Hey, Lindsey here! My girls at Style & Structure shared their "favorites" list the past few months, and now it's my turn. Although I don't know exactly what 2024 has in store for me, I do know how I want to kick it off by celebrating with some of my very favorite things. Embracing my little joys sets me up for a positive start. I'll be sharing some of my absolute must-haves across categories like self-care, food and drink, entertainment, and more.
Although they may seem small, my favorite things have a huge impact on my life. When the going gets tough, I turn to these picks for comfort, nostalgia, inspiration, and a reminder not to take the little joys for granted. I hope they bring some warmth, optimism, and "Happy New Year" vibes to you as we start off 2024!
Starting off the list with my newfound favorite that my work bestie Heather introduced to me! I have been using this for the past 3 months and it is a total game changer. The clinically advanced botanically based ACTIVE PEEL SYSTEM is a powerful yet gentle, fast-acting two-step treatment designed to resurface and polish the skin while providing hydration, rejuvenation, and antioxidant protection. It's so tingly and wonderful, my skin has never felt better!
If you're anything like me, your bed is your happy place. And let's be real, comfy sheets are a must-have for the ultimate lounging experience. I've tried out a ton of different brands, but I stumbled upon a real gem about 10 years ago, and I've been hooked ever since! These sheets are so buttery soft, and they just get better with every wash. I'm pretty picky when it comes to my bedding, but I don't want to break the bank either. I've made that mistake before, and it wasn't even worth the money. But don't worry, I've got your back! These sheets are currently on sale, and you even get a cute tote bag as a bonus!
I've been loving the storm teal color that's all the rage at Lululemon lately. I usually stick to the classics in black, cream, and white, but this gorgeous shade has me hooked! Seriously, I can't wait to change into my teal outfit as soon as I get home from work. It's a great reminder that investing in quality pieces is totally worth it - they last forever and make you feel amazing! They have this storm teal in tons of items as well!
My morning coffee time is a sacred time for me, and these tumbler mugs are my latest obsession. I have a Nespresso at home, so I don't need a huge mug for my coffee, and this tumbler is the perfect size. With a matte finish and hand-painted detailing, these clay mugs bring a modern touch to your daily cup of java or tea. Available in black, tan, or red, these compact, easy-to-hold mugs were born for entertaining. Go for a single color or choose a multi-set to receive 2 red cups and 2 tan cups. (I have the tan ones, and I also use them for wine;)
Handcrafted by a family-run workshop in Jalisco, Mexico, each piece takes one week to complete. All are made exclusively in a fair trade environment.
I have been taking good care of my nails lately, which always gives me a put-together feeling. I chose Destined to be a Legend nail polish by O.P.I with a matte top coat for this January. I know I'm a bit late to the party with the matte top coat trend, but it looks so chic. As it's winter, I wanted a blue shade and I'm loving it. However, I'll be changing it up for February to a mauve pink or maroon-red with my new favorite matte finish.
My Night Haircare Routine:
I have a nighttime hair routine that I absolutely swear by. I don't follow it every night because it tends to make my hair quite greasy due to the amount of products I use. However, I make sure to follow it on nights before my workout class, which is on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, since I know I'll be washing my hair the next day. My hair and scalp always feel fantastic after this routine.
The first step is to detangle hair. I love the GLOSSING DETANGLER by Lolavie. It is Jennifer Aniston's haircare line, so you know it has to be good.
The next step is to apply the scalp serum. I switch this up, but I always have the main ingredient of rosemary essential oil in it. The one I have right now is the Rosemary Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil With Biotin from Kitsch.
After applying the serum, I massage it into my scalp with a scalp massager. I picked mine up from Sephora, but you can get one anywhere. It feels so great and is so good for your scalp and hair growth.
I love to put in an overnight hair mask, especially in the dry winter months. My hair soaks it right up and it looks so much healthier instantly. The one I am obsessed with and have been for years is the Honey Infused Hydrating Hair Mask by Gisou. The founder Negin Mirsaleh uses honey in her products from her family's very own bee garden, and she is one of my favorite people to follow on Instagram. I have used many of her products, and I love them all.
The last step is to put your hair in a top-not bun with a silk scrunchie. I love silk scrunchies, but my go-to ones are the oversized ones from Blissy.
Starting the new year with a good book is always a great idea! We all strive to improve our health by eating right, exercising regularly, and limiting our screen time. Recently, I was invited to join a book club and we decided to read two books by Rebecca Yarros. The books fall under the romance-fantasy genre, also known as "Romantasy." If you're looking for a gripping read that you can't put down, I highly recommend these books!
"Suspenseful, sexy, and with incredibly entertaining storytelling, the first in Yarros' Empyrean series will delight fans of romantic, adventure-filled fantasy." —Booklist, starred review
"Fourth Wing will have your heart pounding from beginning to end... A fantasy like you've never read before." ―#1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout
We have one of the best juice bars, The Goodery, located right here in Stillwater, MN. They offer an amazing variety of juices, lemon-aids and soups. Whenever I want to get back on track with my health goals, I opt for one of their cleanses. I have tried all of their options and they are equally good, but this year I started off with their Classic Cleanse in 2024.
A juice cleanse is a type of RESET that involves consuming vegetable and fruit juice for a certain period of time. It is meant to give your digestion a bit of a break to allow your body to focus on any internal work it needs to be focusing on, while taking in loads of powerful nutrition in the juices as well. It is pick-up only, so I'm sorry if you aren't local to Stillwater. But, if you are, order ahead of time and then come give us a visit at our downtown offices.
I am a huge salad eater, and I love experimenting with all kinds of ingredients. It's also one of my favorite things to bring to people's homes when you need to bring a dish to share. Everyone loves a healthy option. I love serving salads in this beautiful wooden bowl to elevate to the next level. With its bold grain and richly varied color, our olivewood bowl makes an eye-catching backdrop for everything from tossed greens to pasta salad. Artisans hand-turn the bowl from end-cut rings of Italian olivewood, showcasing the dramatic variations in tone and pattern that make each one of a kind.
One of my favorite people to follow for recipes is Daphne Oz. She has many cookbooks and also shares videos on how to make her recipes on her Instagram, She always serves beautiful salads out of a huge wooden bowl that is always out of stock sadly, so I finally caved a bought this one. It's not as big and over-the-top as her serving bowl, but it is beautiful nonetheless.
My go-to lunch salad recipe:
2 cups arugula leaves – washed and dried
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
(3.5 oz) prosciutto– thinly sliced, torn into bite-sized pieces
shaved parmesan
toasted pine nuts
freshly ground black pepper – to taste
balsamic glaze – to serve
crostini or fresh, crusty bread
(sometimes I add in apples or pears when I want to mix it up)
Instructions
Add the Extra Virgin Olive Oil to a medium-sized bowl.
Add arugula leaves to the bowl and gently toss them in the oil to lightly coat them.
Top with the torn prosciutto.
Sprinkle with shaved parmesan and pine nuts
Add freshly ground black pepper and drizzle lightly with balsamic glaze.
Serve immediately with crostini, toasted baguette or crusty bread on the side (and a glass of crisp white wine;)
I have been obsessed with pickleball since 2015, and I love that everyone around me now is getting on the bandwagon now that its become so popular. I have not had a new paddle in 5 years, and my husband bought me this one for Christmas. I play about 3 times a week, and so far I am loving this paddle. If you are looking to get a new paddle, or if you are trying out pickleball for the first time, I highly recommend this one.
It has carbon fiber and foam edge walls. This paddle makes it easy to reset, place your shots, and finish points while ensuring durability and a nimble feel. Paddles have polyurethane inserts to reduce shock and give players more feel. The PRISM series is ideal if you think thermoformed paddles are too powerful but traditional sandwich-style paddles are too soft.
40 oz. Stanley Tumbler
Not much needs to be said about the Stanley cup. Everyone has heard of them, funny TikToks have been made to make fun of how big they are. I held off as long as I could, because I had a smaller Yeti that was doing the job just fine with keeping me hydrated. I finally pulled the trigger because I thought I could alternate when my other water cup was drying from being washed. I now prefer the Stanley, because I don't need to refill as much since it is so huge and I love how much water I am drinking.
We all try to commit to drinking more water as one of our New Year's Resolutions, and this seriously helps you keep on track. I bought the marbled pink tumbler a few months ago, and now I want to get another for when my other one needs to be washed. These are the fun patterns I'm looking at... Cool or Warm Serene Brushstroke, maybe I will get both!
Fragrance is so personal to each person, and I found this Nectarine Blossom & Honey Perfume in one of Jo Malone sample sets. All the fragrances can be layered, but this one was just so perfect alone.
Top Note: Cassis
Intensely juicy and ripe, it gives a crisp edge to the fragrance.
Heart Note: Acacia Honey
This deliciously honeyed note suffuses the scent with its smooth, sweet accents of beeswax and blossoms.
Base Note: Peach
A lusciously, juicy note, succulent with textural velvety softness.
I highly recommend this brand and trying out their sampler set to see what is the right scent for you. Valentine's Day is coming up, and this could be the perfect gift idea!
My Binge-Worthy TV Shows to Get Ready for their 2024 New Season Releases:
These are my three favorite shows at the moment, and I'm eagerly waiting for their new seasons to be released, hopefully in 2024. I'm aware that the filming got delayed due to the writer's strike, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we'll be able to indulge in these new seasons soon. If you're anything like me, then you probably like to rewatch past seasons to get ready for the upcoming season release! I am a Netfix gal myself, and they all stream on there.
Outlander: Claire, a World War II army nurse finds herself torn between two lives -- and loves -- when a mystical Scottish stone hurls her 200 years into the past. It is based on an 8 book series by Diana Gabaldon, and each season follows a book. We are in season 7, and the second half is set to release this year, but there is no date confirmed.
Outer Banks: On an island of haves and have-nots, teen John B enlists his three best friends to hunt for a legendary treasure linked to his father's disappearance. I always say this show is the O.C. meets the Goonies. There is no word yet when season 4 will air, but I am watching seasons 1-3 to get ready!
Bridgerton: It revolves around an eponymous fictional family and is set in the competitive world of Regency era London's ton during the social season in the early 1800s where marriageable youth of nobility and gentry are launched into society. Another series is based on a book series, and each season follows a different sibling of the Bridgerton family. There are currently 2 seasons and a prequel spin-off Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. Bridgerton Season 3 will be released by Netflix in two parts in 2024. The first four episodes will premiere on May 16, followed by the next four a month later on June 13.
We are a family of blanket lovers in my house. Whenever we snuggle up on the couch, we make sure that everyone has their own cozy fur blanket. I love to buy new throws from time to time, so we now have a collection of them. It has become a tradition for us to come together at the end of the day, sit on the couch and unwind while wrapped in our warm blankets to read a book or watch T.V. This one is from Pottery Barn, and I have it in Ivory and Caramel Ombre.
Well, that is the list my friends. My hope for 2024 is to continue finding special little pleasures wherever they may hide. Simple acts of self-care and trying our best to start the year off on the right foot with our New Year's resolutions. May we all discover new favorite things while continuing to embrace the little sweets we can always count on. Here's to small joys and a beautiful 2024!