Into the Fridge 🪄
Tori Simokov on buttered noodles and bath houses
Tori Simokov 🪄
Tori Simokov is the writer of Window Seat, a newsletter about travel, aviation, and hospitality, that I like to live vicariously through. She’s based in Brooklyn and works full-time as the Sr. Director of Strategy at Complex. On top of that, she’s also a very talented graphic designer and has created visuals for brands like Fenty and W Hotels. When I think of Tori, the word fabulous is quick to come to mind, and I have a feeling you’ll be able to see why.
What is your fridge philosophy?
Currently, it’s about efficiency. Right now my husband and I are each in a super busy season of life career-wise, so we don’t want to spend time thinking about what to eat. To that end, we get our groceries and meals delivered. We also travel a lot, so this helps us prevent waste.
Your fridge is always always always stocked with ____.
Beverages, fresh fruit, and restaurant leftovers.
Top 5 condiments, go.
I don’t use condiments very often, but when I do, I love Momofuku Chili Crunch, yuzu kosho, minced ginger, and Les Pres Sales (I’m declaring butter a condiment).
Fine, I’ll open it up to pantry too. Let’s hear your favorite snacks / pantry staples:
I’m a huge snacker so this is always changing but right now I’m loving My Pote potato chips. I also very much look forward to my monthly Bokksu delivery! This is a subscription box full of Japanese snacks that my in-laws gifted my husband and me. Each month has a different theme; opening them is always such a treat.
For pantry staples, I always have a few different kinds of pasta at the ready—usually angel hair and something fun. My favorite shape as of late is Busiate by Frankies 457.
Every time I travel, I panic and throw everything out of my fridge, even if it’s just for a weekend trip (lol). What are your kitchen routines for pre- and post-travel?
Pre-travel, I deep-clean the apartment (because there’s nothing worse than coming home to a messy place) and this includes the kitchen. I always go through the fridge and make sure there’s nothing left in it that will spoil. I try to avoid getting groceries as much as I can before a trip.
When I return home, 99% of the time I unpack everything immediately. Even if it’s super late, I have to get into my suitcase to get my skincare products and sleep mask, so at that rate I might as well just put everything else away, too. While I do this, if it’s a reasonable hour, I like to place a grocery order for delivery so I can get the fridge restocked with all of my essentials. By the time I’m done unpacking, the groceries are usually arriving.
A meal that’s on heavy rotation these days:
My husband and I don’t really cook because we get our meals delivered from Cook Unity, and when we’re not eating those meals, we like to go out. But when we do get the urge for a home-cooked meal, we’re probably making:
Buttered noodles (my favorite, easy comfort meal)
Chicken Paprikash (our favorite recipe from my mom)
Beef brisket with egg noodles (our favorite recipe from his mom)
Let’s go a little deeper…
What’s the mantra you keep coming back to?
Remember: five years ago, you dreamed about where you are now.
What products / practices are part of your regular mental wellness habits?
I’m constantly creating, whether I’m writing my newsletter or designing graphics, branding, or merchandise in Photoshop. It’s what makes me feel most grounded and connected to myself and the world around me.
And your physical?
I am militant about my skincare routine. I try to get regular facials. And I like to go to bath houses when I can.
What do you think is the most underrated part of wellness?
Sleep & rest.
…and overrated?
Alternative milks. I’m a whole milk girl till I die.
Picture this: you wake up one morning and feel like shit. What’s your next move:
First, I’ll do everything possible to clear my schedule so I can rest–I’m a big proponent of listening to your body.
Then I’ll get in the shower. I have this eucalyptus essential oil spray in there that you spray into the steam for a spa-like experience; it’s an instant mood booster but it’s also supposed to help with cold symptoms.
While I’m in there I’ll scrub my body raw with the Soft Services Buffing Bar, then use Salt & Stone’s Santal & Vetiver body wash.
Out of the shower, I’ll lock in moisture with my favorite body lotion (Soft Services Speed Soak) and spray my favorite perfume at the moment: Bo by Liis.
Then–very important!–wrap myself in my fluffiest robe (which I stole from Hotel Chelsea).
Next, I’ll set the vibe in my apartment: I’ll put on my favorite playlist and light one of my favorite candles.
Can you tell I’m a Taurus?
Give us your ride or die wellness products:
Currentbody LED face and neck mask + Hyperice Normatec compression boots
A silk sleep mask + Off Hours Offline Cherry Berry edibles for the best sleep ever
One thing you do everyday that makes you the most YOU version of yourself:
Create.
Whose taste inspires you?!
Lucy Williams has always been the blueprint, from what she wears, to how she travels.
Big thank you to Tori for showing us a glimpse into her beautiful life. You can learn more about her creative studio + design work here and I’d recommend following along with her travels on Instagram and of course, through her newsletter Window Seat. You can find her fridge favorites + more here.
Feel free to leave a comment or respond to this email with questions you want asked, people you want featured, or anything else that’s on your mind. Don’t be shy, I love hearing from you. I’ll see you with a review soon!
Buttered noodles forever! 🫶 & loling at the red light mask pic
If Poppi has a million fans, I'm one of them. If Poppi has one fan, it's me. If Poppi has zero fans, I'm dead. Lmao loved this interview so much Katie, thank you for having me! 🫶🏻