If you were to ask ten people what they can’t live without, you’d get ten very different answers. For some, it’s their morning coffee ritual; for others, it’s a killer playlist that turns even the worst traffic into a manageable vibe. For me? The things I can’t live without are a mix of the practical, the personal, and the utterly indulgent. Call it a peek into my curated yet chaotic life—the little joys and necessities that keep this Dallas girl grounded, inspired, and just a little spoiled in all the right ways.
1. My Grandma’s Heirloom Earrings (a.k.a., "The Magic Confidence Boost")
Picture this: It’s date night, the lighting is dim (yet flattering), and I’ve been staring at my reflection for twenty minutes, debating whether I’ve overdone it with the bold red lipstick. And then I add the earrings. Instantly, my whole vibe says, "I own this room."
These earrings, gold with tiny pearls, were my grandma’s, and they have transcended mere accessory status. They remind me of her irrepressible wit, her elegant style, and her firm belief that no problem is too big for a proper glass of iced tea. I swear they practically whisper, “You’ve got this,” every time I put them on. My pro tip? Everyone should have a go-to piece of jewelry that feels like armor.
2. A Stash of Rose-Scented Candle Goodness
Before you roll your eyes, hear me out. Candles are not just wax and wicks. They’re mood-setters, vibe curators, and the unsung heroes of stressful Monday evenings. There’s something almost spiritual about lighting one, grabbing a book (or binge-watching an addictive series—no shame here!), and pretending everything is just fine, even if your email inbox tells a much darker story.
My personal favorite is a rose-scented option that smells like a garden party in heaven. Why rose? Because it’s both soft and bougie—a reflection of the me I aspire to be when I’m not wearing mismatched socks.
If you’re out here living candle-free, you’re depriving yourself of an essential self-care weapon. Get one. A good one. Your living room (and mental health) will thank you.
3. Sunday Brunch with My Squad
We all have our rituals, and mine involves waffles, unfiltered opinions, and bottomless mimosas with my girl gang. It’s less about the food (though, let’s be real, Texas knows how to do brunch) and more about the laughs, the completely unnecessary oversharing, and the way your friends remind you who you are, even when life tries to tell you otherwise.
Brunch, my friends, is about more than calories. It’s therapy disguised as gently scrambled eggs. It’s trading your best embarrassing stories over smoked salmon bagels because we all need to laugh at ourselves once in a while—and who better to do that with than the friends who know all your dirt and still love you?
4. My Well-Worn Copy of “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison
If my house were on fire, this book would make it into my arms before I got to the front door. Toni Morrison’s first novel is not just something I read—it’s something that shaped me. It taught me about the beauty and pain of humanity, the power of language, and how stories can save us—whether we’re the ones writing them or reading them.
I revisit it every so often to center myself. If books were people, this one would be the wise, no-nonsense mentor who firmly reminds you to sit up straighter, live intentionally, and embrace every complicated part of yourself. Everyone needs a book like that in their life.
5. My Endless Collection of Flirty Lip Colors
Here’s the thing: Lipstick is kind of like armor, only instead of metal, it’s creamy, pigmented magic in a tube. It’s what you swipe on when you’re about to go on that nerve-wracking first date or, better yet, when you just want to feel like you could destroy on a first date if you had one.
My vanity drawer contains shades ranging from subtle nudes to unapologetic purples because, let’s be honest, there’s a lip color for every occasion. And few things scream “I’m showing up in full” quite like a run-the-world red.
6. My Texas-Worthy Cast Iron Skillet
Y’all, I didn’t know the true meaning of love until I made cornbread in my cast iron skillet for the first time. Growing up, this iconic piece of cookware was basically a kitchen throne in our house. My mom and grandma swore by it, and now I do too.
There’s something grounding about cooking with it—it connects you to a legacy and slows things down in ways that frenetic modern life often forgets to. Whether I’m searing salmon or reliving my childhood with fried okra, my skillet is where magic happens. Bonus: It doubles as a weightlifting tool if you need to feel like you're working out without…actually working out.
7. Spotify Playlists That Understand Me Better Than Any Ex Ever Did
If you ever need proof that music can hold your hand through life’s wild ups and downs, look no further than my “Crisis Karaoke” playlist. Whether I’m hyping myself up with Beyoncé’s “Love On Top” or dissolving into a puddle over Aretha Franklin’s “Ain’t No Way,” music is my therapist, hype woman, and travel companion—all rolled into one.
Having the right playlist is essential for everything from solo road trips to getting-ready montages that make you feel like the lead in a romantic comedy. And let’s be real, Sade’s “By Your Side” can solve just about any bad day.
8. Journals That Hold My Secrets (And My Drama)
As a writer, I naturally gravitate toward journaling. But for me, it’s more than scribbling to-do lists and ranting about life’s latest absurdities. My journals are places where I show up fully and unapologetically, where bad days are processed into lessons, and good days are celebrated like confetti.
It’s also a great way to make sense of relationships—both platonic and romantic. Some of my most profound self-discoveries have come from sitting down with a pen and asking myself, “Okay, girl. What’s really going on here?” Bonus tip: Write down every hilarious date story. They’ll either make great icebreakers or serve as excellent cautionary tales for your skeptical friends.
9. A Killer Scent (Because People Never Forget How You Smell)
It was my mom who told me, “You can tell a lot about a person by their signature scent.” I laughed then, but oh, how I get it now. I’ve gone through many fragrance phases—from fruity florals in undergrad to sultry ambers now—but Chanel Coco Mademoiselle is my ride-or-die.
It’s chic without trying too hard and bold without being brash—the perfect combination for everything from date nights to job interviews. Find your scent, and you’ll find a boost of quiet confidence you didn’t know you needed.
10. My Never-Fail Sense of Humor
No list would be complete without my ability to laugh through the mess of life. Whether I’m rescuing a disaster of a soufflé or recounting a hilariously awkward date where my heel got caught in the sidewalk (and I pretended it was a dance move), humor is my safety net. It’s free, endlessly renewable, and guarantees I’m never down for long.
Laughter, in moderation or excess, is the one thing I truly believe will carry us all through. And honestly? Who couldn’t use a little more of that in their life?
Life is complicated, brimming with surprises, and sprinkled with bad hair days—but it’s the things we treasure, big and small, that hold us together. My list isn’t universal, but my hope is that it nudges you toward cherishing the things that keep you, you. Go ahead, make your own list—and don’t leave out the lipstick or the brunch squad. What’s the point of living without a little flair?
