2024 Faves

Hello Friends and Enemies!

As 2024 draws to a close, we’re all pausing to reflect on the year’s highlights. After thinking of all the ups and downs this year these are the products, places, and moments that managed to stand out in a world of infinite scrolling. From beauty favourites that actually delivered, to home finds that made our space bearable, wellness that lived up to the hype and travel experiences that didn’t disappoint, this is the definitive list of what deserved attention. Products and places I found myself constantly going back to and repurchasing. Consider this your annual reminder that some things do live up to the hype—occasionally.

Beauty

1. L'Oréal Vitamino Colour Shampoo and Conditioner
   Protect your investment! This duo keeps your locks shiny, vibrant, and free from the dreaded fade. It’s salon-level care without the salon-level price—it will leave your hair and scalp feeling amazing.

2. SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream
   This is your skin’s overnight coach, training it to glow while you sleep. Packed with retinol and acids, it’s the overachiever of night creams, working hard so you don’t have to. Morning? Fresh face. Effort? Minimal. With none of the dreaded downtime that comes with interdicting a retinol to your routine, this really is a winner.

3. SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Eye Cream
   Think of this as an espresso shot for your under-eyes. It tackles dark circles, fine lines, and puffiness like it’s on a mission—and wins every time. With the addition of retinol this truly packs a brightness punch and erases milia (this pesky whit hard bumps) making it you new BFF.

4. SkinBetter Science Mystro Active Balance Serum
   If serums were superheroes, this would be the one balancing your skin’s universe. It soothes, strengthens, and somehow makes your face feel like it’s had a day at the spa. The result? A complexion that practically whispers, “I’ve got my life together.”

5. Loewe Ella Perfume
   A fragrance that says “I’m sophisticated” without screaming it. Loewe Ella blends floral and woody notes into a scent that’s subtle, chic, and slightly mysterious—like you’ve got secrets but also impeccable taste.

6. Patrick Ta Contour Brush
   Sculpting your cheekbones should feel like a luxurious experience. Patrick Ta’s contour brush is the beauty equivalent of a precision tool—soft, sleek, and ridiculously good at its job. It’s contouring for people who want to look effortlessly snatched and have little make up skill….

7. Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo
   A dry shampoo that actually works and smells amazing? Rare, but here we are. Amika Perk Up absorbs oil, adds volume, and makes you look like you didn’t skip wash day—even when you 100% did.

8. Jeaumont Reusable Eye Patches
   For anyone who’s tired of throwing away sheet masks like they’re going out of style. These reusable eye patches pair with your favorite serums, making them both eco-friendly and weirdly satisfying. Bonus: they’re Instagram gold.

9. Gisou Honey Infused Lip Oil
   It’s a lip gloss, but smarter. Gisou’s honey-infused lip oil hydrates, shines, and feels way more luxe than anything that’s ever been in your purse. Call it a skincare essential disguised as a beauty staple.

Home

1. Bedside Water Carafe
   For when you want to hydrate like a 19th-century aristocrat but without the whole drafty mansion thing. A bedside water carafe is both practical and quietly pretentious—a subtle flex that says, “Yes, I drink water at 3 a.m., and yes, I do it in style.” Bonus: it makes your nightstand look effortlessly curated.

2. Walking Pad
   Because working from home needed one more piece of weirdly bulky equipment. The walking pad lets you clock steps while answering emails, turning your desk setup into a fitness regime you can ignore as soon as Netflix calls. Efficiency meets guilt—but, like, in a good way.

3. Tofu Press
   Who knew squeezing tofu could be this satisfying? The tofu press is the kitchen gadget you didn’t know you needed until it turns your soggy blocks into firm, fry-ready perfection. It’s like the glow-up for tofu, minus the effort on your part. Definitely only needed if you cook with tofu often (for me it’s once a week), but if you do it is an absolute game changer.

4. Grounding Sheet
   File this under “things that shouldn’t work but actually do.” The grounding sheet claims to connect you to the Earth’s energy while you sleep—yes, it sounds absurd, but also kind of genius. Think of it as the closest you’ll get to barefoot-in-a-meadow vibes without leaving your mattress. I have noticed a major shift in my sleep since using it.

5. xBloom Coffee Maker
   A coffee maker that brews single-origin beans like it’s auditioning for a tech startup. The xBloom is part barista, part science experiment, and all about making your morning coffee unnecessarily impressive. If you’ve ever wanted your kitchen to feel like a third-wave coffee shop, here’s your chance.

6. Google Display
   Your personal assistant, but make it stationary. The Google Display handles everything from setting timers to controlling your smart home while doubling as a digital photo frame you’ll actually look at. I use it everyday to watch Netflix while I cook, because why not more screen time?

Travel

1. Arlo SoHo
   This is your go-to for boutique charm with a side of downtown edge. Arlo SoHo nails the small-but-stylish room game while serving up communal spaces that don’t make you feel crammed. Located close to Newark, a subway line and multiple amazing restaurants you will feel like the entire city is at your fingertips but not pressured to go too far.

2. Unico 20°87° Riviera Maya, Mexico
   Luxury all-inclusive, but make it bougie. Unico 20°87° combines beachfront bliss with an authentic Mexican culture, from local art in the rooms to a curated cocktail program and local eats you truly feel like you are experiencing the country you are in. Add in poolside service that feels like mind reading, and it’s basically paradise—but with better snacks.

3. Four Seasons Montreal
   Where minimalist chic meets unmatched luxury—and you somehow feel cooler just by checking in. The Four Seasons Montreal feels like stepping into a fashion magazine, complete with jaw-dropping decor, next-level service, and a lobby that practically begs for an Instagram moment. Pro tip: make sure you have cocktails and small bites at their amazing restaurant, Marcus.

4. Roxy Tribeca
   A hotel with a personality? Yes, it exists, and it’s the Roxy Tribeca. Between the jazz club vibes, vintage-meets-modern aesthetic, and a lobby that doubles as the coolest hangout spot in town, this place redefines what it means to stay in style. They also have a killer coffee spot in the lobby making coffee in bed before a day of 30,000 steps easily accessible. Warning: you might never want to leave.

5. Creekside Suites, Wellington, Ontario
   Tucked away in Prince Edward County’s wine country, Creekside Suites is an absolute must. Think cozy vibes, beautiful views, and the kind of quiet that makes you actually relax. It’s low-key perfection for those who want to sip wine by day and stargaze by night. It is where I recommend anyone coming to the area stays!

Wellness

1. MiHigh Sauna Blanket
   Because sometimes, you need to feel like a human burrito and detox your sins. The MiHigh Sauna Blanket combines the joy of sweating with the convenience of lying down, making it the overachiever of at-home wellness. It’s basically the lazy person’s ticket to a post-sauna glow without leaving your living room—or even Netflix.

2. Magnesium and Cherry Juice Cocktail
   Who knew the secret to surviving life was in a glass of bedtime elixir? This magnesium and cherry juice cocktail whispers sweet nothings to your nervous system while giving your sleep the makeover it’s been begging for. Bonus: It’s way trendier than warm milk and doesn’t scream grandparent vibes.

3. Pod Floating
   Paying to lie in a saltwater pod and do nothing feels ridiculous until you try it—and then you’re planning your next session. Pod floating is part sensory deprivation, part forced mindfulness, and 100% the excuse you need to disappear from reality for an hour. Plus, it’s hard to overthink when you’re basically weightless.

4. TheraBody Eye Mask
   Think of it as a spa day for your eyes. The TheraBody Eye Mask uses heat and vibrations to undo the chaos of screen time, stress, and that one night you really should’ve gone to bed earlier. It’s self-care that feels indulgent but is actually just common sense—because tired eyes aren’t cute.

That’s a wrap on 2024, thanks for reading along and I hope one of these will add a little sparkle to your 2025!

Stay glowing, hydrated, and slightly over-caffeinated,

Samm

P.S. You still need to apply SPF in the winter.