couldn't live without it in 2007

Wow, the end of the year sure crept up on me. I was going to break this category down into health/beauty and fashion, but tomorrow is the deadline for 2007...no one wants to read about 2007 once the calendar flips to '08!

For skin care, my best find was the seaweed line from The Body Shop.

I have always battled with horrible skin. Tetracylcline, Minocycline, and every other --cycline; clearasil, neutrogena, Proactiv, Dr. Murad; Retin-A, Benzaclin, Differin, Suphera, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, soap-and-washcloth only, and finally even Accutane have left me frustrated. I was fortunate enough to never have the full-face deep acne that leaves scars, but any girl who deals with acne knows how depressing it is and how hard it is to feel pretty when your face is dull/oily/bumpy. I don't know if it's partly due to age, but my skin has really been looking better this year. I really enjoy the seaweed scrub (I use it twice daily, it is very gentle), the daytime mattifying lotion, and the nighttime exfoliating moisture gel.

To stay healthy, I try and drink Emergen-C everyday.

It's great for people like me who can't eat a big breakfast first thing in the morning. I just have a glass of this, eat a small breakfast late morning/early afternoon, and I haven't even gotten a cold this year (knock on wood) thanks to the 1000 mg of Vitamin C in each packet.

Somewhere out there, at this very moment, a beauty editor is writing the words, "The best mascara EVER is still Maybelline GreatLash"!! And then I will read these words, and it will make me barf. Why? I despise Maybelline GreatLash! It has a small little brush and is very clumpy. I have only bought it twice in my life, admittedly not recently, but this year I tried out a lot of new mascaras. I do agree that DiorShow is amazing, but the $23/a tube price tag is hard to swallow for a mascara-holic like me. That's why I was so excited when I found MAC Plush Lash. It is only $11, but has the big fat brush that I loved in DiorShow. It is very smooth and silky, and I haven't had a single problem with clumping or flaking.

My favorite accessory this year? Headbands!

I have really strayed away from wearing noticeable jewelry, so a great way to spice up your look is with a little headband. I'm a fan of everything from a thin black Alice band to a thicker, embellished band. I have been even more inspired since headbands became a part of Blair Waldorf's signature look.


Working retail is killer on your feet. I have come to depend upon Dr. Scholl's foot powder to ease friction, and Body Shop's foot care scrub and thick peppermint lotion. Without that lotion, I could never wear strappy shoes again!

Skinny jeans are definitely not new, but this year I have become obsessed with them and find myself snubbing my nose at the flare-leg pants in my closet. I am not a skinny-mini, but I think they're flattering and so much more fashionable than the flare legs of high school girls. Every pant I bought this year had a straight leg, and hopefully they will stay en vogue for years to come.

2007 has been a crazy year for me, and I'm especially excited to see what 2008 will bring both fashionably and personally. Blogging has been such a fun experience so far and I'm sure it will only get better. Anyway, I won't get too mushy here!! What were your favorite things this year?