Candidly, I don’t love the consumerism often associated with blogging. The constant pushing of Amazon products. The pressure to purchase the latest beauty trend. The emphasis on more, more, more. I try to be mindful of this in the content I share. Upon reflection, I think it is worthwhile to spotlight my favorite items of the year — those that stand out long after their initial purchase. Now that the dust has settled on last year, I can conclusively say these are my top ten best purchases of 2023 (in no particular order).
Best Purchases of 2023
1. Abercrombie Flare Jeans
In 2023, I officially switched from skinny jeans to flare jeans. During an Abercrombie sale, I scooped up the Ultra High Rise Stretch Flare Jean in three shades: dark, light, and black. I ordered the short length but still had to get the pants hemmed — worth it for the wear I got out of these jeans in the first year alone. I constantly reached for them. The pants are flattering, comfortable, and go with everything.
2. Global Entry + Hack to Land an Interview
In preparation for my trip to Turkey, I applied for Global Entry. If you’re not familiar, Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection program that allows pre-approved travelers to skip the lines upon arrival in the United States. It costs $100 to apply for Global Entry, and the membership lasts five years. It also comes with TSA Precheck. I can’t say enough good things about Global Entry. It made re-entry into the US after my international travels a breeze. I didn’t have to wait in line at customs. They quickly scanned my face and cleared me to proceed to baggage claim. I also love having TSA Precheck. In hindsight, I don’t know how I went this long without having it. Not having to take my shoes off or remove my laptop from my bag when going through security is *chef’s kiss.*
Tip: Once your Global Entry application is conditionally approved, the next step is scheduling your interview. It can prove challenging to find an available interview timeslot at a nearby location. For example, it took more than six months for some of my friends. For me, the process took less than 7 days from application submission to interview completion, all thanks to Appointment Scanner. Appointment Scanner monitors your top three preferred enrollment center locations and texts you the moment an appointment opens. If you are in the process of getting Global Entry, this service is the best $29 you can spend!
3. Hatch Restore 2
Instead of a blaring alarm clock, imagine being gradually awoken by the sunrise. With the Hatch Restore 2, you can start each morning this way. Equally soothing, you can also set the Restore to simulate the sunset at your preferred time, gently cueing you to wind down for bed. I use both of these features every weekday. I also love that the Restore 2 has a built-in sound machine. It’s my sleek, all-in-one sleep companion.
4. Milk Frother
In 2023, I got serious about perfecting homemade matcha lattes. Enter the milk frother. This $10 purchase is the most affordable yet luxurious-feeling product I bought last year. I highly recommend it for anyone trying to cut back on their coffee shop expenditures.
5. Pacsafe Bags
When traveling to cities known to have a strong pickpocket presence, the right bag can provide peace of mind. In preparation for my time in Istanbul, I did a lot of research on the best travel bags. PacSafe stood out among the rest. Their products are designed to maximize security, featuring zipper locks, slashguard fabric, wire-reinforced straps, and RFID-blocking material. I purchased the Go Anti-Theft Crossbody Bag and the Vibe 25L anti-theft backpack. During my trip, I felt far more comfortable carrying valuables like my camera in crowded areas and on public transportation than I would’ve without Pacsafe.
6. Pink Wide-leg Pants
Ironically, I am wearing my beloved pink pleated wide-leg pants from Ann Taylor as I write this post. They’re *so* good. I probably wear them once a week, as you may have surmised from their frequent appearances in my October/November and December/January outfit roundups. I own the pants in purple, as well, and am tempted by the sapphire version.
7. Prescription Sunglasses
As a near-sighted person, I used to constantly have to decide between clear vision from my normal glasses and shade from my sunglasses in the summertime. In 2023, I finally sprung for prescription sunglasses. Similar to my feelings about TSA Precheck, now I can’t believe it took me so long. Naturally, I selected my tried-and-true favorite style, the Ray-Ban Erika Classic in Matte Havana with brown lenses.
8. Blender
Calling all smoothie lovers! Especially those who don’t enjoy doing dishes. The Magic Bullet blender set is perfect for single servings. I like that it blends the ingredients in the same container that is then used as your cup. Even better, the cup is dishwasher safe, making for the easiest cleanup.
9. House
I couldn’t do a roundup of my best buys of the year without including my biggest purchase: my house! It’s difficult to put into words how grateful I am to have a home of my own and for how serendipitously things worked out, particularly in such a competitive market. I’ll have to share the full story at some point.
10. Fence
While much of my home decorating is slow-going as I prioritize building up my savings, the one large purchase I made in 2023 was putting in a fence. I like the privacy the six-foot wooden fence provides and the overall Charleston style, and Sunny is obsessed with having her own space to run free. I know we’ll spend endless hours in the backyard this spring and summer!
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