These are a few of my favorite things…
✨ My Favorite Things
Over the years — through travel, reporting, and everyday life — I’ve discovered brands and products I truly love and return to again and again, and often recommend to people close to me. These are the pieces that add a little beauty, fun, ease, or joy to daily life. Think of this as a curated list of favorites I personally use, gift, and recommend. (*Note: I currently have no affiliation with any of these companies or brands - I just like to spread the good word of things that make me happy!)
Bonus: Many of these businesses are female-founded and female-owned, and some are Black-owned as well.
👗 Clothing & Accessories
👗 For Love & Lemons — Romantic, feminine dresses that make special occasions feel even more memorable.
https://forloveandlemons.com
🩱 SKIMS — Ultra-soft, curve-friendly underwear, loungewear, and swimwear designed to feel as good as they look.
https://skims.com
🌷 Hill House — Known for its iconic Nap Dresses and feminine pieces that blend comfort with polished, timeless style.
https://www.hillhousehome.com
💖 Betsey Johnson — Playful, over-the-top fashion and accessories that bring color, sparkle, and personality to any wardrobe.
https://betseyjohnson.com
👰 Berta Bridal — High-fashion bridal gowns known for dramatic silhouettes, couture detail, and red-carpet-level glamour.
https://www.berta.com
✨ Vanessa Mooney — Bohemian-glam jewelry and accessories that add a bold, fashion-forward edge to any outfit.
https://vanessamooney.com
🐝 Olivia Burton — Whimsical, feminine watches that double as jewelry and make a beautiful keepsake gift.
https://www.oliviaburton.com
🕯️ Candles
🇫🇷 Diptyque — Iconic Parisian candles with sophisticated, layered scents that make any space feel chic and elevated.
https://www.diptyqueparis.com
🏙️ St. Louis Candle Co. — Hand-poured candles inspired by St. Louis neighborhoods and memories, cozy and giftable.
https://stlouiscandleco.com
✨ The 125 Collection — Luxury candles with elegant packaging and rich fragrances that feel special and indulgent.
https://the125collection.com
🎁 Gifts
🍷 Estelle Colored Glass — Stunning, vintage-inspired colored glassware that instantly elevates a table and makes a memorable gift.
https://estellecoloredglass.com
💎 Golden Gems — Curated, gift-worthy finds for the stylish and hard-to-shop-for people in your life.
https://shopgoldengems.com/
🌸 Rifle Paper Co. — Floral-forward stationery, home décor, and paper goods that make everyday moments feel special.
https://riflepaperco.com
🌷 UrbanStems — Modern floral arrangements and plants that make effortless, chic gifts.
https://urbanstems.com
🎄 The Body Shop Advent Calendars — Beauty-filled countdown calendars that turn the holidays into a daily treat.
https://www.thebodyshop.com
💖 Fun Stuff
🍽️ Provisions (St. Louis) — Boutique shop featuring locally sourced home goods and personal accessories for men and women.
https://provisionsstl.com/
💄 Skincare & Nails
✨ Fenty Skin — Clean, effective skincare that’s simple, glow-boosting, and designed for real life.
https://fentybeauty.com/pages/fentyskin
🌿 Dr. Loretta — Science-backed skincare focused on protecting skin from pollution, light damage, and aging stressors.
https://drloretta.com
🌸 Tata Harper — Luxurious, natural skincare made with high-performance botanical ingredients.
https://tataharperskincare.com
💫 Sunday Riley — Results-driven skincare powered by active ingredients for brighter, smoother, more radiant skin.
https://sundayriley.com
💅 Sassy Saints Nail Gel Wraps — Easy, eye-catching nail wraps for salon-style nails without the appointment.
https://www.sassysaints.com/
🍸 Non-Alcoholic Drinks I Love
I first discovered non-alcoholic cocktails and drinks while pregnant, and I’ve kept them in my routine because I genuinely feel better when I limit alcohol for health and energy reasons.
🍾 French Bloom — Elegant alcohol-free sparkling wine from France that feels just as festive as Champagne.
https://frenchbloom.com
🥂 Good Twin — Chic non-alcoholic sparkling wines that feel celebratory and grown-up.
https://goodtwin.co
🌿 The Pathfinder — A hemp-based, botanical NA spirit with a complex, aperitif-style flavor.
https://drinkthepathfinder.com
🍺 Athletic Brewing Co. — The gold standard for craft non-alcoholic beer, with options for every taste.
https://athleticbrewing.com
🖤 The Designer Edit
🧷 Vivienne Westwood — Legendary British label blending punk spirit with couture craftsmanship and a rebellious point of view.
https://www.viviennewestwood.com
🖤 Alexander McQueen — Dramatic, impeccably tailored fashion that merges dark romance with runway spectacle.
https://www.alexandermcqueen.com
🎨 Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY — Playful, art-driven fashion that celebrates queerness, creativity, and club culture.
https://charlesjeffreyloverboy.com
🦇 Rick Owens — Avant-garde luxury known for sculptural silhouettes, muted palettes, and architectural edge.
https://www.rickowens.eu
🔑 Schiaparelli — Surrealist-inspired Paris couture house famed for bold gold details, artistic drama, and statement-making elegance.
https://www.schiaparelli.com
✨ Marc Jacobs — Eclectic, trend-shaping designs that mix downtown cool with high-fashion polish.
https://www.marcjacobs.com
🐎 Hermès — French heritage house synonymous with timeless elegance, leather mastery, and quiet luxury.
https://www.hermes.com
🧡 Prada — Intellectual, fashion-forward design that balances minimalism with conceptual flair.
https://www.prada.com
🌸 Dior — Icon of Parisian couture delivering femininity, refinement, and modern glamour.
https://www.dior.com
🤍 Chanel — The ultimate symbol of classic chic, from tweed jackets to quilted handbags.
https://www.chanel.com
💍 Vera Wang — Renowned for sophisticated bridalwear and red-carpet-ready elegance.
https://www.verawang.com
🌈 Christian Siriano — Celebrated for inclusive, body-positive glamour and bold red-carpet moments.
https://christiansiriano.com
🐍 Gucci — Italian luxury house known for maximalist glamour, bold heritage motifs, and fashion-forward reinvention.
https://www.gucci.com
🧳 Louis Vuitton — Iconic French maison celebrated for luxury travel heritage, leather goods, and fashion that blends tradition with innovation.
https://www.louisvuitton.com
🌿 Chloé — Effortlessly feminine French house known for soft tailoring, romantic silhouettes, and modern bohemian luxury.
https://www.chloe.com
🎭 Weinsanto — Paris-based label blending theatrical flair, couture techniques, and fearless self-expression.
https://weinsanto.com