The last few weeks gave me a birthday and a holiday season, which have made me a spoiled woman, indeed. As I use some of the goodies I’ve gotten, you’d better bet you’ll see them crop up in the next few “Things I Love” posts.

Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone [Discontinued]

My brother gave me the latest and greatest Windows Phone from Nokia, the Lumia 1520, for Christmas. (Good thing, too; I’d dropped my old phone in a watery ditch while walking Ramona on Christmas Eve.)

Wow. The phone’s huge screen has the resolution and the technology of a back-lit Kindle, making everything as crisp as a printed page—while still resting well in the hand and against the ear. It has lightning-quick responsiveness, an amazing camera, and works much more fluidly with Bluetooth devices and multimedia than my previous model.

Converse Chuck Taylor High-Tops [Discontinued]

Call it an early midlife crisis, but I’ve had a major jones for my go-to footwear from high school, the classic black Converse Chuck Taylor. So I took some of my Christmas money and bought a pair. They need a little more wear and tear to fit my taste, but they’ll get there.

Coach Handbags

Handbags make some women swoon. Not me. I’ve always focused more on finding something functional, versatile, and streamlined (no chains, buckles, or wild prints, thank you).

For a holiday gift, my mother took me shopping for a new work tote that could include personal items, my tablet, and a few files and match most of my professional attire (which, fortunately, doesn’t trend formal). Also, I needed a new handbag in a brown or deep neutral color for everyday use.

It took us a while, but we finally encountered two perfect bags at Coach. Subdued, elegant, and absolutely practical.

What do you love this month?