My Favorite Things in 2023
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This is the last favorites round-up for the week. Thank you for allowing me to momentarily clog your inbox.
This past year, Iβve shared things Iβve bought, things Iβve been sent to try/review and I always give my honest opinion. However, time passes β sometimes that opinion evolves β and there isnβt an update.
I donβt think I should use this space to call out the stuff I have soured on, but I do want to highlight all the things that still blow me away, or grew on me.
8 Second Wonder Water β I actually havenβt mentioned this on the blog yet because Iβve only been using it for a month. However, if you know me IRL you may already know all about this because I wonβt shut up about it. This is a magic potion you put in your hair for 8 seconds (I do a little longer) that transforms even dry, bleach-damaged locks like mine into silkier, softer strands. Do I sound crazy, like Iβve been abducted by aliens with a hair agenda? Whatβs the science? Why does it work? I donβt understand and I donβt care! I use it in lieu of conditioner, air dry, and I swear my hair has never looked better.
Uniqlo Round Mini Shoulder Bag β When my friend
did her guest post in May about this viral bag, I wasnβt sure it would live up to the hype. But it surely did. I got one with a Keith Haring print (it goes in/out of stock for only $2) that took me all around Japan, and when I went to Philadelphia for Thanksgiving and realized I didnβt have a purse (only a giant carry-on bag) I hopped into the local Uniqlo for a corduroy version. They hold a ridiculous amount of stuff and look good with everything.Gap Puffer Jacket β Still loving this, though I havenβt worn it anywhere legitimately cold. Helenna (same Helenna from above) lives in Vancouver, though, and she got the coat version in green. She reported to me from 40-degree weather that she felt warm and really dug the hood and arm sleeves.
LASIK β This should be on My Favorite Things of My Entire Life list. I mean, the surgery itself was something I never want to undergo again, but this is by far one of the best things Iβve ever bought for myself. My quality of life has vastly improved and I donβt miss glasses one bit. Traveling to Japan was such a game changer!
Kitsch Hair Products β This year I bought a few items from this company β a shampoo bar, two types of scrunchies (one giant, one with a bow) and these tiny little claw clips that I use for half top knots. Iβve really liked every single thing and would buy anything they make!
Maya Chia Pressed Serum (gifted) β This is not a casual skincare item (itβs just over $100) and I was sent it for free. That said, I would buy this for myself (or for someone else) because it is pure luxury, and delivers two things I want in my regular skincare routine: Vitamin C and Coenzyme Q10. Iβm especially loving it this winter, as itβs super soothing and nourishing.
YouTube Premium Subscription ($120/year) β If you watch as many YouTube videos as I do YOU NEED THIS. It basically turns off all ads, which is the main reason I got it. But you can also download videos to watch offline (helpful when youβre on a plane), Background Play (so you can watch while you send emails and stuff), and stream YouTube music. (FYI if you wanted to give this to someone, you can do so via a Google Play gift certificate.)
Perfecting Nail Veil β I discovered Londontownβs Nail Concealer during the pandemic when we couldnβt go to the nail salon. Honestly, I rarely get them done anymore, aside from the occasional gel polish like I did recently for a film shoot. These nail veils have a tint of color to them and always look natural. And for those of you wondering (like I did) what the difference between this and regular sheer nail polish is, I find that it dries a lot faster, lasts longer (about a week) and are pretty much goof proof (I cannot say the same for Essieβs iconic βBallet Slippersβ β which always streaks or smudges; I finally threw my bottle out after four years).
Lumi IPL Permanent At-Home Hair Removal (gifted) βIβm a little bit on the fence about this because Iβm still in the midst of testing this out. But I felt it deserved a year-end update. If you watch the vlog, you can see my skepticism/confusion after the initial use. But after a few weeks, I can say for sure that this home device is indeed working to remove my body hair! Itβs just happening very slowly/sporadically. Some weeks, the hair grows back slower than others and at different rates on different body parts. Iβm only a few weeks away from the full recommended 13 weeks yet, and my shaving has been significantly reduced (plus the hair is less coarse) but I donβt feel like Iβm near the permanently fuzz-free-ness that they promise. (FYI the company gave me a 15% off code to use: Mslynnchen15.)
Facial Epilator β Despite my mostly positive review above, I donβt trust the Lumi on my face, even though Iβve seen no evidence of scarring. So I use this mini handheld epilator instead to remove hair above my lip and around my brows. I used to go in to do eyebrow threading once a month and this has saved me so much money and time.
NY Times Games β Every night before bed, Abe and I play (usually in this order) Connections, Wordle, Spelling Bee, The Crossword and then Iβm left on my own to solve Letter Boxed. We play on the App and have the free version which is limited, but Iβm not tempted to upgrade because I like that itβs only once a day. Itβs fun to bond with Abe, exercise the mind, and it usually puts me right to sleep!
The paywall has been removed through the end of the year, plus Iβm offering a 20% discount off annual subscriptions!
My aim is to keep these posts sponsor-free, so if youβd like to support me directly with a paid subscription, that would be very helpful. Please note: I do use affiliate links and may earn a commission when you purchase something.
And PS... at 30 degrees Fahrenheit Iβm still pretty warm in the Gap coat!
Omg there is a chord version of the Uniqlo bag?!?!? As soon as the brown one is back in stock Iβm definitely grabbing it!