date: december 24th
status update: happy for christmas break
Well here we are, it’s almost the end of December, which means it’s almost the end of the year! I love a good “Year In Review” moment so I went on a trip down memory (camera roll) lane to recap some of the things that happened this year.
2024 Time Line
I had a vision to create a graphic of a timeline that goes through the year highlighting some of the things I got to do and experience. I decided to just write down the events rather than have full on descriptions trying to fit everything in. My inspiration was Coachella announcement posters. I thought it was cute, I hope you do too!
If these show up blurry, I apologize in advance! Hopefully you’re reading it on mobile so it shows up like normal - desktop friends, I am so sorry if this isn’t great quality.
Shannon’s End Of Year Favourites
I started this blog so I could talk about my favourite things without annoying people, so here are my mini-awards for my favourites in each category. They are in no particular order, but my favourites tend to be at the top of lists. I would love to hear some of your favourite things of the year!
Skin Care
Vacation Sun Screen - smells divine, moisturizes and protects my skin
Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer - smells great, makes my skin feel amazing, refillable
The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum - leaves skin glowing and feeling great
Make Up
Summer Fridays Lip Balm - Vanilla, Brown Sugar, Hot Cocoa, Cherry are the four that I would be willing to repurchase. I love the scents and the feel of these!
Elf Halo Glow Liquid Filter - I love using this under my foundation to get a beautiful and natural looking glow. Sometimes I will even just put a little bit on my cheeks for an extra pop
REM Beauty Eclipse Blush and Lip Stick - I only use this as a blush (I can’t bring myself to use a blush for a lip product even though it’s perfectly fine). It’s one of the first things I got from REM beauty and it did not disappoint!
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Big Lip Plumpgasm - I never really use plumping glosses but this one is SO beautiful. The colour is perfect and really does give you a nice pout. The price is crazy though, I would only get it on sale.
Benefit Cosmetics BADgal BANG! Volumizing Mascara - This is my favourite mascara ever, unfortunately it costs an arm and a leg! Luckily for me, Sephora has it a lot for their 100 point rewards. I stock up when I can.
Scents
KAYALI Vanilla 28 - This is my number one perfume. I talk about it all the time. It smells like when you melt marshmallows, vanilla, and butter in a pan to make Rice Krispies. I’ve got compliments from coworkers, friends, my boyfriend, and family memebrs
KAYALI Lovefest Burning Cherry - I wear this one a lot to work and my office mate tells me I smell good every time I wear it. She even said we should keep some at work to spray on the boys in the backshop if it comes to that. I’m not even a big cherry person but I am obsessed with this smell.
KAYALI Vanilla Candy Rock Sugar - Yes, another KAYALI fragrance. This one is very sweet like candy, hence the name. But I find it to be a good kind of sweet rather than an artificial one.
Bath and Body Works Milk Body Spray - I never thought I’d want to smell like milk but this product changed my mind! I love getting Vanilla Steamers made with Oat Milk and this is exactly what this body spray smells like.
Bath and Body Works Vanilla Romance - I really enjoy this spicy vanilla scent. I usually put it on at the end of the day after I shower. It’s a really nice scent to lounge around in while feeling put together.
Snacks
Nerds Gummy Clusters - I think about these far too often. It’s kind of embarrassing. They’re just so addicting.
Berry Skittles (Purple packaging) - I got these at the store a few weeks ago and keep buying more! All the flavours are so good, but the Melon Berry and Strawberry ones are my favourites.
Vanilla Chai Lattes - For some reason I thought these were made with coffee products, so I never thought to get one. But I finally did try them and now I am hooked! A win for non-coffee drinkers.
Peanut Butter M&Ms - I love Peanut M&Ms but I tried the peanut butter ones this year and I am obsessed!
Movies
Wicked - This movie was so fun! As someone who has never seen the show, but enjoys musicals and Ariana Grande, I was really excited. I have not stopped listening to the soundtrack since.
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret - I read this book a bunch when I was younger so was excited when I saw it on streaming! It was super cute and heartfelt, I even told my Mum to watch it and she did! A great movie about girlhood.
The Prestige - I love a good thriller movie. I love a good Christophe Nolan movie. I love a good Hugh Jackman movie. I love a good Christian Bale movie. Overall I really enjoyed it. Also I think it would make a great musical which I want to write not having any experience in the field.
TV Shows
Scandal - I started Scandal last year but didn’t get very far. However I picked it up again this year and I am so glad I did. Olivia Pope and her jackets live rent free in my mind!
Vanderpump Rules - I don’t know what took me so long to watch this considering I love Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. So glad I got in to this show (thank you Kaitlyn!).
Abott Elementary - This show is so wholesome and cute. Love watching it every week when it comes out. Very excited for the It’s Always Sunny crossover that’s happening in the new year.
Gossip Girl - I have an amazing boyfriend who agreed to watch Gossip Girl with me. We took a quiz and he’s a “Dan”. I don’t want to talk about who I got. TWICE (Jenny). Anyways Blair Waldorf and her headbands - you will always be famous.
Books
The Woman in Me - Britney Spears
The House of Hidden Meanings - RuPaul Charles
The Power of Habit - Charles Duhigg
Love, Pamela - Pamela Anderson
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - Rebecca Skloot
Music (According to Apple Music)
Albums
Cowboy Carter - Beyoncé (4,060 minutes)
Pink Friday 2 - Nicki Minaj (2,143 minutes)
Brat and it’s completley different but also still brat - Charli XCX (2,017 minutes)
eternal sunshine - Ariana grande (1,690 minutes)
Silence Between Songs - Madison Beer (1,065 minutes)
Renaissance - Beyoncé (961 minutes)
Wicked Soundtrack - Wicked Movie Cast (776 Minutes)
Short n’ Sweet - Sabrina Carpenter (691 minutes)
Worthy - Lu Kala (514 minutes)
Radical Optimism - Dua Lipa (349 minutes)
Songs
SWEET HONEY BUCKIIN’ - Beyoncé and Shaboozey (314 plays)
yes, and? - Ariana Grande (136 plays)
PURE/HONEY - Beyoncé (97 plays)
TEXAS HOLD ‘EM - Beyoncé (96 plays)
16 CARRIAGES - Beyoncé (95 plays)
MY ROSE - Beyoncé (91 plays)
AMEN - Beyoncé (90 plays)
AMERIICAN REQUIEM - Beyoncé (85 plays)
TYRANT - Beyoncé and Dolly Parton (85 plays)
Girl, so confusing ft lorde - Charli XCX and Lorde (80 plays)
Honourable Mentions
Canon Ivy Printer - this portable printer has been so fun to use! Both to give photos to people and to use them in my journaling.
Animal Crossing New Horizons - I forgot how much fun this game can be! I restarted my island over a year ago and never picked it up again. I hadn’t even got out of the tent yet lol. But now I use it as a way to rewind after work or to just relax
Wanderlust Passport - I decided I wanted to start making travel journal entries and saw one of my mutuals on Instagram had one from Bobo Design and it was the perfect set up. I got one in Dusty Pink and it’s been so fun to fill up! Now I just need to go on more travels ;)
The Collective Says
Question: What is one of your favourite things from this year?
Victoria - Hatch alarm clock, nerds gummy clusters, Rhode glazing milk, Owala water bottles
Luis - Movies like Dune 2 and Deadpool + Wolverine
Jess - Emily in Paris, Eras Tour, Abercrombie & Fitch having a comeback
And that’s a wrap on 2024! I hope you all have an amazing New Year and I hope to continue to let this blog thrive. I can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store for all of us <3
Thanks for joining The Heartfelt Collective.
Shannon