While all of Instagram was KonMari-ing their way into the new year, I decided it was the perfect time finish my annual round-up of the best products, discoveries, and gifts received over the last year.Don’t worry though, I never neglect an opportunity to do a good, deep purge. I actually spent the first few days back after Christmas sifting through my beauty cabinet, tossing anything and everything that I hadn’t used, wouldn’t use, or that had lived well past it’s expiration date, into not-so-neat little piles. I even went so far as to clean out my underwear drawer after reading Olivia’s latest. Just do it.

So I took a look around my place at the items I bought (or received as a gift) that have gotten the most use, make my life easier, or simply make me feel good! And while I’m still striving to invest in quality over quantity when it comes to my wardrobe, that doesn’t mean the little things, like a $13 ice roller, aren’t just as rewarding finds.

Calpak luggage – I purchased this carry-on luggage with a gift card through my partnership with Shopbop at the very end of 2018 and while it has since sold out on their site, it’s fully stocked, and in several colors, at a few other retailers! The luggage is great. The short of it is that the pockets are perfect, it’s roomy, and it gets the job done. I’m working on a round-up of my favorite travel essentials after a few of you reached out on Instagram stories for a full review of the luggage so be on the lookout for that!

Start Where You Are Journal – Two people actually gifted this to me and I LOVE it. So many of you have reached out asking for tips on how to make journaling part of your life (which really excites me!) and that’s another one of the posts I’m going to work on for you! This journal is a great start though. The prompts are super unique and there’s no pressure to fill an entire page. I gave one of these away on Instagram stories over the weekend, but I thought it’d be fun to give another to one of you who is a part of my email list! If you’re already signed up there, you’re in. If not, just add your name and email here and you’ll get a quick reminder in your inbox from me when a new post goes up on the blog. 🙂 I’ll pick a random winner on Sunday, Jan. 13th.

Instax Mini Picture Frame – My Instax mini camera is one of my very favorite things! I love taking photos on it and have accumulated quite a collection of tiny rectangles that are home to some of my favorite memories. I wanted a better way to display some of them (opposed to littering the front of my refrigerator) and this frame was just the thing!

Ice Roller – This is quite possibly the best $13 I’ve ever spent. I use it almost every morning and sometimes at night, too. It’s especially great after a late night filled with one too many cocktails or one where you can’t say, “I woke up like this” with complete confidence. It de-puffs, soothes, and wakes ya right on up.

L’Oreal Lash Paradise – Before I discovered this mascara, I had never purchased the same tube twice. I just hadn’t found one that kept me coming back for more, but this is hands-down the best mascara I’ve ever used. I think I’m on my 7th tube now and that’s really because it’s made me want to wear mascara a lot more frequently than before! I’d venture to guess that prior to this discovery I was only averaging 2-3 tubes a year. I don’t know if it’s the shape of my eyelid or what, but I always seemed to get other mascaras all over the place while applying and could never get my lashes to really pop until this one.

Boll & Branch Sheets – I talked about this set earlier this spring and purchased them shortly after and they are far and away the softest, most breathable sheets I’ve found. I tend to get really hot in my sleep (flannel sheets are a hard no for me) and these keep me cool and feel like the ones in super fancy hotels.

Athleta tights – I received these yoga tights from the Athleta team in exchange for the event I co-hosted a few months back and they are so, so soft! Admittedly, I wear them a lot more for running around the city and less for actual yoga, but they really are great for both. They don’t have a seam down the outer edge like most workout tights do and for some reason that changes the whole look without sacrificing versatility!

Sunday Riley Good Genes – I consider this to be a holy grail product and I swear it gives me a mini face lift each time I slather it on. A little bit goes a long way, too!

Sunday Riley Tidal – This is the best daytime face cream I’ve found. I layer it over the Good Genes and it instantly plumps up my skin in all the right places and moisturizes without feeling even the slightest bit greasy.

Living Proof shampoo and conditioner – Okay, so this isn’t something new, but I did want to include them because I tried to go back to drugstore shampoo and conditioner this year and the two different lines I tried just didn’t cut it for me. As soon as I’ve used up what’s sitting in my shower, I’m going to place an order for the perfect hair day line again and call it good!

You can see my favorites products from 2016 and favorites products from 2017 here. What was your favorite purchase or gift you received last year? Let me know down in the comments!

SHOP THE POST:

J. Crew Topcoat // Calpak Luggage // Instax Picture Frame // Ice Roller // L’Oreal Mascara // Start Where You Are Journal // Boll & Branch Sheets // Athleta Elation Tights // Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Shampoo and Conditioner // Sunday Riley Good Genes // Sunday Riley Tidal