The Very Best Things I Bought This Year (So Far, By Far)

As another year comes to an end, it’s always fun to take inventory of all the the purchases I’ve made through the months. There are guaranteed to be duds (like those unfortunate pieces that didn’t pan out in your wardrobe or beauty routine as you had hoped), but there are always some resounding wins to celebrate. What I find most interesting is that, most of the time, the wins are more mundane and everyday in nature. In my case, this year was no exception.

It turns out that some of the very best things I bought this year happened to be practical and used on heavy rotation. For instance, a pair of standout black Chelsea boots were my main go-to's through winter, spring, and now fall. In the beauty department, my scalp was blessed every week with a clarifying shampoo like no other I’ve tried (goodbye, flakes). Keep scrolling to see more of my favorite purchases this year, plus what I have my eye on to try next.

Retro Aviator Sunglasses

I wanted to switch things up from my usual black cat-eye sunglasses and these retro aviators fit the bill. I love wearing them with button-down shirts and a low bun.

Black Chelsea Boots With Contrast Stitching

These cool black boots reminded me of the Proenza Schouler boot style I had been obsessing over. At under $100, there was no way I was passing them up. I wear these boots with everything from jeans to leggings.

Clarifying Shampoo

I have dealt with a flaky scalp for most of my life and I have tried everything under the sun to help treat it. This shampoo not only keeps the flakiness at bay, it smells insanely good as well. I am hooked.

Neutral Shirt Jacket

I went on a deep dive to find a shirt jacket I love and this one was the stand out thanks to the neutral coloring and the price. Another plus is that it is thicker so it offers a lot more warmth during the colder months.

Effective Clean Mascara

I am super picky about mascara and this sleek option is my latest obsession. It is clean and makes a huge difference in my lashes with just one coat. It also doesn't get all flakey at the end of the day like most mascaras.

Small Chunky Hoop Earrings

I am pretty committed to wearing my diamond huggie earrings on most days, but I wanted a pair of hoop earrings with a little more weight for when I wanted more of a statement look. These were under $25 and the perfect yellow-gold color.

More Things I Have My Eyes On

Next: I Scanned J.Crew, Banana Republic, and Mango—These 7 Trends Were Everywhere