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Last year my birthday marked “the weekend before the world shut down,” and so without even wishing for it, quarantine became my surprise gift, real quick. And while ending in person classes two months early and getting a trip to Europe postponed really sucked, it did free up a lot of time in my schedule to get realll friendly with my amazon prime delivery person. It also seemed to give my dad plenty of time to conveniently change the prime password each time I was able to log in.
22 really was the year of online shopping, and although it feels so good to shop in store again, it hasn’t changed the amount of packages arriving at my house each week, which is borderline concerning. Anyway, as you can probably tell by now I love trying out new products, while also keeping a steady rotation between the ones I already adore. I also love getting to share these products with my friends and let them know which ones are worth buying or going on without.
That being said, in honor of my recent birthday, today’s post is all about my top 23 favorite products, ranging from quarantine-induced finds to tried and true must-haves.
Lifestyle
Instagram Stories:
IDK what it was about quarantine but I became obsessed with instagram stories. I don’t just mean watching them, I mean posting on my story. I don’ think I’ve gone one day without posting an IG story. Personally, I find stories way more insteresting than actual feed content. To me stories are more authentic or what’s really going on, while feed content is like the highlight real or only the best moments. IG stories are also SO fun to make, play, and interact with!!
Not pro a pro-tip: Canva has some really awesome free IG story templates to help your content look more cohesive and aesthetically pleasing.
HotWorx:
Let’s be honest, anyone who knows me knows I’m not a huge fan or working out, and I quit sports growing up because I was convinced I was allergic to sweat. Well fast forward to my discovery of hot yoga and you have the start of a beautiful relationship between me, exercise, and even sweat, if you can believe it. I don’t really like having to work out with a group in a class, but I still crave the instruction from a trainer, that’s why HotWorx is so effective for me. You literally get one on one guidance from an instructor while completing a 30-minute workout and TORCHING some freaking calories. Keep in mind you workout in a dry sauna and its about 130° in there.
Madelinegwinn.com:
Ok that was my shameful plug lmao. But no really, one of the best things to come out of me turning 22 I working up the courage to pour my heart and soul into this platform. I don’t know what exactly I want to come out of this, be it a career or some sort of a side hustle. All I know is that I have a lot to say, and a lot to share. So, it doesn’t matter to me if two people read this or 1000+ people read this, as long as I connect with one person or impact one girls life in a positive way with what I write, then I’ll continue to do this forever. In whatever capacity life allows. God, I’m just so excited to see what happens here in the next year. I have so much good content planned that I can’t wait to share. EEEPPP
Fresh Flowers:
I can’t be the only one who swoooons over a floral arrangement? I am actually obsessed with having fresh flowers around my house. I feel like flowers bring so much life into a space, and can quickly elevate any room or occasion. My personal favorites are hydrangeas and peonies, with pink or white roses coming in a close third. Every year for my birthday my mom special order peonies for me and I still don’t know how she pulls it off, but it never fails, even when were 8+ hours apart. This year I felt showered with flowers, not only from Logan and my parents from my birthday, but in total. Another one of my many quarantine hobbies was creating my own floral arrangements. I swear, every time I went to the grocery I picked up two or three bunches of flowers for my kitchen.
Beauty:
Restorsea Pro:
OK I can not stress enough how much this product has changed my beauty game. If I do one thing other than wash my face everyday its put this product on. Shit, when I fly I put it in my purse or carry-on in case my luggage gets lost or delayed because I refuse to go without this product. I’m telling you, its like a moisturizer and color-corrector all in one, with SPF. It is kind of a spurge skin care product but I have been putting a dime sized amount on my face every morning and night for about a year and still have yet to run out. I have very unevenly toned skin and when I put this on not only does it make my skin look so soft and even, but it looks like my face was airbrushed or something. It’s that good.
My skin secrets trio: Restorsea Pro Moisturizer, Clean Beauty Collective Hemp facial oil, and Vaseline.
St. Tropez:
It is the holy grail of self tanners, no question.
I hate being pale, I also hate paying $45 every single time I need a spray tan, and I refuse to get in a tanning bed. I have tried a handful of self tanners, both drug store and name brand foams and sprays, and have found that St. Tropez takes the cake. Not only does the tan seem to go on more evenly, and last a good while, but its made with purply undertones so I don’t look like a dusty Cheeto or Snookie after a night at Karma. My personal favorite is the Whipped Marshmallow Bronzing Mousse but I also like the classic bronzing mousse if I can't get my hands on the marshmallow.
Revlon Round Brush Blow Drier:
I can’t be the only one who had no idea how to work a blow drier up until like last year when I got my hands on the Revlon Round brush blow-drier. That thing works WONDERS. It makes the process of trying to blow dry and brush you hair at the same time obsolete. And thank god I got this thing too because once I got extensions, letting my hair air dry was no longer an option - well i is I just don’t like the way it looks air dried - so this blow drier has saved my life.
For best use: Let your hair get damp, then spray in some heat protectant and get it goin !
Micellar Water:
Is it disgusting to say I don’t use facial cleanser? Well if its wrong, I don’t wanna be right. I have extremely sensitive skin, and I find that most facial cleansers, even the ones labeled “hypoallergenic” or “gentle,” often tend to be too harsh for my skin. That’s just one of the meany reasons I swear by micellar water. Not only is it great for cleansing, but it also contains zero alcohol or harsh chemicals, making it a great choice for all skin types. Ever since making the transition from washing my face with soaps or facial wipes, to solely using micellar water, my skin has become so much healthier. Not to mention, I find that it gets makeup off better than any makeup wipe I’ve ever used!
Fashion:
Sneakers for every occasion:
I can’t believe I have adopted the sneakers for everything lifestyle, sometimes I really surprise myself. And while you probably wont ever catch me in multicolored Air Force ones or those white adidas with the black stripes, if my closet is filled with GGDB’s in every color by the time I turn 30, say absolutely nothing. I think that a good pair of sneakers is worth the investment, not only for comfort and durability, but because the opportunities to style a great shoe are endless. My most recent buy was a pair of GGDB Ball Star sneakers and its safe to say I've been living in them for the past week.
A few of my favorite cost-friendly sneaker brands: Vintage Havana, Steve Madden, Madewell
Aerie:
Ok, I will be the first to admit that I was sleeping so hard on Aerie prior to quarantine. I was a total LuluLemon feen and now I find myself reaching for my Aerie Offline leggings and sport bras over anything else. And let’s be honest I am wearing this stuff for athleisure - and a hot Pilates / hot yoga class or two. Regardless, the quality of their clothing is next level, the leggings provide some tummy structure, yet feel smooth and non-restricting all at the same time.
Bum Bags/cross body bags:
Okay, I feel like I need to preface by saying I have been wearing cross bodies for basically my entire existence - let us we never forget the Vera Bradley stage, may she Rest In Peace. However, I’ve gotten so into actually crossing my cross body bags lately. I’ve even been wearing bum bags (Fanny packs) across my chest and I’m obsessed. My favorite way to style a cross body or bum bag is over a body suit with some chunky gold jewelry and a black blazer on top.🔥
Hats:
They always say save the best for last, right? Hats are most definitely my favorite accessory ATM. Not only do they help you out between washes, but they can go with literally anything. I’m not lying when I tell you that over the past year I’ve acquired around 7ish LOC hats. They’re a bit of an investment, but totally worth it due to their quality and design. Plus, they have amazing resale value when you’re ready to retire one style and move on to the next.
Food:
Margaritas:
If I’m being honest I couldn’t decide between writing about Seltzer’s or Margs, but at the end of the day we all know who has my heart. To me there has never been a more perfect cocktail than a ‘half frozen half on the rocks’ margarita - I said what I said, and trust me don’t knock it till you try it. Anyway, I’m a feen for a good margarita and I feel like I’ve tried them all.
Here are my favorite margs in a few of my favorite cities: El Frio @ Superica in Nashville / The half and half @ Superior Grill in BR + Nola / The Spirits Margarita + pineapple @ Spirits in Alexandria / Laco-Rita @ La Cocina in Rosemary Beach
Everything but the bagel:
Blame it on the fact that I grew up in the 318, but I still find it mind blowing I went like 20 years without knowing what ‘everything but the bagel’ meant. That shit is AMAZING. I put EBTB seasoning on anything and everything. Don’t even get me started on EBTB Greek yogurt dip or hummus, I could eat the whole container of each in one sitting. For all my people not near a Trader Joe’s, you’ll have a hard time getting the Greek yogurt dip, however Albertsons sells the hummus and you have to get it on your next grocery run. You’ll thank me later.
Charcuterie Boards:
I will never not make charcuterie boards and that’s my truth. They are the snack that looks just as aesthetic as it tastes. Plus, they’re so fun to construct! I love making a board for my friends and family to gather around and graze over. Some of my ‘must haves’ on a charcuterie board include: Boursin cheese, Gouda with bacon in it, Brie, fresh berries, grapes, pretzel thins, everything but the bagel simple crackers, some sort of chocolate, and rosemary.
Lightening round favorites:
Influencer: Shannon Ford (@probablyshannonford)
App: Venmo
Starbucks Order: Venti Iced Chai with Oat Milk + 2 pumps SF Vanilla + 2 pumps SF Cinnamon Dolce
Movie: Me Before You
New Obsession: Buffalo Sauce
Target Buy: Rosy Lips Vaseline
Item in my purse: Gucci 58MM Round Sunglasses
Trend for spring: Fun nail designs
Xoxo,
Madeline,
Never Maddie
*Every product listed in this blog post will be featured on my LiketoKNOW.it page, linked here.
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