I am going to end 2017 with a short series of posts starting with this one, a look back at some of my favorite things I discovered this year that made me happy. This list could have gone on and one so I stuck with items I started using within 2017 and had staying power. Beauty products are omitted since I covered many in this post and home interiors pretty much stayed the same with a few investment pieces. Maybe you will find something on the list that will bring you some joy too, I included links to everything mentioned, just click on the pink! 

Athleta Restore Jogger - These pants are comfy and stylish. I mainly wear them around the house or during kiddo drop offs in the morning. I have had moments of pure joy driving home from work knowing these pants are waiting for me when I get home.

Articles of Society Jeans - I got a pair of these jeans as a hand me down earlier this year and ended up loving them so much that I bought two more pairs. They are super comfy, fit well and pretty affordable. I've pretty much thrown all my other jeans aside in preference to this brand this year. 

Madewell Sweater - I am addicted to grey sweaters. I bought this one over the fall and love it. It's very cozy and is cut a little longer in the back giving it a nice shape. I wear this a lot with skinny jeans and boots on the weekend.

Lululemon Long Sleeve Crew - I often get in my gym clothes first thing in the morning when I work from home or on the weekend so I am ready to workout when the time presents itself. That  means I could go most of my day in my workout clothes before making it to the gym. I feel comfortable going out in public wearing this and not looking like a total sloth.

Yeti Tumbler- Not quite food yet it needs to be mentioned. This is my powerhouse every day item. I use it mainly for ice cold water that stays cold for hours and hours, but also for iced and hot coffee. I may have even used it to walk around the neighborhood trick or treating with a frosty beer.

RX Bars - I am not a big protein bar person, but really like these bars. They have very simple ingredients and fill me up at breakfast or for a snack before workouts.

Sargento Balanced Breaks - Obsessed. I love this snack. It's portioned chunks of cheese, nuts and dried cranberries. I grab this in the morning and eat it on the way to work as part of my breakfast or keep it for a snack. So yummy.

Better than Bouillon - A recipe I made this year called for this meat paste that is a healthier alternative than bouillon cubes (still high in sodium, but it's made from real meat). I use it now to make my own broth with water and the flavor so yummy. It's gives my soups a delicious richness. Even with soups made with regular stock, a small spoonful gives it that extra kick.

Banana Pancakes - These pancakes are a hit with everyone in my family and are a healthy alternative to flour and white sugar recipes. I went through a phase where I was making these every weekend over the fall. They taste good with almond extract instead of vanilla too.

Roasted Vegetable Lasagna - The best I've ever had. I made this a few times on the weekends for Sunday dinner and most recently made it for my annual friends holiday party. 

Corn Soup - This soup has a short list of ingredients and is delish in the summer with fresh ears of corn. Don't skip the roasted seeds on top, it makes the soup.

Slow Cooker Whole Chicken - I was weary about this one since I have my roasted chicken down to a science. Turns out this is a different flavor and equally as yummy. This recipe introduced me to the Better than Bouillon.

Todoist - I use this app for all of my to do lists at work and for my personal/family life. I can create all types of lists with notes and reminders and sub lists for large projects. By nature (Virgo) I am a super organized person, but don't always use the best methods to keep me on top of things. Todoist helps a lot with minimal effort.

Nike Training Club - This app is a lifesaver when I can't get to the gym. I have no excuse not to get a workout in. The app is free and has all sorts of options from yoga to HIIT workouts. You can also pair it with your own music.

Where Should We Begin - I recently discovered and binge listened to this app. Each episode is a one time couple's therapy session that covers some deep sh*t. If you are in a relationship you can probably relate to on some level. Esther Perel is a no nonsense therapist that has clearly been doing this for some time. Some of her one liners are just too good.

Oprah's Super Soul Conversations - I know I mentioned this app before and probably will again. It's been transformational for me and has introduced a path to spirituality that I didn't even know I wanted. Every person she interviews has a unique and interesting story or teaching on life/god/spirituality/soul. I spend my commutes listening and re-listening to these interviews. The ones that have been most impactful, I have gone on to read their books or blogs.

Happy last few days of 2017. xo