What to say about 2015? Looking back on my 2014 wrap-up post I can say things have remained remarkably the same. I still love my job, I still love clothes, and I can't say I've done any better at being circumspect about the number of new pieces I buy. BUT. I can say that I've continued to curate my wardrobe pretty aggressively throughout the year and I'm proud of that.

I've sold some things, given away a number of pieces to friends, and donated even more. My apartment is still small (ugh, studio life) and I'd like to remain at a level where I'm not forced to rotate my closet seasonally.  And I'm still financially at a place where I can add/subtract pieces without guilt. There are things I am going to get rid of at a loss and you know what? That's life. My style and feelings about what I wear/want to wear change constantly and rather than regretting the $$ I spent on a top or a dress I'm just going to feel good about letting it go.

I think 2016 is going to be about continuing to declutter, determining what I want in my personal space (& what I'm willing to give up to get it), and feeling good about whatever purchases I do make.

So it's apparently going to be almost 70 degrees on Christmas (with a high of 75 on Christmas Eve) and I have to admit it's putting me in a crappy mood. I like my seasons seasonal dammit, which includes chilly weather and sweaters on Christmas.

BUT.

Since it's still one of my favorite holidays, I plan to spend the day cooking in my hot apartment (yay no AC >.<) listening to and watching the movies and specials I fell in love with as a child. I hope that each one of you gets to spend the day as you choose to, doing whatever makes you happy, and enjoying the long weekend.

♡

Dana

// Is anyone actually surprised by this? I pretty much never shop at Bed, Bath & Beyond without at least 2 coupons.

// Yes, I bought the album and yes I'm freakishly excited for this special. I DON'T CARE OK?!

// I don't know how I missed the Kickstarter for this but LOOK.


//Mail me these and I will LOVE YOU FOREVER (platonically).
// No one is going to convince me Love Actually isn't one of the best Christmas movies of all time. Even 12 years later.

// You can't tell me this meal doesn't look awesome.


// Just in case you didn't notice, the season has made me want all the carbs all the time.


// On my to-do list for when I get back from vacation.


Fun Posts & Random Finds: I was already upset when I heard Jezebel was going to be retooled into a celebrity gossip/pop culture site, but this article just makes me even more angry at this whole debacle. //  I don't own any plants - yet - but who cares? These things are adorable! // Sydney's family is so freaking adorable I can't take it. //I ain't mad at you, guy who voiced Arnold. Phew!


Clothing & Jewelry: All the holiday dresses! This one. And this one. This one has a beautiful print. A classic in green. This is a lovely cocktail appropriate dress with wonderful lace applique. //  Anyone need a new evening clutch? // Some of the cutest pajamas ever. // Some scarves I've bought this season include this one (so comfy!) and this one. // And out of character for me, I really like this puffball hat but it's stupid expensive.

I'm not going to say (yet) that this is going to be the only holiday dress I purchase this year but I think it's a damn good one for a variety of events. The higher neck and lace accent make it unique from the other black dresses in my closet, and the fun flare skirt keeps it feeling young (plus I can eat in it, always a top priority for me). I've also worn this with tights and flats to work already, so I'd say it's pretty versatile for a fancy-ish black dress!

(Note: Dress runs a bit small in my opinion, I'm wearing a size 10 here.)

Let me start this review with the same disclaimer my esthetician gave me when she recommended these products: the serum is HORRIBLY named and she's repeatedly suggested they change it, but no such luck. Like a lot of Asian "whitening" products, the "bleaching" serum is meant to lighten hyperpigmentation, whether from age spots, sun spots, or healing acne scars (which is why I'm trying it). She did not recommend using it all over my face but only in the specific places where I've broken out and I'm working to lighten any brown spots. Ok? I'm sorry it sounds so terrible but... here we are.

Phew.

Now that we're over that hurdle, let's get down to business. For months I've been working to find a new SPF, knowing that I needed to wear one everyday, but my oily, medium complexion, skin makes this a hard thing to find. If a product doesn't a have a white cast or break me out, it ends up leaving me oily as hell and in the middle of a humid DC summer I just can't have that.  I wasn't able to try this on my face before I bought it, but I swatched it on my arm and liked the way it quickly absorbed into the skin without anything sticky or shiny on the surface. And at ~$35 for 3.2oz it's significantly less expensive than the La Prairie moisturizer I used last year so I thought I'd give it a shot.

Final thoughts? Generally feeling quite positive about this! It does the same thing on my face that it did on my arm, absoring quickly with no white cast. I also feel like it's doing something to control my oily skin because my foundation and blush are staying on my face better, especially on my chin where I always have the most issues. Unfortunately it has a really strong bubble gum smell, which I can detect even after I've rubbed it in, though thankfully not after I've applied foundation.

Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars



The bleach serum is a bit harder to judge. It has a good percentage (2%) of hydroquinone, along with a mix of glycolic acid and azelic acid, all working to exfoliate the top layer of skin and reduce inflammation. Good stuff right? I haven't been using it long enough to say definitively, but I do think it's helping and since I'm not experiencing any new breakouts I'm happy enough to keep using it. Especially because again, at the $35 price point, as a spot treatment this little bottle is guaranteed to last me a loooooong time.

Final Thoughts? Also positive! It's got a nice texture, goes on clear and doesn't seem to be reacting badly to anything else in my routine. Sadly this does have the same strong bubblegum scent but I use so little (& I only apply this at night) that it doesn't bother me much.

Score: 4 out of 5 stars.

DC has been doing its damnedest to resist cooler temperatures, but finally they have come and with them all the sweater-y things I've been dying to wear.

This is one of those great pieces that looks like you put a lot of effort into your outfit but really, you just wanted to wear a sweatshirt. Win!

// Ok, StudioDIY got me. These are two are SO CUTE and talented.


//I made these muffins for a recent work event and they were a big hit. Possibly the best ones I've made to date!


// I've followed Gary Pepper for probably a couple years now. I don't think I've ever truly seen her as aspirational because her posts are so artistic. She has an incredible eye and the privilege to visit some of the most beautiful places in the world. I've never gotten the feeling form her blog that she takes any of that for granted, so it was interesting to read about some of the flack she's gotten from readers over the years.

// Why did no one tell me about these things?! They're definitely going on the to-buy list for Asia.


//I can't lay claim to finding this one, but MAKE YOUR OWN RAMN machine!




Fun Posts & Random Finds: Bored Now. //Jeremy Renner should probably just be quiet unless he can take a page from Daniel Craig's book. // To be honest my lashes are fine as they are but I *still* want to try these! // Gabi Gregg's Halloween costume was the OPPOSITE of a total Monet. // Sam is one of my favorite xoVain contributors these days, and while I wait for her to post her next article I like to check in on her blog too! // I read the first two books in this series and I'm excited to get my hands on the third!

Clothing & Jewelry: ModCloth sold out of this dress in my size and I'm a little bit devastated. // Kendi wore these boots in brown and I love them. I have no need for them mind you, but I love them anyway. // Next year's July 4th outfit? Very, very possible.

Despite DC's determination to take this jacket from me (damn you 79 degrees - really?!) it's one of my favorite Fall purchases. The knit arms and slim cut make it perfect to layer up for cooler temperatures, but it also goes great on top of just a plain t-shirt.

Also, just in case you're like me, these are my favorite plaid shirts this season - pretty much anywhere. I've looked in all my usual places (J.Crew, Madewell, Nordstrom, H&M) and just haven't been able to find anything that's both the right texture and not boxy as hell. I bought two of these shirts and they're soft enough to wear to bed (you know, if you were so inclined) with a fun back detail. Plus, if you keep your eye out, you can score them on sale (I bought mine at 40% off).