I’m sure I’m not the only one starting off their blog post of their favorites from this year by saying that 2020 was not what we expected it would be. I spent a lot more time cooped up indoors, at home and honestly not doing much. However, in that time I did have plenty of opportunities to try new things and fall in love with some old favorites again. I ramble on about what the crazy year 2020 was because, duh, we lived it, so, in no particular order, here are my favorite items from the last year!

Pod Save America: Before 2020, I already considered myself a pretty good follower of the news. I definitely felt like I was an informed citizen. However, while being stuck at home, I quickly grew bored of using a rotation of Netflix and Hulu to keep myself busy. Instead, I turned to news podcasts (specifically those of the political variety) for entertainment, commentary and to keep me up-to-date on what was going on in the world. I have a list of four podcasts that I listen to for daily news, and a line-up of a couple that come out less frequently but still at least once a week. Pod Save America is one of those. It comes out twice a week and is hosted by four former staffers from the Obama administration. It has a progressive liberal slant, which is my ideology so I don’t mind it. The hosts talk about politics in a way that’s relatable yet also smart and accessible. They also interview the best guests, from politicians to professionals to thought leaders. This year, I especially loved their miniseries on vice-presidential selection. Any time I listen to PSA, I feel confident that the commentary is coming from a place of knowledge and experience because these are people who have worked in government and politics.

Side Note: Crooked Media, the podcast company that produces Pod Save America, also has a daily news podcast called What a Day that I listen to every day, plus a killer weekly political and women’s-interest podcast called Hysteria that I’m also obsessed with. PSA listeners will definitely love those two podcasts too.

Laneige Lip Glowy Balm: My go-to lip product! This gloss is moisturizing and leaves your lips looking glossy with a little bit of color. It’s so pretty on its own or over another color! It is a bit pricy than your standard lip balm, but I only use it when I’m taking pictures or otherwise going to be seen. Otherwise, I just use a standard plain lip balm instead. But if you’re looking for something pretty yet hydrating, this gloss is perfect!

Pink Fairy Gumdrop Candle: I got this during the notorious Bath & Body Works candle sale and it was my favorite of the many, many candles I got! It seriously smells like cotton candy. I love really sweet scents like this one, so if that’s not your preference, then you probably won’t like this one. But if you’re a fan of sweeter, sugary scents, then this is a great pick!

Instacart: When I moved to DC, I left my car behind at home so my brother could have it. I live in a very walkable area with great public transit, and everywhere I could honestly need something from is within walking distance. I could walk to one of the grocery stores near me (there’s a Harris Teeter and a Whole Foods nearby), but they’re somewhat expensive plus I didn’t like the idea of lugging everything back on my own. I decided to try out Instacart using their free trial then eventually ended up buying the yearlong subscription. It’s so convenient to not have to go grocery shopping myself, plus it’s a total time saver. It’s also about $100 for the full year, which works out to less than $10 a month and gives me free delivery and a reduced service fee on my grocery orders. If you’re interested, I have a referral link! Just click the beginning of this paragraph or you can use the code TWLCEK1B2 to get $10 off. This isn’t sponsored, but I get a reward for everyone I refer.

My iPad: I bought an iPad back in March as a way to keep myself entertained while in quarantine, much like everyone else. I’m so glad I did it though! I use my iPad every day, whether it’s doing puzzle games like Sudoku to get my brain going in the morning (don’t judge my nerdy habits), doodling on Procreate, reading a book on there or watching Netflix. I’ve also used it to edit PDFs and sign documents too, as well as editing my photos sometimes. I’d like to start journaling soon, so I’m looking into apps for that too. The iPad truly does it all!

Cowgirl Boots Print: I got this print from Society 6 to hang above my bed in my apartment and it makes me so happy! It’s such a fun piece that matches my room so well, and the sparkles on the boots make it super fun and girly! Plus, it reminds me of my southern roots. It comes in a ton of color options too if you’d rather have something else, like this ombre version, this leopard print version or this galaxy version!

Red, White & Royal Blue: I mentioned this in one of my The Weekly posts a few weeks ago, but I simply must mention it again! This book is the best one I’ve read in a while and probably my new favorite book. It has romance, LGBT+ representation, politics, a female president! It’s so well-written, and I bawled (happy tears though!!!) so many times while reading it. If you’re looking for your next read, I cannot recommend this book enough. The author is coming out with another book later this year that I can’t wait to read too!

Clogs: With all my time spent at home this year, I didn’t really wear shoes a ton since I didn’t leave the house much. That didn’t stop me from buying these shoes! As far as fashion goes, the 70s are probably my favorite decade. These shoes make my 70s-and-retro-loving heart so happy. They’re super cute and comfortable, plus they go with a ton of outfits!

Mikki Huggie Hoops: I love a good statement earring, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes you need a small pair that’s easy to wear with anything. These are a little different from a plain hoop since they’re chunkier and have a more interesting shape. They’re also very lightweight, and the price isn’t bad at all! I’m someone who feels naked without earrings, no matter what I’m wearing, so these are great to pair with anything from a loungewear set to a cute dress!