Gift Guide 2022: New Faves and Best Of So Far

It’s time again for our annual gift guides, where I mentally shop for all of you in the community. Yay!

As always, if you have gift ideas, suggestions, or you want to tell me about something you’re giving or getting, please email me!

NB: some of these links are affiliate coded, which sends a small percentage of your purchase back to us at no extra charge to you. If you’ve used them, thanks! And if not, no worries! 

First up, something that I just gifted myself: Loops Earplugs. (Link offer: 15% off!)

I first read about these on a Reddit forum for ADHD and Autism, but I think they were designed for music festivals and loud concerts to protect people’s hearing. Per their FAQ, “They help you avoid sensory overload by reducing annoying or loud sounds, are reusable and stylish,” and after trying a pair, I agree with all of the above.

I ordered myself the Experience Pro, which dampens sound but allows me to hear people talking. For example, one morning my husband’s laptop fan was bugging the crapola out of me, but with the Loops in, most of the whirring noise was diminished and I could relax. The Experience Pro also comes with a “mute” addition to eliminate even more sounds.

And there’s a quiz! You can use their quiz to help you figure out which pair and which features you want!

I mentioned them in the internal SBTB Slack, and Shana said, “I looooove Loops. I may buy a backup pair.”

“I have the Experience ones, in silver. They’re great for toning down the edges of annoying noises, but I can still hear clearly enough that I feel safe when I’m out and about.”

Shana also adds, “I also have a pair of Quiet ones that I bought for sleep, but I’m a side sleeper and they’re not as comfortable as foam earplugs to lie on for several hours. YMMV tho!”

And then, while researching Loops, I found…Accessories! 

There are earrings for holding your Loops!

Shana: WHAT?!? (Shana and I are both very excited about this development.)

3rdTryDesign has a line of earrings made to hold the Loop earplugs, and includes huggie hoops, post earrings, and clip-ons for unpierced ears.

Given how small earplugs are, and that the case they come with is small, too, I am 10000% ordering myself a pair. They’re available for pre-order and the site says they should be shipping in early November.  Woo!

Back in August, I featured one of Shana’s recommendations, this satin car headrest cover:

I just bought a satin cover for my car’s headrest and I love it so much. The back of my head of curly hair kept getting frizzy during my commute to work.

SatinProtect Satin Headrest Cover, $25

I asked Shana if she still liked it, and she said, “It’s such a delight and brings me joy every time I drive and arrive with not frizzy hair.”

And speaking of Greatest Hits from Stuff We Like: in the June Stuff We Like: Summer and Outside Time, Penny commented and changed my whole summer. Penny shared in a comment:

I really like meundies new swimwear. It’s size and gender inclusive, with neat prints.

I’m kinda addicted to their rompers and jumpsuits too!

Y’all. The Jumpsuits.  I own two now.  I love them so much!

MeUndies jumpsuit, $78/non-member cost

I wore them all summer, I brought one with me on trips, and I can wear one on top of a t-shirt if it’s chilly out. I’m not sponsored by nor am I a meUndies affiliate, but I do have a link for 20% off if you want to order. There are often coupons, too.

Later in the summer, I ordered the meUndies Curvy Bralette and a pair of matching briefs, and they’re now among my favorites. They weren’t lying when they said their stuff was comfortable. Wow.

I also mentioned these overalls in a past Stuff We Like. I now have three, and I LOVE all of them:

Uaneo Cotton Overalls, $24

The pockets are big enough for my phone, the length is cropped so once it’s hecking cold I will probably wait for spring. But with a long sleeved top, I’m very comfortable and still feel cute. And hello to everyone who told me they also ordered some and also feel cute!

Back in 2020, I posted about these joggers, which I ordered during the early Quarantimes:

The pockets are really, really accommodating to my big honking phone, and I’ve been wearing them constantly. I have four pair: dark grey, burgundy, black, and heather grey. I have to order new ones because after so much wearing in the past almost-three years (!!) the dark grey ones are wearing out a little.

Among my other new favorite things, a pair of clogs. These ones:

Birkenstock Boston Shearling Clogs, $170US

I know, I know, this style is hellaciously popular everywhere and while I am not at all trendy, I do love being comfortable and knowing that the thing I paid (MY GOSH, A LOT OF) dollars for will last a hecking long time.

Y’all, I am wearing these everywhere. My toes are toasty warm, my back doesn’t hurt, my  Stardew crops are watered…I love them. I struggled with the cost but when I wear them out of the house, I feel like I’m getting away with wearing my slippers everywhere.

What about you? What were some of the greatest things you bought, borrowed, gifted, or bookmarked this year?

We’ll be doing weekly gift guides until the end of December, so please drop your suggestions in the comments, or email me!