YOU ARE WHAT YOU LOVE

It’s been a long time since I had a laptop and, hoo boy, is this gonna change everything.

Don’t get me wrong. My beautiful Desktop Workstation will forever be one of the greatest, most surprising gifts I’ve ever received – form, and function, and oh so thoughtful. But there is nothing quite like writing from the comfort of my bed.

Ok ok, writing and browsing the internet.

Really, the whole story is that my beloved Mac Mini kind of petered out which was sad because she really didn’t work that hard and then she just….didn’t work at all? So I spent most of the last year computerless which is no good for wordy gal like myself. And as much as I wanted to afford the shiny new MacBook, the truth is that I just don’t have that many pennies to spend on a computer. Or anything, really, but definitely not a computer. But then someone who is very smart and talented (and also pretty cute) said that I should consider getting a PC Laptop because, well, there are some that aren’t that expensive. And something is better than nothing, right? Right???? So I took myself to the Costco (good heavens, do I love the Costco!) and picked up an entire laptop along with some chicken for dinner and chocolate just because. And while it certainly is not the fanciest laptop, it is shiny and it is new and it works, mostly! Which brings me here, to the typing (and browsing) in my bed. A very good thing.

I got to thinking about some other purchases I have made over the past year that were significant, not necessarily in terms of cost but in a value-added sort of sense. Below is a curated list, in no particular order, of the ten things I bought and loved most in 2019:

1. Nespresso Essenza Mini – This was my “Back to School” gift to myself this year and it is quite possibly the best thing I’ve ever purchased. It has completely transformed my morning, thank goodness. I love how quickly I can have delicious espresso ready to sip, and the different capsule options provide a wide variety of flavors.

2. Humble & Pine Simple Clutch – One of my goals last year was to be thoughtful about the things I acquired, and to make every effort to support independent makers and small businesses. Another part of that was to consider investing in nicer things that will last as opposed to cheaper things that need to be replaced with more frequency. I remember reading advice like this in fashion magazines growing up and it never really made sense to me until now.  Goods that have longevity, even though they are often more expensive initially, actually end up costing less in the end. This wallet was the first in a series of purchases intended to embrace this ideal. First of all, I’ve never owned a fancy lady wallet (Fancy Lady is another one of my goals, more on that later) and this one came highly recommended. It’s a beautiful color and the size is large but not too large. I have loved carrying it since the day it arrived last March and the patina it has gotten is even more lovely than I had imagined it would be. I frequently receive compliments and it is so fun to say, “Thanks! It comes from a small maker in Portland called Humble & Pine!”

3. Fringe Supply Town Bag – While this bag is designed with knitters in mind, it is hands down the most functional purse I’ve owned, in general. It is not large, but it’s capacity is surprising, and it’s easy for me to carry on my forearm or over my shoulder which I appreciate.  I could imagine it serving well as a diaper bag, even though it’s been a long time since I’ve needed anything of the sort.

4. Linen Bedding – At the very tail end of 2018 I purchased a linen duvet and, about a month ago, put a full set of linen sheets on my bed. I will never look back. It is one of the simplest luxuries and I absolutely can not recommend it with enough enthusiasm.

5. Evan Healy Wild Carrot Eye Balm – Forever on a quest for the perfect eye cream, I’m currently a huge fan of this one I picked up from the Whole Foods. It’s got super clean ingredients and it is thick which I have come to learn is how I prefer my eye cream to be. It’s also very reasonably priced because wow, it is crazy how expensive some of this stuff can be. This is a good bang-for-the-buck option and I might even purchase a second tube once the first runs out. That is saying something.

6. Thinx Organic Cotton Brief – It’s true love, is all I can say.

7. YMCA Membership – Hands down the best thing I buy (and do) for myself every single month.

8. Cordial Organics Refresh Seasonal Hydrosol – I might be slightly biased because I know the fabulous gals behind Cordial Organics, but the honest to goodness truth is that this is one of the loveliest facial spritzes I’ve used.  And I know that to be true because first, I tried their Rose Hydrosol and while it is a very nice product, it does not compare to the genuine pleasure I experience every time I spray a little Refresh.  So so good.

9. Wet Brush Detangler – Every single one of my three babies have come to me with a mop of golden curls and every single on of them has disliked the combing of these curls. This brush, picked up on a whim at the Target, completely changed the game. It works SO well. I cannot even explain it, it just does. Thank you, Wet Brush! I wish I would have discovered you two kids ago!

10. Wooden Hangers – Do it, your clothes and closet will thank you.

This laptop, while purchased at the very tail end of 2019, didn’t come into play until the first day of this year and we’ll just have to wait and see if she ends up making the list. Admittedly, things have gotten off to a bit of a rocky start. She and I are just getting acquainted and, seeing as how she features and entirely different operating system, I am doing my best to proceed with patience and an open mind.

Which, if you think about it, is a lot like this brand new decade. Something tells me it won’t be anything like the last decade, and I mean that in a good way. Best to stay focused and positive, and not get too frustrated when something doesn’t make sense.

 

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