Stories from Quarantine | That’s a Wrap, 2020!

Well friends, we made it. It’s the last day of this fateful year. And while I think we all know things won’t go back to the old normal at the stroke of midnight while I’m sitting under a table eating grapes like my friend Nahime suggests, I think we’re all starting to feel *some* hope. Vaccines are being distributed and I’m excitedly (and not at all jealously) watching friends and family start to receive theirs. But while this year is far from what anyone dreamed–I’m supposed to be in Honduras with friends this week serving with Humanity and Hope–I also think we definitely learned a lot. I know I did. I also shopped a lot, spent a lot of time with my family, watched my skin change a lot (that is still a work in progress), ate a lot more candy than normal, spent a lot of time on TikTok, and missed hugs a lot. In all that “a lot,” I want to share some of my favorite things I discovered this year. Please note that these are ranked in no particular order.

Best Movies

• Soul–Disney+
  • Honestly this movie was incredible. My sister and I have already watched it twice and the number of times we randomly shout this one line at each other and confuse our parents brings us so much joy. The whole movie brought me so much joy. I can’t even put my feelings into words. Just go watch it
• About Time–Netflix
  • I know I am WAY behind watching this movie, but the first few weeks of quarantine all I did was watch TV. I love anything Rachel McAdams does so I thoroughly enjoyed this.
• To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You–Neflix
  • If you loved the first movie and haven’t read the books, you’ll likely love this one, too. Normally I HATE when movies deviate too much from books (Don’t get me started on Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants), but Lana Candor is quickly becoming a screen favorite for me. These movies have definitely been moved to the “comfort movie” category for me and I hope it is for you, too.
• The Roommate–Netflix
  • Another late to the game watch for me, but you know I love a good suspense or horror film. While I wouldn’t consider this horror, as a Leighton Meester stan, this was a standout movie for me this year. Though I’m glad I didn’t watch this before going away to college. I would have both been scared and very disappointed that my dorm was not that nice.
• Miss Americana–Netflix
  • No one is surprised here. But this doc can make a Swiftie out of a skeptic. She’s so honest and real and that is why I’ll always be a fan. Not to mention how much she cares about her fans. Regardless of how you feel about her, this documentary was incredibly well done.
• Becoming–Netflix
  • I loved Michelle Obama’s book and I loved this just as much. Sadly mom, Brit, and I did not make it into any audience scenes from the Chicago show, but rest assured the event was incredible. I’d like to be Michelle Obama when I grow up.

Best Music

• Folklore (album), Taylor Swift
• Evermore (album), Taylor Swift
• The Hamilton Soundtrack
• Confetti (album), Little Mix
• Manic (album), Halsey
• Rain On Me ft. Ariana Grande (song), Lady Gaga
• F2020 (song) Avenue Beat
• WAP ft. Megan Thee Stallion (song), Cardi B
• My Heart Went Oops (song),Tiagz
• I Like Him (song), Princess Nokia
• CITY OF ANGELS (songs), 24kGoldn
• Don’t Start Now (song), Dua. Lipa
• Mad at Disney (song), salem ilese
• What You Know Bout Love (song), Pop Smoke
• Savage (song), Megan Thee Stallion
• Dynamite (song), BTS
• Break My Heart (song), Dua Lipa
• Look at Her Now (song), Selena Gomez
• Tangerine (song), Hot Chelle Rae
• Tomorrow Me (song), Hot Chelle Rae
• Good Thing ft. Kehlani (song), Zedd
• I Think I’m OKAY ft. YUNGBLUD & Travis Barker (song), Machine Gun Kelly
• Work That (song), Mary J. Blage
• I Hope (song), Gabby Barrett

Heck. I’ll just make ya a playlist. But you should listen on shuffle.

Best Shows

• Floor is Lava — This show is exactly what you think it is-a game show version of the game that got my sister and I in trouble often as kids. Fun to actively watch or have on for sound during those long WFH days.
• Tiger King — So I was already familiar with Joe Exotic as last year I listened to a podcast by Wondery that covered this story. But this brought so much more to the surface.
• 13 Reasons Why — I’ve been watching 13 Reasons since the start but this final season was wild. Not to be watched while working from home.
• Good Girls — This is another show I’ve been watching for a bit, but I only binge this show when the next season is available on Netflix. This show was recommended by a former friend and what ultimately got me to watch was my love for Rhetta. Also another show that requires your attention.
• Down to Earth — Zac Efron and the environment. What more do you need?
• Dead to Me — Another quarantine find. This is a show I watch when I have to do a lot of system work and the computer has to do work for me.
• Hollywood — Did I initially start this because it starred Darren Criss? Yes. Did I stay because I enjoy pieces that take place in the 40s? Yes.

Best Books

• So You Want To Talk About Race
• White Fragility
• Just Mercy — I spent a lot of time reading about race this year and wanting to make sure I’m part of the solution not part of the problem. These three were my favorites of all the books I read.
• Enrique’s Journey — My book club read this book about a young man named Enrique’s journey (hence the title) to travel from Honduras to the States to reunite with his mother. I cried a lot while reading this book, especially thinking about my friends in Honduras, but honestly anyone going through what Enrique did to reach his mother and get answers as to why she left to create a better life and never came back.
• The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck — This book was actually recommended to me by a waitress when I was in Vegas and about a month later it became my laying-outside-and-reading-because-I-can’t-stare-at-the-computer-anymore book. I’m not a big self-help book lover but I really loved this one.

Best Face Masks (both kinds)

• Totally Taylored — My friend Taylor added masks to her sustainable store this year. All of her items are made with fabric that would otherwise end up in a landfill. What I learned when she started making tote bags is that fabric does not biodegrade well. So not only do I have a handful of grocery totes and produce bags, mom and I have bought stacks on stacks of masks.They’re so well made and have nose wire to keep my sunglasses from fogging up when I have to be out of the house.
• Target’s 2 for $4 masks — When I end up needing to go into Target for groceries because something isn’t available for drive up, I usually grab a pack of these in the checkout line. There’s nothing worse than sneezing in your mask when it comes out of nowhere. I’m grateful that staying away from others this year has kept me very healthy but it just takes a little tickle in my nose for a sneeze. Something about sitting in my sneeze does not appeal to me. Enter the quick mask change.
• Beautycounter Counter+ Charcoal Face Mask — I cannot say enough about this mask. Earlier in quarantine, I reached out to my friend Olivia who’s a consultant with Beautycounter to see what she’d recommend to coat this mascne. She reminded me of the charcoal mask, which I already had and love, and their spot treatment which was sold out at the time. So I grabbed their all over treatment, both of which definitely helped! But the mask isn’t painful to pull off, which I really appreciate.I highly recommend all three products! If you want to try clean, safe beauty with Beautycounter, please note Olivia DeFiesta as your consultant. And give her a follow on IG at @thelovelytwist.

Best Purchases

Not gonna lie, this is the part I’m most excited about so buckle up y’all!

• Rhythm & Tone Classes — If you follow me on IG, you know I often talk about my Tuesday and Sunday workout classes with Sarika. I found Sarika’s classes through Zo, a work perk. What I signed up for: a Beyoncé-themed dance class. What I got: a new outlet for dance classes because I like to be tricked into workouts. Sarika created Rhythm & Tone to teach online during quarantine and it’s such a great class. We dance and we do body weight exercises where Sarika kicks my butt and my limbs want to fall off but I love the class, I love her, and I love everyone who dances with us every week. Sarika’s now created her own online fitness platform, Rhythm & Tone Video-On-Demand so I can be tricked into working out whenever I want. I HIGHLY recommend. Come dance with us.
• Ring light, backdrop, and stand — A week into working from home, the CCO of our company wanted to see our workspaces. I hadn’t put together a workspace yet. The first week I’d just been working from my couch. So did I take my lunch break to go to Target to get what I felt to be desk essentials? I most certainly did. But our company uses Google hangouts for our video meetings and back in March, there wasn’t an option to change your background. My office has lots of storage that people don’t need to see so I went to Amazon to grab some essentials. I’d wanted a ring light for blog content anyway so I was glad for this excuse to bite the bullet and make the purchase.
• Apple Watch 3 and AirPods — Within a month of each other, I’d finally joined the Apple Watch and AirPod clubs. I like the watch better than a Fitbit as I feel it’s able to track more and provide more health insights. AirPods are great with the watch so I don’t have to bring my phone with me when I go for a run. And it doesn’t hurt for work calls and not being tethered to my desk at all times. AirPods are always on sale at Target so get them there!
• The Lovely Twist Clay Earrings — We’re back with my friend Olivia here! She started making clay earrings during quarantine and they are beautiful! I was a bit nervous about the first pair I ordered because I don’t wear dangling earrings often. I wore a heavy pair of earrings when I was 10 that ended up stretching my holes so heavy earrings can be really uncomfortable. But the first pair I got were too beautiful to pass up. I now have seven pairs and I am obsessed! I love pieces that are versatile so all of my pieces can be worn with so many styles. I even gifted earrings to family and friends because I love them so much. Looking for some beautiful pieces to add to your collection? Please pick out some of of these!
• Revlon Salon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer — This moved between my Target cart and my saved for later for MONTHS until I finally decided to pull the trigger. I’m a shower at night person and I rarely blow-dry my hair. Why? While it’s fine, there’s a lot of it, so it takes forever. When I’d blow-dry my hair, it would take 45 minutes and then my hair wouldn’t even be dry. My arms would just be too tired to finish. And then I’d still have to straighten my hair. Not with this bad boy! My hair is dry AND straight in 11 minutes! I no longer go to bed with wet hair. And it makes me miss my regular blowouts a little less, though nothing compares to someone washing your hair and giving you a scalp massage.

So, my friends, That’s a wrap on 2020. Let’s all quietly enter 2021 and not touch anything and maybe by summer, life will be sane and a new normal. I’m looking forward to transitioning back to my regularly scheduled content. Travel Talk for days! Until then, cheers to the unexpected blessings and lessons of 2020 and hope for 2021. Wash your hands, wear your mask, and stay home! Love you all!

xo.