IT’S MY BIRTHDAY! Anyone who has known me for at least 5 minutes, probably knows I LOVE my birthday. Honestly, I love birthdays – anyone’s birthday but obviously, I love mine. To me, birthdays represent a new start and another chance to start new challenges and goals. This year for my birthday, I’ve done my best to relinquish control and not take over for the birthday plans. I have to be honest, it kinda feels good.

Don’t take my relinquishing control too seriously though, we’re still celebrating – I’m just not driving the plans this year. Anyway, let’s get to the point with this birthday post. There are a lot of products, brands, foods, etc. that I love and today I thought I’d share 36 of them.

Yes, 36. That’s obviously my age. Whew. It doesn’t freak me out but it does…sort of.

We’ll dive into that at another time. Not today.

36 of my favorite things

This list is a variety of things. Maybe you’ll see some familiar items or maybe you’ll find something new. Leave me a comment and let me know!

1. Valerie Madison Jewelry – I don’t own any of her jewelry but I definitely admire it from afar. It’s so beautiful AND she’s one of the few black women in fine jewelry design.
2. JORD watches – You’ve probably seen me mention JORD before. I’ve partnered with the brand previously but I also really love their watches. I wear my JORD watch daily.
3. Jade roller – I got caught up in the jade roller hype like everyone else and I love it. I’m not sure if it’s doing anything but it definitely feels good (tip: keep it in the freezer).
4. Cantu intensive repair deep treatment masque – Earlier this summer, I felt like my hair was having a season of bad moments. This Cantu treatment masque really helped and made it feel so much better. I love it.
5. Lucas Papaw Ointment– I read about this in Bon Appetit and so we bought some. It helps with a lot of things like scars, mosquito bites, etc.
   
6. Method cleaning products – John and I have really started to love their all purpose cleaner and laundry detergent.
7. “We’re Going to Need More Wine” – I love this book!
8. Circus by Sam Edelman – I discovered this Sam Edelman brand earlier this summer and fell in love with this pair. They’re super comfortable and they have them in tons of colors.
9. “Americanah” – One of my favorite books.
10. “Cravings” Cookbook – Y’all know I love this cookbook (one of my favorite recipes).
    
11. Who What Wear line @ Target – I love Target (obviously) and this line is great (I have this blouse).
12. Velvet Robot cold brew – My friend started a cold brew line and it’s cool and tasty.
13. Bon Appetit magazine – Are we surprised by this?
14. Fringe ‘free spirit’ notebook – Love, love, love this notebook. Nothing spectacular about it, it’s just my favorite.
15. Burgers and old fashioneds from Main Street Meats.
16. Lazy TV watching – My current watchlist: UnReal, Somebody Feed Phil, Insecure, Sharp Objects (haven’t started yet but I’m about to) and I just wrapped up Jane the Virgin.
17. If I can be honest, I LOVE portrait mode on my iPhone. Life changing.
18. “I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness” – I’ve only read a couple of chapters of this book but I’m already a fan.
    
19. Cape Cod waves chips.
20. Taqueria Jalisco – I get burritos from there at least once or twice a week. So good!
21. The Chattery t-shirts – Sure, I may be biased about this one but our t-shirts are super soft and comfortable – get you one.
22. Cole Haan oxfords – These aren’t the exact shoes but they’re close. This particular line at Cole Haan is SO COMFORTABLE. When I wear these oxfords, I get lots of compliments and they’re super light.
23. The movies. Yep going to the movies is definitely one of my favorite things. Recently we’ve seen Mission Impossible and Equalizer 2. We still need to see Sorry to Bother You.
    

    Who wants a Chattery t-shirt? Come see us Saturday at the FIRST Chattanooga T-Shirt Exchange hosted by @thamilkdrop at @theedney. Support local creatives and entrepreneurs by purchasing shirts and swag! #thechattery #chattanoogafun

    A post shared by The Chattery (@thechattery) on Jun 14, 2018 at 10:42am PDT

24. Warby Parker glasses. I recently got a new pair.
25. Haagen Dazs ice cream. Give me a pint of strawberry or caramel cone any day.
26. While we’re at it, let’s add Jeni’s Ice Cream to the list too.
27. Five Daughters Bakery. We don’t have one here in Chattanooga but there’s one in Nashville and Atlanta. The donuts are the best.
28. Pizza. Not just any pizza, pizza from Douglas Heights Bakery here in Chattanooga. It’s usually always on my weekend to do list.
29. Divine Purity products – John and I have been *trying* to detoxify our house with products and their products are locally made and awesome.
30. SToK cold brew. Love this stuff.
    

    Today. I’m feeling extremely overwhelmed so I’m just going to focus on a photo of me going into @five_daughters_bakery (for the 3rd or 4th time) this weekend because thinking of donuts and cookies makes everything better. #nashvilledate

    A post shared by Shawanda // eatdrinkfrolic (@eatdrinkfrolic) on Oct 3, 2017 at 10:07am PDT

31. My For All Womankind Tee
32. MAC powder blush – I’ve been using this for years. I use ‘Ambering Rose’ – it is my absolute favorite.
33. Gin & tonics. But you knew this already.
34. Cetaphil face lotion.
35. This chocolate chip cookie recipe.
36. Summertime. Obviously. It’s my birthday season and everyone’s just more relaxed in the summer.

What are some of your favorite things?