Hey there-I know we rang in the New Year almost a month ago, but I still want to take a moment to share my top products of 2020! This post features a roundup of products I either bought for myself or received as gifts in 2020. You might remember some of them from a Monthly Favorites post, but a few are making their blog debut here. Keep reading for my favorite clothing items, accessories, beauty products, and Amazon products of 2020. These are all items I look forward to using in 2021 as well!
(This post contains affiliate links and my Beautycounter consultant links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks so much for your support of Palmettos & Pineapples and my Beautycounter business.)
Top Products of 2020 at a Glance
Top Clothing Items of 2020
Since the coronavirus pandemic resulted in an exponentially greater amount of time at home in 2020, it’s no surprise that my top 2020 clothing items are pajamas and loungewear!
Lilly Pulitzer Pajama Pants
So I technically bought Lilly pajama pants prior to 2020, but my collection more than doubled during 2020, so I’m considering them a favorite clothing item of 2020! These Lilly PJ pants in the Paws for Cause Breast Cancer Awareness Print is one new pair I added to my loungewear wardrobe in 2020!
Lilly Pulitzer Pajama Sets
During the January 2020 Lilly After Party Sale, I purchased a long-sleeved button down pajama top and matching pajama shorts, making this my first ever complete Lilly Pulitzer pajama set. I loved it so much I bought two additional Lilly PJ sets during the year. Shop all Lilly pajama items here.
Lilly Pulitzer Luxletic Skorts
I loved the Lilly Luxletic Skort I bought during an After Party Sale in 2019 so much that I added two more to my wardrobe in 2020. Lilly’s athletic skorts truly give you the best of both worlds. They are comfy and casual, while simultaneously making you look cute and pulled together. Check out the currently available Lilly Luxletic skorts here.
Draper James Pajamas
As a big Reese Witherspoon fan, I had admired her Draper James lifestyle brand for awhile. But I didn’t make any Draper James purchases until 2020. Keeping on-brand for 2020 closet additions, my favorite 2020 Draper James purchases are pajamas. I got a super cute and comfy sleeveless gingham nightgown that’s ideal for warm Southern nights in the spring and summer. Then this fall I bought a plaid flannel sleepshirt on sale. I felt especially festive wearing it during the holidays, but I have continued to wear it all winter long.
Top Shoes & Accessories of 2020
Now here’s a look at my favorite shoes and accessories that I got in 2020. Some I bought myself, and a couple were actually gifts from brands for blog collaborations.
Vera Bradley Tote in Mickey’s Sweet Treats
I got to partner with Vera Bradley to promote their Fall 2020 Disney print launch. One of the gifted items I chose for this collab was the Vera Tote in Mickey’s Sweet Treats. With lots of pockets for organization, the Vera Tote is one of Vera Bradley’s most popular styles. You can read more about my collaboration with Vera Bradley here.
Vera Bradley Weekender Bag in Mickey’s Sweet Treats
I instantly became obsessed with the Mickey’s Sweet Treats print when I received my Vera Tote. As soon as they collection launched online, I told my parents I wanted the weekender bag in the same print. They got it for me as an early Christmas present, before it sold out. You can check out the Vera Bradley Weekender Bag in a different Disney print here.
Vera Bradley Glenna Satchel in Mickey’s Sweet Treats
I also wanted a smaller, everyday handbag in the Mickey’s Sweet Treats print, so I treated myself to the Glenna Satchel in Mickey’s Sweet Treats. It’s still available on Vera Bradley’s website.
Sarah Flint Natalie Flats
2020 also brought me the opportunity to be a Sarah Flint Brand Ambassador. Sarah Flint is a luxury shoe brand designed in NYC and made in Italy. They gifted me these gorgeous Natalie Flats. You can read my full review of them here. In addition, you can save $50 on your first pair of Sarah Flint shoes with code SARAHFLINT-BALIZS.
Kendra Scott Ari Heart Pendant
My birthday is in late March, and I didn’t have a chance to get my 50% off Kendra Scott birthday discount piece in store before everything shut down. Luckily, I was still able to redeem my birthday discount online. I got the Ari Heart Pendant in rose gold pink druzy. Since I mostly wore dainty jewelry during 2020 due to wearing loungewear at home, this was the perfect choice. In fact, I am already thinking about getting a different color for my birthday discount piece this year. This heart pendant is also perfect for Valentine’s Day, both as festive attire for yourself or as a gift for someone.
Vera Bradley Large Collegiate Duffel Bag
When I discovered Vera Bradley has a collegiate line as well, I snagged this large duffel bag with the Clemson tiger paw logo during a sale. It’s roomier and has more compartments for organization than my other Vera Bradley duffel I got for high school graduation.
Top Beauty Products of 2020
Extra time at home in 2020 encouraged me to slow down and more fully enjoy the experience of my skincare routine. I also discovered a couple new makeup products I love. Here’s my top skincare products of 2020 and top makeup products of 2020, all with clean ingredients:
Beautycounter All Bright C Serum
Beautycounter didn’t skip a beat with launching new products during the pandemic. The Beautycounter All Bright C Serum is a new product of 2020 I particularly love. It features two extra stable forms of Vitamin C, plus turmeric, to help brighten skin, reduce the appearance of dark spots, and provide antioxidant protection.
ILIA Beauty Limitless Lash Mascara
I tried ILIA Beauty Limitless Lash Mascara in 2020, and it is officially my favorite clean mascara. Sephora sells a mini size, which I like because I prefer to replace my mascara every three months or so,
Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Drops
I love mixing these Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Drops with my daily facial sunscreen for a subtle glow. I’ve been using the same bottle since last May, so they last for awhile too!
Drunk Elephant Protini Moisturizer
Most of my skincare routine is Beautycounter, but I discovered Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream in 2020. I use Drunk Elephant Protini as my nighttime moisturizer. It promotes elasticity and firmness, and feels so good on. In addition, it’s not too heavy if your skin is on the normal to oily side, like mine. If you’re interested in more of my thoughts on Drunk Elephant skincare, check out this post.
Beautycounter Sheer Genius Conditioning Lipstick
Beautycounter upgraded their Sheer Lipstick with a new formula in 2020. The Sheer Genius Conditioning Lipstick features ethically sourced vanilla and a creamy, moisturizing formula with buildable color.
Top Home Items of 2020
Last but not least, here’s my top home items of 2020. It’s a mixture of appliances, organization tools, and more.
Mr. Coffee Electric Tea Kettle
After years of microwaving water in a Pyrex measuring cup whenever I wanted tea or hot chocolate, I decided to get an electric tea kettle. This Mr. Coffee electric tea kettle from Target is reasonably priced and does the job well. You can select your desired temperature, and the kettle automatically shuts off once the water reaches the set temperature. There’s also a “keep warm” option if you want to have multiple cups of tea.
Shark Cordless Stick Vacuum
My previous vacuum literally bit the dust (no pun intended) in 2020, and my parents generously gifted me with a new Shark cordless vacuum when I moved into my new apartment. I previously had a bagless traditional corded vacuum, and I like this new one so much better. It’s more compact, so takes up a little less storage space, which is definitely a plus for a small apartment. I also like not having to plug it in to a different outlet when I move to a new room. My particular model is marketed for pet hair pick-up, but it’s a nice feature even if you don’t have pets, especially if you have long hair like me. The brush roll is self cleaning, so no need to clean out hair that wraps around it. In addition, the Shark cordless stick vacuum also includes a crevice tool and an upholstery brush tool. The top portion detaches so that you can use like a hand vacuum.
Amazon Canvas Storage Boxes
These canvas storage boxes are definitely one of my top Amazon products of 2020. I previously featured them in my Amazon Apartment Organization post, and they have definitely helped me up my closet organization game.
Amazon Pantry Organization Bins
These clear stackable pantry organizers are another top Amazon organization item of 2020.
Duffy & Friends Sunset Wonders Mug
I love this adorable 2020 addition to my coffee mug collection featuring Duffy the Disney bear and his friends ShellieMay, Gelatoni, StellaLou, and Olu. ShopDisney periodically restocks it, so you can always check back. if you’re a Duffy & friends fan.
Lauren Ralph Lauren Spencer Sheet Set
Over Black Friday weekend I took advantage of a great deal at Belk to replace one of my old sheet sets with these Lauren Ralph Lauren sheets. They feel absolutely amazing, so much that it makes it difficult to get out of bed!
Brita Water Pitcher
I got my first-ever Brita water pitcher in 2020. This basic one is reasonably priced, and fits perfectly on my refrigerator door. Although the water quality at my place isn’t considered unsafe, one of the maintenance guys told me he doesn’t trust it for drinking. So this Brita gives me some peace of mind, and it’s easier than always buying jug or bottled water, especially with my limited storage place. I also like how perfectly chilled my water is now that I pour it from a pitcher that stays in the fridge.
Pin It: Top Products of 2020
Thanks so much for reading my top products of 2020. I’m excited to carry my enjoyment of these products all through 2021. If you’re looking for some new products to try in 2021, hopefully this gave you some inspiration.
In other news I recently redesigned my blog layout, which is a major reason why I haven’t published a new blog post in nearly two weeks. Check out the homepage here, where you will find links to other recent blog posts, as well as popular posts and seasonal posts you might enjoy. In addition, I reorganized the main menu at the top of the blog so that it’s easier for you to browse by topic to find exactly what you’re looking for. You can also easily browse and shop some of my wardrobe and home staples on this page. I would love to hear your thoughts about the new design!
Finally, you can keep in touch by connecting with me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. For additional bonus content to inspire you to appreciate the simple joys in life and encourage you to be your authentic self, you can subscribe to my insiders’ newsletter here. As a thank you, you will get a cheat sheet to saving money on some of my favorite brands.
-xoxo Liz
