7 things you should always buy at HomeGoods for a CHIC and blissful home

There’s nothing quite like the magic of a HomeGoods run. You walk in for one thing—maybe a new candle or a throw pillow—and suddenly you’re lost in a sea of stunning mirrors, designer-look rugs, and that one perfect decorative bowl you didn’t know you needed. But as dreamy as it is, HomeGoods can also feel overwhelming if you don’t know what to look for. With new inventory arriving constantly and every store layout a little different, it truly is a treasure hunt. The key? Knowing exactly what categories are worth scoping out and how to spot the gems among the chaos.

Over the years, I’ve developed a bit of a strategy—and honestly, a lot of my favorite home decor pieces have come straight from those well-spent HomeGoods strolls. From sculptural accent chairs to high-end-looking bathroom accessories, the right finds can instantly elevate your space and make your home feel more curated, cozy, and chic. Shopping at HomeGoods isn’t just about scoring a deal (although that part is pretty great); it’s about discovering pieces that bring joy and beauty into your everyday life.

The seven items I’m sharing below are my go-to categories—things I consistently look for and always recommend. These are the little design secrets that help me keep my home feeling elevated, organized, and blissfully put-together. If you’re craving a home refresh or want to add a dose of personality to your space without spending a fortune, this list is your starting point.

FUN FACT: TUESDAYS are the best days to shop at these stores. They typically put out all the new inventory out on Monday evening. (My friends mom has a part time job at one of these stores, so that’s how I get all the juicy details) Come to think of it, how fun would it be to have a part time gig at HomeGoods when retired and just looking for something fun to do. I love that.

Anyway, here we go…..

You should also see: 15 bohemian chic affordable finds from Wayfair

7 things you should always buy at HomeGoods:

01 | LOAD UP ON LAYERS OF PILLOWS

K, so I love velvet pillows, accent pillows with texture and the very soft and plush throw blankets they have. They come in almost every color, so you are sure to find one to fit the vibe of your home. I like the velvet pillows that come in a set of 2. They’re affordable and comfortable. So, it makes it easy to switch up your pillows for the seasons.

02 | SHOP FOR SCENTED CANDLES

Omg. This is one of my most favorite things to do in life. Smelling candles at HomeGoods. I can’t believe I actually just admitted that. Anyway, I do. Right now they have the winter candles out and they are soooooo good! I really anything by DW Home candles. Those are the best candles in my opinion, they burn the longest and have really good burn range, meaning they smell up not just one room but will linger into others. They also have Yankee Candles which are also really fragrant, too.

03 | HIT UP THE HEALTH ISLE

I am obsessed with these Lifestyle Awareness teas. I probably have about 5 at home currently. They really are so good. There are a ton of vitamins, teas, collagen powders, etc. This is a great way to get a bargain on your health needs. There are also chic containers and jars that you could use to organize all of your health essentials.

04 | DIG THROUGH THE DISHES

One of my biggest secrets for really good self care and healthy eating, is always using gorgeous dishes to eat on. When you are eating with beautiful things, you tend to focus more on the food and less on the distractions. Make eating a beautiful ritual with things that make you happy. I found these gorgeous white and gold quilted dishes which would look so glam with a breakfast, no?

05 | HEALTHY COOKING ITEMS

Wood cooking spoons are much healthier to cook with than the plastic ones. Same for strainers, get them in gorgeous copper. They have done such a good job making pretty things for kitchen. I love the wood cutting boards, spoons, etc. They look glam mixed with copper.

06 | PERSONALIZE YOUR PLACE WITH PRETTY PULLS

I spoke about this in one of my recent podcasts. When you are renting, one great way to personalize your space is through hardware. There are so many affordable options here. They are always mixing the styles up so you gotta keep going to get the good ones. I love the agate and stone pulls.

07 | VELVET HANGERS

Okay, so having matching hangers is everything. My boyfriend has so many wire hangers from the dry cleaners and I literally cringe at the sight of them. I am desperately trying to move these babies in. I have shopped everywhere for velvet hangers and HG has the best looking, most durable and most affordable ones. They keep clothes hung properly which helps your clothes last longer. Also, you can have each family member with a different color, so when sorting hanging laundry, you always know what is what. I just love these.

At the end of the day, HomeGoods is more than just a place to browse—it’s a goldmine for affordable, elevated home decor that helps you turn your space into a sanctuary. Whether you're styling a shelf, refreshing your entryway, or just want that little pop of something new, these seven tried-and-true finds are my personal musts for creating a home that feels both chic and blissfully lived-in.

So next time you head out on a HomeGoods run, bring this list along—you might just walk out with a few treasures that make your home feel even more you. Let me know in the comments below what you like to buy at HomeGoods.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT….check out the podcast I recorded about turning your home into a sanctuary. This episode will make this post make much more sense. Hope you enjoy.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR GLOW: 6 healthy habits you need to adopt when you turn 40

This post is all about the 6 beauty and wellness habits you should adopt when you turn forty.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I'll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. :)

The second I turned 40, I swear my body started falling apart. I’ve pulled my back muscles twice picking up my little boy. I pop every single time I start my yoga stretches and there are definitely new lines in my face.

While I feel more fabulous than ever mentally and spiritually, seemingly overnight my body decided to remind me…you’re over the hill girl. So, living a life with wellness at the top of my mind is everything to me.

I’m not going to lie, there is something kind of magical about 40. I feel more aware of life, more aware of myself, more powerful and so much better equipped for everything in my life. I’m also not going to hide the fact that aging well is very important to me. I want to look good as long as possible and feel good about myself. So, it is incredibly important to me to start paying attention to my body and myself.

Before I get into this post, I invite you to join me in making a commitment to yourself. To declare and decide that no matter what your age, this will be your best year yet. Commit to implementing these habits into your life daily for at least 21 days. Anything you do consistently for 21 days becomes an ingrained habit. I hope you will join me on this journey.

p.s. don’t forget to grab my 30-day glow up workshop (this workshop helps you with the inner mindset/emotional glow up work)

HIGH VIBE HABITS FOR A RADIANT GLOW

Habit #1 : Add salt to your water & up your water intake.

According to studies & research from Harvard, four to six cups of water a day is sufficient hydration for most people. However, ensuring you get enough hydration to regenerate your cells and get the benefits of being actually hydrated, you want to know precisely the right amount for you.

Now, here’s the thing, as we women age, there is a shift in hormones and nutrient dips. So, one tip that has really helped me is drinking this electrolyte water. Why? Because when you add salt, magnesium and potassium to your water, you get so many added benefits.

Benefits of adding salt to your water:

• Improved digestion

• Better sleep quality

• Increased hydration

• Body detoxification

• Weight Loss

• Improved skin

You don’t want to add just any salt, the best is pink himalayan and Celtic sea salt. I prefer to just add the electrolyte power because it’s a breeze to do in the morning as soon as I wake up. I stock up in this specific electrolyte powder because it also has zinc, magnesium and B vitamins. I love the peach mango and raspberry flavor.

Also, take a look at this chart below that shows you estimated water intake according to your weight.

Aside from the obvious, there are extra health benefits from being adequately hydrated. More glowing skin, curbing of appetite, reducing puffiness and inflammation. Water flushes out the toxins in your body, which helps anyone combat things like eczema and psoriasis, which I have both so I can speak from experience. Sagging, droopy skin is a result of dehydration. So ladies, let’s remember to get over hydrated, mm-kay?

Habit #2 : Commit to a supplement regime.

Ever since January, my 40th birthday, I’ve been researching vitamins and supplements like crazy. I want to know the best vitamins to take to keep a glow and stay energetic. However, there are hundreds of vitamins and hundreds of opinions on what is best. So, I decided to do my own research and implement them slowly and consistently.

I’ve started with this line called NeoCell and I am currently taking the Glow Matrix and Joint Complex and loving it. To supplement that I take a vitamin D, it helps to boost your mood. I also take a shot of apple cider vinegar every morning before I drink my coffee. I put fiber powder in my coffee and sometimes I add collagen, too. I also take this Women’s probiotic twice a day.

This combo has me really feeling energetic in the mornings and sleeping through most nights. I have noticed that my hair is really full and shiny which I always appreciate and my nails are growing at a rapid pace again. The key here is consistency. For any regimen for that matter, staying consistent is the real trick to having all of this work for you.

VITAMINS AND SUPPLEMENTS I LOVE:

Habit #3 : Create a good skin care routine without spending a fortune.

Listen, I am the worst at this. I can’t tell you how many nights I have gone to sleep without adequately preparing my face and I still have pretty good skin. I attribute it to my Spanish/Hungarian genes. Having said that, that half-assed skin care worked for me for all 39 years but recently, not so much. All of a sudden the lines have started to creep in and I can totally see it. Cue eye-roll.

For Christmas, I ended up splurging on skincare for my man and myself at my favorite store Blue Mercury. I went in and asked what are the best products for people in their 40’s and here is what she told me…just wash your face for 45 seconds, twice a day, everyday. I struggled to make sense of her response because I have been programmed to think that you need 19 of the top skincare products to be beautiful and dewy.

However, I’ve learned that the beauty influencer movement has been created to sell us all the things. But, what is most important is keeping consistent with washing your face. When I think of it, my grandmother who was gorgeous up until her 101st birthday only washed her face with soap and a washcloth for most of her life. Simple.

A few skin secrets you may want to try:

+ Adding retinol (or something like it) to your routine. I am obsessed with this SkinCeuticals Glycolic Renew Overnight. It acts like a retinol but in a different way. Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight is formulated with a free acid value of 10% glycolic acid, allowing it to work at a true 10% concentration proven optimal in promoting effective exfoliation and natural cell turnover

+ Sleep on mulberry silk pillowcases. Can I just tell you the damage sleeping on your face does to your skin? I could go on and on. Once I discovered the bliss of a silk pillowcase, I became obsessed. These are the ones I have. You want to buy several so that you can switch them out so you are always sleeping on a clean pillow. So much dirt, grime and crap stays on your pillowcase. Trust me.

+ Use clean wash cloths to wash your face. How many of us use the same towel for our body and our face. Or perhaps you are only using your hands to wash your face. We need to make sure we use clean, soft washcloths to prevent from germs, bacteria and grime. These cute little pink ones are my fave. They are made for baby skin so they are soft and perfect for your face. They help to fully exfoliate and get everything off of your face.

+ Take care of your hair. I am big on caring for my hair. In our 40’s we tend to lose the density of our hair, so it’s important that we begin with the inside out. Start with your scalp, I love scalp massages and oiling my hair. I love this overnight hair mask. I also take Viviscal vitamins when I feel like my hair isn’t as full as it should be. I talk more about my specific hair care routine here.

+ Korean skin care. I am obsessed with the affordable and highly effective options. I make sure to wash my face every night and layer on these incredible products.

These are my go-to AFFORDABLE skin care picks:

Check out my top picks Korean skin care list here.

Habit #4 : Move your body for at least 20 minutes a day.

Also known as hot girl walks. Our body is always changing, and if we aren’t adequately moving and stretching, we aren’t supporting our body to operate at it’s optimal level. You don’t have to spend hours in the gym but perhaps you go for a walk outside or you walk up and down your stairs a few extra times. It’s just important to get the blood pumping and those cells moving.

Examples of daily activities :

• Get up and do yoga stretches next to your bed. Set a timer and stretch your body for 20 minutes. I love this pilates bar for the home.

• Take the stairs instead of the elevator.

• Go for a walk around the block. Put on your headphones and listen to a podcast, like Blissfully Ambitious. This is a great way to multitask good habits.

• Take your child to the park to play.

• I love getting in the hot sauna and doing yoga stretches for 20-30 minutes. The anti-aging benefits of time in the sauna are incredible. Read more about sauna benefits here.

Habit #5 : Develop a spiritual practice.

For so long I felt the need to go on a spiritual yoga retreat to really get into a good meditation. I even began taking meditation classes at my local studio. However, when you need to make it an everyday habit, which I strongly suggest, you have to just make normal everyday things into a meditation. For example, when I go for a walk in the morning, I just listen to meditation music and simply zone out. Or I can even make having a cup of tea in the afternoon into a meditation. I actually walk you through a simple chakra meditation (which changed my life) in my course SOUL ALIGNED. If you take the course, every morning for 21 days I send you a short video with a simple assignment. Do it in tandem with these 6 habits and you will absolutely GLOW!

According to recent research, meditation can inhibit the response of the bodies’ inflammatory genes. This means that you will have less inflamed skin (bye-bye acne!) and fewer wrinkles as you age. Hello.

🦋 To amplify my meditations, I love to incorporate affirmations into my mindfulness practice. Here are some affirmations around health that you can use.

-I am healthy and full of energy

-Healthy, vibrant energy flows through my body naturally

-I easily attract positive experiences into my life; mind, body and soul

-The Universe loves to assist me in achieving abundant levels of health and wellness

-Every day is a new opportunity to enjoy new levels of energy and wellbeing

-I am a magnet for healthy, uplifting and empowering energy

Habits #6 : Reading + Writing.

I got this habit after reading the book Miracle Morning. For a while, I was getting up at 5 am and doing the habits suggested for a miraculous morning. The two that really stood out to me and made an impact were reading a chapter of a book every morning and then free writing which is basically morning pages aka doing a brain dump in my journal.

I am a bullet journal person. You can read more about that here and here.

If you have never heard of the morning pages, it’s basically free writing in a journal for 3 pages. You just want to get every idea, thought, feeling and emotion out onto paper and letting it live there. Think of it as a decluttering of your mind, every single morning. It will do wonders for your inner self.

On the same note, when your mind is clear, you want to fill it with something positive before anything else. Read a chapter from a motivational, personal development or business book. When you fill your mind with something positive in the morning, your motivation will soar. You will also more likely go on a positive thinking spiral instead of negative which will lower your cortisol aka the stress hormone. The less you spike your stress hormone, the happier, healthier and more glow-y you will be.

A few of my favorite reads:

Bonus habit: Regulate your nervous system. I originally wrote this post in 2021 when I turned 40 but in the last few years I have put an extreme focus on my hormones and my nervous system, especially as a woman. Focusing on breathwork, calming my body, studying the nervous system, understanding the importance of hormone regulation (especially oxytocin!) and my monthly cycle have all been incredibly helpful for maintaining my glow and healthy body.

Related Reading: 11 ways to nourish your nervous system

***Self Love is the secret. So there you have it, my 6 habits to start committing to when you turn 40 so you keep that radiant glow and high vibe. I hope this post inspires you to begin to take your body health seriously. Having a mind, body and soul in alignment and glowing will keep you feeling your best. The trick is consistency, sticking with your habits everyday. It is the “secret” that I am learning really locks things in. Sticking with a habit consistently will have you living in integrity with yourself. When you are living from this place, you learn to trust yourself more and love yourself better. Self love is truly the foundation of every and successful person I have ever encountered.

This why precisely why I love my course, Soul Aligned. It’s 21 days of consistent work towards loving yourself better, developing self love and soul awareness. When you are living in this place of alignment, you are able to create the life that you have always dreamed of, no matter what age you are.