10 Things I Couldn't Have Lived Without This Year

A mish-mash featuring the jewellery brand that changed the game, the smoothie recipe I have everyday and my ONE skincare non-negotiable.

Nov 29, 2023

If you’ve been a watcher of my YouTube channel since the start then you will know that it is almost time for me to drop my yearly makeup favourites video - it will be the 14th year that I’ve done it! Mad. But I really wanted to share a more varied list of things that I’ve loved in 2023, so this is that. A mix of style, beauty, wellness, sprinkled with some completely random things that quite frankly, I couldn’t have lived without this year. To cut it down to just 10 was *hard*, so know that if it’s made it here, then it’s gooooood…

This Substack is also sponsored by Skin + Me which is very cool as this is still very new for me. So big love to them for taking a chance on my newest and quite honestly, my most-loved project. It’s a go-to in my routine so a no brainer. Lovely to have you here!

Skin + Me Daily Doser

You’ve heard of Skin + Me, right? The personalised treatment plan that changes with, and for your skin and is delivered monthly through your letterbox. Made-to-order and with no retail mark-up, their team formulate the right ingredients for you once you’ve completed a quick and simple online consultation. Easy peasy.

Well I’d done all the above and used the Skin + Me Daily Doser for about 18 months - my skin was clear, looked radiant and even. Over the summer I decided that I wanted to ‘switch things up’ and woah nelly, was that a bad idea. Touch wood I’d always been quite lucky with my skin, but in the process of plying my skin with a tonne of products it didn’t need nor agreed with, I really messed it up. My skin was angry, red and the most blemish-prone it’s been. So I thought it was best to go back to basics, dust off my Skin + Me and well, so far - it’s working.

I now use a cleanser, hydrating serum, eye cream, moisturiser and SPF in the morning and then in the evening remove my eye makeup, cleanse, then go in with my Daily Doser, leave it 10 minutes whilst I brush my teeth and faff around then apply a thin layer of a basic moisturiser and I’m done. It’s only been a few weeks but already I’m noticing the difference, my active breakouts feel like they are on their way out and the rest of my skin feels more dormant and less angry. I’ve learnt my lesson and I will NEVER be without this. 2023 and beyond!!

Two gloriously unflattering photos of me, but in two weeks of continuous use I already feel like my breakouts are less 'active'.

To try your first Daily Doser for £4.99 use my code ANNAEDITNOV (after your first month it will then be £24.99 ongoing, instead of the usual £29.99 - so that’s a great long-term discount right there!). You can also add a trial set of the Moisturiser, Cleanser and SPF at checkout too. Keep it simple - it works!

AGOLDE 90’s Pinch Waist Jeans* (I wear a 28)

Of course these were going to make the cut as a 2023 favourite!! I first found them late last year, but have slowly grown the AGOLDE department in my wardrobe. As someone with quite a long torso, a high waist works wonders for me and I really like the up and down, straight leg fit of these, which doesn’t exactly cling to the thigh, but isn’t too baggy on the butt either. You’ve just got to try them!!! As always I’d recommend sizing down in these (I’m usually a true 29, but do a 28 in these), and if you’re longer in the leg then give the ‘long’ version a try - these are what I’m wearing in the photo above and personally I love them with a mid-heel boot. They puddle so gorgeously over the top. I now have a washed black, indigo and light wash and basically rotate between the three.

Lie Studios Jewellery*

Look I’m a Mejuri-girl through and through, I love the dainty. Always have, always will. But incorporating chunkier, more sculptural pieces into my jewellery wardrobe has really helped to elevate my often, quite casual outfits. Whether it’s the beaded necklace I find myself reaching for often, or a drop earring - it’s just a little touch that makes me feel a lot more polished. Small change, big effect. My rule is that if I’m wearing a simple hoop I’ll add a bigger necklace, or if I’m doing a more statement earring then I’ll pair it with a delicate chain necklace. Definitely something to think about adding to your Christmas lists.

Peloton & Fluidform Pilates

This is the first year in a loooong while where I’ve managed to keep to some kind of resemblence of a fitness routine for the majority of the year. Sure we’ve been ill, or had holiday and time off, but for the most part I’ve got back on the horse pretty quickly. It’s down to two things; number one - actually enjoying the workouts I’m doing, they are a time to savour and not something to dread. And number two - I’ve made it so easy for myself. The Peloton is upstairs and ready to go whenever I’m ready, and the mat is out and my favourite Fluidform workouts bookmarked and primed. It’s just nice to feel like it’s something that I do, that’s part of the routine without even thinking. I look forward to expanding it and getting stronger next year. I’m tempted to join the gym again to get some more compound, higher-weight movements in.

Maison Margiela Replica Fragrances*

Subtle fragrance is my JAM! A scent that’s barely there!? Just a little linger of a fig note, or a fruity undertone?! Count me in! I haven’t smelt an offering from this range that I don’t like, but if I was pushed to pick a favourite then it would have to be ‘When The Rain Stops’ - so fresh and clean, it’s a good one for year round. Right now I’m really enjoying ‘On a Date’, which is the most subtle rose I’ve ever smelt. Sexy, but not heady AT ALL. Then back in the summer I was dousing myself in ‘Under The Lemon Trees’ - think CK One mixed with a gigantic basket of lemons. So zingy! I love them all.

ARKET Fine Knit Merino Jumper* (I wear a S)

I’ve been lucky enough to have two Allison Bornstein appointments this year and each time have left feeling SO inspired by my own wardrobe and excited to get even more in touch with my own personal style. Off the back of one of them I realised that I needed a thin knit that I could throw over my shoulders and sat a little more relaxed on my body - being a great addition for those in-between months. I found this in the mens section whilst I was out shopping with Mark and it’s just become one of those jumpers that I grab whilst running out the door. It was exactly what I needed.

Beauty Maintenance

This is the year that I took my beauty maintenance routine seriously. The whole ‘high-maintenance things I do to be low maintenance’ thing - I GET IT! I’d never really done any appointments regularly aside from my brows and now I do…

Brows - once every four weeks
Nails - once every three weeks (I alternate between one appointment for just my hands and the next appointment being hands and feet)
Hair - once every six months

So yes, I’ve become a nail girlie and having my nails done 24/7 and not needing to fix them up on a once a week basis?! It’s wonderful. So handy for shooting and it also just feels nice; a splurge that I am happy to make.

Hayu Subscription

As someone who likes the relax to the dulcet tones of women screaming at each other in the evenings, this is a subscription that I use every single day of my life. I’d previously been a Real Housewives of Beverly Hills girl, but then I gobbled up the entirety of Vanderpump Rules in about three months (and fell off at season 9 like the rest of us - but season 3 is elite!!!), and have now moved on to the New York franchise. Scary Island! Turtle time! Sonja unclogging her toilet and pulling out a blackberry phone!!! It gives me joy every evening whilst I’m doing my skincare. Next up on my list are Atlanta and New Jersey. There are so many episodes and so many seasons I don’t think I’ll ever need anything else to binge-watch again in my lifetime.

Makeup By Mario SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Enhance r in Light/Medium*

When I first got this I really didn’t get the hype. Sure it was nice, it added a sheen to the cheeks and built up warmth. But I didn’t ‘get’ it. Fast forward a year and I’ve almost hit pan and it’s a product that I never, ever skip. It hard to describe aside from just saying ‘it does what it says on the tin’. It’s a balm texture that doesn’t really set on the skin, but isn’t sticky and you don’t notice that it’s there once it’s applied. It adds warmth, a bit of contour and a light highlight allllll at the same time. It’s just wonderful and nothing even comes close.

My Morning Smoothie

It’s down the hatch so fast in the mornings that I never get a chance to take a photo, but I’ve had the same breakfast every morning for the past 6 months. It’s so quick and easy - takes me about five minutes and is quite simple to keep in stock in that there isn’t too much fresh stuff that I need to buy either. I love that it takes away a decision that I need to make every morning - it’s the same everyday and it’s sorted.

Here’s what you need:

I fill the blender about a third of the way full of almond milk (I like the Plenish one* as it’s just almonds and water)
Then I add in a glug of Kefir - maybe 100ml-ish. Good for your gut and all that!
One serving of protein powder (I use this one and just buy it in bulk whenever it’s on offer)
One tablespoon of chia seeds
One tablespoon of flaxseeds
One tablespoon of peanut butter
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 handful of frozen blueberries

I throw it all into a blender, give it a whizz and drink it straight out the cup. It’s got a bit of everything in there so often I find that once I’ve had my Athletic Greens and this in the morning, I’m pretty sorted until lunchtime. It’s a 2023 favourite for sure.

Thank you so much for having a read! And big love to Skin + Me for being our first EVER Substack sponsor - that is pretty cool! Wrapping this up and I’ll see you on Friday for another instalment of the Weekly Wishlist. See you then!