Joyful New Yr! Replace on my Life

Howdy, stunning creatures and completely happy New Yr! 2023 is at an finish, and I, for one, am glad. 2023 was one of the difficult years of my life, if not essentially the most difficult. Thanks for being right here for me and being supportive throughout this troublesome 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 would like 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 laborious to simply accept that my pure breast pores and skin has no elasticity in it, which is a part of why I would like the extra surgical procedure. Nonetheless, I’m hopeful that this second breast reconstruction surgical procedure will resolve 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 challenge.

Yuletide Time

You realize 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 enhance the tree this 12 months as a result of we beloved the way it appeared 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 pink and black striped sweater! It appears so cute with my pink and black bat skirt, and my CandyPOP Bat flats add an awesome completion. 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 assumed the inexperienced striped sweater appeared nice with my Mala Noche Mystical Snake Pocket Leggings and my Taos Crave boots. I gave up sporting 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 sneakers to make them extra snug. Taos sneakers 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 sporting it. From the romantic ruffle particulars on the shoulder, to the cat ears on the hood, break up coloration design, simply all of the little touches on this hoodie make it so good! I like it.

Star Wars Metallic Foil Flutter Gown

The Scorching Subject Star Wars Metallic Foil Flutter Gown is a lot cuter than I assumed it could 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 anxious. Whereas rising up, my household at all times emphasised giving numerous presents to youngsters, however adults had been form of omitted of issues. My ex would usually favor to do minimal gifting for the vacations as nicely. This 12 months, Dave mentioned it was vital to him that we’ve items for below the tree. So we did issues in a different way 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 below the tree.

There are a couple of different books I ought to point out. I reread your entire 30 e book Anita Blake collection by Laurell Okay. Hamilton and completely loved it. In case you’re searching for books that point out non-monogamous relationships, remedy, vampires and different monsters, it’s best to peek at these.

Swarovski Jewellery

The present I used to be most shocked by from Dave was my Swarovski Lucent Inexperienced Cocktail Ring. It was a pleasant shock to obtain such a good looking ring. I’ve by no means had a associate 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 Current Trend Finds

Satin Shirt

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

Purple Lace Trim Prime

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

Burgundy Velvet & Lace Prime

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 Prime

This Scarlet Darkness Blue-Inexperienced Renaissance Prime (dimension Small) appears 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 awesome addition to my wardrobe! It provides a enjoyable pop of berry coloration 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 easy moon and star motif bracelet, as it really works with numerous my wardrobe.

Betsey Johnson Emerald Minimize Out Sparkler Clutch

I do know a number of of you who could be upset if I didn’t share the place I discovered this attractive emerald inexperienced purse! It’s a Betsey Johnson Emerald Minimize 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

In order for you the Betsey Johnson Midnight Backyard Fuchsia Snake Collar, I like to recommend getting it quickly! It’s not carried at Betsey’s web site and I might solely discover it at Dillard’s. It’s on sale too. I’m obsesed!

Betsey Johnson Black Coronary heart Studs

I assumed these cute Betsey Johnson Black Coronary heart Stud Earrings could 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 house to me. I like 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 reduce out tank high and Some Velvet Morning Cropped Jacket, which is a good looking Victorian Vampire impressed pink velvet jacket with dramatic huge sleeves, tie-up corset element within the again, and double pointed lapels.

Wardrobe Apps

I do know lots of you had been devastated like I used to be at ACloset’s announcement to shift to a really pricy enterprise mannequin. Properly, I’ve been testing out 10 totally different wardrobe apps and I’ve narrowed it all the way 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 like.

Current Make-up Purchases

Whereas I can’t put on eye make-up for an additional 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 attempt them out. I couldn’t discover something in regards to 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 brief shelf lifetime of 6 months from KVD’s cream eyeshadow merchandise. My eyeshadow sporting habits influenced my selection 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 wish to put on:

• Reds – both intense pink or burgundy with pink
• Blacks – any form of black sparkly eye
• Purples – monochromatic, cool toned, heat toned, so many alternative methods
• Greens – yellow-green chartreuse with deep inexperienced, or grass inexperienced with blue
• Pinks – gentle pink, vivid pink, deep pink
• Greys – sparkly gentle silver and deeper gray
• Champagne – champagne with burgundy or gray
• Blues – vivid teal blue, deep midnight blue, gentle 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 favor 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 gentle taupe nude
• Passionate 531M – metallic gentle 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 select 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 seem to be shades that can 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 – pink
• DUH – brigh pink
• Chill Tablet – vivid teal blue
• LOL – vivid purple
• G2G – gray

No, I’m not on the Lime Crime PR record, so I don’t get merchandise forward of their launches. That mentioned, I hope you’ll be anticipating my comply with up evaluation 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 by way of their shades and guess based mostly on a photograph as to what the colour appears like. Shade descriptions with undertones go a great distance in serving to individuals to search out what they’re searching for.

Velvetines Liquid Lipstick

I took benefit of Lime Crime’s massive sale and ordered the Velvetines Liquid Lipstick in True Love. It appears prefer it is perhaps a dupe for my Soften Cosmetics Bellastona shade. I’ve been looking for a vivid neon pink like Bellastona in a system 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

Beneath are my critiques on Lime Crime palettes that I’ve bought which can be nonetheless obtainable at Lime Crime’s web site.

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 particularly reasonable cool pores and skin, so once I noticed It Lady (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 favor it to my long-time favourite, the Eyeko Lash Alert Mascara. Thus far 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 approach to put on the Pantone 2024 coloration 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 Lady Hyper Cake Eyeliner

I snagged LA Lady 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 had 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 sporting cool-toned hues, however I preserve speaking myself out of the palette, though the system is superb, due to the opposite eyeshadows in my assortment.

Lip Merchandise

My favourite lip merchandise of 2023 had been each from classes that I had averted prior 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 sporting liquid lipstick product proper now! It simply wants extra shades! I would like a coloration like Soften Bellastona, a neon vivid pink 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 day by day put on lipstick.

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

Closing Ideas

All my expectations for 2023 had been thrown out the window once I came upon I wanted a double mastectomy at the start 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 attainable.

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 stuffed with surprises once more. I can’t management many alternative issues in life, however I can management myself and my reactions, which is why I do my finest to remain constructive.

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

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

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