Things I Bought That I Love: Porter Mug

We're lucky enough to live within walking distance of the best cappuccinos in Vancouver—so good, in fact, they rival the ones we had in Italy. The espresso is so well balanced it doesn't need any sugar, the milk rich and frothy and not too hot. I love getting coffees to go from this place on the weekends, but I don't love the disposable cups that will spend decades in the landfill just so we can enjoy a 30-minute caffeine fix. This is where the ceramic Porter travel mug by W&P Design ($34.50) comes in.

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Things I Bought That I Love: Chanel Boy Coin Purse

When I was in my early 20s I was obsessed with Chanel as the epitome of all things luxurious, chic, and in good taste. That obsession has waned in recent years; now I have responsibilities like a mortgage and I'm trying to be a good minimalist. I'm also more inclined to spend money on fitness (oh hi, Bar Method) or a vacation with Hubs. But the Chanel love had never disappeared fully, it was just dormant, and it flared up when I bought my new blue Chanel Boy coin purse on our recent trip to Portland.

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Things I Bought That I Love: MINISO USB Humidifier

After buying the MINISO USB Humidifier ($12.99, various MINISO locations around Vancouver) and sharing it on my IG Stories, I got so many inquiries that I thought this little machine merited its own blog post.

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Things I Bought That I Love: The Laundress Wool & Cashmere Spray

As longtime readers know, I've been trying to green up my routine, whether it's my beauty regimen, household cleaning, or switching to natural deodorant. What I didn't realize was that the super-effective deodorizing spray I was currently using to freshen up coats, sweaters, and scarves between dry-cleanings was already the greener, gentler alternative. Yes, I'm talking about The Laundress Wool & Cashmere Spray.

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Things I Bought That I Love: Spring 2017 Wardrobe Additions

I'll be the first to admit that my spring shopping list is a little all over the place and kind of boring. As an aspiring minimalist, I'm favouring a handful of quality items that are in it for the sartorial long haul. Half of these items are meant to replace essentials that have worn out or don't fit anymore, while the other half references this season's trends in a way that still works with my closet's classic yet casual, denim-heavy vibe.

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Things I Bought That I Love: Dr. Bronner's Soap

Dr. Bronner's soap is probably old news for a lot of you. As someone who's transitioning into green beauty and increasingly curious about natural cleaning solutions though, it has proven to be a total game changer. The bottles would always catch my eye when I was browsing Welk's General Store with their colourful, script-covered labels, but it wasn't until I researched this cult fave at home that I was intrigued enough to buy a bottle of my own.

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Things I Bought That I Love: Uniqlo HEATTECH Camisole

Minimalism is a hard edict to follow when you're in a seasonal whirl of stressful deadlines, now-or-never sales, and dismal weather. It's bleak and dark outside. You know what isn't dark or bleak? The inside of a mall, where things are warm and glowy and sparkly and (if you're in an Anthropologie store with a scented candle burning) it smells divine. And you know what's a welcome distraction from work? Online shopping. That's probably how I found myself buying a cashmere sweater with bows down the back for Black Friday, which I'm now returning because: 1) the bows are so big and stick out so far in the back, when I tried it on I felt like a girly stegosaurus who wouldn't ever be able to lean back in a chair comfortably; and 2) when I thought long and hard about the contents of my closet, I decided my purchase was probably driven by emotion more than need. Instead, I could rely on the Uniqlo HEATTECH Camisole to get more mileage and warmth out of what I have already.

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Things I Bought That I Love: J. Crew Tippi Star Sweater

Things I Bought That I Love highlights the (hopefully) rare, carefully considered new purchases that spark joy in this aspiring minimalist.

Oh J. Crew, Tippi star sweater ($118.50 25% off with code WARMSTYLE today), how do I love thee? Let me count the ways as I welcome you into my closet.

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Things I Bought That I Love: Kowtow Building Block Scoop Tee

Things I Bought That I Love highlights the (hopefully) rare, carefully considered new purchases that spark joy in this aspiring minimalist.

When I first KonMari'd my life, I thought it'd be a one-and-done deal. The marathon tidying session would signal the start of a blissful stasis where I'd be perfectly content with my possessions, never feeling tempted to buy anything new again; however, reality is more nuanced than that. I've still been shopping here and there for new clothes, albeit much less than I used to and mostly replacing pieces that have worn out or don't fit anymore. However, my Kowtow Building Block Scoop Tee ($79) is not one of these conscientious replacement purchases. I have plenty of striped tees already, but I knew I had to have this one when I saw it on the sale rack at Still Life and I wouldn't regret it either.

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Things I Bought That I Love: Gap Sherpa-Lined Utility Jacket

Things I Bought That I Love highlights the (hopefully) rare, carefully considered new purchases that spark joy in this aspiring minimalist.

A casual jacket with a fuzzy sherpa or shearling collar has been on my fall shopping wishlist since August. My style has evolved in the last two years and become more informal, and during spring cleaning I got rid of a bunch of structured blazers and jackets that were suddenly feeling too tight across the shoulders—both good reasons for a new transitional topper. The other reason I've been wanting a shearling-collar jacket? Gilmore Girls.

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Things I Bought That I Love: Summer Denim Edition

Things I Bought That I Love highlights the (hopefully) rare, carefully considered new purchases that spark joy in this aspiring minimalist.

My style has changed a lot since we KonMari'd our condo and I stopped posting outfits. It's more casual, streamlined, neutrals-heavy—and I'm almost always wearing denim. With denim playing such a crucial role in my everyday looks, it seems inevitable that I would be replacing and adding a few basics to give my spring/summer wardrobe much more mileage.

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Things I Bought That I Love: Paris Street Style Colouring Book

Things I Bought That I Love highlights the (hopefully) rare, carefully considered new purchases that spark joy in this aspiring minimalist.

I know, I know: two Things I Bought posts in one week? What, is "aspiring minimalist" some sort of joke? The truth is, April has alternately been dragging my spirits down or pulling me in all directions, which explains why the blog has been a little light on content lately. There have been good parts (our patio makeover, finalizing the wedding invitations, stepping up my Bar Method attendance and #sweatingforthewedding) and not-so-good things (the neck spasm, the lingering cough from a severe cold, being really busy at work). Amidst the chaos, reaching for my Paris Street Style Colouring Book ($21 at Indigo) has soothed my soul on more than one occasion.

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Things I Bought That I Love: LOFT Stripe Gathered Dress

Things I Bought That I Love highlights the (hopefully) rare, carefully considered new purchases that spark joy in this aspiring minimalist.

Most of the time, I don't go actively looking for the Perfect Summer Dress; that dress usually finds me when I least expect it, which is exactly what happened when I nabbed the LOFT stripe gathered dress ($93.58 $60.43 on sale now) at Park Royal several weeks ago. Since then I've worn it three times, and I'm looking forward to many more warm days when I'll be reaching for this frock first thing in the morning.

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Things I Bought That I Love: New Balance 620 Sneakers

I aspire to minimalism, but I suck at asceticism. I still have too many clothes, lipsticks, necklaces, and books to count, and despite our KonMari tidying session last spring and my best efforts to save more money and shop less, inevitably new purchases trickled in to our home and my wardrobe. This prospect troubled me until I realized that: 1) I really don't want to be the sort of self-flagellating minimalist who berates herself over every purchase, and 2) I'd like to think that the KonMari method has sharpened my senses for what really sparks joy in my life. So without further ado, I present a new semi-regular feature on the blog. Things I Bought That I Love will highlight the (hopefully) rare, carefully considered new purchases that spark joy and contribute to my overall sense of contentment and well-being. Let's kick things off with these New Balance 620 sneakers.

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