Everything I Loved in 2025
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This post is inspired by Anna Newton - I read her post this week and thought it was brilliant. I wanted to put my own spin on it with my favourites this year which hopefully is helpful to some of you.
MAKEUP
This has been such an important year for me regarding discovering new makeup. With my wedding earlier in July I did a lot of experimentation and a discovery of a new favourite brand. The Charlotte Tilbury beautiful skin foundation* has been a game changer for my skin. It’s light and buildable, so it’s not thick and heavy which I hate on my skin. I have been pairing it with the flawless finish powder* which is the best powder I have ever used - it’s actually like magic it like airbrushing my skin. Charlotte Tilbury also introduced me to my new favourite nude lipstick* in the shade pillow talk original. Other favourites from Charlotte Tilbury include their liquid blush* and contour* which has revolutionised how I do my base. I have also this year become a loyal user of the Benefit’s bad gal bang brown mascara* - this makes my lashes so thick and long without having to use black mascara.
HAIRCARE
My hair has grown several inches this year. I cannot believe how long my hair is when I look in the mirror - it is the longest it has been since I was eighteen. I put this down to a consistent routine of some key steps including sleeping in a bonnet* every night, using this rosemary oil* once a week (when not pregnant, which I was briefly in the middle of this year) and using bonding conditioners or hair masks at least once a week but often twice. My favourites include the redken acidic bonding concentrate conditioner* which I have been using since 2024 and the l’Oreal Paris glycolic gloss hair mask* which makes my hair like silk with every use. One of the most important steps I have introduced this year is more regularly using heat protect. My favourite I have tried is the Umberto Giannini grow long and smooth blow dry spray*; I have found that it works before styling even if my hair is dry and doesn’t make my hair crunchy which is very important as I only wash my hair twice every ten days.
SKINCARE
Skincare has been complicated for me this year as I tried to find ingredients which I was comfortable with using while pregnant. Even though I am no longer pregnant right now, I still want the products I do buy to be ones I am happy using going forward - I don’t want to invest in a load of skincare which will be useless to me in a few months if/when we are lucky enough to get pregnant again. A great app I have been using to check skincare ingredients is little bean - simply scan the ingredients and the app flags ingredients which are a higher risk.
The following products I have decided I am comfortable with incorporating into my own skin care routine, but I cannot confirm their pregnancy safe status so please do your own research. This is not medical advice, and if you’re pregnant or trying to conceive, always check with a healthcare professional.
Skin+me* has simplified my skincare routine this year - I haven’t had the brain space to decide for myself what my skin needs, so letting skin + me take care of that for me with the best ingredients has been fantastic. My skin hasn’t had a bad breakout all year and I believe it’s the consistency of using this brand which has helped. It was so easy to communicate with them when we decided to try for a baby and subsequently discovered I was pregnant, they sent me a replacement with new, appropriate ingredients immediately without charge.
I like to supplement my usage of skin and me with a cleanser, serum and moisturiser, all of which I get from the inkey list. I love their oat cleansing balm* which is quite a thick yet soft texture which removes my makeup so easily - I don’t feel like I have to scrub at my face when I use it. My biggest discoveries this year though were the ectoin hydro-barrier serum*, which is almost liquid in texture and makes my face feel so hydrated; and the bio-active ceramide moisturiser* which is perfect for a night time moisturiser. The only thing I am yet to find is an affordable SPF I like which isn’t tinted - if there are any recommendations please let me know!
CLOTHING
My most worn items of clothing this year were without a doubt the M&S lace vest pack of three* which is only £10 - my cost for wear on these is insane. They have opened up so much of my wardrobe which I couldn’t wear and I am in love.
Hollister has been a lifeline for me this year as I have invested in my comfy, work from home clothing. These low-rise sweatpants* have been a game changer for me this year, I have them in grey and lilac and I wear them constantly.
These long sleeve, round neck tops are so cute from H&M and I have been wearing them constantly throughout the winter. I have them in light pink* and chocolate brown* and have become an essential basic.
SHOES, BAGS, ACCESSORIES
Once again this year I have been obsessed with my VIVAIA nude flats* in the summer (#ad, they have sponsored me in the past). They are so comfortable and easy to sling on with any outfit and feel elegant.
I have come to accept this year that shoe-wearing is simply a difficult thing for me and I need a little extra help in that department because of my scoliosis. There are just certain things I am no longer willing to compromise on. These Moda In Pelle silver ballet flats* are absolutely stunning and go with so many of my outfits - I love a metallic shoe because it adds something modern to an otherwise vintage inspired outfit.
The most important shoe buy this year was without a doubt my Carvela chocolate brown boots. It kills me to see that they are now a third less than price I paid but that’s show business! They are amazing because they have a LOW HEEL!!! They’re not flat, they’re not a high heel, they’re a low heel. Do you know how hard to find that is in a quality boot? Carvela has earned my trust with this product and I will certainly be buying from them again.
How can I even talk about accessories this year without mentioning my Etsy finds? I bought this necklace in silver and earrings* from Jessica Ascough design when seeking art nouveau inspired jewellery for my wedding. I ended up wearing this bluebell set* instead, but I love both.
I have learned this year that I simply don’t love a fiddly handbag - I want to be able to throw it all in and go. This chocolate mango shopper* was so affordable and I have used it so many times already!
ENTERTAINMENT
PODCASTS: My only discovery this year is an old woman suggestion from me but so worth a listen if you like history. Dead to Me is a BBC radio 4 podcast which makes it sound really boring but hear me out - the host brings one comedian and one academic in to discuss a niche historical topic e.g. viking women or the arts and crafts movement. They are short and easy to listen to, and I have learned so much this year.
The other highlight for me was of course Evolution of a Snake by Zach and Madeline - the best Taylor Swift and pop culture podcast in the world imo - I have become a loyal follower of the Swiftologist this year.
MUSIC: My favourite new albums this year include The Life of a Showgirl by Taylor Swift, West End Girl by Lily Allen, The Art of Loving by Olivia Dean and Man’s Best Friend by Sabrina Carpenter. Otherwise, the songs I played obsessively on repeat included:
Say My Name in Your Sleep by Maisie Peters - this is a beautiful, gentle song about wanting to remain as metaphorical smoke on the clothes of someone you were once in a relationship with.
Killeagh by Kingfishr - I love folk, Celtic-inspired music. This is actually a song about sport hilariously (because I have no such instincts) but it’s also a song about home, the love of where you’re from, family and tradition. It’s one of the most beautiful songs I have heard this year and I am obsessed.
Dreams by Fleetwood Mac - does this need explanation? It’s a classic for a reason
How Long Will I Love You by Jon Boden and Sam Sweeney - this song features in the soundtrack for About Time. I listened to it incessantly in the run up to my wedding and it played as we left the church. I also listened to Friday I’m in Love by The Cure a lot this year as it’s also on this soundtrack!
She’s Always A Woman by Billy Joel - this was our first dance song. It’s a classic we fell in love with together and it felt right that it was the song we danced to with all our family and friends.
Sally, When The Wine Runs Out - ROLE MODEL - this song will forever sound like summer. It was a phenomenon this year and rightly so.
Can’t Catch Me Now by Olivia Rodrigo - I don’t know why but this song haunted me this autumn. It’s even more beautiful driving around in the rain.
There She Goes by Sixpence None the Richer - if you want to feel like you’re in a rom com, just put this on
Cowboy Like Me by Taylor Swift - I rediscovered how much I love this song playing Evermore in the Lake District this year. I never cared that much for it until this year when suddenly its my favourite on the album.
Simply Song by The Shins, James Mercer - this song features in How I Met Your Mother and became a key song in the run up to the wedding. It feels like being alive.
Diet Pepsi by Addison Rae - this song makes me feel like a teenager. I listened to this on repeat for maybe a consistent 30 waking hours in a row, and rightly so.
This could go on forever so my final favourites include Stick Season by Noah Kahan, What If by Cobie Caillat, lippy kids by Elbow, Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls, You You You by Maisie Peters, Big Black Car by The Wildwoods.
TV/FILM: I don’t even know where to begin. This already might be the longest newsletter I’ve already written and I have so much left to say!
The Long Walk - I love everything Stephen King. This story has a hunger-games-style premise where you get to live if you can keep walking. There are various reasons why you may get shot or die along the way, but if you win you get a big payment. It’s very similar to his running man concept which I believe is coming to cinemas in 2026! Going back through my emails I am horrified that this is the only thing I went to see in the cinema this year 😳
Gifted - I adore this movie, I watched it twice this year. A little McKenna Grace plays a genius child who has lost her mum and lives with her uncle, and they navigate trying to stay together when the grandmother discovers how smart she is.
Severance - I absolutely cannot wait for S3. The premise of the series is that you can separate your out-of-work self from your in-work self so essentially you gain two personalities. For the version of you that’s in work you never leave. It’s a fascinating idea and they have executed it in a really strange and captivating way.
Pretty Little Liars - I rediscovered this series this year for the first time since I was a teenager. There are some very worrying storylines involving adults in relationships with teenagers but beyond that 🤣 the clothing is amazing and well worth watching just for the nostalgia
His Dark Materials - a great BBC TV series. It’s a little slow at times, but again the costuming is really great.
Edward Scissorhands - I fell in love with this movie during halloween this year. It plays with gothic themes in an interesting and revolutionary way.
The Handmaid’s Tale - we finished the whole series this year. I loved every second of it and I already want to watch it again - one of the most important series ever created.
Letters to Juliet - I watched this before going to Italy for my honeymoon this year and I fell in love with it all over again
Once Upon A Time - If you love Disney, if you love fairytales, if you love wholesome TV, this is for you
The Star Wars Prequels - whilst I do have to say that there are some storytelling issues (sorry star wars fans) I do love the costuming and design generally of these films. They are visually stunning and interesting and well worth studying.
BOOKS: For the full run down of the books I read this year, you shall have to wait for members-only video, but these were the highlights:
Those were my favourites of 2025! I hope there was something here for you. Let me know in the comments some of your favourites
What did you think about today’s newsletter? Let me know in the comments below ⬇️
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My favorite new movies that I got around to seeing this year are Sinners, KPop Demon Hunters and Frankenstein. My top 5 reads of the year are This Tender Land, Hero of Ages (from Mistborn Era 1), Wind and Truth, The River has Roots and Sunrise on the Reaping (honorable mention to Project Hail Mary). I tried out and loved the Blue Sea Kale and Coconut Water Shampoo from Not Your Mother’s which is now unfortunately very hard to find. The shade Sunstone from Likely Makeup’s Fairy Blush palette is my forever favorite makeup product. You used to be able to buy it as a single but I don’t see it on their site anymore.