My favourite things of 2024
The best things I tried, discovered, visited, watched, read, live, laugh, loved last year
If there’s one thing I get so much joy from, it’s sharing things I love to anyone that will listen! And in 2024, I discovered a lot of new goodness - whether that be a show I watched, a book I read, hair products, lip liners, skincare, vintage pieces, home stuff, concerts. I’ll be sharing all of my discoveries here for you.
I find these kinds of substacks so fun to put together but I drag my feet with them because I get so stressed about forgetting stuff. I’m sure I’ve forgotten things but here’s the best stuff I can remember!
Note: This substack is a little long - if you’re reading this via your email, it’ll say ‘View Entire Message’ at the bottom - click on that to keep reading, or view the entire newsletter in the Substack app (my preferred way of consuming these).
BEAUTY
I’ve always always been a beauty product lover, forever wanting to try everything possible but in 2024 I feel I found holy grail status products that will be hard to stray from. Sticking with an edited bunch of products has seen me culling a lot from my (huge) stash at home, giving away to family and friends or donating when I can.
In 2025, I want to stick to having a tighter edit and therefore less volume (this is a theme I’m looking to adapt to the rest of my life as well). Here’s what stood out for me in the beauty category!
Hair clips: I pivoted away from hair ties and fell in love with hair clips. Not only are they a super fun accessory but I love the ease of twirling my hair up and simply putting a clip in to hold everything up. I find it’s much gentler on my hair also.
Hair products: This year I tested out newbies to Australia; Crown Affair, Arkive and Type BEA. Specific stand out products - the Crown Affair leave in conditioner, Arkive dry shampoo, All Day Everyday Shampoo and Extra Conditioner, Typebea Shampoo and Conditioner.
Ikkari: A literal life changing product - and one I’ve mentioned many times on my substack - the Ikkari Deep Sleep Tonic. This product has transformed my sleep! I’ve taken it most nights since I first discovered it in February. It helps put me to sleep quickly and stay asleep. It’s especially helpful when I’m feeling anxious as it calms those thoughts and lulls me into a peaceful, beautiful snooze. Special shoutout to the Ikkari Stress Tonic, this is a lovely one to take when I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed. I’ve also found it helps with period pain.
Par Olive: This is not a new product to me but it’s one I reintroduced into my routine this year, the Par Olive Organic Coconut Milk Marine Collagen Superpowder. While there’s a lot of collagen on the market trying to get your attention, this one is of an incredibly high quality and has a delicious, subtle coconut flavour. I mix this in with my coffee and it tastes absolutely amazing.
La Mer: My friend Alyce swears by the La Mer Eye Concentrate so I gave it a try and she was right. It’s truly incredible. I’m prone to milia so can’t use anything too heavy around my eyes and because of this I’m very picky with my eye creams. The consistency is creamy, nourishing but still on the lighter side and is very hydrating. It’s a pricey product but if you feel like treating yourself, this is the one!
Kosas lip liner: I watched a TikTok by Olivia Jade raving about the new Kosas lip liners and visited Mecca the same day to purchase three of my own. I haven’t looked back since. They’re long-lasting and hydrating, I love the nude shades (Mega, Beyond and Infinite) and that they’re wind-up (no sharpener needed). I have repurchased twice now.
Glossier foundation: When Glossier launched into Australia earlier this year, I was really only interested in trying the Glossier Stretch Fluid Foundation as it was one of the only products I’d not tried before. It’s easily one of best foundations I’ve ever used and I found myself using it any time I did my makeup - a big move, given I’ve mostly been a concealer over foundation girl for years! It has amazing coverage, while looking like skin, I find it lasts all day (huge feat for my oily skin) and somehow gets better as the day goes on.
Merit: I first started using Merit in 2022 but when they launched in Australia in September, it gave me the opportunity to try out other products from their range. For the last month, I’ve mostly only been using Merit and it’s all just 10/10. Special shoutout to the Complexion Stick and brush - which is truly like butter, the matte eyeshadow and the blushes.
DS and Durga Radio Bombay: If you’ve ever flown American Airlines, you’d know they have a partnership with DS and Durga for their amenity kits and their handsoap etc on flights and in the lounges. I am blessed to have a few DS and Durga perfumes and candles at home and am quite familiar with their range. But while I was in the lounge in New York in September I came across Radio Bombay. I couldn’t stop thinking about it so I bought it for myself for Christmas! It’s so yummy and unique. Actual fragrance notes here: Radiant wood, copper, cedar, sandalwood, radiant iris, boronia, balsam fir absolute, coconut musc and ambergris.
I plan to do a proper fragrance substack with all my favourites!
DMK Facial/products: I’m very lucky to get invited to try out all sorts of skincare treatments for my job. Mid-year I was invited to try out an enzyme treatment by DMK. I’d seen these treatments via Instagram for years and had always been curious. They live up to the hype. You look like an absolute gremlin alien during but it’s magic. I have since been using a tailored line up of their products and it’s been a skin saviour for me. If you’re curious about this treatment - head to their website to find a treatment place near you.
FASHION
Denim: I found an excellent pair of jeans from Neuw Denim. They’re just so comfy and cool. Same with this perfect denim jacket from Bassike. I always want to wear it.
Miu Miu: Some spendier items - my Miu Miu Aventure bag was a splurge while I was in London. It’s a great bag. The size is practical and both my mum and step-mum validated my purchase by telling me it’s a classic. They are wise ladies, who am I to argue!?
Rimowa: My Rimowa travel size sea blue suitcase is such a fun piece to travel with. The colour makes my eyes happy. Same with my suede Yu Mei kiwi Teresa tote bag. I especially love pairing these two colours together.
Brie Leon: Another favourite, my Brie Leon Everyday Bucket bag in chocolate brown. This is such a chic, affordable every day bag. Looks way more expensive than it actually is.
Susan Alexandra necklace: Every time I wear this, I get compliments or asked where it’s from. My Susan Alexandra charm necklace is one of my favourite purchases of the year! I bought it at their store in NYC. My sister and I spent hours in there, getting to know Susie - a divine employee! This was a common theme in New York - my sister and I would meet such gorgeous people in each store we’d visit, it really felt like if we lived there, we’d become proper friends. The necklace is so fun and personalised with my initials and my Libra zodiac sign. My only regret is not getting more charms.
Cartier: I updated my Cartier tank strap from black to tan and it’s made the watch feel brand new!
Sezane suede jacket: I loved this one so much I bought it twice! I got the camel suede (see below) as well as the mustard suede. These sell out fast but they always restock!
Still Here NYC tshirt: I’m usually a simple white, grey or black tshirt girl but when I visited the Still Here NYC store I was immediately drawn to their blue tshirt. My regret is not buying more in person!
SECONDHAND/VINTAGE
One of my greatest joys in life is secondhand shopping. Wherever I am in the world, I’m always hunting down the best places to shop for preloved goodies. This year, I plan to share more of this with a new series (so stay tuned!).
Prada jacket: One of the best preloved items I purchased in 2024 was this red silk Prada jacket I bought in Tokyo. I can’t wait to wear it again when the weather cools down in Australia.
Alaia ballet flats: Another red purchase I love are these Alaia mesh ballet flats I got from the Real Real in New York. I wear them all the time and they’re super comfortable.
Cashmere jumper: A classic find, was this cashmere knit I got in New York from a men’s preloved store on the Upper East Side. It’s so soft and luxurious and is the perfect slouchy fit.
Sunglasses: I love finding sunglasses in vintage stores. I’m really into yellow lenses and I got a pair in Japan and another in Lisbon. They add so much to an outfit!
Bags: I always scour the bag section at a vintage/preloved store. You can find the best quality pieces at really great prices - like this leather shoulder bag I found at my local Vinnies for $30! Another great affordable find was this yellow tote/messenger style bag I got in Nagoya in Japan.
I bought a lot of preloved things in Japan - read all about it here.
Brown collarless leather jacket: I’m a jacket over-purchaser but I don’t care. This was a great find at the Notting Hill Vintage markets. I love the size, style and colour! A forever piece.
Dries Van Noten jacket: I got this in Japan, it’s so fun and lightweight (feels like raincoat material). I love the length!
ENTERTAINMENT
In 2024, I feel like I wasn’t hugely wowed by things I watched/read, with a few exceptions. Obviously going to the Eras Tour and seeing Taylor Swift perform was a major, not only 2024 highlight, but life highlight. I was too stunned to speak at the very start, bawling my eyes out, overcome with emotion but settled in to have the night of my life shortly after. So special, so unforgettable.
Staying in the music realm, I couldn’t stop listening to Charli XCX’s Brat, Clairo’s Charm, Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine, Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poet’s Department, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet and Chappell Roan’s The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.
As discussed in my Summer Reading List, the best book in 2024 for me was All Fours - such a wild ride and incredibly well written. I also finished The Summer I Turned Pretty books and loved them because I am truly just a 16 year old girl.
On TV - Industry blew me away and made me excited to watch TV again, as did Mr and Mrs Smith. I also got into Shrinking and it’s a great show.
Movie-wise, I can’t think of anything beyond Wicked and Challengers, both of which I saw at the cinema. I saw Anora - I didn’t love the movie but Mikey Madison’s performance was truly a standout and she is an absolute new star to watch.
I really want to see more movies at the cinema in 2025 and also watch more at home that I haven’t seen before. A few days ago I watched Triangle of Sadness and oh my god. What a film!! I am looking forward to seeing A Complete Unknown (Timothee Chalamet’s press tour has been incomparable and exciting) and Babygirl coming out in Australia soon, amongst others.
HOME
I am slowly working on an updated home substack (here’s the first newsletter dedicated to my home here), detailing new work and additions to our space. Here’s some of my favourite finds from 2024.
Alessi salt and pepper shakers: I’d been on the hunt for the longest time for cute salt and pepper shakers and then I found these (salt + pepper) from Alessi by Michael Graves! They’re fun and chic and I love them so much.
Cute mugs: Mugs are my weakness and I bought a few newbies in 2024! I also love this singular coaster I bought. I loved the colour combo.
Dyson Wash G1: If you hate mopping (I think it’s up there with it being the worst household chore), Dyson’s latest innovation, the Wash G1 simplified this process and somehow made it fun! It’s now such a satisfying task that I actually want to do.
Art: I bought two new pieces of art this year; this Sunny Boy painting by Andrew Delaney and this gummy bear drawing by Chesca Athas. The gummy bear is currently at the framers. I’m excited to get it back and find a spot for it in the house!
FB Marketplace Bookshelf: I found this cool book shelf on Facebook Marketplace (I’m not sure of the brand) and it’s so fun to look at. I kept it book free for ages just because I loved the style on it’s own but adding the books in has been super cute.
Bookshelf: I’d been contemplating painting my bookshelves in our living room for years, going back and forth in my head which colour would be best. I initially thought I’d paint them red, then I thought blue, even green! But I landed on a gorgeous yellow (Ping by Porter’s Paints) and it’s had such a lovely impact on our space! It’s such a happy colour.
Eco Store lily and jasmine laundry capsules: Elevating mundane, every day tasks in the home is the move and these laundry capsules smell SO good. The scent lingers on the items you wash and they are really fun to use. No notes!
TRAVEL
When I look back on a year and reflect, travelling and the trips I go on are always the biggest high points for me. I was lucky to take some truly amazing trips in 2024 for work and for fun.
Starting off with a trip to Melbourne in January to attend the Australian Open (I went to 3 matches and it was so fun!), in February I went to Byron Bay and stayed at the phenomenal retreat, Soma (they shot Nine Perfect Strangers here).
In March I went back to Melbourne to attend my first ever Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend. As someone who thinks about and consumes so much content about Formula 1 daily, this was major for me! I can’t wait to go again this year.
2 weeks later, we flew to Japan for a two week holiday over Easter - which also included attending the Japan Grand Prix in Suzuka! I’d been wanting to visit Japan for years and it was the most incredible experience. I think about it constantly and I cannot wait to go back to Tokyo. Check out my Japan guide here.
Aside from a bunch more interstate trips, I went on a 6 week trip to Europe and America with my sister, Isabella in August. You can read about the full trip here but essentially I had work commitments scattered throughout - starting with Copenhagen Fashion Week - and we visited friends and family in Portugal, France and London. We finished the trip with a week in New York and 2 days in LA. I hope to do a trip like this every year - because those are some of my favourite places in the world. They inspire and light up my soul in endless ways. In 2025, my husband Angus will be doing this trip with me!
Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this wrap up. Given this is an extensive list, it’s quite obvious how much I love to collect special things and go shopping. But over the last few months I’ve been on a big decluttering kick and I’m really striving to simplify my life a little and have less.
So I wanted to start the year with a challenge - a no buy - fashion wise - for the months of January and February. Shopping my own wardrobe is something that excites me.
Beyond that, I want to set a limit on how much I can buy this year. A number for new things and a number for secondhand things. I will think about this over the next few months and share with you what this will look like for me. I’ll obviously still be looking and enjoying and sharing fashion, just from a slight distance.
More Smooth Brain Thoughts soon!
Ali xxx