2019 FAVORITES
Updated: Feb 23, 2020
2020 has gotten off to a bit of a stressful start in the world of Negative (N)ellie, and it has put me in quite the funk! So, to counteract my crankiness, I decided to travel back in time to when things were a little more peaceful. As I moseyed down the memory lane of 2019, I stopped to ponder over some of my favorite things from that year. Some of my favorites are tangible products that you yourself can purchase if you’d like, (especially after my stellar sales pitches) while others are experiences that brought me lots of joy in 2019. I am hoping that reflecting on some of my favorite things and minutes from the past year will help me to regain a more positive, bubbly attitude. So, with the end goal in mind, let’s begin: 2019 FAVORITES
1. Merlin (2008-2012)
In the summer of 2019, The Stinker introduced me to the show Merlin, and it has easily become one of my top favorite shows of all time. I loved the spin this show took on the legend of King Arthur, while still holding very true to the meat and potatoes of the story. The show kept a really good balance of lightheartedness, while also implementing the necessary serious moments. The cast was amazing, the plots really sucked you in, and it was a show I could enjoy with my family (which is a very difficult feat in our household). 10/10 would recommend, go watch it right now!
K, you guys know my love of this shampoo. If you would like to reread my in-depth analysis of said love, click here, but I’ll do my best to summarize my thoughts. I have tried tons of dry shampoos, high end and drugstore, and this dry shampoo knocks every other one out of the water. Great scent, really gets rid of the oil on three or four (or five 😉) day hair, and it never irritates my sensitive scalp. You need this in your life, trust me.
3. Clean Simple Eats Chocolate Speckled Frosty
I am going to do an entire blog post about Clean Simple Eats, and how they have changed my life, but for now I will try to once again keep my feelings concise. Clean Simple Eats is a miracle worker you guys. They have the healthiest, yummiest recipes, and they are all super easy to make. Clean Simple Eats is an incredible company, and discovering them is seriously one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I like almost all of their recipes, but in order to save some content for my future self, I have narrowed it down to just one of my favorites to share: The Chocolate Speckled Frosty. Oh. My. Lanta. So creamy, so chocolaty, and somehow still healthy for you? Amazing. I literally have this at least once a week. Although I cannot give you the recipe for this chocolate heaven, you can find it for yourself in their Summer Meal Plan, along with about four million of my other favorite recipes. Go get it now! I promise you won’t regret it!
4. Running Outside
My name is Ellie, and I am a recovering Treadmill Junkie. For years, I only ran on the treadmill. I mean, it seemed so convenient to me! We had one in our home (Thanks, Daddy-o), I didn’t have to worry about weather conditions, my clothes didn’t have to match, and I didn’t have to spend two plus hours lathering on sunscreen. I loved my treadmill. That is, until 2019. For some reason, 2019 gave me the courage to put on the sunscreen and go outside, and I am never going back. The fresh air and vitamin D have been so good for my soul, and I know running outside has contributed to my many happy moods in 2019.
Come, Follow Me is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ new study program, and although I was not its biggest supporter in the beginning (#comfortzonehermit), I am now its personal cheerleader. Come, Follow Me has truly changed my life. With its help, I was able to read through the entire New Testament last year, a feat I had never before accomplished. It helped me to come to know my Savior on an even deeper level, it helped me to really dive into the scriptures, and it helped me to apply the Savior’s teachings to my everyday life. Plus, a step by step guide on what to read every week? Could it be more perfect for me? I am so grateful for Come, Follow Me, and our Heavenly Father, who is constantly inspiring our leaders on what we need.
6. My Mom’s Jewelry
Alright, I admit it, I am a terrible daughter, and a thief to boot! 2019 was the year I constantly stole my mom’s jewelry, and I’m really not that ashamed of it. In my defense, if my mom would just stop being so stylish, I would have no desire to steal her things, so technically it is her fault. Ya know, she could just take the hint and gift those items to her favorite daughter 😉. Hopefully in 2020 I will remember to include her in my jewelry shopping adventures, so I can get some staple pieces of my own.
Alright guys, we are coming in hot with another Amika product. (I am turning into quite the Amika snob!) I have tried a couple of different air dry/beach spray products, and the Amika Bushwick Beach No-Salt Wave Spray is far and away my favorite. Once again, it has an amazing scent, but there are a couple of other factors that set this spray apart. First, it gives my hair just the right amount of texture and grit, without leaving my hair feeling crunchy (that is where the salt-free aspect kicks in). Secondly, it does a really amazing job of bringing out and enhancing my natural curl, which I love! This has quickly become a regular in my hair care rotation, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
8. Defiance, by: A. L. Sowards
As I mentioned in my post 19 LESSONS FROM 2019, this year I fell back in love with reading, and I am so grateful for it. Although I read many amazing books this year, and discovered some incredible new authors, Defiance would have to be my favorite. I happened upon it while I was dog sitting over a holiday weekend, and I could not put it down! I stayed up late into the night devouring this book, because I was just dying to know what happened next. That is something I haven’t done since I was a teenager! Quick read (trust me), lovable characters, and good, clean story lines? Count me in!
9. “Friday I’m In Love”—The Cure
Ok, so I am well aware that this song did not come out in 2019, nor did I discover it in 2019 (I mean come on, I have EIGHTIEES parents), but it is the song that I feel perfectly sums up my 2019. Here is my reasoning:
It is my mom’s favorite band, and I so enjoyed the time I got to spend with her this year.
It is so happy, upbeat, and carefree, which describes my 2019 to a tee.
It talks about loving Fridays, and who doesn’t love that?
“Friday I’m In Love” is a song that always makes me happy, and I am so grateful that is the song I associate with this past year.
10. “Yoga With Adriene” on YouTube
2019 was the year I discovered my love of yoga, and although I prefer destressing with Mamma Mia by my side, sometimes she is just to busy to do it with me (she for sure has more of a life than I do). So, when Mamma Mia is gone, I turn to “Yoga With Adriene” for all of my yoga needs. I love the instructor, Adriene Mishler, because she has such a fun personality that permeates all of her practices. One of my favorite aspects about “Yoga With Adriene” is that she develops content for all levels. She has specific videos for beginner to more advanced, but even within each video she offers different variations of poses to fit everyone’s needs. Plus, she offers so much variety! Whether I am sick, sad, or down right angry, “Yoga With Adriene” has a practice to help me with all of my moods. It makes yoga very doable, while also challenging you. I love it so much, and that is all.
Alright, that rounds up some of my favorite things from 2019. Writing this blog post was such a breath of fresh air in a time when I can’t really seem to catch my breath. Plus, it was kind of cool to review all of the awesome things I discovered in 2019. Sorry if this was kind of a throw away blog for you, but also not sorry, because this is my show I’m running 😉 What were some of your favorite things from 2019?