GOODBYE 2022, HELLO 2023!

Full outfit details in this post.

Tomorrow is New Year's Eve which means 2022 is officially coming to a close. Normally the end of the holidays and the start of the New Year is always a little bittersweet. I was sad to see Christmas go by so quickly, however I'm feeling optimistic and ready to kick off the new year. I love a new season for setting new goals and resolutions. If you're like me, you're probably finding yourself with some of the same resolutions you have every year (to eat healthier, lose weight, etc.). We are all just a work in progress, ya'll. Kicking the bad habits and getting into positive ones is tough stuff. Just keep on trekking!

Keeping that in mind always helps me. Ya'll know I've shared my struggles with being consistent and a perfectionist one the years. I've been in that cycle of trying to improve and be better until you slip up. That's why most resolutions usually don't last. We all start off strong for a week or two and then as soon as you mess up, you just stop all together. I've found slowing building up your consistency and habits works a lot better. Making the small changes. You don't have to go all in on day one, you just have to start. Start with being 5% better and just keep building from there. If you can do something once, you can do it again and then again, again, etc. 

That's my little pep talk and unofficial-I'm-still-figuring-it-all-out two cents, lol. Wishing you all a healthy, happy, productive and fun New Year. As always, I appreciate you being here with me. I'm so grateful for you for reading this post or just taking the time to visit TKD at all. It's my little outlet to connect with you + I'm excited to see what 2023 has in store for all of us!! I hope you set and achieve all of your goals for the New Year and amazing things. I'm still writing out my list but I want to balance both being productive and enjoying life. It's so easy to get wrapped up in the day to day without stopping to really enjoy the little moments. I'm hoping to do more of that, take care of me and just start enjoying the ride. 

On a lighter, more fun note!! What do you have planned for this weekend? I'm still trying to recover from working that retail life through the holidays, lol. I survived the season which I always consider a W! IYKYK, LOL. It is something else, haha. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a verrrryyyy low-key NY weekend with lots of rest. 

Whatever your plans are, I hope you have an amazing time with friends and family! Party like it's 1999 with some positive energy for a healthy, happy + prosperous 2023!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

TOP 5 MOST POPULAR BLOG POSTS OF 2022!

Okay, I lied when I said this post would be the last "Top 5 Most Popular Blog Posts" round-up post of the year. THIS post is *officially* the last round-up of the year + it's the end all, be all. Today is all about the Top 5 Most Popular Blog Posts on TKD for all of 2022. These are the posts that have had the most traffic + visits on the blog this year. I can't believe the year is coming to a close but I'm ready to kick off 2023 + share new content with you. 

I always like to track + review which posts you're enjoying the most. It gives me a better idea on what you like + the types of content I should keep making. In this round-up, I was excited to see a mix of all different things. From beauty, fashion, finance-- pretty much all of the core categories I like to chat about made the list. There's also a mix of posts that went up in 2022, as well as a few from previous years! I of course love when newer posts are in the mix, however it's also fun to see older posts getting some love too. Things are constantly changing in the world which makes me feel that older content becomes obsolete or irrelevant as time passes, especially when it's relevant to beauty or fashion. You all surprise me by finding some of the older posts but I love it! 

1. SPRING SANDALS | 2022 - Coming in at number one, the number one most popular blog post for all of 2022 was this spring sandals post. It's hard to believe it's almost time to put up a new one for 2023! This one had some great shoe picks for the warmer months so if you're already getting in the mood for spring, give it a look. I'm sure most of these styles will still be in style again in the new year. 

Read here: Spring Sandals | 2022 

2. HOW I SAVE MONEY SHOPPING - I could definitely benefit from reading through this one right about now, lol. Anyone else just get hammered by all of their holiday spending? Sheesh! One of my 2023 goals is to prioritize my saving and investing, especially in the earlier part of the year. It's a hard balance sometimes but a lot of the times you can save more than you'd expect with just a few easy tricks, even when you're shopping or planning to spend. 

Read here: How I Save Money Shopping 

3. OURA RING UNBOXING - If you've kept up with any of these "Top 5" round-ups, there should be no surprise that miss Oura Ring Unboxing came in at number three. I'm pretty sure this post was in every month's top five for at least the last 4-6 months. One of my best and favorite purchases of 2022 was the Oura Ring so I love that the unboxing has been so popular. If you've been thinking about buying a ring, this post has lots of info on the ordering process, the ring features, pictures, etc. The new year is also a great time to start better sleeping habits.

Read here: Oura Ring Unboxing 

4. DESTINATION DISNEY | DIY DISNEY GIFT BASKET - Another oldie but a goodie. Several years back, my sister went on a birthday trip to Disney World. I decided to make her a gift basket that year with all things Disney that she could take and use on her trip. In true Disney fashion, this one had a lot of views + visits this year. It was a fun little DIY project I did that's a cute gift for anyone going to Disney. 

Read here: Destination Disney | DIY Disney Gift Basket 

5. LUXURY MAKEUP HAUL - One more oldie (and still one of my all-time favorites) is one of the first makeup hauls I ever posted years back. I always really liked the photos from this post + think they turned out prettay well for an amateur like me, lol! I also still happen to love and use most of these products today, haha. There are definitely some good finds if you're in the mood for some new beauty! 

Read here: Luxury Makeup Haul 

What posts do you want to see in 2023?

2023 PLANNING + ORGANIZATION INSPO

Desk Mat // Marc Jacobs The Tote Bag // Highlighters // AirPods Max // 2023 Planner // Financial Planner // Organizer // Atomic Habits // Acrylic Wall Calendar // Sticky Notes 

With a new year, new goals are always a given. I usually like to take this last week of December to reflect on the year + anticipate what's to come in the new year. One area I always find myself needing to work on is staying organized. It's funny because growing up, I was pretty organized + tidy as a kid. I remember going up to my room and cleaning it for fun, LOL... who was she?? I'm still very meticulous and detail-oriented now, but as I've gotten older the organization aspect has gone out the window, lol. You'd think it would be the reverse, right? Maybe being in school when I was younger gave me more structure or I just don't prioritize things the same now. 

Despite all of that, it's always nice to begin the new year with a fresh start and work on improving. I love to make lists + keep track of my goals, to-do lists, errands, etc. Using a planner has been hit or miss for me throughout the years but I love the idea of having everything all in one place. I saw an IG ad for this 2023 planner and I loved the layout. It has an overview of the year, each month + each day. I also need to get better about tracking all of my finances again (2022 = major slacking year) so I also think this financial planner would be handy. Seeing them both made me excited to start setting goals for the new year which I think really helps! Finding something useful that you also love can add that extra excitement and motivation to help work on your goals. If you're also looking to plan out the year, organize goals, your home or work desk, here are a few of my favorite picks to start 2023 off with!

Have you set any goals for 2023?

I love sharing my picks with you! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping. Pretty cool, huh? :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE EVE

Happy Friday and Merry Christmas Eve Eve! We have some crazy winter weather going on here right now. I woke up last night around 3am to really strong winds & popping noises. There’s nothing like some cold weather to put you in the Christmas mood, huh? Our temperatures have been dropping in the 2-8 degree range which isn’t the norm here. It’s just a tad too cold for my liking but I can’t lie- I’m a little sad we didn’t get any snow with the storm. We had a few flurries here and there but I’d love to have a white Christmas!

If you’re also dealing with the crazy weather, I hope you’re staying safe and warm inside. Besides work, I plan on hibernating at home where I can wrap the rest of my presents, bake cookies & relax. I’ve also randomly been on a cocoa kit this week which is giving me all the Christmas and festive feels. It’s amazing how a cute mug and some sprinkles can turn your Swiss Miss into a cup of magic. I really do think it’s often the simplest moments that can bring the most joy. So yummy too!

Despite how stressful the holidays can be, I hope you have a moment to relax and just enjoy them. It’s always bittersweet how quickly they come and go. Wishing you a warm, relaxing & joyful weekend full of friends, family & food.

Merry Christmas!

COZY WINTER ESSENTIALS

Sherpa-lined Puffer Coat // Pom Pom Hat // Waffle Henley // The North Face Puffer // Pullover Sweater // Fleece-lined Leggings // UGG Snow Boots // Dyson Heater // UGG Gloves

-SHOP THE POST- 

I love sharing my picks with you! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping. Pretty cool, huh? :)

CHRISTMAS WEEK TO-DO LIST

The Christmas countdown is *officially* on! Can we agree that you never really feel ready?? If you do, help a girl out and spread the secret, lol. I'm always running around last minute trying to get everything done so in true KP fashion, I’m making a weekly to-do list of what I want and need to get done. 

CHRISTMAS WEEK TO-DO LIST

+ PRESENTS - Operation everything presents is at the top of the list. I still need to find a few last minute gifts, wrap a handful & get some shipped out. Lucky for me I can shop until I drop in no time! 

+ CHRISTMAS CARDS? - Do you think we’ve missed the boat on this one? Do people still mail out cards and if so, when??? I’m pretty sure it’s not the week of Christmas, lol. Nevertheless, I purchased the prettiest cards this year which I will be showing off! 🤪 In all seriousness, I think there’s something sentimental and nice about sending and receiving cards. I normally put them inside of gift packages I send but I think it might be nice to send both separately. We’ll see how it ends up, lol.

+ CHRISTMAS COOKIES - Can you believe last year was my first time making sugar cookies at Christmas? I think that’s a tradition most people have that I was never a part of. It was so much fun and they were delicious! It’s also fun to have something to snack on while you’re enjoying the rest of the fun, cooking, etc. I'm hoping to start making it one of my traditions every year! 

+ All THE FUN THINGS - In the midst of the things that need to get done, it’s always important to add the things you want to get done. I always feel silly putting things like “watch a movie” on my list, but a lot of the times I won’t prioritize and do them if I’m not mentally prepared. My goal this week is to enjoy that holiday feeling wherever I can. Hopefully I’ll watch a few more movies, look at Christmas lights and relax a little bit in between work. There’s never much rest for us retailers so it’s important to try and find some balance. 

+ GET A WORKOUT IN - I can’t say I’m looking forward to this one but I have one more OTF class to complete before the end of the week. I figure that the closer we get to Christmas, the less likely I am to make it there (shoutout to any of you who workout on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day). My goal is to go on Tuesday morning so I can knock it out. Despite the occasional moans and groans, I'm still glad I joined and I appreciate the accountability. Without it there would be no chance in hell I'd be working out this week! 🤪

I think that’s it for now… I'm probably forgetting something major but we'll end it with wishing you a fun & relaxing week. A cold front is headed our way (and apparently 12 inches of snow that isn’t showing up on the forecast??? LOL) so it looks like we'll be having a chilly Christmas here. Crossing my fingers for some of the fluffy stuff!

What are your plans for this week?

I love sharing my picks with you! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping. Pretty cool, huh? :)

COZY GIFT IDEAS FOR HER

cozy socks // pom pom beanie // alo bath soak // sherpa coat // candle // pajama set // weighted eye blanket // crewneck sweatshirt // slippers 

-SHOP THE POST- 

I love sharing my picks with you! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping. Pretty cool, huh? :)

TOP 5 MOST POPULAR BLOG POSTS | DECEMBER

Here we go again! This marks the last "Top 5 Most Popular Blog Posts" post of the year here on TKD. At this point is anyone surprised about the Oura Ring Unboxing coming in strong at the top again??? Lol. I think it's made it there for last two or three months? Love that you guys are loving the post & hopefully added the ring to your Christmas list. Love love love mine + highly recommend! Some great gift ideas have also been flowing with my all-in-one holiday gift guide + some shoppy posts. Here's the full line-up! 

1. OURA RING UNBOXING - All the 411 you want + need on the Oura ring. I have the Gen3 in Heritage Gold. 

Read here: Oura Ring Unboxing 

2. WHAT TO BUY FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST | HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE ROUND-UP - Gift ideas for everyone on your list-- him, her, holiday faves + more. Definitely a good reference if you're still shopping like me! :O 

Read here: What to Buy Everyone on Your List | Holiday Gift Guide 

3. AGENT NATEUR BLACK FRIDAY SALE UNBOXING - A luxe little unboxing with some Agent Nateur goodies. I adore Jena (the founder) so much + love all of my Agent products! 

Read here: Agent Nateur Black Friday Sale Unboxing

4. WHAT'S IN MY AMAZON CART - You can always find it on the Amazon! I love to order a lot of my vitamins + supplements, books, techy items, etc. It's nice being able to pick up some of those harder to find, random items that you can't always find in stores.

Read here: What's in My Amazon Cart

5. TOWER 28 BEAUTY HAUL - Miss new beauty! I purchased several Tower 28 items from this haul back in the Spring. They have some great products + amazing, really cool packaging. 

Read here: Tower 28 Beauty Haul

Which post is your fave?

WHAT I WANT FROM ARITZIA

Tna Bigfoot Pullover // Super Puff Jacket // Cozy Fleece Cropped Sweatshirt // Babaton Bodysuit // Tna Butter Leggings // Babaton Button-front Cardi // Peggy Cropped Sweater // Tna Crew Socks // Tna Cozy Fleece Sweatpants

Which piece is your style?

MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY BLOG POSTS FROM LAST YEAR

Last month I shared a round-up of the Top 5 Most Popular Holiday Blog Posts from last year. Based on number of page views, these were the most popular Christmas posts visited on TKD. I always say this but I love going back + seeing which posts you all enjoy reading. I also think it's fun to re-share them if you're new to the blog or are curious about the most popular picks. With a little over two weeks to go until Christmas (can you believe it???), here are the posts I love the most-- my personal favorites. A few of them overlap with the most popular posts-- great minds think alike I guess ;)-- and a few didn't make that cut but are ones I loved making. Here's the line-up: 

1. CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY PLAYLIST - If I'm listening to Christmas music, there's a good chance it's one of the songs from my Christmas Holiday Playlist. Most of these have been my tried and true favorites for years. I love the classics like Sinatra, Nat King Cole and my girl MC. I'm also still standing by my statement that her Christmas album is one of the best of all time. So so good. I've found a few new favorites this year so maybe I'll share an updated version later this month. 

Read here: Christmas Holiday Playlist 

2. BONNE MAMAN 2021 ADVENT CALENDAR UNBOXING - One of my favorite Christmas activities last year was unboxing the Bonne Maman Advent Calendar! I had so much fun doing it, I even filmed an unboxing video everyday on Tik-Tok last year. I skipped doing one this year so I'll have to reminisce with those videos + this post. 

Read here: Bonne Maman 2021 Advent Calendar Unboxing 

3. CHRISTMAS MOVIES I'M WATCHING THIS WEEK - I don't think the holiday season would be complete without watching Christmas movies. Because of my schedule, it's one of the few Christmas activities I can squeeze in outside of working. I love all of the Netflix originals + some favorites like This Christmas, The Family Stone and The Holiday. PS-- did you hear about The Holiday 2 coming out?? Can't wait! 

Read here: Christmas Movies I'm Watching this Week

4. WHAT TO BUY FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST | HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE ROUND-UP - This might be my top favorite out of the bunch because it's one post containing lots of other posts, lol. Still counts, right? I created several different gift guides last year on what to buy for everyone on your list. I then ended up sharing each guide in this one "master" post because I thought it would be more useful + easy to access. I may be a little biased but I still love all of the gift ideas and the graphics for each one. If you're shopping and needing gifts, hopefully this will inspire you + give you some ideas.  

Read here: What to Buy for Everyone On Your List | Holiday Gift Guide Round-up 

Which post do you like best? 

BEAUTY ON MY MIND | WHAT I WANT

VBB Lid Lustre Eye Shadow // LEDDA 22 Orris Perfume // Hourglass Gel Eyeliner // Agent Nateur holi(wash) Body Cleanser // Diptyque Snow Candle // VBB Posh Gloss // Saie x Reformation Highlighter // VBB Bronzer // Iconic London Super Smoother Skin Tint 

-SHOP THE POST- 

I love sharing my picks with you! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping. Pretty cool, huh? :)

WHAT TO BUY FOR YOUR GUY | HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey // Apple AirPods Max // The Daniel Craig Bond Collection // Joggers // Pullover // UGG Slippers // Men's Grooming Essentials Set // Theragun Mini // Duke Cannon Soap Gift Set // On Cloud Sneakers // Solo Stove Mesa // Yeti Coffee Mug 

With less than three weeks to go until Christmas, it's time for me to start getting busy with my Christmas shopping. Let's hear it for the boys for always seeming to be some of the hardest to shop for?? Lol. If you're like me and always looking are some ideas, here's what to buy for your guy! Whether you want to save or splurge, I think most men would appreciate and enjoy any of these gifts. We also love options around here so I wanted to cover all of the bases: tech, clothing, beauty/grooming + more. 

-SHOP THE POST-

I love sharing my picks with you! Should you click on or make a purchase through the links in this post, I'll earn some money to keep on shopping. Pretty cool, huh? :)

WEEKLY CRUMBL | 12.2.22

TGIF! Coming at you with a Weekly Crumbl review to kick this weekend off. I'm not sure what the vibe/theme is suppose to be for this week but the flavors we picked up are Gingerbread Cake, Lemon Crinkle, Green Mint ft. Andes and Boston Cream Pie. TBH- I wasn't overly excited by them but my sissy wanted to try. Spoiler alert- I ended up enjoying all of them! I was also shocked by my top two favorites. 

Coming in at the top is Gingerbread Cake and Green Mint! I'm not a big gingerbread gal but I do like them if they aren't too spicy. This one was just that-- very subtle spice which was balanced out nicely by the sweet icing. Yum yum! It was also crunchy on the outside but soft inside. 

Coming in at a very close second (dare I even say tie?) is the Green Mint featuring Andes. If you know me, this is WAY off base. I've historically hated most mint desserts for most of my life. I really like pepperminty things during the holidays but besides that it really isn't my vibe. This one was a wildcard and so so good. It's super minty so at first bite, I couldn't decide it I loved or hated it, lol. The more I ate it, the more the texture won me over. The cookie flavor was similar to an Oreo and was more crunchy/firm. Ya'll know my Crumbl likes to underbake cookies but this one was perfect. Very refreshing and because it was chilled, it reminded me of an Oreo ball. 

My next pick would be the Lemon Crinkle. I'm not a big lemon lover but I'll give Crumbl for always doing lemon well. The flavors they do are always yummy. Very light + refreshing. This one also had a crunchy outside which I liked, however the inside was a tad gummy. It's also pretty similar to all of the other lemon flavors they do so nothing too different. 

Last on my list (surprisingly!) is Boston Cream Pie. I actually thought this would be at the top but I ended up being a little underwhelmed. I liked the whippy texture (think pudding) but I could have used a little more chocolate + richness. It was still yummy, just not my favorite out of the bunch. 

All in all, it ended up being a win week for me! We've been skipping them lately so I'm glad we all enjoyed them. I am looking forward to seeing what comes out in the next few weeks, crossing my fingers for some yummy Christmas flavors. 

Which would you pick?