Favorite Things 2021

These are a few of my favorite things ... from books to pajamas, there's something here for everyone!

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Well, this has been quite the year! It somehow felt never-ending, yet fast paced at the same time, but it's finally coming to a close!

I can never resist a year end wrap up (more to come, I'm sure), so I thought it would be fun to round up some of my favorite things from 2021 ... cue the music!

This is a truly random mix, but you'll find all my fave tools, products, clothes, etc. that I've used and loved throughout the year below.

Cozy Joggers

I'm not a huge athleisure person. It makes me feel frumpy, and I just prefer jeans in most cases, even at home (yes, I'm one of those people). But, I ordered these cozy joggers at the end of summer, and I'm in love!

They are so soft and comfy, and they have a semi-fitted look that's actually cute. I like them so much that I just bought the matching pullover, and wearing both together is like getting a warm hug!

Oversize Sunglasses

I never leave home without a pair of sunglasses, and I especially love an oversized pair ... the better to hide behind, if you know what I mean!

While I have lots of pairs, my favorites right now are these super inexpensive oversized sunglasses (I got the black + tortoise combo). They look way more expensive than they are, they're lightweight, but sturdy. I've had mine since March, and they've held up great.

Crossbody Bag

I bought this Faux Snakeskin Crossbody Bag before visiting New York a few weeks ago, and it was perfect! It looked so cute and stylish with my grey jacket that it really didn't matter what I was wearing underneath.

As a small bag lover, I will say that it is quite small though, even by my standards. It fit exactly what I need and nothing else.

Beauty

I'm kind of a product junkie. I love trying new things, but I definitely have my faves, too! Here are a few of the products that I've bought on repeat:

• Lip Gloss - Unless I'm going out (extremely rare these days), I'm not a huge lipstick wearer. Instead, I prefer a sheer, lightly-tinted gloss that lasts and that I can apply without a mirror. It's becoming harder and harder to find it in a tube (I don't want to deal with an applicator), but I found this So Juicy Lip Gloss this year, and it's perfect. I like the Stuntin' color, but there are lots of other options, too.
• Toner Pads - I have skin that tends to be flakey (even though it's oily), so toner is an essential part of my routine. Toner always seems to leak when traveling though, which was why I was excited to discover these Yadah Cactus Toner Pads! They come two to a packet, so you can use one in the morning and one at night. (I just leave the extra in the pack on the counter, and it's fine.) They work great and don't dry out my skin. I like it so much so that I bought a regular-sized bottle to use at home, too!
• Foundation / CC Cream - I'm definitely a makeup person, but I've worn less in the last two years than ever before! There's just not a point when you're not going anywhere. When I do make the effort though, Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Foundation is my absolute fave. It really evens out the skin, but looks very natural (I apply it with a slightly damp Beautyblender). For days when I'm doing something active outside or running a quick errand and just want to touch of makeup, I love pūrlisse Youth Glow Vitamin C CC Cream! It's light, smooths skin, and really does make you glow!
• Under Eye Patches - I am the worst sleeper, and as a result, my under eye area is chronically puffy. More sleep would definitely help, but in the meantime these Pixi DetoxifEYE Depuffing Eye Patches are so helpful! They feel very cooling and definitely smooth out and depuff the under eye area a bit.
• Body Cream - I'm usually not one for fancy lotions, but I really love this Grown Alchemist Body Cream! I'm a sucker for good packaging, and the lotion comes in a metal tube which feels a little retro and modern at the same time. Plus, it moisturizes great, and smells amazing. I keep a tube by my bedside to use on my hands and feet before going to sleep.
• Sheet Masks - I love a sheet mask at the end of a long day or when my skin is acting up, which is pretty much always! If my skin is breaking out, these Charcoal Lemonade Masks help to calm things down without drying anything out. I pretty much like any mask from The Crème Shop though, and choose one according to my skin care needs and / or my whims of any given day!

Sheets

I've had a hate-hate relationship with my bedsheets for the five years or so, but I just never did anything about. When we moved to a new apartment this summer, I finally invested in new sheets, and they're the best!

My husband runs super hot at all times, and it often feels like I'm sleeping next to a portable heater. These sheets are crisp, cool, and so comfy! (One caveat: they do get a little wrinkley, so if that bothers you, you probably won't like them.)

Journal

I've always aspired to keep a journal, but I've never been able to keep up with it consistently. At the start of this year though, I started this One Line a Day Journal. It actually has a few lines for each day, and there's enough space for five years of entries.

I'm loving it so much that I actually bought one for my husband, too! And since I'm coming up on one year, it will be fun to read my old entries as I add each new one.

Outdoor Gear

I've spent more time outside these past couple years than ever before, and I've been trying to upgrade my outdoor gear slowly but surely. I bought a few things this year that really love ... mostly from Eddie Bauer and LL Bean. I used all this stuff when we visited Alaska in September, and it kept me warm, dry, and cozy!

• Airlight Knit Pullover - This cozy layering piece is the perfect fleece alternative! It's super light, yet it keeps you warm. I wear it on its own all the time, but it's great under a warmer jacket on colder days. I have the grey one, but am eyeing other colors and styles (it also comes in a vest and zip front).
• High-Rise Leggings - I love these leggings so much! They're little thicker than normal leggings, stay in place, and are meant for hiking. The fabric sucks you in and smooths you out, but they're so comfy. I got a fleece-lined pair for winter, too.
• Hiking Pants - These lightweight pants were perfect for hiking in Alaska! They have a slim, flattering fit, and I layered them over the leggings on cold, wet days.
• Backpack - This inexpensive, packable backpack is the perfect size for a day hike! The best part though is that it folds into its own pocket, which makes it perfect for traveling.
• Puffer Jacket - I wanted to get a puffer jacket that wasn't down, and this one is the BEST! It's warm enough for outdoor activities and has a super cute, semi-fitted shape. If it ever cools off here in Dallas, I plan to wear it around the city, too. This color block version has the cutest vintage vibes and is next on my list!

Food + Kitchen

Y'all know I love cooking! Here are a few of the foods and kitchen tools I've been using nonstop this year:

• Truffle Salt - Want to upgrade pretty much any recipe? Get this scrumptious truffle salt! I used it for this Baked Ricotta recipe, and it's also great on fries, roasted vegetables, etc. You only need a pinch, so the jar lasts forever.
• OXO Pastry Mat - If you like to bake cookies, pies, or anything else that needs to be rolled out, you'll like this mat. It sticks to your counter and give you so much extra space to work.
• Emile Henry Baking Dishes - These glazed baking dishes are beautiful enough to go straight from the oven to your table! I have the square baker and the rectangular baker, which is the BEST for lasagna ... it's slightly larger than standard so no fear of overflowing!
• Wine Glasses - One-by-one I broke all my stemmed wine glasses over the years and had been using stemless ones for a while. I finally decided to replace them, and settled on these. They're big, delicate feeling but sturdy, fun to drink out of, and affordable! I also like that if one breaks, I can easily replace it with a quick click.
• OXO Splatter Screen - I had always considered getting a splatter screen, but it just seemed like one more thing to clean (see my feelings about that below!). Well, I finally bit the bullet, and I'm so glad I did! It really does keep the stovetop cleaner when making sauces and anything bubbly, and it couldn't be easier to clean.
• Pour Over Coffee Kits - My husband picked one of these kits up for me as a surprise. The kit has everything you need to make a pour over, Vietnamese-style coffee (no special equipment required). It's fun to use, and it makes a great treat! I've tried a few flavors, and the lavender is my fave.
• Meal Kits - Like everyone else, I've been eating at home more lately. My husband travels most weeks, so when I'm not cooking something for this blog, I'm very lazy. Rather than subsist on snacks, I started trying different meal kits. Having something delicious to look forward to every night actually inspires me to cook. My faves are Purple Carrot (we actually got a Thanksgiving box from here, and it was amazing!), HelloFresh, Martha & Marley Spoon, and Dinnerly, which is the one I get most often (the meals are more affordable and super easy).
• Soy Milk - I've been trying to cut down on dairy due to some skin issues (though I could never give up cheese!). I've tried pretty much every kind, and they're all totally fine. I had been alternating between almond and coconut milk, but then I decided to try soy, and I LOVE it (specifically this exact brand and type)! It's super thick and creamy, has a neutral taste, and it can be subbed for regular milk in any recipe. Soy milk is also the most nutritious nondairy milk you can buy, so win win win!

Duster

If you know me well, you probably know that I hate cleaning. I'm the world's laziest and least motivated housekeeper. But this Swiffer Duster actually makes cleaning kind of fun for some reason! The extendable handle is perfect for fans / lights / corners on high ceiling and for reaching out of the way corners and baseboards.

E-Reader

My Kindle is one of the best things I've ever bought, especially with so much extra time at home these past couple years! I would not be reading nearly as much if I didn't have it ... the convenience of being able to purchase / download books instantly and to check out books from the library (using the Libby app) cannot be beat. I bought the cheapest version (ad-supported), and while I might upgrade eventually, I have no regrets.

Favorite Books

Speaking of reading, I read a lot of great books this year, and a lot of books in general! These are all the books that I truly loved and gave five star reviews to (in no particular order):

• Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier - I've actually read this book a few times and reread it this summer (something I rarely do ... so many books, so little time!). It's just so atmospheric and foreboding. Love it!
• The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis - Obviously, I was inspired to read this after watching the Netflix series, and I really enjoyed it. It's very similar to the show with a few notable difference.
• The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck - Another classic reread. I picked this up after finishing The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah (which I rated four stars, so not on this list ... but very good!), which led me down a bit of a Great Depression worm hole.
• The Murmur of Bees by Sofía Segovia - This wonderful book is set during the Mexican Revolution and 1918 flu pandemic. Such a beautiful, unique story. I loved this book so much that I immediately ordered her newest book, Tears of Amber, but have haven't had a chance to read it yet.
• Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi - If I was forced, I think I'd choose this as my favorite book of the year ... I just loved it so much! It's written from the perspective of daughter of an immigrant family who is a PhD candidate at Stanford, and it touches on religion (not preachy), science, depression, and more.
• Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi - After reading Homegoing, I couldn't wait to read more by Gyasi, so I picked up her first book! This one is about two half sisters in Ghana who don't know of each other—one who is sold into slavery, and the other who marries an Englishman—as well as their descendants. Such an excellent book filled with compelling, and often heartbreaking, stories.
• Sea Prayer by Kaled Hosseini - This is a short, illustrated story that was written in response to the refugee crisis. Worth a (quick!) read for everyone. I loved this author's previous books (he's known for The Kite Runner, among other best-selling books) and truly wish he'd write more.
• My Sister, The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite - As you might guess, this book is about a woman who suspects her sister is a serial killer. It's definitely dark, but written with a dry humor that's very funny.
• The Paper Girl of Paris by Taylor Jordan - This is a young adult book about a girl who discovers an aunt, who she never knew existed, and who was part of the resistance during WWII in Paris. It juxtaposes the lives of these two 16 year old girls perfectly, and even though it's classified as YA, adults will get a lot out of it, too.
• In Five Years by Rebecca Serle - This book had me hooked from start to finish, although it also had me crying a lot (it was unexpectedly quite sad)! It's about a woman who briefly flashes forward five years to a different life, then returns to her current life. The story progresses over the next five years and eventually catches up to that flash forward. I followed this up by reading her book, The Dinner List, which also has a unique concept and is another great read.
• The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi - This thought-provoking and sad book starts with a mother discovering her son's body on her front porch, then goes back in time to create a more vivid portrait of who Vivek really was and what ultimately caused his death.
• The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett - A book about two Black twin sisters who run away from home. One of the sisters secretly passes for white, and the other eventually returns home. It's a fascinating story of race and family ... definitely a must read, in my opinion!
• The Midnight Library by Matt Haig - This book is about a woman who regrets many of the choices she's made in her life and tries to end it. Instead, she ends up in a library, where she can see how her life might have turned out had she chosen differently. Sounds sad, but I found it to be very life affirming and uplifting.
• Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller - I couldn't put this book down. It involves a unique family situation and secrets that slowly come out after the death of the mother. A little sad, but also uplifting in the end. I also read her book Bitter Orange this summer, which was also great, and can't wait to read more of her work.
• Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau - A fun, charming, coming of age story about a shy, quiet girl from an uptight, traditional family who has her eyes opened when she becomes a summer nanny for another family who does things differently (to say the least). Loved this one!
• The Parted Earth by Anjali Enjeti - An engrossing book that intertwines the story of a young couple that was torn apart during the 1947 Partition of India (something I knew very little about before this reading this book ... learn more through first-person oral histories.) and their granddaughter Shan who lives in Atlanta.

Looking at this list, a lot of these books are a little dark / emotionally harrowing, but I read many fun and uplifting books, too (I swear!). I think I unconsciously hold out the top ratings for more literary / serious books though. You can check out all the books I read this year by following me on Goodreads!

I hope you enjoyed reading about my favorite things this year! Have you tried any of these items or read any of these books? Let me know in the comments, and don't forget to share your favorite things, too ... I'd love to hear about them!