Supergoop is my go-to sunscreen and is my pick for “Trust Me Just Try It”.
I buy a new big bottle of Supergoop PLAY SPF 50 every summer for my kiddos and myself. It goes on smooth, leaves no white cast, and lasts all day. It’s truly the best sunscreen I’ve ever used. We put a solid layer on in the morning before going to the lake and then it’s just small touch-ups throughout the day.

This is hands down the best shampoo and conditioner I have ever used and is my second pick for “Trust Me Just Try It”. When I use Olaplex consistently, my hair feels so much healthier. I wash every two days, and when my ends feel dry, I use a little of the Olaplex oil to bring them back to life. It is definitely a splurge, but I have never gone back. Nothing else compares.

I do not even know how to explain these. They are definitely a splurge, but they are worth every penny. I have tried Pottery Barn and other high-end towels, and these are by far the best I have ever owned. They are incredibly soft, oversized, and absolutely beautiful.

These are one of my absolute favorites. They have a subtle hint of pineapple with no weird aftertaste. The name really says it all—it is water with just a hint of flavor, and somehow it still feels like a treat. I often grab one of these instead of reaching for a snack, so I call that a win.

This stuff is magic. It leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft and smooth, and it actually works. I use it in the shower and never need shaving cream anymore. It is perfect for shaving and feels like such a treat every time. A little goes a long way, and it is one of those products I keep coming back

This one is a little self-serving, but I truly believe nothing beats sipping from a handmade mug. I throw pottery in my spare time and sell it on Etsy, and every morning I find so much joy just picking which mug to use. There’s something special about holding something crafted with care and intention. If you’re curious, feel free to check out my shop. Use promo code “Recommenders” for 15% off.

I love ALL THINGS Portland leather, but this is my go-to bag. I have it in Naples (yellow) and Cobalt (navy), and they are some of the best bags I have ever owned. The leather is incredibly soft, the design is beautiful, and the quality is top notch. I use this exclusively over the summer. This bag is the perfect size and if I need a bigger bag for some reasons this becomes my wallet and just goes into my Portland tote bag!

I actually own and love two different vacuums for different reasons. My Dyson is the one I grab for everyday cleaning. It is lightweight, cordless, and rechargeable, which makes it incredibly easy to use anywhere in the house. I use it on the max power setting, so the battery does not always last through my entire home, but even with that, it is one of my favorite tools. The attachments make cleaning high and low a breeze.

Another one of my favorite items is our Roomba. Anyone who has a Roomba can tell you how great they are. You can schedule it to run when you leave the house, and it maps each room so you can easily choose which areas to clean. It is amazing how much dirt this picks up. This is definitely a bigger investment up front, but it is so convenient and easy to use that it has been completely worth it for our family. (Yes, I have two vacuums on my recs.. but I actually own three.)

Rakuten is a free site that gives you cash back when you shop online (which as you can tell, I do a lot). I have made $1,166.24 since I started using the app. . Just create an account, search for the store you’re buying from (like Target, Sephora, Ulta, Walmart, or Quince), and click through Rakuten before you check out. That’s it!

If you use my referral link to sign up and make a $30 purchase within 90 days, you’ll get a $30 bonus added to your account. It costs you nothing extra, you just click before you buy.

My kids love their Echo Dots and I love the parent controls. They listen to audiobooks at night, control the nightlight, and ask Alexa to play music. It’s great for timers for ending playtime or picking up when needed too.

Glow Screen is basically my summer makeup. I use the Champagne shade, which gives just the right hint of tint and a soft, pretty glow. I wear it on its own or mix in a little concealer if I’m getting fancy. It goes on smooth, looks great, and since it’s also sunscreen, I can head out for the day without worrying.

This is my favorite hairspray. The Sexy Hair Texture High Tide spray gives real hold without the stickines or stiffness. It adds just the right amount of texture and volume, and I love that it still lets my hair move naturally.

I’m a sucker for pretty appliances, and since this one lives on the counter, I love that it actually looks good. We have the grayish color, which blends in perfectly with our kitchen. It works really well and is such a great price for a combo air fryer and toaster. We use it constantly—definitely one of those practical but still fun purchases.

Yes, I take a gummy vitamin as an adult. They’re good and honestly feel like a little treat in my day. I really like these though. Historically I just grabbed whatever vitamin was on sale, but I’ve bought this brand the last 3 or 4 times now, which I think says a lot.

If you like/need a little lift at your crown or in the front of your hair, look no further. I’ve used this since college and it’s my go-to. It gives the perfect root boost and adds texture without feeling sticky or gritty. I even sprinkle a little on my son’s hair sometimes to give him a little volume too.

If you haven’t tried Upside, please do. I live in a small town with limited options, and I still save money almost every time I get gas. My local Casey’s is usually offering an extra 11¢ off per gallon, just for selecting the gas station in the app before I buy.

It’s super easy—I have one card linked to the app, and I just use that when I fill up. All I do is open the app, claim the offer, and pay like normal. The cash back shows up automatically. It’s honestly too easy not to use.

My dry shampoo choice is Batiste ALL THE WAY. I use the one for brunette hair, even with my light brown hair and white streaks. It’s superior to other dry shampoos in my opinion.

Hands down, the best pens I’ve ever used. They write so smooth, never skip, and somehow last forever—though let’s be honest, I usually lose them before they run out.

I don’t always buy these, but when I do, it feels like a treat. There is something about the way they leave towels and sheets smelling absolutely incredible that totally makes it worth it. Try them at least once and you’ll see what I mean.

Wizard is a really fun game! It’s easy to learn and always gets competitive in the best way. Each round, you try to predict how many tricks you’ll win (kind of like spades), but the number of cards increases each time, so it gets harder and more fun as you go.

It’s a yearly favorite when we go visit Auntie Lizzy in Seattle. It’s inexpensive and makes a great little gift for someone you know (or yourself).

I eat these almost every morning and almost always have a pack on me. They are my go-to nuts. Super yummy.

Try this if you haven’t—Clinique Almost Lipstick is so great. It’s light, not thick like lipstick, and acts more like a balm or stain. Its claim to fame is that the color somehow adjusts to look flattering on just about everyone—and it was true for me. I first tried it last winter, and now I’m on my second tube.

I definitely use credit cards to help save up for big purchases and travel. I have two cards I use and one of my go-to cards is my Southwest card. I use it for everyday spending, and over time, the points really add up. I’ve been able to book free flights with points several times, and it always feels like such a win when a trip costs next to nothing.

If you click on this link you’ll earn 50,000 points once you spend $1000 in your first 3 months. That is roughly a $650-$700 free flight.

For all my Harry Pottery Lovers: My daughter has started the HP series and these books are absolutely beautiful. The illustrated Harry Potter books are stunning and helps to make the story even more captivating. Not every page has a picture, it’s maybe every 3-4 pages, but they are beautfully done.

I think everyone knows about AirPods by now, but they are my favorite earbuds, so I added them to my list. They fit my ears better than the older AirPods and other wireless options I’ve tried. And since I use mostly Apple products, they pair instantly and seamlessly. I honestly use them almost every single day.

This is my coffee maker. If you love lattes like I do, definitely get the frother. I’ve been making iced lattes every morning this summer and I seriously wake up looking forward to them.

Just a heads-up, this machine does not take regular ground coffee, so you’ll need to plan to buy the pods. My favorite pod flavors are Odacio (blue) for regular coffee and Double Espresso Scurro (brown) for espresso/lattes.

This is one of my all-time favorite recommendations for anyone with kids ages 4 to 9.This series is incredible and an absolute favorite in our home. The books are like choose-your-own-adventure stories with a meaningful twist. Kids get to explore what happens when Danny makes good or bad choices and how those choices shape his day.

Reading these with my kids has led to some really positive and thoughtful conversations. More than anything though, they just love the books. We own the whole series and they’ve read every version of every story over and over. They truly never get tired of them.

This is one of the best toys we ever bought for our kids. We have had two sets since my daughter was four, and she still plays with them at nine. While they are marketed as a fort-building kit, which we definitely use them for, these sticks and balls turn into just about anything during playtime. They have become microphone stands, pretend berries for campfire cooking, obstacle course pieces, and so much more.

I usually had to help the kids build the big structures, especially when they were younger, because you do need to use a little muscle to get the pieces to lock in tightly. Honestly, I think I often had more fun using my creativity to build forts than the kids did. We bought a second set so they could build bigger creations, but one set is a great place to start (just make sure to buy the same brand). We keep ours in a large plastic bin with a lid.

If you don’t have a tagger at home yet, trust me—grab one. It’s inexpensive and seriously saves the day. I’m actually ordering a second just to keep in my suitcase. It lets you insert a little plastic tag exactly where you need it.

Doing laundry and a shirt keeps falling off the hanger? Use this.

On vacation and your bra strap is showing? Use this.

On a work trip and the hem of your skirt comes undone? Use this.

Making homemade valentines and want the candy to stay put? Use this.

All real examples. You’ll be surprised how often it comes in handy.

If you haven’t tried the Pura diffusers, their fragrance options smell amazing and last really long. You program the scents on your phone for strength, time of day, specific scents, etc. I have one of these in my living room and bedroom

Volcano is my FAVE scent if you’re trying!

Recommending a perfume is tricky because everyone has such different preferences. But I still had to share this one because it’s that good. It’s called Skin and the name could not be more perfect. It’s warm, light, and somehow just blends in so naturally. I genuinely can’t describe it, but I get compliments on it all the time. I look forward to putting it on every single day.

I'm definitely not a crazy healthy eater, but my sister recommended these to me and I was shocked by how good they are. They’re a little pricey, but with 30 grams of protein and a genuinely delicious taste, they’re totally worth trying. I love having one when I’m busy at work but need something quick that actually fills me up and gives me some energy.

I’d never really been a cashmere girl, but I swear by everything I’ve ever bought from Quince—so I finally gave this sweater a try. At $50, it felt worth testing out… and I’ve never looked back. The quality is incredible for the price. I have it in gray and already want more colors. It’s soft, warm, and lightweight without feeling too delicate.

This blender is incredible. It might be the first truly well-made, grown-up kitchen appliance I have owned and I am so impressed. It has little suction cups on the bottom that keep it firmly in place while it does some serious blending. We use it for everything from smoothies (the smoothie cups it comes with are a hit with my kids) to mixing dough for bread and more. It is a great investment and absolutely worth it.

If you haven’t smelled a Volcano candle or anything scented like it, do yourself a favor and go find one. It’s hands-down my favorite home scent. I’ll try other seasonal options here and there, but this one is my staple. It’s citrusy, clean, and just flat-out amazing.

I love the candles, the Pura refills, and even have the lotion and oil drops for my dryer balls. If it comes in Volcano, I’ve probably tried it. It’s that good.

This is my other favorite bag from Portland Leather. I’ve collected a few styles over the years, but this one is the perfect size. I own both the medium and large versions, some with zippers and some without, and I truly love them all. My personal favorite is the large size with a zipper — it fits everything I need and still looks polished.

I have it in brown, gray/blue, and pink, and every color is beautiful. These are made from high-quality natural leather and hold up so well. And when they arrive in the mail the smell of the leather is amazing. LOVE LOVE!

I’m currently using my American Express Gold Card to save up for flights for our family’s summer vacation. This card has a bit higher spending requirement, you need to spend $6,000 in the first six months, but the reward is bigger then the normal card I use.

Depending on your offer, you can earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points, which can be worth around $1,000 to $2,000 depending on how you use them.

I plan to transfer my points to Delta for our upcoming vacation flights, but you can also use them with other travel partners or even for hotels, upgrades, and gift cards. The card does have a $325 annual fee, but I make the most of the perks to offset that:

$120 Uber Cash ($10/month for rides or Eats in the U.S.)

$84 Dunkin' Credit ($7/month at U.S. Dunkin’ after enrolling)

$100 Resy Dining Credit ($50 twice a year for eligible Resy restaurants)

IT foundation is my go-to. I jump around a bit, but this is what I reach for 9 times out of 10. I switch between the CC+ Nude Glow and their original full coverage CC+ Cream, depending on the time of year and how my skin is doing.

These days, as I’ve gotten older, I prefer the Nude Glow. I like that lighter, more radiant finish. But I still keep both on hand and will even mix them sometimes to get the exact look I want. The Nude Glow is dewy and super breathable, while the full coverage version smooths everything out and gives me more of a professional/flawless look when I need it. Both have SPF built in.

The price on these is usually $6 or less and this lasts forever! This under-eye brightener is super smooth, blends really well, and really helps lighten and brighten tired eyes. It’s the only thing I consistently use under my eyes now that I’m in my mid-30s. I use the Light Rose shade, and it just makes me look more awake without feeling heavy or cakey.

My OGEE bronzer and blush! I use these every single day. I know there are a lot of similar stick products out there, but these are my favorite. They blend beautifully and look so natural on the skin. I use Amber Sunkissed for bronzer and Rose Quartz for blush—both are creamy, easy to apply, and give the perfect warm, fresh look

This is my second purchase from the Beautiful brand, and I already know it won’t be my last. We have the oyster gray color, and it’s gorgeous. The slow cooker works exactly like it should—but it’s also just so pretty. I love bringing it along for potlucks because it actually looks good sitting out.

If you have carpet, this is a must-have—especially if you have kids or pets.
We call ours the “Little Green Clean Machine,” and it truly saves the day when spills or stains happen. I usually boil some water, clean the spot, and let this do the rest.

I got it as a gift from my mom and now pull it out multiple times a year without fail. It works on couches, car seats, and other upholstery too, but I reach for it most often when something hits the carpet. It’s small, easy to use, and actually gets the job done.

We’ve now taken three vacations to Excellence Resorts, and every time has been incredible. From the amazing service to the outstanding food, it’s truly our favorite place to vacation. We’re already planning our next trip to their family-friendly version, Finest, and couldn’t be more excited.

While it’s definitely a splurge, we think it’s actually a great value compared to similar all-inclusives. We usually book the Excellence Club upgrade, which adds some nice perks, but honestly, you’ll have an amazing time either way.