Issue #304: heart-shaped crafts and conchas ❤️

Issue #304 - February 10, 2023
view email in browser
refer a friend  / subscribe
A weekly dose of comfort for your inbox with musings on and recommendations for downtime.

Hi ,

How do you feel about Valentine’s Day? The pressure of a perfect night can be real, but I’ve found so much joy in using the day to celebrate my loved ones in all forms—platonic, familial, and, yes, crushes too. This week we’re sharing a few sweet ideas for feeling the love (or at least loving heart-shaped things), including a very charming DIY valentine tutorial from artist Grace Miceli. xoxo—Aliza Abarbanel, Executive Editor

Say it with conchas. Image source: Claire Corsten. 
 

This Week's Picks

Curated this week by Aliza
  • Love songs: I made you a Valentine’s Day playlist! Dim the lights and crank the volume. 
  • Breakfast in bed: If your love language is baked goods, consider whipping up a batch of crackly heart conchas over the weekend.
  • Out: Getting dehydrated at dinner. In: A sleek, centerpiece-worthy water filter pitcher from LifeStraw that filters out 30+ contaminants—now in trending pebble gray. Take 20% off your purchase of any LifeStraw Home product at LifeStraw.com with code “GNI.” *Sponsor 
  • Page turner: I devoured How Far The Light Reaches, a luminous essay collection blending marine biology and personal memoir from science journalist Sabrina Imbler. Each chapter focuses on a different deep water dweller, from hearty feral goldfish to mysterious sperm whales, drawing insightful connections to decidedly human questions of identity and community. 
  • A vegetarian stunner: This crispy, golden pie from Nasim Lahbichi delivers comfort and plant-based protein with an assist from loubia, savory Moroccan stewed beans. It’s the perfect antidote to February gloom. 
  • That’s amore: Swap the candy hearts for illustrator Marianna Fierro’s cheerful pizza parlor-inspired stickers—perfect for punching up a laptop case or homemade card with dolce vita vibes.
  • Fave new follow: I can’t stop, won’t stop watching “scrape painting” videos. Transforming neat rows of technicolor dots into swirling kaleidoscopes with a simple squeegee scrape feels like visual ASMR. 
  • Silky smooth: Winter dryness is in full effect, which means my well-loved jar of Hanahana shea body butter is getting extra use. The ultra-moisturizing cream is ethically sourced from the women-led Katargia Cooperative in Ghana, and even a small scoop goes a long way. 
  • No vase, no problem: Repurpose used cardboard into a DIY vase for foraged plants or purchased flowers. It’s a perfect V-Day activity for kids, elders, and everyone in between. In other words, I’m 100% planning on doing this over the weekend. 
This week's Sponsor:

A centerpiece-worthy water pitcher

It’s the perfect time of year to hunker down inside with a cozy dinner party. But any host knows that getting up to fetch water refills or clunking down an unsightly pitcher really isn’t a vibe.

An actually-aesthetic water filter pitcher is my answer to keeping everyone hydrated while also building a tablescape, and I love this pebble gray one from LifeStraw. Not only does the LifeStraw Home add a chic touch to any table, its dual filters remove microplastics, bacteria, and 30+ other contaminants. Subscribe for set-it-and-forget-it filter refills, and you’ll always have fresh water for an impromptu gathering. 

Ready to upgrade your old pitcher? GNI readers can take 20% off their purchase of any LifeStraw Home product at LifeStraw.com with code “GNI.” Now it's time to text the group chat with a dinner invite.

 

Share Your Love: A 10-Minute DIY Valentine's Day Card Tutorial

Grace Miceli’s illustrations are equally playful and highly relatable—the kind of comics you see on Instagram and immediately send to your best friend. Her work as @artbabygirl hinges on topics that make me feel held and seen: self-actualization and screen addiction, but also “biggest fear” flavored Doritos. Grace teaches folks of all artistic levels (read: even non-existent) how to channel emotions with art, and here, she’s sharing a homemade valentine card tutorial. Follow along below, and tag us on Instagram if you share your creation: @girlsnightinclub —Aliza

1. Grab your materials! You will need colored paper (two colors are ideal), scissors, glue or tape, a writing utensil, and the tulip card pattern. You can print the pattern out or just wing it by using the below template as a visual reference. 
2. Fold the paper for your stem in half. Line the pattern up with "do not cut" on the fold. Cut along the dotted lines.
3. Fold the paper for your petals in half. You can place this pattern wherever you want on the paper, as you’ll be making two separate, unattached pieces. Cut along the dotted lines.
4. Glue or tape along the top of the stem and attach your petal. Repeat on the back.
5. You did it! That was pretty fun, right? Now it's time to decorate and personalize your card for your friend, lover, self, neighbor, mom, pet or whoever you want to know you appreciate them this Valentine's Day :-) 
Download Tulip Pattern

This Week's Reads

  1. How to Help the Victims of the Turkey-Syria Earthquake (ELLE)
  2. The New Rules (New York Magazine). Modern day etiquette advice on texting, tipping, ghosting, and much, much, much more. 
  3. ‘It’s a Control Thing’: Why Are We So Fascinated by Super-Organised Homes? (The Guardian). Unpacking the appeal behind our age of decanting everything into glass jars (and sharing the oh-so-satisfying results on social media). 
  4. Michelle Singletary’s Money Milestones for Every Age (Washington Post). A personal finance columnist’s biggest advice, broken down by decade of life. Useful!
  5. Let’s Unpack Sardines (TASTE). Reexamining the working-class stalwart amid a very real tinned fish revival.

💌 Reader mailbox: “I made the Miso Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats from a few weeks ago....DIVINE! I made them twice in one weekend, they were so good. I’ve never used miso before, so I’m looking forward to learning to cook with it now that I have a jar.”– GNI reader Aspen D., on Natsha Pickowicz’s salty-sweet treats linked in a recent newsletter. Tip: We love using miso in soups and salad dressings too.

This newsletter may contain affiliate links, which means when you buy through the link, we might get a cut. We only recommend products we believe in or are thinking about a lot. Sponsored content is clearly marked as "Sponsor." Thank you so much for your support!
 
INSTAGRAM | ADVERTISE | ARCHIVES | SUBSCRIBE

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list (this will unsubscribe you from ALL GNI emails).

1875 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. © 2022 Girls' Night In.

Key phrases

Older messages

Issue #303: pasta night, eggflation, and how to say no 🥚

Friday, February 3, 2023

plus: sharing a few grocery must-haves Issue #303 - February 03, 2023 view email in browser refer a friend / subscribe A weekly dose of comfort for your inbox with musings on and recommendations for

Issue #302: our readers thoughts on new beginnings 🦋

Friday, January 27, 2023

Word of the year: VISIBILITY Issue #302 - January 27, 2023 view email in browser refer a friend / subscribe A weekly dose of comfort for your inbox with musings on and recommendations for downtime.

Issue #301: edible sunshine

Friday, January 20, 2023

It's time for a mood boost. Issue #301 - January 20, 2023 view email in browser refer a friend / subscribe A weekly dose of comfort for your inbox with musings on and recommendations for downtime.

issue #300: strangely satisfying 🤞

Friday, January 20, 2023

Finding big joy in the little things Issue #300 - January 13, 2023 view email in browser refer a friend / subscribe A cozy dose of comfort for your inbox. A weekly newsletter with musings on and

in: make daily movement doable

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

out: unrealistic resolutions January 10, 2023 view email in browser refer a friend / subscribe If sticking to a workout routine isn't your forte — it might be time to switch to a self-care mindset.

You Might Also Like

Cindy Crawford’s Airport Pants Are The *Best* Alternative To Sweats

Friday, March 29, 2024

Iconic. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

My Top 3: Regular Little Indulgences

Friday, March 29, 2024

Witty subhead ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

Google Wants You to Use AI for Your Next Vacation 🤔

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Don't Trust These 'Reset Password' Pop-ups on Your Apple Devices. Google has released several new ways you can use AI and other tools to help plan your next vacation, including the

GOP congresswoman blames Green New Deal for bridge collapse

Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Green New Deal, for the record, does not technically exist. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

Your Zodiac Sign Should Prepare For Love Affairs In April

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Plus, Lili Reinhart's peach glam look, Bustle's beauty awards are here, & more. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

PunchTok Rattles New York Women

Thursday, March 28, 2024

What's new today on the Cut — covering style, self, culture, and power, plus interviews, profiles, columns, and commentary from our editors. Brand Logo THURSDAY, MARCH 28 WAIT WHAT IS HAPPENING ON

The worst mug in your kitchen has an important purpose

Thursday, March 28, 2024

This is the hottest new restaurant trend in LA ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Ye Olde Sign Shoppe: Gran Canaria’s Tomás Prieto Gálvez

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Adventures in life, family, and sign painting with Tomás Prieto Gálvez in the Canary Islands. BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign Painting Craft, Community & Culture BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign

Coffee & tooth damage? We asked an expert

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Your health Qs, answered. Stay informed & stay well with theSkimm theSkimm Read in browser Skimm Well We've Skimm'd the news for you... Now it's time to simplify health and wellness.

That Damned Elusive Parking Spot

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Also a coffee shop bathroom, and not knowing what we really want ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏