My Favorite Things 2021

Instead of doing a bunch of different guides this year, I thought it would be better to share some of my favorite things that I’ve purchased this year and continue to love. Each of the items on the list of my favorite things are items that I tell my friends about. They are things I truly love, things that make life easier, or just are generally great products that I believe in. Please let me know if you like this format so I can continue it in the future.

I’ll just get right into my favorite things.

Hydroflask | I’ve had dozens of water bottles over the years and I keep coming back to my trusty 32 oz Hydroflask. I bought four of these the minute we moved to Twentynine Palms and my entire family uses them every single day. I tragically ran over my old one in a library parking lot (remarkably even in its squashed state it still held water) so I picked up this pretty blue one. I like the straw top more than the regular wide mouth lid so I use it instead. I also should mention that I bought into the hype of the Stanley Quencher 40 oz tumbler a few months ago and I do like that water bottle as well. It fits better in my car cup holder but it’s not as convenient to carry around so my Hydroflask is still number one.

Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo | I’ve read about 35 books this year and as it stands right now, this was my favorite read. I love the storyline, the setting, the characters. I savored every single page and wept a little when it was over because I was so attached to it. I highly recommend this book.

Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish | I received a few of these polishes in a media package earlier this year and I was so incredibly pleased. I’ve always loved Essie nail polish – the colors cannot be beaten. This polish however lasts longer than any other polish I’ve used without actually getting my nails done professionally. You do need to buy the Essie Gel Couture Top Coat to get the full effect but it works with any of the other Essie Gel Couture polishes. I painted my nails a few days before we went to Hawaii and they still looked perfect the day we got on the plane, that never happens for me.

C’est Moi Mineral Sunscreen Stick | We’ve been through at least five of these this year. This is my favorite facial sunscreen. I swipe it on myself and my kids nearly every day, especially this summer when we were at the pool daily. It’s a mineral sunscreen that doesn’t leave any white streaks – this is huge for me and the girls as we have darker complexions. It’s SPF 50.

Magnesium Flakes | I’m really working on my mental health and at the suggestion of my BFF I’ve started taking Magnesium baths every few days. I’ve experienced a very noticeable difference in my mindset and body. I feel less stressed, less anxious, and overall more relaxed. These Magnesium bath flakes are a little upgrade from a regular Epsom salt bath as they absorb more easily into the skin.

Staub Dutch Oven | I purchased this 4 qt dutch oven on Black Friday last year or the year before and have been baking bread in it ever since. Not only bread but soup, one-pot dishes, and more. It cleans up really nicely and it’s just the right size.

Headbands | I’ve been wearing these for more than a year and I think I even mentioned them in my favorite workout wear post. They are the best headbands. They are super comfy and they stay in place. I wear them nearly every day because they help me look a little more put together on my walk with the kids to the bus stop. I love them for working out because they keep sweat out of my eyes. They’re great!

Sunglasses | A great knock-off for my favorite Ray-Ban sunglasses. For less than $20 I gave them a try this year and I don’t think I’ll go back to the Ray-Bans. They are that good.

Mascara | I’ve been using this brand of mascara for a couple of years now but I tried to stray from it earlier this year and bought a couple of new brands. I immediately went back to my tried and true and won’t be straying again. I love this mascara because it doesn’t clump up but does make my lashes look longer and fuller.

Pajamas | My girl Kait always raves about these pajamas and I finally tried them this year and now I get it. They are so comfy and they seem to just get better and better with every wash. They also have the most unique and vibrant prints that I love. I have two pairs of the short sets, I did size up to a large because they are 100% cotton poplin – they have no stretch. These would make great gifts for moms, sisters, and friends.

JBL Clip Speaker | I love this high-quality compact little speaker. It’s a Bluetooth speaker that honestly has very legit sound for as little as it is. We take it to the beach with us and clip it to our canopy so that we can have tunes while we chill and play in the sand.

Ticket to Ride | You know this is our family’s favorite board game. We’ve turned our extended family onto it as well and I’ve purchased it as gifts for family friends as well. It’s so fun and has afforded us hundreds of hours (seriously) of entertainment this year.

Bar Mini Hoop Earrings | I got these earrings during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and they’ve quickly become my go-to earrings. The hoops are a perfect size, they aren’t too heavy but they are substantial and feel more expensive than they are. I get compliments every time I wear them. I was happy to see that they are still available!

Belgian Flax Linen Diamond Quilt | When I initially bought this quilt I wasn’t sure it would be worth the money but one year later, I can assure you, it is. This is the blanket that Matt and I fight over at night. It’s heavy enough to be your main blanket in the warmer months and it’s perfect for layering in the colder months. I’d love to get one more to keep for guests or on super cold nights where we just don’t want to share.

Adidas Ultraboost Sneakers | I love these sneakers. I tell everyone who will listen how much I love them. I’m on my third pair of these shoes and I’m tempted to buy another pair this Black Friday. They are super lightweight and fit my feet perfectly. My feet are a little wide and Nikes do not fit me at all. When I tried these a few years ago I was so pleased that I haven’t strayed from them since.

Capri Blue Candle | This one isn’t new but one thing that’s new to me is that you can purchase these on Amazon with the subscribe and save feature. This candle is burning in my house nearly every day. I haven’t found a candle that smells anywhere near as good as this. I set up this feature so now we automatically receive a new candle every month.

Peleton App | I would also like to add the Peleton bike to this but we’ll stick to discussing the app. I started using the app about this time last year when I bought a spin bike. I had just started working out about six months prior and was really enjoying strength workouts but wanted to add some cardio into my routine. I was happy with the program I was using but I slowly switched to using the app for strength workouts as well. I am now completely hooked on this app. I love all of the trainers, the strength workouts, the meditations, the bootcamps – everything! You cannot beat $12 a month for the number of quality workouts you can get. If you have a Chase credit card – it’s worth looking at what current deals they have. We received $120 in statement credits for the year making 10 months of the Peleton digital app free.

Below are links to all my favorite things listed here plus a few more that I couldn’t fit in! Click the image to be taken to the affiliate link.