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I don’t think I am the only one that feels strongly about saying goodbye to 2020. After realizing we’d be spending most of the year in a pandemic, I considered that this would be the perfect time to really hone in on my journey of intentional spending and the minimalism that results oftentimes as a by-product. 

I made it a point to list out items that I really wanted to purchase and wait to see if the desire to purchase them dwindled or grew. I also leaned into saving for things I really wanted instead of always defaulting to the cheaper alternative just so I could get it faster. The satisfaction I feel buying quality things that have a lower cost per use versus buying random things I barely wear and use just to have “more” has been amazing. 

Today I’m rounding up the products that improved my life drastically in 2020. I hope you enjoy it! 

Clothes:

Patagonia- I’ve had my eye on one of these for YEARS. I can’t lie, I come from a North Face family but when I outgrew my most recent North Face, I knew I wanted something that would keep me warm that I could also be active in. Patagonia checked all the boxes and not only do I love the product but I love their values as a company. I grabbed this one during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.

Eddie Bauer Coat- Another brand whose values I love. My mom has always loved Eddie Bauer and now I see why. I bought this coat from them on a major sale and I’m so glad I did. I have noticed a stark correlation between my ability to be outside and my mental health. With winter in full swing, I wanted a coat that would be light and packable (for when we can travel again. LOL, remember travel?) but still warm. This coat checks all the boxes. 

Nike One Luxe Leggings- I held off on buying these leggings for over a year. I first saw them on one of my favorite bloggers (Hoàng-Kim from Color and Chic) and finally decided to try them myself. My favorite thing about these leggings is that they are versatile. You can wear them as athletic leggings or with a nice casual outfit. The signature Nike check is black so you can’t even tell that they’re athletic leggings. The quality is amazing and honestly, I wear these at least 2-3 a week. While I bought them on sale and even then they’re kind of pricey, they’re worth the money. 

Running shoes- This is the second year in a row that my parents bought me a new pair of running shoes for my birthday and these are phenomenal. These were my first pair of Asics and I’m a huge fan. Running has improved my quality of life so much and I’m excited to continue in this new year. I recommend going to a local running store to have your foot and gait evaluated and then buying your shoes. 

Target Pajamas- I’ve really made an effort to improve my sleep hygiene this year and it has had a major impact on my energy levels and productivity. You can read about my sleep hygiene tips here. My mom was the one who encouraged me to start getting real pajamas instead of sleeping in old t-shirts and it truly has changed my quality of sleep. These pajamas are super soft but also really affordable! 

Girlfriend Leggings- Another company I held out on buying from but I’m so glad I took the leap. Another company whose values I love. Girlfriend is not only sustainable and fair trade, but it’s also size-inclusive. Yes, they’re pricey but that is part of what happens when you’re working with a company that pays their employees fairly. They’re definitely worth the money. MAJOR KEY- The high-waisted leggings actually stay up (trust me I tested them on runs and through multiple OrangeTheory classes). I also grabbed a sports bra from Girlfriend during Black Friday and it is the bomb. It keeps the girls in! 

Personal:

Air pods- I bought Chris a pair for his birthday this year and I became so obsessed with them that I asked for them for Christmas. They allow for Chris and I to work in the same room and for me to move around the house freely while listening to podcasts. I also love them for my podcast walks and for my runs. The hands-free aspect is my favorite part. 

Kavu backpack- I waited until we were dedicating a significant amount of time to being outdoors to purchase this bag. I’ve deemed this my “outdoors” bag. I take it with me to the barn, the dog park, and on hikes. It’s gotten a lot of great use during the quarantine. 

Skincare products- 2020 was the year I really invested in skincare and stopped using Dove bar soap and a random expired Olay moisturizer stolen from my mom’s bathroom. It has made a world of difference in not only my skin but in my commitment to myself. Doing skincare consistently has forced me to take at least 20 minutes to myself every day to myself. Oftentimes we get wrapped up in being everything to everyone that we forget to take care of ourselves. Skincare is a small but powerful way that I try to take care of myself. 

Yeti- Literally the reason I drink so much water. I fill this thing all the way up to the top and add a straw to encourage myself to drink more water. It keeps my drinks ice cold. I love it. 

Mellani sheet set- The famous Amazon sheets! I’ve seen a ton of bloggers talk about how amazing these sheets are and I couldn’t agree more. They’re soft and they don’t pill over time! They hold up after every wash and we couldn’t love them more, especially for this price point. They’ve definitely helped with my goal of practicing better sleep hygiene. 

I hope this helps y’all find some good items and gives you a little insight into what was fun and helpful for me during the wild year of 2020!