Does anyone remember the monthly favorites (and unfavorites) videos on YouTube? Well, I am bringing it back! Only in written form, because I am definitely not confident enough to start my own YouTube channel. As the months/seasons are changing, so do the things I enjoy using, wearing, and doing. And I absolutely love to live with the seasons! So it makes sense to switch things up accordingly. With January gone, and hopefully the last month of damp and cold weather before us, I thought I would tell you about all the things I have been loving this past month. So without further ado, let’s get into my January favorites!
January Favorites: Beauty
Eyecream
If you have read some of my beauty related posts already, you know that I have a thing for skincare especially. And in my Nighttime Skincare Routine, I had mentioned I didn’t really have an eye cream that worked for me. Good news: I think I found one! It is the Hyaluron Boost Anti-Wrinkle Eye cream by Bodyguardpharm (shop here). It’s got a really nice, light texture, isn’t sticky and doesn’t sting my eyes or skin (I had had that happen with a few other ones). And, as I am writing this post, it is on sale for a pretty good price. Another thing I like about it, that has nothing to do with the product itself, is the fact that it is made in Germany. Love supporting the local economy!
Face Mask
Next beauty favorite is another skincare product: The Origins Drink up Intensive Overnight Hydrating Mask. As I have said a million times on this blog, my skin is quite dry from wearing a medical mask all day. Plus the dry air from having the heating on in the house doesn’t help either. So this has been a nice addition to my night time skincare, 2-3 times per week. Usually I will do my normal skincare routine and then apply a thin layer of this over top before I go to bed.
Shampoo
Last but not least is the Kérastase Résistance Bain Thérapiste Shampoo. I actually got this in my advent calendar a little before Christmas, and have been using it 1-2 times per week. And it honestly makes such a difference to my hair! I went to the hairdressers a couple of weeks ago, and they actually complimented me on the state of my hair. I have never been more proud. The one thing I have to say about it though: it can weigh your hair down. So if you have really fine hair, maybe this isn’t the one for you. But if you have really damaged hair or use heat on it a lot, I think it is worth the investment! You only need a very small amount of product, and the container is massive, so it is probably going to last you quite a while.
January Favorites: Books
Pride & Prejudice – J. Austen
These days, unfortunately, I don’t make enough time to read. But I did manage to read 3 books that I really enjoyed. The first one is a classic: Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen. Although it is over 200 years old, I had not gotten around to read it. Plus I don’t think I would have liked it 10 years ago. But thanks to my growing obsession with the UK and its culture, I really enjoyed reading it. Summed up in one sentence: It’s about 3 sisters finding love. Sounds very cheesy, but it turned out to be quite a page turner for me. And it reminded me of Bridgerton Season 2 sooo much! So if you enjoyed watching that, definitely give this one a read. After reading it, I also watched the movie, which I would actually recommend as well.
Think Again – A. Grant
The next book I finished in January is Think Again by Adam Grant. This one I actually listened to during my lunch break walks on Audible. Summed up in one sentence: It’s about making you think again in all regards – life, career, relationships – to embrace being wrong or changing your mind. I think the books message is incredible. In our society, unfortunately, we are way too afraid to make mistakes. Adam Grant is actually encouraging you to make them, to try new things, to rethink your old habits and routines. To come out the other end as a better person. To improve your business/product/career. To encourage others to try new things or think again. To teach others to think for themselves, rather than take what others do or say for granted. There’s a lot of helpful advice all throughout the book, so I’d highly recommend to read/listen to it.
Spoon-Fed – T. Spector
The last book in my January favorites is the book I am currently reading: Spoon-fed by Tim Spector. I came across the author in a podcast I listened to (see the podcast section down below) and really liked his approach to health and nutrition. I am a little over half-way through the book now and it’s easily in my January favorites! In it, he is debunking a lot of common myths or misconceptions about nutrition and health. Touching on subjects like supplements, salt intake, veganism and even nutrition during pregnancy, I think it is a great book for everybody to read. Even if you are someone that is really into their food & nutrition, you might be surprised how many things we took as a given aren’t actually backed up by science. Or are just outright wrong.
January Favorites: Podcasts
The Diary of a CEO
Apparently, all my favorite things come in threes, because once again, three podcasts/episodes have made it into my January favorites.
First of which is The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett, Episode 209 with Dr Tim Spector: The Shocking New Truth About Weight Loss, Calories & Diets. In this episode, Dr Spector already touches on a few of the topics he discusses in his books, one of which being Spoon-Fed. He did a great job explaining all about weight loss, diets, etc. to people that don’t really know much about it. It also reinsured me in my aversion to counting calories and made me question a few things I do for my health, such as taking a fish oil-supplement. If you struggle to lose weight or keep it off, give this episode a listen. It’s probably not your “fault” after all.
Next in my January favorites is another episode of The Diary of a CEO: Episode 211 with Dr Tali Sharot. The reason I clicked on it wasn’t actually the title (How To Increase Your Salary By $33.000 With One Small Change), but rather the teaser Steven uploaded to his Instagram. In it, Dr Sharot was talking about happiness, and how having children actually decreases it. And the same goes for marriage. Very intriguing! (Before anybody calls her cold hearted: She does have a few kids of her own). Furthermore, they also discuss how different ways of talking to people can get you to your goal (i.e. a higher salary), they talk about optimism and manifestation.
ZOE Science & Nutrition
Lastly, I would like to recommend the ZOE Science & Nutrition podcast as a whole. It’s another project of Dr Spectors, and I only discovered it this month. So I have been listening to all kinds of episodes, from how chocolate is good for you to why fat isn’t innately bad. They cover a huge variety of topics, so there are going to be some episodes for each of us.
January Favorites: Everything Else
This category of my January favorites I have been most looking forward to, because I want this to be the place where I get to reflect on things that happened, accomplishments, etc. By sharing them with you not only am I going to be taken back to those happy times, but in a few months or years time I can look back and remember everything that happened.
Again, there are three things I want to mention, and all of them are CrossFit related:
- Managed to unlock kipping pull-ups! Still not able to do more than 5 in a row, but wasn’t even able to do 1 last month!
- Was able to do a few Rx workouts this month. This could be down to them being easier, but I refuse to believe that. In the past months, the Rx weights/movements had been too advanced for me, so I am super happy to be getting stronger & learning new skills.
- Signed up for my first CrossFit competition – The German Showdown. Going to do the first qualifier workouts on Saturday, very excited!
I’m just generally very happy with my performance in the gym right now and very excited to see what the future holds! There are so many more things/movements I want to learn. As they say, CrossFit never gets easier, you unlock one thing and are faced with 100 new ones…
Closing Thoughts
Although quite hectic and stressful, January was a good month for me. But to be honest, I am kind of wishing for winter to be over already, I could really do with some sun. Frankfurt has been way to dark and grey lately.
If you have any favorite products or even moments for January 2023, please let me know in the comments!
Lots of Love,
Lena
Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored.