Christmas Eve musings and my plans for beauty and fashion in 2024
personal changes for the new year
I usually love the December holidays. To me, it is a season of cozy pajamas and beautiful Christmas trees, string lights and the annual viewing of Home Alone. It means curling up in bed or on the couch with a blanket draped over my legs, a cup of hot coffee and holiday sweets. It is the season of text messages and FaceTime interactions full of Merry Christmases and Happy New Years. To me, it isn’t simply a one day celebration; it is a week of rest, recharging my batteries, sleeping for nine hours, and pitter-pattering in my cashmere socks around the house.
As I sit in my office with a cup of Mexican hot chocolate (a most beautiful and thoughtful gift from a dear friend), I can’t help but think how different Christmas feels this year. The instability of the financial market, rising cost of homes, inflation, recession, violence, oppression, and inequality we face nation and worldwide have left me feeling exhausted and emotionally drained. Not to mention, 2023 in particular was an emotional, mental and physical odyssey for me as I made the decision to 100% invest in the private practice. More on that in future posts.
But in spite of all the chaos around us, my husband (ever the voice of reason), reminds me of the most precious reason why we celebrate Christmas. And I needed it. What could be more important than a special baby in a manger whose arrival was announced by an angel?
Part of the exhaustion I feel is from getting swept up in the trends and viral videos of the beauty and fashion spaces that made my head spin. I would buy products that I discarded after months of non use, only to realize that I never needed it in the first place.
Now that I am feeling a little more rested after a simple but delicious home cooked meal this Christmas Eve, I am ready to share the five changes I am implementing in beauty and fashion in 2024.
Not being afraid to accessorize. Hats, glasses, earrings, a nice watch can all make a difference. A simple straw hat can really make a simple fall to winter monochromic fit look more polished in an elegant way.
2. Less is more. I tried the viral 12 step method (or was it 15?) late last year and earlier this year, but it only irritated my sensitive combination skin and caused more painful breakouts1. Even after multiple laser treatments, I finally consulted with a dermatologist because the breakouts weren’t going away. She put me on a regiment which drastically helped my skin, but now I simply use hydrating toner and moisturizer in addition to the prescription medicine she wrote for me. I’ve relied on the products2 (oil free sunscreen I use as a base, Glossier perfecting skin tint that lets my skin breathe, and Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder that mattifies my skin) I’ve used for most of this year and they’re now my essentials.
3. Investing in a quality luxury item and using it over and over again. One thing is certain; I cannot keep up with trends and rotate luxury bag after luxury bag. Next year, I would love to splurge on one nice purchase and use the heck out of it, Olsen style. That is true love.
4. Being consistent with beauty products. Instead of buying what is trending, I appreciate and use what I already have. Make up products expire, especially liquid ones. It hurts my heart (and my wallet) to throw away something I’ve barely used.
5. Investing in quality knits made of natural fibers. In the end, everything will be moth eaten (not my words, but Alexa Chung is 100% right about this) and worn out. So I might as well spend my money on something made of good quality. Cashmere, cashmere blended, wool, cotton, there are so many out there that carry beautiful pieces.
If you made it this far, thank you. And I hope this list helps you in your own beauty and fashion journey.
Have a wonderful and safe holiday.
cystic acne is the bane of my existence.
i am not a medical professional; these are what work for my skin personally, and what i’ve used since consulting with my dermatologist.