2023 saw me make a lot of purchases. But there were a few that changed my life and enjoyed the most of all the purchases. For the last couple of years, I shared my list of top purchases that I honestly couldn’t understand how I functioned without them (see 2022 and 2021/2020). So, keeping with tradition, here are 2023 top purchases.
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2023 TOP PURCAHSES
HYACINTH BASKETS
I originally bought 2 hyacinth baskets from the Container Store to ensure I needed the right size for my shelves. When I returned to purchase the rest I needed, the price jumped from $19.99 per basket to $29.99 for each. I was not paying more for the item I just purchased a month ago. So, of course, I went to Amazon to see if I could find duplicates. I found one that worked that was a 5 pack for $64.99. Of course, I jumped on that and the difference is not that noticeable. I honestly prefer the Amazon baskets because they are slightly taller than those I bought from the Container Store. I bought 2 more packs because they work for what I needed for the rest of my apartment.
DESK STORAGE
When I purchased my standing desk, I knew that it wouldn’t come with a drawer. I like an orderly desk, so I knew that I would eventually have to order something to keep everything off my desk. Amazon, coming through per usual, helped me find this side drawer I used to keep my desk in order.
CHALK
I’m not a stranger to chalk. I was a gymnast for most of my childhood, and it didn’t matter if I was on bars at practice; rips on my hands were always something I had to deal with. So, chalk was always necessary. Last year, I got stronger and could up how much I lifted. As a result, my gloves were no longer providing what I needed. So I bought chalk, and boy, I forgot how wonderful this simple tool is. It makes gripping and lifting so much easier. I don’t know what I was doing before then.
SLEEP MASK
I’ve shared many times on here about why I need a sleep mask when sleeping. As soon as my eyes see light, it’s very hard to go back to sleep. I didn’t want to pay $50 for an eye mask so I found something adjacent on Amazon that works just as well. It has 3D eye cups to protect my eyes.
DESK CALCULATOR
Hi, my name is Candra and I need a large calculator at my desk. My work in data requires that I’m very familiar with numbers and that I’m triple checking to ensure everything adds up. While I can access software to calculate everything for me, it can’t hurt to triple check with my trusted calculator. I love this calculator because the buttons are large and help me ensure I hit the right buttons when calculating. Also, don’t hate the color.
AIR TAGS
I honestly have no idea what I was doing before I bought airtags. I have put them on my keys, wallet, luggage, and other items that I’m always putting somewhere and forgetting. I purchased the 4 pack when it was on sale during Prime Day, and honestly, it’s worth it.
OWALA WATER BOTTLE
I am a huge water drinker – so much so my uncle thinks I drink more than a fish. So it’s important that I have a water bottle that keeps me hydrated. Over the years, I’ve had many water bottles. Many I lost 😩 but other most were just okay.
When my staple water bottle’s top broke (clumsiness strikes again!) in the fall, I started the new search for a water bottle that would give me everything I needed – insulated and the ability to do big gulps. I stumbled upon Owala mostly because of the different color combos they had available (y’all know I’m a color girl).
I didn’t think anything of it until it arrived and realized that I’d made the best decision ever! This is by far the best water I’ve had. I love that the opening is big enough for my huge cube of ice to get in there. And it provides me 2 drinking options – a straw or a big gulp.
STRETCHIT APP
One of my goals last year was to stretch every day. When I started, I was only doing the stretches that I remembered from my time in gymnastics/dance/cheerleading. Of course, those stretches didn’t extend to the entire body.
So, I knew that I needed another way for other options that would help me stretch my entire body. My friend recommended this app, which was the best way to enhance my stretching. For one thing, it had been getting harder and harder to sit cross-legged because of my knee. The fact that I can do that now is so huge! I have also noticed how much this enhances Pilates and weight lifting. If you’re looking for an app to help you get started stretching, this is it.
