1. I refuse to believe I’m the only one who thinks this year has passed exceptionally, if not peculiarly, quickly. It’s par for the course this time of year, and as someone who works in marketing, the holidays are over before they even begin. (Not ideal, but such is the way of the world.) And still, it’s as though I blinked and am now writing the final Five Things of 2024. The buildup to elections, however urgent, felt too slow; so many of us were riddled with anxiety because this was a critical turning point in American history. Once the winner was declared, I was on autopilot. Not numb this time around; I was simply accepting of what was, has been, and is bound to come. Wake up, work, and try not to be consumed by the inevitable.
2. It’s not to say I didn’t indulge or live my life, because I did. (And as someone who isn’t Catholic or a subscriber to ascetic religion, I felt no guilt partaking in little pleasures.) Ordering and having coffee out perhaps were the greatest of them all. Marking the start of my self-imposed work day with one candle (Diptyque Noisetier) and the beginning of my personal time after-hours (Henry Rose Queens & Monsters) has been pivotal to separating the two—which I find essential as someone who works from home. Just these four things alone improved my life considerably.
3. Writing about fragrance has been pure joy. These were the best new perfumes of 2024; these are the fragrances I discovered this year and can’t wait to keep wearing well into next.
4. Another source of joy: logging my perfume collection into a spreadsheet. (I have no Virgo placements in my chart, but I am an Aries and the oldest daughter.) Being a fragrance writer and brand consultant does factor into organizing with purpose—I’m always testing—but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I’d have done this without a work-based need.
5. I’ve waited half a year for my latest acquisition to have its moment—and now that it’s finally cold enough, said find is the pièce de résistance of every look. It’s a brand new (but vintage), full-leather trench with a fur shawl collar and 80s shoulder pads. Same silhouette I love (most of my coats are this exact shape), just the holiday edition. Utter perfection.
. . .
xx
Your turn. Thoughts?