The best things I bought in 2024
Fake Nikes, a gold chain, two great serums and more!
I disappeared! I got a new job! I’m back with the best things I bought in 2024!
Braided gold chain necklace: Catbird’s 20th anniversary sale coincided with the start of my new job and I decided I deserved a treat. I took advantage of the 20% off and got this gold chain from Jenny Slate’s collaboration with Catbird. It’s the first nice piece of jewelry I’ve ever bought for myself and I wear it every day.
Korres beauty glycolic serum: Just bought my second bottle of this! I got this on a whim while looking for a gentle serum to help ease me into glycolic acid. It’s a very gentle exfoliant, safe to use daily and hydrating too. I think it’s meant for night use but I tend to use it in the morning because I like how it makes my skin glow.
Laser hair removal: I can’t believe I waited this long. Just do it. It’s uncomfortable for 30 seconds every 6 weeks and it’s so worth it. Take advantage of end of year package pricing and just get a 10 pack. You wont regret it!
Reupholstering our sofa: This ultimately cost as much as we would have spent on a new couch but it was worth it because new couches suck and I love the fabric we chose. We worked with Laura Deutsch aka HiLo Brooklyn, who I wrote about for Dwell earlier this year, and she was incredible. She found us an amazing fabric and in a stroke of luck I found 11 yards of it extremely discounted on Etsy. Laura had the fabric treated with a stain repellant, which I’ve unfortunately put the test several times in the last few months. If you want something really special and original, reach out to Laura!
Dermaplaning facials at Sofie Pavitt: I’m kind of mad I tried the dermaplaning facial because now I can’t go back to the regular ones. I feel reborn every time I go. I’ve temporarily switched to the studio’s laser facials but will go back to dermaplaning once my run of three laser facials is complete. After one session I already see improvements in redness, especially around my nose.
Nike Astro Grabber: Loyal readers will remember my attempt to secure a pair of sneakers from the Bode collab with Nike. After months of seeing prices climb as high as $550, I eventually took a chance on a suspiciously reasonably priced pair on eBay, half expecting that they’d never show. I was pleasantly surprised when the sneakers arrived. They look real, though I have to assume they’re reps, and more importantly: they are extremely comfortable. I’m wearing them several times per week. Look how cute!
Some of you might be saying: “Veronica why didn’t you just get the Nike Cortez?? It’s the same thing!” It’s not, and you know it.
A king size mattress: Not much to explain here. Josh and I are both tall, we have the space and we took the leap. We got a Leesa hybrid mattress at Costco for $1200.
Aarke Carbonator Pro: This almost got bumped off this list because I got a PR sample but I WOULD 100% buy this. We’re big seltzer drinkers and I love that this version of the Aarke uses glass bottles instead of plastic ones. If you’re a seltzer freak, this is a no brainer. Yes, its more expensive than a Sodastream but Sodastreams are ugly. If you value aesthetics as much as function, get the Aarke.
La Roche-Posay b5 Serum: This is a great hydrating serum to add to your routine during the super dry winter months. I bought this on a whim at the pharmacy and it works great. I noticed overnight improvements in my super dry areas (my chin and around my nose). I use this on damp skin morning and night.
Barrel leg sweatpants: I always forget that the Gap makes basically everything in tall/long sizes, including sweatpants. I got these slight barrel leg sweat pants for WFH days and have basically been living in them. It’s a very slight barrel leg with your choice in inseam lengths. They’re a nice heavy weight and fit perfectly.
Tabs I bravely closed
I need an alternate duvet cover but have decided to wait for post-holiday sales.
I want this poster but the unframed version has been sold out for months
I keep seeing TikToks about this dry shampoo/styling paste for bangs.
Not to be the kind of person who has “eras” but I’m in my sneaker era and these rule and I hope they’re waiting under the Christmas tree.
Need this sweatshirt but bravely closed the tab (for now).
Has anyone used this retinol hand cream? I need answers.
This tab is closed but there’s a 90% chance I’ll reopen and complete the purchase.
My camera roll is full of photos of Jessica Williams on Shrinking because I reverse image search basically every outfit she wears on the show.
I had that Quince duvet cover and hated it so much I had to get rid of it. It’s so heavy and it snagged constantly and the multiple layers of gauze, especially in the King size, took ages and ages to dry. If you’ve had a gauze cover before and liked it you’ll probably like this one but if you haven’t seriously I hated it so much. I recently replaced it with the Brooklinen cotton-linen blend cover and I like this one so much better.