Quarantine Cookbook

Like many couples out there right now, I am suddenly at home with my partner full time—it’s an even starker change because he typically works nights as a sommelier, so we are finding ourselves with more time together than ever before. Given his line of work, it’s no surprise that we’ve structured our days around meals. We’ve planned out our dinners for a week in advance, as well as (of course) what we’re drinking with each menu—homemade pizza and beer, grilled fish and natural wine, and tacos and to-go margaritas from the Mexican spot that’s still doing takeout on my corner. My partner is having fun developing new recipes, and we’ve decided to create a quarantine cookbook together—he’s writing down the cooking instructions, and I’m illustrating the meals using my new watercolor set. Years from now when this is all behind us, it will hopefully be a reminder of making the best out of our uncertain situation. —Ally Betker, Editorial Director

Flower Arrangements, Bathtime 

I passed by a bodega on my daily walk yesterday and picked up a handful of flowers. I’m going to take a virtual flower arrangement class in my apartment to spruce the place up like it’s my own little boutique hotel. Another thing I love about hotels? Bathtubs. And while my apartment tub is about a third of the size of your average jacuzzi (sans jets) you can still approximate the luxury of it with warm water, a comfortable headrest, Epsom salt, and essential oils (I like lavender + lemongrass). 100 years ago I bought a bulk supply of tea candles from IKEA for $4.00 that I never use. They’re going to be my little bathtime soldiers now. —Annie Werner, Managing Editor  

Go Analogue 

As someone who writes for a living, I’ve found it difficult to catch up on creative writing aspirations after a full day of work in front of a screen. During this time, I’m separating myself from phone/computer/television-based activities and focusing on more hands-on sources of entertainment: playing guitar, baking, drawing, and physically journaling. How freeing a return to manual activities has been! I’m also trying to push myself creatively—something I haven’t had time or energy to do in ages. As strange and uncertain as these times are, one of the things keeping my spirits high is knowing that a creative revolution is likely on the horizon. Turning to things like music, writing, and photography has been a great way to reconnect to the most human parts of myself and the world. —Tiana Attride, Editorial Assistant 

Long Talks and Puzzles

I’ve found myself relishing even the most mundane moments of social interaction. Put another way: Conversation truly is an art, and I’m really appreciating it for the first time. There are people in your life who are natural storytellers, or great question-askers, or really attentive listeners—and you’ll never learn this about them unless you sit around with them just talking. Next up: household happy hour (i.e. 4 o’clock rose and a 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle [never underestimate the power of a jigsaw to make the hours fly]). —Chloe Scheffe, Art Director

Dance, Dance, Baby

I look forward to the time of day when I go on a long solo walk—usually as the sun begins to set. I like walking through areas that help me clear my head, like the park (where people are working out or walking their dogs) or to the East River (where I can sit and attempt breathing exercises). Just about everything I see makes me emo right now, but it’s not all sad. There’s a lot of compassion out there, which helps me stay positive. And once I get the courage to do so, I hope to find a nice open area where I can do these 305 Fitness dance workouts. —Jinnie Lee, Copywriter and Contributing Writer