Today I’m joining of a few of my long time blogging friends in sharing my favorite things of the year. It’s like grown up show and tell, and I’m 100% here for it! Thanks so much to Sarah (Thrifty Decor Chick) for organizing this online party. Welcome to the newbies here! I’m Carmel and I love color, leopard print and sarcasm. And I super love seeing what other people are loving and raving about, especially around the holidays!
My list of favorites for the year includes a little bit of everything, from the kitchen appliance that has become my new BFF to the Netflix shows I loved. Let’s start with the most important thing.
Honest Beauty Mascara
I like my mascara like I like my reality tv. with a lot of drama. 😉 BUT, I’m not about that toxic makeup life. As my regular readers may remember I took it upon myself to test and review a variety of clean mascaras this year, and Honest Beauty was the winner. This isn’t just my favorite clean beauty mascara though; it’s my favorite mascara I’ve ever used! The attached primer makes all the difference!
The Countertime Skincare Collection
Speaking of clean beauty, earlier this year Beautycounter launched their retinol alternative skincare collection that features bakuchiol, a safer, less-irritating, option that delivers even better results than retinol. And I’ve fallen completely in love. I’ve been using this line exclusively since May and have seen some pretty significant improvement with my forehead lines. (And bonus, it’s 15% off right now!)
Cuisinart Coffeemaker & Single Serve Brewer
Friends, I’d like you to meet my new BFF. I’m just slightly obsessed with our new coffeemaker. I love that you can make a whole pot or just a single cup with one machine. And did I mention it’s programmable? So you can set it to brew when your alarm goes off in the morning. Insert praise hands. It also comes in a gorgeous copper color that is just beautiful, if you can call a coffee maker beautiful.
Protect Your Tail
I don’t mess around with sun exposure around here. I’m big on daily sunscreen and have been for years. But we live in Charleston, South Carolina, where it’s impossible to live away from the sun. So when I discovered Protect Your Tail and their line of UPF 50+ pullovers, I was immediately a fan. These lightweight shirts are made from bamboo, making them feel cool even on the hottest day, yet still protecting my skin from the sun.
If you or someone you love spends a lot of time in the sun, you should definitely check out these high quality shirts. They’d make a great gift for the golf or tennis player in your life too! They’re not just made for women. My husband owns three of these pullovers and wears them all the time.
Netflix Favorites
Obviously I binged the third season of Stranger Things in just a few days after its release this summer. But the two short series shows that left the biggest impression on my heart this year are When They See Us and Unbelievable. I highly recommend both. Both were based on true events. Both were heart wrenching. And both stories stayed with me long after watching.
Audible
Surprising to me, the audible app made my list of favorite things. I didn’t think I would like listening to books. But as it turns out, I don’t just like listening, I love it! Audible makes it easy for me to listen to a book anywhere and everywhere. And I find that nonfiction and memoirs are actually, in my opinion, better when you “read” them by listening, especially when the author does the reading, which more often than not is the case.
I mean, I still love a traditional reading session with a real deal book, but when I’m on the go or working on a project, audible is so key.
Give me all the Turtlenecks
Turtlenecks are my newest favorite. I’m really, really into them right now. This leopard is so great, and so is this one. And I have this $12 one in a few colors. There’s just something about a turtleneck that feels chic while also being super cozy. Diane Keaton wears them, so that makes them cool in my book.
Zenni Optical
Last but not least, is Zenni Optical. Everyone in my family now wears glasses. And I love all the different styles Zenni offers, but mostly I love their amazingly great prices! The black frames I’m wearing above were less than $25 with the prescription! I’m. not. kidding! You can’t beat that, and the quality for the price completely surprised me. Plus with them being so inexpensive, I can have multiple pairs for what I would have paid for just one somewhere else.
So there you have it friends, my favorites for the year. Now, I’d love for you to share some of your favorites with me!
And be sure to make the rounds, and visit all the other bloggers sharing their favorite things below.
Monday
Tuesday
Our Fifth House (that’s me!)
Wednesday
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