Welcome to Big Spender, an interactive shopping column delivered to your inbox every Tuesday. In these issues, you will find links to items on my shopping wishlist along with recent good buys and product that sold out before I got the chance to buy. Enjoy & happy shopping!
We’ve officially entered the time of year where everyone is obsessing over their yearly Spotify wrapped. I compared similarities with friends and family, but more than anything, I've seen how much these yearly recaps have flooded social media. Alongside Spotify Wrapped, there is Apple Music Replay, creating equivalent end of year music centered recaps but not nearly as talked about.
I am a loyal Apple Music user, but for music specifically. My 2024 replay results were of no surprise to me. If anything, I was very impressed by my loyalty to artists and genres I love. I am embrace how I am to my core.
This year, I learned to embrace who I am to my core and do whatever I can to lean into it. When I love something, I am consistent. Hence, why my most listened to albums this year and last are both by SZA. Her music carries a freeing feeling. Songs like Good Days, Go Gina, Luther are inspiring because they are filled with feelings of wanting to embodying everything you are in the present and future.
The analytics of my music choices inspired me to take a “wrapped” approach to my wardrobe in 2024 as well.

Almost every item I’ve acquired throughout the year has been very classic pieces that have a fun twist. For example, these silver Onitsuka Tiger 66 have easily been my most worn shoe this year. The ways to style are endless, and the sneaker itself is insanely comfortable to walk around the city in.
Wandering around the city, hopping from coffee shops to farmers markets to dog parks, bookstores, intimate boutiques, and more is my favorite part of living in the city. Getting dressed has and will always be a spiritual process for me. I like to open my closet and feel inspired. That way, sifting through my closet for what to wear feels freeing, and I get to be creative in the way I intertwine the pieces.
As important as fashion is to me, practicality is also. In the Fall and Winter, I need to feel warm, so I splurge on polished wool coats and cashmere sweaters. This fine-gauge cashmere sweater from Reformation has been my most worn sweater of the Fall. I love it because it’s one of those pieces that can just be thrown on without thought. It has the perfect shrunken fit, can be easily layered with a white tee underneath to casually poke out of, satin pants, white sneaker. Boom. Too easy. The more I gush about this sweater, the more I realize it’s a sign that I need to add more colors to my rotation.
I also fell in love with Buck Mason this year. It was an instant connection. As I was walking home from the nail salon on a random Saturday afternoon, I decided to pop into my favorite coffee shop in my neighborhood. On the way over, I walked past Buck Mason, paused to look through the window, then kept on my way. A few feet later, I walked into the coffee shop, grabbed my latte, and made a B line for Buck Mason again. I left the store about half an hour later with a bag of goodies and a hit to my credit card balance.
I have been living in their slub tee and ribbed scoop neck tanks ever since and desperately need to go back for a few more colors.
Another major obsession of mine this year were the Levi’s Baggy Dad jeans. These baggy jeans remain superior to all of my other denim in my closet. The perfectly slouchy fit and lightweight fabric literally make them feel like sweatpants which is exactly why I continue to wear them.
When I love something, I really love it.
Some other examples are:

In the Spring, I was constantly reaching for this heavyweight Mariner sweater. I love how the stripe is equally as grounded in Black as it is in Bone. The ease of the silhouette is perfect for those moments where you just want to throw something on and go.
I had been on the hunt for a barn jacket for a while when this Everlane barn released. It was, by far, my most worn casual jacket this Fall.
I am a big fan of SKIMS for their underwear, pajamas and loungewear (so basically everything). This sweats set is extremely comfortable for at-home wear. The only tweak I would like in the sweatpants is the option for a shorter inseam for the under 5’5 girlies like me.
Aritzia, by far, makes the best sweats I’ve ever owned. They are perfect for lounging around the house, wearing to the airport, grabbing quick early morning coffee, dog walks, and so many more things.
I bought this Anthropologie bag at least 3 ago, yet I continue to wear it every Fall. The size makes it the perfect errands bag.
These Doc Marten suede slingbacks (sold out, here’s something similar) are the most comfortable pair of slip on shoes I own. The versatility and elevation of such a casual shoe is too good to not wear with everything.
As someone who has a short torso but also someone who just embraces my inner Gen Z, mid rise bottoms are my best friends. These bias cut satin pants from Reformation are the most convenient pair of throw on and go pants I own. The comfort and elevated look are impeccable.
That’s all for this week’s newsletter. I hope you enjoyed & happy shopping!
xx, Niya
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