At least once a week, the writers and editors on Refinery29’s Life team get into a long conversation about some cool new item that’s been absolutely saving, changing, or elevating our lives. So we decided to share the wealth, and highlight some of our favorite products and experiences each month.
This month, we’re excited about a bottled martini, arm weights, a bathhouse, and so much more.
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.
Vicks VapoRub
“I have my first post-COVID cold and I’m miserable. The only thing helping me other than loads of Kleenex tissues and going to bed at 8:30 p.m. is my forever favorite Vicks VapoRub. You know you’re in my inner work circle when I slather this on my nose during a Zoom meeting without giving you any context.”
— Carli Whitwell, Senior Editorial Director
Vicks Vicks VapoRub, Chest Rub Ointment, Relief from Cough, Cold, Aches, & Pains with Original Medicated Vicks Vapors, Topical Cough Suppressant, 1.76 Ounce (Pack of 3), $, available at Amazon
Smash + Tess Funky Flared Romper
“The only thing that’s better than a stretchy romper is a stretchy romper with bell bottoms. This version, a collab from Canadian brand Smash + Tess and Ashlee Simpson Ross, is so versatile, I can wear it everywhere — from relaxing at home on a Sunday after to a night out (paired with an oversized blazer). And, sorry to sound like my mom here, but it washes beautifully!”
— CW
Smash + Tess Smash + Tess FUNKY FLARED ROMPER IN MIDNIGHT BLACK, $, available at Smash + Tess
Via Carota Signature Martini
“As a self-professed martini connoisseur, the impossible-to-get-a-reservation-at, Taylor Swift-approved Via Carota’s martini has been on my bucket list forever. So when I heard they were releasing a bottled version of their signature drinks (along with the martini they also released an espresso martini, two negronis, and two whiskey drinks), I jumped at the opportunity to get my hands on this fabled drink. I went into my drinking experience a bit skeptical since I had yet to see a properly bottled vodka martini hit the market, but boy I was impressed. Simultaneously giving savory and sour, the vermouth is perfectly balanced and I easily added a bit of olive juice for the perfect at-home dirty martini. Needless to say, I’ll be stocking this baby on my bar cart for the foreseeable future.”
— Hannah Rimm, Senior Life Editor
Via Carota Craft Cocktails Via Carota Signature Martini, $, available at Via Carota
Cuyana Cardholder
“I’ve been a big wallet girly for as long as I can remember, but lately I’ve really craved the ease of just throwing my wallet in my pocket and running to the corner store. I’ve always been skeptical of cardholders because of their size and my “need to carry everything with me at all times” way of life, so I was pleasantly surprised when I happened upon the Cuyana cardholder. It’s big enough to hold four credit cards, my ID, cash, and all of my health insurance cards while still fitting seamless in my back pocket. I also love the zipper detail because it gives me the perfect place to keep my small jewelry when I’m working out. Not to mention, the leather of this wallet is absolutely stunning and unbelievably strong.” — HR
Cuyana Zip Cardholder, $, available at Cuyana
Mionetto Prosecco Six Pack
“If you know me, you know two things are true — I’m tragically allergic to beer and I’ve never shown up to a party without a liquid gift. So when the Mionetto Prosecco Six Pack came into my purview, I ran towards the light. For the price of a bottle of wine, this six pack contains three individual bottles of prosecco and three individual bottles of rosé all in the cutest packaging you ever did see. Plus, Mionetto is unquestionably delicious, and the perfect way to get any party going.” — HR
Mionetto Mini Sparkling Mionetto Prosecco Rose Gift Pack, $, available at Grand Wine Cellar
Sloomoo Institute Slime
“I first purchased slime in the depths of my pandemic depression — it was simultaneously entertaining, adorable, and deeply cathartic. Since 2020, I’ve become a bit of a slime addict — last I counted I have at least a few dozen slimes scattered across my apartment. And Sloomoo’s slime really lives up to the hype. It’s the perfect mix of intricate and fragrant without being too sticky and it has been an absolute lifesaver in keeping my hands busy during Zoom meetings. I also had the absolute privilege of getting to go to the Sloomoo Institute and making my own slime (she’s hot pink and smells like Froot Loops!), and seriously I cannot recommend the pure childlike joy of spending hours with slime enough. 100000/10 would recommend.” — HR
Sloomoo Institute Sloomoo Institute, $, available at Sloomoo Institute
Bala x CorePower Yoga 2lb Bangles
“I am a Bala stan and a Corepower stan, so when the two brands announced they were coming together to create a set of weighted bangles, I was excited to get my hands on them. I’ve been taking Corepower classes for a few months now and it’s one of my favorite workouts in the city, and I also own a set of one-pound Bala Bangles. But these special edition bangles are two pounds (and a bright Corepower orange, I might add). I was worried about the extra weight being harder to wear compared to what I’m used to, but Bala has made these just as secure and comfortable as their lighter weights. The extra pound really elevates my grocery store runs and end of day walks. ” — Elizabeth Gulino, Senior Writer
Bala Corepower Bangles, $, available at Corepower Yoga
Alice Brainstorm Mushrooms
“I’ve had a serious case of brain fog for what feels like forever and have been trying to figure out ways to make my mind clearer and more attentive. After seeing Alice all over my IG feed, I decided to test out the Brainstorm version of their mushroom chocolates for a bit to see if they’ll help at all. These aren’t psychedelic and they don’t give you a high — instead, they’re filled with functional mushrooms such as lion’s mane and cordyceps (insert The Last Of Us joke here). I’m a skeptic when it comes to most wellness products, but I can say that my urge to take a nap has gone down significantly after eating one of these. Oh, and they taste good, too — as a chocolate lover, I usually have to stop myself from eating just one.” — EG
Alice Mushrooms Brainstorm, $, available at Alice Mushrooms
Bathhouse Aufguss
“If you’re in desperate need of a spa day and want to try something a little different, I can’t recommend Bathhouse‘s “Aufguss” experience enough. It involves sitting in the tropical sauna for 10 to 15 minutes, while the session leader drops snowballs containing essential oils on hot coals inside the sauna. Then the leader tosses around a towel like an experienced chef would sling pizza dough; this helps to disperse the scent of the oils throughout the room (and is entertaining enough to help you stay in the sauna for the full experience — or at least long enough to reap as many benefits as possible). I found the Aufguss (which means “infusion” in German and has European origins) to be incredibly meditative, and just a great vibe. — Molly Longman, Senior Staff Writer
Arq Botanics Coconut Refresh Facial Mist Reset + Renew
“I keep this rejuvenating facial mist on my desk, and spritz it onto my face whenever I need a reset while working. It smells and feels amazing thanks to ingredients like coconut and kakadu plum, and it’s super hydrating due to the low molecular hyaluronic acid and aloe.
Arq Botanics founder Susie Coulter tells Refinery29 she worked with both a psychologist and a formulator to make sure the sprays were not only good for your skin but featured scents that could actually help you ‘reset,’ per the product’s name. ‘The purpose is to tap into the physical and mental benefits of botanical ingredients,’ Coulter says. ‘We wanted to help people create moments where they could re-center.’
The light mist has helped me do just that. Before big meetings, I spray it on and then take a few minutes to breathe in for four counts, holding for seven, and breathe out for eight (I try to do at least three rounds of this). The ritual has done wonders for my workday stress levels.” — Molly Longman, Senior Staff Writer
Arq Arq Botanics Coconut Refresh Facial Mist Reset + Renew, $, available at Arq
Manhattan West
“Is it a mall? Is it a shopping center? It’s a DESTINATION.I recently spent a night at Manhattan West in Hudson Yards and was pleasantly surprised by how much the neighborhood has changed since the last time I visited the area. I mean, there was a time when Hudson Yards was a pretty barren chunk of land not being used for anything extracurricular or, to put it plainly, fun. Now, the area is full of shops, restaurants (including the delicious, Mediterranean-inspired fare at Zou Zou’s), offices, and residential buildings. The best part is that it’s located right across the street from Madison Square Garden, making Manhattan West the perfect place for all of your pre and post-entertainment needs at MSG. Having a lovely dinner, drinks, and walking across the street to the Knicks game was the highlight of my night and so easy.” — Cortni Spearman, Social Director
Sequoia Grove Napa Valley Chardonnay
“I am a white wine girlie through and through. Something about the nutty, buttery flavor of a crisp white wine just really gets me. Aged for 10 months in California’s Napa Valley, Sequoia Grove’s Napa Valley Chardonnay is a tropical, fruity, nutty wine that you can easily sip and enjoy on its own or paired with cheese and crackers.” — CSSequoia Grove Sequoia Grove Napa Valley Chardonnay 2021, $, available at Wine.com
GLO Brilliant Advanced White Smile – At Home Teeth Whitening Device Kit
“I’m not going to lie, I love a really white smile, but I hate the pain and sensitivity I get from most at-home whitening strips. I was on the hunt for something I could do at home that would give professional results without crazy tooth sensitivity. This particular at-home kit, invented by founder Dr. Jonathan B. Levine, features proprietary heat-accelerated whitening technology for 2x faster results than whitening gel alone. What also made this product stand out to me is the technology is proven to whiten teeth up to 12 shades with no sensitivity! We love a pain-free whitening kit at home.” — CS
GLO Science GLO Brilliant® White Smile – At Home Teeth Whitening Device, $, available at Sephora
H&R Block Tax Preparation
“For the last few years, I’ve paid a CPA to file my taxes for me. It always felt easier, less stress-inducing, and the best way to get the highest return. But this year, I really wanted to try to file them on my own — so thankfully I found the H&R Block portal. I loved how it walked me through each step, asked me all the right questions, and made the whole process as smooth as humanly possible. Filing itself can cost as little as $0 and my absolute favorite part was that for less than $100, I could have a tax expert double-check my work and answer questions I had along the way. The expert caught a few deductions I missed and ended up getting me a lot more money back than I originally anticipated. Plus, compared to the $400+ I spent last year to have someone else do them, I’m thrilled with this new option. I’ll never file my taxes anywhere else!” — Hannah Rimm, Senior Life Editor
High Noon Tequila Seltzer
“Stop the presses, High Noon introduced tequila seltzer! Long hailed as the king of the vodka seltzer, I couldn’t wait to get my hand on High Noon’s tequila iteration — and it did not disappoint. I especially love the grapefruit and strawberry flavors, which give paloma and strawberry margarita, respectively. They’re not too sweet, actually taste like tequila, and are truly crushable, making them an absolute staple in the hard seltzer world.” — HR
High Noon High Noon Tequila Seltzer Variety, $, available at Drizly
TomboyX Lounge Bralette
“Ever since the pandemic, I simply refuse to wear underwire on a regular basis, but I also have DDs and something’s gotta keep these bad boys at bay. So thankfully, I have
TomboyX. I’ve loved their high-neck bralettes for the days I’m feeling more masc, and now I’ve fallen head over heels for their Tencel Modal lounge bra. I’ve mostly been wearing it under T-shirts, but it also hits so well under a mesh shirt. I’ve been wearing this bra pretty nonstop both in and out of the house and can’t wait to get my hands on all the fun colors.” — HR
TomboyX Lounge Bralette, $, available at TomboyX
Grady’s Coffee Subscription
“I turned my Grady’s bean bag subscription on to keep myself from going out for fancy coffees. I’m obsessed because they’re basically giant cold brew tea bags that you leave to steep overnight and by morning you have a pitcher of cold brew concentrate. It’s easy to clean up and I’m not generating a bunch of plastic bottles to have cold brew at home. Plus the Grady’s blend has a unique flavor profile because it’s New Orleans Style. I use a milk frother on some brown sugar oat milk coffee creamer to top it off and it tastes pretty fancy!” — Kelsea Stahler, Supervising Editor
Apple Pencil
“I am so late to the game, but y’all getting an Apple Pencil and Procreate has been such a game-changer for my mental health. I’m a writer through and through with very little visual artistic talent, but I’ve always found drawing and painting to be incredibly soothing. Thanks to the ephemerality and forgiving nature of creating on an iPad, I’ve been able to watercolor, draw, and spray paint without buying art materials, and without the anxiety of creating waste when I inevitably paint the same mountain and sunset 17 times. I love creating on an iPad because it allows me to get into a flow state, something that is so crucial for me when I’m in the deep depth of my anxiety and depression. Plus, it keeps my hands busy so I’ve seen a decrease in my body-focused repetitive behaviors.” — HR
Apple Apple Pencil (2nd generation), $, available at Apple
VARMBLIXT Serving Bowl
“I’m obsessed with Ikea’s new collaboration with artist Sabine Marcelis, who does stunning works playing with light, glass, and other mediums. Several of the items from this VARMBLIXT collection sold out quickly but I was able to buy this beautiful green bowl that I’m using as a jewelry/knick-knack holder. Ikea’s planning to restock some pieces from the collection in the next couple of weeks and I’m still hoping I can buy one of the lamps for my apartment.” — Lisa Dionisio, Newsletter Director
IKEA VARMBLIXT Serving Bowl, $, available at IKEA
Swedish Dishcloths
“I’m constantly looking for simple ways to add a little more sustainability to my life. A while back, I turned to my friend Kayli Kunkel, who founded the zero-waste retailer Earth & Me, for tips. Along with suggesting composting, she turned me on to these cute, efficient dishcloths, which are more eco-friendly than paper towels and way more absorbent than ordinary kitchen dish towels.
“I just add soap and a bit of water to the cloth to wipe down my kitchen surfaces or glassware (it doesn’t leave streaks). When I’m done, I pop this baby in with the regular laundry. According to the makers of the brand I’ve tried, just one of these babies can replace 17 rolls of paper towels (which is not only good for the planet but also your wallet).” — Molly Longman, Senior Staff Writer
Three Bluebirds Swedish Dishcloths, $, available at Earth & Me
Young Mungo
“Sobbing over books is one of my favorite forms of therapy. For legal reasons this is a joke, ofc, but to me there’s nothing like getting sadly swept away into the lives of fictional characters. It makes me feel less alone, which is exactly what I got when I read Douglas Stuart’s latest in two days. READ IT NOW. Then read his debut, Shuggie Bain.” — CW
Young Mungo, $, available at Amazon
Sunbeam Heated Blanket
“New York City’s weather has been so temperamental lately that I’ve been turning my heater off since it’s warm one day and cold the next and I’m not a fan of dry air. But during a particularly cold spell, I decided I need a heated blanket. After going through a few of R29’s recommendations, I settled on this gray Sunbeam one from Amazon that’s the perfect amount of cozy and warm.” — LD
Sunbeam Sunbeam Royal Luxe Dove Grey Heated Blanket – Full, $, available at Amazon
Arc’teryx Sentinel Pant
“Another piece of Arc’teryx gear I was able to test was their Sentinel Pant, and again I was blown away by the technology and intentional design to this product. They work for all kinds of snow sports, from resort snowboarding to back country touring, and kept me incredibly warm while I was atop Whistler Blackcomb. The pants run on the smaller side, although this works for me since I like a snug fit on the bottom — just be aware if you’re planning on trying them out for yourself. Again the price is steep, but like I said before the brand says their products are built to last. Although I’m sure these will survive for the majority of my snowboarding career, I find the brand worth it to invest in (I might even snag myself a black pair of pants in the future).” — EG
Arc’teryx Sentinel Pant, $, available at Arcteryx
TomboyX Tencel Modal Joggers
“The perfect work-from-home pants do exist! These joggers are unbelievably comfy, but also enough of an actual pair of pants that I don’t feel like I’m wearing pajamas if I need to run to the store. I also really love how seamlessly these transition into workout wear. I love a good mid-day stretch or seven-minute workout, and I love that these pants can take me from the couch to the yoga mat to the juice bar across the street. These have been such a good find this winter!” — Hannah Rimm, Senior Life Editor
TomboyX Tencel Modal Jogger, $, available at TomboyX
Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream
“I love this face cream so much it honestly makes me a bit mad. It has a hefty price tag so it is very much a sometimes product for me, but there is truly nothing else like it on the market. This moisturizer is thick and creamy and a little goes a long way (I only need one or two pumps for my whole face). It also contains Augustinus Bader’s patented TFC8 (which contains amino acids and vitamins found naturally in the body) and somehow miraculously works for almost every skin type. I have acne-prone sensitive skin so I usually don’t touch rich creams with a ten-foot pole, but this moisturizer has not only kept my skin plump and hydrated all winter long, but it has also noticeably reduced redness and acne scarring in just a few weeks. It’s an unbeatable product and absolutely worth the months I’ll have to spend saving up for my next bottle.” — HR
Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream with TFC8® Face Moisturizer, $, available at Sephora
HiWare 8 Pack Reusable Glass Drinking Straws
“Somehow my New Year’s resolution to cut back on coffee has gone from me planning to drink peppermint tea every afternoon to …. me guzzling a can of Coke Zero. Sigh, I blame my zero willpower on these lovely glass straws that were given to me in my stocking. Thanks, Santa!” — Carli Whitwell, Senior Director of Editorial
Hiware 8 Pack Reusable Glass Drinking Straws, $, available at Amazon
Thuma The Dresser
“I’ve had a dingy Ikea dresser for the past two years that broke the day I put it together — so, yeah, I was in desperate need of a new one. Thuma came to my rescue and sent me over their 5×1 configuration in the natural color and I have truly never been more obsessed with a piece of furniture. It was incredibly easy to assemble — the drawers come fully assembled so you only have to stack them on top of one another and voilà, it’s ready. I was able to do it myself pretty quickly without the help of my roommate or TaskRabbit. Their furniture is made from 100% upcycled wood and looks so sophisticated in my room — it’s definitely a piece I’ll have forever.” — Elizabeth Gulino, Senior Writer
Thuma The Dresser, $, available at Thuma
Arc’teryx Rho Lightweight Zip Neck
“Earlier this month, I went on a trip with Arc’teryx to Whistler, Canada, where I was able to test out some of their gear on the mountain (a dream, right?). I’ve been snowboarding for about a decade now and can confidently say I’ve never worn anything as high-tech, functional, and warm in my life out in the snow as what I tried from Arc’teryx. Specifically, this zip neck was one of my favorites of the week — it’s incredibly comfortable, soft, and kept my sweat wicked off my skin during my first ever tour in the backcountry. Although it’s a bit pricey, the brand prides itself on its products lasting long, so I’m banking on this being my go-to base layer for years (and years) to come.” — EG
Arcteryx Rho Lightweight Zip Neck, $, available at Arcteryx
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