Happy New Year, everyone! As 2025 winds down, I always love reflecting on the little things that made my year feel special—from beauty obsessions to unforgettable NYC moments. Below are my Five Favorites from this year, spanning fashion, fragrance, food, and experiences that I keep thinking about.
Beauty Products: Givenchy Prisme Libre Foundation & Isamaya Primer
This foundation quickly became my ride‑or‑die beauty pick of 2025. The finish is flawless yet natural, and it never feels heavy—perfect for days when I want that effortless glow and versatile for natural or full glam occasions. The Isamaya Primer was also a knockout from the first impression. It gives you a poreless and glass-like effect as if you are a porcelain doll. This is the dream team base I reach for again and again for any and all occasions when I want to feel my best. For my first impression and more details on the product, check out my full review post here.
Scent: Initio Lift Me Up Fragrance
If a scent could lift your mood (and mine actually does), this is it. Lift Me Up by Initio Parfums Privés is warm, sophisticated, and uniquely me—something I wear from day into night when I want to feel like my best self. As soon as I spray it on, it instantly feels like a moment worth savoring. I cannot say enough good things about it, you will just have to try it for yourself to really understand the experience.
Fashion Item: Jimmy Choo Azia
Let’s talk about shoes that instantly elevate an outfit. The Jimmy Choo Azia heels are truly a perfect shoe. They’re chic, bold, and surprisingly comfortable—easy to dress up for special occasions or down with denim. They also win the title for the most comfortable heel I own no matter how many hours I wear them. When wedding season rolls back around, you will want to have a pair, trust me.
Restaurant/Bite: La Marchande French Onion Soup Dumplings
One of the standout food discoveries of the year. Imagine rich French onion soup flavors wrapped in the cutest dumplings ever—absolute perfection. I can’t imagine how many orders of these I could eat in a sitting and I still dream about this dish. La Marchande in the Wall Street Hotel overall has fantastic food and cocktails. Everything I have had from this restaurant was exceptionally memorable and I can’t wait to go back.
NYC Opening: Faena Hotel
The Faena Hotel opening felt less like a traditional hotel launch and more like a cultural moment. With its art-forward approach and theatrical sense of luxury, it captured exactly what I look for in elevated experiences—intentional, immersive, and memorable. It’s one of those New York moments that stays with you.
BONUS NYC Experience: Take a Banana for the Road on Broadway
Take a Banana for the Road on Broadway? This one came a little unexpected but roastmaster Jeff Ross made you laugh, maybe cry and overall contemplate life and leave feeling a little more grateful and ready to seize the day. The show is not currently on Broadway but one that I would recommend seeing whenever you get the chance.
Thank you for following along in 2025! These five captures felt like little highlights of my year, and I can’t wait to see what 2026 has in store. Here’s to stepping into 2026 with intention, curiosity, and elevated taste.
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One thought on “Five Favorites of 2025”
So many goodies here, my friend! Those Jimmy Choos are gorgeous and I just adore your dress too!
Wishing you a blessed new year!! 🙂
Make Life Marvelous