Yesterday I shared my favorite memories from the past twelve months and today I’m going to share what I consider my 12 best purchases of 2022! A couple of these are repeat orders from my best purchases of 2021, but most are new-to-me discoveries that became tried-and-true favorites this past year.
My 12 best purchases of 2022
I started getting migraines after my first pregnancy and have found very little relief with the sole exception of this Amazon find that my cousin sent me after seeing an Instagram ad. You pop it in the freezer, give it a couple minutes to thaw, and then put it on for ~30 minutes of precious relief. I look like a complete crazy person in it but it is literally the only thing that keeps me out of bed in a dark room every time a migraine hits, which isn’t really an option with three kids! I now have three of them in rotation so I’m literally never without one for the ~48 hours or so that my migraines tend to last. I obviously wish I had no use for this but if you find yourself in the same boat, I really think this is worth a try!
2. Babyzen YoYo travel stroller
I look back on our trip to Italy with a mix of fondness and awe that we actually made it through the trip with two toddlers and a third trimester baby in my belly. This collapsible travel stroller was an absolute godsend both in the airport and for our daily hillside treks to the beach. I did hours of research trying to avoid spending $500 on another stroller, but after polling half a dozen girlfriends, the answer was clear: when you buy the best, you only cry once — and this travel stroller is simply put the best of the best. (We also brought this ride-along attachment which has its own little bike seat!)
I have ample room for improvement when it comes to wearing sunscreen every day, but this all-but-invisible sunscreen is the best chance I have of keeping it as part of my daily routine. I also love this brand’s Glow Screen for the days I want something tinted.
4. Hill House blackwatch tartan nap dress
The sixth addition to my collection of nap dresses and I’m making no apologies! Just the most flattering, comfortable dresses that work in my regular size whether I’m pregnant, postpartum, nursing, etc.
5. Amazon cable management box
Who doesn’t love a good Amazon find? I had a mess of tangled wires beside my desk and this chic fluted storage box makes everything look neat and tidy.
6. Navy Haircare search & rescue shampoo and conditioner
I’ve worked with Navy Haircare on Instagram sponsored content for several years now but I’m always happy to repurchase their shampoo and conditioner. I’ve never been so loyal to a hair product but this combo has helped grow my hair back after postpartum hair loss and made my hair healthier and longer than it was even before having kids! Code MACKENZIE30 will give you 30% off sitewide.
An instant kitchen countertop upgrade for $80.
8. Erin Gates orchard bloom rug
It’s currently on sale for way less than I paid for it (ugh) but I absolutely adore this rug that’s in our primary bedroom. It’s softer than most jute rugs underfoot, though it is on the thinner side so I would recommend using a rug pad underneath.
9. Amazon hair finishing gel stick
Anyone in the throes of postpartum hair loss will find this $7 product a savior for taming those little baby hairs growing back in around your face!
10. Floafers
If you have a little boy in your life and don’t own a pair of these waterproof loafers yet, prepare for love at first sight! The brown pair is my favorite but we also have them in navy and white. They look like proper shoes but are completely washable and they’re so comfortable our boys request them by name. Easily one of my best finds of 2022!
The perfect straw hat doesn’t exi — actually, this is it for me. I absolutely lived in this hat this past summer and I know it’s a keepsake item I’ll delight in bringing out year after year. I love the thick navy ribbon (that you can tie under your chin if you find yourself on a boat, etc.!) and the fact that you can swap out the ribbon for other colors to suit a given outfit. 10/10!
12. Pottery Barn Kids navy rugby stripe sunshade
This sunshade single-handedly transformed our beach days with two toddlers and I know it will come in handy again this summer with a third little one in tow! It’s big enough for two adults to sit in comfortably and a no-brainer if you have babies who will nap on the beach. It folds into a flat circle for easy transport and everyone I know who has bought one raves about it!