What We Bought This Month: December

James Bigley II, managing editor
Old Man Logan series ($15.99-$29.99)
Over the last couple of months, I’ve been on the hunt for new reading material. Marvel’s ongoing X-Men trade paperbacks have been behind ever since the pandemic hit in early March, so I’m in a bit of a holding pattern until they roll out more comics. During a recent visit to Carol and John’s Comic Shop in Kamm’s Corners, the wonderful staff suggested I check out the Old Man Logan series, in which an aged Wolverine must overcome familial trauma and strange foes in a war-torn parallel universe. It’s certainly a series that’s prime for the moment we’re living in: a lone warrior coming to terms with the kind of person he wants to be resonates more deeply now. Needless to say, I’m hooked. cnjcomics.com

Arbela Capas, editorial assistant
STEM Soap's Essential Oil Roll-On ($15)
While checking off some Christmas shopping off my list at STEM Soaps, I couldn’t resist indulging in my own self-care. Their essential oils come in a little roll-on perfume container that makes them super-easy to put on during the day, and serve as a simple perfume and a great form of aromatherapy. These were lifesavers in terms of handling my stress during finals week in college and helping me fall asleep, with scents ranging from lavender to eucalyptus. So I’m excited that I finally got around to getting their “Rebound” scent. It’s made with peppermint, orange and lime essential oils and is perfect for staying alert and energized — and oh boy, do I need that during the oncoming gloomy weather. stemsoaps.com

Kim Schneider, editor
Emily Roggenburk's CLE Pennant Hat ($28)
Whether I’m doing yardwork, running errands or just hanging around the house, my go-to move lately has been sporting a baseball hat. I’ve pretty much worn out my old Adidas one so I’ve been on the hunt for one that would show my CLE love. This version from Emily Roggenburk does the trick in a subtle way. While mine is gray, it comes in black and army green and has an adjustable metal clasp so I can feed my ponytail through hole and make it as snug or loose as I need it to be. emilyroggenburk.com

Dillon Stewart, associate editor
Periwinkle Studio's Ornaments And Signs ($50
Last year, my fiancee and I moved into our Lakewood starter home just a week before Christmas. One of our friends gave us this ornament as a housewarming gift. Yes, it goes on the tree during the holidays, but this ornament stays on display somewhere in the house year-round. Without blowing a pretty killer top-secret Christmas gift, my fiancee and I bought another one of her signs this year — which was about the size of a cutting board — for a friend. The owner, Dana, paints the signs herself with a surprisingly quick turnaround speed and also has cutting boards with paintings of dogs, skylines, family recipes and more. You simply send her a message on Instagram, give her some inspiration photos and pick it up at her home in Aurora. It’s a perfectly personal gift in a year when we can’t be close to our loved ones. instagram.com/periwinklestudio216