5 Random Things I Purchased Since the Fire (and Why I’m Obsessed With Them)

After losing everything in the fire, I found myself shopping in a way I never really had before—somewhat impulsively, but also with so much emotion behind every choice. It wasn’t about excess or trying to replace everything all at once. It was about comfort, control, and little sparks of normalcy. When you’re suddenly starting from zero, even the most random purchases start to feel deeply personal. So here are five things I bought post-fire—some practical, some nostalgic, all of which I’m now completely obsessed with.

1. Dyson Airwrap
Minimalist indulgence plus really good hair.

I went back and forth on this one so many times during those first few weeks. I had a Dyson Airwrap before the fire, and it was my holy grail. But replacing it? I felt so much guilt. It felt irresponsible. Frivolous, even. And I know from talking to others in our community—I wasn’t the only one feeling this way.

But here’s the thing: we didn’t just lose “stuff.” We lost the foundation of our lives. Our homes, our kitchens, our beds, our clothes, our toothbrushes. We lost safety. Shelter. Comfort. Basic human needs. One mom in our grief group talked about how fire loss hits the very bottom of Maslow’s hierarchy—security, food, bathing, cooking, dressing. It’s not just the emotional toll. It’s the psychological disorientation of losing everything you rely on to feel safe and human in the world.

So yes—something like a hair tool may seem unnecessary to an outsider. But for me, using it helped me feel like myself again. I was gifted a Drybar dryer (which was amazing), but when it came down to it, I had to be honest about what I truly loved and what helped me feel put together. And the Dyson was it. Good hair might sound superficial, but it gave me back a tiny piece of confidence and control. And that ripple effect? It mattered. It matters so much more now than it did before.

I’m trying to live with less—but better. And this was one of the first things I allowed myself to splurge on. And I’m so glad I did.

Bonus points to Dyson: they offered a discount for fire victims. That kind of thing sticks with you. Dyson officially made my “Nice List.” I went with the version that includes the 1.2" and 1.6" barrels for long hair—shop the Dyson Airwrap here.

2. Clear Acrylic Hangers
Because my OCD needed a win.

Okay, I’m not even in my real home yet. But something about seeing my clothes on matching hangers brought me so much peace. The clear acrylic ones felt chic, timeless, and versatile—perfect for whatever closet aesthetic I end up with, both in the rental and eventually the rebuild. I was over the black velvet hangers I had before, but I did love how slim they were, so this felt like the perfect upgrade. I first saw them at a friend’s house during a Sip & Swap we hosted and immediately loved the clean, minimal look.

I ordered the Clear Slim Hangers from The Container Store (bless them for always having what I need—and for consistently carrying this signature style as I keep adding to my set), and even got Eric his own set of Slim Wooden Hangers in Lotus. Because apparently, I also like everyone in the family having their own hanger vibe?

It actually started with the kids’ shared closet in our old house—I divided it with Amazon Basics Kids Velvet Hangers in Gray for Leo and Blush for Ava. It was a small detail, but it gave me a sense of order in the chaos. So I repurchased those too.

3. Alo Set in Winter Ivy + Palisades Strong Sweatshirt
The unofficial Palisades Mom uniform.

I’m a sucker for a good matching set, and this one was an instant yes. The color I chose—Winter Ivy—perfectly matched the “Palisades Strong” sweatshirts I had just designed, which made the whole look feel even more meaningful. (If Winter Ivy is sold out, a friend tipped me off that this shade Tidal from Vuori is another great match!)

Right after the fire, Alo, Vuori, and Lululemon quietly became the unofficial uniform of Palisades survivors. It wasn’t about dressing in matchy-matchy sets like we were in a sorority—it was because these brands were some of the first to offer real support. We’re talking steep discounts—40–50% off or $200 gift cards—that actually helped as we tried to replace our wardrobes from scratch.

I also made a bunch of “Palisades Strong” sweatshirts with Homeboy Industries (who I had worked with previously through my branded jute bags with The Little Market—RIP to the brick-and-mortar location, but they were amazing to work with). I had this visceral need to create something for our community. We were all displaced—scattered across LA, other parts of California, or even out of state—and I wanted something that brought us back together. Something unifying. Something that let us feel proud to rep the Palisades. Designing and gifting those sweatshirts to friends and neighbors was deeply healing for me.

Also, quick tip: I rarely shop in person, but this time I did—and I’m so glad. The girls at the Alo store were incredibly helpful. That’s how I learned you should size down in the Airlift leggings. Wish I had known that earlier!

4. Jeep Grand Cherokee L
Turns out... I’m a Jeep girl now.

Losing our SUV was one of the most frustrating parts of the fire aftermath. It was our family car—the one with the car seats, the beach toys, the sticky fruit pouches. The day of the fire, Eric had taken me to the ER in our sedan (long story), and he’d taken the car seats out to get the car cleaned. Of all the days. You can’t make this stuff up.

We knew we needed another SUV—ideally one with a third row and captain’s chairs. We briefly dreamed of a Rivian, but that just felt financially irresponsible right now.

Ironically, the one car Eric wasn’t into was the Jeep—he was worried about maintenance and reliability. And of course… we ended up getting a Jeep Grand Cherokee L in Rocky Mountain. (I normally go for black or white, but I love this color—it looks black most of the time, but in the right light, it’s this really pretty olive.) And we LOVE IT. We got a crazy good deal on it, and in this car market? That’s unheard of. The captain’s chairs are a parenting win, the third row comes in handy with grandparents or extra friends, and the trunk is massive—perfect for our current nomad life.

One thing I really appreciated about getting the new car was that it gave me a gentle way to start talking to Leo about the fire. At the time, we hadn’t really touched the house topic with him. But I told him, “The fire touched the SUV, so the old car went away. But guess what? We’re going to get a new car, and it’s going to be soooo cool—you’re going to love it.” He lit up. And in the back of my mind, I knew I’d come back to that metaphor later. When it’s time to talk about the house, I’ll say, “Just like the old car went away, the old house went away too. But remember how much you love our new car? You’re going to love the new house. What do you want your new bedroom to look like?”

Sometimes the best conversations start in unexpected places.

5. Clinique Happy
A sweet throwback to happier times.

This one was totally impulsive. We were at Target (which had an Ulta inside), and I spotted my 8th grade perfume—Clinique Happy. Honestly, that might’ve been when I peaked (kidding… sort of). But I actually have really good memories from that time, so it felt like a sweet little throwback. I went with the portable rollerball version since I don’t want to schlep a bunch of stuff while we’re still in a long-term rental and not fully settled.

Right now, anything that transports me to a simpler time feels like a gift. Whether it’s a familiar food, a place, or a scent—nostalgia has been healing.

Rebuilding has meant thinking about what I actually want in my life—what brings comfort, control, or just a tiny spark of joy. None of these purchases were necessities, but they’ve all made the day-to-day feel a little more grounded, a little more me. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.