Several thought leaders and social media influencers have stated that they feel like the new year is just starting now, today. It has taken folks a few weeks to get here. To wrap up 2023. To shake off the holidays. To just process the state of affairs — our own and the tattered, worn-down proverbial state of affairs.
I’ll gladly take this grace to jumpstart the blog today for a new year.
As fun and sometimes perplexing What’s In and What’s Out lists can be, I have decided to do a What’s Still In List. This is a random assortment of *things* that I discovered, used, gifted or otherwise had an affinity in 2023 and that I plan to continue to use with gusto in 2024.
Dove Dry Shampoo Volume & Fullness – I have used quite a variety of dry shampoos over the years from Not Your Mother’s, Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo, Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo, Living Proof (surprisingly my least favorite). I picked this up at my neighborhood Bartells in desperation before a procrastinated packing session and I have never looked back. I have extended my at-home blow out by lightly misting this on freshly coiffed hair. I have watched four day old hair look like two day old hair. And perhaps my greatest standard of rating – my teen daughter keeps *borrowing* my dry shampoo.
UnrollMe – I am one of those people who signs up for email subscriptions, sale notifications, you name it. Then the next day dawns and I stare at a bulging inbox of the email equivalent of gnats. I found UnrollMe via Instagram (natch). Unlike other technological organizational systems, UnrollMe is a breeze! It vacuums up unwanted email subscriptions so that they no longer appear in your inbox and provides a summary you can review in case they hoovered up something actually useful by mistake.
Hoka Kawana Sneaker – As an Olympic level couch potato, I have an odd fascination with sneakers. The athletic kind, not those cute trotting around Vejas types. I have high arches that put a substantial pressure on the balls of my feet when I run…or walk. Either way, the much lauded cushioning of the Hoka shoe drew me in. The shape turned out to take a bit of getting used to — the sole is a little long. But that cushioning…my feet are whispering “Calgon, take me away!” to themselves.
Light Up Dog Collar – While I initially purchased this collar for the sheer fun of it, my husband discovered a genius use for it! As the winter sun sets early, our backyard becomes the perfect escape room for our beagle. Turn the lights in this little gadget to rapid blink, and we can track our four-legged houdini through all of her meanderings!
GapFit Leggings – You can have your Vuori leggings, your Lululemon, or Alo leggings. I will swear by GapFit leggings all day, any day. Quality fabric and construction. Stretch that is firm but forgiving (and the stretch is long-lasting without giving out). Best of all, they run less than one hitch up per hour/workout!
Sunday Riley: Ice Ceramide Moisturizing Cream – It could be the height of summer or the bone chilling winds of winter, my skin is like the Sahara. No amount of overnight moisture masks or gallons of water guzzled could help. I have marched through multiple thick, creamy, extra rich creams to no avail. The Sunday Riley Ice is thick but with just the right viscosity. It feels like a velvet dream when it is applied to your skin. It absorbs in under 30 seconds and my skin feels and looks plump and dewy.
Google Keep – I am a bit of a Luddite, especially when it comes to my calendar and planners. My husband is a complete techie. We have spent 20 plus years debating on collaboration on an online family calendar. It’s never going to happen but we have compromised with Google Keep! It is a nimble list sharing system. You can create color coding, add collaborators, and set reminders. It makes my little Luddite, Type A heart happy!
Maree Eye Gels – I’ve never really bought in to eye gels/patches. They usually slide off my face or make my eyes tear up. And I cannot tell if they did a darn thing or even what they were supposed to do in the first place! I was actually influenced by a social media post – primarily because they sparkled like mermaid’s tails. (Yes, I am a 13-year old at heart.) Then I tried them – the difference in my undereye skin was so distinct, I swear it looked like an Instagram filter when I looked in the mirror. These little sparkly wonders make me smile, stick firmly and don’t slide off, and take a good 10 years off my undereyes!