I suppose with any move, there are purchases that need to be made. For us, there is always a dash to Ikea, a stock up at the grocery store and this time, endless orders from Amazon. Moving continents has meant re-buying a lot of our electrical items. Ouch… for our wallets! But I thought I’d share a few of my favourite purchases this year in case this inspires anyone for Christmas 2020 gift ideas. Enjoy!
Some of the links on this page are affiliate links which means if you purchase via these links, I’ll receive a commission. Please know that I purchase all of the products myself before writing a post.
Kitchen items
Dinnerware from Food52.com.
Actually, I love almost everything on Food52.com but I use my dinnerware daily. Sure, there was debate as to whether we actually needed these, but before our shipment got here, I snuck in this order. Food52 is definitely one of the sites I was most excited to order from once I arrived in the US.
KitchenAid 5qt Stand Mixer
Why I haven’t had one of these before, I do not know! I love this so much! It is a big-ticket item, but I got it on sale at Crate & Barrel for $299.99. I could not resist. Perhaps the lack of counter space in Singapore was a deterrent, also because I have a Thermomix which I have used for kneading. However, the joy I feel when I use this beautiful machine is unparalleled.
Zojirushi Rice Cooker
When I was missing Asia and Asian food, I decided I had to get a proper rice cooker. We had been cooking rice in our Instant Pot, on the stove, in my Thermomix. None would cook it just right. So I did some research and this brand was recommended by Dave Chang, one of my food heroes so I was on Amazon in an instant. Now we have perfect rice whenever we want.
Coffee things
Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine
I think I might not have survived quarantine if not for this! Another big-ticket item, but so worth it in my view. It’s dummy-proof enough that even I can pull a decent shot of espresso and froth up milk for my latte while still requiring some skill so I don’t feel like I’m a total coffee looser. Yep, my Breville and I are like BFFs forever… until I can afford a La Marzocco.
Coffee bean suppliers
Check out my post on where I found my The Best Coffee Beans in America.
If you’re in Singapore, you can never go past Perk Coffee. They freshly roast their coffee to order then deliver it to you. Once you’ve tried freshly roasted coffee there is no going back! They also have convenient drip bags for when you need a quick fix. Perk Coffee roasts and delivers in Singapore, Malaysia and now Hong Kong! I keep hoping to bring them to America.
Full disclosure, I’ve worked with Perk for years and still design things for them from time to time. Especially proud of their The Perfect Brew book on how to brew. Use our code VANILLABEIGE for 50% off your first subscription order. I promise you won’t be sorry.
A lovely gift from my daughter on my birthday this year. My How-To Guide and review of the Wacaco Minipresso will be coming soon. However, it is just so cute and easy to use. It pulls a great shot of espresso! If I were a camper, this would be with me on every trip! Though I can also see myself happily using it in a luxury hotel (which we all know, I love). Oh, I miss my luxury hotel days… damn you 2020.
Gardening
So gardening was an unexpected pleasure for me. I don’t like dirt, or bugs or worms. But watching my garden grow this last year was especially wonderful and kept me sane through the days of isolation. I had to include this section in my Christmas 2020 Gift Ideas because perhaps someone you know would like to pick up this hobby too.
I’m really not very good at it. I don’t know what I’m doing at all. But I don’t think that’s a reason not to do it so I’m looking forward to planning my garden out for 2021. Here are my favourite seed sources.
- MIgardener.com – I also get so much knowledge from MIgardener’s YouTube channel. It was invaluable to me. I think the seed shop delivers to Singapore but check the website first.
- Botanical Interests – their’s were the first seed packets I bought that started this new hobby. I love their super informational and beautiful seed packets too.
A note about seed sources. Just be really careful and get your seeds from a trusted source. Not knowing any better, I did order seeds from random places and the plants never grew.
Planning and Journalling
I’ve been a bullet journal addict for years. I love stationery, the feel of paper. Check out the 2020 Diary Review. Sadly, all my diaries were underutilized – I wonder why. Let’s also not forget that time I launched pads of weekly planners (these I love with all my heart and only have about 15 pads left).
Designing that first weekly planner was something that energised me. Thankfully, I have a fellow city girl who moved to the burbs in the UK. You’ll know her as Deepest Darkest Suburbia and you can read all her posts right here on Vanilla Beige. Check her out on Instagram @luisloves_
This year, she said I should just design my own suite of planners. And so I did. Check out all my minimal, printable planners. They’re at a minimal price and you can print them as often as you like. I hope you love them as much as I do! I’ll be adding more (another addiction, I suppose) so come back often and say hi. Forgive me for the shameless self-promotion for my Christmas 2020 Gift Ideas.
So, 2020 has not been the most awesome year for me. I’m sure it hasn’t been for many people. However, I am very grateful for all that I have. Launching my suite of planners reminds me that sometimes, it’s better to just do something you love instead of waiting for that perfect time or for the opportunity to be just right. Sometimes holding back because you don’t know if it’ll be successful or if people will like it is just not the thing that needs to be done. Sometimes you just need to do something.
Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2021 and thanks for following along on my journey. Meanwhile, I remain friends with the wildlife in my new neighbourhood. Meet Otis, the squirrel. You might hear more about him and his family in my upcoming book “My Life with Squirrels and Other Ordinary Things”. Of course, I jest. But perhaps one day.
