Alright, I understand. I rarely post. Please stop with the yelling. Actually, do keep yelling at me! We need to get this show back on the road, right? Let’s kick it off with one of my beloved (and sole) posts of the year–favorite things!!
When it comes to shopping, it’s something I truly enjoy. Hence, condensing my list was more challenging than expected. Just to clarify–I ADORE every single item I’m about to share. I take this post quite seriously. Ha!
If that’s not a mishmash of items, I’m not sure what is! Leggings! Highlighters! Toilet lever! Hold on, what? Allow me to elaborate…
Favorite Things 2021
- Gold Toilet Lever: Absolutely. It revolutionized my toilet experience! Wait. It transformed my toilet’s experience. That’s clearer. Believe me on this. It’s a minor yet impactful update for a compact bathroom specifically.
- Gold Initial Necklace: To be honest, a few of these are favorites of my daughter’s, so I opted to include them. For what it’s worth, I’m a high school teacher, and every single girl is wearing these necklaces. Stunning, right?
- Countertop Ice Machine: We possess a complete basement bar, but ice for drinks was what we were lacking. This ice machine has such a low profile, it operates silently, and produces all the ice we require! AND I love the price!
- Smart Phone Tripod: I really adore this gadget! It’s incredibly useful when we’re attempting to capture any type of group photo!
- Tinkle Razors: I love these so much that I distribute them to my friends like they’re candy! They effortlessly remove that annoying fuzz from your face! Sounds terrifying, but believe me. Your makeup applies better, your moisturizer glides on better, and I’ve noticed that my tanning bronzer works better as well!
- Leggings: This is yet another favorite of my daughter’s. I felt like I kept spotting them in my Amazon cart, so I checked again. She owns FIVE pairs of these! They come in the most gorgeous colors, so I totally understand her choice.
- Greeting Card Organizer: I couldn’t stop talking about this on Instagram, and I’m genuinely encouraging you to purchase one. If you’re a last minuter like I am, it comes in very handy! Rushing out the door and late for a graduation party? Grab and go! Thank you, little card box.
- Slimming Swimsuit: Look. I’m not a fashion blogger. But when this body slipped into that suit, I received so many compliments. It looks especially appealing on me when I keep said body submerged underwater. 🙂 Seriously though–super pretty!
- Makeup Mirror: Another favorite of Little Miss. She got this for her dimly lit dorm room, and she raves about it. Her roommate has one too.
- Travel Jewelry Organizer: I’ve been lucky enough to travel quite a bit in my life, and I’ve developed a keen sense of what works and what doesn’t. This thing is fantastic! I don’t wear much jewelry, so I never thought I needed this. Uh, I was mistaken.
- Family Passport Wallet: Speaking of traveling…I have no idea how I ever managed without this! Anyone who has ever traveled internationally with kids is like “Amen! This thing’s a game-changer!” and they’re spot on.
- Hair Claw Clips: Raise your hand if you have fine, slippery hair. *Raises hand. NOTHING stays put in my hair, which is so frustrating! My daughter bought these, and seeing how well they worked, I immediately grabbed a few. Score!
- Pastel Highlighters: Oh my goodness. Where were these during my high school years?! These highlighters are the best tool for school/work/life I’ve acquired in YEARS. I love them and use them every. single. day.
If you made it through all that, you deserve a gold star! I’m betting my sister-in-law is the only one who genuinely read it. xoxo Ha!
Want more favorite things? Look here!
Wow. I guess I’ve been doing these for quite some time! I think I’m missing a few, but these favorites truly never go out of fashion! Enjoy browsing!
Favorite Things 2014 was when I revealed the eyeshadow palette that transformed my makeup routine.
Favorite Things 2016 I upgraded my camera and haven’t looked back since. It’s still my favorite gadget!
Not sure where 2015 and 2017 disappeared to?
FV 2018 was the year of Harry Styles (and all years since) and the ultimate popcorn hack I’ve ever tried.
FV 2019 I posted twice (probably to compensate for “15 and ’17?) and featured the makeup setting spray that I gift every Christmas and the daily moisturizer that has also become a favorite of my husband!
And 2020 was marked by the Victoria Emerson watch band that attracts comments every. single. day and the collagen powder that prevented my hair from falling out! I’m not joking.
Some of the top bloggers I know have also shared their favorite things, and I know it’s going to be detrimental to my bank account! My friend Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick has organized this hop for years, and it’s one of my favorite things! (See the pun?) Be sure to check them all out!
Tuesday
Wednesday
Kelly at Kelly Elko
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**Top Picks and Highlights of 2021**
The year 2021 was an extraordinary time characterized by notable events, groundbreaking discoveries, and cultural achievements. As the globe continued to tackle the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous highlights emerged across various domains that drew worldwide attention. Here’s an overview of some of the top picks and highlights of 2021.
**1. COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout:**
2021 was marked by the extensive global initiative to combat the COVID-19 pandemic through vaccination programs. The swift creation and distribution of vaccines, such as those from Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and AstraZeneca, were crucial in the battle against the virus. Nations worldwide launched extensive vaccination efforts, striving for herd immunity and a return to normalcy.
**2. Tokyo 2020 Olympics:**
Originally planned for 2020, the Tokyo Olympics were pushed to 2021 due to the pandemic. Despite the hurdles, the event was successfully conducted, showcasing extraordinary athletic feats. Noteworthy moments included Simone Biles’ brave choice to prioritize her mental health and the remarkable accomplishments of athletes like Caeleb Dressel and Elaine Thompson-Herah.
**3. Space Exploration Milestones:**
2021 was a pivotal year for space exploration. NASA’s Perseverance rover triumphantly landed on Mars, commencing its mission to look for indications of ancient life. Furthermore, private companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin achieved significant milestones, with SpaceX conducting the first all-civilian spaceflight and Blue Origin completing its first crewed flight with Jeff Bezos aboard.
**4. Technological Innovations:**
The technology sector continued to flourish, with progress in artificial intelligence, 5G communications, and electric vehicles. Tesla remained a leader in the EV revolution, while firms like Apple and Samsung launched innovative devices that pushed the limits of consumer technology.
**5. Environmental Awareness and Action:**
Climate change persistently stood out as a vital issue in 2021, with world leaders gathering at the COP26 summit in Glasgow to deliberate strategies for curtailing carbon emissions. There was a rising focus on sustainability, as companies and governments pledged to adopt greener practices and renewable energy sources.
**6. Cultural and Entertainment Highlights:**
The entertainment industry adapted to the pandemic with hybrid approaches to content delivery. Streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+ maintained their growth, with popular releases such as “Squid Game” and “WandaVision” captivating audiences globally. The music scene also saw a resurgence, featuring artists like Olivia Rodrigo and BTS leading the charts.
**7. Social and Political Movements:**
2021 was marked by significant social and political movements, including ongoing demonstrations for racial justice and equality. The Black Lives Matter movement continued its advocacy for systemic reform, while other movements focused on gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights gained traction worldwide.
**Conclusion:**
The year 2021 exemplified human resilience and ingenuity. In spite of facing unmatched challenges, the world made notable advances in several areas, laying the groundwork for a hopeful future. As we reflect on these highlights, it’s evident that the events of 2021 will leave a lasting imprint on the years ahead.
