My Favorite Purchases of 2023
things I didn't shut up about this year
The amount of self restraint I had to exercise while narrowing down my favorites of the year is unquantifiable. As a self proclaimed outfit repeater, intentional shopper and constant peruser of things, a lot of time and thought goes into my purchases. Despite all this, I have managed to narrow down my absolute favorite purchases of the year. Without further ado, my 2023 loves.
Jeans
This year I discovered Levi’s 501 90’s and I haven’t looked back. I like that they are the perfect roomy straight (depending on size) and are comfortable enough to wear any day but especially when flying. They have become the jeans I wear the most. While they aren’t a true replacement for thrifted 501’s, they are as close as I’ve found. Speaking of which, my most prized jean possession are my thrifted 501’s that fit like a glove. I would travel far and wide to find more of these perfect fitting jeans. I am hoping to strike the same luck in 2024.
Red Coat
If you read my Amsterdam newsletter you know about this coat. I have been wearing it non-stop and I love its oversized fit. I know a red coat is a bold statement and not for everyone but it works perfectly for me. This is one of those purchases that I bought not because it was practical but because it brought me so much joy. The “practical” thing to do would have been to purchase a black coat first but I wouldn’t trade this red for any true neutral in the world.
COS Shirts
I walked into COS on a whim while in Amsterdam to check out their sweaters and coats. I had heard so many people raving about them and decided to see what all the hype was about. I tried a few sweaters and coats but none spoke to me in that moment. I was desperately in need of t-shirts. I spotted some next to the sweaters and loved how thick they were. I’ve worn and washed them countless times since and they’ve held up incredibly well. I will 100% be adding more to my closet in the future. If you’re up for an in depth review, you can view that here.
Sézane Button Down
After stealing my husband’s white button down that didn’t fit quite how I had envisioned I finally purchased my own. After lots of research, I decided on Max from Sézane and it’s become one of my most worn pieces this year. For me, it’s the perfect button down that’s not too oversized and versatile enough to wear at any time of the year.
Point & Shoot Film Camera
If you are even just remotely interested in film or you purchase disposable cameras often, I strongly advocate for you to get a point and shoot. While I think this is a very personal choice, I purchased a Canon Telemax earlier this year after wanting to take quick pictures on the go. It is much lighter than my Canon AE-1 which makes it easier to throw in a purse. While I don’t think it’s a replacement for my AE-1, I’ve shot some really cool pictures with my Telemax.
Bucket Hat
While I used the excuse of staying out of the sun leading up to my wedding to purchase this (it was on my wishlist, I didn’t purchase it blind - I promise!), I have gotten plenty of bang for my buck on Janessa Leone's Felix bucket hat. I wore it practically everyday on my summer walks and up until recently when it was too cold. It’s perfect for lounging on the beach to walking around the neighborhood. Another plus is that it's easily packable and retains shape really well.
Beauty of Joseon SPF
While I tend to be a loyal user of a few brands I consider my staples, every once in a while I venture out of my comfort zone and try new things. I recently added a tube of Beauty of Joseon to my SPF replenishment order and I immediately fell in love. It leaves my skin feeling soft, supple and it gives me a lovely glow.
Brass Earrings
While shopping with a friend, I stumbled upon these brass earrings. I’ve talked about them before and for good reason. They are incredibly lightweight and one of a kind. They are also handmade and based out of Portland, OR. While you currently can’t find any brass on Kari Phillips' site, you can find lots of silver options.
Revitalash’s Eyebrow Serum
I started using Revitabrow in January and by March I saw a huge improvement on my eyebrows. I was motivated to try this serum due to my upcoming wedding. I don’t wear makeup and while I knew I would wearing makeup for my wedding I wanted to do everything I could to ensure it was minimal and natural. Having more filled in eyebrows was a game changer for me. It’s very much a lose it if you don’t use it type of thing! In the pictures below you can see the drastic difference in my eyebrows.
Crown Affair Hair Clips
I’ve talked about these hair clips before and they are truly magical. As someone who uses minimal heat in their hair, these were a life saver. I use them to air dry my hair and they’ve helped me get beautiful heatless waves. I’ve also used them to put my hair up and I’m often surprised at how much hair they can hold. I will add that it did take some trial and error to get a consistent wave look! Still worth it in my opinion.
I’d love to hear what your favorite purchases of the year were and if they overlap with any I mentioned!
Also, this is my last post of the year and I want to thank you for being here! Your support means the world to me.
xx Ofelia