This is right around the time that everyone with a platform compiles some manner of year end best-of list, so I thought it might be fun to create one for all my most stellar purchases of the year, starting with this great button-down from Cali Dreaming that I currently own in four colors. It’s just really well-cut, especially if you go for a fit that’s on the slouchy side. And the cotton is so crisp and light.
I have owned Nili Lotan’s Paris pants for a while now, but this is the year they went into near-constant rotation. They’ve got a drop crotch, yes, but they don’t seem diaper-y to me. They just look the exactly right amount of baggy; like how they’d fit a preppy guy, which for better or worse is how I like my trousers to fit. I’m super-tempted by this wool pair, upon which I have yet to pull the trigger.
I switched from Drunk Elephant’s Vitamin C formulation after the great beauty maven Jean Godfrey June came on the podcast and recommended this stuff—it’s in powder form, which means it degrades less quickly than a “wet” version, and therefore packs more of a wallop.
This Kosas lipstick—the shade is called Royal—is just dramatic enough without overdoing it. Also, it’s more moisturizing than most lip colors, thanks to jojoba oil and a few other clutch ingredients.
This face oil foundation is also from Kosas, and I love the fact that it’s makeup that actually nourishes my skin, with everything from brightening rose hip oil to plumping meadowfoam. It also evens out my complexion really nicely, and I can still see my pores after applying it, which is key.
I am pleased to learn that the days of high-waisted jeans hegemony are over: you can finally find a decent quantity of lower-waisted jeans again, and these, from Rag & Bone, are my favorites. They’re not too low-waisted, which I like.
On the high-waisted front, I was happy to discover these J. Crew corduroys, which fit great and have a nice amount of stretch. I got them in this grey (which is sadly sold out in some sizes) as well as black, but it comes in some other good colors as well.
How in the world did I live my entire adult life without owning an electric tea kettle? This one heats up in what seems like seconds, and it’s cute too.
This entryway rack fits perfectly in the space I had for it, and looks so much better than random shoes scattered about the floor. It’s also pretty well-priced as these things go, and not too tough to assemble.
I used to despise high-waisted jeans….until I actually tried them and realized that they’re great on me – no more muffin-top! My new favorite pair of pants that I’m covering is the Nili Lotan Shon pant, but I’m debating whether I’m actually cool enough for them. (I’m not, but I might get them anyway.) Love the idea of an electric kettle, but where to put all of these necessary appliances!?! The air fryer….coffee maker….tea kettle….
Hey MV03! We have very limited counter space. Plus we use the breakfast bar to feed the cats, otherwise, the dog will scarf their food. The electric tea kettle has the smallest footprint of our appliances. Also, we made a firm decision about being tea people or coffee people. In the winter, we are tea people. Therefore, the coffee maker went into a cabinet.
I’m honored to have achieved a GOACA nickname, Kimbersam!
Is this the Vitamin C Powder (from the Ordinary) that was recommended?
https://www.sephora.com/product/the-ordinary-100-l-ascorbic-acid-powder-P455338?skuId=2336451&icid2=skugrid:p455338:product
I’ve used both and the Ordinary product in that above link is just as good IMO for a fraction of the price. True Botanicals packaging is certainly handier but not worth $90.
I tried the Kosas Face Oil, and I like it, but it pills terribly when combined with any products containing silicone or dimethicone. I didn’t realize that all of my sunscreens and moisturizers seem to contain one of these ingredients. Suggestions for effective products without them?
Susanna, my solution to the pilling problem is just to use plain ingredients in the rest of my skin routine. Wash, spritz with rosewater if it’s a dry day, a drop of hyaluronic acid spread around, then a drop or two of face oil. I use the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint which has other serum ingredients anyway and it’s a mineral-based SPF 40. Coverage is slightly more opaque than the Kosas – thanks to the zinc and titanium – but it’s the same consistency.
I have the J Crew cords in the grey (same color as Kim?? Boy, did I need the validation today!), and they are super comfy and stretchy, to the point that one could size down if between sizes.
Electric kettle rules!
I literally own 6 of these items! Half of which are because of you….the teapot I got recently is so cute – I then went down the rabbit hole of everything that MOMA sells online. They have great sales, the customer service is amazing, and delivery is FAST. Thank you for always having the best picks, I look forward to your email everyday. You’ve been killing it since I started following you as a teen….love that I can grow up alongside you and your great taste.
So many great picks! The Kosas lipstick formulation is truly divine (as is the Ilia, my other fav lipstick brand). I just ordered the Cali Dreaming shirt in a second color (black) after falling in deep love with the white one that I ordered earlier (on your recommendation). Who knew that a simple cotton button-up shirt could be so perfect and inspire such devotion?
Ok, persuaded – will be getting an electric tea kettle when my kitchen renovation is complete.
I have those cords but made the mistake of buying them in a petite. They are super cropped to the point of looking silly, and I’m only 5’1. Guess I should’ve realized a 25 inseam is quite short.
Glad I hedged my bets and ordered both petite and regular sizes….
My Dre Rag and Bone jeans are the favorite in my closet (as I’ve said before, I have to downsize one size with this brand). I agree that electric tea kettles are a must and the one shown is super cute. I meant to order the J.Crew cords when you posted about them previously, but had such a terrible time with the J.Crew website I didn’t. Also tried again this morning and had the same trouble with the web site until I finally clicked back and “registered” instead of trying to check out as a guest. I think my order went through, but I’ve not received a confirmation e-mail so who knows. Has anyone else had this trouble?!
Also clicked through this post to buy the cords from JCrew (to replace an ivory model from a decade ago that were way too low now) and the site bombed on me. Took my $5 in rewards and didn’t place an order. I had to call to get it straightened out. I’m sorry I don’t get to have my order go through Kim’s link. Technology can be so confounding. (but the cords were only $69.50 today – at least in some colors, so everyone who wants them should give it a try). And yes I’m totally the stereotypical “buying for myself” from Kim’s blog, but honestly I’m the only middle aged woman in my family (lol) and I did buy three aprons for the kids earlier this week. My credit card needs to rest now.
I’ve tried the Dre jeans a number of times (Hope – or stupidity) springs eternal) but they don’t work on me. Ordered the cords about 10 minutes ago and just got a confirmation email. I’d apparently registered a long time ago (I don’t order from J.Crew often, but have almost visceral memories of selecting sweaters from the catalog in college before they had stores – or perhaps, had just one) for what may have been the same reason. I’ve had issues tracking orders from Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack because I’ve ordered as a “guest.”
It is maddening how jean sizes/cuts fit one person, but not another. I can not for the life of me find a pair of Everlane jeans or pants that will fit my body no matter what size I order! I did finally get a confirmation e-mail from J.Crew and I ordered the cords in two different sizes so we’ll see. Interesting about the whole Nordstrom/Rack issue as “guest.” Does make one wonder…
Add me to the “people Everlane pants don’t fit” list! Also, I’ve never had good luck with their shoes (OUCH!) but I do love their tops and sweaters.
Are we related? I love (in theory) so much of Everlane but have never found a bottom that works for me.
I “LOL’D” – for real, and not in a good way – at my recent Everlane jean attempt.
Eloise, the Dre jeans in denim don’t work on me — I curve in the thighs and calves, where Dre is skinny/straight, and I’m more back-to-front curvy in the middle, where Dre seems to fit more side-to-side curvy… BUT if you’re still hopeful, you might try the non-denim versions. I have a dark green pair and a dark burgundy pair, fabric is cotton/tencel/spandex. I sized down a couple of sizes. Ebay can be a good hunting ground. I have been searching for new denim jeans for 5 years, by the way. Nothing nothing nothing nothing fits me.
Thanks! I have lots of non-denim pants (but you know I’ll check out the Dre versions) and I am right there with you on the no jeans fit front. I thought I found my (very expensive) unicorn pair this summer but they have since stretched out ridiculously (am super glad I resisted the urge to buy multiples). I keep trying, though.
OMG – I am such a side to side curvy! Such a clever way to describe curves! I own 3, yes 3 pairs of the Dres. They are perfection to me.
ok. finally trying the Paris pant on the “undiapery” recommendation! It’s the only style of hers which i’ve been nervous about so i’m starting small with the black lol…
I can’t figure out how I’d sit in drop crotch pants. Don’t they “pouch up” a terrible amount?
I highly recommend vitamin C powder. I must however recommend the ordinary brand because it is a fraction of the price of True Botanical’s. (Between 5 and 10 dollars I believe.) It is stable—the powder forms indeed are—and you can mix it with “anything” and the results are fabulous!
I mix the ordinary brand vitamin C powder with the hyaluronic serum from Trader Joe’s and it works as well as the expensive stuff.
Ok, just bought the Vitamin C powder and the JCrew cords. I am so very drawn to those drop crotch Nili’s but cannot fathom spending a car payment on a pair of pants. But man, they sure look cool!
ELECTRIC TEA KETTLE FTW
Yes! On a trip to London in the before times, our AirBNB had a Cuisinart electric kettle we used everyday. It had different temperatures for different types of tea. We missed it so much when we got home, we bought one. So great.
I am among my people, the electric tea kettle lovers! I’m so finicky that my kettle has several different temperature settings for different kinds of tea (if you wonder why your green tea tastes weird and bitter, it’s because the boiling water is way too hot for green, for most tea in fact). I’ve had a couple of business trips to Toronto, and I am so happy when I see the tea kettle in the hotel room. It’s a pain to bring my own, although I’ve done it.
Curious as to why people use an electric kettle instead of a teapot?
Hi Eloise — Because you can’t control the temperature of the water with a teapot (I’m assuming you’re talking about the type you put on the burner of the stove to heat the water.) As Jenny said, different types of tea, like the delicate greens, do better with lower temps. Boiling the water is just too hot for many of them.
Also, it’s like 3X as fast as a traditional teapot.
Because it is faster and more controllable (temp/ type of boil) than the teapot/stove method. I didn’t believe it either until I got one.
It also doesn’t heat up the kitchen the way a stove burner does, which maybe is only a concern in the summer; and it turns itself off if you forget about it.
I got a similar electric tea kettle last year, and although I know it sounds silly to say this about something that boils water — it’s a game changer, and you are so right about the green tea! I have a question for everyone — i don’t wear jeans, but why so much hate for high waisted ones? They make your legs look longer…?
Whether high waisted jeans look good on you totally depends on your body type. People with long legs and short torsos will look more balanced in lower rises. Or in my case, I don’t have a narrow/defined waist, and most high waisted pants are cut to hit at what they perceive will be the narrowest part of your midsection. They basically create muffintops on me. I haven’t had good luck with a pair of jeans since low rise jeans went out of style.
I like high waisted jeans, too. Chacun a son goût! It IS nice that there are options for everyone now.