Cheryl Shops

We're not quite two months into 2025 and, well, what a year it's been so far. If you're into numerology, 2025 is a 9 year (e.g. its individual digits add up to the number 9), which apparently is a time of transformation, letting go, self-love, creativity, and emotional healing. It represents the end of a cycle and the beginning of a new one, which sounds good enough to me—hopefully the messiness of the first few months of the year is part of the process. (And we should trust the process!) My birthday is on Sunday, and while I've already got a whole list of things I want to manifest in 2025, here's what's on my birthday wish list. 

Like millions of Americans, I watched the Super Bowl a few weeks ago, mostly for Kendrick Lamar's halftime performance, which was incredibly powerful and layered. Also, like millions of Americans, I was transfixed by Kendrick's flare jeans, which, according to various sources, were the $1,200 Celine Marco jeans. When it comes to men's jeans, slim has been the dominant silhouette for close to 20 years now (even in the slouchy-slim variation that a lot of people in the hip-hop community tend to prefer), so when someone in the spotlight flips the denim script in such a dramatic fashion—particularly in jeans that fit as well as Kendrick's did—I pay attention. Did we just experience a major style zeitgeist moment or a flash in the pan? Are flare jeans in style again? Let's dive in. 

For my birthday a few years ago, I decided to try eyelash extensions for the first time ever, and I loved them. I got a volume set (e.g. 3–4 additional lashes to each natural one) but kept the length and curl more natural-looking so it didn't look like I had tarantulas stuck to my eyelids. The best part was the "I woke up like this" effect plus the fact that I had to wear very little makeup otherwise, and it was enough to convince me to keep up with the habit for a few months, getting the lashes "filled" every 3 weeks at $90 a pop (plus tip). At some point, I realized this was not the most cost-effective beauty routine, so I sadly let it go. Of course, ever since then, I've tried multiple lash serums in the hopes of achieving a similar effect by way of growing my own lashes. While some have done...something, none have worked nearly as well as Revitalash Advanced Eyelash Conditioner. After years of it not being available in California (more on that in a minute), I finally got my hands on a tube in November of last year. Revitalash provided me with this product for free with no obligation to review, however the following are my honest and unfiltered opinions. 

This is the time of year when I tend to get the outfit blahs. It's cold and dark and wet, and all you want to do is wear something cozy...but that gets uninspiring after awhile. You may be tempted by all of the spring stuff rolling into all the stores and websites, but if you're like me, you're trying to be responsible and not go out and buy a whole bunch of new stuff just because you're tired of what you already own. Whenever I start to feel this way, I like to take a look at the pieces in my closet that I love but haven't worn in awhile, then try to find new ways to wear them (okay, maybe with some things I've bought more recently). Here are some of my favorite outfits that I've put together recently.