Frances Thomas

A festival veteran recommends nine essentials and a few fun extras.

Money diaries from the mundane to the outlandish proliferate online, their ubiquity suggesting a collective (and voyeuristic) fascination with thy neighbor’s expenses. Living in New York City is many things, but cheap isn’t one of them—which makes maximizing your expendable income a precarious exercise. In this new series, we ask New Yorkers how they allot their funds for the non-essentials.

An easy tutorial for planting your first succulent.

Why Whisk, a beloved kitchenware boutique founded in Brooklyn, closed two storefronts in two months.

Dylan Lipari of Superare recommends gloves for every type of boxer.

Summer Rayne Oakes, an environmental scientist and author, shares house plant shopping tips at Sprout Home in Williamsburg.

Get the premium yoga studio experience—minus the hefty membership fee.

Babeland, a sex toy brand with shops in NYC and Seattle, offers something for everyone—whether you’re on your first or fiftieth visit.

Village Grannies in downtown Manhattan looks and feels unlike any other smoke shop you’ve been inside.

At Sprout Home, an indie garden center with locations in Williamsburg and Chicago, a green thumb is welcome—but not required.

Tara Heibel, founder of Sprout Home, recommends the perfect starter plants for a variety of indoor environments.

The Brooklyn-based media publisher and self-described ‘curious consumer’ thinks socks make an outfit.

Lisa Finn, a sex educator and the brand manager of Babeland, recommends the right sex toy for 13 different needs.

Buying a boxed mattress is easy—returning one, not so much.

The thrill of buying something totally unnecessary cuts across Myers-Briggs types, income levels, and ages. Whether you’re in the position to blow $350 on an infuser or $14 on feature socks, impulse shopping is something most of us partake in, at least occasionally. Read on for shopping confessions from people working in wine, fashion, and design.

It’s easy to set up a recording studio in your living room.

The mission-driven vaporizer brand that isn’t afraid to align with cannabis culture.

The Orange County company is making health nut-approved vaporizers.

In an alternate life, the Portland-based editor would design floral arrangements for rich private clients.

The Japanese adult toy brand creates products that aren’t embarrassing to buy.

The fashion and lifestyle blogger could also take an aperol spritz.

This family-owned textile brand from Peru is making it in America—all by word of mouth.

The company has nothing to hide.

You don’t need it, but you want it. #NoRegrets.

The 25-year-old sex toy brand puts education first.

The LA native has it out for plastic storage bins and would really appreciate $10K to outfit her kitchen in pink Smeg appliances.

The same-day grocery delivery platform works with local shoppers to deliver to your door.

These essentials will help you survive your next dreaded 6 train commute.

The self-described “collector by birth” wants more time to take photos and a closet full of cashmere.

Espresso Supply, Inc. has grown along with American tastes.

The Florida-born lifestyle photographer could also use a walk-in shoe closet, obviously.

The writer cum fashion influencer has bought two wedding dresses but still has to plan her wedding.

The pet insurance company offers flexible plans for whatever life may have in store.

Celebrate love—and save cash—with the Quiddity Valentine's Day Gift Guide.

The supplement brand believes digestive health is at the root of overall health.

Tips on setting and keeping New Year's resolutions from a clinical psychologist.

You’re taking the leap—get the gear for a smooth landing.

How to cohabitate on a budget.

In which Editor Frances Thomas drinks way too many cortados, restrains her propensity for adding sugar, and amasses a bunch of forgettable swag.

The wellness influencer’s latest purchases, inspired by a trip to Las Vegas and her moving into her first "big girl" apartment.

The Texas-based pet food brand believes man’s best friend should dine on the best.

Maybe not for your mom, but definitely for your girlfriend.

Why not gift your host with something they’ll actually remember?

We’ve sourced all the worthwhile deals, so you can sit back and relax this Thanksgiving.

Throw the dinner party of the the year with this kit.

The pros advise.

Meal prep can be a dangerous endeavor. Here are three of our spookiest stories.

Forget the White Russian—there’s a lot more you can do with coffee liqueur.

The women-led sex toy brand aims to fill the “pleasure gap” in heterosexual intimacy.

The fashion and culture writer’s recent buys run the price gamut.

The New York-based tastemaker has a “thing with roses” and insists PVC makes the most functional handbag.

The Silicon Valley company hopes to revolutionize how we smoke.