ERIN.VONDRA@GMAIL.COM / 773.484.0817
There are so many items that I have bought over the years and been disappointed by. Products that do not live up to the hype, an outfit that never quite worked, or shoes that were for occasions that never happened. But the items that I order again and again are the ones that never let me down. I click that reorder button with no hesitation and replace immediately upon too much wear. This list are those hero items that I have bought at least five or six times with no disappointment. And in these times of e commerce and filtered photos, I only want the real deal coming to my doorstep.
These Reformation Jeans are the perfect high waist and cropped cut in a flattering non stretch denim / I know these Emu Slippers have been knocked off (tried those!) but the OG are the coziest & softest / I do not leave the house without Elta Tinted Sunscreen on. It has just enough tint and soothes my skin / The holy grail of skin care is Biologique Recherche P50. It exfoliates, brightens, and tightens / This Splendid Pajama Set is just light enough to not be too warm to sleep in, but heavy enough to hang in as well / My other North Star of skin care is Vintner’s Daughter serum, which is my daily moisturizer. It is packed with all your skin needs to be brighter, smoother, and clearer / I am not a big vitamin person, but Goop High School Genes Vitamin Packs have been a nightly ritual and I can tell my body is a fan / One size up Gap Vintage Soft Sweatpants are the winner of the 2021 sweatpants wars that have been raging in my closet / Stripe & Stare makes the softest most comfortable underwear / The smell of this Necessaire Body Wash keeps my orders coming / I have this Koral tank in almost every color. It is so flattering and the perfect length to wear over leggings or tucked into a tennis skirt / I have tried MANY a bikini set, and if you do not want your cheeks hanging out, but also do not want to look like a grandma the J. Crew Surf Hipster Bikini is your answer / These Chimi Sunglasses are huge, so not for every face shape. But with a price point that only hurts a little and black out lenses to keep your eye rolls private you cannot miss / 2020 made me a bath person and while I love a fancy soak, this Dr. Teal’s Bath Soak & Bubbles set form Amazon is always stocked in my bathroom/ Glossier Lash Slick is the only mascara that gives you the most natural lash look for every day (cloud paint is another staple) / Colorscience Mineral tinted sunscreen is a miracle product. It gives the best protection, is so easy to brush on, and is insanely water/sweat proof. I always have one in my bag / If you slather on Avene Lip Lotion at night, be prepared to wake to with the most soft lips even in the driest of months.
After writing my Best Buys of 2020 post, I of course started to think of what is on my current wish list. This year I really want to try for quality over quantity. I also have a deal with myself right now that until I clean out my closet and kitchen, no new things! Sometimes you have to be reminded of what you have before you start thinking about the things you need next. But to motivate me, I have these things awaiting me in all my carts.
xo
Erin
Assessing what I bought and what I actually used is actually a really good way to understand how better to spend money each year. Keep in mind that in this space we are talking about the non-essentials, so any fun things we can buy are always a blessing. There were certainly many buys that I wish I could take back since they did not have longevity or I did not use/wear how I thought I would (hello cocktail dresses), but there were a few things that I would consider my best buys. This is always helpful since I can try to avoid spending Amy more money on those things I could have done without!
xo
Erin
I had posted a few of the recipes I have planned for this week on my Instagram and it sounds like you all could use some ideas too. With my favorite cooking partner, my mom, finally here to visit we have a lot of catch up cooking to do. I love a cozy week with lots of new recipes with a sprinkling of the traditions we hold dear. Here are the recipes we have on the agenda:
Appetizers:
Salami & Provolone Phyllo Dough Rolls: Give me all the melty cheese in dough
Cacio e Pepe Puffs: My Mom said you can make in advance and freeze!
Roasted Shrimp Cocktail: We bought the Trader Joe’s Sweet Chili sauce to dip to switch it up
Entrees:
Skillet Roasted Chicken: My mom swears this is a crowd pleaser. This Half Baked Harvest one I made last week is also such a one pan winner.
Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Green Peppercorn Sauce: having a hard time find the peppercorns, so might just make it without!
Truffle Mash Potatoes: Truffle butter makes everything extra special
Traditional Meatballs with Arrabiata Sauce: A casual comfy meal on Christmas Day is my favorite since I will still be in pajamas
Ultimate Garlic Bread: Because that spicy sauce is going to need something to dip in it. Love the addition of lemon zest.
Mini Wedge Salad Platter: An elegant way to serve something with ranch all over it
Breakfast:
Trader Joe’s Chocolate Croissants: Stock up and make them all break, they are the best. You can find in the frozen food section and the plain mini ones are also perfection.
Sour Cream Waffles: These are sacred in our family. Dreamy is an understatement and perfect with bacon and coffee
Dutch Baby with Apples & Cinnamon: I have never made one and excited to! Or at least watch my mom do it ha (recipe from Modern Comfort Food, not available online)
Dessert:
Christmas Tree Cake: We always make a birthday cake for Jesus for Christmas Eve and this one looks so cute! (image above)
Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies: I just love a soft sugar cookie. Lucky for me, my mom is a great baker and I am a good taste tester.
Would love to hear any recipes you are excited to try too. As far as I am concerned we will keep this up until break is over so I need more ideas!
xo
Erin
It seems that everyone is wanting to think outside the box this year on gifting, which I love. And with so many small businesses trying to make the season extra brighter the options have gotten more exciting. I wanted to put a little list together that would have gifts for anyone on your list that you may not have seen yet. Hopefully this helps with the rest of that list you have going.
xo
Erin
I was seriously on the fence on doing any gift guides this year. I know you are all inundated with so many ads and guides and it can be so noisy. Also, gifting feels different this year to me. Do you think so too? If I had to guess everyone will be more focused on the littles joys of cookie baking and tree trimming and snuggle holiday movie time than lots of gifts. It just feels more like another lesson coming from this year that it is the moments that matter, not the things.
But I did hear from some of you that you still love a few ideas, especially for teachers, helpers, and loved ones you may not be seeing this year. So here is a little list of gifts that support small shops and retailers, which I am really trying to look to first before going to a large retailer.
And if there are any lists you would like to see, please tell me and I will put it together because I love ya! Here are all the gift guides from years past if you need it.
xo
Erin
Are you getting excited for the holidays? I have been saving recipes and slowly starting to decorate and it is funny how it can spark such joy. I have some grand plans on cutting my own garland this year and being creative with the decor I have, but let’s see how far I get with that! In the meantime, this is what I am loving right now…
xo
Erin