Holiday shopping is in full swing! Since I put way more stock in personal recommendations (and Wirecutter reviews) than pay-to-play gift guides, I want to share a list of things that I actually use and love in case you see something that might work for whoever’s on your list.
Home
Spending so much time at home, I can get nose blind to some funkiness caused by dog farts, human farts blamed on dogs, running shoes, and the things we cook. I bought Zum Mist on a whim, and I’m so glad I did! It smells fresh and natural and lingers for a long time. (I bought it from Thrive Market but have also seen it with the body soap at the grocery store.)
A few years ago, some friends upgraded their coffee maker and gave us all of their left over Nespresso Vertuo pods (I’m talking cases). We were considering getting a new machine anyway, so we got the VertuoPlus (or whatever the equivalent was at the time) and my at-home coffee has been divine ever since. If you’re concerned about waste, know that Nespresso has a recycling program and we also reuse pods by filling them with our own coffee (Bustelo, baby) and popping a foil lid on top.
Jewelry (and other goodies)
I’ve always been deeply enamored with vintage and antique (even ancient) jewelry, and this year I really dove in as a collector and hobbyist seller. This list is for sources of jewelry that I love and trust, rather than specific items.
EBTH, which stands for Everything But The House, is an auction site that I love and have been using for years. What makes it different from other auction sites is that TONS of items and auctions are constantly going on; you don’t have to mark your calendar for each auction to kick off. You can get some extremely good deals (warning: shipping can be expensive!), but it’s also so fun to just look.
Erica Weiner has a background in history, an extremely good eye, and a knack for finding things that are wonderfully weird. I’ve known about her for some time (Anthropologie used to sell her original jewelry), but a few months ago, she started hosting jewelry sales on Instagram Live which are incredibly informative and fun.
Lost Owl is based in England and is a total treat for gorgeous, rare pieces from history, from somewhat recent to a very, very long time ago. I also highly recommend subscribing to their newsletter so that you can see their new items every Friday.
Clothing & Accessories
Most of my clothing is secondhand from Poshmark, thrift stores, and gear swap groups, but there are a few items I’d like to plug.
I love Oofos, but earlier this year, I decided to give BRONAX Pillow Slippers a try and I like them even more. I wear them all day, every day around the house, and they don’t bother me if I work standing up for prolonged periods of time. (Note: This is the only item on the list that links to Am@z!n.)
I’m a huge fan of Oiselle for running (and some casual) gear. Specifically, I have a drawer full of Long Roga Shorts (regular and High Rise) that are the only non-bike shorts my thighs don’t devour, and Runner Trucker hats. I also love their Flyout Wool and Wazzie Wool items for cooler temps.
Dog Stuff
Local to Durham but ships nationwide, Handsome Hound Dog Treats have upped my game as a dog mom. We have a subscription so that every week, we get a bag of homemade treats made with wholesome ingredients and a lot of love. A percentage of proceeds get donated to a different rescue or shelter each month.
I need something to keep those treats in when I’m on a walk or traipsing through the yard with Gloria and Rosie, and I was thrilled to come across Sipsey Wilder’s Rover Hip Packs. They are almost exactly what I would have designed if I were to make my own (and believe me, I was close!).
Beauty & Body
I am NOT the person to be giving beauty advice; but, maybe you’re like me and just cannot with YouTube makeup tutorials and endless content that makes you feel like you’re not allowed to age.
On a recommendation from my mom, I use Jones Road Miracle Balm as the finishing touch when I put my face on and I love the way it instantly makes me look fresh, awake, and put together.
On a trip to Kansas City, I stumbled upon botanical perfume house For Strange Women, and had an incredible experience smelling everything in the studio, getting transported through the sense of smell. I ultimately bought a collection of samples because I couldn’t make up my mind and love them all.
For soreness, my massage therapist gave me a stick of CBD Sport Balm from Vital Wellness and holy moly, this shit works (and smells good, too!). I shared it with my mom on a trip that involved a lot of walking, and she said it was the only thing that helped ease her leg pain enough to fall asleep.
And that’s a wrap! I’d love to know what items you find yourself reaching for day after day!