When I purchase products that I love I don’t generally do product reviews, even when the manufacturer requests a review from me over and over again – I will do better.  Thinking about the upcoming holiday season I thought I would pen a blog about products that I recommend and have purchased and used in 2020. Since this blog can live somewhere on the internet forever and ever this is my way of writing a product review that will live in perpetuity. My goal is to only include items that are currently still available for purchase so that my readers can enjoy them as well.

Musee Relaxation Bath Bomb Trio (www.museebath.com) $30 

2020 has been a HELL of a year, am I right? Trying to relax during uncertain times is not easy but these bath bombs always help me to relax and unwind. Musee also has other products that I haven’t tried yet but I probably will in the future. I highly highly highly recommend. 

iPad Air – 3rd Generation (www.apple.com) $599 

When it became clear that this pandemic was going to last for a while I knew that watching Netflix from my iPhone while I telework wasn’t going to be sustainable. Besides freeing up my phone during the workday this iPad has been great for connecting with family and friends while staying home to stay safe. I highly highly recommend. 

Panjore Lychee Jar Candle (www.voluspa.com) $30 

According to the website this candle has notes of panjore lychee, cassis, & juicy asian pear, out of those 3 notes I have only ever heard of one of them. I first received this candle a few years back as a gift from my good friends from college. First, I love pink! Second, I love the scent because it is EVERYTHING! Third, the jar is so pretty that it is reusable.  I highly highly highly recommend. 

Felt Letter Board (www.amazon.com) $25 

We all knew something was going to appear on this list from consumer giant Amazon so the link above is a generic one. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this board. I use it in my office to write out my financial goals so I can see it everyday as a reminder to press towards that mark and meet my goals. It comes with a huge array of letters and fun symbols so your creativity can soar. I highly recommend. 

Dreamy Long-Sleeve Cotton Pajama Set (www.jcrew.com) $78 

These days pajamas are no longer just a nighttime look and these super soft pajamas are part of the reason – you will want to stay in them all day. I have been a fan of J.Crew since about 2005 but had become uninterested in the brand in the past 3 years until I recently saw these in an advertisement. Note: J.Crew is always always always going to have some sort of sale and they do it big for Black Friday so wait and get 30/40/50/60 percent off and usually free shipping. 

Customizable D.O.G. Tee (www.houseofdogge.com) $25 

This year we adopted a dog and he has become a wonderful 4-legged friend. Since he is older (7) and male and stubborn I don’t get to dress him in tutus or put pink ribbons in his hair – sigh. I was so delighted when I came across this company on Instagram and found this cute t-shirt that he actually sleeps in so I call it his pajama tee. Black Lives Matters. Go Vols. 

Celebration Masks (www.etsy.com) From $5.99 

Celebrations have been different this year and some have been cancelled all together. I have attended some well thought out socially distanced celebrations this year and I am grateful for the care and planning consideration of the hosts. The cute mask in the picture I actually ordered as a favor for a baby shower from a seller on Etsy called mamabijou – it was soft, cute, and kept all the guests safe.  

Shilpey’s Donuts (www.shipleydonuts.com) Local in Houston, Texas 

Almost every morning in high school I ate these donuts on the way to school, it almost became like a tradition. Half dozen glazed – HOT (from the OG location on Ella). I don’t live in Houston anymore but I visit often and Shipley’s Donuts is always on the list of places I stop. I highly highly highly highly recommend. Yum Yum Yum. 

The Home Edit Containers (www.thehomeedit.com) From $8.99 

Over the past 2 years our pantry has become a free for all, buy groceries and just stick them in where you can and close the doors quick! The first pandemic project that I completed this year was organizing the pantry and now everyday (sometimes twice a day) I go into the kitchen and open the pantry and just stand and smile.  I did go overboard and had to return many items to The Container Store but the final product was worth a few trips to Clarendon. 

ONE: Personally She T-Shirts (www.personallyshe.com) From $25 

Anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you, and this is one friend and business that I continually support. Since the owner is my college friend and my line sister in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Psi Chapter we have many things in common and her line of t-shirts express our bougieness, dope style, and HBCU education. 

Happy Shopping! 

-Sophoria Westmoreland