Random Sh*t I Love - Top Products of 2019
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You guys, I did it. Well, kind of! I managed to keep up with my monthly favorites posts for every month this year. Except for May but I had a baby and moved across the country so I think I deserved skipping that one. Anyways, to change it up in December and close out 2019, I thought I would do something a little different and round up my absolute top favorite products of the year. I’ve also included the top five products YOU guys actually purchased which was also really interesting to see.
As we move into a new decade, I’m excited to see how these monthly favorites continue to evolve and I’m already looking forward to compiling my list for 2020! I’ve included the original descriptions from the respective Random Sh*t I Love posts where each item appeared. Items are in no particular order but I did sort them into categories! A few of these yearly favorites will definitely not be a surprise to you guys. Cheers to 2019!
Tech
Google Home Mini
So just before Valentine’s Day, saw that Target was having a deal on the Google Home Mini which basically made them two for $50. The real story behind why I chose to get my husband these little guys for Valentine’s Day has to do with the fact that he is always asking me “What’s in the news” as if I’m constantly sitting on my phone or laptop and looking at the news. Spoiler Alert: I’m not. So I wanted to get him something else he could bombard with his news-related question. I actually had no idea whether or not he would even like them but it turns out that they were the perfect gift! We have been loving the news feature, being able to make a grocery list and have it sent straight to our phones, playing music throughout the house when we’re working on projects and so much more! Plus, the Google Home system is really the gift that keeps on giving because now anytime I need to get my husband a gift and can’t think of anything, I can just add something to our Google system. We’re already eyeing the lightbulbs which I think will come in super handy for baby boy’s arrival.
Canon M50
Obviously, since our camera was either lost or stolen in our move from Georgia to Alaska, I needed to get a new camera. I had some work to do and decided after researching that the Canon M50 was probably the best option. It's semi-affordable and I didn't really want to get another G7x because we don't vlog anymore. I'm so happy to report that I'm already so in love with this camera! I think it's the perfect solution for blog/Instagram photos and I've already found myself taking more and more pictures just to have an excuse to use it. I announced on Instagram that I'll be doing a 365-day photo challenge starting on September 1st so I'm excited to share more about the camera with you guys as well as take more photos. I've gotten a lot of questions about the camera itself so I also plan on doing a dedicated post to my thoughts on it in a few weeks!
Pokemon Sword and Shield
I have been waiting for Pokemon Sword and Shield for the Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite to drop since it was first announced so I hope you guys aren’t surprised that it tops the Random Sh*t I Love favorites list this month. I have been playing it nonstop since it dropped at 8 pm my time on November 14th, perks of living 4 hours behind the east coast. I love that it’s set in the UK and it has a seriously great soundtrack. The gym challenge is also extremely unique and I have thoroughly enjoyed playing it. I’m even thinking about getting a setup going to where I can play/stream and share that with anyone who’s interested, that’s how much I’ve been loving it. I’m already ready for more Pokemon games to drop so hopefully they’re working on a few other games too!
Home
Instant Pot
We got an Instant Pot as a wedding gift and honestly, didn’t really use it much until recently. I was having a hard time finding recipes to try. But a little digging on Pinterest and we’ve used the Instant Pot more this month than we have since we got it for our wedding last year! I love how easy it is to make an entire meal in just one go and it’s been great for those nights where neither my husband nor I really feel like cooking. I share all of the recipes we’re loving in my monthly newsletter so definitely consider subscribing if that’s something you’re interested in!
Aquabliss Shower Filter
I never knew I needed one of these until I had one. Even if you don’t live in Alaska (trust me, one of these is totally necessary for living here so make sure you bring one with you), I highly recommend this shower filter if you live somewhere where the water is hard or has a lot of chlorine in it. My skin and hair totally hated the water here and it’s high in iron so it instantly turned our shower curtain liner brown. That’s when I knew it was time to get a filter. This one was super easy to install, I was able to do it myself and it took a whole five minutes, if that.
Accordion Hangers
I purchased this set of accordion hangers from Amazon back in March when I was prepping for Jasper’s nursery. They finally got hung up a few weeks ago and it’s silly how happy they make me. They’re so aesthetically pleasing and functional which really is the best of both worlds! I’d probably have them in every room if I didn’t think it would be overkill.
Thieves Dish Soap from Young Living
One of my goals for 2020 is to switch our family over to more non-toxic products. I knew we would be out of dish soap soon so I went ahead and grabbed the Thieves Dish Soap as part of my Essential Rewards order for Young Living this month. We mostly use dish soap for Jasper’s bottles so it’s really important to me to use products that are safe and healthy for him. The Thieves Dish Soap has made his bottles so sparkling clean and if you’ve ever had to clean bottles then you know how tough of a job that is. I feel like it cuts right through the grime, I know it’s safe, and it smells good too. Plus it has all the germ-fighting benefits of the Thieves essential oil so what more could you ask for?
Beauty
Tula Beauty Primer
I mentioned this primer a while back in a Currently In My Shopping Cart post. I finally picked it up at the beginning of the month and can confirm that the primer is just as good as the rest of the TULA products I've been raving about since March. I'm including before and after photos because it's seriously that great! I use it every day after I finish up my skincare routine. The Tule Beauty Primer helps me feel put together without having to actually apply makeup because I don't have time for that these days. I also love that it's buildable. So I'll use one pump for days where I'm just running errands or don't have anything planned and two pumps on days I have photos to take and places I know I'm going out.
TULA Multi-Spectrum Eye Renewal Serum
You guys know I have been raving about TULA products since I started using them back in March and I have yet another product (or two) to add to the list for this month’s favorites. The TULA Eye Renewal Serum is my postpartum holy grail product, I’m not even kidding. The cool tip and caffeine-infused serum keep my under-eyes looking fresh and awake. I think we’re getting more sleep than most people with a newborn but I will take all the help I can get in the under-eye department. This stuff just feels amazing, try it out and I promise you won’t regret it!
Tula Exfoliating Treatment Mask
I warned you there was going to be another TULA product on this favorites list and I’m definitely #sorrynotsorry about it. I was looking for a good facemask to add to my skincare routine that was gentle but still got the job done, especially since I stopped using my facial brush from Clarisonic since it was ruining my skin. The Exfoliating Treatment Mask from TULA came highly recommended like all of their other products so I didn’t think twice about picking it up.I love how calming it instantly feels on my skin and the exfoliation is gentle enough while still being effective. I only leave this mask on for a short amount of time but my skin comes away feeling almost as smooth as my newborns!
TULA Hydrating Day and Night Cream
Keeping with the skincare trend, the fact that the TULA Hydrating Day and Night Cream is on this list should come as no surprise to you if you’ve been following me on Instagram or read last week’s post about my TULA Beauty experience. I would have put all of the TULA products I’ve been using on this list but since I wrote an entire post about them I figured I would just talk about the TULA Hydrating Day and Night Cream because it is seriously my favorite favorite of the month! I have struggled for years to find a good moisturizer that perfectly works with my skin and Y'all, this is it. I’m never going back (RIP to my wallet). At $52 a pop, the price tag might scare most people away but trust me when I say it is 100% worth every penny. The TULA Hydrating Day and Night Cream leaves my skin feeling super moisturized without getting oily which is something I’ve never been able to say about another moisturizer. I’ve noticed a significant improvement in the texture of my skin and I’ve only been using these products for just over two weeks now. The TULA Hydrating Day and Night Cream has definitely joined my list of beauty essentials.
Hair
Invisibobble Slim Hair Ties
I totally impulse bought a package of these hair ties in the checkout lane at Ulta and I have zero regrets. I have super thick hair and most of the time it’s hard to keep it all in a hair tie and when I can, it tends to give me a major headache if I’m wearing my hair up for too long. Not to mention the crimping looking that comes when you wear your hair up. I’m a firm believer in the “wash your hair once or twice a week” life so ponytail crimps in your hair is not a good look when you’re constantly trying to restyle your hair throughout the week. These hair ties immediately eliminate that issue and they don’t pull my hair which means no headaches when I wear my hair up! These are also great for all my curly and wavy girls who like to let their curls dry in a bun after the shower.
Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Oil Shampoo and Conditioner
My biggest struggle postpartum has definitely been the constant battle with my hair. It was falling out in clumps for a while until I finally started getting it cut regularly (about the same time my hormones started to regulate) and it almost never felt clean. It didn't matter how many times I washed my hair, it still felt dirty. I had heard really good things about the Tea Tree Oil Shampoo and Conditioner, specifically the Lavender scent, for postpartum hair loss so I picked it up at my last hair appointment since it was on a deal. I've only been using it for about a week now but I really do like the way my hair feels after I use it. No more grime-y hair feeling and it smells delicious. I'm also able to go longer in between washes with is always a win for new moms.
Revlon One-Step Volumizer Hair Dryer
This hair dryer will change your life. I’m not kidding. I’m not kidding so hard that I wrote an entire blog post about the Revlon One-Step Volumizer Hair Dryer. So I’ll keep this section of Random Sh*t I Love short because you can read all about my thoughts in that post. Long story short, if you’re looking for a hair tool that will drastically reduce the time and energy you spend doing your hair, then you need to check out this hair dryer! It’s super hyped up for a reason, people.
Baby
Skip Hop Activity Table
I have seen this activity table everywhere lately and as soon as it arrived at our door I instantly knew it was worth the hype. I’d like to say I saved some money and scored it during Amazon Prime Day but I actually bought it two days before and paid full price… It was so simple to put together and Jasper was playing in it within minutes of the table being delivered. I love that I can add and take away toys as he gets bored with them and it also transitions to a full table when they’re older (if you’re not silly like me and accidentally throw away the tabletop).
Moms on Call
Before having Jasper, I saw a bunch of bloggers I follow talking bout Moms on Call and how much it worked for them. It’s basically a method of scheduling and whatnot that helps get your baby to sleep through the night. Anyways, when we got to Alaska Jasper and I had a pretty bad day where I got really flustered and I knew I needed to get him on some sort of schedule for my own sanity. I downloaded the app and it is the best $5 I’ve ever spent, seriously. He is thriving on the schedule and it makes long days at home alone with him so much easier to handle, especially during that first transition period after we moved here. We don’t always follow everything to the letter but I’m pleased to report that he has been sleeping through the night pretty much since we started the Moms on Call Method which has been amazing!
Wildbird Ring Slings/Baby Wearing
Even before getting pregnant, I was fascinated by the aesthetic appeal of the WildBird brand. I purchased my first sling around the time we found out that we were having a boy and I’ve since added two more to our flock. I love wearing him when we’re out and about especially since we’re no longer breastfeeding. It makes me still feel able to bond with him and a bonus perk is that he absolutely loves it. My husband is also a huge fan of babywearing and even has his own sling! I haven’t tried out any other brands but I don’t think I’ll be straying far from WildBird to try others out. We also have an Ergobaby carrier that we’re excited to use!
Artifact Uprising Baby Book
I saw a YouTuber I follow get this baby book from Artifact Uprising when she was expecting and I fell in love with it. I honestly just threw it on our registry as a “nice to get” gift, not expecting anyone to actually fork over the money for the somewhat hefty price tag but (shocker) my mom purchased it for my baby shower! I sat down a few days ago just to look through it and I’m honestly blown away by the level of detail and quality that went into this product. It has so many special places to capture memories of babies the first year and comes with a pretty pen, adhesive for photos, and a voucher for 25 free photo prints for use in the baby book. I can’t wait to actually sit down and start filling out Jasper’s baby book with pictures and so many memories! This is the first product from Artifact Uprising that I’ve actually received in person so I have no hesitations now about ordering our wedding album from them as well as any future photo gifts we might need.
Fashion
Blundstone High-Top Boots
Alaska, man. It went from being 60-70 and beautiful to like 30-50 with a nip in the air in like.. two days. I’m so thankful that my mom “sent” me my Christmas present early in the form of these boots. I first found Blundstone boots while scrolling through Pinterest and if you check out my Personal Style board, you’ll see I have them pinned a lot. I have such a hard time finding shoes that fit me correctly between my small feet and big calves so I was getting really disheartened with the winter boot hunt when literally every pair of Sorrel boots I tried on were major fails. Until I tried the Blundstone Hight-Top Boots on. They fit like a glove and I’ve worn them nearly every day since purchasing them two weeks ago. They are the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn and they were super easy to break-in. I think it took maybe three days total. They’ve kept my feet warm and dry in these changing temps and I love the way they look styled with everything in my current wardrobe. If you’re looking for a good boot that can handle winter weather but also a great year-round option, definitely check out Blundstone!
Madewell Small Transport Tote
I mentioned the larger version of this bag in last week’s Currently in My Shopping Cart post and then realized that I didn’t ever actually mention this bag since I didn’t get a May favorites up. I got this bag as a birthday gift from my mom back in April because I wanted something I could carry along with the diaper bag and not feel overwhelmed. I also got it monogrammed which is a first since getting married. I’m obsessed. This little bag is the perfect size for all of the necessities and it’s so easy to throw on and grab the baby when I need to run into a store quickly and don’t want to deal with dragging the diaper bag around. If you’re in the market for a high-quality small bag, I highly recommend picking one of these cuties up.
Universal Thread T-Shirt Dresses
Another item I’ve been raving about all month are these t-shirt dresses from the Universal Thread line at Target. I’ve talked about how much I love the Universal Thread line in the past and not being able to wear all of the cute pieces they come out with has honestly been one of the hardest parts of my pregnancy (bless up that pregnancy has been so easy for me that that is my only real complaint). I was browsing the racks at my local Target one day looking for a dress for our maternity photoshoot when I happened upon the holy grail of t-shirt dresses. Non-maternity yet still very bump-friendly, I have been practically living in these two Target dresses since purchasing them this month. I actually wore the blue one for my baby shower and even packed it in my hospital bag! If you’re looking for a great staple t-shirt dress to add to your wardrobe for spring and summer, definitely think about checking out one of these affordable options!
Universal Thread Panama Hat
I couldn’t tell you where my desire to get a hat came from this month but I am obsessed with this brown hat I picked up at Target. It’s already been on my Instagram a few times and I love how effortless it makes an outfit look. It’s safe to say I’m obsessed with this thing now. It’s so nice to be able to be playing around with fashion again after being in such a style slump for most of my pregnancy. I am already looking forward to my postpartum wardrobe and what my “mom style” is going to be like. This hat will definitely be one of those items that become a closet staple in the Made in Mom Jeans wardrobe!
Miscellaneous
Thrift with Me Friday's on IGTV
In case you missed it, I started a new series on my IGTV (the Youtube like feature of Instagram) where I share my weekly thrift shopping trips and hauls! You guys have been loving it so far and I’m having so much fun discovering new ways to edit and put together interesting videos for Instagram. Sharing my thrift hauls is one of the best parts of thrifting for me because you guys get just as excited about some of my finds as I do! There are three videos up already so if you want to check them out just head to my Instagram!
Chatbooks Subscription
One of my recurring favorites since Jasper’s birth has been our Chatbooks subscription. Not only are Chatbooks a crazy affordable way to get all of those pictures off of your phone and printed but the subscription service is a great and affordable way to make sure those memories are being captured and shared with others. Chatbooks start at just $10 and I am so happy with the quality of them. Like I mentioned, we have a subscription, so every 60 photos that are favorited in my camera roll are uploaded to Chatbooks and then printed into these adorable little books. We even have it set up that my mother gets a copy sent to her as well since you’re able to set up separate shipping and billing information. We love them so much that I’m actually going to get a book created for Jasper that is just pictures of him and his dad for anytime the military sends papa away. I love having these displayed in our home in this cute little basket from our wedding. More importantly, I love getting all of those photos off of my phone and into print form. It’s also a great way to make sure I’m actually taking pictures. Babies grow so quickly that I don’t want to miss any moment by not capturing moments with my camera. Use the code DARRIAN-WKQ4 to get your first book FREE (up to $10).
ESV Single Column Journaling Bible
A friend said to me recently, “I could buy a new bible every day and it wouldn’t change how much I open it.” I laughed but realized she was probably right. Did that keep me from purchasing a new bible anyways? Nope. I bought this one for a few reasons. The first being that it was obviously cute and matched my Instagram aesthetic. Not sorry. The second, and obviously the main reason I bought it, was because it had plenty of room for journaling and/or writing notes in the columns. I recently started my first real bible study and have been loving making notes in my bible itself rather than in a second notebook or the workbook they provided for the study. It’s helped me feel like I’m connecting more with my bible on a weekly basis (still not getting to the daily part yet but it’s something I’m working on). This bible in particular is great because so far, it’s held up to quite a few different pens and even my pathetic attempt at DIYing bible tabs.
Hydro Flask with Straw Top
Let me preface this by saying that I am definitely NOT the type of person who will go and drop $50 on a freaking water bottle but when my favorite water bottle broke recently, I knew I needed one that was going to get me through the rest of this pregnancy and labor so I asked you guys what your favorites were. The Hydro Flask was the #1 choice for the MIMJ crowd, by far. I told my husband this would be a perfect gift for me for Valentine’s Day and it’s been attached at my hip ever since! I love how cold it keeps my drink. Seriously, I can fill it up at night before going to bed and still have cold water in the morning when I wake up! I got the 32 oz. with a straw top lid and it has definitely made drinking the recommended 96 oz. of water so much easier!
Your Top 5 of 2019
