Since January is already more than halfway over, it feels a little late to do a full 2025 recap. Honestly, it was a weird year for me anyway, so a shorter, abridged look back at the past year is more exciting to me, anyway! I’m going to share six favorites from the past year – some that are “things,” and some that are experiences. These are just some of the things that stick out to me when I think back!

Tilt Beauty

I still can’t believe that Tilt Beauty exists – a beauty brand that has accessibility at the heart of everything they do, and with products that you actually want to use. I think I’ve had the chance to try everything they’ve put out so far – their Grip Stick lip balms, mascara, lip liners, and even their new lipsticks – and there hasn’t been one that has disappointed me yet. Whether or not you need accessible, adaptive products or not, they’re great – the fact that I can use them totally independently is just a (huge) bonus. You can use the code HEATHER10 for 10% off everything at Tilt Beauty!

Traveling to Celebrate Friends

This summer, most of the trips I took were to celebrate friends and be their for the big life milestones – lots of babies this year, ha! It was a different kind of summer vacation than something relaxing, but I really loved them. The older I get, the more I appreciate being able to be there for friends to celebrate these moments, but also just prioritizing the connections in general. Keeping up friendships can be hard work! We’re all busy and have so much going on all the time, and I don’t take for granted people wanting me to be there to celebrate the big moments with them. I also really appreciate that my friends understand how challenging travel can be for me, and they went out of their way to make things as easy as possible. To be seen is to be loved!

Denman Hairbrush

I haven’t quite been able to convince myself to invest in a Maison Pearson hairbrush (yet!), but I have been using this nylon and boar bristle brush from Denman for a full year now, and it’s a great, more cost-effective option. I use it on dry hair only (this is key), and it does a great job at getting through and tangles with the nylon bristles, and also distributing my scalp’s natural oils with the boar bristle ones. I slight warning, though, is that the bristles can be sharp! So be careful around your hairline, or you’ll find yourself with an angry scratch on your face.

All Things Tinned Fish

2025 really was the year that tinned fish was in again, and I am not complaining. From eating it (Fishwife is seriously amazing) to wearing it (I have both a fish dress and a tinned fish clutch, plus a sardine necklace), tinned fish are everywhere. I still am trying to convince my friends that they’d like a tinned fish board as much as they like a charcuterie board, but we’ll get there eventually. In the meantime, I highly recommend snacking on some smoked rainbow trout from Fishwife the next time you’re looking for a little something.

Red Light Mask

I still have to get a full review of my LED Red Light Mask up (mine is this one from Therabody), but this was definitely one of my top beauty purchases of 2025. When I use it consistently, I find that my face just looks brighter and clearer, and the little fine lines are way less noticeable than usual. I also find that it really helps speed up the healing process of breakouts! Just be careful when you’re buying one, and make sure you’re doing the research – if it’s super cheap, it probably doesn’t have the necessary strength to actually be effective.

Heated Rivalry

Finally… this wouldn’t be a “2025 favorites” list if I didn’t include Heated Rivalry! I know I only knew about this series from about one month in 2025, but you wouldn’t believe that based on how much I talk about it. Not only is the series (books and show!) the perfect representation of queer joy that we all desperately need right now… but the way this has brought me closer with friends who are similarly obsessed with the show? It’s just been so much fun to talk about and re-watch and let it collectively consume us. There was a lot of bad in 2025, I’m really glad I was able to end the year at the cottage with Shane and Ilya and all of our closest friends.