ABC party, vol. 2: anything but clothes
from milk frothers to mascara: the random things that make our lives better!
We’re back for round two of our epic A.B.C. Party series. If you missed Volume One, be sure to check out all the goodies from your favorite writers’ favorite products.
To set the stage, a quick reminder: an A.B.C. party stands for “Anything But Clothes.” You show up wearing an outfit made of caution tape or perhaps a fit crafted from old CVS receipts. I’ve even seen Target reusable bags repurposed into a skirt or a deck of cards turned into a dress. My personal favorite is the person who made a dress out of junk mail. This would absolutely be my choice simply because one of my toxic ADHD traits is that I do not open mail. Like... ever. It’s concerning.
Perhaps you attended one of these in high school, or maybe you’re a youngin’ who sees it as something us “olds” did “back in the day.” Either way, you’re invited to the party.
I asked the following incredible humans one simple question:
What’s the product you irrationally love and simply cannot live without? One rule: it could be anything BUT clothes.
Their picks astounded me, ranging from a vacuum cleaner to a GOATed mascara.
Images and descriptions are from your favorite writers, while the mildly hilarious captions (because no one makes me laugh like myself) are from yours truly.
Enjoy the super scroll, my friends!
Some affiliate links are included below.
Fanny Adams (Always Overdressed) - Breville Milk Café Electric Frother
Other than Aquaphor, the item I can’t live without is my Breville Milk Café Electric Frother. My morning (and midday, and afternoon) caffe au lait is an essential part of my WFH ritual, and it must include freshly frothed milk. It’s easily my most used appliance, froths milk at the push of a button, and it’s a little luxury that makes my coffee - and day - that much better.
Allison (Take Care Of Yourself) - Crown Affair Leave-In Conditioner
Crown Affair’s Leave-In quickly became one of my ride-or-dies, and at this point it has earned the title of my most consistent beauty product for the past few years. Air dries, blowouts, honestly aromatherapy - I am reaching for it every. single. time. I don’t know (or particularly want to know?) who I’d be without it.
Ariane Anusbigian (Just A Splash) - Brumate Rise Water Bottle
I’m obsessed with... my water bottle! I love it because it’s dishwasher-safe and is all metal inside (even a metal straw!) which is perfect as I try to limit my plastics. The 25 oz also fits in my car’s cup holder, which is essential.
Ariane (The September Edit) - Jiffy Clothing Steamer
I discovered Jiffy steamers while working at Anthropologie (many moons ago!), and the first time I used one, I knew I had to have one someday. As someone who hates ironing, it’s been a game changer. I found mine on Marketplace for under $100 about 4–5 years ago and have used it constantly ever since. I really can’t imagine life without it. Mine’s an older model, but I’m sure any Jiffy steamer is just as great.
Meggie Arbelaez (Megs Mail) - Tineco Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner
I’m the friend asking you to take your shoes off before you walk in and I have zero shame about it. Most people know the drill by now. But on the rare occasion I pretend to be a chill, type B host, my vacuum mop picks up where my cleaning obsession leaves off. Rice, kinetic sand, sticky toddler goo? Gone. I use it twice a day, and if it ever dies, I’ll be ordering a replacement through tears in my eyes paying for overnight shipping!
Tina Boetto (Semi-Sustainable) - Solbari Driving Gloves (UPF 50+)
As a dedicated year-round sunscreen wearer, all of my blazer cuffs are smudged with the mineral formula I use on my hands. I finally decided enough was enough and bought Solbari’s UPF 50+ gloves this May. Best decision ever. I’m no longer leaving sunscreen behind on everything I own and they have convertible fingertips so I can use my phone - genius! My blazer collection and I regret not getting these sooner.
Natalia Cropper (The Glow Down) - Revision Brightening Facial Wash
This cleanser is easily my most used and loved face product for the past 5 years. One of my desert island picks. It’s the perfect cleanser keeping my skin clear and bright. The salicylic and glycolic acid help exfoliate, while the vitamin c helps brighten. Acne who? If I don’t use it my skin suffers.
Libby McCurrach (You Look Great) - Dreamy Coconut Iced Coffee
I am a Coffee Junkie™, and most days, I am living for my Nespresso or the artisanal cappuccino. BUT, when the weather gets a hair warmer, I want that iced coffee hit. I used to drive all around the Hamptons, desperate to find a market that carried Dreamy Coconut Cold Brew until I discovered I could just order it. I signed up for the subscription so I always have coffee on hand. They are known for the “Dreamy” blend, but the coconut has just the right hint of sweetness. You’re welcome.
Maureen McLennon Welton (Intuitive Style) - Dr. Athleta - 345 Relief Cream
345 Relief Cream is my holy grail skin product. I introduced it after a terrible bout of hormonal acne mixed with accidental skin-barrier damage. After only a few days, my skin was noticeably clearer and healing. Since then, I still use this product every day and never want to be without it!
not an influencer (Not An Influencer) - Recess Infused Sparkling Water
i’ve been trying to skip weeknight wine (hello, late 30s), and this magnesium + adaptogen sparkling water has become my nightly ritual. it gives me that blissed-out, floating-on-the-lake feeling without the hangover. strawberry rose is my favorite flavor.
OFELIA (All The Above) - Crown Affair’s The Clips
I can’t express how much I adore these claw clips! I own two pairs, one in tortoise and another in carrara. These have been a game changer for me as someone with finer hair. The small prongs on the inside make them extra secure when they’re clipped. I also like to use them to create soft waves as my hair dries. Here’s one of my first attempts (skip to 0:40 for results) from over three years ago!
Noelia Santana (Nothing To Wear) - Dyson Airwrap i.d. multi-styler & dryer
I am very low maintenance when it comes to my hair. Up until about four years ago, I was still using the hairdryer I bought when I moved to London in 2009. Spending that much on a Dyson Airwrap felt completely ridiculous... until I tried it. I totally get the hype now. It has cut my drying time in half, gives me a polished finish, and if I finish with a loose braid before bed, I wake up with mermaid hair.
Julie Schechter (The Point) - Sun Bum Kids SPF stick
Trying to get sunscreen on a toddler is a wrestling match I don’t always have the energy for, so I am obsessed with this stick: it’s technically for faces, but I 100% swipe the clear, non-sticky formula all over my kid’s whole body. Takes 2 seconds, feels like nothing going on (so he doesn’t fight it) and has a really nice coconut smell.
Jordyn Sharfe (The Hardware Store) - Bananas (Yes, the actual fruit)
You know, when I think about what I can’t live without right now, the first thing that comes to mind is bananas. Random, I know, but I’m pregnant, so my answer is allowed to be random. The easiest, low lift, life-sustaining snack on-the-go!
Jordan Soderholm (You Didn’t Ask) - Art Life Practice: The Guided Sketchbook
I can most definitely live without this, but I don't want to. This book is my little creative escape that I can use alongside my kids, or on my own. I'm not an artist but I totally want to be, and this book teaches me art history and skills. It is wildly fulfilling and relaxing! (And FYI, these are blind contouring sketches, where you draw without looking at the paper. My new favorite form of doodling!)
Sheena Stimpfl (The Middle Thread) - Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara in Before Dawn
Are you the kind of person that swears they look like a puffy-eyed, older version of themselves without mascara? Me, too. I’ve tried so many over the years and this mascara is the only one that doesn’t give me raccoon-eyes throughout the day. I may be decades late to the brown mascara party, but as a natural blonde, it’s a game-changer.
Elin Strong (Bang Voyage) - Scripto Folding Candle Lighter
I light a candle every single day, including when it’s 90 degrees outside, because I’m committed to romanticizing my stay-at-home mom era, rain or shine. This foldable rechargeable lighter makes the ritual ridiculously easy, especially when you have one strategically placed in multiple rooms around the house. Yep, to brag, I own several. Paired with my favorite candle of the week, a random Tuesday suddenly feels a little more cinematic. (TBD whether it’s a comedy or a drama, but probably the latter.)
Evonne Sturm (Musings of a Merchandiser) - Nespresso Vertuo Up
For 35 years, I thought Folgers Instant Classic Roast was perfectly acceptable coffee. It was procured monthly from Duane Reade, and I saw absolutely nothing wrong with this arrangement. Then I met my husband.
For our first birthday together, he gave me a Nespresso machine. I took one sip, thanked Folgers for its loyal service, and never looked back. Since moving to California, we’ve upgraded to the Vertuo Up, and she’s proof that good things come in small packages. Monday mornings are still Monday mornings. They’re just infinitely better with a Golden Caramel pod. I’m still no aficionado, but Nespresso, I have been changed for good.
Elle Sundberg (Elle Dresses Well) - Expressie Quick Dry Nail Polish
I’m irrationally obsessed with Expressie rapid dry nail polish. I’m not a patient person, and this is the only way I can do my nails at home without crashing out. It takes 10 minutes max and lasts about a week (give or take depending on how many dishes I wash). This navy ‘left on shred’ was my July color of the month.
Lindsay Sword (Fashion Soup) - Apple Earpods (with wires)
I walk and run a lot in NYC, so obviously I need my own personal soundtrack to accompany my pretend movie montages. I’ve gone through my fair share of pricey AirPods, but recently I was out and about and had forgotten them. I popped into the Apple store on Madison and snagged some old-school wired headphones for $20. I’m obsessed. I can stock up and stash them anywhere I need them, and I really do feel like Harry Styles as I walk down 5th listening to American Girl at full blast.
ME, Traci Landy! (Rambling In Style) - Audio-Technica LP60XBT Record Player
I’m getting back from a trip to a random, groovy record store just yesterday. We love browsing the used records and finding hidden gems (ahem: Pink Floyd, Elton John’s Greatest Hits, Olivia Rodrigo... eclectic, right?). Our record player, which we got after Christmas, still brings us so much joy. This turntable is perfect for me because there are literally three buttons: play, pause, and stop. The needle drops automatically, thank God, because if I had to lower it myself, I guarantee this thing would've been broken within a week.
More RaMbLiNg you might enjoy:
I mean, what a lineup! I am leaving the editing process with a gazillion tabs open and a deep admiration for this brain trust, who have an impeccable skill for identifying the good stuff.
A HUGE THANK YOU (!!!) to all the writers who took the time to participate! Looking forward to volume three in the near future.
Love ya, mean it!
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So many good ABC's in here!! Tysm for having me Traci!!
Okay, I loved this! I'm trying to buy only necessary things so I don't add more junk consumption to the world and some of these are the very things I've been looking for, like a lighter that reaches the bottom of my candle jars and I'm always thinking about a steamer since I don't iron. We need a part 3! Thank you for including me. Jimothy forever!