I’ve gone absolutely mad for jigsaws. During the past three weeks, I’ve purchased an alarming number of puzzles: a 500-piece Harry Potter book cover collage, a chic 800-piecer designed by one of my favorite artists, Alja Horvat, and a collection of four modern 1,000-piece puzzles with photos of things like birthday cakes and dirty martinis. Sorry, they’re all sold out now. Puzzles are having a major moment, if you haven’t heard.
What I love most about getting jiggy? I’m able to tune out everything else and exercise a different part of my brain. Plus, hunting down those elusive puzzle pieces is just so gratifying for some reason.
This got me thinking about what other people are buying (or discovering at home) and loving right now to get them through. I’m talking about those unexpected joys — little, big, or surprising nonessential things that are bringing much-needed sparkle to stressful days. So I turned to our fellow San Franciscans to spill the, ahem, beans.
“I bought a foot peel, because there’s no better time to engage in weird/gross self-care than from the comfort of your own quarantine. There’s also no limit to how many Salt & Vinegar Pringles I’ll eat. I dare my husband to judge me at a time like this.”— Sarah Davis, Oakland
“My team members at work always made sure the candy jars were full. Now that I’m working from home, I’m really missing those post-lunch Jolly Ranchers and wound up stress-ordering a five-pound bag of Awesome Reds for myself. I’ve also taken this opportunity to stop wearing makeup and give my skin a break.”— Lauren J. Patti, NoPa
“French-made barrettes and silk scrunchies from Winden, perfect for making my Zoom calls feel fancier. Candles from Hero Shop are keeping the apartment vibey. I also stocked up on a bunch of cozy oversized merch shirts from Sqirl, Online Ceramics, and Roberta’s to feel like I’m ‘getting dressed’ when I’m wearing the same leggings from yesterday.”— Allison Sparkuhl, Pacific Heights
“My son and I have recently gotten hooked on a show called Horrible Histories (on Hulu), which is a British sketch comedy show about history. It’s aimed at kids — yes, there’s a lot of gross-out stuff — but it’s historically accurate, fascinating, and pretty hilarious. My son has developed a real love for history and learned so much in such a short amount of time—a homeschooling bonus.”— Melissa Davis, Oakland
“Currently, I’m fixated on perfecting the Negroni. I’m also reliving my travels to Italy by (finally) using some of my food travel souvenirs, like grappa from Piemonte, quality dried porcini mushrooms from Tuscany, and torrone candy bars from Torino.”— Vas Kiniris, Berkeley
“I bought one of the most impractical and frivolous things ever: a pair of four-inch Sarah Flint suede pumps in pomegranate pink. I had been eyeing these shoes for so long and really wanted to wear them to a couple events that were coming up, including my birthday dinner. But then our city went on lockdown, and suddenly I was going nowhere. But the beauties continued to beckon, and I finally gave in to the craving. The shoes are not only gorgeous, but, symbolically, they give me hope that sometime soon this crisis will be over — and we’ll all be out in the world again, strutting our stuff.”— Mary A., Inner Richmond
“Werther’s. The creamy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness reminds me of a simpler time. Pro tip: Werther’s from a roll are so much better than those from a bag. Procure wisely!” — Chelsea, Half Moon Bay
“I bought a NordicTrack exercise bike. Being cooped up in the house and not being able to go on my group cycling rides was tough, so I figured in order to relieve stress, I needed to work out at home. It’s been a lifesaver. I’m now thinking about purchasing a punching bag, because what relieves stress more than hitting something?”— Joe S., Sausalito
“Microwave popcorn is a must with the sudden upsurge of Netflix-and-chilling in our household.”— Paul Lee Cannon, Oakland
“I’ve been taking this opportunity to tap back into the things that have always brought me joy. My greatest love has always been music. So, as weather allows, I’ve been taking a daily walk while listening to one of my childhood faves, The Go-Go’s. I do believe it’s physiologically impossible to listen to ‘Our Lips Are Sealed,’ ‘We Got the Beat,’ or ‘Head Over Heels’ without instantly feeling a spring working its way into your step and a smile forming on your face.”— Brian M., Castro
“As trips to the grocery store are reduced, we’re forced to reconcile with food products in the back of our cabinets. So far, the Trader Joe’s corn muffin mix dated as expiring in 2014 has been the oldest and most shelf stable one I’ve found yet. This knowledge will come in handy for our next nuclear winter. This corn muffin mix will be number two on our list, just under toilet paper.”— Ross, Ocean Beach
“Three-year-old frozen mahi-mahi burgers from Trader Joe’s were a surprise at the bottom of our freezer. They were edible despite freezer burn and the creative moment figuring out what sauces to adorn it with.”— Shundt, Berkeley
“I ordered the fantasy board game Gloomhaven, which a friend told me about. It was keeping her and her family busy for several nights in a row during shelter in place, so I figured if it works for them, it might work for us. When the game arrived, it came in a huge box, and the kids are already getting excited about learning how to play. Fingers crossed.”— Ella G., Mission
“With fruit and veg suddenly so mercurial, shelf stable seemed the way to quell my FORO (fear of running out). On my next trip out, I grabbed a pile of Pomi pasta and tinned tomatoes. I don’t even eat pasta, but as long as it’s in the pantry, I feel better knowing I can add some Italian sunshine to whatever’s to come.”— Karen S., Cow Hollow
“Wine has been getting me through this quarantine. Homeschooling and potty training a toddler has definitely pushed my limits. But we ordered a 12-pack of wine from Subject to Change, and my husband and I are having fun comparing notes. Bonus: It’s natural wine, a local small biz, and they have free shipping!”— Defne Crowe, Sebastopol
“I would say the biggest one is the genuine joy our two cats seem to have with both of us working from home. Each has been notably affectionate (in their own way, of course), and both are very focused on being wherever we are at all times. So much for the myth that cats are unfeeling sociopaths.”— John G., Nob Hill
