OOO #97: Outfits, Ohio, and Other Things I Like
You are what you eat I guess, ice cream, and I am indeed a city mouse (okay, fine, a pizza rat)
Outfits
“Your head is shaped like a peanut.”
Ohio
It’s (practically) summer, which means Jeni’s ice cream stand at Schiller Park is open. This ice cream stand is obviously not a secret, but it is a hidden gem of Schiller Park, mostly because it’s not really in Schiller Park. You may even pass it walking by if you didn’t know it was there, except for the divine and inescapable smell of their waffle cones.
Out of all the Jeni’s locations I’ve been to, I think this stand is my favorite. I’ve never had to wait too long for ice cream and because there’s limited seating, you’re encouraged to get your ice cream to go in a waffle cone rather than a cup—which is what we all want any way. There is a limited selection, but the flavors are always great, and it does away with people taking forever to try a sample of every flavor while you’re freezing in the middle of a sterile, white ice cream shop. The stand on the other hand let’s you bask in the setting sun while you’re waiting for some of the best ice cream on the planet until you can pad over to the most beautiful park in Columbus with a waffle cone that really just smells like joy.
I’m ready for summer (and maybe summer break).
Other Things I Like
I bought myself a Mother’s Day present, a clause which had been followed by three since-deleted dependent clauses of justification, which were all unnecessary because I can do what I want.
I bought myself a City Mouse Crossbody Diaper Bag, which I had toyed with buying for months before giving birth before abandoning it as it was unnecessary compared to everything else I *actually* needed (I’m looking at you V Tech audio baby monitor). BUT as I went through the past (wonderful) year with my son, I have found myself thinking about how useful it would be, especially since he needs way less stuff than he used to.
What’s great about the City Mouse is that it forces you to be economical with what you bring in your diaper bag. It has room for two diapers, a set of wipes (you can get 10 packs here), diaper cream, hand wipes or hand sanitizer, a snack, and your wallet, keys, and phone. The bag has an outside zipper compartment for a changing pad, which the bag also includes. There is a lanyard with a clasp to key your keys anchored and an elastic band for a small bottle or sippy cup. And that’s it. If you’re going on an errand or a walk, you don’t need to bring your entire diaper bag.* Sometimes I think the bottomless diaper bag just invites anxiety, as it gives you lots of room for you to pack things for *every* scenario, leading you to fantasize about the occurrence of *every* scenario.** Gross!
While the big diaper bag definitely has its place when it comes to day trips and events requiring packed food, I’ll exclusively use the City Mouse on short errands with my son moving forward. I plan on the City Mouse growing with us, evolving into a snack and toy bag and then into a casual crossbody bag for me, which is something I don’t actually have already? No waste!
Lately, I just feel weighed down by the sheer amount of *stuff* that I have—especially post-baby, and honestly this bag makes me feel a lot lighter. I really do like that the City Mouse forces precision and choice, and I plan on carrying through this ethos as I mercilessly edit my basement this summer. I know people laugh at Marie Kondo (I don’t fully understand why), but I think she is very wise (and successful). I think a lot about one part of “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” which I’ll paraphrase here: Are you holding onto this thing because you think you’ll need it one day? Have you needed any of these types of things yet? The answer for me has always been no.
*I am also very suspect of the concept of needing a new diaper bag/backpack upon birth of a child. One year in, I realize any medium to large (never capacious) bag really will do the trick. I’m really sick of the baby industrial complex, which feeds on new moms’ insecurities that the way they will “do this right” is by buying the “right” product for every possible scenario. While babies require more stuff than I’d like, they certainly don’t need as much as Babylist or Instagram would make you believe. I literally use a carry all purse I bought on the Real Real and will use it as a carry all when I don’t need a diaper bag anymore.
**I also feel this way about the owlet. I know I would have become hyper-focused on tracking my son’s data 24/7 had I bought one, and any fluctuation would have sent me into a full scale panic. I was already stressed enough! Not for me.
Old News
What did I say (in 2023), people?!?!?! (Sunday Scaries)