Receipt Review: March 2026
March's purchases were less about optimization and more about building.
Building a writing practice. Building a home gym. Building habits. Building a life that felt a little more like my own again.
Looking back at the month's receipts, it's not difficult to identify the themes. There were purchases that supported my health, purchases that brought me joy, and one book that arrived at exactly the right time. March was also the month I wrote My TFMR Saved My Life, making it a particularly meaningful chapter in my return to writing.
Ahead, everything I bought in March.
On Writing Well by William Zinsser
March was the month I wrote My TFMR Saved My Life, so it feels fitting that one of my purchases was a book about writing. Originally published in 1976, On Writing Well has achieved near-mythical status among writers, journalists, and essayists. While much about publishing has changed over the decades, Zinsser's advice remains remarkably relevant. The book serves as a reminder that good writing is often less about following rules and more about communicating clearly, honestly, and with intention.
Amazon Basics Dumbbells
Not every great purchase is glamorous. As I continued building out a small home gym, I added a set of Amazon Basics dumbbells to the collection. They aren't particularly exciting, but they've become some of the most-used items in my house. There's something satisfying about removing barriers to exercise, and having weights readily available makes it much easier to squeeze in a workout.
Nutrafol
At this point, Nutrafol has become less of a purchase and more of a recurring line item in my budget. I've been taking it long enough that I rarely think about it anymore, which is perhaps the highest compliment I can give a supplement. Healthy hair requires consistency, and Nutrafol remains one of the few wellness products I've stuck with for years.
Wonderskin Lip Stain
Lip stains are one of those categories I desperately want to love but rarely do. Most are either too drying, too patchy, or disappear the moment you eat something. Wonderskin, however, largely lives up to the hype. The stain lasts remarkably well, survives meals better than most lip products, and leaves behind a natural-looking wash of color that doesn't require constant maintenance.
Abercrombie Eagles Jacket
I'll admit it: my Philadelphia Eagles collection has grown to a slightly embarrassing size.
That said, Abercrombie has become my favorite place to shop for NFL apparel. The quality is excellent, the designs feel elevated rather than overly sporty, and the pieces are stylish enough to wear even when you're nowhere near a stadium. This jacket quickly earned a spot in regular rotation and did absolutely nothing to curb my Eagles-merchandise habit.
RoC Derm Correxion Lip Volumizer
I'm generally skeptical of products that promise dramatic results, particularly when it comes to lip plumpers. This one surprised me. Unlike many volumizing treatments that rely on an uncomfortable tingling sensation, RoC's formula actually improves the look of my lips over time. I noticed a difference quickly, and it's become one of those products I reach for throughout the day without even thinking about it.
Omnilux
Men Red Light Mask
$395
Rorra
Rorra Countertop Water Filtration System
I spent an embarrassing amount of time researching water filters before landing on the Rorra system. Part appliance, part design object, it manages to look beautiful while taking up permanent residence on my countertop. More importantly, it has made drinking filtered water incredibly convenient, which means I'm actually doing it. Sometimes the best purchases aren't the most exciting ones—they're the ones that quietly improve your daily routine.
The Case Study Calendar + Habit Tracker
Every year, I convince myself that the right planner, notebook, or tracking system will finally transform me into the kind of person who never forgets anything and always follows through on every goal. The Case Study calendar and habit tracker appealed directly to that fantasy. Fortunately, it's also beautifully designed and genuinely useful, making it one of the rare organizational purchases that feels both aspirational and practical.
The pink tax.
