Today I’m sharing all my favorite things! This post contains affiliate links meaning I may make a small percentage if you purchase something after licking one of my links (at no additional cost to you). Not all of the products have affiliate links but I do love every single one.
Let’s talk favorite things!
Yesterday I shared the favorite things, kids version, talking about all the toys we have loved the most in our home over the last four years but today its all about my personal favorite things, that have nothing to do with my kids.
I’ve included everything from my favorite splurge camera lens to my favorite $4 face razors. Of everything on here though, the gift that I’ve most loved receiving is probably the hand lettering workbook. This would be such a fun gift for a creative girlfriend or a mom who is looking for some kind of hobby outside of her kids.
AI vouch for all of these. I’ll try and show them over the next few days on instastories so if you have specific questions leave them here or come ask over on instagram.
A last note – Black Friday sales and gift guides could leave you feeling overwhelmed with all the ways to spend money (money you might not want to be spending at all). These things are all great. You don’t need all of them. You don’t need any of them. But if you decide to get them, you’ll love them as much as I do, promise 🙂
Big splurges
Sigma Art Camera Lenses
If you’re a photography enthusiast, these are my all time favorite lenses. I currently shoot with the 50mm and 85mm from Sigma’s art line of lenses. They’re pricey but cheaper than their comparable Nikon or Cannon lenses.
Canada Goose Jacket
You don’t need this coat but if you have it you’ll never be cold again (if you’re looking for an alternative well under $1000, you can read about the best coats for Boston winters in this post).
Calphalon Space Saving Pans
Pans might not sound like the sexiest thing you could get for Christmas but you’ll LOVE having these in your kitchen. They’re ideal for small space living because everything stacks into to piles. I’ve only used them for a few months but they’ve made my favorite things list already. I’ve linked the 10 piece set we have but you can also get this smaller set at a lower price point.
Over $100
airpods:
The gift that has been used the most and most increased my quality of life over the last few years is, hands down, the airpods Ben gifted me for mothers day this year. I love the way apple headphones fit my ears and these make listening to books around the house or on the go SO much easier. I was surprised how well they work for phone calls. I use them the most at the gym and in the evenings when the kids have gone to bed and I’m cleaning up while listening to a book or chatting with a friend on the phone. I also LOVE them for airplane rides because my phone can be charging while I use headphones (gamechanger).
cole haan sneakers:
My most worn/ favorite sneaker purchase of the last year (in addition to my APLs). These are my particular favorite for traveling because they’re comfortable while still being a chic.
Techloom Phantom APL sneakers:
I splurged on these almost two years ago and love these sneakers. I wear them just as much to the gym (running, weight-lifting, classes like high-fitness) as I do out and about. They’re a great travel shoe because you can exercise in them and wear them walking all around a city. Ben also has two pairs of these and LOVES them. They’d make a great gift for yourself or a guy on your list. There are a few different styles but I’ve only owned and worn the Techloom Phantoms so I can’t vouch for the others.
Atlas Supply camera backpack:
I bought this Atlas backpack two years ago before a few big international trips because I needed something that would store my laptop and camera safely. It is beautiful and functional! It’s come with me to many countries over the last few years along with a handful of blog conferences. My only complaint is that when it’s fully packed with my large laptop, full frame DSLR and extra lenses, it is VERY heavy and not super comfortable. You do pay a small bit of comfort for the beauty of the bag, in my opinion. I do wear it sightseeing around a city for a day with no complaints if my computer is not in it but I wouldn’t want to have to lug my computer and camera in it more than just around an airport terminal. I have the fake leather because I was worried about rain.
Madewell Transport Tote:
I understand the hype about these bags after owning one for a year or so now. Unlike the cheap lookalike I bought originally, this holds up beautifully. It works just as well for carrying diapers and wipes as it does for toting my laptop to a coffee shop.
Rebecca Minkoff Regan Satchel:
This is my all-time favorite purse/ investment piece. It can hold my big DSLR (and not much else) so it is quite roomy for a small bag. You can wear it as a crossbody or hold it by the handles. I looks just as good with a little black dress as it does with jeans and a tee shirt. I’ve used this bag regularly for three years now and it still looks as good as new (and it got caught in the rain in London last month and held up just fine).
Under $100
Daisy by Marc Jacobs:
My two tried and true perfumes. Daisy by Marc Jacobs is very feminine with velvety jasmine, soft violets, wild berries, and hints of sandlewood. If you’re more of a fruity perfume girl, DKNY Delicious is always a good idea.
lululemon wunder under crops:
The best workout legging. They hold in everything while still being super comfortable (and when I say everything I mean nothing helps the post partum stomach like these do). These are available on amazon but check out how much more expensive they are! Definitely order from Lululemon’s site.
Saranoni Blankets:
The one item making my favorite things list AND my kid’s list are Saranoni blankets. These are the softest, most beautiful blankets. We have an XL size throw we keep on our couch or at the bottom of our bed and everyone loves to snuggle up in it. Treat yourself (or anyone you know) to one of these beauties. They’ll sell out on Black Friday in lots of colors/sizes so don’t wait on these.
Under $50
Olay Eye Cream:
I’ve tried a handful of eye creams over the years and the ones from Olay are, hands down, the best. I love the brightening one for the morning (it helps lighten dark circles immediately) but the hydrating one can be used morning and night and is my #1 pick. You can see the results of using it for 30 days in this old post.
magazine real simple:
My mom gifted this to me for my birthday one year and it is such a fun gift. I love the mix of style, beauty, home, and recipes this magazine has (my favorite column to read every month is Modern Manners). If you’re looking for a gift for someone who has everything, this is a great one.
Bare minerals matte lipgloss:
These go on like lipgloss but look like a matte lipstick. They come in so many good colors and I’ve loved them for years.
Bare Minerals Clay Cleanser:
My favorite cleanser/ face mask since 2015. My skin is noticeably better when I use it. (original post talking about how much I love it here).
Turbie Twist hair towel:
I got this at a favorite things party last year and love them! You use it to put your hair up right when you get out of the shower and it helps decrease frizz (and is also just more comfortable on your head than a huge towel). I use it to keep my hair up while I do makeup or get dressed and will usually blow dry my hair once it is almost dry.
living proof dry shampoo + Dry Volume Blast spray
Living Proof makes the very best dry shampoo and the volume spray helps my hair, especially after it has been freshly washed. I can’t recommend them enough. (linking the smaller dry shampoo and full size dry volume blast)
shein sweater set:
A recent addition, out of six years of shopping on Shein.com this is my favorite item yet. It is one size and you can see how it fits me here (wearing a size 27 pant these days). I get compliments whenever I wear it and it looks much pricier than it is.
Daily Ritual boxy tee:
A favorite boxy tee at a good price point. If you’re looking for a soft staple, try this one. And really, I’ve loved everything I’ve gotten from this brand over the last 18 months. Daily Ritual is one of Amazon’s in house fashion brands and the quality for the price is good.
Hey June Geometric Studs:
My most worn simple jewelry and these basic geometric studs from HeyJune. They’re great for sensitive ears as well. If you’re looking for fun jewelry, they also have a lot of festive pieces. I like to say it’s Nordstrom quality at Walmart prices (the delicate line is a bit pricier but their basic studs are $5-$10. Also, this is a small shop owned by Bonnie, who is a gem, who you want to support with your holiday shopping. I love following along on their instagram account to get a glimpse behind the scenes in her growing business.
Promptly Journal:
When we had a big moving scam a few years ago, the only thing that kept me from sending the truck back with most of our possessions (to save ourselves the exorbitant fee) was the fact that my promptly journals were in boxes on that truck. These are the most beautiful linen bound journals filled with prompts to fill out each month of your baby’s first year of life and then each year after that. They also have a Love journal which Ben and I are working our way through catching up on (we got it at year 6 of marriage), they have travel journals, and they just launched Missionary Journals. I LOVE these and give them often as baby shower gifts. If your child is a few years old already, you can totally go back and fill in what you can remember (I started Adelaide’s when she was 7 months and Lincoln’s when he was 2).
They are available on Amazon but if you want to shop their sales, go directly to their website here.
Handlettering 101 Workbook (and pens):
A few years ago for Christmas I stuffed my own stocking with this handlettering book and this set of dual brush pens. Working my way through the book was a great way to spend the slower days after Christmas filled with extended family and playing with Christmas presents. I gave myself the 201 workbook last Christmas. This is such a fun gift for someone who has been wanting to learn the art of handlettering (or just dip their toes into something creative in general). This is a great gift for yourself and also so fun for a girlfriend.
Bondi Sands self tanner:
Bondi sands makes the easiest to apply natural looking self tanner I’ve found. It is leaps and bounds above the St. Tropez foam in the way it goes on, the color, and how long it lasts. You do need a mitt to apply. I use the dark color during the summer and the light/medium color during the winter (although right now I’m finishing up the St. Tropez bottle I bought to compare).
Under $10 (or $11)
tinkle razor:
These tiny little face razors are great for taking the peach fuzz off your face so your products absorb better and your makeup looks smoother. I was so intimidated to try them a few years ago but they’re super easy to use, I’ve never cut myself, and I’m hooked. They don’t make your hair go back thicker and sometimes I forget about and don’t shave for weeks (months maybe while pregnant). These would make a great stocking stuffer for yourself or a fun white elephant gift (that they’ll end up loving).
Contigo Water Bottle
I’ve had 4-5 of these over the last four years. I keep rebuying them because they’re great (for the gym, for the diaper bag, for my desk).
Wet Brush:
Did you know your hair is the most susceptible to breakage and damage when it’s wet? The flexible bristles on this brush are a little farther apart than a traditional brush and it’s ideal for gently loosening tangles when your hair is wet. If you don’t have one of these and have been brushing your hair when wet, get one. Your hair will thank me.
I also love this for brushing out curls after using my curling wand for a more natural look.
Scribd subscription:
You know I love a good audiobook for getting in some reading in the shower, keeping myself entertained while folding laundry/doing dishes, or powering through a workout. Scribd is like Netflix for audiobooks (you don’t own the book but you can listen to many books during the month) and while Audible has a slightly more comprehensive selection, for double the price you only get one audiobook per month (but you do own that audiobook and have it on your account forever). I pay for both each month (along with using Libby through my library).
silicone baking cups:
We use these for baking muffins and cupcakes (you can use them in a muffin tin or just on a cookie sheet). You can also use these for sorting out snacks or separating items in a lunch box. I never have to use a baking spray and just throw them in the dishwasher afterwards.
Other great gift ideas/ honorable mentions:
- I got this new bathrobe two weeks and it is so soft! It’s under $30, comes in lots of colors, and would make a great gift. They also have a mens version here.
- I got the Freshly Picked city pack last week and its on HUGE sale right now. The backpack is beautiful and I love the sleek, classic silhouette. If you use the code FPxElisabeth to sign up for their “fringe” membership program you get a free $10 credit in your account and an extra 20% off the sale making the backpack under $100. It is a great diaper backpack but also works for my laptop.
- Foundation is hard to gift because you need the right color but Bare Mineral’s Complexion Rescue has been my very favorite daily wear cc cream / light foundation for years.
- These are the most comfortable heels, ever (except maybe the Margaux ones which over $100 more). I’ve only had them for 1 day BUT they were on my Christmas list and so far DO NOT disappoint.
P.S. So many stores are starting their Black Friday sales early this week and one of my favorites is always Shopbop. Their buy more save more event is happening now and you can save up to 25%, depending on how much you spend. The APL sneakers I love are included in the sale and I actually bought my Madewell tote from this list during this sale last year (so many Madewell bags included here).
Use the code MORE19 at checkout. Shop the sale here.
Favorite Parenting Books