You might have heard, 2020 was a year. Before March, we’d never heard the phrase “social distancing,” and most of us had no idea what the phases of vaccine trials were. And then…well, you know what happened.
When we headed inside for good, we wanted to create a way for Skimm’rs to Press Pause on the never-ending scary news cycle, the stress, and anxiety of it all. So hi, this newsletter was born.
Each week, we’ve loved sharing the things (the books, the shows, the sourdough recipes, the puzzles) that got us through. And we hope our picks helped you take a beat, and spend your downtime smarter.
Today, we’re revealing Skimm'rs' absolute faves of the year (thanks to everyone who weighed in in our survey last week…you have excellent taste).
Without further ado...
Favorite movies…
The one that put your couch in the room where it happened…
“Hamilton.” Sure, quarantine life was tough, but…look around, look around, at how lucky you are to have Lin-Manuel on your screen right now. (Stream it on Disney+)
The one that hit too close to home…
“Palm Springs.” Where Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti wake up living the same day over and over again...just like us in 2020. Minus the whole cave thing—if you know you know. (Stream it on Hulu)
Favorite binges…
The series that had you thinking, ‘I should be a detective’...
"The Undoing.” Nicole Kidman (and her coats) helped us graduate from doing cardboard puzzles to solving fictional murders. (Stream it on HBO)
The one that made you wish you did less macaroni art as a kid, and more “knight to H3”...
“The Queen’s Gambit.” About a female chess prodigy with a riveting life story. (Stream it on Netflix)
The series that stayed with you, long after you watched...
”I May Destroy You.” Michaela Coel’s drama about friendship, trauma, love, and recovery is as good (and devastating) as everyone says. (Stream it on HBO)
The reality show with an unrealistic premise...that actually became the premise of 2020...
“Love Is Blind.” Oh, what’s that, pre-March you? You thought dating from separate rooms seemed ridiculous? Hold 2020’s beer. (Stream it on Netflix)
Favorite purchases…
The tool that made you wonder if you were secretly JVN…
This blow-drying brush. It gives that salon-like blow out, henny. No shock Skimm’rs bought a ton of them this year.
The gadget that made cooking every. single. meal. a little less miserable…
This veggie chopper. Because without you, dear veggie chopper, we’d never be where we are today. Aka with perfectly sliced mushrooms, carrots, and bell peppers. Team no-takeout starts here.
The most versatile shoes you’ve ever met…
These super soft leather flats kept our feet happy (and chic) all year. At socially-distant hangs, on grocery runs, and everywhere in between. Oh, and they’re 60% off right now. Run, don’t walk.*
PS: Check out the rest of our favorite products of 2020: our self-care faves, home faves, kitchen faves, and ultimate faves of the year.
Favorite reads…
The one that really lived up to the hype…
“The Vanishing Half.” You saw it on every Instagram, and in every book store window. If your friends keep asking if you’ve started it yet, this is your moment. (Amazon | Bookshop)
The one where you weren’t crying, there was just an onion on your eye…
“Untamed.” Except you were crying. Because let’s be real, tears were the official sponsor of 2020, and Glennon Doyle delivered. (Amazon | Bookshop)
The one that made you dig up your CDs from the 2000s...
“Open Book.” The 2020 plot twist you never saw coming: falling in love with Jessica Simpson all over again. Whatever side of tuna debate she was on in ‘03, we’re all in. (Amazon | Bookshop)
PS: Check out the rest of our favorite books of 2020.
Favorite listens…
The ones that (for a minute) made you think you might be woodsy...
“Folklore” and “Evermore.” Name a more iconic duo...we’ll wait.
The singer that seriously made you consider joining TikTok...
*This denotes a sponsored post.
PS: If you buy anything from this email, theSkimm may get something in return. Oh, and if something’s out of stock, oops, it was there when we published this. Thanks.
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