Welcome back to Weekly Pickups!
If that brief stint of Fall-ish weather + the annual PSL launch was any indication, peak shopping season is officially upon us. And if your brand isn’t leveraging TikTok Shop… you’re missing out on some serious growth.
Today’s issue is brought to you by Zainith Agency, the boutique digital marketing agency focused solely on TikTok Shop.
They’ve worked with TikTok viral brands like Momofuku, Obvi, Kinobody by Greg O’ Gallagher, Ice Shaker by NFL Star Chris Gronkowski, and more to set up and scale TikTok Shop to over $15 million in sales last Q4.
For a limited time, they’re offering a free 30-minute consultation/audit for brands doing at least $1 million/year in sales.
Now, let’s get into what we’ve been loving this week →
Jenna’s Pickups:
OKO Cauliflower Lemon Blend
I love creamy things, but I also try to limit dairy—and that’s on being a human whose values and tastebuds misalign 🙃 I’m always on the hunt for a deliciously creamy, craveable, dairy-free dip or spread, and OKO is the first I’ve tried that checks off every single box.
Quick Facts: A chef-crafted, flavor-packed, vegan vegetable blend (sounds weird, stay with me) made with simple, whole ingredients.
Reasons to love:
Multitasking magic. I love anything that can be used in multiple ways (if you’re taking up precious fridge space, you better earn your spot!) and OKO is just that. This zesty, velvety blend is seriously versatile. I love it as a creamy dip with carrots (like ranch!) or as a flavor-packed mayo replacement on a sando. I can’t wait to try it as a creamy pasta sauce, to drizzle on top of roasted veg, or as a base for a plant-based queso (by mixing it with nutritional yeast… I have a vision). I literally would eat this from a spoon (okay fine, I already have). This feels like a must-have in any plant-based, flavor-forward kitchen.
Truly culinary—and DVF-approved. In packaged food, there’s “good,” and then there’s “restaurant-level good” and OKO is so clearly the latter. OKO was crafted by Chef Jane Coxwell, the former private (yacht) chef for the fashion icon Diane Von Furstenberg. When DVF was dealing with a health scare, Jane started making vegetable blends like these to help restore her health—while maintaining the same vibrancy of flavor she loved.
That ingredient label! Literally just: Cauliflower, water, lemon juice, cashews, EVOO, onion, dates, sea salt, garlic, and white pepper. It’s the kind of thing you could make in your own kitchen, but let’s be so real—you won’t. And even if you did, it just wouldn’t hit these perfect flavor notes that only DVF’s chef could whip up.
Where to buy: Just online for now—but @retailers… get on this!!!
Bio.me Daily Prebiotic Fiber - Chai
Everyone is saying it: fiber is on the up-and-up. I’m currently trying a few fiber supplements for an upcoming piece I’m penning for another publication, and (spoiler) this one is my favorite so far.
Quick Facts: Prebiotic fiber powder with a meaningful 7g of fiber, 0g sugar, and the most delicious chai flavor—made with the simplest ingredients.
Reasons to love:
I actually crave this. This quite literally changed my morning routine. I’ve been stirring this into my coffee every morning—which means I get a daily dirty chai without dropping $8 at a cafe (and it’s healthy?!). It’s warmly spiced, sweet (no added sugar, just steviol glycosides), and dissolves without a weird chalky aftertaste/texture. It’s now a no-brainer to get more fiber in, because I crave that damn dirty chai. (And, to say the quiet part out loud, coffee + a healthy dose of fiber definitely does lead to ~ regular movement ~ and I am very pleased with this development.)
Not just fiber-filled, but fiber-thoughtful. Unlike other fiber supplements that use psyllium husk or methylcellulose—which can cause bloating, cramping, and gas—Daily Prebiotic's PHGG (partially hydrolyzed guar gum) is broken down to be gentler on your system. Its other main ingredient, Solnul (resistant potato starch), has been clinically proven to increase beneficial bacteria.
Where to buy: Online and in select retailers
Nate's Pickup:
Duradry Antiperspirant Deodorant Stick - Barça (Sweetwater + Sea Salt)
I run warm, thanks to my low-level generalized anxiety. Just the perks of being an Ashkenazi Jew I guess. And for the longest time I've been trying to find the best antiperspirant and deodorant, cycling through everything from hippie crystal rocks to nuclear-grade clinical strength options.
After going through so many...so many...I've been yelled at by my wife for cluttering our bathroom cabinet with failed experiments. But I think I finally found the one.
Quick Facts: Clinical-strength antiperspirant that's 90% naturally derived, with 20% aluminum for maximum sweat control. Talc and silicone-free, designed for those dealing with excessive sweating (or just us anxious folks who run warm).
Reasons to love:
Finally, one that actually works all day. This hits the sweet spot between natural and industrial-strength. It keeps me dry all day. I'll continue testing this one but I think this is it!
Doesn't irritate. There’s always a fear when trying any new skincare item, especially one that prevents your body from doing a natural thing, that it will irritate you. Through my trials so far, we are free from irritation! Duradry claims it’s formula is creamy going on but then dries completely without sticky residue…this is true! The naturally-derived ingredients like arrowroot extract and sage oil actually seem to calm my skin instead of declaring war on it.
The scent is just right. I went with the Barça (Sweetwater + Sea Salt). It hits just right for my taste, presenting enough that you feel fresh, but subtle enough that it's not overpowering. And it doesn’t run into the issue I’ve faced with other deodorants where as you wear it throughout the day, the scent changes (sometimes for the worse)
Where to buy: Duradry.com
✨ Special Guest ✨ Natalie Sportelli
Natalie is a Director at consumer-focused venture capital firm Bullish in New York. Before joining Bullish two years ago, she tested a whole lot of things at Thingtesting. Her happy place is headphones-on, leisurely meandering through a grocery store. She can often be found playing with her shepherd-pit mix Margot around Brooklyn.
Let's dive into her weekly pickup →
What is it? Maazah, I have the cilantro chutney and mango chutney in my fridge. I came across the brand through sourcing work for Bullish and saw their stunning booth at Summer Fancy Food. The brand was founded by sisters who are first-generation Afghan Americans. We have had multiple bottles of the cilantro chutney in the office.
Where'd you purchase it, and why that channel? I bought it at the Whole Foods in Gowanus, that's where I do all my grocery shopping that's not from farmers markets.
What about this product intrigued you? I was excited to see the product after hearing about it from a few different places and wanted to try it out. I am someone who loves to make chimichurri, salad dressings, and other sauces when I have time -- but sometimes I don't! I liked the idea of a sauce that was flavor-forward that could work with a lot of different types of dishes. The packaging is also cute and I don't feel like I need to ration the product when I use it.
Why do you love it? I have repurchased the cilantro chutney because it is super versatile and works really well if you want to jazz up a boring grilled chicken breast situation. I would say that, at least the two flavors I've tried, are hard to find comps for and do help to streamline and easily elevate your cooking.
Anything else you'd like to share? We are in a condiment revolution, and I am on a mission to test them all.
Thanks for reading! Anything you think we should try for an upcoming edition of Express Checkout? Email us at nate@expresscheckout.co and jenna@expresscheckout.co
ICYMI: We shared our second episode of The Curious Consumer last week! It goes all-in on the world of energy drinks, and it was simply so fun to record :)
