My Favorite Things of 2012

If you've been reading for a while, then you know that I already posted a look back on 2012 in blogging. I featured some my mine and some of yours favorite posts of this past year. Now, I'm going to share with you some of my general favorite things of 2012. Thanks so much to Erica of Sweets and Hearts for tagging me and inspiring me to write this post despite my complete lack of energy and blogging motivation at the moment (does that ever happen to you?). ^^

2012 overall wasn't  bad year for me. I went through a lot in my personal life that was really difficult to deal with in the latter part of 2011 through the first part of 2012. In truth, I think that's what might have motivated me and pushed me into blogging - feeling like I needed an outlet. So I started Macarons and Stilettos last year. I also got accepted to and began grad school. And I had fun experimenting with new fashion trends last year (which I definitely plan on continuing this year!). I started taking more risks - I never thought I would ever dye my hair in my entire life...but ended up dying the ends bright purple! So now for my favorite things of 2012:

Favorite Makeup: I'm a total lip gloss and lip product addict! I don't buy a lot of other makeup products because I'm the type of person that finds their favorite product and sticks to it faithfully. I buy the same foundation, eyeliner, mascara, and moisturizer every time I run out because they work for me. But, lip gloss is a totally different story. No matter how many I have (and I have a drawer full of them), I always want to buy another! This year, I fell in love with the combination of a gloss and balm and gorgeous packaging of Yves Saint Laurent's Volupte Sheer Candy. The formula is the perfect mix of moisture, shine, and sheer color - with the scent of fresh papaya. And the packaging reminds me of vintage lipsticks - and I'm a sucker for vintage.

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Favorite Book: To tell the truth, I don't read a lot. I wish I had time to read an entire book just for fun, but I read a lot for school. So that just doesn't leave a ton of time for recreational reading. Whenever I have a spare moment, I read my favorite blogs and sometimes flip through fashion and art magazines for inspiration.

Favorite Song/Album: Push & Shove by No Doubt. Not my favorite No Doubt album of all time (that would be Return of Saturn), but it feels really good to have some new No Doubt music to listen to. I am a die hard Gwen fan, so I'm really hoping for a world tour. I would love to see No Doubt live for the third time!

Favorite Movie: I don't get to go to the movies as often as I would like, but two movies really stand out in my mind as my favorites from last year: Frankenweenie and Skyfall. Frankenweenie was the cutest creepy movie I have ever seen. Probably one of my favorite Tim Burton movies. Sparky was just so darn cute, and I loved the fact that they used stop motion animation. ^^ And I love me a good James Bond movie (who doesn't?). I really liked Skyfall and felt like Daniel Craig finally became James Bond.

Preview of my new jewelry website!

One thing you are grateful for: My family, friends, and boyfriend. They have always supported me (emotionally and financially) in whatever I pursued. Last year was no different. I know that I would have not had the money to go back to school had it not been for my parents. And my boyfriend encouraged me when I wanted to start this blog, and is constantly telling me how great my outfits are not matter how whacky! He has also always supported me and inspired me in my journey as a jewelry designer and shop owner.

Greatest Challenge? Probably graduating from college with honors, and then realizing that I could not get a job that I went to school for. There were absolutely no jobs available for me. Either I was way too overqualified or lacked the years of experience possessed by the people currently holding the jobs I wanted. I was extremely frustrated, feeling like I had wasted years of my life in stress and hours of study. I decided to go back to school to get my MBA to make myself more competitive, and am looking forward to graduating (again) in May!

What are you looking forward to in 2013? My future. I don't know what it holds, but I can't wait to find out. I feel like I am just beginning to figure out what I want for my life, and I feel like there are so many options for my future. And I know that I control what I do with my life - my career, my passions, and how I spend my time. I am looking forward to spending some of that time blogging and sharing a little of that journey with you. Hope you will join me for the rest of 2013!

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xo ♥ Aubree