But before 2016 passes the baton to 2017 I wanted to update. I needed to reflect on this past year and especially the past few months since August.

This past summer had been one of the best summers of my life. I’m usually all for autumn but this year I mourned summer ending. I thrashed into autumn with a feeling of loss and dread. Now it’s the last day of 2016 and I can honestly say I don’t know how 2017 is going to be but I’m ready to stare it down cold.

I’ll end it here with 9 photos top left being from Christmas Day 2016 and bottom right being from last January 2016. Followed by 2 videos of my little bunny, Gally, who passed away this year. I still miss him terribly.

Since I’ve been gone for so long I thought I’d just share some things I’m currently obsessed.

A few weeks ago I finally got all my potted plants outside. While they continued to grow we ended up getting 16 days straight of rain. So staring out the window at my rainy little garden has been one of my favorite things. Why fight it.

In between the rain showers I’ve been lighting incense outside and letting it come in through the windows. With being on such a 90’s trip (for the past year honestly) I rediscovered my love for incense. Well… the cones. But those aren’t popular or easy to find anymore. Instead I found these wood bricks to be a great alternative especially since they smell like a campfire and I can’t go camping until the rain quits.

I bought a sample pack from Amazon. Great price great scents! Maybe if I’m still feeling something more “incense and less campfire” I’ll order some from Blackbird. They have some really intriguing fragrances like BLOOD COUNTESS.

Beauty-wise my makeup routine has simplified since experiencing a bad drying out spell. I discovered I’m sensitive to talc products. I never realized. I stopped wearing almost all makeup for a period of time. I attempted to purge my skin with a gentle daily peel. It helped remove some of the larger stubborn acne spots but really made my skin’s texture worse. My skin is finicky especially when it’s damaged. Focusing on moisturizing with a thicker formula from Vanicream right now. It’s the only thing that would sink in for a while. And since using it I don’t feel the need for a primer. I also want to avoid silicones and excessive powders right now.

Currently I maybe wear a bb cushion once a week. Half the time I just wear a tiny bit of concealer or just dab and blend some Mario Badescu nude drying cream over the spots. My eye makeup has been nothing but glitter for the past 2 months. I’m so re-obsessed with glitter. If I want to do more I add colored eyeliner. Pretty much everything I’m using on the eyes lately is from NYX. They’re cruelty free, affordable, and easy to find.

I’m also highlighting daily. I highlight a bit beyond the generic youtube tutorial suggestions. I like to highlight my inner cheeks, around my lip and up the cupid’s bow, on the lids of my eyes, center of lip, and around the brows. I avoid my forehead, nose, and chin. Those spots get slick looking enough. Really my skin temporarily over-producing oil in the t-zone forced my hand with getting back into all-over highlight. It seemed futile to counter-balance the shine. But when I add shine to the rest of the face it comes together as more of a “glow.”

To match this “glow” I’ve gone glossy on the lips. I purchased Bite Beauty’s plain agave lip mask after trying multiple samples. At first I thought it was glorified vaseline but then I just started missing it when my samples ran out. I love it. Add a little of Pat Mcgrath’s nude pigment on top and it gives a really nice pout look.

I didn’t mindfully take a break; it just happened. I spent March painting, installing appliances, and just overall spending every moment working on the house. Then in April relatives came to visit and family occupied a lot of my time. May has been dealing with my health. A flare-up had me feeling mostly miserable lately and trying to get into the headspace of dealing with chronic illness.

So that brings me to here. I wanted to talk about my home improvements and also the Minimalism documentary I caught earlier this month.

A few months ago I got into listening to The Minimalists podcasts. It was good timing as I was beginning my home improvements. I ended up getting tickets to a screening of their documentary which was very good as well as the Q&A afterwards.

A lot of it built off my whole Marie Kondo experience from before. Only taking it a step further. Discussing relationships. Discussing the societal influences of capitalism. And within that finding my own way for a life less complicated. I put more time into my relationships. Some of it paid off. Some of it was a disappointment (but nevertheless a lesson.) But I learned and moved on.

The home improvements were another great lesson. Doing the whole house clean-out back in September made it easier to pinpoint things I wanted changed. At first I did the usual thing of going online and comparing my home to that of specifically-designed-aesthetic-spaces… mistake. HUGE mistake.

“Comparison is the thief of joy!” I remind myself often. I thought I’d need to make big pricey changes. New cabinets, paint every room!? … but did I really need those things to be happy? And then I realized I was doing everything in my power to work against the space rather than with it. When I started appreciating the existing elements things became much easier.

I looked at inspiration that came to mind right away (magazines, sites.) I read in Marie Kondo’s Spark Joy that looking through inspiration should be done all at once en masse and across styles so you can swiftly see what you like, why you like it, and move forward. It worked really well in focusing my decisions. I found 1 major reference I referred to throughout the process.

This came from the first issue of Lee I ever picked up. I remember seeing these pictures and something just clicking for me. I realized the kitchen was dark like mine. My kitchen isn’t near any windows so there are shadows and what I liked about this kitchen was how the lighting worked with that fact. I liked the clean utilitarian surfaces. The magnetic knife strip especially. And just overall how simple, useful, and easy it seemed. It wasn’t trying too hard. It didn’t seem preoccupied with perfection. I didn’t need all new kitchen cabinets. I needed better lighting, more space over the stove, and my favorites at an arm’s length.

After all was said and done I ended up removing the above stove range and replacing it with a more powerful, quieter, ventilated hood that had two super bright LED lights. I ditched the wood block for a magnetic knife strip which made space for my 2 most used cooking pots. I added a few large counter-wide chopping boards that tied in the cabinets natural wood texture. I also put up a backsplash using adhesive glass tiles. No grout necessary! And they don’t budge trust me. We replaced the leaky faucet with one that’s also a spray hose. Beyond the kitchen we upgraded our TV, repainted the home office, hung new light fixtures and art work all over the house, took the guitars off their stands and hung them up, built a new TV cabinet, and took a lot of things to the recycling center. A LOT. And when I was done I came in way under budget.

I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without the whole Konmari part earlier in the year. If I had clutter everywhere I wouldn’t have even considered new light fixtures. I would have felt “what’s the point, the place is still a mess.” Now I can do these upgrades and really feel they were worth the time and effort.

So I ended up hunting down these studies and I found 2 major ones most commonly referred to in these makeup salary correlation type articles. The first is a 2008 study that found women with makeup in a work environment reinforced a sense of femininity which in turn made her appear less competent. While another popular study used is a 2010 study that instead found that women who wore “glamorous style” makeup in a work environment appeared more competent. This 2010 study was funded by P&G which looks suspect at best.

So what is the truth? This debate is most likely perpetuated for the sake of reinforcing control over women; whether your opinion is for makeup or against it. It’s still looking to dictate how you “should” be. It keeps you in a state of both knowing you should do whatever makes you happy but also trying to be strategic in your career choices. There’s no right answer because like many female conundrums it’s a trap.

If you are dead set on looking for an answer it’s better to assess your surroundings and assess your internal dialogue to discover what is right for you. Instead of reading regurgitated articles that rarely link actual studies there’s more solace to be found on Reddit boards, interviews with professionals, and discussing it with the women around you. “Be the change you want to see” but understand that no matter which path you choose it won’t put an end to the comments and questions about your appearance in today’s society.

I once read that it’s best to avoid bright lip colors in an office. I would say I agree only because I often wear bright lipstick and have had someone stop a meeting just to comment on it. I was presenting and they just stopped and asked if I was purposefully wearing it to match my outfit for the day. So yes it can be an actual distraction. And it’s whether or not you want to put up with that distraction that influences your decision on makeup in the workplace.

Personally I do both. Some days I wear no makeup and deal with any “you look tired” comments. On other days I wear the bright red lip and subtly gloss over any comments made on it. I never have a single reason why I wear makeup. Some days I do it to cover up a bad breakout (more for myself so I won’t be reminded and pick at it.) Sometimes I do it because I’m bored or I want to try a new technique. But mostly I do it to feel ethereal. It’s why I love glitter eyeshadows and shimmering highlight and bright blushes. It’s something that’s a bit beyond human and that has always appealed to me.

Lastly I want to recommend Lisa Eldridge’s Best and Worst Makeup Moments in History. It’s very informative and goes far beyond just a praise and slam video about makeup.

Onto that makeup I was talking about

I went through my collection and selected some things that would work best. I mostly want to bring some color back into my makeup routine even on days I’m running too late to do my makeup at home. These are things I won’t miss using after work or on the weekends while also being easy to apply at my desk.

Dolly Wink Long Mascara. The wand and formula was changed at some point. It used to be a favorite of mine but with the formula change I might not rebuy it again. Still a good mascara but I just liked it back when it had more fibers. This does however work well even on uncurled lashes so I’ll use it up instead of tossing.

These two blushes I got in a summer festival collection. They look untouched but I’ve actually used them a lot. They’re really pigmented and very soft to the touch. You can actually apply these with your finger they’re so smooth. I’ve been applying these on top of a cream blush for that “igari makeup” look.

Real Lasting Eyeliner is such a good product. I purchased this extra fine “micro” point one to see if it made tightlining easier. Yes & no. Yes tightlining from atop the lashes is much easier but I tightline from underneath usually and this tip is so skinny it would push through my lashes and leave a mark higher on my eyelid. Wouldn’t get it again but for subtle tightlining at work it’ll do just fine.

I bought this NYX butter lipstick because I needed the shade for this Lisa Eldridge “Tippi Hedren Makeup Tutorial.” It’s a nice sweet neutral coral. I wore it a ton in summer.

This is the original Ritual de Fille cream blush I bought last winter. I stopped using this shade after I got the others from them. Plus I have this shade in a Chanel blush I use more often. So I’m bringing this in as a fool proof blush choice.

I don’t wear these two lipsticks too often anymore. The bright pink from Shu Uemura really gave me that pink flush I was into a while ago and the Chanel was seriously my legitimate shade for over a year. A my lips but better. Lately I wear matte shades in dark browns or bright reds. So I’ll take these with me to work as alternative, easy to apply options.

I remember the night I bought this Sephora Moonshadow Baked Nude palette. It was on impulse because the use of “moon” and the color choices being so gorgeous. I still used this palette a lot but damn is it messy. The shades are easy to apply wet or dry and I felt it was being under-utilized lately. So leaving it at work will hopefully mean more opportunity to use it.

The east coast got hit with a blizzard over the entire weekend which led to a lot of time at home shoveling and being bored. We attempted to walk around the neighborhood but still most of it was buried under 2 feet of snow and we didn’t get very far. I’ve been working at home and cooking in every night. Which is good! But my food reserves are starting to get low.

To pass the time over the weekend I made a quick “snowday makeup” video using mostly creamy products. The air is so dry I’ve been avoiding most powders since last week. So there’s no real base makeup to this just color points. Also I cut my hair last week…

Yeah, makeup + snow does seem a bit pointless but at the very least I need something protecting my lips at all times. I like Ritual de Fille’s cream blushes because they’re hydrating the way a chapstick seems hydrating. It feels like there’s a layer of protection that keeps my cheeks from drying out and the L’Oreal Lumi Illuminator is very moisturizing and soft.

I used Milani’s new oil treatment in Rosehip over a few touches of Colourpop’s Fetch. The Milani oil is so hydrating. My lips always look great when it’s on and it’s not one of those lip treatments that leaves your lips feeling worse when not wearing it. I can really tell a difference since picking this up.

I’ve done a bad job at trying to beat the dry winter air this year and I’m paying dearly for it. I should have switched to a moisturizing hand soap sooner. Should have switched off of matte lipsticks and onto lip treatments sooner. Should have done a lot of things sooner. Now I’m completely out of my 25% shea butter body lotion until I can get out to the store. Might try to remember to use some coconut oil in the shower tonight to save my skin until I can restock on my lotion.

I’ve been asked for a while if I could blog about my experience with the whole KonMari method of tidying and decluttering my entire house. I don’t want to be some zealot pushing this approach onto uninterested people. Marie Kondo even states that only those who want to read her book should read it and buying the book for someone else is a bad idea. And it makes sense. Before you really put a lot of thought into the ways your life needs decluttered you too easily point to someone you know wishing THEY’D be more organized first. But in reading the book, and going through the process, you actually let go of how others organize their lives. You realize it’s a very personal experience; decluttering. And after you do it others will often approach you about it. But then some might take offense to something they deem as a “drastic measure.”

In my office I cleared away all remaining Japanese magazines that no longer sparked joy. I went through each one individually and kept only the ones I cherished. There were hundreds to go through. I had to make a separate trip to the recycling center just to deposit them (as the library did not want them sadly.) This process was easier than I expected as I could remember my favorite issues by just the cover. I did sort them twice. I went through my “sparked joy” pile a second time just to be sure.

I made the mistake of mentioning to my mother that we were organizing the house last September. She’s very sentimental and she’s aware that I don’t “hang onto things” (her words not mine.) It resulted in a very heated argument over the silliest things (that I shred old bills and other very random disagreements.) There’s a chapter in the book about not “letting them see.” The people in your life can easily take offense to even just knowing you may be giving away “perfectly good ____.” So… it’s a very personal journey.

For that reason I knew I didn’t want any before and after photos. There was no reason to compare the two. I wasn’t trying to “throw away the most stuff” or “develop the most creative stacking system.” I was simply trying to surround myself with only my favorite items. Things that… spark joy.

Before reading Marie Kondo’s book I was already doing some of the methods on my own. I’ve always been an organized person. Ultra-tidy; tad obsessive. But I also always hit brick walls. On days I was sick the house would fall apart. Some days I would just feel bummed entering a certain room even if it was neat and clean. I’d then turn it upside down trying to “fix something” but I never knew exactly what. I looked at my possessions in more of a “what can I get rid of” way. And this approach comes up in the book. I’ll be honest; many parts of this book really struck a nerve. The craziness and frustration I would sometimes feel… it was a relief to know I wasn’t alone.

When I started seeing my items, all of them, one by one as sparking joy or not it became much easier. I realized that many of my favorite things were hidden behind or next to some items I never even had feelings towards. So why was I keeping it? To take up space on my bookcase? Because a magazine somewhere one day said I needed this to “have a real home?” I’d get sucked into that nonsense pretty easily.

I used to hang all my clothes but I actually prefer the method the book recommends. I’m able to get dressed so quickly now and I never feel I have “nothing to wear.” I hang all my skirts and a few shirts or tops that didn’t seem happy folded in the drawers (wrinkled too easily or fabric not suited to folding.)

The two items on the shelf are new from Christmas. I like to display new or favorite items until I feel ready to fold them up with everything else. I like walking in and seeing them there.

I played around with color order but definitely got the best results from Marie Kondo’s advice to go from dark to light.

I like keeping my current favorite shoes out both for easy access and to have them on display so I always feel like I have great options.

It’s a daunting process that can take weeks. It’s done in stages. And I did everything. From clothes to bath goods, medicines, pots and pans, and even our food. Immediately after the process (which for me was like a high,) I felt both relieved and at a loss. Similar to finishing a long binge watch of a TV show. I somehow wished I could do it again but I couldn’t because it was done. Soon after living just became… easier. I got sick a month later and the things that usually fell apart didn’t. Laundry didn’t end up piling on the floor. I wasn’t behind on groceries or cleaning house or picking up. In fact “picking up” was no longer even a daily task of mine anymore. And that’s why I loved the book. My life truly is easier. It’s more at peace. I don’t feel like I always “need something new.” I’m still amazed when I go to find something and there it is in the spot it always is.

I don’t even know how many times I purged my makeup stash in my life but it always felt like a never-ending process. I had to set a real vision of what I wanted from my makeup items before going through each item individually. It was harder than doing clothing. I ended up parting with expensive items such as Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette which never suited my skintone and always frustrated me when wearing.

But when you open a drawer and you only see your favorites… it’s an amazing feeling. Guilt-free mornings choosing what to put on was worth the process. Much of my makeup only sparked joy with the initial purchase while others were still sparking joy on a daily basis for me.

Shopping has become so much easier. I stopped “stocking up” on things. I have vastly diminished impulse-buy cravings. And I don’t feel guilty spending on something I want.

Looking at every single thing I own individually made me realize what I’m passionate about. It was akin to a journey through my life as well. I was surprised at some of the things I still had hanging around. I also got a better sense of what I enjoy and how I became the person I am today. In a way it helps hone your own personal style from clothing, to decorating, to even cooking. I couldn’t believe I’d actually have pots and pans that “sparked joy” but I did.

Being able to appreciate the things that no longer make you happy and letting them go was key in a bedroom filled with an old broken alarm clock I never used and a TV that was more of an eyesore 90% of the time than useful. The TV was also a reminder for me of the times I spent in bed 2 years ago when I was too sore and in pain to even move. I hadn’t ever realized I had made that association until I had to truly consider whether or not that TV “sparked joy.”

I’ve become extremely familiar with that initial “yes” feeling that it’s spread into my daily life. It’s given me better decision making skills. I suddenly had all this practice in deciding what I did and didn’t like that it was easier to tell when I was doing something for myself or out of pressures and guilt.

This book was the missing piece I needed for so many years. I needed to know how to part with things that didn’t make me happy. I needed this all encompassing process to achieve the sort of reboot I had been searching for throughout the years. I haven’t returned to any of my old ways. It’s too obvious after you complete the process which habits make you unhappy and which spark joy.

One of the suggestions from the book I loved was that you likely have everything you need already to organize your possessions. You don’t need to run out to a container store and buy 25 different storage bins. I repurposed an old candle jar for my nail tools. The book suggests smart phone boxes make great storage bins and it’s 100% true. I, of course, had all my old iPhone boxes lying around. Now they’re organizing everything from baggu totes to beautyblender cleanser.

My cabinet used to be overflowing with skincare. Much of which I rarely used or didn’t even like using. Now I only have my trusty favorites. I do still buy new things and I keep it in a spot on the counter until I’ve made my verdict. If it becomes a favorite I find space for it. But oddly enough I’ve stopped frantically buying so much and don’t really have a space issue. Unlike before, if I’m not 100% happy with a product, I return it.

I used to keep my hair care and hair accessories in a bunch of different places. The book really reinforces centralized location for similar items and this has made my life a million times easier especially on mornings I’m running late and my hair is a mess. Now I always remember that I have nice accessories or dry shampoo when I’m rushing to get out the door.

I dedicated a basket to all “relaxing spa” items. A whole basket I can just pull out when I’m stressed and find something to treat myself.

I was skeptical about clearing off small appliances from countertops in the kitchen but it has worked out wonderfully. Pulling them out when needed and returning them when done has been easier than expected and it’s kept the counters from getting cluttered when cooking.

I went through every single plate, bowl, and glass I owned. I used to have cabinets overflowing with dinnerware that never got used.

I forgot I had these Hello Kitty dishes. I never used them really. They’re from a gift set I was given while in college and seeing them really brightens my day then I realized I could use them every day for a multitude of things and not just for holding sauces. I use them mostly to hold spices while cooking and it’s made cooking a lot more efficient!

I did our food as well. Surprisingly quick and simple I found a few better ways to organize the food we eat and I have a better idea of what we have at all times now. I used to accidentally buy an item I already had over and over again. One time I ended up with 3 bottles of garlic powder at the same time. Not anymore!

I used a mixture of repurposed gift box lids and Target storage solutions. The bag I keep rice and potatoes in is a $3 burlap bag Target sells in their dollar area.