- Hi! It’s been a while! Let’s catch up with the most random roundup of things I’m wearing/eating/using lately. Like the low-sugar candy packs I always keep in my handbag, or the $30 jeans I throw on nearly every day. In no particular order, let’s dive into 10 things I’m loving right now!
Disclosure: this post contains Shopstyle and Amazon affiliate links denoted by a ‘*’. You can click these links for easy shopping! I may earn a commission from the retailer if you make a purchase from an affiliate link.
1. Beats Solo3 wireless headphones*
Did I impulse-buy a pair of cherry red Beats Solo3 headphones right from my iPhone Amazon app while watching the first episode of Only Murders In The Building last fall? Yes I did – Selena #influenced me.
They turned out to be one of my best purchases of 2021! I use them nearly every day for music and podcasts while walking the dogs, designing at work, or doing chores around the house. They hold a charge forever and are more comfortable for long periods of wear than my Airpods.
2. Essie Gel Couture 2-Step manicure in ‘Gala-Vanting’*
The credit for this one goes to Anine Bing, one of my favorite designers/lifestyle influencers/aspirational fashion follows on IG. (Find her at @aninebing.)
3. Birkenstock EVA Arizona slides*
I’ve never really been a Birks person. Until I bought my first pair of red rubber Arizona slides last year. I wore them to death, and continue to throw them on daily despite how battered they look. They’re comfortable, supportive, and waterproof, making them the perfect running-around-the-house sandals. I walk the dogs in them; slip them on to check the mail or take out the trash; and sometimes (okay, rarely) I venture down to the community pool in them.
I recently bought a black pair for the rare occasions when I want to wear them out of the house. My formal rubber sandals, if you will.
4. Soft Services buffing bar soap
Eyewitness Beauty is one of my favorite podcasts. When co-host Annie announced the launch of her body care brand, Soft Services, I wanted to support. I plan to do a full review of the smoothing set soon, which includes 3 products aimed at clearing keratosis pilaris (“KP”), stubborn ingrown hairs, and rough, bumpy texture. But in the meantime, let me sing the praises of the gentle-but-oh-so-effective microcrystal buffing bar. I use it several times a week in the shower and my arms, legs, and back have never been so soft, smooth, and clear. It’s also great for getting a super-close shave and scrubbing off water-resistant body sunscreen.
I’ve tried so many body scrubs, masks and physical exfoliators over the years and nothing compares to this powerful little bar! I just ordered my third restock and I never want to live without it.
5. Nalgene 32-ounce water bottle*
I have two 32-oz wide mouth Nalgene bottles that I received as gifts-with-purchase from Necessaire. These plastic bottles are nothing fancy, but they really help me drink more water through the day! And that’s coming from someone who mostly drinks iced coffee, iced tea, bubbly waters, or Diet Dr. Pepper and needs all the hydration help she can get.
The measurements on the side of the bottle are like a little progress report of my water intake, and I make a goal of getting through at least 2 refills a day. (It doesn’t always happen, but progress over perfection, people.) Plus they’re dishwasher safe, FTW.
6. H&M vintage slim high ankle jeans*
My love for these $30 jeans* is nothing new, but I bought 3 new colors in the fall, making them my official #1 pick for everyday denim. I added a washed black, ivory, and classic blue to the lineup and I wear them on repeat in my weekday uniform. They’re the most comfortable high rise jeans I own, and they don’t stretch out or lose their shape through lots of wear. (No baggy butts here.)
7. Donna Karan Cashmere Mist deodorant*
This is a super bougie deodorant, but it’s a bestseller for a reason. It smells so good, lasts all day, and a little goes a long way. If you love warm, fresh perfumes — think: smelling like you’re straight out of a warm bubble bath and wrapped in a cozy blanket fresh from the dryer — Cashmere Mist deodorant should be right up your street.
8. SmartSweets low-sugar candies*
I spotted SmartSweets* in Lucy Hale’s episode of Harpers Bazaar’s ‘What I Eat In A Day’ and ordered a variety assortment* to try. Now I always have a pack of these low-sugar gummies in my bag. (And maybe my car… and also my nightstand.) As someone who struggles to control her sugar cravings, I find these to be such a great option to keep on hand when they hit. SmartSweets offers up low-cal alternatives of classic gummy candies — like Swedish Fish, Sour Patch Kids, Peach Rings and Twizzlers — with up to 92% less sugar, and honestly, I’m starting to prefer the less sweet versions! (You can feel good about the natural ingredients, too.)
9. R+Co DART Pomade Stick*
Sometime in the last year, I traded my beloved messy topknots for slicked-back low buns. The R+Co pomade stick* was a Jen Atkin recommendation that I had in my cabinet for well over a year before I started to use and appreciate it. It looks like a tiny tube of deodorant, and you swipe it on to smooth down and hold every flyaway, broken strand, and unruly gray for a super sleek finish that lasts all day. So good. (In a pinch, this cult-fave clear brow gel* works, too!)
10. Glossier Lash Slick Mascara*
This mascara* is one of my best beauty discoveries of the year. It puts a light film over lashes, similar to a tubing formula, so it stays put and never smudges, flakes, or runs. Glossier claims it gives you the look of baby lash extensions, which is the perfect way to describe it. I can wear it on no makeup days when I just need a little something to brighten/open my eyes, and it doesn’t look like I’m wearing mascara. I currently have 3 pink tubes of Lash Slick* in my makeup drawer (oops) and as long as they keep making it, I’ll keep buying it.
Cashmere Mist does smell amazing!