It’s been a long time since I’ve shared some of my favorite things with you, five years ago to be exact. I share a lot of things that I find secondhand and love over on Thrift With The Makerista. But when it comes to new things, I really only promote products that I’ve used, so it’s rare for me to put together a list of items that are ready for you to purchase. These are my tried and true items: the ones I use daily, and many I can’t imagine life without. They are things I think you would enjoy and might possibly make a great gift for someone you love. I threw a favorite kid and grandparent gifts in for good measure too. I own every single thing on this list and would vouch for their quality, dependability, and value. Also, many of these items are on super sale today for Cyber Monday!
CROSS NECKLACE I’ve worn this necklace for years now and never take it off. It’s delicate and adds just enough sparkle. It still looks as new as the day I got it.
SPEAKERS Music is one of the greatest joys of my life. It’s such a part of who I am and a necessity to my daily life. We’ve had Sonos speakers in our main rooms for a few years now, and they really can’t be beat. The sound and the simplicity of function makes listening to music easy and it definitely improves my day-to-day living.
GARDEN HOME I’ve gotten more into gardening over the last year, and this book by P.Allen Smith is inspiring yet practical too. If you have a typical, suburban yard and are looking for ways to make it feel more special, Garden Home teaches you garden design basics in a way that is easy to understand and fun.
THE PERFECT CHAPSTICK Last guide I shared the mint version of this, but they don’t make it anymore. This one is pink and the color really flushes to match your skin tone. It’s beautiful, has a mild taste with no stickiness, and is so cheap! I have four scattered throughout the house and car at all times.
BIBLE The roadmap for my life, this Bible is the most beautifully bound book I own. It is the best version for studying, and the wide margins and paper quality are a dream for someone who likes to take lots of notes.
NAIL POLISH I was sent several pots of Flora 1761 a year or two ago, and I’ve been so impressed by the beautiful branding, sensational colors, and staying power for a cleaner beauty product. I love Flanders Poppy in the summer and Crimson Peony in winter. My favorite topcoat for decades has been this one.
PUZZLES I’ve talked about it here, but winter means it’s time for hibernation and puzzling. I’ve loved puzzles since I was little, but I’ve seen a surge over the last few years as people look for ways to relax or socialize with family and friends without technology. There are so many beautiful scenes to inspire while you construct. This mushroom puzzle is my favorite one I’ve done on my own, and the New Yorker cover is my favorite one we’ve worked on as a family.
PEN Handwriting seems to be a lost art and a technique that is used less and less, but I still think there is nothing comparable to putting pen to paper. I use these pens to fill out my planner, write checks yes, I still do that, and for bible study. Over the years I’ve tried all different kinds and price points, and I always come back to these for their felt tip and affordability.
CANDLE I love a great candle, and this one continues to be at the top of my list.
WATERING CAN As my love for gardening grows, I continue to search for the most beautiful tools and products to make the experience even more enjoyable. I’ve admired Garden Glory since another blogger featured them years ago. When they reached out a few months ago about sending me some of their products I jumped at the chance. I absolutely love the watering cans for indoor watering, and it’s so nice to be able to leave it out for quick top offs if need because they’re so pretty. I can’t wait to try out the gloves, hose, and nozzle this spring!
NIGHT PILLOW This was on my gift guide back in 2014, and it still remains one of my favorite items and splurge-worthy gifts. I love it enough, I begged the founder, Kalle, to let me work with them. From family to girlfriends, almost everyone I know is obsessed with this pillow. Some people love it night one, some people need a week or so to really get used to it. My kids liked ours so much that when I got some new ones for a shoot I worked on they begged to have our old ones. My friends tell me often about their kids trying to steal theirs. I love the 2 way beauty pillow, Micah loves the king. We sleep so much better on them that we travel everywhere with them – Mexico, Colorado, North Carolina. The travel case is really well made and doesn’t count as a carry on or personal item on a plane (if they ask you just say it’s a pillow) and just hangs over your suitcase handle. I also love the face mask as a mini facial for fresh skin at home, and the scrunchies I never dreamed I’d be wearing scrunchies again, but here we are. Cute and much better for your hair! Use code makerista30 for 30% off your purchase!
THE PERFECT DRESS I have found my perfect dress, and it’s all I want to wear! Tucker makes this dress called the Juliette, and the cut is the most flattering. It comes in at the waist to show off curves but is elastic for comfort. The length is easy to wear without being cumbersome. The silk keeps you cool when it’s a bit warm and is so soft. They do this same style in lots of different patterns every season, and I want to keep adding more to my wardrobe. I wear it during the day with sneakers and a leather jacket or blazer and out for dinner or to a wedding with heels. In cooler months I layer a slip, tights, and/or turtleneck under it. It’s great for travel or just working from home. It’s so much more comfortable than pants and a no-brainer outfit. Some of the most stylish people I know eventually minimize their wardrobe to one look – this could definitely be it for me.
MY FAVORITE SNEAKERS Sneakers for everything is kind of the trend right now, and I can’t stop wearing these white ones. With leggings, velvet pants and blazers, even to make long dresses work for day see above – they are so comfortable and classic.
VACUUMS YOU’LL ACTUALLY WANT I have received two vacuums now as separate Christmas gifts, and they are some of my favorite things! I asked for both, maybe don’t gift them unless they’ve been asked for… We use the roomba upstairs, and it runs daily. I use the Dyson stick every day, be it cleaning up quick messes or just sweeping up the dog hair on the main level and stairs. I love them both, and they make the day-to-day easier, which is worth a lot in my book.
THE BEST PAN I don’t claim to be a cook, but I’m a wife and mom so cooking is a must. I LOVE this nonstick. It has lasted me longer than probably all the other non sticks I’ve owned, combined. I swear by it, and it makes cooking more enjoyable (tolerable).
THE BEST GIFT FOR KIDS The winter is a hard time to get energy out of kids, and this gym has been awesome over the last few years for our active kids. It hooks up to a door jam just like a pull up bar and includes rings, a ladder, a swing…our 10 year old can swing on it and the girls spend hours flipping, climbing, and swinging. From 2 to 10, all of the kids use it and it’s a great way for them to expel some energy any time of the day or year. Click here to get 10% off with a referral code.
GARDENING JOURNAL This has been so great for planning out beds and jotting down what worked and didn’t for the next year. It’s waterproof and easy on the eyes.
WALL CALENDAR Giving grandparent/aunt/uncle gifts has become a no-brainer for me. This calendar is a must for Christmas gifting. I skipped a year early on and had several disappointed relatives. It’s a bit of work to narrow down a year in photos to 12, but the uploading process is easy, and the end result is beautiful pictures of loved ones with plenty of space to jot down appointments and special dates. I also gift these magnetic pads for grocery and to-do lists.
WINE I don’t drink wine very often, but when I do, I want it to be delicious and something that doesn’t make me feel off the next morning. I also have Perioral Dermatitis, and noticed that the rash flares after a glass of wine. Not with Scout and Cellar wines. They are organic and clean-crafted, meaning they are not full of preservatives or added sugar, and I always wake up the next day feeling like myself. I have yet to try a wine of theirs red, white, or rose that I don’t absolutely love. I loathe Chardonnay, but even liked the Chardonnay I tried! Aside from the individual bottles, a wine club membership would be an incredible gift for someone you love or yourself!
So those are some of my favorite things, most of them under the favorites category for several years now. I’d love to hear about some products and brands you’re really into and/or gifting or asking for for the holidays!
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Jennifer Laura says
May have to go snag that dress, super cute!
~abi~ says
such a good list!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks!
michelle says
I enjoy following you on Instagram! Thank you for taking the TIME to share these! Happy Holidays!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thank you! This definitely took longer than I anticipated, ha…I’m not cut out to source stuff like this all the time, I admire the people who do it often. You too!
Pamela says
I borrowed P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home from our daughter this summer and don’t plan to return it! 😉 I’ve loved this book a long time, a classic.
themakerista@gmail.com says
It’s so great, glad you enjoyed it!