XOXO Leah: 2023 Ins and Outs List

By Leah Keith

Hellooooo everyone and welcome back. It’s been a while since I did one of these, so here’s a little life update. So far in 2023, I took a social media cleanse, deep cleaned every inch of my suite, downloaded sudoku and chilled. A great start to the new year.

For my first article of 2023, I wanted to give all of you my personal ins and outs list. If you are unfamiliar with that phrase, an ins and outs list is pretty self-explanatory—I tell you what I think is in and out for 2023. Of course, you don’t need to take my advice or anything … chase your bliss. With that disclaimer, let’s get started!!!

IN: live music and local artists

OUT: ticketmaster

Love concerts so much but hate Ticketmaster with my entire being. I usually buy my tickets from AXS, and most of my non-stadium tour tickets are around $2o, more or less. I love First Avenue, 7th Street Entry and all of the other local venues. Small venues over Xcel Energy Center any day of the week.

Substack article by Rayne Fisher-Quann

IN: substack articles

OUT: tiktok

TikTok is slowly rotting our brains, and we all must delete it immediately if we have any chance of survival. Seriously. Anyway, since the summer, I’ve been loving substack articles, and my favorite writer at the moment is Rayne Fisher-Quann. Definitely recommend the article pictured above, “standing on the shoulders of complex female characters” … so fire.

IN: aquaphor

OUT: chapstick

Aquaphor over chapstick any day. I feel like I have to keep re-applying chapstick, whereas aquaphor is good for a while. It’s a bit bulkier than chapstick, but that’s the only downside. Since using aquaphor, my lips are softer and more kissable than ever before! Just ask my girlfriend. 

IN: intimate relationships

OUT: massive social circles 

Now, I’m not telling you to get rid of all your friends, just saying that you don’t need to hang out with everyone, all the time, all at once. Pick and choose based on the occasion and vibe. Also, only be friends with people who you actually like. You don’t need to be friends with everyone. 

IN: gchat

OUT: dms

Unsure of when gmail added a chat button and why I had never used it before college, but wow I love it so much. For me, gchat is THE new social media. I can text people on my laptop, which I love. I know mac users could probably already do that before, but as a windows user, gchat comes in clutch. 

IN: lamps

OUT: LED strips

Okay, let’s talk about the LED strip phase that we all went through during quarantine. I’m not one to hate on people for their decoration, so if these strips still bring you joy, keep them up. However, I think lamps are timeless and a great way of avoiding overhead lighting, so I always keep my eye out for cute ones at thrift stores. 

IN: deep cleaning 

OUT: hollywood cleaning

I recently learned on the internet that the term “hollywood clean” means when you only clean enough for your place to look nice, but you ignore getting into the spaces that often accumulate the most buildup. Whether that’s the pile of clothes in your closet or the layer of old food in your air fryer, I’d definitely recommend doing more of a deep clean in 2023. 

IN: snow days

OUT: distance learning days 

The other day, I asked my 9-year-old cousin how school was going, and she mentioned that she had a distance learning day during a snowstorm. HUHH?? You’re telling me that elementary school kids no longer find the joy of waking up to a layer of snow on the ground and a call from the district saying school is canceled?? So sad.

IN: warm jackets and winter accessories

OUT: wearing just a sweater when it’s literally snowing 

We live in Minnesota—please wear a jacket, maybe even some earmuffs and mittens. I don’t care if it ruins your outfit. If you can’t style an outfit for the weather, then maybe figure that out first before bracing the cold without some warm layers.

Asking Katies what’s in and out 

Featuring Liz Bolsoni ‘23 (Communication Studies) and Maeve Kelly ‘26 (Psychology)

For this section of the article, I decided to ask a St. Kate’s senior and a freshman what’s in and out for 2023. Let’s see what they have to say …

Bolsoni ‘23 (she/they)

IN: watches 

OUT: not knowing the time

IN: nose studs 

OUT: nose rings

IN: Oud Silk Mood MFK

OUT: baccarat rouge 540 MFK

Kelly ‘26 (she/her)

IN: realistic camo

OUT: abstract camo

IN: omelet w/ toast

OUT: breakfast sandwich  

IN: concealer

OUT: foundation 

Thank you for your input, Bolsoni and Kelly. On my way to buy realistic camo and Oud Silk Mood MFK at this very moment. 

I hope you all find this list of 2023 ins and outs helpful! If you disagree with anything written in the article, that’s okay, follow your dreams. Put up LED light strips and wear short sleeves in a snowstorm. You do you.

Happy spring semester—good luck with your new classes and have a great new year,

xoxo Leah