Make 2019 Great with these must haves!

One of Oprah Winfrey’s greatest gifts to the modern world was her special Oprah Winfrey Show episode that she usually dedicated to her favourite things! It was always around Christmas time and for the lucky souls who were members of the audience they would often walk away with a treasure trove of these items. Nowadays, Oprah still keeps up with her favourite things through amazon.com making access to the finer things within arms length of pretty much everyone.

I’m no Oprah but I LOVE to shop or just browse, in fact, just the idea of shopping usually excites me. Nothing beats finding a great deal on something that you actually need, or something that’s just too good to pass up.

I have been fully bought into online shopping since 2003, when I made my very first purchase on Amazon and paid for it with a money order (those were the days).

We are at the crossroad of celebrating everything that the festive season has to offer and our expectations for the new year.  It had me thinking, what are some of the tangible items I want to share in this in-between time?

So consider this curated list of items my favourite things but with a much more forward leaning intent that goes beyond Christmas.

Disclaimer: These items are based solely on my own idiosyncratic shopping habits and legit, things that I’ve used and found incredibly helpful or intend to get ASAP!

Here we go!

For your lips

I’m all about putting my best lip forward, especially in 2019 and this product is going to help me keep them looking not only plump but healthy and vibrant, throughout. The Jack Black intense therapy lip balm will do just that.

Whenever I’m purchasing lip balm, there is usually one ingredient that must be present, Lanolin, because it prevents my lips from stripping. Jack Black also comes loaded with SPF 25, so my lips are protected from UV rays. It comes in some pretty nice flavours too: Natural Mint and Shea Butter; Grapefruit and Ginger; Black Tea and Blackberry; Shea Butter and vitamin E; and lemon and Shea butter.

Based on the flavours these will work great for both men and women, however don’t expect a high gloss, which is the other reason why I love this lip balm, it isn’t shiny.

I’m aware of the unit price for each, and while I’m about living that life, I also have an alternative that I’m recommending  – Burts Bees – just in case.

For your teeth

I have a storied history with my teeth as I spent most of my younger years with misaligned, spaced out double rows, before getting braces. So the idea of whitening is something I’ve started acknowledging in adulthood. In the past I’ve tried whitening kits with a hydrogen peroxide solution and they worked. However, I’m concerned about the effects of dental sensitivity after prolonged use of hydrogen peroxide, so the effective alternative I’ve found is Active Wow Teeth Whitening Charcoal Powder.

The main ingredient is organic coconut charcoal which is very finely ground, so it gently works to remove built up stains from your teeth over time and also is good for your gums. It can get a little messy but it works!

Packing Cubes

I mentioned packing cubes here before because they were a godsend for travelling and still are. I’ve even gifted these to friends who now swear by them! Packing cubes like these  simply make travel easier, especially when you want keep all your stuff together without losing anything. They come in a variety of colours and brands and are reasonably priced, so choices abound. To be clear, you may not need to use all of them on one trip, but for those that you do use, it will be worth it.

Passport Holder Cover Case

And while we are on the travel segment, because that’s one of the subjects that will appear on vision boards every new year, this nifty passport cover is also a great gift for you and your travel companions.

Not only is it cute, with little pockets to store a host of extra items like credit cards and the like, but this cover also has RFID blocking technology built in. What does that mean?

Well, RFID is an acronym for “Radio-Frequency Identification” and refers to a technology whereby digital data encoded in tags or smart labels are captured by a reader via radio waves. The RFID blocker prevents unscrupulous people from copying your credit and debit card information with special devices.

Bluetooth Radio

Talk about a throwback! Who listens to the radio anymore you might ask? I do and thankfully, with this cute InstaBox multi-functional speaker (radio included) I found one my most used electronic devices for 2018. It makes the perfect bedside clock radio and even has a programmable alarm function for that needed wake up call. What’s even better about it is the remote control. If all that wasn’t enough, it has usb, micro SD and bluetooth connectivity. Handy, inexpensive and cute, it’s a gift that keeps on giving.

Reusable Bags

Starting January 1, 2019, Jamaica will ban single use plastic bags, straws and styrofoam containers. So the question on many people’s lips of late has been – “what will I take to the supermarket to get my groceries?”

Well I was casually browsing amazon and found this great item, which I think, over time will become fairly common in Jamaica. It’s the BagPodz reusable bag and storage system which comes in packs of 5 or 10 and 4 different colours. They’re made of nylon, can hold up to 50 pounds and the best part is, they come with a carry bag.

The only ‘con’ so far is the size, as they are not the same as some of the tote bags we are used to. However with 10 in total, I’m not that worried.

I will be getting my own set for the new year and I anticipate that a local producer will make some of these soon, or maybe I should? 

Sport Towels

I had made a decision to seriously get back into the gym and get back into the best shape ever. To help myself actualize that process I started preparing by getting things in order and the first item I purchased was a set of towels. In fact these Fit Spirit towels to be exact because, while it would be easy to go and buy some other bath towels, these are micro fiber, stretchy and just a bit more durable than the heavier, cotton based ones.

Wool Dryer Balls

A few years ago, through reading I discovered a new way to save money that has changed my whole life. I decided to stop using fabric softener as, not only was it getting more and more expensive, but it was also damaging my clothes. The thing is, fabric softener adds a layer of film over clothing, especially towels. This makes them less effective for drying. I also stopped using dryer sheets for the same reason, so instead, I purchased wool dryer balls. Now these are obviously for persons who use a dryer regularly for their laundry, but they are so useful! If you have a large load, you can use all six, or less for smaller loads. The more you use the less time you have to keep the clothes in the dryer and they help to fluff your clothing, while they dry.

Laura Alexis Candles

I could not close this list without adding something made in Jamaica and what a product find it is. Basically, I’m in love with anything made by Laura Alexis Candles. Think artisanal products, all Jamaican made of the highest quality and with cute branding that keeps you guessing. The first thing that struck me about Laura Alexis products was the naming. A candle called “Duppy Conqueror” has quite a ring to it and the fact that it’s made of frankincense and myrrh, is just stupendous! I love the candles, the linen spritzers and the occasional soap that the company makes. Their signature lavender linen spritz smells incredible and actually helps me to sleep. These products have changed my life and thankfully they are available right here in Jamaica.

There’s my list, they are things I love and they have helped to improve one aspect of my life in some way. I hope that you will find ways to incorporate them into your own life as well.

Be inspired, Be informed, Be Glorious!

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Kevin