#156: The best things I’ve bought this year

A mid-year favorite things list

Good morning!

I won’t be doing my annual favorite things list this December (see 2021 and 2022) since I’ll be on maternity leave, so I’ve decided to do a mid-year list instead. This one will be shorter but no less serious. Despite the title, it will also include a mix of things I acquired last year, but which weren’t yet ready to be officially endorsed for 2022’s list. As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t believe in recommending super-new things. They’re too fresh and untouched by the sands of time…although I did make an exception below for a recent IKEA purchase. I’m that confident about it, which is a crazy thing to say about something from IKEA.

My 15 favorite things of 2023 (so far)

1. These Hue mini crew socks - $18 for 5

I know I’ve rec’d other socks in the past (Uniqlo, Colorful Standard) and I do stand by those, but these scratch a different itch, especially for summer. The mini crew is a revolutionary length, and these socks are tight (literally), which is an underrated sock quality. All credit to my friend Harling for this find—she’s written about them in her style newsletter, Gum Shoe. I own 10 pairs now and when I run out, that’s when I know it’s time to do laundry.

The socks featured in all my pregnancy documentation pics

2. This Youswim swimsuit - $140

Youswim swimsuits only come in one size, but are made to fit anyone between US size 2 and 14, which I know sounds fake but the reviews speak for themselves! (Edit: Just learned they added a second size that fits US 14-24!) The material is comfortable and comforting—thick, but not constricting. I love this swimsuit so much, especially how it’s continued to fit me into pregnancy (mine is fire-engine red—you could see it peeking out of my 12th thing on Friday—which they don’t seem to sell anymore).

3. These Beckham Hotel Collection pillows - $60 to $80 for 2

Lol not kidding—best pillows I’ve owned, and I’ve owned so many because I sleep on my side and everything gives me a crick eventually. I discovered these from someone on TikTok (couldn’t find if my life depended on it) who said she’d tested every popular pillow and nothing beat these. What I appreciate most about them is that they’re super supportive for side sleepers but honestly aren’t doing anything fancy (with shaping or memory foam, etc). They’re somehow firm without sacrificing softness…shout out to Victoria Beckham.

4. This bamboo step stool for my closet - $27

There are probably much cuter stools out there! I just want to endorse having a step stool in your closet if you have high shelves that are just slightly annoying to reach and therefore cause you to make a mess of your sweaters or whatever because you’re always yanking/throwing things. You don’t have to live like this!

5. This blue doormat from Hay - $50

I think most people already have a doormat, but if you’re one of the freaks like me who has put it off forever, just want to throw a vote in for finally making that happen. I love this one (using it, looking at it). I appreciate it every day.

6. This thimble-like ginger peeler - $11

I actually bought this for this game my family plays every holiday season where everyone brings an unpackaged product and the others have to guess what the product is used for. This one was a winner! My brother couldn’t figure out what it did. Anyway, you wear it on your thumb when peeling ginger and the blade sort of works like a thumb nail. I got to keep the second one that came in the two-pack and I love it.

7. Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff - $19

This is a very popular parenting book but it deserves a spot on this list because I think about it constantly. I wouldn’t say every single detail resonated but so many aspects of this book fundamentally shifted my thinking about parenting. If you’re a parent or thinking about becoming one and you live in America, it’s a great book to disrupt some of the narratives we’ve been fed since we were kids. 

8. This berry bowl - $48

I’ve been wanting a berry bowl (i.e. a mini colander to wash and eat fruit out of) for so long. Part of the problem was I couldn’t find one I loved. Eventually I gave up and just bought one I liked enough, and I’m so glad I did. If you eat a lot of fruit, it’s a staple! My only rec would be to consider buying one with a little saucer because you’re going to end up putting the bowl on a small plate anyway when water drips out of the bottom. Etsy has lots of options!

Here’s mine

9. This waffle bathrobe from Hay - $95

I’ll be honest I initially bought this as a gift, but then it got delivered to me five months late at which point I deemed it mine. The important thing to note about this robe is that it’s ushered me into a two-robe lifestyle, whereby I have one towel robe (mine’s from Brooklinen, an old freebie) for when I’ve washed my hair and don’t want to wear damp clothes for hours, and one waffle robe (this one) for all other robe occasions. I guess this is moreso an endorsement for that lifestyle than this specific robe, but I do love it.

10. This 7-day pill organizer - $5

I’m not positive this is the same one because Avi bought mine at Walgreens for $5, but it looks identical. Also I mainly want to recommend a pill organizer! This became useful when I started taking 7 different pills every day for pregnancy and kept forgetting if I’d taken them or not. I will say though that one of the main charms of this case specifically is the satisfying snap of each little plastic box, which is crucial for me.

11. These straw cleaners - $11

I used to clean my straws under running water or in the dishwasher but I found them accumulating grime anyway. These straw cleaners are the perfect tool—they seem to get something off even my clean straws every time.

12. This Coway air purifier - $360

I bought this a long time ago for my allergies and Bug’s asthma, but it didn’t feel worth mentioning until this year with all the air-quality problems we’ve been having in New York. Ours is set to auto which means it turns on whenever it detects poor air quality (like when we use our gas stove or when wildfire smoke is billowing through our windows). He’s working hard these days.

13. This blue-tinted conditioner - $53

I bleached my hair and dyed it pink last year, and now that the pink is gone, I just have very blond hair that’s growing out. This conditioner keeps it a cool tone instead of turning warm and yellow as bleached hair tends to do over time. I like this way better than blue/purple shampoo which always feels so rough on my hair. This jar lasts me around six months with once weekly use.

Not as effective as a tone at the salon but pretty close

14. This magnetic Apple wallet - $60

This isn’t a new purchase but I get so many comments about this magnet wallet that it needs to be on the list! This wallet attaches magnetically to my iPhone and only fits two cards (I choose my ID and credit card), but I haven’t used a proper wallet since I bought it. My phone alerts me when it detaches in case that happens by mistake, but it never does. This thing is solid! I love never using a wallet.

15. This IKEA under-shelf clip-on basket - $9

Like I said, this is a recent purchase, but the sturdiness of the clip and the immediate usefulness of the shelf makes it worthy of this list. It’s perfect for making the most of unused space under shelves! I want them everywhere now.

The potential here is unlimited…(using my other one as a mail tray)

Your favorites of the year so far?

If this list made you think of something you love (can’t be too new!), or if you have a question about something above, I’m opening up comments today. Hit me w your best:

My favorite article I read last week was “Boundary Issues,” by Lily Scherlis for Parapraxis Magazine, an academic exploration of the rise of “boundaries,” dating back to the early 20th century. Feels long at moments but I’m glad I stuck it out! Adds a fascinating layer of historical context to when and why we started thinking of human relation in terms of ownership/trespassing. Friday’s 15 things also included a new way to categorize romantic partners, a twisted romcom, a perfect New York dessert, and more. The rec of the week was what to do now that I’ve hit my healthcare deductible…lol.

Hope you have a nice Sunday!
Haley