21 Favorite Finds of 2021

I’m always on the hunt to try new trends, products, brands, foods, anything! They don’t always work out but, when they do, I share them with you. Throughout the year, that means I tend to try a lot of new things, purchase new things to test out, or just come across things I end up loving. So, in honor of 2021 coming to an end, I’m sharing my 21 Favorite Finds of 2021.

If you’ve found a product, service, trend, or brand this year that you’ve fallen in love with and think I should try, feel free to leave a comment!

Clothing

Obviously, as a fashion content creator, I try on a ton of clothes throughout the year. These are the pieces I purchased this year that I absolutely loved, felt good in, and wore on repeat.

Scoop Leggings

Full disclosure, I’ve never even tried on a pair of the raved-about Spanx faux leather leggings. I just cannot get past the price. But, based on the reviews I’ve heard, I’m guessing these would make an awesome dupe! I bought them a few months ago, so stock is very limited with only a few sizes available. If they do a restock, I absolutely recommend snagging them. The material sucks you in without feeling constricting and I’ve never had an issue with them getting baggy around the knees or ankles. Definitely one of my most worn items lately.

New Balance Sneakers

My most comfortable sneakers! I bought these because New Balance got a lot of hype this year and I wanted to try them out, plus I was on the hunt for shoes to wear to Disney World. Honestly, I can’t recommend them enough. Wore them on two separate days of our Disney trip, walked 10+ miles both days, and while my feet were obviously a little sore, these sneakers never got uncomfortable. So if you like athleisure style and want a pair of cute and comfy sneakers, I give these two thumbs up!

Lemon Print Bathing Suit

Like a lot of people, I’m a little self-conscious when it comes to swimwear. I honestly can’t remember the last time I wore a bikini. So when I decided to try out the swimsuit trend with high-waisted bottoms and crop bikini tops, I didn’t expect to like it. But I loved it! I shared an Amazon swimwear haul with several of them that I really liked but this one was by far my favorite. It truly made me feel good and confident and happy with the way I looked. 

Walmart Denim Jacket

Another item I’ve worn the heck out of this year. I originally bought it for a fun little DIY project (that I shared via Reels here). It’s gone in and out of stock a few times and currently only shows a very limited availability. For me, though, I think this one is less about this specific jacket and more about the trend of the oversized denim jacket. You could achieve the same look with any men’s denim jacket or a women’s boyfriend or oversized fit. And, if you want to make it really fun like I did, personalize it like I did! (I used flatback crystals, glue, and a stencil I cut out using my Cricut). I may or may not be planning to do another DIY customized jacket (follow my IG to see!)

Scoop Skirt

I’ve shared this skirt on my Insta so many times! In fact, because it’s on clearance (as of the time I wrote this) I shared a roundup post the other day of some of the ways I styled it. It’s also part of a trend I really fell in love with this past year…maxi skirts/dresses! I used to think I was just too short (I’m only 5’ tall in my cowboy boots) to ever pull off these pieces. But if there’s one thing I’ve discovered in my journey as a petite fashion blogger, you just never know until you try. So I tried this trend earlier in the year, found some dresses and skirts that actually worked for my height, and took a lot of photos of me spinning around in fields. 

Levi’s 501 Shorts

Best. Denim. Shorts. Ever. And no, I’m not exaggerating. If you’ve read any of my previous blogs about staple wardrobe pieces or my favorite petite-friendly denim jeans, you already know of my love for Levi’s. I found these on a really good deal through Amazon this summer, ordered them, loved them, and ended up ordering another pair during a sale at Levi’s. From my experience, I recommend sizing up if you like your shorts on the looser side or sticking with your true size if you like them more fitted. 

TumbleTees Epcot World Tour Shirt

Another trend I loved this year? Graphic t-shirts. (Technically, it’s really a trend that started gaining steam in 2020 but stuck around.) Of all the tees I bought this year, and I bought a lot, this one had to be my favorite. Of course, I purchased it to wear to Epcot during our Disney World trip, but I’ve also worn it several times since. I love that it plays on classic rock band tee style but with a Disney twist. And the shop owner I ordered it from was just so sweet!

Makeup & Skincare

I’m not a makeup artist or a skincare expert. And, when it comes to beauty products, what works for one person doesn’t work for everyone. In fact, I tried a few viral products this past year that a lot of people loved but did not work for me. Nevertheless, I’m still sharing a few of the products I loved and why they worked well for me.

Tarte Double Take Eye Liner

Despite years of practice, I’m not very good at applying liquid eyeliner. And my cat eye usually takes several attempts. But, somehow, this dual-ended liner combo actually makes me feel like I know what I’m doing. The liquid formula glides on really smoothly and doesn’t require a lot of pressure. And the pencil side works so well for lining your waterline without giving you raccoon eyes later in the day. In fact, it takes both steps in my double cleansing routine to take off all the liner. 10/10.

e.l.f Halo Glow Setting Powder

A follower in my Insta community actually recommended this product to me! My skin tends to be on the dry side so finding a good setting powder has been a struggle. Some of them end up making my skin feel extra dry or chalky. Others just leave my skin looking patchy or make the texture really stand out. Not this one. I primarily use it to set my concealer and in my t-zone areas and it doesn’t settle or crease on me. Plus, because of the “glow” (it’s formulated with sapphire particles and doesn’t contain talc), it never looks chalky. I’ve also heard it compared to the Hourglass finishing powder. For the price, it’s definitely worth trying out, in my opinion.

Cerave Cream to Foam

I’ll be the first to say I’m pretty fortunate when it comes to my skin. Up until I hit my 20’s, acne wasn’t a big concern for me. And even in my 20’s, it was mostly a hormonal thing that I dealt with once a month. The past couple of years I’ve seen more breakouts than ever before, largely due to stress and masks. This means I’ve tried out several products, and this one has worked best for me. The hydrating formula leaves my skin feeling clean but not tight or itchy. Since I started using this as the second step in my double-cleansing routine (my first step is this cleansing oil), I’ve seen a big improvement in the frequency/severity of my monthly breakouts.

Good Molecules Niaminicide Toner

This toner was part of a Good Molecules PR package I received at the beginning of the year but I’ve ended up repurchasing it out of my own pocket because I loved it. When I originally received these products, I actually went in blind and didn’t look up reviews or prices. I ended up being surprisingly shocked when I did look at the prices; the quality rivals that of much more expensive brands. This product in particular worked so well for me. Like I mentioned, I’ve never struggled too much with acne. However, I have always struggled with red, bumpy patches of skin, particularly on my chin. After I started using this, those areas become noticeably smoother and more even. Two thumbs up!

BondiBoost HG Shampoo

I know this product has gotten a lot of hype on social media, and I didn’t buy into it at first either. But earlier this year I started experiencing really excessive shedding and needed to do something. My hair texture is already really fine and on the thinner side, so losing more hair made me pretty self-conscious. I decided to give BondiBoost a go because, hey, why not. And it surprisingly made more of a difference than I expected. From the first wash, I saw a dramatic decrease in the amount of hair fall. I will say I haven’t noticed any significant regrowth but, I’ve only been using it since mid-September and I’ve only tried the shampoo. I do plan to try adding their conditioner to my routine as well.

Home

Anything that makes keeping our house clean easier on me is automatically my new favorite thing ever. In fact, a few years ago I wrote an entire blog post about my love for my cordless Dyson vacuum. So it’s no surprise that two of my favorite purchases from the past year are cleaning products.

DEEBOT Robot Vacuum

I bought this vacuum as a gift to me, from me during Black Friday. It’s not the fanciest one on the market, but I still love it. Because we have three dogs, one of which sheds enough fur to make a whole new dog daily, I used to vacuum at least once a day.  Now that I have a robot vacuum, I don’t have to spend as much time following my dogs around with a vacuum. My one complaint with this particular model is that the first time I used it, I accidentally scheduled it to come on at that time every day. And I haven’t yet figured out how to cancel it (despite actually reading the manual and searching Google).

Pet Hair Carpet Broom

I mentioned my dogs produce a lot of fur, yes? I snagged this on Amazon a while back to help with cleaning fur out of the carpets. Even after vacuuming, I was still seeing a lot of fur left behind, particularly since our Long Haired German Shepherds undercoat is very fine. This inexpensive rubber broom really helps get into the carpet to grab all the fur. It does take a little elbow grease, especially if you’re using it on a large area, but it’s with it for cleaner carpets.

Books

I read quite a few books this past year, some much better than others. If you like reading recommendations, check out the 7 Books I Couldn’t Put Down and my Summer Beach Reads.

Bridgerton Series

I didn’t initially jump on the Bridgerton bandwagon when the show premiered. I have a really hard time getting into TV shows so I just don’t watch a lot of them. Once I eventually gave in to the hype, I was hooked. It was like Pride & Prejudice meets Gossip Girl. But, I still wasn’t interested in reading the series. As much as I love reading, I don’t enjoy the historical romance genre. My sister convinced me to give them a try last summer and I’m happy to say, they weren’t what I expected. They were better. Now, I don’t love all the books and a couple of them I wouldn’t bother reading again. My favorites were The Duke and I, The Viscount Who Loved Me and Romancing Mr. Bridgerton. 

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

I just finished this book recently even though it’s been bookmarked on my reading list for several months. It was so good, I devoured it in less than two days. It tells the story of Evelyn Hugo (or, rather, it’s about Evelyn Hugo telling her story to a reporter), an actress who got her start in Hollywood during the 1950s. There’s drama, deception, love, suspense…truly a little bit of everything for anyone.

Food

If it seems weird to include food items that I fell in love with this past year, blame the foodie in me! But, honestly, I always love seeing others recommend their favorite snack and food finds because it inspires me to try something new. So here’s a couple of my favorites from the past year because, who knows, maybe they’ll become your new favorite too.

Cape Cod Kettle Cooked Jalapeño Chips

Should I be embarrassed to admit that I tried 4 different brands of jalapeño flavored kettle chips this year? Either way, I did, and these were by far the best. I don’t let myself buy these nearly as often as I want to because I obviously lack self-control when it comes to them. My favorite way to enjoy them is with plain sour cream, it’s the perfect combination.

Joffrey’s Coffee

So, Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Company is definitely not a new find for me. Nor would it be for any Disney Parks fan. (You’re either team Joffrey’s or team Starbucks in the parks, there’s no in-between.) Joffrey’s is a Tampa-based coffee roaster that also happens to be the official supplier of Disney Specialty Coffee. This past year I discovered that I can typically find Joffrey’s coffee grounds at my local T.J. Maxx and enjoy a little Disney every morning. You can also purchase it online directly from Joffrey’s or find it on Amazon, but it’s cheaper at T.J. Maxx. My favorite blend is the Jamaican Me Crazy, but I always grab any of the seasonal Disney flavors when I find them.

Misc

Sometimes the best finds are the ones that you snag on a whim or for a specific purpose but then end up using frequently. 

Happy Hoodie

If you happen to follow me on Instagram @aliciarenee_blog, then you’re already well acquainted with our three dogs. And you’re probably already familiar with the fact that our German Shepherd, Lola, has pretty bad noise anxiety. Fireworks, thunderstorms, hunters firing shotgun a mile away, the smoke alarm beeping…they all send her into a tailspin. I’ve tried CBD oil, all-natural remedies, and prescription medication from her vet but none of them seem to really help. So when this contraption popped up in my Facebook ads I figured, why not. Now, it doesn’t work miracles and Lola still displays signs of fear and anxiety, but it does cut down on the severity of her symptoms and allows her to recover much faster. She doesn’t love it, but she does tolerate wearing it because it muffles noise. Compared to anything else we’ve tried, it’s by far been the most effective. And at under $15, I highly recommend giving it a try.

Personal Misting Fan

I bought this to throw in my park bag for our trip to Disney back in September. (Side note: I cover all my park essentials for Disney in this post.) We knew it would be hot and sunny during our trip and, since some of the queues are outdoors or partly outdoors, we also knew from experience that fans can be a game-changer. This one, in particular, is really affordable, the rechargeable battery lasts forever, and it has multiple speed settings. Since our trip, I’ve continued to use it almost daily when I’m doing my makeup because it helps with my setting spray.

Portable Phone Charger

Another purchase I made in preparation for our Disney trip (and another item I highly recommend packing in your park bag). We’ve had several portable charging banks in the past, but this one takes the top spot for several reasons. One: It’s slim and not too heavy so it doesn’t take up a ton of space in your bag and it’s easy to hold onto if you need to just your phone while it’s connected. Two: It holds about a charge and half for your typical iPhone. For me, that usually means I can use it for a few days before I need to recharge it. And three: the connected charging cables are insanely convenient. No more loose charging cables floating around in the black hole that is my bag, they’re just neatly tucked into the side for easy use.

Whew! That was a long list! Hope my 21 Favorite Finds of 2021 helps you find a new favorite. Can’t wait to see what new and awesome finds I discover next year. And, don’t forget, if you have a favorite product or service that you fell in love with this past year, tell me in the comments!