Check-In with Kiana Toossi
Where are you quarantining? And who are you with?
I’m in sunny-ish Los Angeles with my family and pup named Pepper.
Cooking / baking right now
My mom’s the master chef, but Kayla (my sister) and I have been baking a whole lot. The last few things we baked were some sugar cookies, a gluten-free cake for my gluten-free mom, soda bread loaves, and my all-time favorite: Bon Appetit’s Earl Grey Yogurt Cake. Instead of earl grey, we used Sadaf persian black tea. Super easy and super yummy, highly recommended.
Shows you’re watching right now
I’ve been keeping myself busy with work and personal projects (like the redesign of this site) but I’ve also been watching a bunch of different shows kind of all at the same time. Currently, I’m watching The Morning Show and Seinfeld with a bit of Hunters and Schitt’s Creek on the side. I also just finished Dickinson which was incredible.
Movie you watched last
Okay embarrassing but the last movie I watched was Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen. But the two movies before that were Beautiful Boy and Emma. So let’s count those instead.
Movies on your list
God so many. Rebel Without a Cause, Bottle Rocket, Walk the Line, Jojo Rabbit, Honey Boy, Parasite, The Aviators, Georgia Rule, Fight Club, and Barefoot in the Park.
Any good books?
While I grew up reading and absolutely love it, I’ve been so bad at reading the past four years. I’ll try to use this time to start reading regularly again but for now, no good books yet for me.
Podcast to share
I’m unfortunately not really a podcast person. I prefer music 100% of the time 🤘🏼So instead of a podcast to share, I’ll share a few playlists:
Like a lot of Glee? Keeping me sane. The Survivor / I Will Survive mash-up is literally the best mash-up to grace this planet.
Rituals or routines keeping you sane
Making myself coffee every morning as I’m starting work for the day.
If it’s sunny out, my mom, Pepper, and I will sit outside in the backyard for our daily dose of Vitamin D. Mother says it helps you sleep better at night. I’m also slowly regaining my California tan that I lose oh so quickly in New York.
I’ve been bad at taking care of my skin even though I should technically be really good at self care right now? But when I do my skincare routine, featuring a whole lot of Peet Rivko, I’m feeling good.
My mother is all about herbal medicine so every night we each take a “shot” with a few drops of Silver Colloidal, Vitamin D-3, Black Elderberry Syrup, and some water just to make sure we’re staying healthy. And we’re also supposed to take our gummy vitamins.
Anything new you’ve done with your newfound time?
Baking! I’ve been baking a lot which is always fun for me. I’ve also had more time to work on personal projects and other projects that I’ve neglected in the past due to a busy school / work schedule. I designed these Greetings from Home postcards to encourage sending snail mail as a way of connecting with loved ones in a time where physical connection isn’t possible. They’re up for purchase on my website! Buy a pack and start sending 💌
Quarantine motto
My mug says “doing great” so I’m sticking with that. Alternatively I just watched this episode of Seinfeld where Kramer is sitting in a bar with his sunglasses on and smoking a cigarette and chugging down a beer. I don’t really drink or smoke but that’s a quarantine mood if I’ve ever seen one.
When this is over, what’s the first thing you’re doing?
GOD so many things. I told Lilly McClure our first outing will be a coffee date at Alfred’s which is something we’ve been doing since high school. But also go on a hike, see all my pals, have a massive graduation party with high school friends because all of our graduations are now no longer a real thing, go to ALL of the restaurants and support all my favorite spots, go to the beach, drive to Cuyama, see the wildflowers, and live again.
When this is over, who’s the first person you’re seeing?
Nicolas! Boyfriend! We’re used to being long distance but it’s especially sucky being long distance when you’re a 10 min drive from each other and can’t see each other.
What are you never going to take for granted again?
Being able to be outside with others / near others. Anything from getting coffee with a friend and going on a hike up Will Rogers to getting on the subway and walking down a busy New York City street. Also going to The Wing. I hope they’ll be alright after all of this.
