Favorite Things!
I am a HUGE advocate of LESS IS MORE. This trickles into multiple avenues of my life - but most visibly in what I buy - from clothing to kitchen appliances to wellness tools, my purchase are very intentional. Like there is z-e-r-o impulse purchasing from this gal. Everything is chosen very carefully and for a reason that resonates with me.
I will admit that some products I * invest * in (key word) may have a higher initial spend however it’s countered with either longevity, preventative health benefits or maybe is a more environmentally friendly choice! (huge bonus)
I’ve rounded up a few of my FAVORITE THINGS!
Girlfriend Collective
Those matching eco-friendly athletic sets ‘Sporty Linds’ lives in… yeah, this is it.
It’s no secret I love GIRLFRIEND COLLECTIVE, but let me tell ya the why…
1) Made from recycled water bottles. THAT was the initial hook - the earth friendly aspect. The packaging is plastic free and eco-friendly, as well!
2) The COLORS offered are amazing - the fact that they fit into my (very) limited color palette speaks volumes. A variety of natural tones and brights that evolve seasonally.
3) The styles are comfortable enough to have changed my mind about wearing biker shorts and crop tops as street wear (I know, I know, I swore I’d never go there. But I’ve been seen around town so I guess the secret’s out).
4) Super sassy and inclusive branding! Gotta love that!
5) Employees make a living wage.
Check, check aaaand check! All in all SUPER happy with this eco-friendly active wear and highly recommend trying them out.
(Pssst get 30% off your first purchase)
Personally I’m a big fan of the lightweight FLOAT fabric. That was the game changer. I live in the Juliet Strappy Bra and the Run Short or Ultralight Leggings.
So again with the LESS IS MORE - I’ve purchased 5 of these sets over the last 4ish years so I’ve *invested* in about a set a year. I machine wash them and hang to dry which helps garments live longer because a dryer can weaken the fibers. You see me outfit repeating GIRLFRIEND COLLECTIVE all throughout the week, so I can vouch that this brand holds up to wear and has my stamp of approval!
Reformation
Where my uniforms come from… ie. denim and various white tees.
Look no further for sustainably made women’s clothing that covers all the bases!
I love knowing where my dollar is going. The REALLY cool thing about REFORMATION is that they are super transparent about their operating practices. They keep sustainability at the forefront from production to packaging. Reformation track’s their carbon emissions, guarantee fair wages and prioritize low waste production. All of the clothing is created from low-impact materials, rescued deadstock fabrics (i.e. the fabric that other companies are throwing away), and repurposed vintage clothing. They start with small quantities of each product and only make more based on demand.
I am personally hooked on the Farm to Butt Denim. Not only are they my go-to jeans, they are fiber trace meaning you can follow the entire production journey by scanning a QR code! I know, super dope right?!
As I said, HUGE advocate for buying less and wearing more - meaning I invest more into the few items I do buy, choosing well made things that will last longer. I purchase only one pair of ref denim a year, a couple white tops and maybe a dress and they continue to live in my closet on rotation (and plan to indefinitely). As you see from my repetitive 'Ref Uniforms’, they wear well.
When shopping for clothing I take seasonality into consideration. Living in the midwest we have all four seasons, I try to only purchase things that can be worn cross seasons with layering and pieces that mix and match into my existing wardrobe. The neutral color palette is really intentional because it creates a capsule wardrobe that can be intermixed. LESS IS MORE!
ACCESSORIES:
I wear a pretty solid uniform and the accessories are no exception. There’s actual concern that I won’t be recognized by folks around town without a hat on. Lack Of Color has proven to wear the best for the price (I’m jonesin’ for a Custom Montana Territory Hat but I’m not quite there just yet). I own The Rancher in no less than THREE shades of brown, but they have lots of rad styles to choose from.
One of my favorite investments have been my Red Wing Heritage Boots. These bad boys were purchased based on longevity. They’re lifers. I clean and weatherize my boots seasonally and the soles can be replaced so truly they can grow with you. I own the Classic Moc for kickin’ around in and The Clara when I want to feel a bit more elevated! I’ve had these kicks for 6 years and they are going strong!
**TIP - if you’re in the midwest, check out the annual warehouse sale in Redwing, MN. I bought both of these styles at a big discount. Also the Redwing Shoes basement typically has a discounted section of boots year round with tiny flaws that are really unnoticeable but didn’t make the cut for the sales floor.
Primally Pure
My go-to non toxic skin care (that actually works). For real, it’s magic.
I’ve always been relatively conscientious about my beauty products - after all, what goes ON your body goes IN your body. After my diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis I have become EXTRA aware. Through all of the testing and research prior to a diagnosis I conducted an environmental toxin test and was surprised by how many toxins were found and how they truly seep in from our surroundings and take a toll on our bodies.
Enter Primally Pure! Woman-owned, high quality, all-natural.
My tried-and-true skincare line. Not only is it SUPER clean - like you could probably eat it (but don’t) - it is has all but diminished the perioral dermatitis I was experiencing seasonally since puberty and MY SKIN HAS NEVER LOOKED BETTER! (Which is important because I shy away form makeup…)
They have skin specific products so you can pick and choose based on your skincare needs and a quiz you can take here to help direct you.
I use the sensitive skin regimen but if we’re REALLY HONEST, I only do the full regimen maaybeeee once a week/face mask is really a special occasion (which makes the products last longer).
My go-to’s:
-Baby Bar for cleansing (I double cleanse with an oil cleanser a few times a week)
-Soothing Cream as a moisturizer
-Everything Spray as a toner
-Baby Balm ** fave hack ** - I use this for eye cream or extra dry spots in the winter and it’s amaze
-I Gua Sha religiously every morning to promote lymphatic drainage and reduce fine lines and puffiness. It’s so fun to see the instant results. If I gua sha one side of my face at a time you can actually see the visible results right away from one side to the other—it’s bonkers.
And did I mention the deodorant?!? An all natural deodorant that works?!? It’s true. And I sweat A LOT. It gets me though my long workdays and my workout routines. This is seriously one of their best sellers and it’s for a reason.
Okay…I could talk about this skincare line / my morning and evening routines for hours but I’ll save it for a separate full post… hopefully this gets you started in the right direction!
Among The Flowers
Woman owned, natural, intentional.
ALL THE LAVENDER PLEASE! Lavender is my jam. Among the flowers serves it up in a BIG way - all of their scents are natural and equally lovely. Among The Flowers is my go to for my scent and my hair products.
The Lavender Sage Whipped Body Butter has me hooked - the consistency is absolutely lovely, moisturizing and honestly I wear this as my scent.
I use the Lavender Waves Hair Mist on my tendrils. This sea salt spray adds great texture to my waves. HUGE FAN of dry shampoo… If you’ve met me, you know I’m honest about the time lapses between hair washes. Enter dry shampoo. THIS is my go-to. I actually love the powder form, it’s light weight, the container shakes out an appropriate sprinkle and it’s compact enough to keep in your gym bag, travel bag, fanny pack… I mean it’s very convenient and manages my mane between watering.
They have lots of lovely products and scents worth exploring, these are just my regulars!
My Juicer
It’s no secret I’m a daily juicer. This lil’ guy has been life changing for me.
Basically the best gift I’ve ever received… I LOVE this juicer and I use it every. single. day. (It was a gift but truly would be a great investment if you’re in the market.) It is small and doesn’t take up much counter space, I live in a one bedroom apartment so space is very limited and coveted. It juices like a pro, is easy to clean and honestly is really affordable for all it does. I only have great things to say about it!
If you’re considering that juice life, or just curious about juicing, this is a great starter option!
Once you get set up, you can find my go-to juice recipe here!
Atoll Paddle Board
TOP of the list - one of my absolute favorite things. If you don’t paddle, I invite you in.
If you haven’t heard me rant and rave about my LIFE CHANGING experience with this paddle board I divert you here to read all about it!
I absolutely LOVE paddle boarding. It’s a great way to get outside, get moving, and make a social event. A trifecta of a good time. If you’re interested in paddling, I highly recommend an inflatable. There are lots of great boards out there at different prices but here’s the Atoll Board I have fallen head over heels for.
Super easy and quick to pump up using the hand pump that is included, simple to transport - it comes in a backpack that generally lives in my trunk for spur of the moment pull over to the side of the road paddle sessions - it’s super stable and is serving me very well!
Morgan Harper Nichols
The Storyteller App
MINDFULNESS - something I try to keep at the forefront but can easily get caught up in the shuffle of the day. THIS daily reminder helps bring me back. I look forward to my affirmation from Morgan Harper Nichols every day that is delivered straight to my phone! Not only does it send and affirmation, but also beautiful artwork accompanied by thoughtful prose, a word of the day AND a journal prompt. I MEAN.
I call 3:oo my ‘witching hour’, it is when I typically hit my energetic low and need a pick me up or a break. I have scheduled my affirmation to pop up at 3:oo every day and it is now a time that I actually look forward to! More often than not it’s exactly what I need to hear.
One of those little things that make a BIG difference in your alignment.
Highly recommend.
Books that have changed my life…
