I made it a goal at the beginning of the year to be intentional with my purchases. Especially after reading Siobhan’s post, I didn’t want to continue filling my home with “stuff.” Well, as we all know, 2020 took quite a turn! Fortunately, the stay-at-home orders and uncertain financial situation really helped me to stick with my goal of not buying stuff just because. I really do miss those mindless Target trips though. That being said, I have found some pretty great things lately, so I wanted to share my top 8 recent-ish purchases that are bringing me joy!
Top 5 Purchases for Mom
- Wireless Bra – I was influenced to buy this bra by Naptime Kitchen on Instagram (if you don’t follow her, you should! Her account is full of amazing tips). This bra is so comfortable I have considered wearing it to sleep. Since my wardrobe these days is basically shorts and t-shirts, this is the perfect comfy bra to wear. There are not any annoying lines under your shirt, and did I mention how comfortable it is? I bought it in two colors! If nothing else good comes out of this year, the realization that I do not need underwires is probably enough!
- Old Navy Joggers – the realization that I will have to start wearing pants again soon hit me like a ton of bricks a few weeks ago. I have been living in jean shorts and running shorts since March, but cold weather is sure to hit DFW one of these days. These joggers from Old Navy are amazing! Old Navy athletic wear has been a favorite of my mine for a while, but these are my new favorites. They are buttery soft, but not too tight. They have a high waist which is mandatory for me after three babies and they are just incredibly comfortable. Bring on the pants weather!
- Houseplants – I realize this has become a quarantine cliché, but my new houseplants have brought a lot of joy and new life into our home. Maybe it is nurturing something that isn’t whining at me that’s so appealing. If you are considering bringing a plant into your home, but are afraid you might have a black thumb, might I suggest a pothos? I have two and I do very little for them and they seem to be growing and thriving!
- Milk Frother – This handheld milk frother is so fun! It’s really powerful and froths cold half-and-half amazingly fast. It makes my home-brewed coffee feel much fancier and I don’t miss my Starbucks trips quite as much. I also started making a spiced simple syrup to add to either hot or cold coffee which takes it to a whole new level.Try this quick recipe for Spiced Simple Syrup – bring to a boil 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water. Once the sugar has dissolved, add ¼ tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp allspice, and ¼ tsp ground ginger. Store in the refrigerator.
- Plum Paper Planner – I know, I know, a planner for 2020? Ha! But now that school is back in session, I needed a way to keep us on track. I love that you can customize these planners for your own needs. I have plenty of room to keep track of all of our Zoom meetings and school assignments and hopefully, one day soon, social events as well!
Top 3 Purchases for Kids
- Lakeshore Learning Wobble Cushion – we’re a few weeks into Virtual Learning here and I have found a few things that make it a little easier/more comfortable for my first grader. This seat from Lakeshore Learning is really fun! Much less expensive than buying a new desk chair and it helps him stay seated when he gets a little wiggly. Plus, he can move it to the floor or another chair whenever he wants!
- Bubble Guns – Ok, these were actually a gift from my sister-in-law and not a purchase, but they are awesome. They make great bubbles, no batteries required, and my two-year-old can operate them! Paired with my favorite bubble solution from Target and this toy will keep us busy outdoors for a long time.
- Brain Quest Books – I bought these on a whim, but both my 4-year-old and 6-year-old loved working on them over the summer. I wanted something to keep them engaged in schoolwork, but that would be fun and low pressure. These fit the bill! I will definitely purchase them again next summer. The Summer Brain Quest is especially fun because there is a game board for the kids to fill out with stickers after they finish each level
What are your best purchases this year?
