Better than a wish list or another gift list: my “Best Purchases of the year” List, all categories mixed. Things I will buy again. Everything is potentially a good gift idea.
🗝️ To view and unlock the 23 things, open this email in your browser or in the Substack app (where I'm spending most of my scrolling time)!
#23
Matcha. It’s part of my daily Sphere of Silence. A non-negociable. Matcha gives me a strong nervous system, a better focus, and glowing radiant skin.
Starter Kit from my favorite coffee shop in Hamburg, Lowinsky’s, 90€
For my Hamburg people: visit the coffee shop — Lehmweg 36!
Beautiful glass cups. The highlight of my Summer (and a great gift for Iced coffee or Iced matcha or smoothie lovers, but not limited to: suitable for hot + cold drinks).
Within Mood Cold Cup Set of 2 with glass straws, 27€ (it comes in a beautiful box!)
#22
A physical planner / diary. It made me stop forgetting things and looking forward to planning exciting things. I bought this one this summer, it’s the size of my hand, soft cover, I bring it with me everywhere (it’s a 2023-24 weekly planner, in red, so that I can ask ‘have you seen my little red notebook? and everyone in my household knows what I’m talking about).
Moleskine Daily Planner 2024, 18€ (enough space for my daily gratitude list?)
#21
Linen duvet set. We share our bed, but not our duvets! Linen gets softer and softer overtime, keeps you cool in the summer, and warm in the winter. Say no more.
H&M Premium the Single Duvet Set, 99€ (ref. 0188590045), or in Double, 139€ (ref. 0188589060) - many colours available.
#20
A cotton scarf. I bought one big one and talked about it extensively, but it’s now sold out, and a smaller one. I wear one or the other every single day, in so many different ways.
SKALL Cotton Scarf 55x55cm, 55€
#19
Not really a 2023 thing as I started with SuperHair in November 2022. It’s the one supplement I take every day. I just take 1 or 2 caps daily.
MoonJuice SuperHair
#18
A belt. I got one in cream and the same, but in black. Maybe it’s because I wear everything oversized, but I found that having such a ‘rope’ belt makes me feel more put together.
Leather Belt, 35€
#17
Birkenstock Clogs. In black, with a soft footbed. I use them as house shoes now, and I think it makes our downstairs’ neighbours happier.
Boston Birkenstock, now 30% off — 105€ here
#16
Body Scrub and Body Cleanser. Want to feel reborn? This is what you need. I love the smell, I love how efficient it is. And it leaves your skin so soft.
with the Body Cleanser
#15
This book. The Creative Act. Best book of 2023. I keep revisiting it daily (opening a random page), and it looks good — like a coffee table book: gift it to everyone you know. We are all creatives, aren’t we?
#14
This mirror. For my daily Gua Sha ritual (I only trust this cleansing oil): this mirror keeps me accountable for it! It comes with me when I travel as well.
Muji Triple Folding Mirror, 13,95€
#13
The best serum for hair growth with rosemary, camomile & lavender. The smell is so fresh, the serum lasts a long time (I use it 3 times a week after washing my hair), the brand comes from Germany and it’s super clean.
#12
A good bra. I mean: it changes everything, right? My self-confidence, right here! I discovered this German brand made in Europe: great quality, great price. The return policy is user-friendly. I bought so many of the same because: so good.
Speidel Be Natural Bra, organic cotton, 28€ in ecru and white
#11
Trainers. I thought I’d run again in 2023! It didn’t happen, but those New Balance are the most comfortable trainers for our family walks. Easy to clean with such a brush.
#10
Incense. 0,40€ per stick. Grand Chalet happened to be my favourite, but there are many great options. Can’t live without it. It uplifts my mood instantly!
Grand Chalet, Astier de Villatte, 50€
For my Paris people: visit the shops at 173 rue Saint-Honoré or 16 rue de Tournon!
#10
The only mascara I wear right now. So good, and this comes from someone who haven’t been wearing any make-up for the past 5 years. You remove it just with warm water on your eyes!!! The only magic I believe in!
Mascara Hourglass Unlocked, 33€ (the mini size is so convenient)
#9
I can imagine you already have a body brush, for dry brushing, right? The game changer for me: a face brush for a natural lifting effect. This routine takes me less than 2 minute daily. Love it.
Karmameju Dry Brushing
#8
A classic shirt that you can wear in many different ways, 365 days a year, with anything and everything.
SKALL May Shirt, 140€ (I’m wearing a size 36)
Also great: this SKALL Edgar Shirt, 135€ in light beige
#7
Vintage Denim. Levi’s 501s. I live in them. Check out “levis 501 vintage” in the preloved apps available in your region. Ask for the exact waistband measurement before buying. I have 501s in 3 different sizes, for different fits, and I usually pay between 35 and 75€. Sometimes, I pay an extra 10€ to have them hemmed by my tailor at the perfect length for me.
For my Paris people: visit the shop “Less is More”, 22 rue des Vinaigriers!
#6
A Curaprox manual toothbrush. The only one that can make my electric toothbrush feel boring. Also available for your children. Give it a try, and thank me later.
Curaprox Super Soft 3960, 5€ at the local drugstore (for my Hamburg people: at Budni) + Euthymol Fluoride Free Pink Toothpaste, 6€
#5
A grey t-shirt. It goes with everything, and it fits everyone. What I wear when I don’t feel like wearing white from head-to-toe.
Cotton T-shirt, 19€ (I’m wearing a size M), I also have the light beige one when I don’t want to wear my favorite White T-shirt, 35€
#4
This fountain pen. I have 3 of them, the exact same ones, that I use with different LAMY ink colours. There are the best for my Morning Pages and for every day handwriting. At the moment, I love the black, green and purple inks best!
LAMY Fountain Pen Vista Nib M
#3
This cashmere sweater. The way to my heart.
Soft Goat Boyfriend Turtleneck, 415 €. Love the beanie as well, 85€ (unisex). Get 10% off with WELCOME10.
#2
The T-shirts and Notebooks I designed!
ARDAS CHANDRA: T-Shirt Divine Timing, 62€, Notebook Morning Pages, 24€ (sorry, SOLD OUT)
#1
Love people and use things (the opposite never works…)
The best things in life aren’t things, but the people we get to share this human experience with.
🥹
I am so grateful for everyone who crossed my path or walked along with me this year, online or offline. Thank you for being here, and supporting The Light Letter. Consider forwarding this list to a friend!
Your turn:
What are some of the Best Things your bought in 2023?
Bless you,
Ardas Chandra
💙
PS: can you tell sharing links is my love language?
Loved this thoughtful look into your favorite things of the year. I know I can trust your recommendations! <3
This is soo loveable and I was do curious to find out! Perfect inspiration and many parallels already. Love Seidel since I was a teen. 🤩