in my perfect world... outs are out for 2024.

only ins!

My nails are grown out, 2024 started on a Monday, I have Christmas gifts I’ve yet to give to friends and I still don’t have a job.

Happy new year!

I write that fun little intro only to say that no one really has their lives together just because the calendar went from 12/31 to 1/1. It’s okay if you couldn’t accomplish a deep clean before the clock struck midnight or if you haven’t sat down and penned your resolutions/intentions/goals/fill-in-the-blank.

8 PM on New Year’s Eve feels like some sort of weird purgatory (you might be done eating dinner, but it’s a little early to pop the champagne), so I decided to spend a minute going through my camera roll, starting allll the way back in January of 2023.

The furthest I got was March.

Still, the “ins and outs” trend on TikTok right now pushed me to take a look back, but also look forward. I decided to document it all in my own CPW way, an “ins and outs” list… minus the outs (because whenever I see one of my personal ins on someones out list, I realize nothing is really ever “out” and we’re all different and that’s cool.)

BUT! We haven’t talked in a while, so how about we catch up first?

How can I sum up my entire holiday season without boring you to death? I’ll do my best.

Something I tried: I’ve never been a huge margarita girl, but I decided to give them another go at lunch with friends recently and was pleasantly surprised! Technically I’ve had one before, but I’m still counting it. I also tried matcha flavored KitKats and they were delicious.

Something I hated: I went to an estate sale and caught a bad case of house envy. I don’t know if it was hate, but I was definitely feeling some sort of way about the wine cave, home spa and wood paneled library/office all in one stunning Georgian home. I almost bought a hat, but decided to leave and instead invest in myself and the practice of being more grateful. I’m sort of kidding. Not really though.

What I most enjoyed watching: I got really into Dancing With the Stars this season, so much so that my friends and I had a three person watch party for the finale, complete with our own personal score paddles. I also treated myself to Paddington and Paddington 2 on a long car ride and would recommend to anyone who wants something light and quirky but also quite moving. And I swooned over The Buccaneers on Apple TV+. Come to think of it, maybe I should just make a whole post for the “what I’m watching” topic.

What I most enjoyed listening to: heavy into Lady Gaga recently. It started as gym music but now it’s all the time music. I think I’ve played “John Wayne” every time I’ve driven my car over the last few weeks.

Something I got for Christmas: these gorgeous boots from Madewell that I want to wear with every outfit possible.

Something I read: THERE IS GOLD TO BE FOUND IN THE CHILDREN’S BOOKS SECTION! I will die on this hill. I picked up Bree Paulsen’s Garlic & the Vampire graphic novel and was transported in the best way. It’s witty and also insanely visually appealing - Paulsen both wrote and illustrated the book!

Something I’d recommend: The Flexible Hold Finishing Hair Gel from Crown Affair. It kept my hair slicked back the whole day, but wasn’t sticky or crunchy to the touch. When I took my hair out, it could easily be fluffed back into it’s pre-gelled state. How did they do it? Magic!

What’s in for me in 2024? I’ll tell you.

IN: Letterboxd - Letterboxd is an app where you “track films you’ve watched.
Save those you want to see. Tell your friends what’s good,” according to their website (I’d say that’s pretty accurate.) While this was already in for a lot of people in 2023, I didn’t get on the train until the end of last year and therefore am settling into my inner cinephile this year. I read something that said 2023 felt like a big year for movies and moviegoers… I’d definitely agree. It’s actually sort of hard to get movie tickets again! And I’m happy about it! (FYI - my username is claireburch. Add me!)

IN: Playing my Nintendo Switch - my switch gets neglected. I’ll admit it. I play Animal Crossing for a week straight and then it collects dust for months! No more. I received Super Mario Bros. Wonder for Christmas (anyone else? Can we talk about it?) and it was just the spark my switch and I needed to rekindle our relationship. I also downloaded Unpacking, an insanely satisfying game where you… unpack. I swear it’s more fun than it sounds. On my yet to be purchased and played list are Hogwarts Legacy, Spiritfarer and Cuphead, all games I’ve picked up from my recent dip into TikTok’s “cozy gaming” community.

IN: Doing more baking! - I have a feeling this will be an in for me for years to come. In my limbo between graduation and my to be determined job, me and my kitchenaid have gotten very close. I’ve enjoyed baking since I was using a stepstool to reach the counter, but this year it became a way to lower anxiety, an excuse to drop by my friend’s house for a special delivery or just a means to feed my sweet tooth and try a new recipe. After ending the year with Claire Saffitz’s chocolate soufflés, I’m thinking about getting into pastries next. My mom will be excited when she reads that.

IN: Trying more cooking? - baking and I have been close, but cooking? We don’t really know each other. But! That doesn’t mean I can’t try! Being home also means pulling my weight around the house. I’ve made some dinners here and there, but I could definitely stand to better learn my way around the kitchen. Becoming a decent chef is an in for me this year, mostly because ramen or smoothies for meals can only get you so far.

IN: Becoming more financially literate - I wanted this to be in for me last year, but I had a hard time getting there. The world of 401(k) plans, high yield savings accounts and the like are foreign to me, but I’m not letting that be an excuse anymore! My first stop? Finishing Financial Feminist by Tori Dunlap. I’ve had it on my bookshelf for a while, but this year I’m getting past the introduction. Tori also hosts the Financial Feminist podcast if you’d rather listen and learn along with me.

IN: Justice for the bedtime routine - Morning routines get all the attention; I want to master my bedtime routine this year! I’m already getting there with my religious use of this sleep spray and nightly brewing of either sleepytime or peppermint tea, but my next goal is to make sure my routine is applicable both home and away. I want it to travel with me!

IN: Listening and asking - spending more time at home means being closer to family in my case. There were multiple moments from the last year where I found myself asking more questions than I ever have or looking at old photos I’d never seen. In my extremely old age of 22 (note the sarcasm), I'm understanding the value in asking questions, listening to stories or even trading recipes with those that came before you - family or not! Maybe it’s late to be realizing that, but regardless, I’m planning to do more of it this year.

IN: Showing my hair some love - my skincare drawer and makeup bag have gotten to have all the fun. I’ve never been super into haircare or trying new products, but isn’t it true that a good hair day can boost confidence more than anything else? A good hair day might not be possible every day, but my goal is to dig a little deeper into what might be damaging my hair and how I can accomplish those goals I always talk about (shinier, healthier, longer… etc.) I got a rice water shampoo bar for Christmas - because rice water is apparently the hair miracle worker - so testing that out has been a fun first step.

IN: Keeping consistent workouts - what I’m most proud of myself in 2023 was my commitment to my workout schedule! I have never been someone that prioritizes exercise, that is until the end of summer when I decided to join a gym (after I’d already had a few gym experiences during the end of college.) It’s become something that I actually enjoy, and I don’t want that to let up this year. I may or may not have purchased some new leggings to keep me going. In the off chance I did, here’s the link.

IN: Buying silly clothes - my favorite clothes I own are the ones I bought in an effort to not take myself too seriously. Like my purple sweater with embroidered scottie dogs from one of my favorite Instagram thrift accounts. Or my pink crochet bucket hat. Or the “naturally blonde, please speak slowly” graphic tee sitting in my Depop cart, even though I am a very obvious brunette! If it speaks to me, I’m buying it (within reason, of course) and not thinking twice about what someone else might think.

In summary for 2024: staying consistent, becoming a better listener, taking care of myself and not caring what people think. And a few other fun things.

What’s in for you this year?

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In my perfect world… I mean what I said about haircare. Anybody got a good heat protectant rec?