My Best Purchases Of 2020
If you’re at all keyed into the influencer/blogger world, you’ve probably picked up at this point that first week of every month is recap week. Bloggers go over what the previous month’s best sellers and most read posts were and, while that may seem like easy filler, let me assure you IT ISN’T. Recaps are a beast to take on, but because most people love a retrospective, they’re sort of a necessary evil. Plus, it’s fun for us to look at what did well and what no one gave a shit about every month to better our content output for our audiences. More than that, our audiences (hopefully) grow month to month, so new followers and readers may not be privy to what was happening at the beginning of the year or month. Basically what Ii’m trying to say is–welcome to my best buys of 2020 blog recap.
Not surprisingly whatsoever, I spent most of my money on home goods in 2020. I mean, I was here and things I was missing or needed in order to adjust to the “new normal” were hard to ignore. I had some fashion moments (mainly with casual wear, athleisure, and nice jewelry???) and some beauty moments, but the main focus in 2020 was how can I make my home feel like my home, restaurant, and vacation destination ALL AT ONCE.
Click the pictures to shop and keep scrolling to read descriptions and see what I consider to be my best purchases in home, fashion, and beauty in the shit show we’ll all look back on as 2020.
BEST IN HOME & OFFICE
click the pic to shop
An absolute WFH game changer and not hard to assemble.
This was a necessity to start my business in 2020, and it was worth the investment and then some.
Another WFH game changer and super easy to set up.
I use to use empty cardboard boxes to rest my feet on. Not anymore.
Fun and functional?! I use these in place of desk drawers and love them.
The blue is so vibrant and they’re incredibly comfortable.
The bookcase. It’s no longer available, but that doesn’t mean we can’t dream. I’m so glad I got it when I did.
Don’t want to splurge on a RING doorbell? Neither did I, and this works great.
Road Bike
You can’t buy this anywhere. I found it on Facebook Marketplace and bought it off a very short man. 10/10 would recommend getting a road bike.
Best summer purchase of 2020 by FAR. I spent many afternoons on this and it’s perfect.
DO. DO BELIEVE THE HYPE. It’s the best and only pan you’ll ever need. I’m completely obsessed.
Game changer for kitchen organization. Measure your space out and get some of these ASAP.
I didn’t discover these until the end of summer and it made me so sad. They are incredible and so fun to use if you’re maniacal like me.
I keep this cutie on my desk and water my plants when I remember to. It’s aesthetically pleasing.
My dog has ripped up every dog bed but this one. It’s her spot and she loves it. I’m honestly very jealous of it.
Actually wait. THIS was my best purchase last summer. It’s big enough to hold me and my 6’3” boyfriend and the dogs! It’s amazing.
The suction power on this is incredible and way less bulky than other shower caddies and shelves. It holds so much, too!
Easy to clean and helps keep their mess under control!
BEST IN FASHION
click the pic to shop
It’s perfect together. It’s perfect separate. It’s just perfect.
Same designer, different design, same vibe. Obsessed.
A small business that popped up during COVID and the softest sweats EVER. They feel like butter and look so good. Plus, they’re unisex!
They don’t have the exact style I got in 2020, but they have tons of other color options. These sneakers are heavy, durable, and comfortable as hell.
I love these more than my criss-cross furry slide sandals. These are 10x better.
I am a sucker for anything speckled. These were no exception. I wear them weekly!
I get my Le Bon Shoppe socks from a local store called Beatnik here in Dallas, but get them where you can. They’re so thick, cozy, and cute!
I own and love everything Girlfriend, but the Dylan bra was one of their best new products of 2020. I own 5 colors and it’s my favorite sports bra. So supportive, full coverage, and can be worn as a top or bra.
I never talked about these when I got them, but they’re fantastic.
Bought this for myself to celebrate quitting my job and starting EMMASTHING LLC. I wear it every day—it never comes off.
Bought these at the end of the year to celebrate reaching 10K followers and an overall amazing first 7 months as a freelancer. I got the XS. The perfect gold hoop.
Copy and paste what I just said above. I went a litttttle crazy ordering both pairs, but honestly I wanted to. My ears are so sensitive to fake and cheap material, so I decided to spend the money on items that will last forever and not irritate my skin!
BEAUTY
click the pic to shop
Some people like a bare countertop. Not me. I love displaying my everyday products, and this little tower did the trick!
Charlotte Tilbury Contour + Highlight Compact
I learned how to contour this year. Well, BARELY contour. I was told to start with powder since cream is for experts, and I love the finish and effect I get from this mini compact SO MUCH.
Right after I got my hair treated with color for the first time in August, I bought into the Olaplex No. 3 trend and haven’t looked back. I treat my hair with it once a week, and I swear it’s made a healthy, noticeable difference.
Balayage!
Speaking of getting my hair treated, I DID THAT! And it was a wonderful use of my hard earned money. Having subtle highlights in my hair made me feel so good and so me. I’ll probably keep them for a long time.
After 33 years, I figured out my curly hair routine and this gel-cream was instrumental in that.
So was this leave-in conditioner. Ouidad for life.
My friend found these first and gave one to each of us because she’s so kind. I tried it, loved it, and ordered a massive pack of them.
Again, DO. DO BELIEVE THE HYPE. This stuff is just the best. I have one by my bedside and one by my boyfriend’s bedside, and I can’t go to sleep without slathering my lips with it.
Youth to the People Moisturizer
I got the mini during the Sephora sale this fall, and it’s almost gone so I’m going to have bite the bullet and get the big one but it’s worth it. I love it and so does my extremely sensitive skin.
This stuff is so light but SO HYDRATING. I feel like a new person every time I put it on. It’s like magical elixir.
When 2020 happened, I was upset I had to give up my monthly trips to Miniluxe nail salons to get their “performance polish” manicures. Then I realized they use Dazzle Dry, which is available to consumers online. So I ordered a kit and haven’t looked back. It’s the only at-home manicure ever. Period.
My sister has always had a bottle of this at her home, so I don’t know why it took me so long to order some but I’m just glad I finally did. I always want bubbles in my bath—more than bath bombs—and this stuff is gentle and delightful.
That’s a lot of money, guys. But I don’t regret any of it. After all, these were my BEST purchases of 2020! Can’t wait to see what we’ll spend our money on this year, but I know we’ll make ourselves proud!
xx,
