20 Random Products, Habits, And Rituals I am Loving for 2020
As you found out from my yearly 6-step goal setting ritual, I fully intend to make 2020 a year to remember—which means experimenting, trying new things, and seeking out resources to help me reach my goals.
Sooooo with all of this “new” year magic I thought it would be fun to rattle off a few recent, random things that I am obsessed with during this season so that you can take a peek + see if any are a good fit for YOU.
I don’t know about you, but I loooooove peeking “behind the curtain” of people I follow. You know what I’m talking about—when people do their nightly skin routines on Instagram stories or share a peek at the inside of their planners, their morning routines, meals…those types of “real life” things. Like, OH, you actually do these things on the reg. I don’t know what it is, but it is just so FUN to hear about the products, rituals, and routines that others do. (Just me?? Please tell me I’m not alone in this, ha!)
Sooooo—since I love seeing behind the curtain, I thought you might want to sneak an inside look, too!
For this post, I am compiling + curating a list of 20 random items, rituals, and products that I actually use day after day, week after week. Some of these have been in my life for years, and some are new discoveries—but regardless, I think you’ll find 1 or 2 (or 20!) that you need in your life! These are sooooo random and span from food to beauty to books (allllll the way to a shoulder massage thing-a-ma-jig, ha!).
Alright, friends—drummmmmm roll pleaseeee:
Here are 20 simple products, habits, and rituals that will help you up-level your 2020 for your most abundant, healthy, joyful year yet. Ya ready for this, friend? Let’s dig in!
1. coffee table books
First thing that I am LOVING is this coffee table book: “The Spirit Almanac: A Modern Guide to Ancient Self-Care.” This book has been on my shelf for a while, but just recently it has been soooo grounding to me this autumn + winter season. I have been increasingly aware of how my mood, energy, and desires shift with the seasons…lunar, weather, my cycle, etc. This book is a beautiful companion in reflection and self-care throughout the whole year. It helps me think of each season in a new way and provides tangible ways to ground myself. Not to mention—it’s BEAUTIFUL. Highly, highly recommend.
2. sore shoulders be gone
Hahaha okay, don’t think I’m crazy, but…THIS. THING. Is. Amazing. 10/10. A weird little massage contraption that *perfectly* digs into tight shoulders and sore necks. I got it on a whim—and I am literally obsessed with it (I may or may not have packed it into my carry-on during our last vacation…). It’s only $17 and it’s actually SUCH a relief for sore, tight shoulders (*ahhhh*).
3. this protein powder
This. Protein. Powder. Holy smokes, I have been LOOKING FOR YOU. This is hands down the most pure, natural protein powder I have ever found and it blends and tastes like a dang dream. i’ve gotten sooo many of my friends hooked. PS: “THEFOUNDATIONBLOG” saves you 15% on every purchase!
4. gua sha
Gua sha facial stones—I can barely pronounce it, but holy bleep I love it. This is a centuries-old skincare ritual that helps with inflammation, fine lines, and discoloration. I introduced you to it briefly in my 5 weird skincare obsessions, but it really has become the MVP of my skincare ritual. To be honest, I didn’t think anything in the world could get rid of my under eye bags until… (Click here to see a 10-minute before + after photo of me after using gua sha.)
5. tea time
A few blends of tea I am currently obsessed with—
This bloating + gas relief tea. Hahaha, I mean I’m giving it to ya straight. I love this tea. Not only is it delish, but it’s a unique blend of herbs (fennel, licorice root, and peppermint) to help you de-bloat and de-gas. (Sorry if i’m the only one around here who gets 2nd trimester levels of bloated around here—but I hope you guys love it as much as I do!)
Trader Joe’s Organic Ginger-Turmeric Tea is my godsend. We live 3 hours from the nearest TJs, so I always buy 90283409238409 boxes when we find a store (see photo below, ha!). I have TRIED other turmeric teas and it’s just not the same. I looooove this tea so, so much. (And not to mention it’s great for inflammation, digestion, and tastes deeeelish!)
This mushroom matcha: you all know I’m obsessed with Four Sigmatic mushroom bevs (find all my favs here), but this particular drink has stolen the show recently. Matcha is a phenomenal antioxidant and provides a really steady, lovely energy. It’s not caffeine-free, but it has much less than coffee. This is for those sluggish afternoons + mini pick-me-ups. (Pssst: if you’ve tried matcha before and found it too bitter—give this one a shot! It’s the perfect, subtle sweetness!)
BONUS POINTS: if you’re mixing up a matcha, a turmeric latte, or just craving a frothy drink—take it to the next level with this handheld frother. (I even bought one for my work desk!)
i mean….
I’m just a little obsessed.
7. digital minimalism
I listened to the book Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport on Audible last year and it rocked my world. This book is allllll about TANGIBLE ways to reduce your addiction to screens and completely reframe how you view technology. It is game changing.
Going off of that—I am recently obsessed with setting screen-time boundaries. In this fast-paced world, it is crucial to carve out quiet, unstimulated space for balance, mindfulness, and creativity. One practical tip: you can create screentime limits right in the settings of your iPhone that can keep you on-track and accountable to your phone usage.
Want to set up technology boundaries of your own? In your iPhone, go to Settings > Screen Time and select App Limits. Take a peek at the list of apps/categories and click how much time you’d like to allow to each one. This will be SUPER eye-opening and offer great accountability for you this new year.
8. mini morning ritual
There are 3 things I do every single morning, without fail:
1) A biiiiig ol’ glass of warm water with 1–2 lemon wedges + a sprinkle of sea salt—first thing every AM. Before my coffee, before I shower, before I do anything, I gulp it up. It’s super simple but soooo impactful—for hydration, digestion, and energy levels. (If you want to know the why behind this, I’m guessing you are a fellow hydration nerd! *cheers water glass* And you have to check out the book Quench. I thought I knew everything there was to know about water + hydration, and this book bleeeewww my mind.)
2) I will grab my journal and write. Setting my intentions for the day, reflecting, manifesting, praying. Theeee most beautiful quiet time.
3) I will read a devotional out of my Jesus Calling book. It is one of my New Year’s resolutions to read it every single day this year + ground myself in His presence before starting my day. The messages are so beautifully written—it always gives me a feeling of peace + calmness.
9. this suitcase
A suitcase, Kate? Friends—I warned ya. This is a list of 20 random things I’m obsessed with, and this suitcase makes the list. I don’t know about you—but I was rockin’ my childhood, broken zipper, faulty wheeled suitcase for faaaaar too long.
In 2019, I decided to invest in a suitcase that was 1) beautiful, 2) quality, and 3) sustainable. Annnnnd after a lot of searching, I found IT. I have it in carry-on size and looooove it. Timeless, quality, made of recycled plastic, and comes with a 5-year guarantee…this puppy is built to last. YUP.
10. this sustainable, linen clothing brand—
Oooh! I’m excited to introduce you cuties to this brand. This is a very recent discovery for me. I was looking to purchase more linen clothing as linen is one of the most earth-friendly, sustainable fabrics…annnnd I stumbled upon Love + Confuse. I bought a few pieces…and then a few more…and have been blown away with each piece (you can see a head-to-toe outfit below).
Linen is sooo fun to wear because you can easily dress it up (I wear these pieces to work all the time) or make it super casual. I wear these pieces CONSTANTLY and love how they mix ‘n’ match.
I emailed them, introduced myself + asked if they would be interested in giving me a coupon for ya! They were kind enough to offer 10% off to Foundation Blog readers with the code KATE10. Enjoy!
#10: this sustainable clothing brand
Beautiful, eco-friendly linen items. Made by hand, with intention.
11. my nontoxic makeup MVP
Chances are, you’ve heard me ramble about this—buuuut here I go again. This bio-tint moisturizer from W3LL PEOPLE—this product is my MVP. It is the most beautiful light-coverage foundation—heavy enough to cover discolorations/breakouts, but light enough where it looks like you’re not even wearing makeup. Personally, this is HANDS DOWN my favorite makeup item. It gives that “I’m not wearing makeup” (but lol I’m totally wearing makeup) look. Theeeee perfect amount of light + easy coverage. :) And it’s nontoxic (duh)!
12. sustainable workout clothes
I wanted athletic clothes that were 1) quality, 2) flattering, and 3) eco-friendly. And bing, bing, bing—here is Girlfriend Collective. Made from recycled plastic, Girlfriend Collective provides ethical working conditions and donates to the environment with every purchase…AKA I’m obsessed. I wear their gear for prettttty much every single one of my workouts, and I LOVE the way these fit + move with my body. (My fav item is the Paloma bra—the perfect amount of support. Fo’real.) You just found your dream eco-friendly workout brand, my friend. Save $10 with this link—enjoy!
13. my polaroid
One of my most prized posessions. I don’t know about you, but I have had THE BEST intentions to print photos from my camera roll…but I literally never get around to it. I love my polaroid and film because 1) you automatically get the prints, 2) it gives you a great (truly candid + real) keepsake, and 3) it keeps me present in the moment. I would rather have 1-3 polaroids that capture the true moment than 85497927 perfectly edited iPhone photos. I love snapping the pic, watching it develop slowly, and savoring the memories.
Extra tip: Adam and I compile allllll the polaroid photos we take in a year and make a mini scrapbook for each year. We take notes/journal memories along with the photos. It’s nothing fancy—but it’s such a tangible, beautiful keepsake!
14. levi’s jeans
In 2019, I grabbed my first pair of Levi’s! I’m sooooo excited to have a pair of these iconic jeans + wow. I get it. They are SO quality + I can tell I will own them for years to come. SIDE NOTE TO ALL MY FELLOW TALL, LONG-LEGGED GIRLS: their ribcage jeans are EVERYTHING you need + more. I have theeee hardest time finding jeans + these fit like a dream. They’re soooo high-waisted and cinch at the waist so nicely. And are available in lengths that are actualllly long enough. Praise hands.
okay, i get the hype.
Bought my first pair of Levi’s and you can actually feeeeel the quality. Excited to have these jeans for years to come!
15. hometown love
One of my best-kept secrets: from purses to bags to duffels, Duluth Pack is a purchase that will be with you for years to come (ahem, it wouldn’t come with a LIFETIME warranty if it didn’t deserve it *hair flip*). This iconic Duluth brand has been around for decades—and it’s because of their commitment to quality, timeless designs and straightforward products. I am so proud of this hometown company!
Happy memory: when Adam and I were dating, he bought me their market tote bag packed with a picnic for our anniversary and it is still one of the most thoughtful gifts I have EVER received. :) Save 15% off your order if you click here and enter the code THEFOUNDATIONBLOG at checkout. :)
16. splendid!
Yooooooo, you had to see this one coming…but it’s just that good. The absolute MVP of healthy-food-for-busy-people. I discovered Splendid Spoon in October and my obsession is still going strong. If you are someone who is ready to make healthy eating easy + efficient, you’ve got it. All-natural smoothies + lunch bowls for on-the-go women. Check it out here + save $50 off your first box with this link!
17. secret time:
Fiiiiiinally, I am allowed to talk about two natural skincare secrets that I’ve been hiding for monnnnnths.
1) Primally Pure just released face masks + I am hooked. I got to try them a few months early + to be honest, I was a bit skeptical. I am a self-admitted face mask junkie + had some pretty solid, consistent go-tos that I’ve used for years…but over + over again, I find myself reaching for one of these three masks. (BONUS: save 10% with the code KATE10!)
2) Okay, this one is actually a secret. Here’s the deal—Primally Pure gave me a hidden link to their soon-to-be-released CBD facial serum + whoa. Truth be told, I had never felt the need to try CBD anything…it kinda weirded me out. Buuuuut after doing some research on its correlation with anti-inflammatory properties (check out this article and this study) annnd after I saw how rigorously Primally Pure sourced their CBD for this serum, I was curious enough to give it a try. And wowza—to all my homegirls who also get hormonal breakouts on their jawline, painful zits, or inflamed, irritated skin—take a peek at this serum. It made SUCH a difference on my painful, deep jawline breakouts. Here is the secret link (it's not technically launched yet!), but you can get early-access + use code CBDKATE for 15% off.
18. tongue scraping
Sayyyyy what?! Okay, here’s the deal. Tongue scraping is an ancient Ayurvedic practice that is still relevant today. This tool allows you to remove bacteria, plaque, and buildup from your tongue. This can help with oral health, bad breath, and even improving your sense of taste + ability to distinguish different flavors (think of a “layer” of build up covering each tastebud—yuck!). I do this nightly after brushing my teeth. It sounds gross + weird—but it honestly takes 10 seconds and is so refreshing! I use this particular one (pure copper + less than $10!).
19. “what planner do you use, kate???”
To everyone who DMs me “what planner is this?!?!?!??!” here it is—THEE planner I use to plan and structure my every day. ;) Theeee planner + notepads I use each and every morning to structure my day—juuuuust enough structure to keep me accountable + the perfect amount of free space to customize to my life.
Grab it here + save 10% with the code KATE10. (If the planner is sold out, check out the notepads. It’s an identical design—just not in book form!)
take charge of your day—
From to-dos to water intake to a note section—this planner covers every area of your life.
20. clean up your…cleaning???
Lemme guess—you’ve gone organic in your grocery shopping, cleaned up your skincare…but haven’t even thought about your household cleaners. YUP. This was me for a long time. Turns out, there are so many hormone-disrupting chemicals in traditional cleaning products. But finding all-natural alternatives felt soooo overwhelming to me. Enter: this one all-natural cleaning kit that provides every “cleaner” you need for your entire house (bathroom, windows, kitchen, all-purpose, even laundry detergent!) in an all-natural, biodegradable form.
It lasts foreverrrrrrr and is the only thing I use to clean my house, :) This set makes it SO easy to switch to natural products. Love it!
what’d ya think?!
Alright, that’s a wrap! 20 of my recent weird obsessions that you can use in 2020. 💃💃💃 Did you guys like the format of this post and hearing all the random things I’m lovin’? Or do you prefer more focused, subject-specific posts?
Either way, lemme know in the comments below! Reminder: the only way I know what you guys like is if you tell me—and I’d love to hear from ya! These posts are for YOU!
Alrighhhhhty, friend—that’s a wrap! 20 random (but impactful!) obsessions of the moment. I am always Googling, Pinterest-ing, and researching until I find the absolute perfect item before buying…books, sports bras, meal delivery kits, face masks—I love having a place to share my recent obsessions + recommendations! I hope you enjoy!
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