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Moving from conspicuous to conscious consumption and doing reviews along the way.  Find plenty of unsponsored reviews of Quince, Everlane, Grana, and Cuyana on the site!  I'm working towards a minimal waste lifestyle, and oh yea I love bags >.<

Most Used Purchases of 2022

 

I already did my best Quince purchases of 2022, so here are my top ten non-Quince, most used items that I purchased this past year (in no particular order).

1) Stanley Thirst Quencher Tumbler: I know, who would have thought this trendy water bottle would be on this list? But I looooove this large cup for keeping my water cold and keeping me hydrated. It’s especially useful these days since my work place doesn’t have a water cooler (and I’m not going to drink bathroom tap water), so I bring my Stanley full with me to work and it lasts all day. I have grown very attached to this water bottle and seriously would not know what to do without it. My initial brief review of the Stanley Tumbler here (at the bottom of the post).

2) Ree Projects Medium wyn bag: This is my current favorite bag, which I’ve been carrying constantly for the last 4 months. Ree Projects Wyn Review here.

3) Ree Projects Ann mini tote: This was my go-to during the spring and summer months of this year, and I still love it. I look forward to carrying it again during the warmer months next year! Ree Projects Ann Review here.

4) Everlane A-line denim shorts: And these were the only shorts I wore this year. I love my light colored pair (purchased last year) and so this year I decided to get another. I only need two shorts and these are the perfect “mom” pair. My go-to jeans are Everlane’s 90’s Cheeky Jeans (in the same review as the shorts), but I didn’t include them in this list since I bought both last year (but again I only have two and that’s all I really need).

5) James Perse tees from the RealReal (current selection from the RealReal here): This year I started wearing only crew neck tees, and these James Perse ones that I bought secondhand on the RealReal are my favorites. I loved my first one so much that when I saw a second one on the site I snatched it up right away. Now I just rotate between the two and a couple Everlane tees. And since I wasn’t wearing them, I gave away or sold most of my u-neck and v-neck shirts. Again, I only need a handful of tees that I rotate through.

6) Small Lot Co Mary Jane shoes: These upcycled canvas and natural rubber shoes are my go-tos for work and whenever I know I’m going to do a lot of walking. They’re super comfortable but also ethically and consciously made. Plus the simple design goes with everything. I loved my first two pairs from them so much that I bought one more pair this year (the black ones).

7) Brightech Sky Floor Lamp: I turn on this lamp every night and it’s probably the best addition to my furniture collection. I can’t live without all the light it throws out in my dark living room. I highly recommend this direct to consumer brand for all your lighting needs! Brightech lamp review here.

8) Dual Chamber Tumbling Composter: I don’t use this everyday, but I have it filled to the brim and it’s making rich soil as I write this. So this is 100% worth it, because as I’ve learned from my favorite agrarian writers (Wendell Berry and Masanobu Fukuoka), if you’re not taking care of your soil you’re not taking care of the earth.

9) Huppy Biodegradable Floss: Even though I haven’t had this item for long, I’m completely in love with it. Not only is the container non-plastic, but it’s super cute and chic. The floss itself is also biodegradable and it’s to much better at getting all the plaque out than my old Glide floss. And best of all, I’m completely plastic-free by buying floss refills that come in cardboard. I don’t think I can ever go back to conventional brands.

10) Nuori Sunscreen and Augustinus Bader Rich Cream: Yes, these two items weren’t reviewed this past year, but I’ve bought multiples of them throughout the year since I consider them to be my skin care staples. I use the AB Rich cream both day and night, and it’s hands-down the best moisturizer for my skin. I’ve never had a flaky day since I’ve discovered this wonderful cream. And the Nuori sunscreen is an all-season must, and I’ve noticed my skin is doing so much better since I’ve added this to my daily routine. I love it so much I even repurchased it despite the $20 price hike this year.

P.S. If you’re interested, I wrote a post of my most worn items in 2021 and it pretty much holds true for 2022 except switch out the Celine blade bag for my Ree Projects bags and switch out the Birkenstocks for my Small Lot Co. Mary Janes.