Favorite Things of 2023
Well, well—
Well, it’s been awhile. We are firmly grounded in March, and I am just getting around to my favorite things of 2023. I wrote this post during a writing slump with my current fiction work. These days, it is easier to write about the real world than the imagined.
I did quite a bit of shopping in 2023. So much so that I am on a spending detox. Nothing too strict or formal. I still get my overpriced coffee drinks, and I still allow purchases for the house or secondhand finds. But I am not buying any clothes, shoes, or accessories for the first few months of the year. No set deadline. Just trying this thing called restraint which I haven’t had the last three years.
I think there are a lot of people out there in the same boat. COVID was the wild, wild west, and I had no problem spending money on miscellaneous items that made life feel better for fifteen minutes. Now, I would rather save up for trips and the last bit of my student loans.
Despite everything I just said, I bought some really nice things in 2023, and I want to talk about them. I am in no way saying that you need any of these items. The only thing you really need in this life is caffeine.
You can be like me, to help alleviate some of the not-buying-blues, I have a wishlist of items that I would like to purchase in the near future if I still desire them. (Would you guys want to see the wishlist?) It is an easy way to distinguish between desire and compulsion.
I think you can tell a lot about a brand by the type of white tees they offer. I’ve tried Target and Hanes and Madewell and JCrew and Old Navy and Gap. I’ve tried them all. Some fit terribly. Some fit but do not last. I am very particular, preferring boxy cuts, high neckline, and thicker cotton fibers (strike me down if it is see through!). Well (well, well), I think I’ve found the answer to my prayers. The Cos Clean Cut. $45 for a t-shirt? Hear me out. It is probably my most worn shirt outside of work (sometimes even to work), but it has not lost its crispness. I will probably buy every color (once off my spending ban).
Holden often complains at how slow I am to make design choices for our home. What he doesn’t realize is that I am a child of 90s HGTV. My work is never done. I will admit though, I did put off choosing a new wall color for the upstairs for far too long. We had paint samples on the wall for well over a year partly out of indecision and partly out of laziness. From the very beginning, I hated the previous owner’s choice, a grey that leaned heavily into a purple tone that was most notable at night. I knew I wanted a more true neutral that had the slightest bit of green and landed on Mojave Gathering by Backdrop. I’ve used Backdrop twice now, and I’ve never been disappointed by the final product.
My under 5’3” girlies rise up! Coming in at an intimidating (towering) 5’1”, I know the struggle of finding pants that do not need alterations. Until now! Everlane has been a brand on my radar for many years. I have always been interested in their minimalist, fad-less approach to design. They are transparent about the pricing, sourcing, and production of their clothing, an ethos I am learning more about and seeking out in the places I shop. I am not opposed to online shopping, but I only like to do so when I am familiar with a brand’s sizing and quality which was hard since they do not have a physical store. Petite influencers (a real, needed thing) have often brought up the Everlane Utility Pant as being short girl approved, so I bought a pair of the black variation. I wear these pants almost every single day, after work and on weekends. They fit perfectly without any hemming and can be dressed up or down.
The minute Holden and I confirmed our trip to England for the very first week of 2024, my secondary thought was, I need rain boots. I went to Dillards that very day and picked out the Stalon boot by Birkenstock, one of the best compulsive purchases I have ever made. Comfortable. Waterproof. They give that Chelsea boot feel but with the Birkenstock shape. I’ve worn them for tens of thousands of steps, through London rain and mud and on dog walks at home. My one warning, the boots are not insulated, so, though your feet will stay dry, thick socks are a must when dealing with lower temperatures. The lack of insulation does make accessible through all seasons, though.
My go to bag. The only purse I bring when traveling. It is much larger and flattering than the Lululemon bag. The versatile strap makes it easy to switch between a shoulder or cross body.
A lot of my bigger purchases last year were travel related because there has been more of it. I’ve found the best way to combat my flight anxiety is to make the process as easy as possible. Which meant getting TSA pre-check and switching to carry on luggage only. A new suitcase was a must. I looked at all the internet brands—the Aways and Beis. I went to all the big stores to test drive their offerings. I even purchased a cheaper Swiss Gear option earlier in the year but returned it after one use for a faulty handle. I landed on the brand Monos specifically the Hybrid line. After a few uses there is some scuffing, but I think it adds character (and is easily removed with magic erasure). My only complaint is the bag’s lock system (instead of the traditional zipper closure) is harder to close as a beginning minimalist packer, but the restraints of its size does force me to think more thoughtfully about what I pack. I have been stopped at security for a random search, and it is a pain to open in a crowded airport. I still think it is worth the small hassle for both its style and durability. If the sticker shock is too much—wait, like I did, for the end of year sale.
I am trying to be a make up wearer, again. Not from societally pressure or anything like that. I am just finding, as 33 year old, that I cannot rely on my 25 year old complexion anymore. The under eyes are darker. The sun spots linger. I am much too lazy to have a multi-step process every morning. All of my make up from my twenties has long expired and dries out the skin, so I made the drastic decision to Google, “make up for your 30s”. The brand Merit came up. I was initially drawn to the ease of the brand. There aren’t too many options to make. Basic. Simple. It is meant for that “no makeup, make up look” and perfect for a five minute routine. I use the foundation stick under the eyes and over blemishes, the bronzer stick to bring a little life back to the skin, and—my favorite—the creme blush to make me look like a shy teenager. As mentioned, this is not a full coverage line. Its meant to blend easily and enhance your features. I like to think of it as a mature step up from Glossier. Also, it is a great make up routine for travel. Very compact!