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Favorites of 2012

Hello and I hope you all had a beautiful holiday! I’ve been spending my holidays on the East Coast here with my husband’s lovely family before a short break in Spain for the new year. I’ve been really enjoying all of the food though it’s definitely colder here!

At the beginning of this year I made a resolution to try and track my shopping purchases to get an idea of what I was buying and shame myself with all my bad decisions. Now that it’s December, I’m quite happy to report that I more or less achieved my  my goal of buying significantly less than in years past…though there were still some mistakes…! On a positive note though, I wanted to share some (five, to be exact) of my favorite buys of 2012 – the ones that I’ve used over and over again, adore, and am happy that I added.

Favorite 2012

The Bright Scarf: I was really determined this year to add a big cozy colored scarf to my wardrobe – since I tend to gravitate so much towards neutrals in my shoes, bags and clothes, I really wanted to find a warm shawl that would help me add some color. I have always loved the Hermes GM shawls but they are too expensive for me to just buy them at every whim, so I’m very careful with purchasing. When I saw the Ex Libris Kimonos pattern come out and especially in this color way, I had to have it. It’s one of my favorites scarves in my wardrobe and I wear it all the time. Wearing it here.

Another absolutely gorgeous shawl I’ve been eyeing (it’d be so easy to match with black too!) is here.

The Black Pant: The perfect black pant is very subjective depending on who you are and what you like (low vs. high rise, wide leg, skinny leg, cropped, bell bottom, etc). I have been searching for the perfect black pant for more than a year and was so thrilled to finally find a pair from Ann Taylor that not only satisfied my requirements, but were also super comfortable and under $50 (with frequent coupon codes) to boot. Hooray! Wearing the pants, here.

The Clarisonic. Yup, I’ve discovered a hot new skincare tool! Oh wait –  you all found it five years ago…? Well anyway, I just discovered and purchased mine in November, and it’s fabulous. I adore it and use it every day and feel like it really has made an improvement to my skin. That being said, I’m a little annoyed to add another thing (that needs to be charged, to boot) on longer trips (over 2 weeks). But it’s worth it! My green color, available here.

The Kelly. You know as much as I love the Birkin, this year I discovered that I am much more a Kelly and Bolide girl. I receive emails quite often from readers asking about what Hermes bag they should buy – and my advice would always be to go to the boutique, look around, try on styles, and see how they would fit into your life. For me a shoulder strap is super important and convenient and I’ve also found the color of my first Kelly (Vert de Gris) incredibly versatile.

The Lace Dress. I’ve already squawked enough about the DVF Zarita dress on the site enough (see here and wearing it here), but I just have to say that I still love this dress and have gotten tons of wear out of both of mine (gray and black). It is such a universally flattering style and so comfortable. The only slight downside to how great this dress is, is the fact that now there is a much higher chance that you might see someone wearing the same dress at a wedding or formal event. But that doesn’t stop me from wanting some of the new gorgeous colors out here (the coral!)

 

So those were some of my favorite additions in 2012- now what were some of yours? Please share!

 

28 Comments

  • Reply
    Tabitha
    December 27, 2012 at 7:02 am

    Oh I was in Hermes today toying around with the Kelly and a SoKelly in orange – wistful sigh.

  • Reply
    Anonymous
    December 27, 2012 at 8:19 am

    Just a friendly note, dermatologist suggest using Clarisonic not more than 2-3 times a week cause it’s exfoliating. Thought it may not apply to everyone! 😉

    • Reply
      Vikki
      December 27, 2012 at 1:35 pm

      Totally agree with you. I love the brush. I did use it everday and noticed my skin was getting thiner and thiner. So now i am using it 2 times a week, but still can see the effect.

      • Reply
        Jess
        December 28, 2012 at 6:44 am

        My skin glows if I use it everyday! Perhaps my skin is thicker or something? Although it’s quite sensitive so I am unsure. Maybe it’s different for anyone?

        • Reply
          Katherine
          December 28, 2012 at 7:06 am

          I use it about 5 times a week but have heard the warnings about exfoliating too much!

      • Reply
        Katherine
        December 28, 2012 at 7:07 am

        Thanks for sharing your experience Vikki! I’m going to try and do it only a few times a week 🙂

    • Reply
      Katherine
      December 28, 2012 at 7:08 am

      Hi there, thank you for the warning 🙂 I’m going to try and use it less than every day

  • Reply
    dzung
    December 27, 2012 at 9:29 am

    i just got a claironic mia for christmas too! been using it for about 2 days now and my skin feels so smooth. i am so excited! did you experience any breaking out after a few uses?

    • Reply
      Belen
      December 28, 2012 at 8:19 am

      I just got mine for xmas too and I started breaking out on the second day. I’ve read is quite common, but either way I just ordered the delicate brush head because I find the sensitive one a little bit rough.

  • Reply
    DSK Steph
    December 27, 2012 at 10:45 am

    My favorite addition to 2012 was being introduced to SK-II skincare products. I also love using my Clarisonic everyday to get the best results out of my skincare products! They have different brush heads for the Clarisonic too so try new ones to see new results! I’ve tried the sensitive, the regular, and I just added the deep pore cleansing one to my line up. : )

    p.s. You have the best taste in everything nice!!

    • Reply
      Katherine
      December 28, 2012 at 7:07 am

      Thank you Steph, happy holidays!

  • Reply
    Anouka
    December 27, 2012 at 11:28 am

    Great purchases! Very good investments. xo

    LUXESSED

  • Reply
    Tif
    December 27, 2012 at 12:32 pm

    LOVE the Kelly. It’s my dream bag, but seems so hard to get a hold of. Do you have any advice/tips on how to order/purchase one?

  • Reply
    miss sophie
    December 27, 2012 at 2:06 pm

    love this post! and your kelly – what a gorgeous neutral color! totally agree that a great black pant is so key – i’m wearing mine for NYE 🙂

  • Reply
    Melanie
    December 27, 2012 at 2:13 pm

    happy almost 2013 and great choices! i’ve always had my eye on the kelly bag ever since I saw carrie on satc wear it (although i think she did). it’s such a great size and not too overbearing. i def need to put myself on a careful watch so maybe that will be a resolution for 2013 perhaps? =) =P

  • Reply
    Sydney
    December 27, 2012 at 6:56 pm

    I use my Clarisonic everyday as well. I’ve been using it for over a year now and can’t say enough good things about it. Of course, I am drooling over your Kelly. Happy New Year and have a safe trip, Kat!

  • Reply
    Fashion Blawger
    December 27, 2012 at 9:48 pm

    I love how all of your posts are always so thoughtful.

    Your top picks of the year are great. The Kelly looks perfect for you. I like what you said about the GM. I have a little collection of 90cms that I’ve put on hold until I buy a GM. I love the size and versatility but I’m waiting for a pattern to sweep me off of my feet 🙂

    I myself found the clarisonic this year too. I kept thinking it was another gimmick until a friend of mine had amazing results.

    I’m not sure what my favorite or most useful purchases of the year have been but I plan to reflect on that during my new year’s closet purge. <3

  • Reply
    adele
    December 27, 2012 at 10:23 pm

    I had the same mission for this season & I think I stuck to it. Gorgeous colour Kelly!
    Have a fab weekend Hun xoxo
    http://www.intotheblonde.com/

  • Reply
    Amy
    December 27, 2012 at 11:45 pm

    I also love the Clarisonic and use it every other day. I bought the light pink one, which has been great on my skin and makes me feel like it’s extra clean 🙂

    I scored a wonderful pair of silver Chanel pumps at Bloomingdales that I’ve been able to pair with all sorts of evening wear, from girls night and dinner dates, to weddings and galas with my boyfriend. That is definitely one of my favorite finds of the year!

    But the best of all? The discovery of Sulwasoo and Amorepacific skin care products. I’m q big beauty junkie, and can usually be found in the skincare section of a department store, a drugstore, you name it. I’m always curious about the latest findings on improving skin texture and maintaining elasticity, and found Amorepacific when I was in SF in April. A wonderful sales associate at Neimans took me aside and gave me a facial and pretty much changed my view of skin care.

    • Reply
      Katherine
      December 28, 2012 at 7:06 am

      Oh those pumps sound amazing! I’ve heard wonderful things about Sulwasoo, i’m going to have to try it out – it is so pricey though!

  • Reply
    Rubiiee
    December 28, 2012 at 10:24 am

    Great picks! I recently purchases my Clarisonic Mia. I have yet to use it, still waiting to see if I should…

  • Reply
    Ammu
    December 28, 2012 at 11:36 am

    That bag is stunning! I am sure you will get years of wear out of it.
    I just did my annual postmortem and am pretty pleased with my purchases – my favourite buys of the year include my Muji Breton dresses, a silk ikat bespoke dress by an Indian label called White Champa, a navy digital print wool scarf from my shawl seller in Delhi, my Clare Vivier navy messenger, a quilted lambskin shoulder bag from MICHAEL Michael Kors and an assortment of pearl necklaces including a vintage Chanel piece and a recent purchase from Juliet and Company.

    • Reply
      Katherine
      December 31, 2012 at 2:37 am

      Everything sounds beautiful Ammu! I’d love to see that vintage Chanel especially 🙂

  • Reply
    Mica
    December 28, 2012 at 6:31 pm

    I just received an Aria for Christmas. I’m so late on the Clarasonic train. Glad to see some others are new to it too!

    My top 5:
    Large denim Damier never full from LV Maui. Great, light summer color and I used it through September.
    Black & olive drapey cardigans from Barcelona that I pair with everything.
    White loose almost apronesque top from Tahiti that I adore.
    Peacock Tahitian pearl earrings. So beautiful and unique. I’ve already worn them several times and they never fail to dazzle!

    • Reply
      Katherine
      December 30, 2012 at 2:34 am

      Mica they all sound beautiful, those earrings sound divine! Cheers to a fellow Clarisonic newbie 🙂

  • Reply
    Alexa
    December 30, 2012 at 6:00 pm

    I got two of your favorite buys: face brush and scarf. Can’t agree more that Clarisonic face brush is worth every penny! I plan to add another Hermes cashmere scarf to my closet in 2013, for spring~

    Happy new year!

  • Reply
    Atiqa
    January 7, 2013 at 11:20 am

    Love all your picks….hmm I am going to have to think about my list!

  • Reply
    Favorites of 2013 | Feather Factor
    December 26, 2013 at 9:45 am

    […] shared some of my favorite wardrobe items in 2012, and wanted to do the same this year. Here are some of my favorite additions in 2013 (and I have a […]

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