These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things | 2017

2017 was thankfully full of a whole lot of goodness. From good weather to good food to good friends, it had it all. I have quite a few things that made it into my 2017 routine, and will hopefully make it into my daily routine as we slowly inch into the new year. 

I read quite a few books this year in a variety of different genres this year. I started a new series, enjoyed an old one, delved into the world of Amy Poehler, among other things. But my favorite book of the year would have to be How To Hang a Witch by Adriana Mather. This book held me from beginning to end. I've always had a fascination with witches and in particular, the Salem Witch Trials. So to find a book that is all of these things and then some- some meaning a cute boy next door, a handsome ghost, and high school drama- well it's just perfect. And there's a second installment that I have yet to read and I'm just SO excited about that!

Can you believe that I actually went out and saw quite a few movies this year? And can you believe that Beauty And The Beast came out this year? It seems like ages ago! It really was a good year for movies. Especially a good summer for movies. I have to say that Spider-Man: Homecoming and Star Wars: The Last Jedi are tied as my favorites of the year. I swear, I could probably go seem them both a thousand times over. SO. GOOD.

Last but not least for media is music. I feel like music got me through a lot, if not most, of the year. Which, this statement will sound totally insane once you find out what I've been listening to. My favorite EP/album this year has been Future Friends by SuperFruit. I have been a HUGE Pentatonix fan, and when Scott Hoying and Mitch Grassi formed their YouTube channel, I was over the moon. I never expected music but I was so pleasantly surprised! Other than the entire album, I've been listening to a playlist on Spotify that I've created. Every new school year, I make a new playlist of songs that I love, think of, and listen to. You can hear my Junior Year Playlist here.

Now. to all of the fun material items that I have had the pleasure to use and love this year.

The first item featured is a new favorite of mine. As you may or may not already know, I am an avid coffee drinker. This coexists and goes hand in hand with mug collecting. If you don't have fifty thousand mugs, you're doing it wrong. My most recent mug addition is my zodiac mug. I purchased this mug fresh after Christmas with a gift card, and I LOVE it! It holds a ton of coffee which is wonderful, and it also showcases my Gemini pride. Geminis: Unite!

                                                         Zodiac Mug from Target. 

My next favorite is actually a favorite for the past two years, and it is my planner. Like my mother, I love to make lists. I can't say that I'm particularly good at following them though, but I like to think that I am. This blue and white striped planner by Webster's Pages is absolutely perfect for all of my planner needs. It's small enough to travel with but big enough to read. I love to keep little Polaroids in my planner to remind myself of the great friends in my life. Also featured in this photo is  a new journal! It came in a three pack from Hobby Lobby. For the new year,
 I plan to get into either daily or weekly journaling. More to come on that- wish me luck.

Planner from Webster's Pages. Notebook from Hobby Lobby.

OH BOY I LOVE TALKING ABOUT THESE SHOES!!!!! My excitement is through the roof right now. It seems like the only big ticket item on my Christmas wish list this year was a pair of cherry red Doc Martens. Boy, did Santa deliver! I am so head over heels in love with these shoes. They make me look and feel so cool, even when wearing gnome pajama pants. If you are considering treating yourself to a pair, please get band-aids as well. Your heels will definitely be blistered after awhile, but boy is is WORTH IT!

Dr. Martens from Dr. Martens.

It's a little obvious that Denim has been my staple item of 2017. I obviously love jeans, but this year has been all about denim jackets for me. I got my first denim jacket in March before my trip to Seattle, and I haven't gone back. I feel so cool every time I add a denim jacket. And since my very first denim jacket is embellished with roses and has a collection of cheesy pins all over it, it seems to make it more fun to wear. It sure is a statement piece without the cry for attention.

Jackets from Left to Right: American Eagle. Forever 21. Old Navy. 

Okay, now on to the really super fun stuff. Most that know me know that I love makeup. I consider it to be my therapy because the act of putting it on is just so calming to me. So is it really a surprise to know that I have five makeup favorites?

First up is this fabulous foundation by the queen Rihanna herself. I'm not going to lie, I was definitely skeptical at first. The girl at Sephora matched me with the lightest shade, and after getting over the wave of shock that hit me, I had to go home to try it. First of all, if you don't blend fast you're done for. But other than that, this foundation is EVERYTHING! If you have super oily and sweaty skin, please do yourself a favor and make the splurge. It looks good on my skin, it lasts, the coverage is build-able, and you can mix it with other foundations. AMAZING!

Pro Filt'R Soft Matte Long wear Foundation by Fenty Beauty.

I like to consider myself a glow Queen. Or fanatic, if I'm offending anyone. I love weird highlighters and normal golden/champagne glows and metallic glitter goodness. So, this Amethyst highlighter by Becca is absolutely no exception. It has a duo-chrome shift and is just to die for. I always add it if I'm having a bad day, because the little hints of pink and lavender make me feel oh so magical.

Amethyst Highlighter by Becca Cosmetics.

If you have never met me before, allow me to formally introduce myself. Hi, hello, I'm Grace and I'm a lipstick addict. I love weird lipsticks and natural lipsticks and classic reds and just everything. My favorite formula is a matte formula, and that's because I seem to be talking and eating more than I think. My weird color of the year is Wicked by Too Faced. Green is just so fun and eye catching! Lolita by Kat Von D is a tried and trusted, cult favorite nude. Need I say more? A recent favorite lippie of mine is Wifey by Jeffree Star Cosmetics. Omg. Where would I be without you, Jeffree?

Top to Bottom: Too Faced. Kat Von D. Jeffree Star.

Let's talk smells. Good smells. The smells that bring all the boys to the yard. Okay, maybe I'm stretching the truth a bit. But this scent by Prada is to die for. If you love sweet smells, you will love this. Since I've got the money of a working sixteen year old, I just go for the roller ball. It's lasted me for quite some time now and it still smells like warm caramel goodness. I just want to eat it some days.

Hard Candy by Prada.

I've never considered myself stylish or fashionable. Not until recently have I wanted to present my "aesthetic" and personality to the world. I've only recently gotten into the cool trends of the year, and to be quite frank, I'm in love! I got this beret from Forever 21, and I just adore it. I don't know if it's because it's red, or if it's the text, or if it's because it makes me feel like a fancy French woman. Whatever the reason, it is a good one. Everyone should wear a beret once in their life and you can quote me on that.

Beret by Forever 21.

I don't really know how to describe my style. I don't know how to describe my style in few words. There are so many elements to my personal style that I wouldn't even know where to start! But hey, we can try. Let's start with this sick jacket. I picked it up in Disney Springs on a recent Walt Disney World trip. It was a total heat of the moment splurge, but man am I so glad that I bought it. Because it's black, I feel that I can wear it anywhere and for any occasion. It's sleek and gorgeous and adds just a hint of pizazz to any outfit. It's not overwhelmingly Disney, though there's nothing wrong with that, and it is just a stunning accent piece. Pair it with a v-neck and a choker and some red lips and you've got yourself a pretty cool look!

Jacket by UniQlo.

So those are just a few of my 2017 favorites. If you go out and grab anything for yourself, tell them Grace sent you. They won't know who you are but wouldn't that be pretty cool? I hope you all have a fabulous 2018 full of love and light and magic and fun. Don't forget to love yourself! 

XOXO