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WHAT TO WATCH, READ, SHOP, AND COOK WHILE YOU’RE AT HOME

la ligne stripe sweater
LA LIGNE Sweater // J BRAND Jeans

What times. The past 72 hours have been chaotic, to say the very least. It’s a lot and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t feeling totally unnerved. But rather than harp on all things COVID-19 (I’ll let the news do that), I’ve put together a quick list of distractions for you while you practice social distancing, which you absolutely should be doing. From shows to watch and books to read to games to play and sales to shop (hello, 70% off here!), this to-do list covers it all.

WATCH: Watching a show or movie from start to finish can feel surprisingly productive. A few shows I watched recently and recommend are Cheer, The Pharmacist, and Succession. If you’re looking for something quick, try Long Shot. It’s a 45-minute documentary on Netflix with a really great story. Note: Please keep in mind that while all of the above are great shows, none of them are very light and airy.

RE-WATCH: I’m certain that we could all use a little comfort TV right about now. With that in mind, why not re-watch an old favorite like Friends, SATC, or, my personal favorite, Fright Night Lights. Or skip the episodes and head straight to feel-good movies such as, The Parent Trap, Clueless, Father of the Bride, The Devil Wears Prada, or, better yet: just go for it with a full-on Nancy Meyers marathon.

SHOP: A little retail therapy can go a long way to lift your spirits – especially when there are sales involved. My favorite sales happening at the moment are Shopbop (up to 70% off!), Net-a-Porter, Matches, and Serena & Lily. Everything currently in my cart(s) is under $150, including this, these, these, this, these, and this.

CLEAN: Cleaning is something that has always reduced my anxiety. It’s one of the first things I do to calm my nerves. For the next couple of weeks, I’ll be doing a lot of that. My closet is in good shape, but my bathroom is a totally different story. This list has some great tips on how to declutter your vanity and medicine cabinet.

READ: If you’re looking for a mystery to get lost in, I always recommend Lisa Jewell’s books. They’re quick reads and always really entertaining. My favorites: this one and this one. If you haven’t already, you should definitely read Little Fires Everywhere before the show premieres on Hulu. Another suggestion: you know all of those coffee table books you have sitting out that you haven’t actually read? Why not make a goal to actually look through all of those? I’m certain they’ll give you a creative boost and, at the very least, provide some glamorous respite from what you’re seeing on the news.

LISTEN: I’m currently listening to Jessica Simpson’s memoir via audiobook. I honestly had no interest in reading it but after a friend told me I had to, I decided to download it and give it a try. I am so glad I did. It’s totally entertaining. (Jessica Simpson narrates the audiobook which makes me it even better!) I highly recommend it.

EXERCISE: No gym? No problem. You can totally break a sweat at home. I’m doing so with The Scuplt Society app. Led by Megan Roup, the app offers a variety of great workouts (the dance cardio sessions are really fun!) that you can easily do from your living room.

PLAY: Whether I’m socially distancing or not, games are always one of my favorite activities. From board games to cards, I like it all. Grab your husband/kids and start a game! If you need a solo activity, why not start a puzzle? (There are some great options you can order from Amazon right here.) Finishing a puzzle will feel so productive and satisfying. I just finished this JA puzzle and getting ready to start this fun seashell one. If you’re determined to stay on your laptop then by all means, head to the Spelling Bee. It’s addicting but so entertaining.

COOK/BAKE: One of my favorite ways to de-stress is by baking. It’s an activity that requires a lot attention and focusing my energy on that has always been a great release for me – not to mention, I just generally enjoy it. With that in mind, I’m going to test out some of these cookie recipes. (For those of you looking for a healthier option, these Goop cookies are surprisingly good.) If you’d rather cook instead, I highly recommend any of the recipes from this cookbook. It’s full of easy-to-make, delicious comfort food.

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