All right, well. It’s almost August. Which means it’s almost fall. Which means this year is moving at a rapid pace just like every year does the older and older you get. Super depressing stuff, but something not depressing is looking back on all the ways I’ve comforted my inner existential crisis via material things (i.e. clothes, home goods, makeup and more). Per usual, it’s a random, pretty non-sensical list of items because that’s just how I roll.

Before you scroll down to the seven STUNNING collages I put together myself (thanks, Canva), the two probably most important purchases I made this year that were the most effective, game-changing items were a) my gym membership to Planet Fitness, and b) the services of Marisa Switzer of Rise Creative to redesign my entire brand and website. The gym membership because, well, fitness and getting that fitness in at a real gym again after over a year of working out at home. But making the decision to invest in my own website and spend the money to work with a true professional who helped me realize my vision was by far the smartest thing I bought this year. If you have a website or a brand that you’re looking to create, redesign, reimagine, etc., Rise Creative is it (tell her I sent you).

Okay, now to the shallow shit—CLOTHES AND HOME GOODS AND BEAUTY, OH MY! Come along my spending journey and see my favorite buys of 2021 so far!

fashion: shoes

Hoka One One’s Clifton 8: I started a couch to 5k series to up my cardio and challenge myself a bit more and needed legitimate running shoes for such an occasion. My best friend who’s a marathoner swears by Hoka One One, so I didn’t even think twice about this purchase and they’re fantastic.
Reebok Lifestyle Club C 85: These are my favorite pair of white sneakers I own, period.
Matisse Safari Slides: I mean… is there a shoe more picturesque for summertime? They are so fun and so fucking comfortable.
Charlotte Stone Gloria Confetti Sandals: These were one of my splurge items so far this year. They’re not cheap because they’re well made and amazing. There was just no way I couldn’t get these for myself, and I’ve worn them non-stop this summer.

fashion: tops

Target Wild Fable Tank Tops: They’re $5 and literally perfect to wear alone during the summer with shorts or layered underneath sweaters and cardigans come fall. I legit got it in 5 colors.
Aerie Offline Crop Star Polo T-Shirt: My mom and sister literally despise this shirt, which I’ll never understand. It’s the comfiest, most casual throw-on? And it’s cropped? And looks effortlessly cute with denim shorts? I’m obsessed and consider it one of my best buys of 2021.
Girlfriend Stretch Super Crop: This probably should go under the fitness category, but fuck it. I love these tops for working out so much, I got 3 colors. That’s it. That’s the commentary.
Farm Rio Mixed Prints Uni Shirt: I mean. I literally didn’t know Farm Rio existed until I saw a few Instagrammers I adore wearing it, then I started seeing it everywhere. I want to buy everything they make, but it’s pricey so I started small with the coolest damn button up ever. I will be going straight to their site next time I need a special something (and probably even if I don’t).

fashion: bottoms

Show Me Your Mumu Phoenix Boyfriend Shorts: I picked these up at Beatnik this summer and they immediately became my favorite jean shorts. Size down (they run large) and prepare to fall in love.
Target Women’s High-Rise Jean Short by Universal Thread: $18. And they’re perfect.
Target Women’s High-Rise Pull-On Soffe Short: $8. And they’re perfect.
Outdoor Voices Rectrek Pants: I am OBSESSED with these pants. I tend to stick to joggers, sweatpants, or leggings but these Rectrek pants are wonderful. They’re mid-rise and can be worn to lounge, run errands, hike, whatever. Love love love them.
Madewell Petite Perfect Vintage Jeans: SUCH a good purchase this year. And I’m so glad I went into the store to talk to a sales associate who really helped me find my exact right fit and size. These are the best jeans I’ve owned in a few years and I feel amazing in them!

fitness

All Girlfriend, all the time. Medium in all tops. Small in all bottoms.

Paloma Bra: Scoop neck so, for me, it’s for lower impact workouts.
Dylan Bra: The high neck makes it perfect for cardio and plyometrics!
Float Bike Shorts: Just got these to wear as everyday biker shorts and could not love them more. The float material is thinner and more breathable, which makes them perfect for cute 90s outfits.
High Rise Compressive Run Short: These are compressive and I’ve been wearing them for years. I have several colors now. The best length if you want them short but not up your ass.
High Rise Compressive Legging: I literally have… 8? Colors? Maybe more. IDK. They’re truly all I wear to workout.

beauty

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser and Daily Moisturizing Lotion: The two things that turned my very messed up skin around this spring. I am a CeraVe-r for life.
Laneige Lip Glowy Balm: I’ve had the jar of the sleep mask for over a year and am obsessed, so getting the lip balm in a tube was a no-brainer. Equally as obsessed.
First Aid Kit Ultra Repair Tinted Moisturizer: I just got this a few weeks ago and am legitimately having one of those “WHERE HAS THIS PRODUCT BEEN ALL MY LIFE?”moments. It’s so amazing? Like, perfect coverage. Beautiful, dewy finish. Has SPF? I got it for the summer but I think I’ll get a new shade for fall/winter, 100%.
Dazzle Dry Nail Polish: I know people are high on Olive+June, but Dazzle Dry is also incredible and, when applied as directed, lasts for 5 days. I got used to giving myself at-home manicures during quarantine, and the Dazzle Dry kit helped me perfect my skills. I have several colors and love it so much.
Travel Makeup Bag: It’s incredible. Period. There is no other way to travel with your makeup, I’m convinced.

home

Material Cutting Board and Trio of Knives: Okay, so technically I didn’t buy either of these. They were gifted to me. But I would have bought them because they’re both amazing. It’s my favorite cutting board, and I use one of the knives almost daily for meal prep. Such good prices, too.
Crate & Barrel Cookbook Stand: I JUST got this over the last week and am (you guessed it) OBSESSED. Even Z was like “Wow this thing is cool.” It looks so nice on the counter and it’s just designed so well? The plastic shield is genius.
Target Round Gold Tray: Total impulse buy and so glad I got it, because it works in 100 different ways. It’s a great home decor piece.
Target Woven Bamboo Bowl: Also an impulse buy that I originally got to put fruit in, but then realized it was perfect on top of the round gold tray and now use it to store napkins!
Target Faux Eucalyptus Arrangement: I needed one more accent piece with the round gold tray and woven bamboo bowl, and this guy was it.
Crate & Barrel Floating Shelves: So Z and I found these at the Crate & Barrel outlet in a gold finish, but they have them online in this cool iron finish. They are so neat and look insanely cool when hung. Just a very fun way to display more tchotchkes if you ask me.
Etsy Boob Bathmat: I mean. A no-brainer!
How To Drink Wine Book: Is this considered a “home” item? IDK but, by reading it, it’s made my home more full of good wine so whatever. This is such a good book if you’re into wine but know next to nothing about why or how.

jewelry & accessories

Amazon Emerald Cut Drop Earrings: A very recent addition to my ear party that I’m dying over. I saw these being sold on another site for almost double the price and somehow had the wherewithal to do some research, which led me to finding them on Amazon! I love that they can be everyday or fancy.
Ring Concierge Tiny Emerald Studs and 2mm Gold Hoops: I treated the fuck out of myself with these two purchases. The thing is, I have super sensitive ears so if it’s not real gold or silver or whatever, my piercing holes will freak out. So I took the plunge and got tiny diamond emerald shaped studs and real gold hoops and never looked back.
Target Colorblock Beaded Clutch: The cutest, most efficient summer clutch.
Hot Pink Bi-Fold Gucci Wallet: I’ve been thinking about this wallet ever since I saw Grossy Pelosi with it. I found a used one on sale on Tradesy.com and snatched it up immediately, and found another via Mercari just today for the same price I paid for it! You just gotta Google.
Calpak Luka Duffel: I ordered this because of Olivia Muenter, and it arrived THE DAY AFTER I LEFT FOR MY TRIP TO CHICAGO. Devastated is an understatement, but I cannot WAIT to pack it up for my next trip. I’m so excited about it, and Olivia just wrote a whole blog post about it here!
Apple Watch SE: I didn’t get the fanciest one with constant Wi-Fi connection whether you have your phone on your or not. I got a step down, and I love it so much. SO MUCH. I was a FitBit girl for a long time, and finally decided to upgrade and am so happy I did. I love the graphics, all the info, everything! If you’ve been considering switching, come to the dark side.
Target Sunnies: These were just $20 and are super cute. Yes, I sweat a lot and some of the material is starting to slough off on my face, but I’ll keep them as backup sunglasses forever.