I feel like it was yesterday that our family was counting down to summer vacation, and now here we are counting down the days until Christmas! This year has seen us through every up, down and in-between, and despite any hardship that was thrown our way, there has been a hefty dose of gratitude, too. As the year winds down, we enjoy looking back on the items that made us smile, made our lives easier or give us a pep in our step every day.
Click on any item in the graphic below to take you to the source!
Kim’s Favorite Things
Daydream by Mariah Carey Vinyl Record
Mimi’s music has seen me through countless phases of my life – from blasting her music from the cassette in my Walkman on the school bus to dancing the night away at our wedding. Daydream has always been a favorite of mine from start to finish, and seeing Lucy enjoy it as much as I do has been a highlight of the year!
Sonos Ace Headphones
It’s official: Over-the-ear headphones help me stay focused, allowing me to knock off my content creation to-do list more quickly, and in turn giving me the gift of more time with my family. These are extremely comfortable, sleek and tune out the world when I need it the most.
CBD Relief Balm
This blam makes it to my list year after year, because it’s the only CBD rub that has truly helped my achy muscles! I have chronic back pain, and I look forward to rubbing this on every evening as I slip into bed. It also works great on monthly cramps!
Marble Tray
Nothing completes a cluttered countertop more than a marble tray, and this one has brought me such simple joy! I ordered two, one for each of our nightstands at the Red House, and it’s the perfect size for my Nodpod, jewelry and Relief Balm.
Dreamlux Leggings
While on the hunt for a more affordable pair of leggings (read: anything under $50!), a friend recommended Dreamlux, and I’ve never looked back. These are SO soft, so comfortable, don’t sag, and there’s no front seam which I find to be very helpful for avoiding certain camel-esque situations. 10/10!
Seoul Ceuticals Vitamin C Serum
The only switch up I’ve made to my skincare recently was swapping my old vitamin C with this one, and WOW. I’m noticing a visible difference to stubborn melasma, brighter skin, and it works great under makeup. The TikTok hype is real!
Nodpod Sleep Mask
My Nodpod has made it to various lists and gift guides multiple times over the years because I love it that much! I’m a side sleeper, and I love that this drapes over my eyes with a weighted feel. It took me a few nights to get used to, but now I find I can’t sleep properly without it.
Vera Wang Sheet Set
We added this sheet set to our guest room makeover this year, and now our bed is officially jealous of the guest bed. They’re thick, wildly soft, and they wash SO well. They’re a bit of an investment, and they’re absolutely worth every penny.
Spa Headband + Wristband Set
After chopping almost 18″ off of my hair earlier this year, I found my simple hair tie wasn’t cutting it as I washed my face at night. I upgraded to this headband set, and now I understand why they’re all the rage! There are countless options to choose from, and this is the exact pair I purchased. Would make a great gift for any Gen Z family and friends in your life!
Fat Oil Lip Balm
I’d be thrilled to go to the grave with my beloved Glossier Ultralip, but I picked this up on a whim, and at this price, it quickly became my go-to! I have one in our junk drawer, one in my makeup bag, and one in my purse at all times. That’s Major is my favorite brighter pop of color, and No Filter Needed is the perfect pinky-nude!
Ka’Chava Protein Powder
In my quest to fuel my body with as much protein as possible, I started adding a few Ka’Chava smoothies to my weekly uptake. I personally love the Coconut Acai and add a 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt, a scoop of these amino acids, 2 tablespoons of chia seeds, half a frozen banana and a handful of any leafy greens I have on hand. It makes for the most filling (40 grams of protein!) breakfast or lunch!
Italian Leather Crossbody Clutch
I scooped up this bag during my search for a day-to-night handbag, and this one has exceeded my expectations. It dresses up a jeans and tee, and it transitions beautifully to date night, too! Get ready to receive all the compliments.
Yeti Rambler Mug
If you’ve been following us for any amount of time, you know our love of the Yeti Ramblers! They keep my coffee hot for hours, and I’m rarely seen without one in my hand between the hours of 8 AM and 12 PM. (Okay, fine, 2 PM!) An easy crowd-pleasing gift, hands down.
Black Matte Ceramic Vase
I have this vase in multiple sizes and shapes, and it’s the perfect punch of black for any room in the home! We all know that no room is complete without black contrast, and this is the vase I reach for to check that off the list. Gift it this year with fresh flowers!
Lake + Skye Perfume
I’ve been wearing this perfume for years after receiving a travel size in a gift bag. IT’S SO GOOD. (Sorry, am I yelling?) Scott wears it as well, and it even mixes beautifully with other scents if you like to layer! It’s a wonderful unisex scent that feels fresh and earthy all at once.
Scott’s Favorite Things
Sonos Roam 2 Portable Speaker
Yes, you’ve seen this one before. It’s constantly making it onto our favorite things lists for so many scenarios! We bring it along when we travel for hotel music and nighttime sound machine apps. It comes to the beach for summer jams and does kitchen duty for BBQs when we bring the big Sonos outside.
Life is Beautiful by Larry June Record
This is a top contender for album of the year for me. I don’t think a week has gone by that I didn’t play it through from start to finish. The Alchemist is in top production form and Larry and 2 Chainz drop wisdom and one-liners that’ll wriggle into your consciousness.
Cold Brew Maker
I drink more cold brew than water in the warmer months of the year. (Cold brew is mostly water though, so it definitely counts right?) This simple cold brew pitcher is the perfect size to fit into a fridge door and brews a few days’ worth of concentrate at once.
Hinoki Fantome Candle
Boy Smells doesn’t miss and Hinoki Fantome is one of our favorites. Woody, warm and spicy, but not overly masculine. It’s a crowd pleaser for sure.
Carhartt Crewneck Sweatshirt
I grabbed this simple, perfect sweatshirt one weekend when we drove to Michigan and forgot our suitcase. I didn’t take it off that weekend and I’ve worn it constantly since. Its soft on the inside, durable on the outside and feels like it’ll last a lifetime.
Audiophile Turntable
We love the Pro-Ject turntable in our Chicago home so much that we bought a similar model for the Red House. It sounds fantastic right out of the box and features simple, upgradable and replaceable parts. If something ever wears out, you can keep it in service for the long run.
Benchmade Griptilian Knife
This simple little pocket knife strikes a perfect balance between utility and compact size. The handle features a incredibly grippy surface that feels safe to use in any scenario. It’s light, durable and free lifetime sharpening is included. I’ve had mine for almost a decade and I intend to keep it for life.
Topo Designs Rover Daypack
This slim backpack is perfect for a day hike or an urban adventure. It’s compact and usable with lots of small pockets and straps to keep you organized. There are also about a dozen color combinations available for every style.
Beard Grooming Kit
I’ve been shaving my head and trimming my beard with these clippers every few days for about 5 years. I’ve tried others, but the multiple heads and attachments make this the best all-in-one bundle I’ve tried.
Boulderball Climbing Ball
I was gifted the Boulderball earlier this year and haven’t put it down since. ‘Climb’ the routes included on the cards with 3 fingers as intended or just use it as a tactile fidget.
Taco vs Burrito Game
Our family has played this game dozens (hundreds?) of times since we got it this spring and it never gets old. It’s easy to learn but surprisingly strategic. We brought it along to Kim’s family Thanksgiving and had a blast teaching the in-laws.
DeWalt Cordless Drill + Impact Driver Kit
We’ve written at length about how to build a functional tool set for every type of homeowner. The drill/impact driver combo is the backbone of any system and this is combo is a great place to start. We’ve been a DeWalt family for a few years and remain impressed by every tool we add to the collection!
Nike SB Force 58
Simple, classic sneakers work with almost any outfit. I’ve picked up these Force 58’s in a few colors over the last couple of years and I get compliments on them all of the time. The profile is similar to a slimmed-down Dunk SB for reference.
L’Amarue Face Cream
This cream is the basis of my simple skincare routine and I can’t imagine going without it. Simple, clean and easy to apply. If you’re going to use one product on your face, there’s a solid case for this to be the one.
We’ve been sharing our favorite things for many years! See more here: 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024. What would top your list this year?
