It amazes me how fast this year has came and gone! We are literally down to the last few minutes of 2017. I am always excited about the new year, but for some reason I am even more excited about the year 2018. Cannot wait to see what this year brings for me and my family and friends.

So before we dive into 2018. I have to share my top 12 of 2017. The list is very random.

#12 Carter’s

The baby store. I never thought I would spend so much time in this store. I always thought I would buy the really cute outfits you see kids in online, but with so many fraudulent websites I hardly would buy from them. Carter’s is my go to store for my daughter. I am always able to walk out with a bag full of stuff.

While compiling this list, I was trying to think of where I shopped the most this year, for my self. Literally, no where special because I spent so much of this year shopping for my sweetheart. Like every week or so, I was coming home with outfits for her from Carter’s. This is not to say there aren’t any credible online stores that I bought from, which I did and will blog about later, but if you are anything like me, I really like the satisfaction of going into a store and getting what I need right then and there. And for that I love Carter’s.

Of course I shop with the other popular children’s stores like Janie and Jack, Gymboree, Crazy 8, and Children’s Place just to name a few, but Carter’s is my favorite. Prices never disappoint and it is so easy for me to rack up points, use their rewards system, coupons, and sales. Just love it!

As you can see in this picture, they always have a sale!

#11 Sephora Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner

This is an item that I have to get from Sephora, for obvious reasons. Later in the list you’ll understand what I mean by this. Anyway, out of my years of using eyeliner, which has been a decade plus, this is the best eyeliner I have used. It last for several hours, and the product itself last several months. I have only tried it in Class Black. However, I am sure all the colors are just as pigmented and smooth. I use it mostly for my water line, but the few times I used on my top lid, it just about as good as my Kat Von D liquid liner. Best of all, this product is only $12.

#10 NARS Radiance Primer SPF 35

If you are looking for a primer that really preps your skin for make up and protects, this one is for you. I have tried so many primers, they all fail except for this one. I am in the process of trying two new ones, which I will share more about later. But for now, this year, this one was my favorite! It lasted for several months. Just a tiny dab goes a long ways. You will not be disappointed if you try this primer. I have combination skin, and it worked really well for me. This product is about $36 and can be found at Sephora, Ulta, and some department stores.

#9 Baby’s R Us

As you can tell, I am a mommy, first Carter’s now Baby’s R Us. I love this store! Ever since I found out I was expecting, I find some reason to visit this store, at least once a month. I don’t shop here for my daughter’s everyday essentials (diapers, wipes, toiletries, and the like), but shoes, toys, car seats, stroller, books, you get the idea. One reason I prefer Baby’s R Us over Target or Wal-Mart for those items is because they have a rewards system, so basically every visit I get to use my rewards on my purchase, plus the coupons that come in the mail. Those are the perks of shopping at Baby’s R Us.

#8 Chipotle

Told you the list was random. I take-out with this restaurant at least once a week, max four times. Ever since I have changed the way I eat, I love going to Chipotle for their salad! The way I get it depends on how many carbs I have had, so mostly the lettuce at the bottom of the salad, chicken, pico de gallo, cheese, and two vinagarettes. I CANNOT eat it without the vinaigrette. When I eat it with carbs, it is pretty much the same except I add brown rice, pinto beans, and steak instead of chicken, yummy!!! So yeah, that is all for this one. Chipotle is my favorite fast food place and most dined this year.

#7 MAC Pro Longwear Concealer

For the longest time I would wear regular foundation as coverage on my face. I decided to try concealer just for my t-zone and that was not enough for me, the rest of my face felt naked. So I blended the concealer all over, and this became my everyday do. I love it! All I do is moisturize, prime, and blend the concealer onto my face with Real Techniques beauty blender. I no longer use a brush for my foundation or highlighter. I guess I could have added the Real Techniques beauty blender to my list of 2017 favorites, but now you know. This concealer can be found at the MAC store or other department stores that sell MAC products for about $23.

#6 Bath and Body Works Candles (Blueberry Sugar)

Yes, we all love Bath and Body Works 3 wick candles, but when I tell you I fell in love, I FELL IN LOVE with Blueberry Sugar. It smells so scrumptious! Absolutely my favorite candle. It just sucks that it is seasonal; hopefully, it will come out again during the 2018 holiday season. When I am looking to relax and let loose, this is the first candle I light. Like all other 3 wick candles, this one is $24.50. But… what I love about Bath and Body Works is all the coupons they mail you and store deals. So if you watch patiently, you can end up getting 2 or 3 candles around that price.

#5 MAC In Extreme Dimension Lash Mascara Black

I have tried many mascaras over the years. This is one of my favorites. Honestly, if you know how to use the wand that comes with mascara, in my opinion, pretty much any mascara can do the job. I like this one for the small bristles and how well they comb out my lashes. This product can be found at the MAC store and other department stores that offer MAC products for about $23.

#4 Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette

This palette is every bit of amazing. I love the warm tones and pigments. The colors are perfect for make-up lovers of all shades. The colors are warm and toasty and as always with Urban Decay, the names are unique. I have been using the palette, in some way, every time I wear eye shadow. This is a great palette to have in your collection. The only color I wish it had was black. The shades go from light beige to chocolate. Some are kind of like persimmon. The palette is made up of mostly mattes and a few are shimmery. This palette can be found at Ulta, Sephora, and other department stores that sell makeup. It is about $54.

#3 Ulta

Kind of silly to just list Ulta, but here is why. I used to love going to Sephora, I guess because there is some kind of hype around going to Sephora. However, Ulta is better for our dollars. Sephora only gives you mini products that you may not like for the money you spend with them. I used to think oh that’s cool. Um no. Maybe because I am a wife and mother now, I need all my bucks to be used as wisely as possible. One of my best friends helped me to see the light. She had over $200 in points to use towards her purchase. This means, that she had so many points from shopping at Ulta, that she was able to use $200 on her purchase. We went shopping together one day, and her total was $221 and some change. She only spent $21. Like OMG. Why have I been wasting my time with Sephora. So Sephora, you have been good, but Ulta is way better. From now on, I will only go to Sephora for their eye liner and my birthday gift ;). Ulta gets all of my business now. Ulta has everything Sephora does and the service is just as great! You’re welcome for opening your eyes too! 🙂

#2 Grad School

So a year goes by fast, as we all know. It took me three years to go back to school and start my graduate degree. I’ll share more about why so long later. But…I have completed one year! I am so proud of myself. It was not easy, especially with working full time and a family, yet it worked out! I am thrilled to begin my second year and to continue giving it my best shot. I strongly suggest to anyone who is thinking about going back to school to do it! Stop wasting time. Don’t settle! This is your year to get out of your comfort zone. Our comfort zone gets us no where. It may hurt, it won’t feel good, and you’ll lose sleep, but I promise it will be worth it.

This is the photo I used January 2017 for my profile pic for grad school.

#1 Motherhood

My life has been altered in such a way, and sometimes I wake up wondering how did I ever get here? And is this awesome little girl really for me? I am so blessed. I have a beautiful baby girl, she smiles all throughout the day, even when she wakes up, every single time. She makes me stronger. She makes me reach for the stars. And as I am sure you know, she is so spoiled and well loved. Together, we have conquered one year. It was full of adventures, as I do my best to expose her to as much fun and learning as possible, and I am so excited as we embark on this year’s journey. To be a mother is a blessing, and I am blessed with the cutest, smartest, brightest little angel. She makes my husband’s and I world a lot more joyful. Never a dull moment with her. She is our peace in this mad world.

She is going to be just like her mamma and be a musician. She loves music!

I really hope this list helps you guys, especially the ones on here concerning skin care, home fragrance, and reaching for your goals. This is one year for the books, as every year should be. Even in those years that may not have fully blossomed, you still learn something to help make the upcoming year even more brighter. As you travel through this upcoming year, remember you are special, you are somebody, and you matter.

Stay blessed and encouraged Jewels, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! #2018