The Monthly Edit | January

Jan 28, 20216 min read

I've been loving all kinds of things this month, including sweater vests, some great Netflix series, books that make you laugh, and hydrating face masks!

Entering into 2021 I didn't have any resolutions. I didn't feel like it was a year for resolutions, but rather a year for focusing on what I can control rather than what I can't.

With Corona freeing up all the time I would've spent going out and enjoying myself I've had a lot more time to focus on binge worthly Netflix series and falling back in love with reading and baking - thanks Rona! Sitting down with a good book and a slice of the baked good I made that week quickly became a ruital I hope will continue throughout the year.

Style - Comfort is Key

Style wise I've been focusing on comfort over everything. Sweater vests, loose demin, big winter coats and hoodies hidden under trench coats have been the January staples. Perfect for working from home or quickly nipping out for your daily walk when the sun comes out.

I used my favourite Christmas purchase to absolute death this month thanks to the cold winds - my Maje Navy Double-sided Hooded Coat! It's an absolute dream. A draw string waist, leather lined pockets, and split sides make it a modern twist of a classic navy coat. It's now my go-to pull from my wardrobe and can't believe I ever lived without it.

Shop the look // Zara shirt similar - Mango sweater vest - Tommy Hilfiger Jeans

Shop the look // & Other Stories trench coat similar - JW Pei bag similar - Mango sunglasses

Shop the look // Maje coat - Levis jeans - Khaki Zip jumper similar

Shop the look // & Other Stories trench coat - Mango glasses - Flared jersey pants - JW Pei bag similar - Nike sneakers

Netflix - Bridgerton, Lupin, and The Bling Ring

As I've spent so much time inside watching Netflix this month - not that I'm mad about it - I've watched my fair share of series.

I, much like the rest of the world, was consumed by Bridgerton and managed to watch it all in 2 days. Set during the Regency era in England (18th/19th century), the series follows the politics of the posh and powerful Bridgerton family. The period drama puts a modern twist on the Regency era with the addition of a Gossip Girl style narrator and Classical renditions of modern songs. The anonymous columnist Lady Whistledown narrates and exposes scandals, while ball attendees dance to a String Quartet version of Thank U Next, by Ariana Grande. There's wealth, lust, betrayal, stately homes, extravagant period costumes, and a sexy Duke - guaranteed not to disappoint!

I was equally enthralled by a slightly less raunchy, and more thrilling series, Lupin. Inspired by the French fictional gentleman thief Arsène Lupin (created in 1905 by French writer Maurice Leblanc), the series shows a con man with a heart of gold become an uncatchable master of deception to avenge this father. Picture Ocean's Eleven meets Le Louvre - it's no surprise it turned into a Netflix hit overnight!

In my search for an easy to watch reality series, I stumbled upon Bling Empire. The show follows a friendship group of insanely wealthy Asian and Asian American socialites as they live it up in Los Angeles - a real-life Crazy Rich Asians! What I loved about the show is that it doesn't only show lavish parties and outrageous fashion, it also shows the interesting backstories of the cast. They attend parties, and buy expensive things in one scene, and attempt to help a friend find her estranged dad in another. So it ends up really being a show about friendship and love too. A great watch if you're looking for a new reality show.

Books - Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton

This month I've been reading Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton. I've been recommended this book by many friends for ages, but finally got round to reading it when my sister gifted me the book for Christmas. I didn't think I could fall any more in love with Dolly than I already was, as I love listening to her podcast The High Low. But this book sealed the deal. Her writing is funny and sometimes heartbreaking as she recounts her coming of age story about falling in and out of love through the years.

It's an intimate memoir, about falling in love, getting drunk, getting dumped, losing friends to boyfriends, and ultimately realising that you alone are enough. Her chapters on university, and living with her female friends, felt so relatable to me, as a 22-year-old recent graduate who lived with 5 girls at uni. And I couldn't help but feel like she was a long lost friend spilling the tea over a glass of wine.

I would recommend this book to women of every age. It has personal stories, satirical observations, recipes for hungover mac and cheese and is guaranteed to make you laugh!

// Currently reading Everything I Know About Love, by Dolly Alderton //

Food - Baked goods and Burgers

I gifted my mother Nigella Lawson's new cookbook 'Cook, Eat, Repeat' for Christmas. And seen as I'm living at home I technically also gifted it to myself (the perfect kind of gift!). Together we've been experimenting with new dishes like her Southern Fried Chicken Burger with honey, garlic, and sriracha mayo and her Spiced Rice with crispy shallots - yes they were both as tasty as they sound!

I've also been indulging my sweet tooth regularly with my preferred form of Corona coping mechanism, baking, lots and lots of baking. Cinnamon rolls, Matilda-inspired Trunchbull Chocolate Cake, Carrot Cake (to name a few!), which all go perfectly with my afternoon coffee. January used to be all about new fitness goals and eating healthy for me, but this year I was not about to restrict one of the few joys I had left. Sooooo I've eaten all the cakes and I've never been happier.

I'll be posting the baking recipes on here soon so keep an eye out if you share my love of all things sweet.

Skincare - Hydrating Face Masks

Seen as I can't spend money on going out and socialising at the moment I've been spending much more money on my skincare. I've been doing a face mask once a week and putting a lot more effort into my routine. I have combination skin and struggle with dryness in the winter, so it's no surprise that my current favourite masks are hydrating ones. The Ole Henriksen Phat Glow Facial, which using PHAs and Nordic Birch Sap exfoliates, illuminates, and brightens. And the Caudalie Moisturizing Mask, which I leave on overnight to hydrate and moisturize my face. I can honestly say that my skin has been much clearer and softer since spending more time on my skin - who would've thought!

I've also used the Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil a lot over Christmas and this month. And as you can tell from the photo below I've almost finished it. I was worried about adding an oil to my skin as sometimes my skin is combination/oily, but it has actually worked really well. I use it every other evening and find it really helps with redness, evening out my skin tone, and brightening my skin. I wake up with a soft and brighten completion, and will definitely be re-purchasing it.

Except for a brief deviation from Fresh's Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream, when I thought I should try something new after finishing my fourth tub, I've been this cream's biggest fan. I use it for both my day and night cream and find it's the only cream that keeps my skin hydrated all day. Even when I worked in the French Alps and was battling the elements every day I never had a single dry patch. Which when you think about it is actually insane. It also sits beautifully under makeup.

Thought of the Month

Focus on the things that you can control, rather than the things that you can't

Like everyone, I have good days of positivity and bad days filled with worry. But I find this way of thinking helps me cope with the radical uncertainty of the time we're living in. It reminds me to refocus my energy onto things I can control like my actions.