My shopping addiction has been well documented over the years on this blog, as were my failed attempts at a no buy. I've succeeded in no buy months but I've never really kicked the shopping habit altogether. 

As I've gotten older, my shopping has definitely improved. I'm less impulsive, I don't feel the need to buy something every single day, and I can let things sit in my cart for a while before I buy them. However, over the past year, I've seen the error of my ways. 

This past year there was an adorable house for sale in my neighborhood. It was literally picture perfect for me and it was a reasonable price. I of course, didn't have the funds for a down payment. It was at that moment, at 31 years old, where I realized how much money I have wasted over the past ten years that I've been working.

I have thrown money away, lit it on fire, for the sake of a dopamine rush that lasted until the shipping box was thrown away. It's embarrassing and it's irritating; I've gotten mad at myself for my shopping problem before but this one lasted a little bit longer than usual.

This year was the year I was going to stop shopping, but of course, that didn't happen. I do think I made some improvements -- I didn't spend as frivolously or impulsively as I have in previous years. I was a little more wise with where my dollar was going and with what was coming into my house. 

This might go down as the year where I came to the realization that I do not need as much as I think I do. It was the year where the big purchases I made, made an impact. 

It sounds so much more poetic and deep than what it actually is but it's true. The items on this list, while not a comprehensive catalog of everything I spent money on in 2024, are items that I loved and truly used on a consistent basis. 

Let's get into it, shall we? 

Happy December! How is it the end of the year? How is 2025 around the corner? This might be the fastest year on record. What's really confusing me is how is it going to be the 5 year anniversary of the beginning of the pandemic? This is so deeply concerning that I can't seem to wrap my head around it. 

November was a great month; I felt super clear, present and empowered. It felt like I was waking up from a very long nap, which is such an interesting feeling that I can't really put it into words.

This month was really focused on getting back to a routine, doing things that made me feel good and finally accomplishing items on my to-do list that I've been putting off for a while. And all of that comes to fruition in my November favorites.

 I've felt like a hot mess for most of this year and I'm not really sure why. If anything, I was more established in my person, in my home, in my job, than ever before and I did a lot this year, so I'm not sure why the past 330 days have felt so chaotic.

It could be that because I was so settled, so sure of myself, and experiencing new things, it felt unsettling. Maybe I wasn't used to feeling so normal that it caused me to feel abnormal.

All of that being said, it got me thinking what do you get the girl who is turning over a new leaf, who is coming into her own and getting her shit together? I present to you now, that gift guide!

Every year Black Friday is starting sooner and sooner; at first it was just the Friday after Thanksgiving, then it was Thanksgiving night, then it was the entire week before and now it seems like the sales started on November 1st, or even before Halloween this year.

However, if you're a savvy shopper you know that sometimes the deals are better on actual Black Friday than before, but I think this year might be the exception because Thanksgiving is so late. The shopping season is cut off by at least a week since Black Friday is November 29th, so most retailers Black Friday sales started last week.

In addition to sales getting earlier and earlier, they've also gotten smaller; the percentage off is not as strong as they have been in the past but if you know the retailer to look at, you might find some gems.

I wanted to round up some of the sales I'm going to be shopping, mostly for gifts, but maybe for one or two items for myself. 

I'll update this post throughout the week with more deals as they come out but wanted to get some picks out there before the shopping really picked up! 

Growing up Catholic, Advent Calendars were a big part of the Christmas season for me. The importance of Advent was always stressed to us and I have so many memories of crossing days off calendars, moving felt pieces from one day to another or opening little cardboard doors and finding a chocolate behind it. 

Once I got older, the magic of Advent dwindled a bit until a few years ago when capitalism popped off and started producing adult advent calendars for every niche interest out there. Now, in 2024 you could count down to Christmas through a variety of ways, whether it's with beauty products, tea, socks, baking supplies or jewelry.

For years I would treat myself to the Sugarfina Advent Calendar and then I upgraded to the Olive & June one, which I still think is one of the best on the market. This year though, I'm looking to change things up a bit. I don't want a super expensive one that is just a bunch of stuff I don't need...I'm really trying to cut down on the unnecessary items in my life. Choosing which Advent Calendar to buy is going to be a real test for me. 

After hunting around the internet, I've rounded up the best Advent Calendars; ones that I think are super fun, a great value, or offer something really special & different.

 October was gone in a flash and I don't know how I feel about it. I was so busy this month that I don't think I was fully able to relish in the best '-ber' month of all. I did some fall things, like watch Hocus Pocus every single day (including when on three plane rides),  I hosted my friends for our annual fall girls night, baked fall cookies and used all my fall themed items, like Pumpkin Spice hand sanitizer and my Hocus Pocus Stoney Clover pouch.

The weather in New York agreed with the calendar changing and we had some decent fall weather. I think only a few days over the last few weeks were hot, making it feel like August instead of October so I'll take it! Before the month is over, I plan to bake some pumpkin bread and indulge in a few more fall scented candles.

October was a fun, busy month as I've mentioned 100 times over the course of the last few blog posts. I started it off in California for a work trip, my sister got engaged, I had countless family parties from birthdays, baptisms, and weddings. I went to Florida, saw Taylor Swift in concert, and had fun with friends. It really was one of the most exciting months I've had in a while and truthfully, it all went swimmingly. 

I didn't have any anxiety freak outs related to travel or being busy; in fact, it was the opposite. I found myself feeling oddly calm with a packed calendar which makes me think that I need to be doing more things to feel calmer. What an odd feeling! 

My shopping was at a minimum in October which is always a positive but that doesn't mean I don't have some new favorites to add to my list.

Let's get into it! 

 September passed by in the blink of an eye as did the entire year. I cannot believe we're in October and weirdly enough, it feels like it's almost over. September was pretty good; it was chaotic and messy, it was busy and fun and I know October is going to be exactly the same...it already is.

Last weekend after I got home from my trip to California for work, I embarked on one of the busiest weekends I've ever had; from engagement dinners to sweet 16s and baptisms, I stayed very busy and it was actually a lot of fun. I didn't have time to think about how tired I was or nervous about having enough down time to decompress. The more I kept moving, the better it felt which is a good lesson for me.

September was a good favorites month too; I had a lot of new items, some rediscovered favorites and I think October will probably be even better. 

Taylor Swift is usually right but she was in her bag when she said 'august slipped away like a bottle of wine..." I cannot believe we're already in September! I'm feeling indifferent about it because I enjoyed this summer and I don't feel like I'm ready to embrace fall just yet. 

That is very unusual for me, which is giving me massive pause. Not being excited for fall is just another way I've realized that I haven't been myself lately. However, the chill in the air, pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks, and the onslaught of fall content I'm getting served on TikTok might just be the ticket to getting me back on board the fall train.

August was interesting; I found my way back to myself a bit, got organized and started falling back into a routine. I think that'll just get better with the change of seasons. This month, I implemented new habits, returned to some old ones and rediscovered some old favorite items.