This roundup is a MOVING EDITION because… we are OUT of Los Angeles (I mean, like, an hour away), and I genuinely cannot believe I’m typing that! Weee!
After months of dealing with mold, water leaks from units above us, a full-body skin reaction, and a property management situation that left a lot to be desired, we packed up and left. I wrote a full article about the experience, the emotional weight of it, and why we made the decision we did. You can read it here if you want the whole story, because moving, even when it’s the right call, is genuinely one of the more stressful things a person can go through.
But we are on the other side of it now, and I am so happy. The new place feels clean and bright and calm. My body already feels different. I can breathe. And naturally, I went a little overboard making it feel like home.
Everything on this month’s list is something I purchased specifically for the new place, and I am obsessed with every single one. Moving edition, let’s go.
If you missed last month’s 12 Things I Loved, you can check it out here:
1. Home Stone Toothbrush Holder
Let me say something that I think about more than most people do: leaving your toothbrush out in the open, especially in a bathroom that shares a room with a toilet, is genuinely not great. Every time you flush, fecal matter becomes airborne. It travels. And if your toothbrush is sitting on the counter nearby, open to the air... you do the math. Think about it. You can never unthink it. You’re welcome.
This stone holder is the solution and it is also just gorgeous. It has built-in vents to allow airflow and prevent moisture buildup, which is exactly what you want because a closed, damp container creates its own problems. A covered holder that also discourages mold growth inside? That is the whole package. A small purchase that makes a surprisingly big difference.
Moving into a new home felt like the right moment to finally upgrade my silverware, and I am so glad I did. This flatware from Quince is made of 18/10 stainless steel, which is the number you want to look for: the 18 refers to the chromium content (which prevents rust and corrosion) and the 10 refers to the nickel content (which gives it that beautiful, lasting shine). It is the highest grade of stainless steel used in flatware, and it matters more than most people realize because these are utensils going into your mouth every single day.
What makes this set even more special is where it comes from. It is manufactured in Italy by Sambonet, a family-owned silverware company that has been crafting flatware since 1856. That kind of heritage does not happen by accident. The craftsmanship is evident the moment you hold a piece. Beautiful, weighty, and made to last a lifetime. At Quince pricing, this is an exceptional value for what you are getting.
This thing lasts ten years. Ten! I cannot stand when a fridge smells like anything at all. I want to open my refrigerator and smell absolutely nothing except cold air and good decisions. My friend recommended this and I hit purchase so fast.
I will also be real with you: I have been hearing things about pregnancy and heightened sense of smell, and I have heard that the fridge can become a very specific source of suffering during that season of life. I am getting ahead of it. Future me will be very grateful. This little device sits in your fridge, absorbs odors, and requires zero maintenance for a decade. Honestly one of the most satisfying purchases on this list.
4. Food Storage Container Lid Organizers
In my old place, the cabinet where I kept my pots, pans, and food storage containers was honestly a little embarrassing. I would just stuff everything in and shove the door closed and hope for the best. Moving was the reset I needed.
I got these organizers for the new place and I am not exaggerating when I say they immediately made me feel calmer. Lids sorted. Containers stacked. Everything visible and accessible. Organization genuinely changes my mood in a way that I can only describe as deeply Virgo. If your storage situation is currently a game of Jenga every time you open that cabinet, get these. You deserve a zen kitchen.
5. High Pressure Shower Head + Filterbaby Shower Filter
I have talked about this shower head before because I genuinely love it, and I brought it with me to the new place because there was no question. It is affordable, the pressure is incredible, and it makes every shower feel like an upgrade. Paired with a Filterbaby shower filter, this is the combination I recommend to everyone. Filtered water AND powerful pressure. Clean water touching your skin matters just as much as what you put on your skin. This setup covers both. Unbeatable for the price.
Ditch the plastic. Please. Plastic utensils are not only less beautiful and less durable than wooden ones, they are also a source of microplastic contamination every single time you use them, especially with heat. Hot food plus plastic equals a problem you can easily avoid. These Caraway wooden utensils are gorgeous, well-made, and will not leach anything into your food. A simple, non-toxic swap that also just looks so much better in your kitchen. I love seeing them out on the counter. Functional and beautiful. That is always the goal.
My old place had shower curtains. My new place has glass shower doors, and I was not going to let water marks and streaks ruin that for me. Enter: the squeegee. I use this after every single shower to wipe down the glass, and the difference is immediate. Clear, streak-free doors every time.
But here is the thing I want you to understand, even if you have a shower curtain and not glass doors: you should still be squeegee-ing your walls after every shower. Standing water on shower walls is one of the primary ways mold takes hold. Given what I just went through with mold in my last home, I am not playing around with this. A 30-second habit after every shower can genuinely prevent a serious problem down the line. Get a squeegee. Use it every time. Non-negotiable.
Does anyone else have an inexplicable obsession with Facebook Marketplace?! Because I found a KitchenAid stand mixer on there and it was the right thing to do and I did it. The only problem with a KitchenAid is that it is genuinely heavy and sliding it across the counter to use it, and then back again to store it, is not my idea of a good time. This bamboo slider sits underneath it and makes moving it effortless. A tiny, inexpensive solution to a very specific annoyance, and it works perfectly. Also the bamboo looks lovely next to the mixer, which matters to me more than it probably should.
9. Enzo Organic Cotton Towel Collection
New home, new towels. I wanted towels that were soft, high quality, and made from organic cotton, because yes, what your towels are made of matters. Conventional cotton is one of the most heavily pesticide-sprayed crops in the world, and those residues can remain in the fabric and make contact with your skin every single day. Organic cotton is the swap that is so easy to make and so worth it.
These are gorgeous. I got full sets for the bathrooms, and I also personalized the hand towels for the guest bathrooms with our last name embroidered on them. A little touch that makes the space feel so intentional and put-together. I love them so much.
10. Oak Essentials x Jenni Kayne Hand Wash & Balm Set
I was gifted this set by the brand and I am genuinely so grateful, because it is exactly the kind of thing I would not splurge on for myself but absolutely love having. It elevates the space in a way that is hard to explain until you experience it: beautiful packaging at the sink, a hand wash that feels luxurious, a balm that actually nourishes. The whole thing just makes the bathroom feel more considered.
It also makes the most thoughtful gift, especially for a housewarming. If someone you love just moved into a new home and you want to give them something that feels special without being over the top, this is it. Putting this one in your back pocket for gift-giving season.
11. Reclaimed Oak Waterfall Coffee Table
The big purchase of the month. I wanted a coffee table that was genuinely beautiful and also made from materials I actually felt good about, and this is it. Crafted from reclaimed oak, it is not only stunning but also a genuinely non-toxic furniture choice: no particle board, no formaldehyde-laden MDF, no synthetic finishes off-gassing into my living room air. Real wood from reclaimed sources is the gold standard for furniture, and this piece looks like something you would find at a luxury home store for nearly double the price. It anchors the whole room. I love it every time I walk in.
I could not scroll past this Instagram ad. I tried. I really did. It is advertised for dogs, but I got one for my cat, and it is purrfect. (I had to.) I got the Furniture Series in Black & Walnut because it blends seamlessly into my kitchen, and the standard one-cup size is exactly right for a cat. It looks like a piece of furniture. It is a piece of furniture. That also dispenses kibble. I know it is extra. I do not care even a little. My cat is thriving and my kitchen looks cohesive and that is all I have to say about that.
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