MUSIC

Favorite Songs

So far this year, I’ve listened to over 2,400 artists this year (New Music Daily playlist for the assist) and out of the 3,800+ songs I listened to these were my favorites. One genre that I found myself more into than expected was heavy mental although no songs made the playlist…this year. K-pop with more of a R&B/Pop influence has been catching my ear as well. I re-discovered old songs that became my favorites again.

I encourage you to put the playlist on shuffle then skip songs as needed or let it play through. That’s how I listen to this playlist to set the perfect soundtrack to whatever I’m doing. I feel like there’s at least one song for EVERYTHING, no seriously. I’m going to give you an advisory as this is a diverse collections of songs. Some have no lyrics, or lyrics not in English. And other songs are raunchy/vulgar or with curse words. BTW this playlist is still evolving as I’ll continue to remove and add songs until Jan. 1 2024 on Apple Music at least 🙂.

Apple Music | Spotify 

Albums 

These albums and one EP have no skips and are on repeat continuously to this day

Kelela - Raven, New Jeans - New Jeans EP, Dinner Party - Enigmatic Society, Solange - A Seat at the Table and of course, Beyonce - Renaissance

Honorable Mentions

Victoria Monet - Jaguar II, and Bad Bunny - Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana

FOOD

Favorite Meal of the Year

SukiyukiLA x n/soto - This was a one week only pop-up experience. SukuyukiLA used to work at n/naka but during the pandemic created these wonderfully delicious bento boxes. I would order one again without any hesitation.

I didn’t know what to expect, but was delighted that I did make a reservation. The menu consisted of eight courses. Each dish was exciting, tasty and showcased the prowess of Chef Yuki Johnson.

Honorable Mentions

Maude, Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, Fleurs et Sel cookies, daybird (off-menu fish sandwich!), and every meal in Croatia

READING

Favorite Book

Crying in H Mart - I started this book at time when I needed to release a lot of emotions that I had been holding in. Of course, I anticipated I’d cry a lot due to the book but it touched me much more than I expected. Relationships with our parents can vary from person to person.

Reading about Michelle’s relationship with her mom differed a lot from my own but there were similarities at times too. Our relationships with our parents shape our identities in both the short and long term. This book was lovely at getting to the root of this for Michelle and how her circumstances shaped her into the woman she is today.

Honorable Mentions

If An Egyptian Cannot Speak English, Skin of the Sea and Wildflower: A Memoir 

SHOPPING

Favorite Shopping Experience

TIE - Sample Sales & DTLA Jewelry District - As time passes, my taste for quality and high end items hasn’t diminished but grown in certain ways. When it comes to spending, I’ve learned to find balance with my materialistic purchases.

Living in LA, I feel like I’ve had some of my best finds at sample sales (Eclipse and Sample 260) and in the jewelry district. This year I purchased a gold bracelet for a very good price (hi MS aka my jewelry broker!).

Honorable Mentions

I did a lot of shopping but didn’t at the same time. These are other places where I had some epic finds. Saks Fifth Avenue and Selfridges for everyday clothings and investment pieces. Cettire for discounted high end items. Finally, Gap and Banana Republic for simple everyday basics like t-shirts.

TRAVEL

Favorite Travel Experience

I’ve been very fortunate to travel a lot this year for non-business reasons. As we enter 2024, I’ll explore other airlines more as Delta is being silly. Although British Airways will not be one of them. I’ve never had such a terrible experience with an airline. I’m still very baffled how I had five luggage tags on my bag for flights it never made it on but with no baggage tag, my bag somehow made it on the plane back to LA.

I digress, I was able to explore new places and revisit old ones. I could tell you about my favorite places but that’s not exciting. Instead, let’s discuss my favorite travel experience….DELTA ONE! I found a great (!!) deal when searching for my trip to Europe this summer and was very excited to try. I definitely want to experience other airlines’ Business and First class offerings internationally before I give my final thoughts.

DELTA ONE

Overall, the service and experience especially when leaving from LAX. Separate check in/lounge area before going to straight to the Delta Sky Club is the perfect start to any trip. The food was good/fine (it’s airplane food so…) and the ability to lay flat when traveling across a country and an ocean makes arrival even more pleasant. I could go on and on but I like to work smarter rather than harder so sharing videos below by creators who can give you more details and visuals.

• Delta One Check In

• Delta One Suites (different flight but same type of aircraft)

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Favorite Wellness Experience

Therapy has been the best investment I’ve made when it comes to my personal wellness. It’s been key in helping me work through things and gaining clarity on them. I didn’t expect to have really good experience with therapy. To be honest, I also didn’t know what to think because culturally it’s a bit taboo. I’m sure many other people can understand why from a cultural perspective.

Now, I personally think that everyone should be in therapy or have one session with a therapist at least once a quarter as a check in.

Honorable Mentions

In the past, I would say working out was very helpful in resetting mentally and still is when things are less complex. If you know me, I’m a big fan of Pilates and have been taking Pilates classes for about 5 years now. I started with mat Pilates and now take reformer classes with Valerie when I can. And if I’m in need of a fun workout that will have me feeling the burn, I make sure to pop by a class taught by Dalette. I’ve gotten back into heated mat Pilates this year too. I experimented with Lagree and found it really wasn’t for me but enjoyed classes with Justin at Studio MDR and Chasity at Carrie’s Pilates (which the name is another story because Lagree is not pilates).

I love painting when I get a moment and have learned to take my time. And it took time to learn that sensibility when it comes to painting. I’m not Jordan Casteel but it makes me happy when I’m able to complete a new painting in my notebook.

BEAUTY

Favorite Beauty Product

Patrick Ta Blushes - I’ve never really been OMG you need to try with any product. I’ve never seen blushes until recently that look great on every single woman no matter their shade. I’ve bought four of his blushes this year alone and don’t imagine I will stop there but probably should though haha. The blush above is She’s Flushed and I’ve been putting it on recently before foundation for a more ‘natural’/barely there style for my make up.

Honorable Mentions

This was the year I began to remember to take care of myself. Not that I haven’t in the past but just didn’t keep consistent and maintain a routine. For the second half of this year I worked on putting this into practice. Well if I’m honest,I started again in August and got into a routine of making sure I kept up the pampering. Loved getting facials from my favorite esthetician (hi SC!) and have become a big fan of getting a Russian Manicure. It’s been a game changer for me as my manicures look great even a month later. I love massages when I'm able to get them. The Now (Silver Lake location) is superb. Also, had a phenomenal massage at the Ritz Carlton in downtown Los Angeles for my birthday.

FUN

Favorite Experience

Aura Photography at Auragami - I happened to do this by random when a friend invited me to go and of course I said yes! Last time I had my aura read was about five years ago. It’s a fun process and something cool to do. When I received my photograph, I had a lot of blue in my aura along with violet and turquoise. It was reflective of where I was and am currently. I’m interested in going back in six months to see if things will change as the first time I had orange and red colors in my aura photograph.

Honorable Mentions

My love for museums comes from enjoying the experience of viewing someone’s perspective of the world we live in. You can have the same experience as someone but how you take that in can vary differently. I see art as a medium to showcase perspectives in a creative way. I didn’t know this until like a month ago but there is an observation deck at City Hall in Los Angeles. I love going to the movies, and love that I have the A-List from AMC as it keeps me frugal while still having fun checking out the latest movies.