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Take 5: Meditation Cushions, Smart Home Fragrances + More

Every other week we’re inviting one of the Design Milk team to share five personal favorites – an opportunity for each of us to reveal the sort of designs we use and appreciate in our own lives from a more personal perspective. Senior Editor Kelly Beall returns this week for our Take 5 series…

04.21.21 | By
Take 5: Meditation Cushions, Smart Home Fragrances + More

1. Walden Meditation Cushion Set
Like so many people, I’ve been working on myself more than usual this past year. Part of that has included adding a meditation practice to my daily routine. I started off using an app and branched off from there, but I still remained unsure of what do with my body. Lay on my bed? Sit on the couch? Prop myself up in a corner? Then I was introduced to the brand Walden and their brilliant meditation cushion set and hit the jackpot. Not only is it comfortable while making you hold your posture, it also has a slew of great qualities in its construction. Materials that fit your body, a moisture-resistant antimicrobial shell, a layer of gel-infused memory foam, hypoallergenic buckwheat fill and even a handle.

smart device

2. Pura Smart Device
Over the past few years I’ve experimented with several home fragrance systems. Some were lovely, but the refills way too expensive. Others would work for awhile, then inevitably go kaput a few months later. But I think I may have finally found the sweet spot with the Pura Smart Device. I’ve been using it in my bedroom for a few months and continue to be impressed. This small, remarkably affordable device plugs into the wall and can hold two scents at a time. You set it up on the easy to use app, then control scent intensity, a time schedule and even recurring refill delivery if you like. Pura does a lot more than I have room to share here, but if I’m impressed I’m betting you will be, too.

woven blanket

3. Bearaby’s The Hugger Weighted Blanket
I’ve tried a weighted blanket in the past, the type that gets its weight from small beads inside, and it wasn’t my favorite. As a light sleeper, any sort of noise wakes me – including those beads shifting around every time I moved. Bearaby recently released The Hugger, a queen size cotton weighted blanket that’s completely plastic-free. Not only do I love the way it covers my entire bed and the minimal design elements, I love that the weight comes from the material of the blanket itself. No shifting, no noises, just a feeling of comfort.

smartphone screen with woman

4. Chanel Lipscanner
While other color-matching AI apps exist, I’ve never seen one quite like Chanel’s Lipscanner. See a color that you think would look great as a lipstick? Scan it and Chanel will give you a range of products in that hue from their line of 400+ lip products. Along with matching the color, the app can also match matte or glossy finishes. Once you’ve chosen you can try it on for yourself, thanks to some very intelligent face-scanning technology. Save your photos for later or order directly through the app.

notebook journal

5. Studio Snerd Montreal Journal
I’m an admitted notebook and journal hoarder and have been since I was a kid. There’s just something about the potential of those white pages that gives me hope about what might be written upon them. I much prefer a spiral binding to a perfect spine for the sake of being able to fold it back on itself. The perforated pages of the Montreal Journal are the icing on the cake (along with that black and white graphic pattern!).

Kelly Beall is Director of Branded Content at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based writer and designer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, from Fashion Plates to MoMA and far beyond. When not searching out the visual arts, she's likely sharing her favorite finds with others. Kelly can also be found tracking down new music, teaching herself to play the ukulele, or on the couch with her three pets – Bebe, Rainey, and Remy. Find her @designcrush on social.