Good day, lovely creatures and pleased New 12 months! 2023 is at an finish, and I, for one, am glad. 2023 was some of the difficult years of my life, if not probably the most difficult. Thanks for being right here for me and being supportive throughout this tough 12 months.

Surgical procedure Information

I’m nonetheless therapeutic from my higher blepharoplasty eye surgical procedure. No eye make-up for 4 to 6 weeks. My eyes are nonetheless swollen. I can’t wait to see how they give the impression of being as soon as they end therapeutic. I believe the physician eliminated over an inch of extra pores and skin.

I’m nonetheless unhappy that I want one other breast reconstruction surgical procedure. I’ll be having that outpatient process on the finish of January. I’ve zero pure breast tissue left in my physique. It’s arduous to simply accept that my pure breast pores and skin has no elasticity in it, which is a part of why I want the extra surgical procedure. Nevertheless, I’m hopeful that this second breast reconstruction surgical procedure will clear up points that I’m having. I really need this to be my final reconstruction surgical procedure in order that I can get some closure on this problem.

Yuletide Time

I like blinky lights. Dave and I discovered a brand new Christmas tree this 12 months from Hammacher Schlemmer. We bought the The Northern Lights Christmas Tree 7.5′, The Tabletop Northern Lights Tree, and the The Expandable Rolling Tree Storage Bag. As an organization, they’ve been round for the previous 175 years. It is a fiber optic Christmas Tree that has 23 totally different synchronized patterns of vacation lights.

We opted to not embellish the tree this 12 months as a result of we beloved the way it seemed with the lights by itself. I did purchase iridescent garland to placed on the tree, however each time I went to place it on I stored deciding I favored it higher with none decorations.

Scorching Subject Options

I did two sponsored Scorching Subject options on Instagram in December. Scorching Subject is having an enormous sale proper now, as much as 70% off.

November Should Haves

Purple Striped Sweater

I like the daring purple and black striped sweater! It appears to be like so cute with my purple and black bat skirt, and my CandyPOP Bat flats add an amazing crowning glory. I purchased the skirt from Scorching Subject a couple of years in the past and I discovered the bat flats on Amazon.

Inexperienced Striped Sweater

I believed the inexperienced striped sweater seemed nice with my Mala Noche Mystical Snake Pocket Leggings and my Taos Crave boots. I gave up carrying Dr. Martens years in the past for my Taos Crave boots and have zero regrets. Additionally, my toes by no means damage anymore and I by no means have to interrupt within the footwear to make them extra snug. Taos footwear are snug from day one.

Vacation Hits

Fairly Guardian Sailor Moon Luna & Artemis Break up Women Hoodie

The Fairly Guardian Sailor Moon Luna & Artemis Break up Women Hoodie is so lovable! I like carrying it. From the romantic ruffle particulars on the shoulder, to the cat ears on the hood, cut up shade design, simply all of the little touches on this hoodie make it so excellent! I adore it.

Star Wars Metallic Foil Flutter Gown

The Scorching Subject Star Wars Metallic Foil Flutter Gown is a lot cuter than I believed it might be! It’s very flattering and the gold foil design makes it very eye catching.

This was among the best winter holidays that I’ve had with Dave. We prioritized intimacy with one another and household.

Yuletide Cheer

I’ve bizarre emotions the place Christmas is worried. Whereas rising up, my household all the time emphasised giving plenty of presents to children, however adults have been form of omitted of issues. My ex would typically desire to do minimal gifting for the vacations as effectively. This 12 months, Dave mentioned it was vital to him that we’ve got presents for underneath the tree. So we did issues otherwise this 12 months.

I had The Lore Olympus Hardback Graphic Novels by Rachel Smythe on my wishlist and I used to be thrilled to search out them underneath the tree.

There are a couple of different books I ought to point out. I reread your entire 30 guide Anita Blake sequence by Laurell Okay. Hamilton and completely loved it. For those who’re searching for books that point out non-monogamous relationships, remedy, vampires and different monsters, you must peek at these.

Swarovski Jewellery

The present I used to be most stunned by from Dave was my Swarovski Lucent Inexperienced Cocktail Ring. It was a pleasant shock to obtain such a ravishing ring. I’ve by no means had a accomplice who gifted me jewellery. I purchased Dave the Google Pixel Watch 2 in Black with a particular mesh band and he’s happy with it.

My Latest Style Finds

Satin Shirt

I purchased this Scarlet Darkness Rose Purple Satin Shirt (photograph is of an identical shirt, dimension Small) as a result of it suits with my romantic trend tastes.

Purple Lace Trim High

I like this little Scarlet Darkness Victorian Impressed Purple Lace high (dimension Small). I wore it for Christmas Eve.

Burgundy Velvet & Lace High

I additionally took a threat on this blackened burgundy velvet v neck high (dimension Medium) with lace element. I’ll be returning it if it doesn’t match properly.

Turquoise Renaissance High

This Scarlet Darkness Blue-Inexperienced Renaissance High (dimension Small) appears to be like nice with my underbust attire.

Inexperienced Velvet Mini Gown

I bought this Scarlet Darkness Geen Velvet Mini Gown (dimension Small) and I’m hoping it’s flattering on me.

Scarlet Darkness Fuchsia Waist Belt

This little Scarlet Darkness Corset Belt in Fuchsia (dimension 6) has been an amazing addition to my wardrobe! It provides a enjoyable pop of berry shade to my black outfits whereas making my waist look snatched!

Betsey Johnson Leopard Bangle Bracelet

I picked up this glamorous Betsey Johnson Leopard Bracelet for a few of my dressier outfits.

Betsey Johnson Celestial Bracelet

I like this straightforward moon and star motif bracelet, as it really works with loads of my wardrobe.

Betsey Johnson Emerald Reduce Out Sparkler Clutch

I do know a number of of you who can be upset if I didn’t share the place I discovered this beautiful emerald inexperienced purse! It’s a Betsey Johnson Emerald Reduce Out Sparkler Clutch, which can also be obtainable in black, gold, and silver. It’s nice for an evening out or dressy occasion.

Betsey Johnson Midnight Backyard Snake Hinge Bracelet

I’m obsessive about my Betsey Johnson Midnight Backyard Fuchsia Snake Bracelet and choker! Scorching pink and Purple, so it really works with all kinds of my wardrobe.

Betsey Johnson Midnight Backyard Fuchsia Snake Collar

If you’d like the Betsey Johnson Midnight Backyard Fuchsia Snake Collar, I like to recommend getting it quickly! It’s now not carried at Betsey’s website and I might solely discover it at Dillard’s. It’s on sale too. I’m obsesed!

Betsey Johnson Black Coronary heart Studs

I believed these cute Betsey Johnson Black Coronary heart Stud Earrings can be an ideal new staple in my wardrobe.

Betsey Johnson Graffiti Love Crossbody Bag

I’ve checked out coronary heart formed luggage on and off over the previous few years however by no means discovered one which spoke to me till I noticed the Betsey Johnson Graffiti Love crossbody. This graffiti hearts sample spoke to me so the bag got here dwelling to me. I adore it.

Black Milk Tops

I picked up a matte black crew neck cropped tank and marine blue picnic crop high throughout Black Milk’s latest sale.

Extra Black Milk

I additionally grabbed this matte child pink lower out tank high and Some Velvet Morning Cropped Jacket, which is a ravishing Victorian Vampire impressed purple velvet jacket with dramatic broad sleeves, tie-up corset element within the again, and double pointed lapels.

Wardrobe Apps

I do know lots of you have been devastated like I used to be at ACloset’s announcement to shift to a really pricy enterprise mannequin. Effectively, I’ve been testing out 10 totally different wardrobe apps and I’ve narrowed it right down to my high 3 – Stylebook, Whering, and OpenWardrobe. I’ll be filming a video on the apps I attempted and why I selected those I did, however till then, take a look at certainly one of my high 3 to see which you favor.

Latest Make-up Purchases

Whereas I can’t put on eye make-up for one more 4 to 6 weeks as a result of I’m nonetheless recovering from my eye surgical procedure, I do nonetheless have some latest make-up purchases to share. I’ll be sharing make-up swatches on my YouTube shorts quickly.

MOB Magnificence

I’m ready on an enormous order from MOB Magnificence. I had so many individuals suggest that I strive them out. I couldn’t discover something concerning the shelf lifetime of their merchandise on their web site so I emailed the model straight and requested.

MOB Magnificence emailed me a response that their merchandise have a shelf life of three years. That’s higher than the quick shelf lifetime of 6 months from KVD’s cream eyeshadow merchandise. My eyeshadow carrying habits influenced my alternative in colours to check out.

Cream Clay Eyeshadows:

• M88 softest dusty pink
• M111 lavender stone
• M83 lavender
• M87 dove gray
• M110 deep maroon burgundy
• M81 cyan blue
• M109 chartreuse inexperienced
• M106 deep inexperienced peacock

Cake Liner:

• M89 midnight blue
• M101 deep plum garnet

Hydrating Shine Lip Balm:

Smooth Matte Lipstick

Hydrating Cream Lipstick

Hyaluronic Spotlight Balm

• M98 glassy bare champagne

Once I take into consideration eyeshadow combos I prefer to put on:

• Reds – both intense purple or burgundy with pink
• Blacks – any form of black sparkly eye
• Purples – monochromatic, cool toned, heat toned, so many various methods
• Greens – yellow-green chartreuse with deep inexperienced, or grass inexperienced with blue
• Pinks – comfortable pink, vivid pink, deep pink
• Greys – sparkly comfortable silver and deeper gray
• Champagne – champagne with burgundy or gray
• Blues – vivid teal blue, deep midnight blue, comfortable blue-grey

Nyx Cosmetics Vivid Wealthy Eyeliners

I purchased Quartz Queen, Sapphire Bling, and It’s Giving Jade from this new line of Nyx Retractable Vivid Wealthy Mechanical Eyeliner Pencils.

Natasha Denona My Mini Dream Palette

I like small palettes and have a tendency to desire Natasha Denona’s mini 5 pans to the bigger ones. I’ve been ready for a mini of My Dream.  don’t want an enormous taupe palette, however a small cool-toned one? Sure please. I used a bunch of Ulta factors to purchase the Natasha Denona My Mini Dream Palette.

• Devotion 529M – metallic medium cool nude
• Steadiness 530CM – matte mild taupe nude
• Passionate 531M – metallic mild rose taupe
• Loyalty 532CM – matte deep burgundy brown
• Nurture 451CM – matte medium cool nude

See my Natasha Denona Mini Palettes!

Natasha Denona My Mini Dream Glow Blush

I additionally determined to choose up the Natasha Denona My Mini Dream Glow Blush in Natasha, iconic mauve. Cool-toned mauves are very flattering with my pores and skin tone.

• Left – Icy Rosy Ivory
• Center – Nude Pink
• Proper – Classic Rose

Lime Crime Majestic Muse Palette

 

I like small palettes and was intrigued by the Lime Crime Venus XS Majestic Muse Palette. Succession, Throne, and Royal appear to be shades that may make my blue-green eyes pop.

• Succession: Shimmer Black with Purple Pearl ​
• Throne: Matte Muted Cranberry​
• Empire: Matte Heat Medium Brown​
• Royal: Metallic Bronze

Lime Crime Electrical Slide Eyeshadow Sticks

I reviewed the Lime Crime Electrical Slide Eyeshadow Sticks in April 2023. Since then, Lime Crime has launched new Electrical Slide Eyeshadow Sticks shades, so I purchased a number of of them.

Listed here are the Electrical Slide Eyeshadow Sticks shades I bought:

• IDC – black
• RAD – purple
• DUH – brigh pink
• Chill Tablet – vivid teal blue
• LOL – vivid purple
• G2G – gray

No, I’m not on the Lime Crime PR checklist, so I don’t get merchandise forward of their launches. That mentioned, I hope you’ll be anticipating my observe up overview and comparability!

I do want that Lime Crime would come with shade descriptions on their web site. It’s not enjoyable to attempt to store via their shades and guess primarily based on a photograph as to what the colour appears to be like like. Shade descriptions with undertones go a great distance in serving to folks to search out what they’re searching for.

Velvetines Liquid Lipstick

I took benefit of Lime Crime’s large sale and ordered the Velvetines Liquid Lipstick in True Love. It appears to be like prefer it could be a dupe for my Soften Cosmetics Bellastona shade. I’ve been looking for a vivid neon purple like Bellastona in a components that’s extra snug for me to put on, just like the City Decay Vice Lip Bond Shiny Longwear Liquid Lipsticks or the Silk Naturals Velvet Matte Lipsticks or the Sugarpill Liquid Lip Colours.

Extra Lime Crime Critiques

Under are my evaluations on Lime Crime palettes that I’ve bought which might be nonetheless obtainable at Lime Crime’s website.

Danessa Myricks Yummy Pores and skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed

I’d been ready to see a Danessa Myricks Yummy Pores and skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed in a shade that will probably be flattering on my very reasonable cool pores and skin, so once I noticed It Woman (cool poppy pink), I snapped it up.

KVD Full Sleeve Lengthy + Outlined Tubing Mascara

I additionally purchased the KVD Full Sleeve Lengthy + Outlined Tubing Mascara to see if I desire it to my long-time favourite, the Eyeko Lash Alert Mascara. To this point I prefer it however I’m unsure if I prefer it higher than the Eyeko.

Nabla Cupid’s Arrow Longwear Stylo

I picked up Nabla Cupid’s Arrow Longwear Stylo in Melon as a solution to put on the Pantone 2024 shade Peach Fuzz.  Nabla’s Cupid’s Arrow Longwear Stylos are my favourite eyeliner pencils for liner or the waterline. In addition they mix out properly as a base for eyeshadows.

LA Woman Hyper Cake Eyeliner

I snagged LA Woman Hyper Cake Eyeliner in Icy Cobalt (vivid blue) in order that I might have one other cake eyeliner product to assist me consider the MOB Magnificence Cake liner.

Eye Palettes

The previous few palettes I bought in 2023 have been:

The Cosmic Brushes Winter Wonderland Palette has been on my thoughts, with its 12 mattes, 8 metallics, in cool-toned purples and blues. I’m a really cool-toned particular person and I like carrying cool-toned hues, however I hold speaking myself out of the palette, regardless that the components is superb, due to the opposite eyeshadows in my assortment.

Lip Merchandise

My favourite lip merchandise of 2023 have been each from classes that I had averted up to now – shiny lips! My daytime lip product is La La Leaf La La Lips Lip Balm. My nighttime lip masks is the Silk Naturals Tremendous Fruit Lip Masks.

The City Decay Vice Lip Bond Shiny Longwear Liquid Lipstick is my go-to favourite lengthy carrying liquid lipstick product proper now! It simply wants extra shades! I want a shade like Soften Bellastona, a neon vivid purple that blinds you. I additionally want a wealthy deep blue with teal undertones. And whereas I’m wishing, an iridescent beige with rainbow sparkle. That is my each day put on lipstick.

Silk Naturals Slick Sticks, that are a vegan lip gloss stick. Prior to now I haven’t loved glosses a lot. Nevertheless, I like the Silk Naturals Slick Sticks components, because it’s very snug on my lips and doesn’t find yourself throughout my face. Perspehone (inexperienced and black),Hex (purple, burgundy, bronze, gold, vivid pink, orange, and purple), and Potion (sheer black with holographic sparkle) are my favourite colours.

Remaining Ideas

All my expectations for 2023 have been thrown out the window once I discovered I wanted a double mastectomy firstly of April. I couldn’t foresee the twists and turns that life threw at me, however I dealt with them with as a lot grace as potential.

2024 is beginning off difficult, however I’ve reset my expectations to be able to deal with extra. I anticipate that life goes to be filled with surprises once more. I can’t management many various issues in life, however I can management myself and my reactions, which is why I do my greatest to remain constructive.

Thanks for being right here for me. I’m wishing you and yours all the most effective in 2024. In fact, I’ll be protecting you up to date on how I’m therapeutic, what my blepharoplasty surgical procedure was like, and extra. You’ll be able to all the time request video and weblog posts, too. Simply let me know within the feedback beneath!

What’s been in your make-up want checklist?

Extra to See