At the end of each year I like to look back and reflect on all the memories that made it special. With mostly ups (and a few downs), I can say 2018 was a remarkable year. Here is my year in review with my favorite moments. From pop-culture, to fashion trends, to life lessons, and the places I visited. Here are the little things that stood out in 2018.
Fashion
Trend of 2018: White boots, feminist-inspired clothing, and track pants.
Worst trend of 2018: Onesie bodysuits, bicycle shorts and high heels, velour tracksuits, and dad sneakers.
Trend revamped: Fanny pack—if done right.
The item in your closet you wore the most: One of my black faux leather jackets.
The most ridiculous thing you bought: It wasn’t ridiculous—but I had one of my boyfriends Christmas presents shipped to my childhood home in Massachusetts and never considered how he’d get it back to Los Angeles. (The box is heavy and over 5 feet tall!)
Best gift: Gold star leather boxing gloves from my boyfriend or an Opening Ceremony hoodie from my parents.
Overall purchase: Opening Ceremony varsity jacket.
Celebrity style: Ashlee Simpson or Vanessa Hudgens.
Designer/label: Opening Ceremony.
Shopping website: Revolve, Bloomingdale’s, or Dolls Kill.
Spending an afternoon at the Venice Canals.
The ideal summer outfit.
On the beach in Puerto Vallarta.
Beauty
Beauty buy: Guerlain Terracotta bronzing spray—I use it every day!
Makeup brand: Lime Crime, Urban Decay, and Nars.
Shampoo/conditioner/styling products: Kevin Murphy shampoo and conditioner; and R+Co styling products.
Beauty trend you became obsessed with: Dermarolling and chemical peels.
Chemical peels are apart of my skincare regimen.
Pop Culture, Books, Music, and Movies
TV show: Here are 5 of my favorites. I also loved watching The Haunting of Hill House, The Deuce, The Affair, Seven Seconds, and 9-1-1.
Movie: Gemini.
Documentary: Studio 54.
Artist: Bruce Nauman “Disappearing Acts” at the MoMA.
Album: There’s a few…..MGMT, Little Dark Age; Blood Orange, Negro Swan; Mac Miller, Swimming; Travis Scott, Astroworld; Cardi B, Invasion of Privacy; and my boyfriend Billy Noorlag’s album, Elevate.
Band: There are to many too name!
Youtube video: Trump vs The Talking Heads.
Song: Self-Care by Mac Miller, and Sicko Mode by Travis Scott.
Book: I didn’t have time to read much this year. It’s one of my goals for 2019.
App: Citizen (so I know what’s going on in my neighborhood), and Instagram.
Pop culture moment: The “Me Too” and “Times Up” movement.
Most influential voice: Oprah’s Golden Globes Speech, Ronan Farrow’s exposé in The New Yorker, and Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony.
Saddest moment: California wildfires (Click here to help.)
Instagram account: @mugimeshi323.
Blog: A Girl in LA of course!
News website: Vice News, CNN, ABC 7.
How do you feel about the direction the country is headed?: It feels like we’re living in a movie and Ron Burgundy is our president. 2020 can’t come soon enough!
Bruce Nauman at The MoMA.
Career
Biggest career challenge you overcame: I had a lot of issues with my website speed and image optimization. They took a ton of time to figure out and it was frustrating but ultimately I was able to fix them without hiring outside help.
New skills you learned: I continued learning Photoshop and Lightroom.
Favorite blog post you wrote: My trip to Puerto Vallarta, Holiday Gift Guides, OMG Dessert Goals, and Travel Diary: Christmastime in New York City.
Favorite brand you worked with this year: Rock n Air Plants.
Your most time-consuming project: My Puerto Vallarta post because of the work that went into editing the photos and planning the layout.
I loved collaborating with Rock n Air Plants.
Partnering with Social Civilian.
Fitness, Health, and Self-Care
Recipe that you mastered: I did a lot of cooking this year; my favorite was tortas inspired by Thug Kitchen. (I switched up the recipe and made it vegetarian instead of vegan.)
Biggest fitness accomplishment: Keeping up with a schedule and not slacking off.
What did you do in your free time?: Explored new places in Los Angeles, relaxed by the pool, and spent time with my boyfriend.
How did you practice self-care?: Binge-watching my favorite shows with my candles lit.
One of the ways I destress.
Life Lessons
Biggest challenge you faced: My mom’s cat and my Gram passed away this year. 🙁
A new positive habit you adopted: Sounds weird, but drinking more water and less Red Bull.
The most important goal you achieved: In 2017 I made a list of goals that pertained to A Girl in LA and I was able to accomplish most of them.
Your best memory of this year: My family trip to Puerto Vallarta, my holiday trip to NYC, and spending time with my boyfriend.
Your biggest regret: I don’t believe in regrets—everything happens for a reason whether you like it or not, and there’s a lesson to be learned.
The most important lesson you learned: Stay true to yourself in all aspects of life and do what feels right.
Every time I go to NYC I make a point of stopping by The Plaza.
Favorite Places
Store: I love spending the day exploring all the boutiques on Abbot Kinney Boulevard.
Vintage store: Wasteland or Hidden Treasures.
Bookstore: The Last Bookstore.
Flea market: Rose Bowl or Melrose Trading Post.
Farmers’ market: Historic Downtown Farmers’ Market.
Neighborhood: DTLA, Venice and The Upper East Side.
Beach: Sayulita Beach and Las Caletas Beach Hideaway (Mexico).
Brunch spot: Coast at Shutters on the Beach.
Cocktails with friends: The Chateau Marmont.
Date night spot: Beauty and Essex and Gnoccheria (NYC).
Go-to dish: Spaghetti Pomodoro or Alfredo pasta from Colori Kitchen.
Go-to drink: Patron or Tequila Avión with pineapple juice.
Place to get a quick bite to eat: By Chloe or Flower Child.
Friday night restaurant: The Stinking Rose.
Saturday night bar or club: No Vacancy.
Dessert spot: Sweets by Chloe.
Restaurant the delivers: My Vegan Gold– Khao Soi
Music venue: Avalon Hollywood.
Gym or place to workout: I workout at the gym in my apartment building, and I go on hikes in Runyon Canyon and Griffith Park.
Out of the office work spot: I usually work from my apartment, but I love going to the rooftop pool to write.
Vacation spot: Puerto Vallarta or New York City!
Museum: The Broad and The MoMA.
Art Gallery: Reine Paradis: Midnight.
Pop-up: OMG Dessert Goals, Happy Go-Lucky, and Refik Anadol’s Projection on The Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Salon: Industry DTLA.
Spa: Bliss Hollywood at the W Hollywood.
Place to take out-of-towners: The Cabana Cafe at The Beverly Hills Hotel; The Chateau Marmont, Grand Central Market, The Rose Bowl Flea Market, and Paradise Cove.
Las Caletas Beach Hideaway in Puerto Vallarta.
The Malibu Pier.
OMG Dessert Goals pop-up.
Downtown Los Angeles
Favorite Memories of 2018
Billy and I on the Fourth of July watching the fireworks.
Celebrating my Birthday in New York City.
The set up for me and Billy’s Fourth of July get together.
View from my apartment.
Reminiscing on when I first moved to Los Angeles and I used to stay at this beautiful art deco hotel.
A visit to the Rockefeller Christmas Tree is a must during the holidays!
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