Hiii everyone!

Okay, yes, I know I’m a little late on creating a December favorites list. Everything got so busy with the holidays that I just couldn’t write a blog fast enough! Fret not, I thought of a solution to this— creating a list of my favorite things from both December & January!

Without further ado, here’s a list of everything I enjoyed during the past two months.

As usual, I present to y’all a song for maximum vibes~

(This blog feels more chill, so I think this song pairs well)

Ilia Makeup Kit

I’ve mentioned previously how much I love Ilia makeup, yet I don’t have too much of it because it’s so expensive. During the holidays, Sephora sells makeup and skincare kits that often have multiple full-sized and trial-sized beauty products sold at a cheaper price. This past holiday season, I was given an Ilia makeup kit that includes their mascara, eyeliner, and two liquid powder eye tints.

These products are a great way to sample Ilia’s eye product staples without having to commit to their hefty price tag. Their mascara and eye liner, perfect for any look, are full-sized! I’m still learning how to do winged eyeliner (it’s hard!!) and their liner makes it so easy to apply and practice. The eye tints, one matte and one shimmery, come in gorgeous, copper peachy tones that are easier to apply than powder eyeshadow.

Open Ilia makeup kit showing a mascara, eyeliner, and liquid eyeshadow neatly placed next to each other

Strawberry Feta Salad

While planning what to eat for lunch one day, I thought a salad sounded nice and refreshing. I had no ingredients, however, except greens and strawberries. Well, then greens and strawberries for lunch it is! Since that first salad, I’ve recreated it every week, adding mandarin orange slices, almonds and pecans, feta cheese, and my own homemade dressing of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and honey. So simple and yummy!

Reading During Lunch Breaks

In efforts to lower my average screen time on my phone, I started reading during my lunch breaks. This seems like such an easy task, why would I include it on this list? Because it’s really hard to set my phone down! I have found myself instinctually grabbing my phone when I have a free moment, constantly checking my socials and mindlessly scrolling. While it is important to stay informed with what’s going on in the world and keep up to date with my friends’ lives, it is also crucial to set the phone down and give myself a mental rest.

Reading during my lunch break at work, even if it is just for a few minutes, has given me a little space to breathe and a nice rest from all the doomscrolling and double-tapping. Reading is also a great break for my eyes as well, since I stare at screens all day at work.

At the time of writing this, I’m reading Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. I chose this after reading and falling in love with her other book Mexican Gothic. Similar to Mexican Gothic, it has a bit of a slow start, so it was initially hard for me to get into it, but I can tell that Moreno-Garcia is building the scene and context around the Mayan underworld, where part of the story takes place.

Crochet Shrek Hat

When crochet Shrek hats were first trending online a couple of years ago, I asked my mom to make me one. She said she didn’t know how but could get a friend to work on it. Fast forward to this past Christmas, the request long forgotten, I had at last finally received my Shrek hat! It’s so cute and comfortable, and the perfect conversation piece for any social gathering.

Tom Nook plushie wearing the same crochet Shrek hat — A versatile piece for any person or plushie, obviously.

Trader Joe’s Winter Wake Up Tea

Cold winter mornings stand no chance against Trader Joe and his Winter Wake Up Tea. This black tea is spiced perfectly with cinnamon, orange peels, licorice, ginger, and other flavors. It’s best sweetened with honey, in my opinion, and pairs well with a morning danish or croissant.

I’m eagerly awaiting for the release of TJ’s Spring and Summer tea (half-joking, lol).

Photo of ceramic mug held up against a white backdrop with the morning sunrise shining on it

Drinking tea with the morning sunrise is one of my favorite pastimes.

Boulder Canyon Chips

Sometimes, I’m in the mood for a crunchy, kettle potato chip. While shopping at my local Sprouts, I stumbled across Boulder Canyon Chips and gave them a try. These chips are so good, I often find myself nearly finishing a bag in one sitting! I highly recommend for a perfect, salty, cronchy potato chip.

No photo for this because alas, I eat the chips way too quickly.

Have you tried any of my December & January favorites? Which are your favorites? What are you giving a try in February?

Thanks for reading, friends! See ya soon!

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