i used to sell cologne to zach woods...

zero thought all vibes; sharing taste one newsletter at a time

Readers, apologies for the delays on this one. I am currently traveling, today I paid $24 for Cava at LAX—an incredible test of mental fortitude, because nothing gets under my skin more than feeling trapped into spending ungodly amounts on mediocre and small portioned food, but I accepted my fate and what is behind me is behind me, onto this weeks consumption.

Madhappy—Clothing

Since I am traveling this week, I got to bring out my go-to travel fit, which really just involves my black Cornell Wrestling joggers and my favorite Madhappy crew neck. I am, on occasion, an anxious flyer, and I feel the combination of cozy mixed with good vibe messages helps to make the whole experience a little less stimulating. This isn’t the exact sweater, but mine is a very similar blue which is also calming.

DS&Durga

During the winter, especially the holiday season, and while traveling, fragrance just feels so necessary. Fragrance helps to establish memories (it’s been researched) which is probably why when we smell pine candles or incense many of us tend to think of happy memories. In 2019, I worked for a company called Huckberry and I got a considerable discount on all of their products, so I purchased something I never would have even considered prior. The long story short behind why I bought it is because I sold it to Zach Woods 3 times since I had started working there and I figured, if Gabe from The Office is buying it, then I should give it a run as well. That purchase was DS & Durga’s Burning Barbershop. I also got a sample pack of their signature perfumes, WHICH, I would highly recommend doing if you know someone who you think should test out some new fragrances, maybe the new Mom or Dad, so you can play a role in supporting the core memories of their children!

Tea

The winter gets me down and the way depression manifests itself, for me, is pain and anxiety… “deliver us from pain and all anxieties” — probably means I need to get to church more. Anyway, one thing that has added gasoline to the fire in the past has been caffeine consumption, because Im not just a 1 cupper, I love that mental stimulation and after the first cup or shot I want another and another and another. SO what I have been doing lately is supping coffee for tea. There are lots of teas out there that have health properties and energy/focusing properties that aren’t just stimulant based. I love this Ginseng tea. I like this sleepytime tea, it may sound weird, but sometimes I will add some creamer to this, if we have it ill do a dash of french vanilla, it’s lightly sweet which is cozy before bed. I also love Ginger tea throughout the day. There are so many good tea’s out there and a bunch of them have other health benefits, my favorite thing is that tea is hydrating, when I drink coffee if I drink the water I need to stay hydrated then I end up going to the bathroom like 20 times and then I convince myself I have diabetes (part of the winter hypochandria/anxiety).

Weekly Playlist

Lately I have been listening to what I personally consider Soul-Fi, essentially lofi but more jazzy or bluesy… I am also personally working to create music similarly to this so I hope to in the early new year be able to share some of the song I am working on with all of you. For now berlioz, Ted Jasper, and Bolden. will have to suffice (they are my current musical muses).

Thank You

Thank you all for reading!

Derek