So I’m sure you’re thinking this blog post title is a little bit random…but at the same time it’s not! I talk about all kinds of products on the Product Junkie blog, so why not talk about 10 of my most necessary items that encompass my life! Now I’m not talking here like I would literally DIE if I didn’t have one or all of these things, but I’m just sayin’ that they rank pretty high up there on the importance list. (Behind my husband, family, friends, and of course my iPhone…) So here’s the list!

One.

Coffee is one of those things I didn’t truly embrace drinking until college. I got a Keurig one year for Christmas and now I’ve rarely gone a day without coffee ever since. Now I’m not saying I go absolutely bananas and drink an entire pot (or else my digestive system would revolt), but I have one cup every. single. day. Recently, I’ve discovered how easy and delicious it is to make your own cold brew at home, which is one of my favorites! I love the cold brew from Starbs, so I had to try to make my own at home! I use THIS pitcher to make it, and I just add ice and a splash of creamer and it tastes SO good! If you love cold brew, I would highly suggest trying it at home yourself!

Two.

Have you ever thought if you could only have one makeup product for the rest of your life, what would you pick? I know that’s a random question, but that’s where my mind takes me sometimes, and I know 100% that my answer would be mascara. And not just any mascara, but my IT Cosmetics Superhero mascara. I could handle my makeup-less face, but for some reason I just can’t leave the house without mascara! It makes your eyes look so much bigger and brighter, and naturally enhances your lashes! The IT superhero is also my fave of all mascaras, so it has to make the list.

Three.

I know this can be a somewhat hot topic, but Birkenstocks have literally changed my feet for the better. I played softball through college and now have the plantar fasciitis and heel spurs to show for it from my cleats. While I do love a good stylish pair of sandals for the summer, there’s something to be said for the comfortable footbed of the classic Birk. I come home from work in my tennis shoes, take those off, and slip on my Birks instead because they’re just THAT comfortable. Whether you find them fashionable or not, this is one instance where I’ll definitely take comfort over beauty.

Four.

Next on my list of things to never live without would be a skincare element. I am in love with my facewash. It doesn’t matter how tired I am, I will always wash my face before bed, and especially with this stuff. The TULA Probiotic purifying face cleanser is so gentle on my sensitive skin, yet easily cleanses and softens skin. I’ve used it in all seasons and I love how my skin feels after cleansing with it!

Five.

This one I reserve for my diva side, as I can’t live without an excellent pair of sunglasses. Any of my friends would tell you that my car is like a sunglasses graveyard. I have so many different pairs of sunglasses, it’s a little ridiculous. I also refuse to pay a lot of money for them since they often can get scratched or broken throughout everyday life, so some of my most favorite pairs have come from Amazon, American Eagle, or Loft!

Six.

Podcasts and audiobooks truly get me through a normal workday. I am able to listen to them most of the day while I’m working in the lab or doing paperwork, so I’m constantly listening to something! Most of my favorite books and podcasts revolve around true crime or mystery. Some of my favorite podcasts include My Favorite Murder, S Town, Armchair Expert, and Up and Vanished. My favorite authors include Karin Slaughter, Harlan Coben, Patricia Cornwell, and Kathy Reichs.

Seven.

If you follow my Instagram, you’ll know that I paint my nails pretty much weekly. I just feel more like myself with color on my nails rather than them being nude. For this reason, I really can’t live without nail polish. I used to use gel/shellac, but it was kind of killing my nails. I tried dip powder for a while, but didn’t like it much either. So I decided to just start doing my own nails, and it became a fun nightly ritual for me almost weekly! My favorite polishes would definitely be the Essie Gel Couture line, Essie regular, OPI, or Zoya. It just takes practice and a good topcoat to get better at doing your own nails, and you’ll save a ton of money!

Eight.

As someone who proclaims that “she loves a good hair day”, I take my hair styling seriously. With that said, I can’t imagine styling my hair without my favorite curling wand. The Flourish Trio by Twist Me Pretty is the ultimate hot tool! I’ve talked about it before on here, but it’s so versatile! It is temperature-programmable, comes with three barrel sizes, and heats up so fast with its titanium construction! This creates many differing looks and makes for a perfect hair day for sure.

Nine.

As much as I would love to make one of these ten things Target, I will go with something more specific and make it my favorite candles from Bath and Body Works. The three wick candles are truly something that can’t be beat. Anyone who comes to my home knows that I burn these suckers 24/7. While you can find excellent candles at Target or TJ Maxx, a BBW candle is untouchable for burn time, the throw of the scent, and packaging. Plus as we enter the pumpkin/fall season, their fall candles are pure harvest magic! EVEN BETTER, they’re buy two get two free right now, and you can get $10 off of $40 (code: PUMPKINPATCH) to make them $9.75 each!!

Ten.

Music is the last, but not least, thing that I can’t live without. It’s always been involved in my life, and I am a huge music lover. I love going to concerts, dancing, working out, and singing to music. My favorite genres include alternative, indie, classic rock, heavy rock, and classical music (random, I know). But I honestly can’t imagine life if there wasn’t music in it, and I certainly don’t want to try! Some of my favorite concerts I’ve been to have included Mumford and Sons, The Eagles, The Foo Fighters, Incubus, The Lumineers, The Head and the Heart, and many more!

I have many fun blog posts planned for the month of September, including hair tutorials and a Target Fall Fashion post! Stay tuned for all of those details, and enjoy the rest of your week!

xoxo, Chelsea