Lomi Countertop Composter: I talked about this in an Instagram story (Things I bought from IG Ads) but it really is one of my favorite purchases over the past year. The simplicity of creating quick compost from a device that sits on your counter is much easier than outdoor bins, while keeping the house free of compost bags. You can set it to run overnight, so everything is complete by the time you wake up. You can use the grounds in your garden or simply drop them in your green bin, but either way, these small changes add up in helping reduce the overwhelming amount of food waste filling up our landfills.
Horace Facial Moisturizer: I don’t purchase a lot of grooming products, because we receive a lot of samples and promo boxes, but this one was an exception. It’s a pharmacy brand from France, so the price is low, but the quality is great. They make an entire line of products, but this moisturizer was the standout for me. It’s rich without being heavy, pairs well with a sunscreen, and works all day. I also picked up their charcoal facial cleanser, so if you’re interested in the complete regimen, I highly recommend the set.
BDK Parfums ‘Créme De Cuir’ Fragrance: Late entry into best buys of 2022, but this was my one purchase from our London trip and it’s stunning. It was kind of a random purchase made while Emily was perfume shopping and asked me to smell the sample on her. It was great, but I noted how masculine and musky the notes were and joked that it would probably work on me as well. She had me spray some on and once it settled, we were shocked how amazing it was. Scent is scent and while I normally wouldn’t purchase a full strength parfum, this was the rare exception.
Blackbird Spyplane Substack Newsletter: I don’t subscribe to many newsletters, but a friend recommended this clothing/lifestyle Substack in January and it’s proven to be well worth the investment. The tone and voice are a stylistic departure from traditional blogs and magazines, but the team behind the newsletter source the coolest, under-the-radar/up-and-coming brands, while also providing some fun interviews from an eclectic mix of celebrities and style icons. I’ve sourced so many purchases from their “Classified Jawn Index” and my closet has never looked better.
Sabah Navy Loafer: I bought these for our summer trip to France but ended up wearing them throughout the year. This take on a classic Turkish slipper go with almost any outfit, get better the more you wear them, and come in so many colors, it’s hard to choose just one. They are a great alternative to sneakers, but are more refined than an espadrille, so you can keep wearing them when summer is over.
Paula’s Choice ‘CLEAR’ Extra Strength Kit: I moved to Minnesota in the dead of winter this year, and my skin was not happy about it. I was breaking out like I hadn’t in a long time–I think perhaps my skin was learning to adjust to -15 degree weather–and I desperately needed a solution. I bought this Paula’s Choice three-step kit for acne on a whim, and haven’t looked back. The second step, the 2% salicylic acid exfoliating solution, is a product I have now re-ordered three times. My face is happiest when I use it twice a day (morning and evening), and I’ve seen a massive difference in my skin.
‘Purple Moon Sauce’ Art Piece: Ever since I first heard about the MCAD (Minneapolis College of Art and Design) annual art sale, I had been so excited to go. It’s an art show featuring works by MCAD students and alumni that functions like an art exhibit where you can buy the art right off the walls. I finally got to go in November, and with this piece, it was love at first sight. I saw it from across the room, and knew it was 100% the one for me when I saw the title: ‘Purple Moon Sauce.’ It looks incredible in our house, and I loved being able to directly support a local artist, who also happened to be a woman around my age. Thank you Bianca!!
GANNI Rubber City Boots: I didn’t know how much use I would get out of these boots when I bought them this spring, but they have become my go-to whenever it’s wet outside. In Minnesota, this means these boots have already gotten so much use in every season. I also get asked about them constantly, because I think it’s rare to find a rain boot with a profile this slim. They’re a bit of an investment, but I would recommend them to anyone who lives somewhere with a lot of rain and snow!
Jupiter Balancing Shampoo: I’ve shared a lot about my journey with hair loss in the past, which I think is why a PR company reached out to me about this shampoo in March. I’ve had light dandruff and a dry scalp since high school, which has gotten better and worse at different points in my life depending generally on where I live and how much stress I’m under. I’ve been using Jupiter’s shampoo about once a week since they sent it to me in March, and suddenly one day I realized… my scalp issues are gone. Like not better, gone. For the first time in my life, I can scratch my head as hard as I want and there are no little white flakes that fly off. Nothing I have used in the past–either from a store or a dermatologist–has worked this well and been this easy to use. Dear Jupiter, I am a customer for life!
Fjallraven Singi Down Jacket: If you missed my winter wardrobe survival recommendations, this super warm parka was the centerpiece. I knew I wouldn’t survive winter in Minnesota without a serious jacket, so I invested in this one in January and have no regrets. It went into storage in April, but I dusted it off in mid-November, and it’s just as good as it was last winter. It keeps me warm on even the coldest days, and I think it’s super flattering as far as winter jackets go! I would consider sizing up (my only complaint is that it’s a tiny bit smaller than I would ideally like) but the performance has been absolutely stellar.
Bonus pick: My house! I would be remiss not to mention our house on a list of my best buys of the year, because technically, this is the best thing I’ve purchased in my entire life. Paul and I found our dream house a year ago and made an off-market offer that was first rejected, then countered (and we accepted) in January. We moved in at the end of April, and we’re both as enamored with the house as we were when we first saw it almost exactly a year ago (pictured). I share bits and pieces of the DIY projects we’re doing on Instagram, and I’m super excited for what we have planned in 2023!
Smeg Toaster: I received this toaster as a gift, and instantly fell in love. This toaster is cute and functional, and with all the colors they offer, it will look great on anyone’s countertop.
Target Mini Table Lamp: I recently redecorated my bedroom, think Jenni Kayne vibes but on a budget, and this lamp was key to achieving that aesthetic. I wanted to make the room cozier, and the lighting softer, so I added this lamp into the mix along with a beige linen duvet cover, and just like that, my room was serene. Pro tip: If you like this lamp, I highly recommend ordering it stat, as it doesn’t stay in stock for long!
Alo Yoga Soho Sweatpants: Made from Alo’s Alolux fabric, these are the best lounge pants ever! They look like cashmere sweatpants, but aren’t as precious, or nearly as expensive. Trust me, once you put them on you wont want to take them off!
iPhone Case: I bought this silicone phone case in the shade ‘Pink Sand’ and I absolutely love it. It is affordable ($14), comfortable to hold, and the light blush shade is both neutral and stylish. It comes in a variety of sizes (depending on which iPhone you have) and tons of colors, making it hard to choose just one.
R+Co Velvet Curtain Texture Balm: I have wavy to curly hair that is on the drier side, so I tend to use oils to hydrate and bring vibrance back to my ends. However, I recently switched from hair oil to R+Co’s Velvet Curtain, a matte formula that smooths, nourishes, and adds bounce to your hair. I apply a tiny amount (a little goes a long way) to my ends and fly aways, and my hair instantly looks polished and feels so much healthier.
OUAI Shampoo & Conditioner: I’ve talked about OUAI’s products before, but I’ve recently come to the conclusion that they were the best purchases I made this year. I bought OUAI’s fine hair shampoo and conditioner, and I’ve only grown to love them more since my initial blog post. The shampoo and conditioner are both great for everyday use. They leave my hair feeling incredibly clean and soft, and the smell is absolutely addicting. When it comes to traveling, I’m pretty laid back about using products provided in hotels, but I love the way the OUAI shampoo and conditioner makes my hair feel so much, I started traveling everywhere with them.
Outdoor Voices CloudKnit Loungewear: As someone who refuses to wear anything but comfy clothes at home, it’s safe to say I own a lot of sweatpants and sweatshirts. Sure, I would love to be able to work and relax in jeans and a cute top everyday, but for me, comfort will always come first. Since I’ve been working from home, I’ll admit there are days when I feel sloppy and disorganized in sweatpants, but I’ve learned that I feel significantly more put together when I wear a matching loungewear set. My favorite set that I’ve gotten this year is from Outdoor Voices. A while back, I got a pair of their CloudKnit Joggers, and immediately became obsessed with the fabric. It’s one of the coziest, softest, stretchiest, and lightweight materials I’ve ever felt. OV makes tons of different style tops, bottoms, and wraps in this material for both men, women and kids, so there are endless ways you can make a matching set. My favorite combintion at the moment is the CloudKnit Wide Pant, CloudKnit Cami, and CloudKnit Longsleeve Wrap in the color ‘Mocha’. These pieces are so comfortable and stretchy, but still maintain structure and the perfect fitted look without feeling tight. If you’re in the market for new loungewear, I can’t recommend the CloudKnit material enough.
PRO TIP: I have a few different CloudKnit pieces in various colors, and I’ve found that the lighter colors tend to be softer. If you’re thinking of trying out CloudKnit, I would stick to colors like ‘Mocha’ and ‘Fog’ over ‘Black’.
OUAI St. Barts Scalp & Body Scrub: In addition to the shampoo and conditioner, I also bought the OUAI ‘Scalp and Body Scrub’ which is just as incredible. I’m a big fan of exfoliating, and this scrub is an amazing reset for your scalp. I use it a couple of times a week and my scalp and hair feel both clean and moisturized. I was a little nervous trying this product, since these types of hair treatments tend to leave my hair feeling and looking greasy. The OUAI scrub is a blend of sugar and coconut oil, but unlike slathering your hair with regular coconut oil, this product somehow doesn’t leave any greasy residue. The scrub starts as a beaded gel-like substance and after working it into your scalp for a few minutes, the exfoliating beads melt away and it becomes a creamy, sudsy consistency. My favorite version of this product is the limited edition ‘St. Barts’ scrub. The product is the same as the original scrub, but this scent in particular is out of this world. It’s a floral and fruity scent that immediately transports you to a tropical beach.
Dyson Airwrap: I’ll preface this by saying I only received the Dyson Airwrap a couple of weeks ago as a birthday gift, but so far, I’m obsessed with it. I have the ‘Complete Long’ version that is made with extra long attachments for longer hair. Although I’m still learning how to use the Airwrap to its full ability, I have already received compliments on my hair the few times I’ve used it. The round brush attachment is ideal for achieving the perfect smooth blowout at home, in less than 20 minutes. My “low maintenance” hair routine is infinitely more put together than before.
Black Leather Belt: A belt is an essential I feel like I always need, but never actually want to actually spend money on. After buying a handful of belts and returning them, just as I was about to cave and look for an expensive belt, I came across this leather belt on Amazon. When I opened the package, I was shocked. The belt felt and looked so high quality. This genuine leather belt is the perfect length for my waist, allowing me to wear it with both high-waisted pants and mid-rise jeans. It’s also the ideal width so it fits the loops of every single pair of pants I have. At $26.95, the price is unbeatable. This might be my best Amazon find this year (and I placed a lot of Amazon orders).
