favorite things

My Favorite Products of 2021

December 16, 2021 by jessica Leave a Comment

Now that we’re getting close to the end of the year, it’s time to share my favorite products of 2021! This annual compilation includes the items I purchased over the last 12 months that have either become staples in our household or items that make me smile every time I use it or wear it. They’re the products that I wholeheartedly recommend.

It should go without saying, of course, that my favorite product of 2021 was our COVID-19 vaccines. The peace of mind that came along with it was indescribable after such a tough 2020.

ONE | Breville BES500BSS Bambino Plus Espresso Machine | We bought this back in February when we realized the pandemic wasn’t letting up. We missed getting a latte on our way to work, so this gave us that café experience for that work-from-home lifestyle we’re still in the midst of. Not only is it an excellent introductory espresso machine, it doesn’t skimp on features so we don’t feel pressured to upgrade any time soon. For those in Madison, we usually get beans at Ledger Coffee Roasters and have them grind them for an espresso machine. Good coffee grinders are *so* expensive and we haven’t made the leap for one just yet.

TWO | Schoolhouse Electric Matter Lamp | This lamp is such a statement maker! I know it’s not everyone’s style but I had been crushing on it for awhile before taking the plunge in April. It’s on our entryway table and it makes me so happy to see it every time I walk past.

THREE | West Elm Kaloh Stoneware Pasta Bowls | These bowls are perfectly oversized for pasta and rice-based dishes and they’re incredibly pretty to look at. (Things that are both stylish and functional are my favorites!) They’re also dishwasher safe and while I’ll usually hand wash them because I’m paranoid about them breaking, they’ve been fine on the top shelf of the dishwasher.

FOUR | Rusk W8less Hairdryer | My last hairdryer was a cheap Conair one from Target and it was the absolute worst. I have fine hair and it still took a good 15 minutes to dry it with the weak breath of humid air from that hairdryer. I got to the point where I was so irritated that I threw it away and opted for this one that topped Wirecutter’s picks. It’s no Dyson, of course, but it’s excellent for the price and now it only takes about five minutes to dry my hair.

FIVE | Wickman Candle Shaver | This is such a silly gadget, but I love it so much. I never have to force a larger taper candle into a holder now. Just a quick turn of this pencil-sharpener-like shaver and the candle whittles down the perfect size.

SIX | Aurelie G Effie Gold Band & Aurelie G Regalia Gold Band | I received these as part of a sponsored post over the summer and the rings became daily staples for me. I’ve had thin gold bands before that got misshapen with daily wear. These still look good as new. I love that they’re understated enough to work with every outfit.

SEVEN | HANDy Paint Pail | Okay, this isn’t a new-to-me product from this year, but it deserved a spot on a “Best Of” list. My dad had introduced me to this paint pail when we purchased our house and were painting as much as we could before moving in. There are liners to slip inside. It has a strap that you slide your hand under to hold the pail without hand strain as you work. And, there’s a magnet on the inside to hold your brush so it doesn’t dip into the paint when you need to pause. It’s such a “handy” product for anyone with painting projects coming up in the new year.

EIGHT | Barbour Saltburn Beanie | Another form-meets-function winner for the year! I adore this well-made, cozy beanie with its matching faux fur pompom. Truth be told, I love it so much that Dave bought a second one for me as an early Christmas present. It would also make for a great gift if you still have someone to shop for. I linked to the Orvis site and they promise pre-Christmas delivery if you order by Dec. 17.

NINE | L.L. Bean Classic Cashmere Sweater | My parents gave me this sweater last year for Christmas and it quickly became a wardrobe staple. I reached for it over and over last winter and spring, and am doing it again now that it’s chilly out. It’s a classic shape that’s not clingy (I wear a medium) and it’s the perfect weight. It’s not too thin where you can see your bra through it, but it’s also not too heavy where it feels too warm to wear. It will pill because that’s what sweaters do when met with friction, but it’s definitely better quality than any of my cashmere sweaters from J.Crew. You can just use this sweater comb to gently remove any pills.

TEN | Beautycounter Overnight Resurfacing Peel | This is a little miracle worker! It gently exfoliates dry patches as I sleep leaving my complexion smoother and brighter in the morning.

ELEVEN | Ranger Station Balsam Fir Candle | Dave and I both gifted each other a Ranger Station candle last year in the Old Fashioned scent. The candles both arrived on the same day spoiling the surprise, but it just meant that we got to unbox them early! The candles are beautifully scented and melt evenly, and the glass can be used for cocktails later. I bought the Balsam Fir one this fall in preparation for Christmas and loved it so much that I burned through it before the holiday season began. I’ve already replaced it and plan to order more.

TWELVE | Rothy’s Sneakers | Everyone talks about how comfortable Rothy’s are and it piqued my interest a few times, but I never pulled the trigger because, honestly, I don’t love how Rothy’s flats look. That’s probably just because I don’t love fabric ballet flats and usually opt for leather when I go that route. The sneakers, however, caught my eye. They reminded me of my beloved Vince sneakers, but at a fraction of the price. I ended up ordering a pair to try last fall. The first pair in my regular size 7 was a half size too small to wear with no-show socks, but the 7.5 was love at first wear! They are incredibly comfortable! As with the other shoes Rothy’s sells, they’re machine washable and made from recycled materials. I wore them in Chicago last weekend and comfortably walked between five and six miles without blisters each day, which is a pretty solid litmus test for comfort. You can use my link to save $20 on your first order.

I’d love to know what your favorite products were in 2021!

For more of my favorites, browse the 2018, 2019, and 2020 lists!

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A Few of My Favorite Things: 2020

December 31, 2020 by jessica Leave a Comment

It’s time for an annual review of my favorite products from the past year! Below, you’ll find the noteworthy standouts that brought joy in an extremely difficult year.

Paravel Cabana Tote | This generously sized tote bag has already been a workhorse with plenty of room to keep daytrip essentials at hand. It’s made of recycled plastic bottles and the material repels stains and dirt. I’m considering treating myself to the matching travel organizers.

Ikea Tekla Dish Towels | At just $0.79 each, these are perfect to use as cloth napkins for a relaxed, bistro-inspired look. At that price point, you won’t feel bad about relegating them to dish duty or rags once they’re stained.

J.Crew Supersoft Turtleneck Sweater | I swear, I’m going to continue signing praises of this sweater until you all purchase one. I added two more to my collection this year. They’re incredibly soft with a slight oversize fit that’s remarkably slimming. Get one. Wear it with #PandemicPants now and jeans later.

Tory Burch Facemasks | Going into 2020, no one would have expected facemasks to be the “It” item of the year! Tory Burch’s masks are my favorite for the ample face covering, the metal nose piece, and the breathability. They’re on the pricier side, but they’re worth it.

Cole Haan Insulated Hiker Boots | I normally don’t add such recent purchases to my favorites of the year, but these have already passed muster keeping my feet warm and dry while shoveling snow the other day. Plus, they’re very cute! You can also get them here.

Blissun Patio Umbrella | After our neighbors cut down a mature tree in their yard, our deck received so much more sunlight in the evening when we wanted to be outside for our WFH happy hour. We didn’t want to spend a fortune on a patio umbrella and found this one, opting for the black and white stripe. We took it down each evening, so it’s still in pristine condition.

Schoolhouse Blooming Field Duvet Cover | I can’t get over how pretty this print is. I bought the pillow shams last year, thinking that’d be enough to sate my desire for the bedding set. Not even close. The duvet cover is everything I hoped it would be.

Tory Burch Georgia Snakeskin Ballet Flats | I was due for a new pair of black flats after my pointed-toe J.Crew pair started to show more wear and tear than I’d like. These are a splurge, but absolutely worth it. They’re classic, the squared-toe is an unexpected update to your standard-issue flat, and the snakeskin gives it just the right amount of shine. They run true to size.

The Elements of a Home | This is a fun little book that shares the history of common household items.

J.Crew Perfect Rain Jacket | While it’s considered a rain jacket, I don’t think it’ll do much in a downpour. However, it’s the perfect lightweight jacket and the cinched waist makes it flattering.

Stutterheim Mosebacke Rain Coat | Now this is what you need for an actual rainy day. Stutterheim rain coats are a splurge, but they have semi-annual sales to make the price more palatable. I like the A-line design of the Mosebacke version, which makes it an attractive, feminine alternative to a regular slicker. A warning, though, mine had a strong rubber smell when it arrived and I had to air it out for a month before adding it to the coat closet.

West Elm Hudson Drink Table | Admittedly, this just arrived yesterday after being on backorder for the better half of the year. However, it’s so darn pretty and I’m already in love! The small size allows you to move it around to where it’s needed or you can use it as a plant stand on days you don’t need additional space to perch a cocktail. I bought the one with the walnut base.

Loloi II Layla Area Rug | We would have preferred a vintage rug in our living room, this was a wonderful — and affordable — alternative. Read more in my full review here.

Birkenstock Madrid Slide Sandal | Clearly comfort dressing won out this year, but there was no need to sacrifice all sense of style. I was nervous about the narrow width, but that’s akin to a normal width in any other brand. I go down to the equivalent of a 6.5 in Birkenstock slides, which is a half size down from my normal 7.

Inkbird Sous Vide | We didn’t want to spend a lot on our first foray into sous vide cooking and chose this more affordable version. It’s done an impressive job so far with steaks and a roast.

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My Favorite Products of 2019

January 2, 2020 by jessica Leave a Comment

I spent the first day of the new year snuggled up on the couch, unwilling (or perhaps unable) to move after having entirely too much fun with some friends the night before. It wasn’t exactly the way I wanted to kick off day one of a new decade, but I can’t complain when it was merely the aftereffect of spending time with people I love. I thought a bit about resolutions while I was couch-bound (and will share them with you next week). One of the things I’d like to do this year is make more sustainable decisions when it comes to my lifestyle and shopping habits. One of the best things we can do is to make thoughtful purchasing decisions and buy quality products that will be used numerous times and loved with abandon. With that in mind, I thought I’d share my favorite products from 2019 with you. (You can read my 2018 list here; I’m still smitten with all of those items and use them regularly — especially the hand vacuum, which I reach for almost every day.)

Trek bicycle – I used Dave’s sister’s bike from the ’90s for nearly eight years. I hated that thing. Half of the gears didn’t work and it was heavy. I’d be struggling on each hill while Dave flew by with his nice, lightweight bicycle that weighed a fraction of mine. I know my new bike barely cost anything in the world of cycling for people who actually do this for sport, but it was a lot for me (and after adding in a few accessories, it was close to $1,000). But you know what? I don’t dread bike rides now. I think I actually *gasp* enjoy them.

Pottery Barn curtain rods & West Elm curtains – You can see some of the before photos of our dining room in this post. The three windows along the wall look toward our neighbor’s house with only a driveway to separate the two homes. We took down those dingy, stained roller shades this year and added a curtain rod and sheer curtains. I love the traditional look of the curtain rod (we went with the standard finial) and the curtains have just enough texture to make them look more expensive than they are.

The Ordinary ‘Buffet” serum – This impulse buy from Sephora quickly made its way into my nightly routine. It leaves my face ultra soft and my complexion brighter — and you can’t beat the price!

J.Crew turtleneck sweater in supersoft yarn – I now own three of this sweater (two in light grey and one in emerald). As the name suggests, it is ultra soft. The shape is just boxy enough to be comfortable, but trim enough to be flattering. Plus, it doesn’t stretch out during the day. I’m obsessed with it and will likely buy it in another color yet this winter.

Kate Spade ‘Margaux’ crossbody purse – I bought this purse before our spring trip to Portugal thinking that it would be the perfect warm-weather bag with the light color, cross-body strap, generous size, and convenient slip pocket for my phone. It was even better than expected in person when I discovered that the slightly triangular shape allowed it to rest close to my body without feeling bulky. Plus, the pebbled leather repels rain. It was my most-worn bag of 2019.

Schoolhouse ‘Blooming Field’ pillow shams – I hesitated to purchase these when they first debuted and kicked myself when they sold out. I checked the Schoolhouse site every day for two months waiting for them to be restocked. The pattern is beautiful in person. We put these on unused pillows on our bed to use for decor rather than actually sleeping on them. I know they’re just a simple pillow sham and shouldn’t be that exciting, but the craftsmanship and attention to detail in the design won me over.

Speakman ‘Anystream’ shower head – Dave purchased this shower head for us after our old one started to lose pressure and wouldn’t get better despite soaking it in vinegar to loosen hard water residue. We really should have swapped them within the first few months of living here. It made such a big difference in the water pressure and our showers have felt so much better. It almost distracts me from the nagging feeling that we should really get at a bathroom remodel or at least a budget-friendly refresh.

Schoolhouse ‘Irvine’ sconces – We technically purchased these in 2018. However, they sat untouched in a box for six months until we finally mounted them in January of last year. I could go on and on about the quality of Schoolhouse products and that’s because they’re really that good. We’ve purchased less expensive light fixtures for other places in our home, and these are just far beyond compare when it comes to quality. We paired the brass sconce with these shades.

Weber ‘Spirit II E-310’ grill – I can’t believe we didn’t get a grill until our second summer in our house! Hanging out on the deck, grilling dinner with a cocktail in hand and music playing is my absolute favorite thing about summers at our home. We bought this one from Home Depot as part of a Fourth of July sale with free next-day shipping. It took some time to put together, but it wasn’t difficult. It cooks evenly and is a breeze to use and clean.

I’d love to know your favorite products of 2019!

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A Few of My Favorite Things

November 4, 2014 by jessica 11 Comments

[dropcap custom_class=”normal”]A[/dropcap]s style bloggers, it’s far too easy to get wrapped up in the next purchase and the next curated wish list that we don’t spend enough time appreciating the items we already own. It’s a shame, really. Some of my favorite posts are by bloggers who write about an item and share what made it special, unique, or a recurring favorite in their lives. I wanted to do something similar and share snapshots of the items I’ve been lucky to welcome into my collection and the old favorites that are back in rotation, like the “Bonjour” necklace above. It was gifted to me last year by Onecklace and I wore it constantly for the first couple of months until it took a backseat to larger baubles. I wanted to wear it in Brussels, but I didn’t think wearing a necklace that said hello in French (their native language) would be as cheeky as it is in the States!

I’m really excited about this new addition: a pair of Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses courtesy of SmartBuyGlasses (worn in yesterday’s post). I wasn’t familiar with SmartBuyGlasses until this collaboration, but I wholeheartedly recommend them. There’s a wide selection of designer sunglasses and eyeglasses to choose from and while I was tempted by the Celine selection, I went with this polarized pair instead. The size and shape are similar to the Prada sunglasses I bought last month, and they’re $60 cheaper. (There’s a black version here.) The shipping time is an estimated five to 11 business days, but my package arrived much quicker. It left Italy on Oct. 28 and made it to Madison just two days later. Every order also comes with a complimentary lens kit with cleaning solution, a microfiber cloth, and an eyeglass repair kit. I just love those little extras that the experience feel special.

I treated myself to this Tory Burch beauty during the recent private sale. As I mentioned in my budget recap post, finding a great clutch always seems to be an afterthought when I have a special occasion coming up. (I can’t tell you how many clutches I’ve purchased at the last minute and rarely use again.) So, I jumped at the chance to buy this white and gold minaudiere before we have a celebration that calls for it. The laser cut design is so pretty and I love that it has a strap that’s more substantial than those chintzy chain versions. I know I mentioned it before, but I have no doubt this is going to be in my wardrobe forever. (That is, as long as Dave is fine holding my phone if I upgrade to an iPhone 6. The iPhone 5 fits snugly, but the clutch won’t be able to accommodate the length of the newer model. Whatever. I usually have the phone in my hand to Instagram anyway.)

“Spaghetti Strap” by Essie is my favorite neutral polish. I know it looks like a rich ballet pink in the bottle, but it’s actually quite sheer. One layer gives you a glossy nude polish and any chips a few days later are barely noticeable. Another thin layer starts to bring out the pinkness of the polish, yet the color remains understated and versatile.