2024 was one of the best years of my life so far! I self-published a novel, got engaged, moved in with my boyfriend (now fiance), and found out I was going to become an aunt! I can tell 2025 will be just as transformative but before I get ahead of myself, I’m looking back at the past year and all my 2024 favourites.
I don’t have as many favourites as last year but sometimes less is more. Without further ado:
Nespresso
I love coffee – any kind of coffee. My fiance and I have a Nespresso coffee maker and there are so many good flavours but my top two for 2024 have been Peppermint Pinwheel and Almond Croissant. Peppermint Pinwheel has been around for a while but I just love the flavour for the holidays, and almond croissants are my favourite pastry! If you have a Nespresso machine or are thinking of getting one, these are two of the best flavoured options out there in my humble opinion.
An absolute must-try at Gouter! I love candy cane anything and this beautiful pastry is delightfully seasonal. Side note: their almond croissants are life changing (STUFFED with marzipan!).
I fell for the hype – how embarrassing. BUT I LOVE THIS THING! I love the straw, the colour (I got a sleek black) and how cool it keeps my water. I love lugging it around. If you’re thinking of getting a reusable water bottle, this one’s the one. It fits in my cup holder in my car but it’s TIGHT so kind of hard to take in and out but that just means it’s stable!
Silicone scrubber
I love using my silicone body scrubber every shower! It lathers beautifully, and because it’s made from silicone, doesn’t creep me out hygiene-wise the way loofahs or washcloths do. If you want to elevate your showers, I highly suggest picking a scrubber up!
Hobby basket
I got this idea from Kennedy (CozyGames) to repel boredom. I simply have a basket with emergency items: skincare products, magazines, a candle, my needle felting kit, a small puzzle, a book, a DVD, etc. Whenever I’m SO BORED and nothing is appealing to me on tv, I don’t feel like doing anything, etc. I turn to this basket and have a peek. Such a good way to keep your hands and mind busy! This is also great for if you’ve been meaning to read a book or watch a movie, simply pop it in there so you don’t forget, and have the option next time you’re looking for something to do! Also a great idea for anyone who has tons of beauty samples they never find the time to try.
Reusable eye masks
Eye masks are my favourite beauty task to help me unwind! That being said, it gets annoying buying a pack of 5-10 masks every few weeks and doesn’t exactly seem environmentally friendly. I was lucky enough to find a pair of reusable eye masks made by QUO at Shoppers Drug Mart. All you need to do is apply your favourite eye cream (I’m using Kiehl’s avocado eye cream) and place the eye patches on top! It’s so convenient just being able to wash the masks and re-use.
Moving to Toronto this year has given me a closer proximity to several things, including curly haired specialists!! I’ve had two curly cuts this year by a curly hairdresser (who also has naturally curly hair) and it’s been so helpful going to someone who not only understands the different types of curly hair, but has curly hair herself, as well as a range of products. My hair gets styled every time I get a cut and I always get so many compliments after!
Puzzles
I haven’t completed a 500 piece jigsaw puzzle in YEARS but the beauty of this Galison puzzle, while sipping wine or coffee and listening to an audiobook or a twitch stream had me finishing this puzzle in two days! I’m definitely going to buy a few more as this is honestly the best winter pastime!
2024 Planner
I’ve been using a digital planner for a while now, though I try out new ones every year. This is the one I used this year and I just loved it! I don’t think I need the sections of what I eat daily as I can just use an app for tracking if desired, but this planner has definitely made it so easy to habit track and track my goals!
I hope your 2024 was wonderful and if it wasn’t, you might want to invest in some of the above to make 2025 better! In all seriousness, recording things you love throughout the year makes it easier to look back at the months. I encourage you to jot down things you enjoy in 2025 – it really shows what you prioritize and what has helped you!