MONTHLY FAVOURITES #32

I mean, where has this month gone? In my last post, I was talking about how I have personally been easing into 2017 more gently and with ease. And I am planning on continuing to do so in the coming months! Gone are the days of constant stress an worrying; I am genuinely taking it so much slower than ever (and my body and mind is loving it). …and here are some other bits I have been loving this past month!

First up, I thought I´d share my favourite bag candy from Saint Laurent, and what is my first ever navy bag! It´s a stunning midnight blue colour (which in some lights look black) – and I love the subtle difference. Navy goes with literally everything, and the shape is perfect. All in all, a great buy; a little belated Christmas present – from me, to me. 

I am not a big lipstick girl. Don´t get me wrong, I own about 4o (and that´s after a recent make-up clear up!). I love the idea of wearing and suiting lipstick (especially red ones) – and although occasionally I wear it on a night out; I am such a low maintenance girl when it comes to my day-to-day make-up. Hence why I am totally obsessed with Clinique´s new collaboration with crayon brand Crayola, with this Chubby Lip Crayon Box; a set of eight chubbies, which both moisturise and tint! Perfect for a more natural look, leaving a more subtle sheen. The best buy. 

Continuing on beauty…

I am so excited to be working with Elemis this year as one of their Brand Ambassadors (!). It´s a dream come true as I´m such a genuine and long-standing fan of the skincare and brand (which I am sure you have noticed all these years). Over the next 12 months I will be sharing my favourite products with you, hosting a few events and lots more exciting things in the pipeline, so stay tuned… One of their latest releases, the Hydra-Boost Serum, is my current fave – and I will be sharing exactly why it´s my new go-to, in just a few weeks…

With this temperamental January weather, I am loving Aveda´s Smooth Infusion Style-Prep Smoother – with an exclusive plant infusion derived from organic aloe, maize and guar bean – to keep my mane nice and soft. Bye bye frizz! 

I literally cannot live without Earth Tu Face´s Skin Stick – an all-purpose balm for face, lips & body for protective hydration and skin healing. The botanical salve is packaged in a 100% compostable tube, with organic olive oil (rich in minerals and vitamins), pure beeswax (healing and protective qualities), Antiseptic Vetiver root (speeds the rate of tissue rebuilding and fades scars), Geranium (calms skin irritations while providing nutritive aid to cells, and Lavender (relieves inflammation). Worth every penny. 

I´ve always been a bit sceptical to Retinol, but been curious to try it out for a while. Quite ironic, as on one hand, I am such a big fan of natural skincare… However, I decided to give it a go while back, and so far so good… Retinol is an antioxidant derivative of vitamin A, which helps speed up cell turnover for existing skin damage, and interrupts the free-radical damage process (from the environment, and general ageing), to prevent the likes of wrinkles and spots from forming. I have been using SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3, formulated with high concentrations of pure retinol and enhanced with stabilisation and delivery technologies to help ensure effective absorption. I started using it once a week, to every other day, and now I am using it most nights…

The perfect leopard faux fur from JD Williams… Because every girl or women should own one (in my opinion) – to add a bit of fun and edge to your look – no matter what age!

It was about time I invested in a new, fresh pair of adidas Stan Smith´s. I have pretty much worn my others to death, and there is nothing like a fresh pair of new kicks, to start off the New Year!

I am currently loving superfood powders from The Raw Chocolate Company – more specifically, Raw Lucuma Powder and Raw Acai Powder. I love Lucuma as it´s nutritious and naturally sweet, derived from the Lucuma fruit tree (a malty, biscuity flavour) – so ideal to sweeten your food (smoothies, desserts, pastries…), in a natural and healthy way. An added bonus being it´s filled with beta carotene, iron, zinc, vitamin B3, calcium, and protein. Acai (pronounced ah-sigh-EE) is a small, purple berry with a thin flesh and large stone. It’s flavour is similar to a berry flavoured chocolate, so it goes great in cacao smoothies! Acai berries have become synonymous with slowing down signs of ageing, promoting good health, extremely high in anthocyanins, and a form of plant antioxidant associated with the ability to lower cholesterol levels in the blood stream. In other words, a true superfood.

Other favourites include my new hexagonal flat lenses from Ray-Ban. I have been obsessed with the round ones, and this shape is just as good, and makes a change from the the other ones (which I´ve worn on repeat all summer).

I am banishing plastic bottles in favour of glass (did you know how many chemicals inside plastics leach into food and drink?!). My new favourite water bottle belongs to Miu, made out of high-grade borosilicate glass, which is resistant to chemicals and severe temperature changes (and it looks pretty cute too).

Another great leather buy, is this super chic watch from Farer, in the most beautiful navy colour (perfect match to my new navy bag). With the fresh white dial, silver numerals and gold skeleton hands – it´s super chic and classic. A timeless watch I will have forever.

And probably one of my favourite cook books to date (and that´s saying a lot), is the Nordic Light by Simon Bajada. Filled to the brim with healthy, wholesome and beautiful Scandinavian inspired recipes. It´s literally so incredible, you need to check it out.  And obviously for me, it gives me the homely feeling.