Every year around my birthday, I make a short list of things I’ve been drawn to lately. Not because I expect them all. Not because I need them. And certainly not because my happiness hinges on acquiring more.
It’s more of a snapshot — a record of what feels aligned in this particular season.
At 37, I don’t impulse-buy the way I once did. I edit. I consider. I revisit. If something lingers in my mind for weeks, that usually means something.
Here’s what’s been lingering.
The Valentine’s Day Quencher H2.0 FlowState™ Tumbler | 20 OZ||Cressida Quilted Top Handle Bag||Imaginary Authors x Anthropologie Spin Me Round Glass Candle||Cloudsurfer Max||Pepsi® Wild Cherry
Tinted Lip Gel||Laura Ashley Loveston Sheet Set||Bubble Gum Large Slim Card Holder||Delina Exclusif Parfum Parfums de Marly
The Stanley 20 OZ
Hydration has become less of a trend and more of a baseline requirement for functioning like an adult. The Stanley 20 OZ version feels practical without being oversized, and I appreciate that it doesn’t pretend to be anything revolutionary.
It’s a well-designed object that makes an everyday habit slightly nicer. That’s the kind of “luxury” I respect now — incremental upgrades to daily life.
Would my current water bottle continue to work? Of course.
But there’s something appealing about refining the small rituals.
The Cressida Quilted Top Handle Bag
There’s a specific category of handbag that signals composure. Structured, quilted, top-handle — it suggests you planned your outfit and possibly your week.
The Cressida Quilted Top Handle Bag sits squarely in that category. It’s feminine without being saccharine, polished without feeling overly precious. It reads classic rather than trendy.
I don’t need another bag. I do, however, appreciate accessories that feel timeless enough to outlast a mood.
This one feels like it belongs at a birthday dinner, an art opening, or simply on a day when you’d like to feel slightly more put together than usual.
Imaginary Authors x Anthropologie “Spin Me Round” Glass Candle
Candles are one of the few indulgences that I rarely question. They’re less about fragrance and more about atmosphere.
The “Spin Me Round” Glass Candle from Imaginary Authors x Anthropologie is beautifully packaged — the kind of piece you’d leave out intentionally. It feels curated, almost literary.
Lighting a candle at the end of the day isn’t dramatic. It’s subtle. It’s a signal that you’re home, and the pace can soften.
Do I need another candle? No.
But do I appreciate objects that make a room feel considered? Absolutely.
Cloudsurfer Max Sneakers
The older I get, the more I understand that good footwear is non-negotiable.
The Cloudsurfer Max sneakers are appealing because they merge performance and restraint. They don’t scream “fitness identity.” They’re simply well-engineered and aesthetically clean.
If I’m investing in movement — walking more, prioritizing health — then I’m willing to invest in the right support. Not as a trend, but as a commitment.
There’s something quietly satisfying about choosing practicality that still feels like you.
Pepsi® Wild Cherry Tinted Lip Gel
This one is admittedly playful.
The Pepsi® Wild Cherry Tinted Lip Gel leans nostalgic in a way that feels self-aware rather than juvenile. It’s the beauty equivalent of a cherry soda on a summer afternoon — not essential, but charming.
I appreciate beauty products that don’t take themselves too seriously. Not everything has to be luxury-grade. Sometimes something is allowed to be fun.
Laura Ashley Loveston Sheet Set
Bedding is rarely glamorous in conversation, but it’s one of the most impactful upgrades you can make.
The Laura Ashley Loveston Sheet Set carries that soft, floral heritage feel — refined rather than loud. It suggests an appreciation for detail.
We spend a third of our lives in bed. If there’s an area worth elevating slowly and thoughtfully, it’s that one.
This isn’t about aesthetic for Instagram. It’s about the quiet luxury of good sleep.
Bubble Gum Large Slim Card Holder
I’ve reached a point where I prefer slim, intentional accessories over oversized everything.
The Bubble Gum Large Slim Card Holder is compact and slightly irreverent. It adds personality without demanding attention.
It’s the kind of small object that feels distinctly chosen. And I like that.
Delina Exclusif Parfum by Parfums de Marly
Fragrance is where indulgence becomes intimate.
Delina Exclusif is deeper and creamier than its brighter counterpart — richer rose, softened by warmth. It’s less daytime flirtation, more evening composure.
This isn’t a daily errand scent. It’s deliberate. It lingers.
I have perfumes I love. I don’t need another. But fragrance, more than most things, marks chapters. And there’s something fitting about associating a birthday with a scent that feels slightly more assured.
On Wanting Without Needing
It’s important to say this clearly: a wish list is not a demand list.
These are things I’ve noticed. Appreciated. Considered.
Some may eventually make their way into my life. Some won’t. That’s fine.
I’ve learned that it’s possible to admire beautiful objects without feeling entitled to them. It’s also possible to enjoy material things without confusing them for fulfillment.
At 37, I’m far more interested in intentionality than accumulation.
If something enhances daily life, aligns with my taste, or supports a goal — I’ll consider it.
If it’s fleeting, I’ll let it pass.
That discernment is the real gift of getting older.
A Birthday, Reframed
Birthdays used to feel louder. More performative. More about proving something.
Now, they feel reflective.
This list isn’t about acquiring everything in sight. It’s about recognizing what I’m drawn to right now: structure, softness, quality, subtle indulgence, humor.
It’s about taste evolving.
And perhaps that’s the most satisfying part — not the items themselves, but the clarity.
If something from this list appears wrapped in ribbon this year, I’ll be grateful.
If not, I’ll still feel exactly where I want to be: steady, self-aware, and increasingly certain of what suits me.
That, more than anything, feels like growth.
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