My 7 Favorite Purchases In 2020

You know that feeling. You open up the package with excitement, certain that this will be the one thing that makes your life easier/more comfortable/more beautiful! Then three weeks go by, and it sits, collecting dust in a drawer/on a shelf/ in the closet. Yeah, we all buy things we think we can’t live without, only to find that we can. But then there are the purchases that we use all the time and recommend to our friends and family. These are 7 of my favorite purchases from 2020!

1. Exercise Equipment

At the beginning of this year, we considered joining a gym but decided to buy a NordicTrack treadmill instead. At the time, we had no idea that the world was going to shut down, but when it did, we were so grateful to have a safe place to exercise and relieve stress. Our family likes to run and hike, but since we live in NY, there are many months when bad weather and the lack of daylight makes it hard for us to get out. So now, we’re slowly building up a home gym.

If you have the budget and space, think about investing in some exercise equipment, whether it’s just a yoga mat and a handful of weights, or an entire home gym. I’ve been using the Manduka Pro Yoga Mat for years now and love that it provides plenty of cushion and support. Just a heads up that it is heavy, and does take some time to break in, but it also comes with a lifetime guarantee from wear and tear.

2. Sneakers

I guess fitness and comfort were strong themes this year, as I have two pairs of sneakers that made it onto my favorite purchases of 2020 list! I’ve been wearing the ASICS Women’s Gel-Kayano 27 Running Shoes since the summer and they have kept my feet pain-free during many hours of running. (If you’re looking for running shoes, take a look at my post: How To Buy Running Shoes.)

For walking and running errands, I absolutely love my Allbirds TreeRunners.

3. PMD Clean / Causebox

Though I’m not a regular spa-goer, I do like the occasional facial. When our local spas were closed, I started reading about the PMD Clean massager and cleansing device. I ended up getting mine in a Causebox subscription and it became one of my favorite beauty purchases of 2020. (You can read details in my Causbox Subscription Review).

My PMD Clean makes my skin feel squeaky-clean without drying it out. I use the massager side with my face serum, and though I can’t say that it helps my skin absorb the serum better, it does help me relax my jaws.

I signed up for an entire year of Causebox, and can’t wait for my Winter Box to arrive. It’s always nice to have an extra gift after the holidays are over!

I also have to give an honorable mention to the Original Makeup Eraser which I received as a gift. It’s a polyester cloth that takes off makeup with just warm water and gentle scrubbing. If you use disposable wipes to take your makeup off, consider this instead.

4. Chantal Tea Kettle

I drink tea and coffee all day long. So when my 6-year-old Le Creuset tea kettle fell apart and that model was no longer available, I spent 6 hours searching online for a replacement. I needed one that whistled but not too loudly as I’m often up before our teens are. I learned that glass was the most non-toxic option but umm…glass breaks! I also wanted a pretty but not too expensive kettle and finally chose the Chantal Oolong Tea Kettle.

5. Madewell’s Mid-Rise Skinny Jeans

I wore my Madewell skinny jeans more often in the month of December than any other pants I own. I bought the 9″ Mid-Rise Skinny Jeans in Larkspur Wash TENCEL™ Denim Edition and love that it has plenty of stretch, a tummy-holding rise, and can be tucked into boots. (You can read more details in my How To Find The Perfect Jeans post).

6. J.Crew Chateau Parka

Winters are long in NY and spring is cold so I make good use of all of my coats and jackets. At the beginning of the year, I added the J.Crew Chateau Parka in Italian Wool to my collection. It’s is a nice blend of casual and chic, and I can wear it from fall through spring.

7. Staud Handbag

I know, it sounds crazy that I bought a new handbag in 2020 when we weren’t going anywhere, but I found a Staud handbag that I couldn’t live without. Mine has sold out but they have lots of options currently on sale. If I were buying today, I’d pick the Soft Moon Bag.

Why buy a new handbag when we’re all dressing down? A polished handbag can be the difference between sloppy and chic. If you need some guidance on picking a handbag, one of my most popular posts is How To Find Your Perfect Handbag.

What were some of your favorite purchases of 2020?