Laurel Lakes Living

Beauty advent calendars, luxury skincare countdowns, fragrance and body care sets, stationery, puzzles, candy, and even one for the dog. These are the 2026 advent calendars I'd want to open every morning in December, from easy under-$50 picks to the splurges worth every tiny door.

A few things for getting ready, winding down, and making the in-between feel less hurried.

Carry-on luggage, weekender bags, packing cubes, travel blankets, and laundry bags that make packing easier and the trip smoother. I'm very particular about what I travel with, and these are the pieces that earned a spot in my carry-on, starting with the BÉIS sets everyone keeps talking about.

Beautiful everyday dishes, warm finishes, useful countertop pieces, and storage that looks curated while still being functional for everyday living

My go-to pieces for making a space feel less basic and more thoughtfully styled.

Wooden train sets, Montessori busy boards, play kitchens, stacking toys, and toy storage that keep a playroom calm, neutral, and fun. These are the aesthetic toys I'd buy as gifts or keep in my own playroom, with picks for babies through preschoolers.

A nice bag, a bit of bling, the right belt, and all the little things that somehow end up making the outfit.

Wool coats, trench coats, barn jackets, faux leather bombers, faux fur, denim, and puffers for fall and winter. One thing about me, I love a good jacket, so these are the ones I own, the ones I'm watching, and the ones I'd buy if I had more closet space.

Turtlenecks, thermals, mock necks, and soft cotton sweaters I wear on repeat from fall through winter. These are the everyday tops that work under every jacket on my Layered list and still look good on their own.

Our favorite collars, harnesses, leashes, and accessories for comfortable, stress-free walks with your dog.

Everything for breakfast, dinner, and the occasional very enthusiastic snack. My favorite bowls, placemats, food storage, and feeding accessories.

The nicer-looking dog beds and furniture pieces that feel intentional instead of purely pet-store. Equal parts dog comfort and room-friendly.

The small gifts that still feel fun to open. Minis, beauty, little luxuries, and things I’d actually want.

Gifts for the person who always has another trip planned, plus a few things that might make you want to book one too.

I never like showing up empty-handed. These are the things I’d actually bring, from pretty little kitchen finds to gifts that feel like you planned further ahead than you did.

Makeup, skincare, hair products, and little beauty extras that have earned their place in my skincare routine. Here are some of my favorite products that I own

My personal defense against freezing mornings, icy parking lots, and regretting leaving the house

Sunscreen I can reapply over makeup, after-sun lotion, cooler totes, sand-free beach towels, linen shirts, and the portable fan I can't live without. These are the summer essentials I keep reaching for, from warm-weather staples to the little upgrades that earn their spot in the beach bag.

Stand mixers, Dyson vacuums, Nespresso machines, down duvets, and a hotel-level mattress. These are the home essentials worth spending more on, because the cheap version always ends up costing twice. Buy it nice, or buy it twice.

Classic, polished children's pieces I would actually buy

Sweaters, sets, jackets, and the little everyday pieces that make boys’ clothes feel much more pulled together.