I have officially come full circle on this blog: exactly one year ago, I published my first monthly favorites post. Definitely go check it out, because I still absolutely adore everything I wrote about in that post. But as I am forever adding to the list of things & products I love, here are my 2024 January favorites!
January Favorites: Beauty
Redken All Soft Hair Mask
I have already spoken about the shampoo and conditioner from the Redken All Soft range in my all time favorite hair care products quite a while ago. But I never got around to trying their intense treatment hair mask until recently, after receiving it as part of my amazing advent calendar (thanks again babe <3).
And unsurprisingly, I absolutely love it! This hair mask makes my hair so nice and soft, it’s unbelievable. The only downside to it (and this is a very nice problem to have): my hair gets so soft that styling it into curls isn’t really an option, as they just won’t last. That, however, is a price I am willing to pay!
Rituals Jing Hand Mask
Another beauty product from my advent calendar that made it into my January favorites is the Rituals “Ritual of Jing” night rescue hand mask. I would say this hand cream is best used at night, as it is rather “heavy” and leaves your skin feeling a little greasy. Not really something I would look for during the day, but perfect for at night!
So far, it has saved my hands from the frosty temperatures outside – usually my hands get really dry and even cracked during the colder months. I don’t use it every single night, I don’t think it’s really necessary. But 2-3 times a week is what works perfect for me!
And as with all Rituals products, the scent of this hand mask is to die for! Sandalwood and lavender help you unwind and prepare for a restorative night’s sleep!
January Favorites: Podcasts
Scamanda
I haven’t shared a podcast in my favorites in a while, but found such a great one this month! It’s called Scamanda, hosted by Charlie Webster. The podcast is about Amanda Riley, who scammed people for their money by pretending to have cancer, going above and beyond to let everybody just how ill she was via very detailed blog or instagram posts. Which brought her over 100.000 $ in donations – cash, cheques & gift cards not included.
The eight part series goes into detail how she did it, and how her lies eventually caught up with her.
January Favorites: Books
Lauren Liess – Feels Like Home
Since moving to the new flat (which isn’t so new anymore – we have been living here for 6 months already!), I have been reading a lot of home/interior design books. Feels Like Home by Lauren Liess was one that I really enjoyed! As the title suggests, this book offers helpful tips on how to make a house feel like home. How to make it super comfy, cozy & relaxing. Which is precisely what I am after with styling our home!
I would describe Lauren’s style as laid back, modern American countryside living, with a few elegant twists and touches. Of course, we all have different things we do and don’t like. But I never take somebody’s design ideas as gospel, but rather as inspiration. I always like to put my own little spin on it, to make it more true to me. After all, I need to feel at home. Not somebody else.
January Favorites: TV Shows
The Gilded Age
If you’re a fan of Downton Abbey, HBO’s The Gilded Age should be right up your street! Set in the US in the golden years of the 1880’s, you get to follow the lives of various characters – some being part of the “old money” society, while others have just recently made it. Is it utterly exciting? No, but really quite entertaining! Plus it made me think about stereotypes a lot – and there are many in this show! Not just the “differences” between old and new money, but also men and women, as well as people of color and white people.
That’s it already for my January favorites, guys! I feel like this month absolutely flew by, and I didn’t really get to try a lot of new things… But alas, there is always something I can report on, right?
Lots of Love,
Lena
Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored.