Things I'm Into: Jan 2025

A comedy special, miso caramel, hard-to-find sweater and more

Jan 12, 2025

Welcome! This is “Staying In,” a Sunday newsletter with recipe ideas for your week ahead. Every other Thursday I also publish a “Going Out” edition where I review a restaurant, bar, or activity here in Portland. Know someone who might like Riley’s Recs? Get your share link here! And don’t forget to check out pdxrecs.com for even more recommendations and follow RR on Instagram at @rileysrecs. Enjoy!

I’m heading to Austin this week for work so instead of a recipe plan I’m doing something different and sharing a list of things I’ve been reading, watching, and buying.

If you’re like, “I come here for the recipes!”, no worries. I got you. Check out the RR Archive. It’s sorted by meal type and includes every recipe I’ve ever shared. You can also find restaurant recommendations on my website here.

But here’s what I’ve been into lately.

If you’ve watched Hacks, then you’re already in love with Hannah Einbinder. She just came out with a comedy special on HBO “Everything Must Go” that changed the way I think about standup. It’s full of analogies and impersonations and physical comedy. Her commitment to a bit should be applauded. Watch it tonight.
I’m a fan of Adam Scott, the sardonic, nerdy comedian who stars in shows like Party Down, Parks and Rec, and now Severance. His recent profile in the New Yorker is worth a read. It follows his monk-like commitment to “making it” in Hollywood, and what it’s like now that he’s finally there.
Search Engine is in my current podcast rotation. It’s hosted by PJ Vogt and answers questions like “Who buys luggage at the airport store?” and “What does it feel like to believe in God?” I really enjoyed listening to the episode about the mystery pool at Buckingham palace. It felt like a crime show with mysterious characters and plot twists.
I was going to get my nails done today and ask for Hailey Bieber’s glazed donut look. But I just realized my go-to salon is closed. So I’m probably just going to go to Target and get a chrome-effects polish from Olive and June.
I am currently reading Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties. It’s very unlike me to reach for true crime. And I have to read this in short stints, but the journalist essentially made it his life’s work to uncover gaps in the murder investigation (spoiler: he does). I think anything someone spends 20+ years doing is worth paying attention to.
I really don’t know anything about sports betting other than that it happens, and every dude I know secretly does it? But this article that my friend and fellow Substacker
Keagen Edwards
recommended to me does a great job of explaining it. Basically, sports betting is anything but new, incredibly dependent on actual humans to run it, and has made about 1% of people who do it very rich. It’s also a fascinating world to dive into. I recommend Keegan’s Substack Square Attack
if this is up your alley. I’ve always said that he’s one of the top 5 people I most respect. When you read his whip-smart writing, you’ll understand why.
In my last post, I mentioned the Netflix real estate reality TV show “Selling the City.” One of my friends/readers texted me “Oh nooo. Selling the City??” Yes. Selling the City. I will always defend mindless TV! On that note, I’m watching Traitors Season 3 right now and loving it. But for those of you who need something a little more…intellectual…I’ve been really into Pop Culture Jeopardy! It’s hosted by SNL head writer Colin Jost and the questions are more about Rihanna's government name and less about the Battle of the Bulge. Stream Pop Culture Jeopardy! on Amazon Prime.
In the past couple of weeks, I’ve seen both A Complete Unknown and Babygirl. A Complete Unknown confirmed my belief that Bob Dylan is an asshole. Albeit a talented one. But Timothée Chalamet gave an impressive tribute, and I ended up really enjoying it. Babygirl was….different. It’s an erotic thriller from A24, and explores the sexual proclivities of a high-powered CEO. After the movie was over, my friend and I turned to each other and just started laughing. I’m sure there are things to say about sex and power dynamics, but instead I’m just going to move on and say that I don’t really recommend it.
Because it’s dry January, I can drink as much NA beer as I want and eat as many sweets as I want. So the other day at New Seasons, I bought Best Days West Coast IPA and a jar of Sugar Pine Drive-In’s Miso Caramel. Best Days is the only real competitor to Athletic in my book, and I’m into it. And the miso caramel is divine.
I’m always into acupuncture. And massages. It’s a new year—got to get to work on that deductible!
I’ve been trying really hard to find this Lacoste sweater that Alice wears in Shrinking. I bought a Lacoste polo when I was in middle school and then immediately shrunk it in the dryer, and have sworn off designer brands ever since. But if someone can help me find it….I’d be back on board no questions asked.