Recent Discoveries & Good Habits

What I loved last year that I'm bringing in to 2024

I know you’ve likely been inundated with year-end, “What I Loved in 2023”-type of lists, but I like to think this one is a little different.

That’s because this is less a list of products I like and more a roundup of all the things I really, truly loved in 2023 that are coming with me into 2024. That includes television shows, books, and habits. And yes, a few products that I really, genuinely loved that I will be turning to again and again in the coming months.

In terms of resolutions, I have only one, via my favorite book (more on that, below): to surrender.

As a winged creature, you are occasionally called upon to explain flight to the flightless. Your standard answer is that it’s a combination of Newtonian physics, concerted flapping, weather, anatomy. But honestly, it’s best not to think of the mechanics of flight while you’re doing it. Your philosophy: Surrender to the air, enjoy the view.

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First, a habit I developed in 2023 that I’m bringing into the new year: sleeping on my back. I was a stomach sleeper my entire life. And when I say stomach, I mean I would sleep essentially face down, one entire half of my face smushed into the pillow beneath me. Over the past year, I’ve noticed so much upper back and neck pain and felt it time for a change. So I began sleeping on my back and the unexpected result is that my skin has literally never looked better. I haven’t broken out once in two months, I don’t have pillow marks everywhere when I wake up, my eyes are noticeably less puffy and my skincare products are still on my face in the morning. This is huge for me because I invest pretty heavily into skincare so it feels like things are finally working as they should. As a bonus: this serum from Maelove, another 2023 obsession, stays on my face, penetrates my skin, and has completely changed how bright it is. I find that a pillow wedged beneath my knees, a diffuser piping out something soothing, and a silk eye mask help me sleep best when on my back. I also love these guys if you need an extra assist with getting to sleep.

Next, my favorite fashion buys of 2023 that I have worn so much that I can confidently say they were worth every penny. The Skims t-shirts are affordable, well-fitting, and feel so, so good. This cardigan is the best. I sometimes wear it with no shirt under, so it’s almost like a v-neck sweater (which looks great with gold jewelry). Other times, I wear it with a t-shirt underneath. These pants feel and fit similarly to leggings but have a slight crop and flare, so you can wear them with heels or with sneakers. These are the best airport/travel pants on earth. And speaking of sneakers….it was a Sambas year and we just lived in it.

Now, my favorite sources of entertainment from 2023: Beef was my favorite show of the year. Incredible. I also adore The Crown. It took me years to finally watch it and when I did I was like, “Wow, what was I thinking putting this off for so long?” It’s visually stunning, and the acting is so good. If you’re looking for something less deep and more heartwarming, you can’t go wrong with Jury Duty. Just one of the best shows I’ve ever seen in my life. Genius. Best movie? Barbie. Hands down. Book-wise, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin was amazing. It’s being turned into a movie, naturally, and I can’t wait.

And my best vintage finds of 2023, because why not? Vintage Braille Playboy; Horchow head planter; postmodern wavy candlesticks; Botero poster; Fornasetti plate.

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and I’ll leave you with this….