My January Loves

So it’s January 76th apparently. For real, why is this January so long? It has been frigid here in Canada and after the excess (both monetary and food/alcohol) of the holidays I have felt in a total funk. However, there are a few little things that have brightened up the grey days and helped spur me on towards February. I thought that I would compile a monthly list of things that I’ve been loving every month in the hopes that maybe they can bring a little sunshine to your life too

Make up/beauty products

Garden of Wisdom (GOW) acids and serums
I was given a set of GOW products for Christmas and I’ve been using them religiously for a month and I must say I’m really impressed with my results so far. My skin was really dull from being inside (and maybe not taking care of it over the holidays but that’s a tiny detail) and these little beauties have really given me a refresh. I got the hyaluronic acid, Anti-Aging Multi-Peptide, niacinamide and the eye contour serum and I’ve been layering them daily. There’s a longer post in the works breaking down how I use these products and the results I’ve had. So far, so good.

St. Tropez self tanner
I love a bit of colour but my 30 year old skin cannot take being fried not to mention the health implications of sunbeds. I’ve been using self tanner for years and wouldn’t be without my weekly spray tan when I lived in Wales. I’ve struggled to find a good variety of sunless tanners here in Canada so I went back to the original, and arguable the best, one on the market. It is amazing how a tan can boost your mood and just make you feel glowy and gorgeous on the coldest winter days. It’s a little on the pricey side but it does last for ages and the colour is great. No tangerine hands in sight (if you tan, then you know). I highly recommend using a mitt to apply (again, if you tan, then you KNOW).

                         

Charlotte Tilbury ‘The Feline Flick’ eyeliner
I am obsessed with this eyeliner and I don’t think I can say a bad word about it. Charlotte Tilbury is a genius when it comes to make up! It’s a little bit of luxe in my daily routine and it just makes me happy. Also, I have to say that my daily cat eye has been on point since receiving it. Read more about this product in my review post. 

What I’m reading

‘The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up’ by Marie Kondo
Yeah I jumped on the bandwagon and I’m not ashamed. This is an amazing book and it really helps you understand the philosophy behind decluttering and organizing which in turn helps you stay dedicated to living a tidier life.

“An Almost Perfect Christmas’ by Nina Stibbe
I absolutely adored “Love Nina” and I couldn’t wait to get stuck into this one. I love her dry, British sense of humour and sharp observations. It is taking me a while to get through (thank you little children) and I’m not quite as fond on it as I was “love Nina” but it does make me smile.

What I’m Watching

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
This hilarious show is on Prime right now and I’ve been watching it whenever I can sneak an episode throughout the day. The basic premise is Midge Maisel has been left by her philandering husband and in a drunken stupor she goes to a comedy club and performs a raw and frankly hysterical stand up act. After that she defies stereotypes and goes on to become a comedic hit and a strong, single woman.

The Bachelor (don’t judge me)
I can’t help it. My husband goes to hockey every Monday night and I spend the evening watching trashy TV with a facemask on. It is glorious and I am unapologetic about it. Yes the show is terrible but there’s something so simple about watching a group of women fight over a so-so bachelor. I cannot believe that after all thse seasons they can still find some absolutely crackers people willing to go on this show.

What I’m listening to

Bastille
I am listening non-stop to Bastille on my Alexa right now. I love all the songs and their cover songs are amazing. I mean who doesn’t want to hear Greenday in a British accent. I highly recommend giving these guys a cheeky listen.

What I’m wearing

Cozy snow boots
It is cold AF here still and I just want to look pretty. I am so fed up with being frumpy I cannot even begin to explain (if you follow my Instagram you’ll probably be sick of my whining!)

Fluffy sweaters

I’ve promised to stop shopping mindlessly this year and so far, so good. I purchased a really cosy jumper from H&M in the sale for $20 and I haven’t taken it off. I’m going to try and hold off now until spring. I cannot wait to get my hands on some summer dresses!

    

What I’m feeding my soul with

This sounds so new age but I’m trying to focus on feeding my soul this year. I want to be a happier, healthier and more positive person and I’m doing that by doing little things that make me happy.

Organizing my life 

I am a littttttle bit obsessed with finding joy and tidying after all the Marie Kondo-ing. I have to say that there is a lot of substance to the madness. Decluttering your home of things that no longer serve you opens up space for things that bring you happiness. We attribute sentiment onto inanimate objects and seem to have a hard time letting go. I feel so much calmer since throwing my frumpy, old clothes out and I have a renewed focus for the type of person I want to grow to be this year.

Making my physical health a priority

Confession, I haven’t really worked out since Emmy was born. I know it’s awful but I’ve been so busy with life that I let myself slip by the wayside. At Christmas I felt so uncomfortable in my own skin I couldn’t stand it. Now I’m not saying I’m overweight and I’m certainly not fishing for compliments but I cannot stand that I let myself go when fitness used to be a passion of mine. It’s not my goal to be a size zero but I would like to be around for as long as possible for my girls and now I’m 32 I realize that I do actually have to take care of myself. My heart rate has been through the roof since having Aria and since working out daily and eating right it has come down almost 10bpm! The proof is in the pudding (or the Kale salad) it seems.  All I’m doing is giving myself 30 minutes a day to do a spin session or yoga in my basement while one kid naps and the other plays independently by my side. I give them 12 hours every day so I see nothing wrong with a little half hour for myself. Plus, seeing me work out is good for them and their perception of health and fitness as a normal part of life instead of a punishment.

So there are a few little things that I have been loving this month. Yes it has been EXTREMELY cold, yest it has been snowy, yes I am poor from Christmas but I have found a little joy in these things and that’s all that matters. What has helped you through the Monday of months?

Here’s to February my friends and coasting towards spring!