Zooey Deschanel's Must Haves: From a Leather Backpack to a Smart Coffee Mug
:upscale()/2024/11/05/972/n/49352476/cda7e3e5672a9a0b6314b8.62521680_.jpg)
Zooey Deschanel has never met a whimsical pattern she doesn't like.
The actress and singer has a long-standing love for bold prints and retro silhouettes — see her purple Anna Sui styling from the "Harold and the Purple Crayon" premiere last July, or any one of the looks donned by Jessica Day, her fictional counterpart in "New Girl." But in her latest endeavor, Deschanel is taking her affinity for patterns even further by joining the brand synonymous with them: Vera Bradley.
"[Growing up] I definitely had a Vera Bradley tote and a Vera Bradley toiletry bag," Deschanel tells PS, reminiscing on the nostalgic quilted designs that made the label famous.
Her partnership comes at a time when Vera Bradley is reimagining its storied selection with fresh designs and more modern silhouettes — while staying true to its roots as a haven for long-lasting travel bags and everyday accessories.
"They approached me because they were looking to rebrand and introduce some more high-end offerings in addition to the classic Vera Bradley silhouettes. And so I was very excited to kind of introduce the world to this brand that people may not have seen if they weren't into the classic quilted stuff."
To celebrate her new ambassadorship with Vera Bradley, Deschanel spoke with PS about the brand's reimagined designs, her favorite pieces from the new collection, and all the must-have products she can't live without — whether it be on set or at home. From an athlete-approved mattress cover to a molecular serum and a heated coffee mug, keep reading to shop her essentials.
:upscale()/2024/11/05/971/n/49352476/e8b7b373672a99b0632996.80870564_PS24_MMH_Blu.jpeg)
Zooey Deschanel's Affordable Must Have
To keep her skin feeling moisturized and nourished, Deschanel relies on this Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream ($10, originally $12) — which is also one of Bryce Dallas Howard's must haves. "People use it as a hand cream, but it's natural and made with all these different oils. It's so good for dry skin and it smells amazing and it's so cheap," she says.
Pro Tip: Formulated with extracts of rosemary, chamomile, and pansy, as well as sweet-almond and sunflower oils, this nourishing cream is designed for all skin types.
:extract_cover():upscale():fill(ffffff)/2024/11/05/971/n/49352476/e8b7b373672a99b0632996.80870564_PS24_MMH_Blu.jpeg)
:upscale()/2024/11/05/971/n/49352476/672f7867672a99b0bdb3f9.96822819_PS24_MMH_Blu.jpeg)
Zooey Deschanel's Morning-Routine Must Have
A staple part of Deschanel's morning routine involves nursing a cup of hot coffee — with the help of this Ember Mug 2 ($75, originally $150), which keeps her morning brew warm throughout the day. "I have two of them and they're great — one just on my desk," Deschanel says.
Pro Tip: The smart mug is equipped with a charging coaster that offers up to 90 minutes of heat so that your coffee stays warmer longer. With the Ember app, users can also program the gadget to heat to specific temperatures.
:extract_cover():upscale():fill(ffffff)/2024/11/05/971/n/49352476/672f7867672a99b0bdb3f9.96822819_PS24_MMH_Blu.jpeg)
:upscale()/2024/11/05/971/n/49352476/c1fb265b672a99b130c022.71805644_PS24_MMH_Blu.jpeg)
Zooey Deschanel's Investment Must Have
While Deschanel notes that it's "kind of an expensive product," she says that she and partner Jonathan Scott can't live without this Eight Sleep Pod 4 Ultra ($4,599, originally $4,699) mattress cover. "It's such a game changer because if both you and your partner have different temperature [preferences], it'll adjust, and you can set it to get colder as you sleep and then get hotter when you wake up."
Pro Tip: This athlete- and celeb-approved mattress cover is designed to improve sleep quality, with personalized heating, cooling, and elevation capabilities that cater to each user's unique sleep preferences — even while they're lying next to someone else.
:extract_cover():upscale():fill(ffffff)/2024/11/05/971/n/49352476/c1fb265b672a99b130c022.71805644_PS24_MMH_Blu.jpeg)
:upscale()/2024/11/05/971/n/49352476/62770b56672a99b18bc7a8.68511550_PS24_MMH_Blu.jpeg)
Zooey Deschanel's Nighttime Must Have
As someone with sensitive skin, Deschanel follows a very particular skin-care regimen — which includes this Mother Science Molecular Hero Serum ($89). "You can fit it into any skin-care routine, but it's great for fine lines and fading hyperpigmentation. It doesn't irritate my skin at all. And it works just like a vitamin C," she says.
Pro Tip: For best results, apply one to two pumps of the solution to your face after cleansing and prior to moisturizing. Per the brand, this product can be used in place of a vitamin C serum or layered with other solutions.
:extract_cover():upscale():fill(ffffff)/2024/11/05/971/n/49352476/62770b56672a99b18bc7a8.68511550_PS24_MMH_Blu.jpeg)
:upscale()/2024/11/05/971/n/49352476/c50748a1672a99b1ef1b61.80034300_PS24_MMH_Blu.jpeg)
Zooey Deschanel's Travel Must Have
"I'm very much a backpack person," Deschanel explains, citing this Vera Bradley Chancery Backpack ($295) as one of her favorites. "The backpack has a sleeve you can put on your suitcase that's super practical. It's a great size — not like too huge or anything, you can put it under your seat on a plane."
Pro Tip: This Vera Bradley backpack is available in two fabrics — nylon twill and leather — and a range of colors, including Cottage Cream, Bronze Green, and Roasted Pecan, among others.
:extract_cover():upscale():fill(ffffff)/2024/11/05/971/n/49352476/c50748a1672a99b1ef1b61.80034300_PS24_MMH_Blu.jpeg)
:upscale()/2024/10/29/688/n/49352476/a9b036721fdc62a2_Commerce_Mini_Bio_Slides.png)
Kyley Warren (she/her) is an award-winning writer, editor, and affiliate strategist with more than four years of experience in the publishing space. She currently works as an assistant editor on PS Shopping and is an expert on all things related to shopping and fashion. She previously worked with Entertainment Tonight as a style commerce writer, and her byline has appeared in publications globally.