these are a few of my favorite 2024 things

because i must track everything to look back on!

Dec 31, 2024

At the beginning of 2024, I was honestly in a very different place in a lot of ways. I was recovering from surgery (we can save that for another day!), sitting in my bedroom at my mom’s house, still unsure of whether or not I wanted to be in LA, and consistently nervous about the future.

As 2024 comes to an end, I’m writing to you from my kitchen table in my West Hollywood apartment, post-final hot girl walk of the year, feeling strangely calm. I still don’t know exactly what it all means or what’s next, but I think that’s okay.

High highs and low lows defined this year for me. However, as I mentioned in my piece last week, our perception is all in how we frame things. I'm left with not much else to say other than I’m grateful for all of it. I’m especially proud of myself for doing my best to move through the world with kindness, empathy, and openness. I’m also proud of myself for finally feeling comfortable enough to truly just do my own thing and enjoy the process. This writing endeavor is a perfect example. I want to continue into 2025 with that confidence in myself to just try new things and see how it goes.

And now, because I personally love reading these and getting recommendations from them, here are my favorite things of 2024 (broken up into categories which are listed in alphabetical order, and were not necessarily all released in 2024). I hope you find a couple of things you can enjoy for yourself in 2025!

ALBUMS

“Alligator Bites Never Heal” by Doechii
“Big Ideas” by Remi Wolf
“BRAT” by Charli XCX
“COWBOY CARTER” by Beyoncé
“Charm” by Clairo
“Everyone’s Getting Involved: A Tribute to Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense” by Various Artists (including Miley Cyrus, Paramore, BADBADNOTGOOD, Norah Jones, Lorde, and more!)
“GNX” by Kendrick Lamar
“HIT ME HARD AND SOFT” by Billie Eilish
“Imaginal Disk” by Magdalena Bay
“In the End It Always Does” by The Japanese House
“Older” by Lizzy McAlpine
“Something to Give Each Other” by Troye Sivan
“SOS Deluxe: LANA” by SZA

BEAUTY & WELLNESS

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick
- This is a generational makeup product in my family. My mom has used this probably since it came out and I vividly remember borrowing it the first few times I started using makeup. I finally got my own this year (thanks mom!) and the first day I used it, I kid you not, FOUR PEOPLE at work said I looked amazing. Need I say more? BUY IT.
Cocofloss Woven Dental Floss
- One of my resolutions for 2023 was to become better at flossing. Partly for my health, and partly to avoid social embarrassment at the dentist when they ask if I’ve been flossing. My dentist recommended Cocofloss this year and it’s truly so good! It’s thicker than a normal floss, which allows you to really get everything out. Also, this is a bonus one, but if you’re not tongue scraping, what are you doing?? Here is the one I use.
Crown Affair Texturizing Air Dry Mousse
- When I cut my hair short, I realized I actually like how it looks air dried! This stuff helps cultivate my waves into somewhat uniform curls and smells delicious.
DIOR Rosy Glow Blush
- These colors look so intense in the pan, but on the skin they are STUNNING! If you want to look glowy, look no further.
Hatch Restore 2 Alarm Clock
- Shoutout to my sister for this incredible Christmas gift which I am already obsessed with. I wake up before the sun during the work week, so the sunlight is going to be a game changer. Also, I’ve already been using the “wind down” function, and it’s so nice to get the fuck off of my phone before bed!
Mouth Taping
- I had seen many a TikTok about mouth taping and was skeptical. However, my friend Marilise, who is fabulous and a trustworthy source, told me she’s been doing it for 2 years and loves it. She recommended the tape I linked and the book “Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art” by James Nestor which explains the benefits of nasal breathing. Chronic mouth breathing leads to snoring, sleep apnea, asthma, etc., and mouth taping can help prevent these plus has already helped me with my clenching/jaw pain.
Rare Beauty Volumizing Mascara
- While I’m not sure how I feel about Selena’s vocal or acting skills, she did create a solid makeup brand.
REFY Brow Gel
- OBSESSED with this product! Does not feel sticky and makes my brows stand up straight all day long.
TAN-LUXE The Gradual Tan Lotion
- As someone who is very pale but frequently messes up fake tanning, this stuff has become my holy grail. It goes on like regular lotion and you wake up with a very natural, non-orangey glow! I usually use this exfoliating loofah to help prep my skin as well.

BOOKS

I want to preface this by saying: I did not complete my GoodReads goal and I’m devastated. However, I fell into a bit of a reading slump because I did not read great books this year. Here were a few that I loved!

“Don’t Call Me Home” by Alexandra Auder
- Everything I love: a memoir by a female author set in 70s New York City. So well written and deals with the relationship between mother and daughter in such an insightful, loving, yet honest way.
“Small Things Like These'“ by Claire Keegan
- This does so much in so few pages. Beautiful.
“They’re Going to Love You” by Meg Howrey
- Striking and thorough. It may feel slow to some, but I loved the space Howrey created. I loved seeing these familial structures through the lens of ballet and art.
“We Are Experiencing a Slight Delay: Tips, Tales, Travels” by Gary Janetti
- I will read anything Janetti writes. He is laugh-out-loud hilarious and I love his outlook on travel. This truly inspired me to travel more in 2025!

CLOTHING ITEMS

ANINE BING Black & Beige Nico Bag
- The PERFECT fall/winter bag - I get so many compliments!
Dolce Vita Payge Flats in Leopard Suede
- I can’t find these on the website, but I am obsessed with pointed toe flats, especially ones with a pop of pattern or color!
HOKA Clifton 9s
- The best shoe for long walks! So comfortable and not the ugliest athletic shoe.
Madewell Triple Metal Keeper Belt
- Such a nice statement belt. I wear this 3x per week at least.
Peepers by PeeperSpecs Women's to The Max Square Blue Light Blocking Reading Glasses
- My eyesight has gone from 20/20 vision to kind of shitty in the last two years. I love wearing these as a chic statement look when I don’t want to wear my Warby Parkers (which are clear frames). If you know, you know - I used to wear fake glasses for 2 years in elementary school so I’m not actually mad at needing glasses now.
Reformation Gale Satin Mid Rise Bias Pant
- I finally caved on Black Friday on the Ref version and they’re completely worth it. I wore a Madewell version all year that fell apart, so do yourself a favor and invest in these! I wear them to work, to the movies, and to dinners. Make classy PJs appropriate for all settings next year!
Sézane Gaspard Cardigan
- I have this in a royal blue color and it is 100% my favorite clothing item I bought this year.