A few of my favorite things for me. Yes me.
I obviously never look forward to getting out of bed in the morning, but listening to a podcast on my Bose Headphones and guzzling a hydrating chocolate-y LMNT drink make it tolerable. Life is just better with the right stuff.
I love coffee, but there’s 10 other things I need to do every morning that take priority over all the necessary steps to make a half decent cup. Chameleon Cold-Brew Coffee is a morning life hack. It’s rich and bold and all I have to do is pour it into a mug. I usually get the espresso or black coffee flavors, but the mocha and vanilla sound delicious too.
Gals, if you do not have a Mason Pearson (I like the Popular Bristle and Nylon Hairbrush) please stop what you are doing and order it. Do not get hung up on the price, it will last forever and it’s life changing. With so many bristles it’s able to hold onto my hair, making it WAY easier to pull it back into a half-up (the only “do” I know how to do). It feels good on my scalp and using it on my dry hair (I just run it under water first) it leaves my hair sleek (other brushes either killed the wave or made it frizzy). Also, they have fun colors. Black might still be the chicest though… #magic
This North Face fleece is what I wear around the house, otherwise known as all the time. It’s warm, it’s snuggly, it has 3 pockets. It’s almost like I’m still knockin’ around in college on the east coast. I love that I can zip it over my neck—it’s amazing how much warmer that can make me feel. And it’s easy to get on and off without messing up my hair and makeup. We’re all doing hair and makeup everyday so that’s key.
ATM Slub Jersey Classic V-neck Tee
Most days I wear Vintage V-neck t-shirts from the Gap, which I love, but when I want to look like a boss, these ATM tees are perfection. They don’t hug any part of me (I like tops and sweaters to hang around me because I’m always 60% bloated). But I don’t want to wear a tent. These are expertly fitted, so they hang close to me, but not on me. I think they’re the perfect hideously expensive tee. NOTE: ATM is constantly having sales, so totally worth it to join the mailing list.
I’ve been wearing eye masks for decades. The Manta Sleep Mask is fabulous: it stays in place, the Velcro does not get stuck in my hair, AND you can get cold eye cups to use for hangovers, fevers, and hot nights. It’s also so light on my face because the only part of the mask that touches is the eye cup, versus the whole mask resting on my face.
UTK Far Infrared Tourmaline Heating Pad
I’m always cold and/or bloated and have recently started getting spasms in my lower back from sitting at a computer 24 hours a day, so this UTK Heating Pad is a life saver. One session can last up to 4 hours (you can customize the time), it remembers your last setting, and it’s a mild heat progression. I like 125-135 degrees for milder heat vs. bring-my-cold-feet-back-to-life type heat.
Marisa Mason Orbit Bangle Skinny
These Orbit Bangles really are the best. They don’t hang off my arm, they’re not too shiny or brassy, you can wear a few but you don’t need 20 (4-5 feels like enough since they are thicker than most bangles that come in packs). They go with everything and come in sterling silver too, although those are a lot more expensive ($190/bangle versus $70).
LMNT Chocolate Salt Electrolyte Packets
I buy LMNT Chocolate Salt on Thrive Market, as they’re usually under $40 there vs. $45 on Amazon. They taste like rich, delicious chocolate. I fill up my 40-ounce travel mug and put two of these packets in every morning (with a little extra salt and stevia because why shouldn’t it taste like dessert?), and I’m in heaven. I’m also hydrated. I usually have another 40 ounces in the afternoon because I’m parched but I hate water. HOT TIP: I put LMNT in before the water, and as I’m adding water, I stir it to avoid chunks of LMNT floating on top. For stirring, I love these long silicone spoons.
Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700
I went from wired headphones to these Bose Headphones, so these completely changed my life. They’re super comfortable (I wear them for 1-2 hours at a time and I have never felt squeezed or crunched). Fully charged, the battery life is 16 hours, so I can charge them every other or every few days. I love being able to pause podcasts just by tapping on the ear cup (you can also adjust the volume and other things, but I don’t mess around with that). And it’s Bose, so the sound is rich and fabulous. You can also choose the level of noise cancelation through the app, which is nice—if I’m falling asleep, I want it high, but if I’m running around the house, I want it medium so I’m not ignoring everything and everyone.
Roasted Pecan Leopard Print Cashmere and Silk Chan Luu Scarf
I dress in neutrals, so I’m a big fan of a fun bag, shoe, or scarf. Living in Oakland, where it’s always 55-70 degrees, scarves are a year-round staple. I’m also always cold, but if my neck is warm, I’m good, and I just like feeling cozy. I have this one and several more Chan Luu scarves because they’re so soft, light as air, the colors and designs run from neutral to statement, they’re easy to tie, they pack down into nothing, and they can double as a wrap or sarong on vacation. They are dry clean only, but unless you get food on it, they really don’t need to get cleaned much.
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