What I Got For Christmas (2018)

Two of my favorite posts of the year are my  “What I Got/Gave for Christmas” posts. Not only are they interesting to read, they also allow me to reflect on how I gave back to my loved ones and how they gave back to me. If you’re curious to see what I got, keep reading. 

MAC Shiny Pretty Things Party Favours: Nude Mini Lipsticks – This four-piece MAC lipstick set was the perfect stocking stuffer from my cousin Christina. The array of shades are stunning! I’ll take nudes over bold, bright, or dark colors any day.

Sephora Collection Gift Card – A Sephora gift card! 😍 I can never get enough of these. It’s basically currency to spend at my favorite store. Thank you for the generous gift Aunt Carroll.

Morphe 8W Warm Master Blush Palette – Ahh! How gorgeous is this blush palette? This was on my Christmas Wishlist and Nick gifted it to me. I now have more blushes than I could ever know what to do with in one sleek portable case and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Baublebar Hailee Earring Set – My sister got me this earring trio from Baublebar that I’d really been wanting. You can’t see just how beautiful these are here, so I think I’ll make an updated earring collection post sometime soon. I’ve been loving hoops, rhinestones, and gold.

The Giving Keys Initial Disc Pendant + Mini Key Charm Necklace – I discovered The Giving Keys pretty late into the holiday season (and through Instagram no less) but was instantly captivated. They’re a company that employs those transitioning out of homelessness in Los Angeles to make symbolic necklaces and other jewelry out of repurposed keys. Diana gave me this beautiful pendant necklace with my initial.

The Giving Keys Rose Gold Mini Key Gift Set – She then gave me this rose gold set of a pair of earrings and mini key necklace! The Giving Keys literally discounted their whole website a week before Christmas and so she was able to get me one more gift. So generous. ❤️

Fujifilm Instax Mini Instant Film (3 Twin Packs, 60 Total Pictures) + 60 Sticker Frames + 5 Plastic Desk Frames + 10 Paper Frames + Micro-Fiber Cleaning Cloth – So I have a polaroid I purchased in May for my trip to Orlando that sits untouched and unused is my room because I ran out of film. Knowing this my sister decided to get me a polaroid package including three-pack of film rolls and several frames/accessories (will add a photo of those later). Woot! 

Bath and Body Works Pink Cashmere Body Lotion – I think body lotions are a Christmas staple. You know you’re always going to get one from somebody, maybe because it looks instantly gift-like. This one was from my cousin Christina.

Gap Body Stretch Cotton Shorty – My sister put this pair of festive cotton panties from The Gap in my stocking this year and they’re so cute! She always knows just what to pick out and brings her sense of style into my wardrobe (while still keeping in mind mine).

Tarte Paint Chrome Shadow Pot in Frosè, Morphe M518 Crease Fluff Brush & M562 Tiny Crease Blender, and Dose of Colors Creamy Lipstick in Fig – Look at this veritable treat of Christmas goodies! Nick, my boyfriend, went onto my Pinterest and picked up several beauty products for me from Ulta that was on my wish list. I’m in love with them all except the Dose of Colors lipstick (bottom right), which I had wanted in a different color – must exchange soon.

Dose of Colors Desi X Katy Eyeshadow Palette Friendcation – When the Dose of Colors Desi x Katy “Friendcation” palette launched earlier this year, of course the beauty community was abuzz with swatches, reviews, and tutorials. I was definitely interested but just couldn’t justify paying $50 for it, especially given the eyeshadow palettes I already do own. However, a certain someone got it for me!

Isn’t she beautiful? It was the last thing I expected to unwrap and I was so happy when I saw what it was. Thank you Nick! Be warned, I will be using this non-stop, which means a review and one (or several) makeup looks will be coming your way.

Macy’s Bracelet – Now this was the one wild card Nick pulled out of his hat, something I did not ask for or expect, which is a beautiful piece of jewelry. I didn’t even attempt to look this up but I do know it was from Macy’s. It’s an elegant pave/rose gold bracelet and I need to get it resized to properly fit. It’s so lovely.

Pier 1 Imports Gray Plush Pillow, Pier 1 Imports Faux Fur Lynx Blush Throw, Luxe Velvet Blush Pillow – The final feather in his cap (and some mighty big gifts I can tell you) were these two pillows I pinned on Pinterest and a luxe faux fur throw from Pier 1 Imports! In an attempt to move towards getting my own place I’m starting to collect bibs and bobs before the big transition, and really liked the aesthetic of these pieces.

Why are there four items? Because I actually bought myself the throw on the bottom right during Black Friday and he didn’t know about it! So now I have the blush pink one, too.

Erin Condren LifePlanner and Hardbound LifePlanner – I usually ask to have my parents gift me my annual Erin Condren LifePlanner purchase. This year however, I also purchased the hardbound LifePlanner as well. I plan to use the coiled one more decoratively for my personal life and the hardbound planner for work/daily tracking of spending, activities, etc. pretty planning versus “realistic” planning.

Trader Joe’s Belgian Cookie Collection – My parents used to get the classic tin of holiday cookies for the house each Christmas season, and one year they stopped doing it. I asked for it, and now they put it under the tree for me. However, this tin was missing my two favorite biscuit cookies. So as an update, they bought me the Delacre Tea Time set.

Amazon Gift Card – This was an unexpected surprise from my job. Before Christmas break they gave out a $40 Amazon gift card to everyone (in this super cute ornament). So generous and unnecessary. It’s been a long time since I’ve worked at a workplace that really gives back to its employees. Grateful. 😊

Francesca’s Earrings – My coworker Jennifer gave me these two pairs of earrings from the jewlery brand francesca’s. I know I’ve seen the brand before but I can’t place where. Either way I’m so touched by her gift!

Revlon Nail Clipper – This was a stocking stuffer from my parents. Me and Diana have misplaced nearly all the nail clippers in our possession so this was one we both got.

Furla keychain – My Aunt Carroll gave myself and my cousin and sister the pick of a few accessories from Furla (I know it’s a high-end brand but I’m not 100% sure what their aesthetic is like) as an add-on gift. I picked this little bear keychain.

Oversized Chenille Turtleneck Sweater – Living in New York, the winters are harsh so whenever I find a sweater that’s warm, cozy, and oversized, it goes into my virtual filing cabinet. Diana wanted to get me some clothing so I asked her for this turtleneck and it looks so cute! The olive green color makes it distinct.

Loft Sweater – Diana surprised me with one clothing item she chose completely on her own. I couldn’t have picked a more “me” cardigan (and from The Loft! Well done). This beautiful cream/beige shearling open cardigan is the perfect addition to my wardrobe. It’s elegant and cozy and I’m just seriously impressed.

Harry Potter Hard Cover Boxed Set: Books #1-7 – My sister probably had a 1 in 1000 chance of achieving what I didn’t think was possible – giving me my childhood back for one glimmering moment. I was sitting on the couch unwrapping gifts, when Diana pointed to one for me to open. I asked her to pass it to me but she said it was too heavy. That really surprised me. I thought, “what could be in there?” As I sat on the floor to unwrap it, I felt the excitement mounting in me. When I saw the word “Hogwarts” shown from the side, my childlike wonder rose in my chest.

As I uncovered the trunk, I saw my name and address. I incredulously opened it to find the entire Harry Potter collection, bound in beautiful hard cover. For so many years I wanted to repurchase these books after our shared copies inevitably grew old, tattered, and in complete disarray. I don’t know that I ever would have paid to get the full collection again, so this was truly the most beautiful sight and luxurious gift.

Sugarfina Bento Box – Sugarfina is a luxury candy shop that I only recently learned of, and it just so happens that my manager got me a gift from them! I’m infamous for my penchant for candy at work (no matter how hard I try to be incognito), so that makes this gift even more personal. Thanks Rick!

They’re six bento boxes of different gummy bears, all infused with champagne/rose/wine. So cute!

Violet’s Gift – My very first gift I received this year was from my coworker Violet. We work together closely and have become good friends. She got me the best combo gift ever – makeup wipes (always useful), two asian cookie snacks (yum), and a duo of nail polishes from & Other Stories. Thanks Violet.

Maxine’s Gift – So my other coworker and I have an inside joke that I’m her “starfish” because I’m constantly encouraging her (reference the starfish earrings in “Aquamarine”). So I was surprised to find out that she managed to carry that over into her Christmas gift! This wall art is so thoughtful/adorable. She also got me bag clips because my snacks live at work and they’re never securely fastened. Hehe! Thanks Maxine.

Adidas Sambas – My sister surprised me with Adidas Sambas for Christmas. I’m not much of a sneaker person but these are very nice (and it doesn’t hurt that they’re trendy). Thanks pree! Always trying to steer me into a more neutral aesthetic.

I want to give a special shoutout to the family members who graciously gave me money with which to buy whatever I want – to my Abuela, my grandparents, my uncles and aunts and my parents – I appreciate it so much.

With that I’m wrapping up this blog post! Do you have a favorite gift from this round-up? Let me know in the comments below.

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