Launch Digest: The Year Of The Dragon, The Month Of Love, And Luxe Basics To Shop All Week Long

January Is All About Your Kitchen – From Drinks To Daal

If you’re a Launch Digest reader, you know that I love beverages year-round, not just during Dry January. But if you’re new to this and not true to this, welcome to my obsession! The latest on my radar: Heywell, a line of function-forward sparkling beverages that taste delicious enough to replace your happy hour habit. Select your can based on your intention – whether you want to relax, support your immune system, or sharpen your focus – and let a clever blend of adaptogens and herbs do the rest ($45 per 12-pack).

If one of your 2024 intentions includes making more nourishing, comforting meals at home, you may want to direct your attention to Paro, a line of South Asian comfort foods that can get from the box to your dinner table in thirty minutes. The brand caught my attention after popping up with Sunny, a tahini dip I would marry if given the opportunity, for a perfectly paired meal situation (daal with a dollop of Sunny). I’m eyeing the bundle ($45) to recreate what I suspect will be my new favorite weeknight meal and maybe yours, too.

To add a few more tricks up your culinary sleeve, head directly to Churn, a line of 100% grass-fed butters infused with ingredients only a chef could dream up (literally). With nine different flavors ranging from Garlic & Shallot to Maple & Cinnamon, Churn was made to upgrade your home chef mise en place. Think: salmon in a Miso glaze, smashed potatoes infused with Truffle butter, or even a simple oatmeal with a pat of Maple & Cinnamon on top. Start cooking with the Chef’s Favorites trio ($41) and your friends might pay for a spot at your dinner table. 

Valentine’s Day Is Impending

Valentine’s Day is in less than a month, which means it is officially game-time. Browse new launches to gift your beloved. But really, the VIP on V-Day is you, honey (duh). All of these launches can and should be sent-to-self.

Compartés means business. The LA-based chocolatier is pulling out all the stops to romance your lover, particularly if they like chess ($300) or astrology ($60). If your tastes lean more traditional than a $300 chocolate-based chess set, the brand still has all of the timeless heart-shaped essentials you’ll want to deliver directly to your crush’s doorstep.

If you’re thinking chocolate, but find yourself constantly competing with Erewhon to earn your lover’s affection, we have gifts for that. Spring & Mulberry’s nourishing date-sweetened, superfood-studded chocolate bars ($45 per 3-pack) are too pretty to eat and yet somehow taste even better than they look. Simply’s chewy, crunchy Chocolate Date Bars ($16 per 6-pack) satisfy that old-school candy bar flavor with real ingredients and yes, you guessed it, dates. 

If you’d like to go the jewelry route – a road well-traveled for a reason – shop Astrid & Miyu or Made By Mary’s new Valentine’s Day collections, adorned with hearts and pink gemstones galore. These Open Heart Hoops ($125), Heart Chain Bracelet ($44), and delicate Pink Necklace ($84) are ten times better than a premature engagement ring and won’t cost you nearly as much emotionally or financially!

Are You In Need Of Some New Basics?

Lucky for you (and unlucky for me, because I’m easily tempted) my inbox is full of launches that are just waiting to upgrade your closet. I begin every year with the intention to refine my wardrobe, to distill it to just high-quality staples I’ll mix and match in every season. Some years the quality basics are nowhere to be found – 2024 is not one of those years.

Dal The Label launched a knitwear capsule that screams quiet luxury, a winter counterpart to the brand’s breezy summer linens. I have my eyes fixed on this Rib Knit Collared Cardigan ($315), and am calculating a pleasing cost-per-wear with a series of mathematical equations. Consider: it can be remixed from a top to a sweater, with trousers or a dress, from winter to spring and back again.

Goldie Tees is answering the age-old – where can a woman buy a classic and well-made t-shirt – dilemma. The pointelle variations are my personal favorite, but I’ll let you browse in peace (from $80).

And if you need an extra reason to purchase a quality basic, consider some compelling sales. Repetto’s (very rare) sale is brimming with The Ballerina Flats that practically invented the genre, along with Mary Janes and cap-toe iterations you’ll wear for years to come. 

Araks’ annual lingerie sale speaks for itself (with items up to 70% off). All of the lace pieces live rent-free in my mind and have for about a year now. I’m snagging my sizes before they’re all gone, and trying not to torment myself too much with the colorway decision-making process.