Does anyone else feel as though 2023 flew by? It seemed as though time moved at warp speed but it was also the year that I prioritized what brought me joy and honed in on those little moments! Whether it be through self-care, prioritizing workouts, streamlining our meals, or making sure to carve out time to just relax at home with the kids. In 2023 I started putting together meal plans the weekend before to save me from the dreaded ‘what’s for dinner’ dilemma I was facing every day. I prioritized my workouts by adding them to my calendar and working around them – they’ve become a non-negotiable now. Friday night pizza nights have been a highlight for our kids. I block off the evening from events and work dinners and the kids anticipate picking out a movie. Here’s a few finds that I found and kept reaching for throughout the year.
10 Things that Brought me Joy:
Red Ballet Flats
These flats are the easiest way to add a pop of color to your wardrobe and they are so comfortable straight out of the box. My favorite is the cherry red. They instantly give you French girl vibes with even the most simple white tee and jeans. I love these as well and these with a little heel.
Wide-leg Denim
Wide-leg denim is back and here to stay. This silhouette seems to be flattering on any body type and they are so forgiving. You can easily pair it with heels and a blouse or dress down with flats and a Breton tee. I’m particularly drawn to this pair and just ordered them in white too, but there are so many great options out there.
Shampoo & Conditioner
I was lucky enough to be introduced to the absolute queen of Hollywood hair stylists in 2020 after having lost my hair during treatment. Mara brought my hair all the way from the shortest pixie cut to a chic mid-length bob between 2021 and 2022. It was a true lemonade out of lemons story and I unexpectedly fell head over heels for a short bob & bangs. In 2023 Mara started her own product line under the name Roz and the products are nothing short of magic. I immediately was converted to her clean shampoo and conditioner and love her hair oil and milk hair serum (it’s sorcery in a bottle and turns the frizziest of hair into smooth locks). A little goes a long way and she is pioneering the use of sustainable materials. The shampoo & conditioner bottles are refillable and shipped in eco-friendly packaging.
Body butter
Word of caution here. I tell my girlfriends that one time using this body butter and you will be hooked. So don’t say I didn’t warn you. I’ve been a fan of their body oil for years but was introduced to the body butter in 2023 and it is DELISH. A thick layer of moisture for your skin that doesn’t feel oily, absorbs well, and smells like a dream. psst.. MARYANDCREW10 gets you 10% off your entire order. I will often mix this with a tinted self-tanner and even bring it with me when getting manicures because it’s just that good.
Shower Head Water Filter
We have very hard water in our town and I’ve tried so many different shower head filters but they always seem to disappoint. This shower head is just one piece and you can match the head to your hardware in your bathroom. It just requires a filter swap every three months – you can easily set up a subscription on Amazon so you don’t have to worry about forgetting and with a twist of the shower head you can easily pop a new filter in.
My new water bottle obsession
Okay, hear me out. I know everyone loves their Stanley but I just don’t get the hype. I do love the size and it definitely helps me drink more water during the day but I’m always worried about it spilling and it’s hard to just throw in my bag and go, especially while carrying all the things. A girlfriend shared this water bottle with me early in 2023 and it looks like everyone is catching onto the secret. It has a straw that is really easy to clean, a top that can seal, and pop open easily (perfect for the treadmill and easy for kids to use) and they come in the happiest color combinations. My kids each have one and I love the 32 oz.
My not-so-mom “mom bag”
I ordered this bag over the summer after admiring it online for quite some time and totally get the hype. It’s flexible and fits all the things while still looking incredibly chic and sophisticated. No one has to know the amount of snacks, tennis balls, and wrappers in my purse 😉 It doubles as a carry-on bag and can easily be thrown over your shoulder. I love the deep olive green that seems to pair with almost anything but comes in some other really fun colors too!
The mini card wallet
I’ve always carried around a large wallet and would find myself taking out a few essentials to throw in a clutch when heading out to dinner. I ordered this little card wallet over the summer and haven’t looked back. I’ve managed to pair down what I absolutely need and leave the rest of my cards, etc in my large wallet but find myself rarely pulling for them. It’s small enough that you can take it from your bag and pretty much fit in any clutch or purse. The red is extra fun and also easy to spot when digging through above mentioned kids’ snacks 😉
Probiotic Soda
After really amping up my eating habits in 2020 I started looking for healthy alternatives to foods I used to love. Enter the probiotic soda. I’m not going to call it healthy but it’s certainly a far cry from your go-to can of soda. I know there are a few brands out there but this one is by far my favorite. The taste is sophisticated, the ingredients are a bit more complex and natural and it just tastes really good with a splash of your alcohol of choice (my friends know that I’m a gin girl – this is the one I usually look for).
Chappy Wrap
I’ve been admiring these blankets for some time and finally grabbed one last spring. They are fought over by the kids at every movie night and in my bag for every baseball and football game to sit in the grass or bleachers. You can easily toss it in the washing machine and dryer and they’re always coming out with new prints and colors.
