one full cookie’s worth, at least. I saw someone mention Danish dough whisks on TikTok and a few months later pulled the trigger on the purchase — and I wish I’d gotten one sooner. I’ve used through my holiday baking spree (three or four types of cookies plus croissants), and I can say it mixes dough amazingly, blending ingredients efficiently and thoroughly without requiring much elbow grease at all. And even my stickiest batters are easily cleaned from the prongs.” —MZ
Jillmo Jillmo Danish Dough Whisk, 12 inches, $, available at Amazon
optimize my bedtime routine this winter, and this pillowcase has been a game-changer. The silky-soft texture feels incredible and prevents bedhead. Plus, it also has a clever flap on the “open” end, which helps keep the pillow tucked securely inside the case. This is crucial for me, as I tend to toss and turn and, without this feature, I often wake up with the case riding halfway down the pillow. This brand is a little pricier than some, but that just makes me want to take care of it — it prompts me to really scrub off my makeup before bed and wash the case on as regular a schedule as possible. I know my gross college self (who slept on the same cheap pillowcase for probably six months straight) would be proud of me for this chic upgrade. ” — Molly Longman, Senior Staff Writer
Fishers Finery 19 Momme 100% Pure Mulberry Silk Pillowcase – Exceptional Value – Good Housekeeping Quality Tested, $, available at Fishers Finery” data-src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/27IM2_jOIULatEnFqOUW4Q–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTE0NDA-/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/Gj4n0iMNRohEs4hYoaHzEw–~B/aD0xNjAwO3c9MTA2NzthcHBpZD15dGFjaHlvbg–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/refinery29_778/925f98c38c93cac641ee741807718010″>
100% Pure Mulberry Silk Pillowcase
“I’ve been trying to optimize my bedtime routine this winter, and this pillowcase has been a game-changer. The silky-soft texture feels incredible and prevents bedhead. Plus, it also has a clever flap on the “open” end, which helps keep the pillow tucked securely inside the case. This is crucial for me, as I tend to toss and turn and, without this feature, I often wake up with the case riding halfway down the pillow. This brand is a little pricier than some, but that just makes me want to take care of it — it prompts me to really scrub off my makeup before bed and wash the case on as regular a schedule as possible. I know my gross college self (who slept on the same cheap pillowcase for probably six months straight) would be proud of me for this chic upgrade. ” — Molly Longman, Senior Staff Writer
Fishers Finery 19 Momme 100% Pure Mulberry Silk Pillowcase – Exceptional Value – Good Housekeeping Quality Tested, $, available at Fishers Finery
Socksmith” data-src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ncnCQMJFbN_pdvpIePFabg–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTIxMDtoPTI4MA–/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/12iva5_qbU5k63egPoJCzw–~B/aD0yMjA7dz0xNjU7YXBwaWQ9eXRhY2h5b24-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/refinery29_778/87752f6e2dd8b40e6135ff3c4d444b4e” height=”220″ width=”165″>
“Corgi Butt” Socks
“I was sick earlier this month, and a friend of mine dropped these off to me in a care package. Not only are they warm, but they’re adorable and the smiling corgi faces brought me so much joy at a time I needed it.” — ML
Socksmith Women’s “Corgi Butt” Socks, $, available at Socksmith
Nordstrom” data-src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/jJkiEJ6A9Qwmc4J5h0BuPQ–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTE0NzI-/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/QbcUZYb956bTDnWeOBevsg–~B/aD0xMTk2O3c9NzgwO2FwcGlkPXl0YWNoeW9u/https://media.zenfs.com/en/refinery29_778/6eeaa1bac409f12f0fef59f0bbbd1cc4″>
Trisilk Eye Mask with Cooling Gel
“I once went to an eye doctor who told me to “rest my eyes” by putting hot or cool compresses on them each night for 10 or 15 minutes. It’s one of those rituals that I rarely find time for, but, when I do, it feels wonderful — especially after staring at a computer all day for work. And this mask is ideal for when I do fit in “eye time.” It’s plushy and has a removable gel insert that you can pop in the refrigerator between uses. Other perks: It seems to reduce puffiness around the eyes, and it just feels so soothing on the forehead if you have a headache — or a hangover.” — ML
Night Trisilk™ Eye Mask with Cooling Gel, $, available at Nordstrom
Inkbox” data-src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/rVCD0V4Z0_rqekP4L_herQ–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTEyMDA-/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/RGz1kxu9KvvjSrmm0YqgFA–~B/aD0xMjUwO3c9MTAwMDthcHBpZD15dGFjaHlvbg–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/refinery29_778/741f1031013c17427af9e883b4699624″>
Inkbox Tattoo Marker
“The pandemic has really changed my relationship with my body and fashion — I’m spending more time looking at myself in sweatpants than ever before. Without the dopamine rush that a good outfit brings me in the deepest depths of winter depression, this Inkbox marker has really worked wonders for my mental health. There is just something so meditative about creating artwork on my body. Plus, it only lasts for two weeks so I can change up what I’m sporting depending on my mood.” — Hannah Rimm, Editor
Inkbox Freehand Tattoo Marker, $, available at Inkbox
Cider” data-src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0zzPPkp0I8WbIT7qmg5c1Q–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTk3MA–/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/U0NdjPTN_UvKky4ql6IjqA–~B/aD02MDA7dz01OTQ7YXBwaWQ9eXRhY2h5b24-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/refinery29_778/6a70cffa85aaa9c208a5b08d4dc7c5b8″>
Lost Boy Cider — Comeback Kid
“I both love and am very picky about hard cider. Most hard cider leans way too sweet for me, especially as a recovering IPA-obsessed beer drinker. This Lost Boy Cider, Comeback Kid is beautifully crisp and dry without losing the rich apple flavor. This will absolutely be my go-to cider as winter becomes spring.” — HR
Lost Boy Cider Comeback Kid, $, available at Cider
Taking Stock columnist, Paco de Leon did it: She wrote a book on finance that makes me both excited to learn and ready to take action. De Leon’s take-no-shit attitude mixed with illustrations and metaphors ranging from whiskey to explain inflation to plants to explain student debt makes this is one of the most approachable financial books I’ve ever read.” —HR
Penguin Random House Finance for the People: Getting a Grip on Your Finances, $, available at Amazon” data-src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/bB37d7hUNTeem.gF8kYT4Q–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTY0MDtoPTk1OQ–/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/4AtZLOVGe5dogF9C.3EMOw–~B/aD00OTk7dz0zMzM7YXBwaWQ9eXRhY2h5b24-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/refinery29_778/5764aee44189603cbfaf1100bc728d0d”>
“As a work & money editor, I live and breathe financial advice, so it takes a lot for me to really enjoy a book on finance, but Refinery29’s very own Taking Stock columnist, Paco de Leon did it: She wrote a book on finance that makes me both excited to learn and ready to take action. De Leon’s take-no-shit attitude mixed with illustrations and metaphors ranging from whiskey to explain inflation to plants to explain student debt makes this is one of the most approachable financial books I’ve ever read.” —HR
Penguin Random House Finance for the People: Getting a Grip on Your Finances, $, available at Amazon
Drizly” data-src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/rBeCHMMJ4WjWHhhv3itMIg–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MA–/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/awSYCJKiXL3bIaykTDMflg–~B/aD04MTA7dz0xNDQwO2FwcGlkPXl0YWNoeW9u/https://media.zenfs.com/en/refinery29_778/5b9307bf2c9e4f405ebcd7de9fe45246″>
Bud Light Hard Soda
“I recommend this hard soda, and particularly the orange soda flavor, with a huge caveat — it is deliciously dangerous. Tasting almost exactly like the nostalgic orange soda of my childhood, this hard soda stands to take over barbecues and summer parties for years to come. —HR
Bud Light Bud Light Hard Seltzer Hard Soda, $, available at Drizly
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