My 2023 Product MVPs

As 2023 comes to a close, I’ve been looking back at some of my favorite outfits from the year on Instagram. As i’ve done so, I’ve loved seeing so many repeat items and reworn outfits, which in turn got me thinking about my favorite items and things from the year. The MVPs if you will. So today I’m recapping them! I’ve broken things up into categories and really narrowed everything down to the true favorites. Most were purchased in 2023, but because I strive to keep things for their whole “lives”, I’ve included a few pieces that have stood the test of time:

Wardrobe

Basile Cardigan from Sezane: I’m often asked if pieces from Sezane are worth it, and my answer is always a resounding YES. This is one of the very few brands I’m loyal to and always check their new arrivals. The Basile Cardigan is perfectly fluffy, soft, and most importantly, NOT ITCHY, which is key because I often pair it with tee shirts. I love the vintage blue color, it’s remarkably versatile and works with neutrals and brights alike.

Ganni Boots: If you follow my outfits on Instagram, you know I have an ever-growing collection of Ganni’s lug sole boots. All but one pair were either purchased at a deep discount or secondhand. They fit my feet well, they’re comfortable, and they get me through Maine winters without feeling like I’ve turned in my style card - plus they go with just about every kind of outfit. My favorite sources for finding them affordably priced are The Outnet, TheRealReal, and Shopbop.

Sacha & Paolo Coats from Sezane: I’m a coat girl. Living in Maine, it’s my view that you can’t have too many. And Sezane’s coats, much like their sweaters, are 100% worth the investment. This year I added the Sacha and Paolo coats to my collection and they’ve turned into fall and winter staples. They layer easily, have enough room for bulky sweater sleeves, and offer the timeless appeal I look for in the pieces I add to my wardrobe.

Agolde 90s Pinch Waist Jeans: it took me a while to truly break these jeans in and get comfortable with the longer length (after wearing cropped Levi’s for several seasons) but these jeans are now my go-to They’re perfect - a great Levi’s 501 dupe that feels updated and polished. I have them in two washes: Soundwave (a go-with-everything light wash) and Drum (a creamy off-white).

J.Crew Bikini: I’ve been pretty loyal to J.Crew bathing suits for several years. They’re unfussy, come in great colors, and fit me well. I’ve tried other brands, but none are as easy to wear. I have a couple of J.Crew bikinis, but this year I found myself reaching for my basic black square neck bikini top and high-leg bikini bottom whenever I was headed to the beach, the sauna, or for a surf (it’s great under a wetsuit but for you warm weather surfers i don’t recommend it on its own).

Health & Beauty

Naturium Niacinamide Cleanser: I’m not a fan of spending a ton on cleanser and I’ve tried a lot of different ones. This year, I went through three bottles of this affordable cleanser from Target, which to me signifies a clear winner. It removes makeup well, doesn’t strip skin, and is gentle enough to use AM and PM. Also, the bottle is designed in such a way that you get ALL the product out, so you’re not left trying to scrape the sides. To me, good package design is just as important as the product itself. (I also like the Multipeptide Moisturizer as a lightweight summer day cream)

Dieux Skin Instant Angel: This was a late addition to my skincare routine this year, but it did not disappoint. I needed a heavier cream for fall and winter, and found a pretty great deal on this one through TikTok. I LOVE this stuff. It’s unscented, ultra-rich but still allows skin to breathe, and the packaging design is smart. I want to try Air Angel when the weather warms up.

Ogee Beauty & Skincare: My love affair with Ogee continues. I’ve been working with this brand for some time now and there’s a reason for it. I haven’t found a product I don’t love yet. My daily go-to’s, however, are: the Vitamin C THDA 20% Elixr, Sculpted Face Stick in Topaz (a universally flattering rosy peach - I use it as blush), the clear Sculped Lip Oil, the Jojoba Glow Face Oil, and the Botanical Brilliance Exfoliating Cleaner. You can use my code for 15% off: JULISEOS-OGEE

Charlotte Tilbury Happikiss Balm: I’m obsessed with this balm. I’m not a huge lipstick person, but these balms are the perfect mix of hydrating balm with just enough color. I have them in Pillowtalk and Enchanting Kiss. LOVE. Yes, they’re on the pricier side but both tubes have lasted me the year and are still going strong. For a more affordable Happikiss Dupe, try ELF Hydrating Core Lipshine - the color isn’t as saturated, but it’s a great “daily driver” if you want to save the Charlotte Tilbury for special occasions.

An Electric Toothbrush: I know. I’m so late to the game on this. My OralB iO toothbrush is the only thing I purchased on Black Friday and I have zero regrets. A Waterpik is next on my list.

Cymbiotika Supplements: I mention depression and ADHD below, two things I take medication for but also take care with my diet and supplements to mitigate. I tried out Cymbiotika supplements over the summer because they had the specific magnesium I was looking for (Magnesium L-Threonate) and found it to be 100% worth it. I take the B12/B6, Magnesium L-Threonate, and Vitamin C regularly (I subscribe), and have found my sleep and energy levels to be vastly improved. NOTE: I’m speaking from personal experience and my words are not to be taken as medical advice.

Home & Decor

Dyson V8 Cordless Vacuum: This is on super sale right now, so if you’ve been on the fence, I say: get it. When the vacuum we’d had for over 10 years finally gave up the ghost at the end of 2022 (the model isn’t made anymore), I did my research and decided on the Dyson V8. I wanted a vacuum that was easy to use and removed any barriers to use. Meaning is didn’t want something too clunky, heavy, or corded. As someone who deals with depression and ADHD, cleaning can be a hurdle for me at times (to be clear, Chris and I share the housework but have generally defined chores, it’s what works for us - vacuuming is one of mine), so making sure we bought something simple was a priority. This vacuum is great - it’s mounted to the wall, not hidden in a closet, so I can grab it to clean up small messes, touch up the rugs between weekly cleaning, or clean up stray kitty litter with ease. Seriously, I could sing its praises all day.

Our Local Refill Store: We’re lucky enough to have a refill store close by, GoGo Refill in South Portland, and this year I made it a goal to begin swapping over many of our household cleaners for refillable options. So far, we get our laundry detergent, body wash, and dish soap here (it all works GREAT), and when our other household cleaners run out, I plan to make the switch as well. It feels good to not be bringing more plastic into our home, and when I go to refill, I’m able to drop off empty containers for the container library, drop off makeup empties to be recycled, and pick up any small things I may need (I recently purchased a bamboo pot scraper, which sounds like a silly thing, but trust when I say this thing is awesome).

Linen Pillowcases: We’ve lived in our apartment for six years now (HOW?!), and in the past few months, I’ve felt a little antsy for a refresh. Instead of going all-in, I’ve been doing a few small updates here and there to make things feel fresh and reflective of who we are now. Like adding these sweet gingham pillowcases from Piglet in Bed to our bedroom. I love them. So much. They’re soft and cozy, and the color adds the perfect pop against our light walls (I purchased the dark green).

Ripple Mat: Our kitties are in their late senior years (in human years, they’re 98!), a fact I’m in deep denial about. Encouraging them to be active is all about finding toys that they want to play with and this ripple rug has been an MVP. Is it ugly? YES. But it also folds away easily, so you can put it away when company comes or if you want to keep the ~ magic ~ alive for your cats.