Welcome to our latest installment of Next to My Bed, a feature on Hill House Home's 40 Winks Blog that takes an up close and personal look at what some of our friends keep next to their bed.
Tyler McCall holds the distinguished title of Editor-in-Chief of Fashionista.com, but devilish she is not and if you follow her on Instagram, you'll note she prefers a whimsical Miu Miu mule to a Prada pump. She is a die hard Blair Waldorf fanatic, a cat lover, and yes, we're 99.9% sure that's a bow in the above photo. Here, she shares what's next to her bed.
What side of the bed do you sleep on?
I sleep on the right side of the bed. It's just a coincidence that I took the side closest to the big window — at least, that's the story I'm sticking to.
What can you not sleep without?
Living in New York City has made it so that I could probably sleep through the apocalypse, but I'm still really light sensitive! I have an eye mask I wear every night without fail, and I have several squirreled away in suitcases so I never travel without one, either. Oh, and also a night guard, but that's not as fun.
What is currently next to your bed?
I really wanted an open night stand, despite the fact that we have a cat who loves to chew on Apple cords. (Yes, specifically just the cords that charge Apple products! I suppose it's a texture thing.) We picked up this brass style from West Elm.
What do you keep on your side table and/or floor next to your bed?
Quarantine has really upped my reading time, so I've been buying tons and tons of books. I ran out of space on my bookshelves — and definitely not because I use one to store all my purses — so now the overflow is collecting under my night stand. I'm in the middle of reading three right now (A Distant Mirror, Barbara Tuchman, People’s History of the United States, Howard Zinn, and In the Woods, Tana French), but there's a whole stack I need to tackle this summer.
My friend Lee always brings loads of Lucas Papaw Ointment when he's in town for fashion week, and I always have a tube within arm's reach to keep my lips hydrated.
What is the strangest thing that's next to your bed?
I keep this wicker alligator purse from Kate Spade under my nightstand. He's just so cute and I didn't know where else to put him. I like to think he wards off any monsters that might hide under the bed.
What would you not be able to sleep without being next to your bed?
Every night, I bring a full S'well bottle of water to bed with me. It's great that it keeps the water cold, of course, but I also like being able to seal it off in case the cat decides she wants to knock it over, which she's been known to do trying to get at the cords.
Do you keep any electronics next to your bed?
It's so awful, I know, but I sleep with my phone within arm's reach. Somehow, my partner and I got into the habit of watching TikToks together before bed (it's addictive!) and my notifications are the first thing I check when I wake up. If anyone has tips for breaking that habit, I'm all ears!
What is your nighttime routine in 5 steps or less.
I recently pared my skincare routine way back, so now it's just a gentle face wash, U Beauty Resurfacing Compound and a thick night cream. If I'm good and I remember, I run a gua sha stone over my face and use this cuticle oil stick my friend Sonia turned me on to. Brushing and flossing, of course! And then, because my hair has gotten crazy long, I tie it up in a silk scrunchie.