As the new culture and lifestyle writer, I never tire of exploring artsy and fun stuff that make each day a little more interesting, so I was thrilled when I learned that I’d get to share some of my 2016 finds. The only trouble was winnowing the list down to the essentials. Here goes:
Threads
In the fall of 2015, I traded in my maternity-leave wardrobe (fitted hoodies and workout pants) for working-folk clothes. Luckily, Stitch Fix and Nordstrom Rack were there. Stitch Fix provided me some lovely blazers, pencil skirts and the perfect pair of jeans. And as soon as Nordstrom Rack arrived at the revamped Springfield Town Center, I regularly scoured the shoe aisles for TOMS Desert Wedge booties. (I now have three pairs.)
Songs
It was nearly impossible to cull a best-of playlist from the 27 Spotify playlists I crafted in 2016, but somehow I managed it. Mostly new, with a few oldies:
1. “Doctor Doctor,” Oh Pep!: Killer chorus.
2. “Georgy Porgy,” Toto: Somehow I didn’t stumble on this song ’til this year. And then my life got a lot better.
3. “Go!,” M83, Mai Lan: Slow build to a great climax, plus I love any song that includes a countdown.
4. “Half Broke Heart,” Cam: Don’t mess with her.
5. “Heatwave,” Wild Ones: A synth-y journey best enjoyed while driving.
6. “Kids,” One Republic: Epic.
7. “Many Rivers to Cross,” Jimmy Cliff: For the spirit.
8. “Somebody Else,” The 1975: Brings you right back to that tough high school breakup.
9. “That’s What I Like,” Bruno Mars: You just can’t be in a bad mood listening to this.
10. “The Cost of Living,” Don Henley: A Boomer message with lessons for all.
11. “Things Happen,” Dawes: That intro …
12. “Wings of Love,” liv: Fleetwood Mac is reborn as a celestial being.
;
Tube
This year, I discovered The Mindy Project and realized my soulmate was a television character (darling husband aside).
Scents
In addition to dousing myself every day with Thierry Mugler’s Angel, the same perfume I’ve used for the last gazillion years, I sniffed a lot of lavender this year. In both candle and essential oil form, it is indeed very calming.
Shows
My favorite live shows of the year: Bonnie Raitt at Wolf Trap, Ballet Nova’s The Nutcracker and The Weepies at The State Theatre. I hope to see a slew of pop shows in 2017 featuring lots of choreo.
Skin
After a lengthy quest for the ideal facial moisturizer, I finally discovered Clarins Multi-Active Day SPF 20. (My skin writes me invisible thank-you notes each morning.) I’m also a longtime user of Sephora’s Super Supreme Body Butter, which has pleasant notes of men’s cologne while keeping my arms as soft as my toddler’s cheeks. And the savior for my cracking fingers this winter has been Dr. Hunter’s Cuticle Cream from Caswell-Massey.
Soul
2016 was a year of reflection and change for many of us. To renew and restore, I introduced myself to meditation, made easy through the Calm app, and went back to yoga after a seven-year hiatus. Surprisingly, it’s still a great way to get grounded and centered. As is story time with my two little ones, something I look forward to every day.
Sweat
Exercise has finally become fun after years of doing it just because it seemed compulsory. Here were this year’s fave workouts:
Barre: Pure Barre, Barre 3 or Spark Yoga. My body has never felt so sore—in a good way.
Country line dancing: Can’t beat Nick’s in Alexandria.
Workout club: My neighbors and I go for runs, jam to workout vids or hit the gym together. Our banter almost makes me forget I’m exercising.
