2022 Favorites!

Before we get into this past year’s favorites, I must say, I still love and use the vast majority of my 2020-21 Favorites! (That Amazon table is SO good, it gets used all.the.time in our house. Although, yikes, it was half the price when I got it! 😬) So if Favorites posts are your jam, have a peek over there or at the periodic Favorites updates I shared during 2022!

Now, here are some other fave things that I haven’t talked about yet!

Some links below are affiliate links, which means I make a small commission (at no cost to you) if you click through!

Otium Bluetooth Headphones

How are these darn earbuds so good for $20?! If you feel like your wireless earbuds are always juuuust about to fall out, these are definitely worth a try. The sound quality is surprisingly good for the price point, the controls aren’t too fiddly, and I’m not constantly having to charge them. Even though I have a more expensive pair I could use, these are the ones I reach for!

Luna Weighted Blanket

Once Pudge joined the family, I tried to give up my weighted blanket (due to the impracticality of washing it), and I simply COULD NOT. I am just that person now. Forget the air fryer and the instapot, I will be preaching solely on the weighted blanket till the day I die, apparently. 😂

So I did a little research and found the washable Luna weighted blanket.

Now, I have not yet washed the blanket itself (only the duvet, and that’s been fine), but I am comforted to know that that option is there. It has been lovely as a weighted blanket, and, when paired with the duvet, it feels like a real comforter, rather than a throw that kind of fits my bed—so that’s new and fun for me! 😂

It’s also Pudge approved!

Uproot Cleaner Mini

Speaking of Pudge, this little guy has come in clutch for getting fur off the sections of the couch that she prefers to lounge on. My only regret is not getting the bigger one! (And the small one is not currently available, so you can learn from my mistake! haha)

“Mystical Pink Ombre” 🔮 curtain lights

These lights were a total impulse buy from Target in May, and I love them so much. They give off a surprising amount of light, which is very much appreciated in our dim house, and now, my bedroom has a pink and purple glow—what could be better??

Inspired Voices Bracelet

Speaking of impulse buys from Target, this Brave bracelet… I got it in early April and still wear it every day. (It gives me such joy when an impulse buy becomes a favorite, ha!) I love the small brassy lettering against the hematite beads, and the message is a nice reminder for those moments (aka most of life LOL) when I do not, in fact, feel brave. Unfortunately, it’s showing as sold out, but I’m pretty sure there are similar offerings in the Inspired Voices line.

Taken on especially brave day! 💖

Five and Two Hoops

Ugh, speaking of sold-out things, it looks like the exact pair of earrings I’ve been wearing nonstop (cute little gold hoops with removable stars) are not currently available—though this pair is the same concept, just blingier! I don’t like to sleep in hoops, so I will actually take them out at the end of the day and put them back in the next day. I realize that is normal earring-wearing behavior, but it’s HUGE for me because earrings are just not an accessory I think to change up. I usually live in one pair of studs for months on end!

You can see them in this photo, as well as the earbuds one, and probably any pics I’ve posted since June! They’re truly my 2022 ride-or-die!

Clearstem skincare

Almost 30 (and *cough* their discount code!) influenced me to try Clearstem, and I’m still using it. I’ve gone through multiple bottles of their Cellrenew serum and Hydraglow moisturizer, and, thanks to a holiday coupon, am now trying their Bounceback serum. (Unfortunately, you can blow their stuff pretty quick, and it is not cheap.) I’ve never loved my skin, mainly because of redness and uneven tone, but I’m liking it quite a bit more these days! Which is great because I can’t be arsed to wear makeup anymore. 😂

I actually took this picture after doing my skincare routine in March (so, about a month after I started using Clearstem) because I was shocked by how good my skin looked! HEY, LISTEN! Who is this glowing model?! 😂

Harper Wilde bras

These bras, particularly the Lounge Triangle and Lounge Scoop, are sooo comfy, while also being supportive and not annoying… aka perfect? haha They’re pretty much the only bras I want to wear at this point. Also excellent—each order comes with a mailer so you can recycle your old bras. That’s actually how I initially found the company, so it’s been a win-win!

Old Navy Sunday Sleep pajama pants

These pants are so good—they’re lightweight (great for sleeping under the aforementioned weighted blanket LOL), and they feel like a dream. Plus, they’re Old Navy, so you know the price isn’t outrageous. I was actually introduced to the Sunday Sleep line when I got a pair of their shorts from the clearance rack for like $3. Once those quickly became a fave, I went back for more!

What are your favorite finds of 2022? Did you buy anything you now can’t live without?

Happy Friday! xoxo ✨ 

Linking up with Andrea and Erika over at Friday Favorites!

Fave recent Amazon purchases

Hi friends! Thanks for stopping by—I’m so glad you’re here! 😁

Doing a little Friday Favorites round-up today because I love reading about other people’s favorite finds!

(FYI: I make a small commission for purchases or clicks made through links in this post.)

1.) As more venues implement strict bag policies, this clear crossbody has been a godsend. (It’s possible I got it after literally measuring several of my purses in a panic before a Phillies game….) This crossbody is small enough to not be annoying, but big enough to hold quite a lot (though when I have both my camera and sunglasses case in there, it becomes a bit like Tetris). I especially like that it has the front pocket so I can quickly find smaller items (phone, lip gloss, etc.).

2.) This portable tire inflator is actually one of Pops’ faves! I bought it because I loathe having to look for a functioning air pump at a gas station—if I need to do something annoying, I’d much rather do it at home. 😂 And now I can, though Pops has ended up using it way more than I have!

3.) Yeah, I kill plants, so do not worry—I am not using this as an actual plant stand! Pro-tip: If you want to put a table in a weirdly-sized space, go with a plant stand. This faux table (fable…?) works great in an odd sliver of space in my bedroom.

4.) I actually remember to charge my Apple Watch now, what a time to be alive! Who knew this little silicone guy would make such a difference?

5.) My go-to planner pens! (Clearly, I don’t need any more pens in my life, but they just make everything better.) This is the Flair “Retro Accents” set, and I love them! Give me an assortment of pink and purple pens any day! (Though the orange and gold are really coming in handy as we head into fall!)

A few other faves:

This little desktop vacuum might be peak “dumb Amazon purchase,” but I love it and use it all the time to clean up my work desk!

I actually got these last two items at the beginning of 2021, but I had to include them because they have been the MVPs of the WFH game. This clear chair mat saves not only our floors, but also Pops’ sanity (he was really not a fan of my office chair gouging into our 100-year-old wood floors 😬). And I don’t remember ever having sore elbows in the office, but I do at home for some reason (same chair and everything!). These armrests have been a lifesaver.

What gems have you found on Amazon lately?

Happy Friday! xoxo

Linking up with Andrea and Erika over at Friday Favorites!

Fave recent purchases!

I haven’t exactly missed doing budget posts, but I have missed talking about fun things I’ve bought recently—and, more importantly, things I really like and use all the time. (LOVE a favorites post, haha!) So here are some of my favorite finds from the past few months!

Some links below are affiliate links, which means I make a small commission (at no cost to you) if you click through!

1. Project Social T hoodie: I’ve talked about this one before, annnd I’m wearing it while writing this post! It’s kind of a wearable blanket—what more do you need? 😍

2. Nintendo Switch hard-shell case: Okay, “recent” is a bit of a stretch with this one because I found it on Amazon last June, but the transformation of my gray and black Switch to pastel pink and purple still totally delights me! 😍

3. Joy Lab Joggers: A rare departure from black leggings (aka what I wear every day 😂)! The color and the waistband are what sold me—though I disagree with Target’s claims that they are “iron gray” and “mid-rise.” To me, the color is a lovely beige/brown, and the waist is quite high—high enough to work well with this obnoxiously short tee from Topshop, soooo…. take that with however many grains of salt! Also, they’re currently on sale!

4. Poppin card holder: Another thing that delights me: this little guy! Velvet? Mauve? ALL THE YES. I literally was drawn to it like a magnet, haha. It’s a little annoying to use as a pseudo-wallet, BUT it does swap easily between between purses and fanny packs, and it miraculously holds several cards + driver’s license + a few carefully folded bills. 😂 Bonus that I got it at The Container Store with Kristin’s family last fall, so it reminds me of them! ❤️

5. Slip scrunchies: I finally caved and got some of these on a Black Friday sale. I feel very, very fancy, and the large size is shockingly good at containing my wild mane! (A rarity!)

What are your favorite recent finds? ❤️

2020-21 Favorites!

Thanks for stopping by—I’m so glad you’re here! 😁

I haven’t done a yearly favorites post since 2019, which I guess makes sense given the complete dumpster fire the world has been since then!

I actually hope to do more Favorites posts in 2022 because I really enjoy sharing/talking about things that I use all the time—and reading about other people’s favorites things!

Some links below are affiliate links, which means I make a small commission (at no cost to you) if you click through!

GLDN Annie hoops

The Annie hoops are actually my third pair of earrings from GLDN! My ears are pretty sensitive and temperamental, but GLDN earrings miraculously don’t bother them—and they’re also pretty inexpensive. (Especially because I end up wearing each pair for like a year straight!) I wanted to try out the small hoops trend, but I’m really a studs girl, so the Annie Hoops (which wear like studs) are the perfect compromise. Love that the square shape is a little bit different too.

Nintendo Switch + Breath of the Wild

These may be my favorite favorites of 2020-21. (Hello, I am an actual child. 😂) It took some time to track down a Switch during the pandemic (stalking it at Target eventually paid off!), but it’s been well worth it. I love that it has a handheld mode, so I can escape to Midgar or Hyrule when Pops is watching HGTV! 😂

My bffl gave me Breath of the Wild last Christmas, and this game, oh man. It’s brought me back to the joy and wonder I experienced with Ocarina of Time back in the day. I’ve always been an “explore every inch of the map and talk to every townsperson” type of gamer, so an open-world Zelda is perfect for me. BotW Hyrule is a total post-apocalyptic nightmare, and yet it has been such a nice escape from the actual nightmare we’re all living in! 😂😬

Unintentional twinning on Christmas morning! Also, hello to Cat in a Fish Airplane! #iykyk

Purple back pillow

In 2020, I started having horrible lower back pain towards the end of every work day. I actually WFH with the same chair I had in the office, so I don’t know what went awry, but yikes. I tried a few Amazon back supports, but they always felt too big, like they were pushing me out of my chair. Enter this very flat lumbar support by Purple, which has been a dream come true. I very rarely have that back pain anymore! It has been worth every penny.

Amazon Table

I do have a desktop computer and table (basically my set-up from the office) for WFH, but this little table has been great for my laptop—and writing in general. The only annoying thing is that the height at its shortest setting is just a smidge too tall for me. (I’m 5’4”.) But I really like that its “feet” slide under your chair or couch, meaning you can really pull the table in close, rather than hunching over it. Bonus that we are the house of no tables (like, no end tables or coffee tables), so this guy serves many purposes, haha.

Biossance Lip Balm and Glossier Balm Dot Com in Cookie Butter

Buying lip gloss may be one of my coping skills, but honestly, a lot of my finds end up being pretty meh. These two, though—chef’s kiss. They are both kind of thick and not at all sticky, so they’re the two I’ve kept going back to. I really appreciate that the Biossance one is fragrance-free, but when you need a wonderful cookie scent in your life, enter the Balm Dot Com in Cookie Butter. And they’re both sheer (the Biossance one is basically clear) and soak into your lips nicely, so they’re perfect for wearing under a mask! (There is still a mask mandate in my heart.)

Panasonic Lumix camera

My biggest splurge of 2020-21. I’m still learning how to use it, but it takes great pictures and videos even with my cluelessness! I still have my DSLR, but I started having trouble bringing that into places like the Wells Fargo Center (apparently, average folk can’t bring in cameras with changeable lenses anymore??), which piqued my interest in a smaller option. And no one has minded this little Lumix camera! Not only have I had no problem bringing it into baseball games for way-better-than-iPhone-pics, it also takes great flower pics! WIN-WIN.

Pro tip from my years of following sports: you will only take beautiful pictures when you’re not really trying. 😂 Helloooo Nick Maton!

A DREAM. 💜💖

Justin Bieber?!

I’ve never been super into Justin Bieber, though I have enjoyed a lot of his songs over the years. Well, this past year, I stumbled on the Justice and Changes albums, and LOVE. I know they’re not new new, but Pops can only do so much to make me hip. (He is, in fact, the one who introduced me to “Hold On” and “Peaches.” 😂) I love the dreamy, hypnotic beats of Changes. Like, yeah, “Yummy” is so dumb, but that beat, oh man—I try to resist and then I’m all “50-50 love the way you split it, light a match get litty, babe.” My real jam, though, is “Habitual”—the demo version by Poo Bear in Seasons (the YouTube show about the making of Changes—yes, send help) absolutely sucked me in. I am apparently all for haunting celestial vibes. And then there’s the Justice album, which is basically all of my therapy issues set to catchy melodies. (“Deserve You”?! “Unstable”?!) Shout out to JB for making me feel less alone this year! Talk about a whole new perspective for liiiife.

Moon Pal and Pillow Slides

Yes, IG made me buy them. I am not proud to have succumbed to the targeted ads life, but I must say, I do use both of these alllll the time!

First up, “I am an actual child” Part Two. I love me a weighted item (I also have weighted blankets, weighted eye masks, etc.), so a Moon Pal is not really a stretch. I guess I just really like physical weight to accompany the emotional weight of anxiety?? 😂🤷🏼‍♀️ I keep the Moon Pal downstairs and put it on my lap/chest when watching TV, and it really is quite soothing! It also makes for a great Switch rest when I’m playing BotW!

Kimberley Sustad cannot believe it!

As for the Pillow Slides, it’s not so much that I’m wild about them, it’s just that they’ve replaced my old flip-flops/slippers and thus are something I do wear around the house every day. (Though I did wear them out a few times in the summer, and they were quite all right for that too!)

Not to mention that they are a great accessory for cat snuggles! PUDGE APPROVED.

What are your favorites buys from 2020-21? Share your wisdom with me! 😁 Happy Friday! xoxo

Linking up with Andrea and Erika!

2019 Favorites

I can’t believe it’s that time of year again! Let’s see what some of my favorite buys of 2019 were:

iPhone 11

Two words: camera and battery. Having a fantastic camera with me at all times is like a dream come true. (Seriously, I sometimes get better pics with it—especially in low-light—than with my DSLR.) And the battery lasts forever. I accidentally forgot to plug it in once while running my white noise app overnight, and it was only at 30% the next morning. Like what?! I was kind of reluctant to give up my iPhone 7, which was perfectly fine, but the camera and battery enhancements on the iPhone 11 have made upgrading totally worth it.

Wrist rests (Amazon and Amazon)

These guys helped to heal my mysterious wrist pain, so I can’t recommend them enough!

Let the Good Times Roll (Lush)

I mean, it’s a face and body exfoliator that smells like cookies—come on.

Cynthia Rybakoff Skinny Square Band

I bought this on a whim when I was in NYC on my birthday, and I still love it!

Heathyoga leggings (Amazon)

Super comfy leggings with pockets for under $20! I want to wear them pretty much every day.

Collsants Backpack (Amazon)

This guy has become my go-to purse since arriving in August. It’s much smaller than a regular backpack, BUT it still has two compartments (one can even fit a full-size notebook!), a front pocket, and a secret pocket in the back!

Nobel Earring Set (GLDN)

I tend to buy studs and wear them all the time for a solid year+, and that’s what happened with these beauties! They’re dainty, they go with everything, AND they don’t bother my sensitive ears! Win-win-win! Sadly, these exact studs are no longer available, but GLDN has a lot of other cute options.

What are your favorite purchases of 2019?