Every Monday in our Lily Lines newsletter, we share something we love, but weren’t paid to promote. Here’s a running list of the products we’re using in our daily lives, culled from our 2019 newsletters.
July 1, 2019
Portland Leather Goods crossbody bag
I don’t go easy on my work bags — rest in peace, black leather tote that didn’t survive 2018 — and I’ve long resisted purchasing a backpack, which would be more resilient. Luckily, after years of searching for an attractive, durable tote to carry my laptop, notebook and other necessary (and not-so-necessary) items, I stumbled upon Portland Leather Goods. I scooped up a crossbody tote that’s seemingly indestructible and ages well. I’ve received lots of compliments on the bag, and it’s roomy enough that I’m never forced to leave a necessary (or not-so-necessary) item behind.
—Nneka McGuire, Lily multiplatform editor
June 24, 2019
Dansko sandal clogs
I do a lot of walking, so I’m always on the lookout for a pair of cute, comfortable walking shoes. A couple of years ago, I was complaining to my mom that it is always so difficult to find a pair that meets that criteria. Then, she suggested I look at Dansko; she said her Dansko clogs were the most comfortable pair of shoes she owned. I was skeptical but, to my surprise, found plenty of heeled sandals and colorful mules to my liking. I pretty much wear my sandal clogs all summer long now. Sure, they may get a bad rap for being “mom” shoes, but what’s wrong with dressing like our moms? Mine is my fashion icon.
—Claire Breen, Lily multiplatform editor
June 10, 2019
Greetabl gift boxes
My friend’s boyfriend broke up with her last week. It was sudden and awful, and all I wanted to do was go over to her house with a bottle of wine. Unfortunately, she lives on the other side of the country. So I decided to send something that would make her smile. I thought about making a care package, but that would take too long. Or ordering flowers, but that’s always so expensive (and flowers die). Instead, I sent a Greetabl: a small gift (of your choosing) inside a paper box, customized with your own pictures and personal message. She loved it.
—Caroline Kitchener, Lily staff writer
June 3, 2019
Gratitude diary
A couple of years ago, a friend gifted me this gratitude diary. There weren’t any guidelines on how to use it or what to write, but I began listing three things every day I was grateful for — something that only takes a minute or two. Looking back through it, those items (from “Sunday phone calls with my parents” to “busy, fulfilling days at the office” to “sunshine”) remind me of where I’ve been, and make me grateful twice over for the beauty and goodness in my life.
— Lena Felton, Lily multiplatform editor
May 27, 2019
Spiked Seltzer drinks
Seltzer water plus alcohol. Why didn’t I think of that? This has become my favorite go-to drink. White Claw, Truly and Smirnoff make this delicious beverage, but my favorite brand is Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer. It’s light and refreshing, and its website boasts simple ingredients: no sulfites, no artificial sweeteners, no preservatives, naturally gluten-free (no barley, no wheat), cold-pressed fruit essence and purified water. Purchase it wherever beer is sold, including Whole Foods, Walmart and Trader Joe’s — and drink responsibly.
— Amy Cavenaile, The Washington Post’s Emerging News Products deputy design director
May 20, 2019
Seea one-piece swimsuit
I have been on the hunt for a one-piece bathing suit, and I finally found one I love. My main criterion for bathing suits is that they cover enough of me that I am comfortable wearing them around my mother. This one makes the cut. It comes in a bunch of bright colors and bold patterns: a perfect purchase to kick off summer.
—Caroline Kitchener, Lily staff writer
May 13, 2019
Norfolk Island pine tree
My partner and I just purchased a stunning, 5-foot Norfolk Island pine tree (Araucaria heterophylla) for our apartment. We’d been pining, no pun intended, for one of these statuesque trees (which can live indoors or outdoors) for ages. These aren’t true pines — they’re evergreens — and they’re low-maintenance, which is great news for someone like me: a plant lover, but by no means a plant expert. You can buy Norfolk Island pines online through vendors like Bloomscape or Home Depot. Or, you may find one in a local plant shop; we scooped up ours at Little Leaf in Washington, D.C.
—Nneka McGuire, Lily multiplatform editor
April 29, 2019
Mielle Organics mint almond oil
My 4C hair can start to get super dry throughout the week between my twist outs. To help remedy this, I wanted to find a lightweight oil with a great scent that I could use daily. After reading some positive reviews for Mielle Organics mint almond oil, I decided to pick up a bottle, and I’m so glad I did. I only need to add a couple of drops to the palms of my hands, then massage it into my hair and scalp. It keeps my hair feeling soft and moisturized day to day.
—Macy Freeman, Washington Post multiplatform editor
April 15, 2019
“How to Fall in Love with Anyone,” by Mandy Len Catron
A friend gave me this book for Christmas last year, and I think everyone should read it. This is not a self-help book. It did not find me a boyfriend (sigh). Through personal, captivating and incredibly vulnerable essays, author Mandy Len Catron examines her love life. She questions why we love — and why we love who we love — in a super relatable way. I highlighted several quotes, and even keep a picture on my phone of one page that particularly resonated with me
—Aviva Loeb, Washington Post designer
April 1, 2019
Trader Joe’s petite bouquet
I have a very tiny apartment. So what better way to spruce up the space than with petite bouquets from Trader Joe’s? I buy a bouquet a week (which, at $3.99, certainly doesn’t break the bank). During the winter, they helped brighten up the space; now that we’re entering spring, I can’t wait to see the new flower combinations.
—Lena Felton, Lily multiplatform editor
March 25, 2019
Pressed flower phone case
I’ve gotten into the habit of buying boring phone cases. I don’t know when it happened but I want to get out of that funk. There are so many options out there and your phone is the perfect way to show a bit of personality. I came across these gorgeous, handmade pressed flower cases on Etsy. They are incredibly well-made, and because of the transparent case, they look good on any phone color.
—Rachel Orr, Lily lead art director
March 18, 2019
Cavallini Papers calendars
This is part Lily Like, part Lily Life Hack. I always love to have art on my walls, but have very little money for, well, actual art. When I moved out of my college dorm, I picked up a beautiful wall calendar that someone was throwing out: It featured various Japanese woodblocks and was made by Cavallini Papers. (The company makes a whole bunch of different calendars: collections of vintage travel scenes, national parks, flowers and many more.) I trimmed each page, bought a few simple black frames from Ikea, and turned it into art for the bare walls of my new apartment. People consistently compliment my “Japanese prints” … and I tell them that all this, too, can be theirs. They just need to buy a $10 calendar.
—Caroline Kitchener, Lily staff writer
March 11, 2019
Miss Jessie’s multicultural curls styling lotion
I’m half Jewish and half Chinese, which means I inherited a hard-to-manage combination of wavy and coarse hair textures. It has always been difficult finding the right products for my hair. That’s why I was so excited when a friend told me about Miss Jessie’s multicultural curls styling lotion — and the fact that, at $16, it was affordable and I could buy it at Target. The company was co-founded by two sisters and named after their grandmother, Miss Jessie. “Growing up as bi-racial babies, we were always searching for just the right product,” the description says. “Now, we celebrate our mixed-race heritage and the curls that come with it.”
—Maya Sugarman, Lily video editor
March 4, 2019
MUTMA boots
I bought my favorite pair of black boots (of which I have way too many) back in high school. At the time, they were a splurge — $170 from Urban Outfitters — and they have lasted more than half a decade, which is pretty remarkable. Predictably, they’re starting to fall apart, so much so that I recently looked all over and inside them to find their original maker. In faded, imprinted letters, there it was: MUTMA. The Uruguayan brand is still selling great-looking boots — though, to my utter heartbreak, not my silver-accented, low-heeled favorites.
—Lena Felton, Lily multiplatform editor
Feb. 25, 2019
Vapur wide mouth anti-bottle
I try to take a reusable water bottle with me everywhere I go, but sometimes it can be challenging. I can’t always fit my stainless steel bottle in my purse, and it takes up unnecessary space when it’s empty. That’s why when my mom showed me her “anti-bottle,” I thought it was the perfect on-the-go option. It’s flexible, so if I don’t fill it up all the way, it’ll adapt to the space of my purse; when it’s empty, I can just fold it up and toss it in my bag. Plus, it’s affordable and comes in nice colors.
—Claire Breen, Lily multiplatform editor
Feb. 18, 2019
Kettle pop sugar-free gum by Project 7
I have an unhealthy obsession with gum. Sometimes I have to take a break because my jaw gets so sore. I’ve tried almost every brand of gum there is. Project 7 has gum flavors like “s’mores,” “cupcake bites” and my personal favorite, “kettle pop.” It’s perfect when I have a craving for something sweet. When I pop one of these into my mouth, I feel like I’m at the farmer’s market buying a $5 bag of kettle corn. A disclaimer: the artificial sugar isn’t for everyone.
—Maya Sugarman, Lily video editor
Feb. 4, 2019
Bath & Body Works lavender cedarwood body cream
As a high school student, I got very excited every December when winter candy apple soap would inevitably appear in my bathroom. After moving out on my own, though, my relationship with Bath & Body Works largely ended. But a few years ago, my mom bought me this lavender cedarwood body cream for Christmas, and I’ve been a regular user ever since. It’s part of the aromatherapy line, and I put some on right before going to bed. It smells lovely.
—Amy King, Lily editor in chief and creative director
Jan. 28, 2019
Piñon incense by P.F. Candle Co.
During the winter, I love using scents to make my home feel cozier. I shed my winter layers when I walk in the door and light a stick of this incense in my living room and bedroom. Each stick burns for about an hour — I even made my own ceramic incense holders, which certainly spark joy.
—Maya Sugarman, Lily video editor
Jan. 21, 2019
Yala cardigan
I am perpetually cold in the office, which means that I’m constantly on the lookout for comfy, professional(ish)-looking cardigans to throw on over my work clothes. I liked this one, by Yala, so much that I bought it in two colors. The flowy style makes it easy to pair with anything — dresses, blouses, tank tops — and the fabric is pajamas-level soft.
—Caroline Kitchener, Lily staff writer
Jan. 14, 2019
Aquis hair turban
After seeing a targeted Instagram ad promising smoother hair and faster drying time, I impulsively caved and bought this microfiber hair turban. I’m glad I did. It has become a staple in my nighttime routine: I throw it on after I wash my hair, and within five minutes my hair is slightly damp as opposed to the usual dripping wet I’d get from a towel dry. Ever since I started using it a few months ago, my hair feels softer and smoother and healthier.
—Aviva Loeb, Washington Post designer
Jan. 7, 2019
Timbuk2 Authority laptop backpack
My previous backpack broke months ago, and I had been using a canvas one with absolutely no support ever since. While I knew I needed a new one, I kept putting off buying one because I could never find anything I was happy with. My requirements? Something comfortable, not too bulky, professional, water-resistant and able to hold my laptop, lunch and workout clothes. Is that too much to ask? Luckily, I went to a Timbuk2 store in New York and checked out the backpacks in person — and found one close to perfect. It’s beautiful and sleek and so comfortable.
—Rachel Orr, Lily lead art director
