The Drop Checklist: Better of 2021
Welcome to a very special end-of-year edition of the Drop List! Over the course of 2021, we’ve given you the lowdown on the most highly anticipated releases and intriguing launches in the world of design—from furniture to candles, tasty bites, and everything in between. Here, we’ve hit “rewind” to round up a few of the brands and launches you loved shopping the most this year. (And, if you’re craving even more Clever content, don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter.)
If there was one kitchen essential Clever readers had to have in 2021, it was the fan-favorite Always Pan and newly released Perfect Pot from Our Place. Even Justina Blakeney was charmed by the brand new offering. Lo and behold, the design-forward cookware brand released not one, but two very stylish shades of their eight-in-one pan and pot this year: First, a sunny shade of yellow called “Zest” back in July, and then a misty blue “Blanch” this past October.
We don’t know who was more excited about Brightland’s delicious releases this year, you or us! From our very first Drop List, where we celebrated Brightland’s limited-edition strawberry vinegar collaboration with strawberry farm Oishii, to just a couple months back when the brand released a delicious honey duo, we couldn’t get enough—and neither could you!
You were able to sniff out a quality launch this year, namely when the expert candlemakers at Diptyque announced the “Grand Tour” series to mark its 60th anniversary. Teaming up with internationally renowned artists and perfumers, the travel-inspired collection paid homage to exciting cities like Paris, Venice, and Byblos, while celebrating the brand’s historic past.
We’re not surprised that, like us, you were into all things Parachute this year. First, we introduced you to the brand’s expanded loungewear offerings, including luxe linen sets for all. Then, for Parachute’s first-ever foray into bedroom furniture, a collection of three thoughtfully designed bed frames inspired by Californian landscapes—from the curves of Laurel Canyon to the dunes of the Mojave.
Cheers to you! Making it through another tumultuous year definitely calls for a toast. We recommended Haus’s delicious alcoholic aperitifs throughout 2021, and you loved all of the brand’s refreshing flavors—including new ones like summery strawberry basil and, most recently, tart pomegranate rosemary.
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Gap’s entry into home items was another delightfully unexpected release that had Clever readers opening their wallets this year. And though we didn’t find any Gap mega-logo sheets or duvets to match your favorite hoodie, we were thrilled to find colorful bedding, serveware, and bath decor in timeless designs and classic silhouettes to spruce up your space.
Keeping your phone at full battery was clearly a high priority for 2021. Case in point, you all shopped Courant’s newest line of aesthetically pleasing Essentials chargers in a big way. Wrapped in a natural Belgian linen, the tech accessories inspired by and created specifically for the home are still available in stylish neutral colorways, like charcoal black, natural off-white, and camel-colored tan.
Let’s be frank, who doesn’t love Aesop? The celeb-favorite home and body essentials have been spotted in too many Open Door episodes to name, which is why it wasn’t exactly shocking when you guys jumped at the chance to snag one of the brand’s charitable holiday kits, filled with fan-favorite products and best sellers like the Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser, Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm, Hand Wash, and more.
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If you were missing your favorite Asian cuisine spots this year, Fly By Jing was here to help you stock your pantry shelves with all the robust flavors you needed to infuse a little bit of spice into your dishes. From knock-your-socks-off hot pot bases to deliciously juicy dumplings, you loved that FBJ made it easy to elevate any meal.
Rounding out the list are a couple of Crate & Barrel’s very good collaborations. First, we were thrilled to see stylish baskets from South African decor brand Mo’s Crib stocked on C&B’s virtual shelves back in July. Then, in August, the retailer struck gold again by teaming up with Detroit-based brand Shinola to release a limited-edition collection spanning 115 lovely furniture, lighting, and home decor pieces that we think were the perfect refresh to any space.
