Hiiiii!
Welcome to my 2020 Favorite Things Gift Guide!
Let’s just all agree that 2020 sucked as a whole, am I right? I cannot believe I went to Paris and London in January, and then came home and the world fell apart. It’s bonkers to me. But here we are and it’s gifting season and I am ready for the holidays! I know I talk a lot about some of my fave things on Instagram Stories throughout the year, but I figured I’d compile a list of them here so you know exactly the things I loved the most in 2020. As always, some of these things have an Amazon affiliate link and if a purchase is made using one of my links, I may receive commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for keeping my blog alive!
Now: SHOPPING TIME!
1. BeautyBio GloPRO Dermaroller Kit, $249
I am a skincare junkie and am always looking for ways to improve my routine and of course, improve my skin tone and texture. This BeautyBio tool was on my wish list for awhile and I scored one recently at Nordstrom (but the one I’m linking is a better deal!). It’s a beauty tool that vibrates, has red light therapy and dermarolls your skin. Basically, it has a bunch of teeny tiny needles all over the roller head that create micro-wounds in your skin. This triggers your skin to produce more collagen and elastin which makes for a better complexion. I was planning on getting some Botox in the new year for some small wrinkles that sprouted up, but this tool seriously improved my skin SO much that I don’t need any fillers anymore! I use it 3x a week after cleansing and have seen a noticeable improvement in my skin’s texture and tone. I recently ordered the lip and eye attachments and can’t wait for them to arrive! Yes, it’s a splurge, but it’s SO amazing!
2. Rearand Neck and Shoulder Relaxer, $14.99
This neck and shoulder relaxer came recommended to me from a neighbor and I cannot live without it! After foam rolling every night (a serious game changer and one of my desert-island picks for sure) I use this relaxer and it just aligns and adjusts my neck and shoulders so well. It’s such a simple gadget with no bells and whistles, but I love the support I feel while it cradles my head and how I can easily adjust and crack my neck before bed. I find I have better range of motion with this little tool!
3. Limoncello La Croix, $3.99 at retailers
Okay, it seems weird to put a sparkling water on my favorite things list, but this water is GOOOOOOD. I mean, seriously heavenly! I kicked my soda habit last year and have been addicted to sparkling water in its place. Some sparkling water flavors (even other flavors by La Croix) are kinda muddled and not as tasty, but this tastes like a lemon bar! It’s sweet without any added sweeteners or calories and is SO refreshing. Plus, it makes for an excellent mixer for a spiked cocktail.
4. Replica Surfaces Photography Backdrops, $77+
These photography backdrop surfaces are a game changer for me! Before I was using solid wood, hugely clunky boards that were hard to move around all the time. These boards are extremely lightweight, easy to maneuver and shoot beautifully. I’ve been using them exclusively since the start of the year and am dying to get more! This would be excellent for food bloggers, of course, but also Etsy sellers or people who are into photography of single subjects as they are totally versatile. The ones I use most are the butcher block, white marble, and sandstone!
5. Malin + Goetz Cannabis Eau de Parfum, $99+
Okay, before anyone gets sassy, this does not smell like actual pot, haha! I have been a longtime lover of Malin and Goetz’s dark rum eau de parfum and was dying to smell their other parfums. I stumbled across a Malin and Goetz store at the Spitalfields Market in London this past January and got to smell all the smells in person and this Cannabis parfum won me over. It’s unlike anything I have ever smelled before – smoky but not overpowering, complex, with notes of bergamot (one of my faves!) and a cologne-y musk. It’s seriously sensual and delicious and I get compliments all the time when I wear it.
6. Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore, $13
So my usual choice of book is non-fiction – either memoirs written by those in the medical field or science-y books. But something drew me to read this unique novel about time travel and I am SO glad I took the leap of faith – it was amazing! I keep thinking I want to reread it over and over again. The book is about a girl named Oona travels through different time periods of her life and tries to piece together what has happened before and since her last leap. It was sweet, charming, beautifully written and I just loved it so much.
7. Madewell Slim Wide Leg Jeans in Lunar Wash, $128
As you know, wide leg cropped jeans are super trendy right now. And while I never thought I’d go back to wide legs after rocking bell bottoms in my youth, I am glad I tried them again because they’re so fashionable and flattering. This pair fits me like a glove – stretchy and comfortable but still trendy. I love that the waistband is high rise and doesn’t dig into my belly. This was my first ever Madewell purchase and it certainly won’t be my last.
8. DryBar the Brush Crush Straightening Brush, $138 (I have the baby version which is cheaper)
Since I often rock retro looks, I like to flip the ends of my hair out, Carol Brady-style, and this little heated straightening brush helps with that. It’s super lightweight and gets my hair really straight in just one pass, despite being so small. It packs a punch for sure, and my hair feels supremely soft and shiny afterward. I love that the baby version is super small so it is easy to travel with (when we can do that again!). I find that this straightening brush works better than my regular plated straightener.
9. Kate Somerville Bio-Mimicking Peptides Serum, $98
Full disclosure, but I got my first bottle of this in a Boxy Charm (a beauty subscription service) and I LOVED it. As much as I love skincare, I can’t go experimenting with it too much after a great acne flare-up of 2020 caused by my switching to a retinol product. This serum never lets me down and it is one I plan on sticking with! It leaves my skin tight and plump and dewy without being greasy and it sinks into my skin like butter without a weird residue.
10. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by VE Schwab, $17
Another time travel book, I know – but I absolutely loved this one! The story centers around a girl from 17th century France named Adeline who makes a deal with the Devil to escape her small farming town and live her life. The deal is made – with one caveat being no one will ever remember her, until one day someone does. This book takes you on a journey through Addie’s life through various decades, wars, and historical periods. It was so well written and had me pining for TWO characters. Loved it!
Well, that’s it! Hopefully you found something you like that interests you!
Happy Shopping!
xo, Hayley
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