As 2025 comes to a close, I am reflecting on some highlights from this year. This final post in the series will focus on items, with activities, food & drinks, and media already posted.
An E-Reader
I’ve been a big audiobook listener for years now, but recently I decided it might be nice to have an e-reader to reach for when I might otherwise get sucked into scrolling on my phone. I went for Kobo’s Clara Colour model because it is small and therefore very portable, but wide enough to make reading more pleasant than it is on a phone screen.
Bone Conduction Headphones
Bone conduction headphones are great for outdoor use, since they allow you to also hear what’s going on around you. They work by sending sound waves through your cheekbones directly to your inner ear, leaving your ear canals open to ambient sounds for situational awareness.
After a pair I’d had for several years fell apart, I purchased this cheap MRYTKY model. They are super lightweight and the battery lasts long enough for my use cases. It announces that the battery is dying very frequently once it gets low, so it’s basically as good as dead if you let it get to that point.
Sunscreen Oil
I have been preferring sunscreen oil for the past couple of years. Not tanning oil – sunscreen in the form of an oil instead of a lotion or spray. I like the consistency and sheen of the oil compared to more traditional sunscreen options. So far, I’ve been using the Sun Bum version.
Kur: Illuminating Nail Concealer by Londontown
One or two coats of the “Original” shade is a quick and easy way to make my nails look nice for several days. It’s subtle enough that you can barely notice the first signs of it wearing off, unlike the obvious chipping that often starts within a day or two after applying most traditional nail polish. I don’t like gel or acrylics, so the Kur nail concealer is my go-to. In 2025, I’ve had it on my nails more often than not!
Ice Cube Tray
Okay, so this one is a little silly – but I just think it’s so cute! The speckled white version of this W&P Everyday Ice Tray is in my freezer, and I love it.
Kubb
Also called “Viking chess,” Kubb is a fun lawn game that feels like a cross between bowling and Polish horseshoes. It is fairly simple, doesn’t require much athleticism, and is easy to build on with house rules or experimental strategies to keep it interesting.
Lovesac: SuperSac
A Lovesac is a premium beanbag chair made with foam instead of beads. I slept on one while visiting a friend last year and it was so comfy that I decided to get my own. As you can see below, my cats approve. I think that new Lovesacs are ridiculously expensive ($1,350 is full price for a Supersac when I’m writing this), but I found mine on Facebook Marketplace for $150.
