These Are [22] of My Favorite Things
In just a couple weeks you’ll be able to say you survived 2022!!! Congratulations. I know this year started off rough for many, but you made it through, and for that you should be proud.
I love sharing the things I love, and that’s what this blog serves to do. Below I share 22 of the things that made my ‘22 so great. It includes stuff you may want to buy for others or yourself, things you may also love to watch or read, and places I’ve found (and you can find) a sense of community.
I know I’ll discover more things I love before the month is over, but I wanted to publish this before you all finish your holiday shopping. Almost everything on this list is accessible to anyone in North America (and lots is to anyone, anywhere). And, BTW, I don’t get anything if you buy or enroll in any of this stuff, except in the few cases I’ll be sure to note.
Products
1. Titty City Designs “uniquely designed apparel, accessories, and products for the home”
These products bring me a ton of joy for reasons I can’t explain. I like their mission “to encourage and celebrate new moms and their breastfeeding milestones”. They advocate for breast health and are on a mission to spread self-love and body positivity, and sustainability is important to them, too. They source most stuff locally, make lots of their own products, and use reusable packing. Click here to buy the breast gifts around!
2. Ball-style fidget rings
I am super glad Instagram targeted me with this because it has saved my nails! I’ve tried other fidget rings to help me focus, but they really only helped in long meetings. The ones with beads are great though because moving the beads requires a similar motion the the one I’d been using to pick at my nails for the last 18+ years. When I catch myself messing with my nails I bring my attention to the ring instead, and it’s had a massive impact! I’ve bought another brand since, but I think the first ball-style fidget ring I bought from RobbiesYouth was my fave (if you can overlook their manipulative, pretend-sale marketing style).
3. Favorite pen (everyone has one, right?) : Pilot Dr Grip 4+1
Journaling with these pens brings me joy and make me feel fancy. They are well crafted hold blue, black, green, and red ink, as well as a mechanical pencil and a little eraser. The ink is easily replaceable but in my experience the pencil function stops working. The wide grip feels good in my hand, which tends to cramp up with normal sized pens. I think these are an awesome gift for your friends who like to write. You can get them cheaper on a “more popular online marketplace” but I don’t want to promote them.
4. Favorite Jewelry (and favorite jewelry designer: Jennifer Cervelli Jewelry
For someone who doesn’t wear a whole lot of jewelry, I sure have bought (and worn) a LOT of Jennifer Cervelli’s jewelry this year! Including star-shaped earrings, a heart ring, and more. I’ve got my eye on the state rings too if anyone is Hanukkah shopping for me Full disclosure: I call the incredible being who creates this stuff (and went to school for it) a friend. Our friendship began over me gazing at and purchasing her jewelery, though!
I love it not just because it’s beautiful and unique but also because of their sustainability practices. They are California Green Business network certified. Their gemstones are conflict free and mined in the US. All of their pieces are “made by hand using recycled precious metal whenever possible”. They melt down and recycle metal in-house as well.
5. The tool that keeps me cool or warm and my bedsheets sweat-free: Chilipad’s Ooler Sleep System
For years I’d wake up drenched in sweat every night I spent alone in my own bed. An oddly specific phenomenon I planned to explore with my therapist… until I got an Ooler sleep system and the issue righted itself. (And I stopped waking up so often in the middle of the night.) Ooler keeps your body at a comfortable temperature by circulating water from a reservoir underneath your bed through a thin pad that goes under your fitted sheet. The water is heated or cooled based on the temperature you set, and it circulates to keep you at your desired temperature.
This is definitely a pricey product up front. I’m privileged to have been able to make that investment. Averaged over time though it’s cost me less than a dollar a day, and has drastically improved my quality of life. It’s also saved me money on utilities; I never needed to use heat last year! And when all of my neighbors were complaining about not being able to sleep during our heat wave, I kept my mouth shut. Get your Ooler here.
(Note: that’s an affiliate link, so I’ll get a cut if you purchase through it! I got that link after I initially wrote about my Ooler in this blog and thought “I wonder if there’s a way to make money off this”. I hopped on Google, filled out their form, and voila. If you want to check out their other products, like their cooling weighted blanket, please use this link. Code SLEEPME will get you 25% off.)
6. My next favorite sleep tool: a weighted blanket
I bought mine years ago but hated sleeping with it and found it annoying to keep on the couch. I pulled it out from under my bed this year to give it one last try before giving it away, and fell in love. I sleep with it now (using it in combo with the Ooler might help) and love how comfy and cozy it makes me feel. Mine is 22 pounds (more than recommended for my size, but fuck the rules) and has a super soft cover that’s removable and machine washable. I’m not sharing a link here because I bought mine before I was conscious of ethical production.
7. Camping Lights and portable battery packs: Revel Gear
My Jumbo Rocks campground was lit 😉
This October I camped alone for the first time ever. I managed to get the perfect spot in Joshua Tree’s Jumbo Rocks campground: it felt like I had my own little world to myself.
I planned to keep it dark and “super natural” but found myself jumping at every little sound. I busted out my Revel Gear lights and instantly felt more safe and secure, while still being able to enjoy the Milky Way above.
I was also grateful for my Revel Gear battery packs on my hikes, which gave me the battery life I needed to track my location. Without the extra power I wouldn’t have made it very far… I couldn’t stay on trail for the life of me. All Trails took care of that though by pinging me every time I got off course (note: I had to download trail maps ahead of time for this to work).
Full disclosure: the couple that owns this company consists of 2 of my favorite people in the world. They don’t need my help though (REI and pretty much the whole world have fallen in love with their products already). I’m sharing them because I love them, and I love to share the things I love. Use code loveandlight for 25% off most products on revelgear.com (which will give me a little bonus, too).
8. Best gift for kids (or anyone who often sleeps alone): weighted stuffed animals
Weighted stuffed animals are like portable weighted blankets. But they’re a lot cuter and are willing to be your best friend. I first discovered these when I was looking for a “stuffed animal for anxiety” for a friend. The description sounded so lovely (mine are lavender scented and microwavable, too) that I bought myself one as well. I loved it so much that I’ve received two more as gifts. I’ve also given several as gifts, and many of the recipients have since gifted them to others.
I’m not sharing the brand of mine because I discovered them before I became conscious of the importance of ethical and sustainable production. The company I bought mine from won’t respond to my questions about their practices which probably isn’t a good sign. You can find tons of “weighted stuffed animals”, even “lavender scented” and/or “microwavable” by a variety of sellers online.
Consumables
9. Sex Education - a tv show on Netflix
It’s been out for a while but I didn’t discover it until this year. I found it super engaging and fun to watch. I was educated by the “high schoolers” on this show, and it opened my mind to possibilities I hadn’t really considered. I truly believe that shows like this are going to change the world. They normalize that sexuality and gender doesn’t always look the same way. When I was a kid I mostly just saw heterosexual relationships between monogamous cis people on tv, and I think my life experience may have been different if that wasn’t the case.
10. The Puma Years - a book by Laura Coleman
I thought this memoir was fantasy until I got to the very end. It’s the tale of a young woman’s “liberating journey” at a wild animal sanctuary in the Amazon jungle. This story is wild, and I credit it for opening up my imagination and helping me feel more creative.
11. Sorted: Growing Up, Coming Out, and Finding My Place. A Transgender Memoir by Jackson Bird
I listened to the audiobook, read by Jackson himself. I loved the whole thing and learned quite a bit. If you have trouble wrapping your mind around the mindset of transgender people but you want to learn, this would be a great place to start. It’s also a good choice if you just like well-written memoirs that are easy to read.
12. Store-bought ice cream: Must Love Bananas
Must Love Bananas is my favorite brand that satisfies my love for vegan ice cream and desire to eat pretty clean. It’s really delicious, y’all. I can always find it at Sprouts and occasionally find it in other grocery stores.
13. The Key to Connection Podcast Episode 3: The First Connection With Julia Cooper
I found this podcast episode incredibly engaging. It may only be relevant to folks that may want to give birth. If that’s you though, you’ve gotta listen! Julia Cooper, doula and mother of three, discusses ways pregnant people can connect with their child in utero, how to prepare for an empowered birth experience, the cascade of interventions, and more. I found it fascinating and it made me way more excited about the prospect of giving birth. Listen here (Apple) or listen here (Spotify) or find it wherever you get your podcasts.
14. Falling for Christmas - a Netflix romantic comedy (movie)
I wouldn’t call this a work of art, but I’m a sucker for rom-coms and this one brought me a lot of joy (as cheesy as it is!)
15. Recipes - fuck it I’ll just share all of them
I’m gonna get real crazy and share my PERSONAL Pinterest board that only contains recipes I have tried and loved. The things I make the most: black beans, “refried beans”, and “cozy at-home spicy any-veggie soup” from the instant pot section and the chickpea noodle soup on the regular section.
16. Pump-up Song: I am Woman by Emmy Meli
I found this song incredibly inspirational when I first heard it toward the beginning of the year. I think I can truly say that I embody it now 😁
As for my favorite song to run to though, that would be ABCDEFU by Gayle.
17. Morning (or any-time) Drink: Malama Mushrooms Chaga/Cacao Mix
I can’t drink caffeine anymore. Even decaf coffee or tea can cause me to freak out. A weird side effect of my spiritual growth (and increasing my sensitivity) that I’ll gladly take in exchange for all of the benefits. When I drink this it feels like I’m drinking coffee, which I miss. (It’s not a stimulant, but tastes kind of similar.) Chaga is also supposed to be really good for your immune system and other stuff. Get the chaga/cacao mix here.
P.S.: while this is my favorite at-home drink, at coffee shops I’m all about golden milk lattes! (with soy or oat milk)
18. Just-For-Fun Book: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
It combines magic, hope, and possibility. I couldn’t get enough. Get it wherever you get your books.
Community
19. “Mind Your Business” - a community for service based business owners
Mind Your Business is an incredible community that I often refer to as a group mentoring program. It’s hosted by a life/business coach (my own life coach, in fact!) and a business coach/systems expert. It is an incredibly supportive community that provides a ton of value to anyone looking to start, grow, or streamline their service based business. It has helped me a LOT: provided me with useful tools/templates, given me access to experts to guide me, and saved me from the isolation that can come with being a solopreneur. Click here to learn more or feel free to email me if you want to know more about my experience. (Full disclosure: if you join as my referral I do get a free month.)
20. Move Your Mood
These weekly sessions, hosted at 8:15-9am PT on Mondays, are the perfect way to start your week. Move Your Mood is a virtual dance class with no rules and no judgment, just some gentle prompts and a wonderful, supportive community.
Classes are inexpensive AF and hosted by Angela, the wonderful, caring being you see pictured here. Full disclosure: I do call her a friend. But I didn’t before I first experienced her work! Angela also hosts 1 on 1 mood shifting sessions which are freaking awesome. Click here to get in on MYM.
21. Hermosa Circle
This community is local to the LA South Bay, but what I share here can apply to anyone, anywhere! HERmosa Circle is a free group designed to lift up women, femme, and nonbinary people in business in the LA South Bay.
My first HERmosa Circle meeting transitioned me into finally “feeling like an entrepreneur”. I had just named my business that week, and was terrified when I was asked to introduce myself and my business in front of the group! As soon as I did though (well after the initial anxiety subsided) I felt like I fully owned it.
Shortly after that meeting I was asked to be the membership chair. I was scared AF, but said yes because it seemed like the best way to influence the inclusivity of the group. I’m glad I did because I have met a ton of incredible people through it, received a lot of support, and gotten cool business opportunities because of it. If you live in or near the LA South Bay, join HERmosa Circle here.
22. Leadership
This is a really cool program that brings people who care about their city together to make change. My chapter is a nonprofit called Leadership Hermosa Beach. Over the course of almost a year my class will learn all about how the city works and execute the project we voted on, which will restore the endangered El Segundo blue butterfly and monarch butterfly habitat along the Hermosa green belt.
While these programs are local and most people don’t know about them, it turns out that they exist all over. Including in every U.S. city I’ve lived in. I looked up those links and provided them for you below, but if you live somewhere else just do an internet search for “Leadership [your city]” and if you have a program it will likely come up.
Throughout this link searching process I discovered that I really lucked out with the price in Hermosa. Most of these cities though do seem to offer scholarships, and I’m told employers will often pay for these programs. So don’t give up based on the price tag alone!
Hermosa Beach (my chapter and the best priced, by far): http://www.leadershiphermosa.org/
Leadership Boulder: https://boulderchamber.com/member-services/groups-programs/boulder-county-leadership-fellows/
Leadership Houston: https://www.leadershiphouston.org/signature-program-overview
New Orleans: https://norli.org/regionalleadershipprogram
Redondo Beach: https://www.redondochamber.org/leadership-redondo.html
San Diego: https://sdchamber.org/lead/impact/
That’s all I’ve got, but I’d love to hear your faves! Drop them in the comments or shoot me an email at bara@baraco.org 😄
