My Favourite Things 2019
Are you having a good week? I know so many of you are slowing down and enjoying Thanksgiving (we Canadians celebrated last month) but I'd venture to say most of us are also doing a bit of holiday shopping. I'm scouring the Black Friday deals but I've also got an eye on what my favourite bloggers are buying.
I'm excited to be joining Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick and a group of blogger friends this week (O.G. bloggers! You'll recognize many of the names, I'm sure) to share our Favourite Things AKA Stuff We Love!
If you're new here, welcome! I'm Jen and I blog about decorating our city home and country cottage and share about our larger renovations and DIY projects too.
We'll be sharing our absolute favourite finds for home, beauty, fashion and more in hopes it might give you some gift giving inspiration. I know I've long been influenced by bloggers (do you remember the famous blogger statement necklace frenzy of 2013?? LOL!) so I'm excited to see what's on everyone's lists.
If you're new here, welcome! I'm Jen and I blog about decorating our city home and country cottage and share about our larger renovations and DIY projects too.
We'll be sharing our absolute favourite finds for home, beauty, fashion and more in hopes it might give you some gift giving inspiration. I know I've long been influenced by bloggers (do you remember the famous blogger statement necklace frenzy of 2013?? LOL!) so I'm excited to see what's on everyone's lists.
Here's the list of My Favourite Things. I own and use each and every one of these and highly recommend them. Affiliate links have been included for your convenience.
1. Tonic Living Faux Down Pillow Inserts
If you lay your head on a decorative pillow in my home, there's a good chance you'll never want to get up. That's because I only use the dreamiest, softest, most cushiony pillow inserts from Tonic Living.
I've been shopping at Tonic Living for a good decade for everything from pillow covers to curtain hardware and sewing services to custom drapery. They have such impeccable quality in all that they do and the best customer service that I even launched my own collection with them last year.
But nothing compares to their faux down pillow inserts. Trust me when I say this is heaven in pillow form. These inserts are soft enough to give you that sink in feeling without being too soft that they lose their shape. They make even your cheapest pillow covers feel like a million bucks. Tonic Living offers the inserts in many sizes but you can also order a custom size if you don't find one you need. I'm partial to the extra long pillow myself.
This particular style is no longer offered but everything in the Signature Softblend line features that same cashmere-like feel. It feels like you're wearing the comfiest pajamas but better because you look pulled together. I can't think of any woman who wouldn't appreciate a good looking sweatshirt in her life. And if you're shopping from the US, use code BESTWEEK to get 40% off your purchase right now.
I was first introduced to Mrs. Meyers four years ago when they sponsored the blogger conference I ran. Since then, I've been using their dish soap, hand soap, and multi-surface cleaner almost exclusively. I love that their products are plant derived and also highly effective. Not only do they work really well but the delicious scents make you want to use their products. Plus, they have super cute labels so you don't mind having them out on the counter.
Honeysuckle and Lemon Verbena are my favourite scents. There's nothing like wiping down the kitchen and having it smell fresh and natural, not chemical laden. I had the chance to try their newest scent Bluebell at a media preview last month and think that will be a lovely variety to use in the springtime.
It's sad to admit, but my husband and I both agree that this <$10 back scratcher is one of the best gift I have ever given him.
I gave it to him as a stocking stuffer two years ago and it gets used all the time. Do you have a husband that often asks for a back scratch?? This little gadget has proved life changing because now all he has to do is grab it from his nightstand and take care of that itch himself. I'm happy to give up that role ;) To be fair, I use it often myself. There's nothing like getting to that spot... no, down... no, to the left... yes. THERE. So satisfying.
By far, my favourite eyebrow products are from Anastasia Beverly Hills. I've tried the Brow Wiz and Brow Definer and think those are really great products but I recently picked up the limited-edition Melt-Proof Brow Kit and immediately fell in love. The Dipbrow pomade is creamy and super concentrated (you only need the tiniest bit) and the brush allows you to apply individual hair like strokes. And, to bring this story full circle, I bought one to gift to my mom this Christmas ;)
Bite Beauty is my go-to brand for lipstick. Their products use clean ingredients and have a creamy formulation. Pepper is my favourite colour for regular wear but at Christmas, I can count on my sister to gift me with their latest holiday gift set. These lipsticks last a good while and it's a fun way to test out new colours.
You've probably seen these Riviera Counter Stools in many a blogger home but for good reason - they really are fantastic chairs.
Four years ago, I ordered these chairs while our cottage was still a hole in the ground. They were the first thing we brought into the cottage and they're still my favourite purchase. These chairs are durable and stand up to sandy bums, wet bathing suits, and little kids who don't sit still ;) Serena & Lily is having a 25% off sale with code THANKFUL so now's the time to grab them.
Does it make me a bad mom if I want to steal my daughter's bedding? I recently bought her this UGG Avery Comforter Set and it is seriously the softest blanket and pillow sham I have ever felt. Not only is the top side velvety soft but the bottom Sherpa fabric is incredibly cozy. I'm not ashamed to admit I have snuck into her room for an afternoon nap. I get dozy right away and feel like I'm a bear settling down for a long winter hibernation. Nothing wrong with that!
Good everyday dishes are hard to find. After years of living with cheap plates that break too easily, and plates that were too trendy and I feel out of love with, I came upon these. We've been using the black and white Williams Sonoma Bistro Dinnerware now for several years and they've held up so well. We've only broken a few pieces but I'm happy I could easily get replacements at any Williams Sonoma store. They have a great classic design and sturdy weight.
I have three of these flannel tops and wear them pretty much from every week from September to March. The Petite fit is just right and the flannel is soft and not too thick. They have lots of great patterns and I love layering them under a solid sweater with pattern peeking out at the cuffs.
For quick cleanups, there's nothing better than the Dyson Cyclone V10 vacuum. The cord-free design makes this vacuum easy to grab and go. We keep ours charged and hanging in the bedroom closet so it's ready for use whenever you need it. I do wish it had a longer run time (it will last about 20 mins on one charge) so for bigger jobs we use our Dyson Ball Animal 2 upright vacuum. Dysons do a great job and we really love their quality.
Do you have any of these items on the list? I'd love to know what some of your favourite things are! Now head on over and see what my blogger friends have picked out as their favourite things.
I've been shopping at Tonic Living for a good decade for everything from pillow covers to curtain hardware and sewing services to custom drapery. They have such impeccable quality in all that they do and the best customer service that I even launched my own collection with them last year.
But nothing compares to their faux down pillow inserts. Trust me when I say this is heaven in pillow form. These inserts are soft enough to give you that sink in feeling without being too soft that they lose their shape. They make even your cheapest pillow covers feel like a million bucks. Tonic Living offers the inserts in many sizes but you can also order a custom size if you don't find one you need. I'm partial to the extra long pillow myself.
2. LOFT Lou & Grey Signature Soft Sweats
I work from home but I still like to change out of my pjs and get dressed (comfortably) every day. Most of that time, that means a pair of yoga pants and a really cozy sweatshirt or hoodie. None are more comfortable than the sweats in the Lou & Grey Signature Softblend line at LOFT. I bought this Signaturesoft Drawstring Cowl Top last year and basically live in it.
This particular style is no longer offered but everything in the Signature Softblend line features that same cashmere-like feel. It feels like you're wearing the comfiest pajamas but better because you look pulled together. I can't think of any woman who wouldn't appreciate a good looking sweatshirt in her life. And if you're shopping from the US, use code BESTWEEK to get 40% off your purchase right now.
3. Mrs. Meyer's Cleaning Products
I was first introduced to Mrs. Meyers four years ago when they sponsored the blogger conference I ran. Since then, I've been using their dish soap, hand soap, and multi-surface cleaner almost exclusively. I love that their products are plant derived and also highly effective. Not only do they work really well but the delicious scents make you want to use their products. Plus, they have super cute labels so you don't mind having them out on the counter.
Honeysuckle and Lemon Verbena are my favourite scents. There's nothing like wiping down the kitchen and having it smell fresh and natural, not chemical laden. I had the chance to try their newest scent Bluebell at a media preview last month and think that will be a lovely variety to use in the springtime.
4. Back Scratcher
It's sad to admit, but my husband and I both agree that this <$10 back scratcher is one of the best gift I have ever given him.
I gave it to him as a stocking stuffer two years ago and it gets used all the time. Do you have a husband that often asks for a back scratch?? This little gadget has proved life changing because now all he has to do is grab it from his nightstand and take care of that itch himself. I'm happy to give up that role ;) To be fair, I use it often myself. There's nothing like getting to that spot... no, down... no, to the left... yes. THERE. So satisfying.
4. Anastasia Beverly Hills Melt-Proof Brow Kit
Fact: when I was a child, I used to think my 40-ish mother would over-pluck her eyebrows and that's why they would look so thin. Well, joke's on me because now that I am 40-ish myself, I know the cold hard truth. You might have thinning eyebrows but that doesn't mean you have to live with them.
5. Bite Beauty Lipstick
Bite Beauty is my go-to brand for lipstick. Their products use clean ingredients and have a creamy formulation. Pepper is my favourite colour for regular wear but at Christmas, I can count on my sister to gift me with their latest holiday gift set. These lipsticks last a good while and it's a fun way to test out new colours.
6. Riviera Counter Stools
You've probably seen these Riviera Counter Stools in many a blogger home but for good reason - they really are fantastic chairs.
Four years ago, I ordered these chairs while our cottage was still a hole in the ground. They were the first thing we brought into the cottage and they're still my favourite purchase. These chairs are durable and stand up to sandy bums, wet bathing suits, and little kids who don't sit still ;) Serena & Lily is having a 25% off sale with code THANKFUL so now's the time to grab them.
7. UGG Avery Comforter Set Glacier Grey
Does it make me a bad mom if I want to steal my daughter's bedding? I recently bought her this UGG Avery Comforter Set and it is seriously the softest blanket and pillow sham I have ever felt. Not only is the top side velvety soft but the bottom Sherpa fabric is incredibly cozy. I'm not ashamed to admit I have snuck into her room for an afternoon nap. I get dozy right away and feel like I'm a bear settling down for a long winter hibernation. Nothing wrong with that!
8. Williams Sonoma Bistro Dinnerware
Good everyday dishes are hard to find. After years of living with cheap plates that break too easily, and plates that were too trendy and I feel out of love with, I came upon these. We've been using the black and white Williams Sonoma Bistro Dinnerware now for several years and they've held up so well. We've only broken a few pieces but I'm happy I could easily get replacements at any Williams Sonoma store. They have a great classic design and sturdy weight.
9. Lands End Petite Flannel Tunic
I have three of these flannel tops and wear them pretty much from every week from September to March. The Petite fit is just right and the flannel is soft and not too thick. They have lots of great patterns and I love layering them under a solid sweater with pattern peeking out at the cuffs.
10. Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute Cord-Free Vacuum
For quick cleanups, there's nothing better than the Dyson Cyclone V10 vacuum. The cord-free design makes this vacuum easy to grab and go. We keep ours charged and hanging in the bedroom closet so it's ready for use whenever you need it. I do wish it had a longer run time (it will last about 20 mins on one charge) so for bigger jobs we use our Dyson Ball Animal 2 upright vacuum. Dysons do a great job and we really love their quality.
Do you have any of these items on the list? I'd love to know what some of your favourite things are! Now head on over and see what my blogger friends have picked out as their favourite things.
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