The Single Girl Self Love Shopping List For V*lentines Day
February, you bitch. If it weren’t for Mardi Gras and Super Bowl dip I’d loathe you entirely. February ain’t the easiest month for the single set, but that’s not to say we’re entirely helpless when it comes riding the wave of forced displays of affection filled with the worst holiday candy of the year. (FYI, Valentine’s Day candy is the worst candy, Christmas is the best candy, then Easter candy, then Halloween candy, which is really just all the candy. Valentine’s Day is gross candy. I said it and I meant it.)
This is a list of self-love-inspired gifts for single women. You can buy them for yourself, or you can buy them for a single woman you know who deserves them which is literally any single woman. Why do I use the term self love? Because we should all be kind to ourselves. We win no prizes for hating life. Everything on this list will make your everyday life easier, more enjoyable, or just nicer. It’s a shopping list inspired by a deep breath and it is my gift to you. I wish you all a stress-free February where you can ignore the annoying couple-obsessed marketing in your email inbox and hopefully plan a fun night for you and your friends on V-Day that involves cheese. I love you.
GOAT leggings.
Girlfriend Leggings are the Cadillac of legwear. They are the best pair of leggings I’ve ever owned, and I own multiple pairs of them. One is specifically for working out and the other is for everyday use. I want to keep one pair “nice” because I love them so much. They come in a million really wearable colors and they are made of recycled materials. They feel amazing and they have a sneaky slit pocket above your butt. I do not let the cat sit on my lap when I wear these leggings, that is how sacred they are to me. They’re more in the athletic/casual realm. If you’re looking for something more dressy (yes, that’s possible to accomplish with leggings), I suggest Spanx Faux Leather Leggings, which are the only thing I left the house in during the month of December. You could also, if you were so inclined, look into a highly rated dupe-y pair of black athleisure leggings that I myself have been considering for awhile, but every time I put on the Girlfriend leggings I’m reminded of why I stick with what works.
Buy them here
I do what Oprah tells me to.
I was recently at brunch with a girlfriend when she passed along some Oprah wisdom. (I am very interested in Oprah wisdom.) She said, that Oprah says, that you can tell a lot about a person by how they treat their money. I had to catch my breath. Ever since the night I graduated college, literally since the night my professional life began, I’d been using the same wallet. And friends, it was TINY. Cash and cards were constantly stuffed into a minuscule (albeit Louis Vuitton, it was a gift) card case and it dawned on me that I’d been treating my money “small” all this time. I needed to upgrade to a big girl wallet, immediately, and I went straight home and commenced my research. I bought this Lo & Sons beauty because I loved the way it was organized (and it’s just beautiful), but this one is a pretty good comparison at a great price point, and because I also wanted to make sure that I was buying a wallet that would last forever, this Coach option was also in the running. In the end, I was wooed by Saffiano leather and the amount of stuff this baby can hold, so now it’s mine. Big money 2020. I said it.
I can’t be the only one who finds this satisfying.
I’m not moving my fridge. I’m not moving my oven. But I know there’s dust (or worse) under both. I find something really comforting in this reachy device with washable dust collector that slides under appliances and solves all your problems. It has ridiculously high ratings on Amazon, and it’s like…red, so there’s your Valentine.
This collar tho…
In winter, I prefer a wrap coat. There’s a blanket-like coziness to it and also maybe I feel a little bit like a spy. I wear one I got at H&M two years ago but this one is a close match. Honestly I feel like I could hide from my enemies with that collar, I’m so into it. I know we all want to be focused on spring style and pretend like we don’t have to wear layers in April but ladies, I’m realistic. We have a couple of months of cold yet, but it’s fine. If you’re really tired of your puffer at this point, a refresh will perk you up. Or at the very least fend off frostbite.
*This coat has sold out as of fall 2020, but a similar option is available here
Can you even? I cannot even.
Rearview Mirror Succulent Cuteness
No one needs this, everyone wants this. That my friends is the kind of operation these people are running. How do you have a crappy commute with this cuteness in your window?? It comes in a pack of two so don’t worry, when a friend of yours steals it because they were compelled to out of sheer adorable magnitude, you’ll have a spare.
The good stuff.
Huda Beauty Obsessions Palette
I own two versions of this Huda Beauty eyeshadow palette and let me say to you, Huda Beauty is very, very good at eyeshadow. A *touch* of this stuff goes so far and the colors are so rich and vibrant it’s hard not to stare into this thing like a campfire. It will make all your other eyeshadows feel like they got picked last for dodgeball and honestly I don’t care.
This would have changed my Chicago life.
Hey here’s an idea, let’s not with the grunting and the scraping and the general wintertime misery. I lived in Chicago for four years, and during those years it was 100% my policy to leave my car buried in snow and take the bus rather than exert the effort required to make it driveable again. This genius thing, if you can get it on in time, eliminates your morning scrapes altogether.
Hi
I love pearls. They’re my birthstone and also I just like that they kind of symbolize treasure. I have a single pearl on a necklace that I never take off, and at the moment I am in the market for a pearl ring to add to my daily jewelry. Buying rings for ourselves is a really empowered move in the single community. Rings have held so much have/have not energy for us, I love the idea of shedding stigma and tired thinking and buying ourselves rings that recognize that we’re just as deserving of love (and actual jewelry) as anyone else. You don’t have to spend a fortune or save up for a ring to feel special. It can feel special because you find it beautiful, and because you bought it as a celebration of self love. This ring above is literally $30, and this one by Shashi is so cute and just $38. If I’m honest, this Chloe ring is currently haunting my dreams and one day she will be mine. But until she is, there are plenty of affordable ring options that feel special.
The ring shown here has sold out as of fall 2020, but I also have my eyes on this guy…
Moar masks.
You’ve heard me sing the praises of FaceTory masks before. I myself receive a monthly subscription of sheet masks sent by Amazon (four masks a month for less than $9). Consistently, my favorite masks in the bunch are by FaceTory. They are so luxurious, moisturizing, and not weird and sticky after. This set is the greatest hits of FaceTory for those who don’t want to commit to a subscription just yet. It’s a great way to try their masks and more likely than not become obsessed with them. I’ve already purchased an entire 10-pack of Moon Velvet, which is my favorite even among the FaceTory options, but really anything these guys make delights me. I typically use a sheet mask after a shower every other night or so, sometimes more often in winter when my face is exceptionally dry. (Kind of like it is right now, ugh these heaters!)
Alexa, fix my life.
I have long sung the praises of smart plugs, I implore you to listen to me. If you desperately wanted to be a Jetson when you were a kid I am here to tell you that now you can be. Plug smart plugs into your walls. Plug appliances and lights and stuff into your smart plugs. Program Alexa accordingly. (It’s not hard, I mean I did it…) Then, simply tell Alexa what to do without exerting anything other than your vocal cords. We are in the future now.
Byeeeeee
I see a lot of “what should I do” patterns in my podcast’s Facebook group, and most of the time my answer, either in my head or on paper, is: bye. Leave, go, farewell, moving on, peace, etc. But I get that the act of letting something or someone go can be difficult. Perhaps a journal centered around helping you with said activity it a good idea? Just a thought.
Earring for one, please.
Is there a better metaphor for “sparkle solo?” I doubt it. If I saw you wearing one of these I’d think you were the bossest bitch I know. Just FYI. I really respect any brand that sells things in singles, so Kendra Scott, I tip my hat (ear?) to you.
Let’s get serious about ridiculously cozy pajamas.
I don’t fuck around when I fuck around. Holiday pajamas, y’all were real cute, but we’re in WINTER now, people, let’s get serious. It’s twentynothing degrees outside and I don’t know about you, but an old t-shirt from college ain’t gonna cut it. I need something warm, comfortable, and preferably not ugly because that’s just my preference. This pajama set is hooded for extra warmth, and comes in styles that are cabin-chic without being too holiday-y.
Now I’m home.
Byredo are my favorite candles. Period. Yes, your Dipthyquequeue (I can’t spell it) are lovely, but Byredo is my personal favorite way to make my home smell nice. I change my scents with the seasons, and this one is a slightly woody, layered and unique scent that’s meant to remind me of a library and I’m super into that idea. I don’t take suggesting expensive candles to you lightly, and I wouldn’t be suggesting them if they didn’t have POTENT effectiveness that LASTS. I can buy several cheap candles (and often do), or one of these babies and light up a little luxe during my workday. (My actual favorite scent by Byredo is Loveless, but that name feels mean especially for this list. )
Update for fall 2020, I have also started using Boy Smells’ Hinoki Fantome as a more affordable alternative to the Byredo!
Pure poetry.
This is what I’m reading right now (in addition to like three other books), and I really recommend it for anyone who needs a break from self-help or just wants to relax with a cup of tea and something beautiful. Patti Smith is a poet, and one of my favorite writers, ever. One of my besties sent me this, she has excellent literary taste.
Flakes of the gods.
Bath bombs are amazing, but they’re a one-and-done situation that gets irritating from a financial standpoint really quickly. A giant bag of this stuff lasts forever and creates a genuinely relaxing if not entirely magical soaking experience. Just make sure you have some nonslip thingies in the tub and a bat mat, because you will actually be REALLY relaxed when you emerge from these blessed waters. This is the actual bath mat I use and I only put it down when I bathe/shower because the cat is not allowed ANYWHERE near this fluffy majesty.
What did I even do before?
This is my favorite thing in my kitchen, which, when you consider i now have a Kitchenaid mixer, is really saying something. What was I even doing before? Microwaving water?? I was a monster.
Toe toasters.
If you have cold feet that is a problem. Hardwood floors are the enemy of comfort — sock yourselves, people! Fun fact, my favorite socks actually come from Loft, and I just found out Loft also has an outlet with a ton of socks on sale right now. Just FYI. This set above however is a very quick and affordable route to cozy feet and maybe being a little perkier every time you open your sock drawer. Which, if you’ve welcomed Mari Kondo’s methods into your life, will be far easier as well.
Stop the itchy.
Anyone sick of winter hands yet? I sure as shit am. Hand cream is a necessary daily essential. It is chapstick for your hands. And here’s the thing: We all screw this up. We all buy one hand cream and then never use it because it’s NEVER WHERE WE ARE EVER. That’s why I’m suggesting this affordable and effective (and rather pleasant) hand cream so that you can buy TWO of them. Keep one in your desk (I keep mine hidden in my pen cup), and one in your bag. That way you actually set yourself up to use this stuff when you need it. If it’s easy to access, and always around, you are more likely to survive the winter with smooth skin as opposed to the alligator talons this winter is trying to give me. It also comes in a gift set with a lip balm if you’re bad at lip moisture, too.
If you like my shopping lists, there are more of them to check out here and here. You’re the best.
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