*Maria's* Favorite Things From 2023
- mrafinello
- Dec 22, 2023
- 4 min read
If you are anything like me, you know how quickly each year seems to come and go. One minute, we are telling ourselves we will stay up until Midnight to welcome the new year; the next minute, we found ourselves gasping for air and wiping the drool from the sides of our faces (you know that was either a good nights sleep or some good wine you had the night before). Needless to say, we never make it to Midnight anymore, but hey, at least the thought was there.
As this year comes to end, and 2024 quickly approaches, I wanted to take time to sit and reflect, not on the negative, hellish year many of us have experienced, but on the small, simple pleasures that has brought me joy this year. And since we are finally canceling Oprah, you can now enjoy MARIA's Favorite things.
Disclosure: I have ZERO affiliations or endorsements with the brands listed below, but my prodigal spending should get reimbursed one of these days ;)
Best Cleaning Supplies of 2023
Coming in strong at the top of the list, my favorite cleaning supplies of the year.
Dyson Cordless Vacuum
Honestly, my Dyson may be one of my favorite things I have ever owned; with 7 dogs and a cat, I needed a vacuum that could stand a challenge! Although this model is my second Dyson vacuum, I love that it came with more attachments than my previous one. I do not think I will ever go back to a vacuum with a cord ever again!
Price 10/10 - worth every penny
Reliability 9/10 - minus one for needing a new vacuum after 2 years, but in all fairness, I run it daily
Shark Steam Mop
Next up on our cleaning supplies that made my life easier in 2023, the Shark Steam Mop. This year, I have really embraced the power of steam cleaning. Now, I am not 100% convinced that just hot water is truly killing these lingering germs, but I am sold that steam does have some power to it! Over the year, I have purchased several floor steam cleaners, hand held steam cleaners, steam cleaners for clothing, etc. This Shark steam mop is by far my favorite! It comes with several floor pads and a container that makes it easy to add water. Definitely use distilled water if you are steam cleaning, it makes the cleaners last longer.
Price 10/10 - Purchased on sale
Reliability 9/10 - Floor pads have come off mid-clean if you do not position them exactly right
Best Kitchen Supplies of 2023
Besides constantly cleaning my house, I found myself in the kitchen a lot more this year. Number 2 of my favorites of 2023 are kitchen supplies that just made cooking more fun!
Large Always Pan - Our Place
Over the years, I have purchased an embarrassing amount of cooking materials. Let me justify this spending; I have moved quite a few times in my adulthood, and somehow managed to ALWAYS lose a box that was labeled "kitchen". My favorite dishes have gone missing, my favorite pot, MIA, and a whole glass set, completely vanished! With that said, I can not be too upset, because I have managed to find new kitchen items that bring me joy, like this pan from Our Place. I have cooked so many meals in this ONE pan alone, it has made my life so much easier! Less dishes to wash, nonstick, and it came with a spoon!
Price 10/10 - again, these are always on sale
Reliability 10/10 - cooking and cleaning made easy
Best Travel of 2023
When I am not at home, I try to fill my calendar with trips; traveling is the one time I can truly let me brain take a break. When I am home, I am constantly finding things I need to clean or fix; when I am away, I can stop and take time to just sit and relax, enjoy a good book, or have a real nights sleep. However, this year, my favorite travel was not a resort, or cabin catching up on sleep. This year, I found the most joy spending time with my family and making memories that will last me a lifetime.
Tacoma, WA
Fontana, CA
Manhattan Beach, CA
*Images from my handy dandy iPhone
And Last but not least..
Best Hobby of 2023
At the beginning of the year, I set a goal for myself; to be intentional. I have always had a love of books and reading, but I wanted to make sure I allowed myself the time, space, and capacity to truly fall back in love with reading. In previous years, I would set a reading goal and just read to check off another book on my list. This year was extremely different. I gave myself the space to DNF a book I was not enjoying, I allowed myself to pick up a different book even though I was in the middle of reading something else, and most importantly, I provided myself time in my schedule to read. One of my proudest habits I allowed myself this year was reading each night before bed. I put down my phone, turned off my technology, and curled up with a book each night.
*Photographed by www.betzelcreative.com
Joy 10/10 - highly recommend
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