The more you notice your favourite things, the more favourite things there are to notice. In the spirit of noticing, we’re experimenting with a new series featuring our Bests — the things that make our lives a little bit better. From recipes and games to habits, skincare, and apps, we’ll share our Bests and invite some of our faves to share theirs.
Marisa
Skincare: Back in the day when I was a beauty editor (oh, how I miss all the free skincare!) I met a plastic surgeon who shared her skin secrets with me. And luckily, it involved no nipping or tucking. “Your skin needs sunscreen, retinol, and a moisturiser that makes you feel great. That’s it.” I can report that I recently found a moisturiser that makes me feel even better than Sia’s THE GREATEST. Weleda Skin Food just feels luxe. It contains skin-calming extracts that act as a little comfort blanket for your skin. Love it.
Craving: Don’t ask me why, but I suddenly crave capers like a PMSing me craves KitKat and Ghost Pops. It might be that my body needs iron or a Mediterranean holiday with an abundance of Greek salads, but it’s an ingredient that seems to find its way into all of my dishes lately: with eggs, in pasta, on pizza, as a snack, in my martini — it’s just so delicious.
Running accessories: I don’t know how I got here, but I’m here. I didn’t run here, that’s for damn sure. But I recently attempted a 15km race, and now I’m training for a half marathon next. Because I always feel accessories make an outfit (hello, Best Ali’s), I applied the same thinking to my running OOTD — in running terms, that means a running belt, a green Best cap, a really good pair of socks, and consumable boosting gels.
Rebecca
Exercise: Weight training and pilates have strictly been my go-to exercises, and high intensity cardio was never my thing, until I discovered Hustle & Heart. It’s a rhythm-based cycle studio with a world-class setup; think Soul Cycle in South Africa. It's a guaranteed endorphin rush. There are moments in the class where you aren’t certain whether you’re doing exercise or at a dance party — is there anything more satisfying than that?
Reading: I mourned the loss of Man Repeller when they closed down, until all of my favourite writers from there started their own Substack, feeding us Man Repeller-esque stories weekly. My fingers can’t open the mail sooner when Leandra’s The Cereal Aisle Substack appears in my inbox. Harling Ross also recently started one called Gum Shoe, and together, my fashion/interior inspiration jar is full.
Hot drink: I rediscovered Earl Grey and I can’t understand how I ever stopped loving it. I am currently getting through an entire box of Twinings Earl Grey, made from bergamot flavouring. I might level up when this box is done to an Earl Grey made with real bergamot oil and try to get the supposed health benefits for immunity, digestion and energy — even if it's a placebo, I am here for it!
Heather
Book: Trouble by Marise Gaughan. I bought this on a whim and was surprised to realise it’s a memoir, but my surprise didn’t stop there as I gobbled this down in only a week. It’s intimate, vulnerable, candid, and funny. A difficult literary cocktail to achieve!
Creative outlet: Fuelled by nostalgia I started using the online version of MS Paint for moments in-between calls and dry spells of creativity. Each week I complete one old-school artwork, and each week I find myself enjoying this zen little hobby more and more.
Tool: I’ve been a Todoist convert for over a year, but recently, inspired by my fiancé’s commitment to David Allen’s Getting Things Done approach, I’ve been relooking at how I use the organizational tool and falling more in love with it with every new project I create. I feel more organized and motivated and it’s a relief to have a single source of truth when it comes to my many lists.