Things I Liked in 2024
Products
Pajamas: This year I was on a mission to find the most comfortable PJs. The winner so far is Negative. I like the Whipped Boyfriend Tee and the matching Whipped Boxer. I tried the long underwear as well, but found that it didn’t hold its shape and would sag annoyingly. (Pass: Skims Cozy. I liked it at first but it takes up a ton of drawer space and is inexplicably dry-clean only?)
Bathing suits: Now that I have a hot tub, I’ve accumulated an ungodly number of swimsuits. The best are those by Summersalt. They are high-quality with sewn-in bra pads (praise be!) and are very flattering. As a curvy lady, I can report that they feel cute and sexy without showing an unseemly amount of cleavage. Everytime I wear one of their suits, I get compliments. I own the Sea Breeze Cutout One-Piece and the Perfect Wrap One-Piece. Honorable mention goes to the Baiia reversible bikini. It’s super versatile and flattering, but it’s not as travel friendly or grab-and-go as other bathing suits. (Pass: Baobab. SO CUTE, but not size-inclusive. The largest size barely fits me, and the amount of chest reveal makes me look like I’m going to start an Only Fans).
Sports Bras: I’ve been wearing the same raggedy sports bras for decades. Time to upgrade! I wanted something with good support but that wasn’t a workout to put on. I found great fits at Athleta (Train Free Bra) and Quince (V Neck Cropped Tank).
Active Wear: Speaking of Quince, I’m a massive fan. One of my other Quince favorites this year is the Ultra-Soft Namaste Set, which I’ve decided is going to replace all of my other gym wear. I’ve got three more colors in my cart now!
Intimates: More Quince! I’m obsessed with the Second Skin Square Neck Tank Bodysuit (I have it in three colors). It’s not compressive at all. It’s super comfy and great for layering. I also like the Second Skin Thong and am in the process of replacing all my underwear with it. PS- None of these are affiliate links, but if you are going to order from Quince, hit me up for a code for $20 off your first order!
Body/Skin care: I’m super into the Necessaire Oil Body Wash in Eucalyptus. Its oil-based formula has a luxurious feeling! Might as well pick up the Body Retinol while you’re placing an order. This year I learned about Apres Shave from Megababe. It’s really made a difference in my razor-burn prone skin. COSRX Snail Serum- cultish for a reason! It really does make your skin feel nice. (Pass: The instagram famous overnight face mask from Biodance is just a gimmick IMHO. I like the Lancome Genifique Hydrogel mask much better.)
Makeup: I’m not a big makeup person but I’m into the Mighty Rescue Balm as a lightweight foundation, and I love the Glossier You perfume and Generation G lipstick (although the packaging sucks and always breaks). Gotta also mention the Stila Deluxe Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso- turns out it’s the perfect red lip for me! (Pass: I wasn’t that into the Jones Road Miracle Balm even though the instagram ads still make me want to buy more)
Household: If you have a fireplace this wood carrier is a game-changer. I also got a pre-lit Christmas Tree this year. Why on earth did I wait so long? It makes things so much easier.
Travel + Food
Hotels I Stayed in and Liked This Year: The Swiftwater (Poconos), Hotel Sacher and Hotel Imperial (Vienna), Amore Arenal (Arenal, Costa Rica), Placio del Inka (Cusco, Peru)
Locations: This year I did did a lot of travel, and here’s how I’d rank it:
Loved it:
Antarctica
Peru (Lima, Sacred Valley, Macchupicchu and Cusco)
California (Napa)
Neutral
Costa Rica (Arenal and Las Catalinas)
Austria (Vienna) (I love Vienna in general but just not this trip)
Florida (Orlando)
Arizona (Tucson and Phoenix)
Wouldn’t Return
Argentina (Buenos Aires)
Dominican Republic (Punta Cana)
Cocktails: Some of my favorite NYC bars this year:
Nines
Sloanes
Sip and Guzzle
Portrait Bar
Melody’s Piano Bar
Dante
Food:
Greenberg’s Bagels (NYC)
Salt + Straw (various)
Morning Glory (San Diego)
Morgensterns (NYC)
Nurish (Jersey City- I eat the Kale Breakfast Sandwich weekly)
Superiority Burger (NYC)
Wine Bar George (Orlando)
Media
Books: My favorite read this year was The House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III. I think it might be my favorite book ever? My second favorite was A Light Through The Cracks. This is a companion to my favorite movie, the Dawn Wall. The movie tells Tommy Cadwell’s side of the story, and the book tells Beth Rodden’s side. I love them both. I also really enjoyed Endurance and yes, although cheesy I am also into the Empyrean Series by Rebcca Yarros (sorry!)
Movies/TV: I watched my first Bachelor franchise this year- The Golden Bachelorette. I cried, I laughed, I loved it. I’m also currently crying over the new season of Queer Eye (I just love Jeremiah Brent). Other TV shows I liked were The Diplomat on Netflix and Fallout (Amazon Prime). For movies, might I recommend the new Christmas movie, Nutcrackers? It’s very heartwarming. Wicked was great (duh). And I really did like It Ends With Us.
Favorite Follows: Mrs.Derm is 100% my favorite instagram follow this year. I’ve learned so much from her about skin care. Other faves: KyleDidIt (DIY), Madisonavenuespy (Fashion), Mosheh (News) Mark.smith.photography (Pics), Tanner.leatherstein (Purses), Habitually Chic and things.i.bought.and.liked (generally being cool and bougie), Jarrellcarter (fitness but more he makes me laugh).