I’m actually having a randomly really lovely January, and I certainly can’t attribute to the week of twenty-below windchill Minnesota is currently enduring. A few bright sunny spots I’m loving:
Food: Target’s Nashville Hot salad kits, this elote chowder (which I whipped up over my lunch break today), and LiveItUp greens powder every am - a shockingly not-unpleasant way to start the day when mixed into a pint of water and chugged as fast as possible through a straw. Not food technically, nor is the “Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride” Celestial Seasonings tea I’m drinking by the quart, but whatever gets you through a January day, amirite?
Movement: Yoga with Adriene’s 30 day “Flow” challenge is making my life. She has such a soothing voice, the flows are all under half an hour (I’ve been stacking two back to back to get a good long practice in), and Bou adorably loves to watch her videos along with me.
TV: I’m currently binge-ing “Selena + Chef” on HBO, which features many of the chefs I’ve been privileged to meet through the Spoon and Stable Synergy Series (Nancy Silverton, Curtis Stone, Marcus Samuelsson, Jon & Vinny come to mind…). It’s frothy and delightful and makes me want to cook every day. I also can’t get enough of “The Established Home” on Discovery+, watched “Mr. Selfridge” on PBS during peak arctic freeze, and am looking forward to starting Apple TV’s “Lessons in Chemistry.”
Books: Currently cracking up over/nodding in concurrence with Blythe Roberson’s “How to Date Men When You Hate Men,” HAHAHA. Starting 2024 off on the right note for sure. I just finished listening to “Lessons in Chemistry” and found the narration grating but the story delightful. Will also plug “Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma” by Claire Dederer - my sister, her boyfriend and I had a mini book club over the holidays after reading it, and it was so thought-provoking and rich to unpack.
Home: I’m tracking the candles I burn this year because I’m never happy than when I’m lighting money on (scented, ambiance-enriching) fire. Currently burning a “Cinnamon Donuts and Coffee” scented candle by Swan Creek Candle Co, and it’s exactly the cozy, gourmand warmer needed this time of year. Also will plug the Michel Design Works Cedar and Rose soap I just put out in my kitchen and my double humidifiers in my dry-as-a-bone bedroom.
Self-Care: I treated myself to an infrared sauna blanket from LifePro after Christmas and it’s such a great way to warm up when I inevitably get really chilled in the winter. I tuck myself into it in bed and it’s so relaxing to sweat and be cozy. I also live for my Aire facial steamer, Burts Bees Coconut Foot Cream, and Jo Malone body cream…working through a little sampler of Wood Sage and Sea Salt and I feel like I might need to get the full-size perfume, I’m enjoying it so much…
Looking forward to next week’s high thirties and a trip to CA in early Feb - til then, cheers to hunkering down and cozying up!