4 Things Gifted To Me This Year That I Bought Again With My Own Money
The truest test of love?
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by Carolyn Firestone
As a writer for a website with the word “candid” in the name, I’m not going to pretend that I’m not privy to a certain amount of gifting from various brands. And as much as I try to explain that it’s the only way we’re able to test as many things as we do and that we only write about the things we really, truly love, I get how it’s hard to believe I’m not … influenced.
So perhaps the truest test of the best of the best things I’ve tried are the ones I’ve gone on to buy myself, either for myself or for other people I love—the ones I send to every friend who asks me “do you know of a gorgeous tall boot?” or “do you have a favorite pair of everyday pants?”
And so, I decided to tell you about 4 particularly special things I was gifted that I was then willing to spend my own cold hard cash on.
So without further qualification, let’s get to the actual stuff.
1. The Perfect T-Shirt
WHAT: Z Supply Modern Slub Tee*
Why I go on and on about it: There are 25 billion t-shirts produced in the world every year (yes, I looked it up to make this point). And that makes it both overwhelming to choose just one and confusing as to why I hate them all. I’ll admit there have been a couple $120 t-shirts I’ve tried on that have looked and felt very good, but I’m not going to spend $120 on a t-shirt. Finally, one came along that was jusssst the right length, jussssst the right whispery soft material, and jussssst the right (somehow waist-nipping cut). And it was jusssst $39, which meant that in addition to getting it in more colors, I also bought 2 more in white cause I’m prone to spills.
See how the length means you can wear it untucked and still look put together?
And even when you slobbishly semi-tuck it, it still looks pretty polished:
* Gifted
Price: $39
2. These Surreally Comfy/Flattering Viral Pants
WHAT: Ruti On The Loose Work Pants*
Why I go on and on about it: These pants DO. NOT. WRINKLE. I had to lead with that in case you don’t read any further. The curved cut magically makes legs look long and lean. They weigh nothing, and they feel like loungewear which makes them easily my favorite, favorite travel pants.
Here I am prepared to board a 13-hour flight:
* Gifted
And yet, they’re called “work pants” for a reason because indeed they dress up nicely.
Price: $249
3. These Timeless Tall Boots That Feel Like Clouds
WHAT: Nisolo Vera Knee High Boot*
Why I go on and on about it: A tall boot is maybe the most instant and effective way to create a classic and intentional look with next to zero effort. This pair is perfection. They glide over the calf, have a padded sole, a comfy block heel, and the exact right rounded toe. Also those little tabs to pull them on are genius, not to mention very “quiet luxury” in an English countryside sort of way. I wear them as a uniform with skirts and dresses all through fall, adding tights and a coat in winter. And yes, they’re already in my cart in chocolate brown.
* Gifted
Also they’re on sale right now!
Price: $257 $368 (30% off)
4. This Cashmere Sweater Everyone Thinks Is That Other $500 One
WHAT Quince Mongolian Cashmere Fisherman Boxy Cropped Cardigan Sweater*
Why I go on and on about it: This cardi is famously pure cashmere at a third of the price of many a cashmere cardi.
I was sent one as a gift in the more oversized fit*, and it’s essentially become a security blanket for me in the fall/winter. But then I saw our Editor-in-Chief, Audie, in the cropped version, pictured here:
And without hesitation, I went on to buy it because it has perfect proportions and comes in a sea of pretty colors. It can even be haphazardly tucked and worn as a chic top:
I’ve gifted this to sisters, friends, mother-in-laws, and it’s one of those gifts you gloat about just a little internally when you see it being worn so often.
Price: $120
5. Bonus: The Beauty Things
I know this is a “style” article but there are 4 beauty products I’ve been sent that I’m so deeply devoted to at age 43 that I buy them religiously. My skin noticeably deteriorates anytime I stop using any one of them, so I thought I’d include them as a little Ibonus.
The Face Cream*: There’s a certain $300 cream that replenishes the skin on a level that makes people spend $300 on a face cream even though it will run out in a month. This cream yields the same glass-skin results for a fraction of the cost.
The Anti-Aging Serum*: There is sorcery in the way this tightens and smooths my skin. I’m actually scared to stop using it.
The Pore Minimizer*: This dissolves that dead, scaly skin you didn’t even know was aging you a decade, and your pores look like they’ve blurred before your eyes.
The Blemish Banishing Product*: A probiotic serum for acne. It’s so unheard of I can’t explain it except to say it’s the only thing that cleared my breakouts since I turned 35.
Carolyn is the Managing Editor of The Candidly. Her favorite thing to do is to write about her favorite things, especially when they have even the slightest chance of making someone else’s something (mood, relationship, travel plans, or toiletry kit) a little better. You can find more of her articles here.
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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