On to the fAVORITES:

I'm a diehard for Ilia products and use their Super Serum Skin Tint (in Kai) every day. I wanted to find something similar for my teenager. A specialist at Ulta raved about the E.L.F. Halo Glow Liquid Filter. It has a little shimmer to it that catches light and makes your face look dewy. My daughter loves it and I use it sometimes too, either as a primer or light foundation. Hard to beat at $14!

 

H&M have the most comfy sweats, hands-down. I have two or three pairs and just rewarded myself with a new set after I turned in my master's thesis because I had gotten pen all over it from editing on my lap, lol. I got these sweatpants and they're crazy comfy. I got this hoodie to match, too. I usually wear small but like them big and cozy so I sized up to medium in both. 

 

These sneakers had been on my list for a long time and Clay surprised me with them as an early graduation present. I love them. So comfy, supportive for all kinds of workouts, including my daily old lady walks around the neighborhood. I wear 9 in Nikes (a half size up from my usual). They're 25% off right now!

 

This grocery store gloss is just the best. I have four or five tubes of it but my favorite colors right now are Sun and Pearl. Just a nice natural shimmer. 

 

I had these high-waisted leggings for years and years and finally replaced them. They're the Athleta's Elation ultra high-rise leggings and the perfect flattering fit. I size down one to XS. As I write this they're under $50 even though I paid double for mine a couple weeks ago. Worth every penny! I also have these, which are a little less high-waisted and have pockets. They have a touch less compression so the'yre comfier than the Elations. They're half off as I write this but I'm not sure how long they'll be on sale! 

 

My daughter wanted the headband and wristband thingies you've probably seen influencers wearing for their nightly skin routines, so I got them too last year for Christmas and laughed so hard because they look ridiculous BUT now I can't not have “sweatbands” around my wrists when I wash my face. How was I ever okay with rivulets running down my arms? I found this 2-pack on Amazon and like them better than the ones we had before. 

 

My teenage daughter and I wear these quarter-length socks and they're sooo soft! I use them at the gym too. It's always nice to find a staple to put on repeat. 

 

I finally retired this worn-out bra I loved for six years (this one!) and am replacing it with their newest version. On sale for $20 right now! I also thought I'd try something new and got this one while on a trip to Arizona with my husband. I have fallen in love with the comfort and shape it gives. 

 

If you like upmarket fiction (beautifully written but not stuffy) with strong female characters, do not miss this book. Similar to the mood of Where the Crawdads Sing and Giver of Stars. I tried the audio but the hard copy book just reads so much better on this one. 

 

One of my UNfavorites is when people, on whatever side, are mean about politics. This book has been the best read in terms of focusing my political passions on people who quit yappin' and just went to work to make a difference in our nation's history. It's also funny and entertaining to a degree I wasn't expecting. Highly recommend the hard copy or audio.

 

See you in a fortnight! Maybe I'll round up a gift guide version of favorites next time if I'm feelin' sassy. Thanks for hanging with me as I share all these things. I love just talking about books, but sometimes I gotta branch out. And I've always loved sharing my favorite things! I started having Favorite Things birthday parties back in the early 2000s, so this feels like a way to keep that tradition going. It's all about what brings us those little sparks of joy, yeah? Have a happy weekend!