My 20 Best Purchases of 2020

Welcome to the last real week of 2020, I can not believe it is already here! I originally had this post slated for December 30th but then thought it might be helpful for those of you who are still shopping!  Some of these items you will have seen before as I have shared them on social media, wish lists or my July posts My Best Quarantine Purchases Part One and Part Two but I wanted to bring it together all in one place for you. 

I actually got stuck putting together this post but I was only thinking of recent purchases and he kindly reminded me that it was indeed in 2020 that we moved into our new apartment and furnished this place … true!  I took a look back through my London Flat posts and also included some of my favorite pieces we picked up in March because they truly were some of my best purchases of 2020.  Without further ado: 

1 | Apple Watch Series 6 – For a year I wore a  Fitbit but but I got this watch in early October and it is a serious step up.  I love being able to get previews of texts an work chat and have been particularly impressed with the accuracy of the fitness tracking, especially y the swimming!  (This was cheating because was a gift) 

2 | Revlon One-Step Volumizer Hair Dryer – Proof that I like this one so much?  I have one with a UK power plug and I bought another and shipped it ot my parents house so I could make sure to have a US compatible one of the holidays! 

3 | Retro Tassel Loafers – It is true that even influencers can be influenced and when I saw Rosie talk about how comfortable these loafers were I ordered a pair for myself.  And she was right, wow – super soft and super comfortable!

4 | The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + 1 % Zinc – This stuff is incredible, I bought it on a whim in the DECIM store two months ago and now  I am almost through my first bottle and ordered two more in their black Friday sale.  Given the price I have paid for face serums at the dermatologist in the psst the fact that this one is under $10 is incredible to me. 

5 | Adjustable Laptop Bed Table Lap Standing Tray –  In what has become they year of working from home (almost 10 months for me) this tray has been perfect for both working from the bed and also blogging from the couch. 

6 | The Home Edit All-Purpose Bin – If you missed the post, go back and check it out  but I bought a number of the Clea x Johanna products and I am so pleased with the way they have made things just a bit more orderly in my flat, especially as I spend so much time here. 

7 | B Low the Belt Nadia Belt in Black Leather  – I ordered this belt from Shopbop back in February to wear as a statement belt to cinch the waist of dresses.  It was perfect for this but I have lost too much weight and now it falls down so it has become a belt for jeans and I love how it looks equally. 

8 | TaoTronics Light Therapy Lamp –  London gets really dark, really fast and at the start of the Fall because while I do not think I have  Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)  I have found this lamp which mimics the light produced by the sunlight.  From all of my reading the science behind it says that it encourages your brain to reduce the production of melatonin (a hormone that makes you sleepy) and increase the production of serotonin (a hormone that affects your mood). And while I am not scientist I have found that it helps. 

9 | French Press Coffee Maker –  Buying a coffee grinder and this coffee maker has been such an improvement over my TASSIMO Single Serve Coffeemaker.  The fresh beans make such a difference and I love being able to make just the right amount of coffee (hello double cup). 

10 | Uniqlo Heattech Fleece Crew Neck Thermal Top – As it got close towards freezing here in London I put in a big order for more warm clothes and fell in love with this Uniqlo top.  It was super reasonable $15 and unbelievably soft.  I was worried it would loose that in the wash but after half a dozen washes it is still as soft as the first time and I have no bought it two more colors!   

11 | Houdini Deluxe Aerator –  I am not sure I have ever mentioned this on the blog but my fiancé works in the food industry so every so often he gets employee discounts and lately I have been using those on red wine.  However, some of the bottles have not been the best quality and this aerator only takes a few second and can done glass by glass creating a great 3-stage aeration process.

12 | White Company Hydrocotton Hooded Robe – This might be one of the most comfortable things I have ever put on my body.  It only works for the Winter months  as it is so warm and toasty but I find myself not even wanting to get dressed.  

And then a few items that were not cute enough to make the collage above but should still make the round up: 

13 | Peloton Bike – This should not a be a surprise it made my best purchases of 2020 roundup and I will not say any more here as it will have it’s own post later this week which I will be sure to link up! In the interim if you have a bike you can add me, my username is kellyann, and if you are looking into a bike my referral code is  ZUM9AV.

14 | Peloton Laptop Tray–  This removable tray makes the Peloton an active workstation, for both follow up work emails and working on blog posts.  It makes recovery rides go by so much faster and was a great purchase, I only wish I had purchased it sooner. 

15 | Focus Crater Lake 2020 Hybrid Bike–  Can you tell it has been a year of fitness?  In edition to a stationary exercise bike as part of a work benefit to pick out a bike at a discount and after a ton of research I opted for a 30 gear, practical, and speedy all-rounder for multitude of terrains. I needed a bike that worked on city streets and also dirt mountain trails. 

16 | AULI Mirrored Wardrobe Doors  When decorating our flat I wanted a big mirrored wardrobe in our bedroom and Mark was kind enough to work with me to create a custom PAX storage and organization system  with nearly floor to ceiling mirrors.  Nine months in I am using it everyday and still loving it. 

17 | Ainuoshi Fake Engagement Ring  – I featured this ring in a post last week which you should go read if you missed it but this dupe under $50 is the perfect item for travel! 

18 |  Mountain Warehouse Trek 8L Backpack – While not pretty this backpack is small but mighty.  It is perfect for hikes around London and Southern England because it is lightweight, big enough to fit my water bottle and camera, and the padded air-mesh back makes it comfortable to carry for miles. 

19 | Sweaty Betty Time Trial Running Shorts   – These were an add on to a John Lewis over the Summer and it was one of of those buys that becomes an instant favorite.  So much so though that I was sad when they were in the wash. 

20 | Crochet Triangle Halter Tie Side Bikini Swimsuit –  You saw this cute black string bikini in some of my St. Lucia post – before we headed of our engagement trip I ordered a few suits and this ruffled number was the best of my best purchases of 2020. 

And in case it is easier, here is a quick way to shop:

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In putting this together, I mentioned Mark was helping, and he suggested I add the plans we got for our balcony.  And while that is a good point it doesn’t really fit with the theme but does remind me, I still need to put together that plant tour, no?  And in case you need some extra inspiration you can find my best purchases of 2019 here. and I am still using all of the items, especially the Spanx leggings and bath salts because  #helloquarantine. 

What was your best buy of the year?