January 2020 in Review

As the meme goes, "January was a tough year but we did it." How is it possible for a single month to feel so damn long? And somehow February feels halfway over, it's crazy. The first month of the year is always a quiet one for me. It's a month I use to recoup and reset after always, always ending the previous year on a crazy note (why is this? I'm already dreading the 2020 holidays). Below, I'm recapping a few things I learned, read, bought and liked in January 2020:

Read: At the beginning of the year I realized I was spending way too much time scrolling my phone at night, especially when I don't have a book lined up on my Kindle or sitting on my nightstand, so I've been making a big effort to change that habit. In fact, January has been all about habit setting and habit changing for me – having a book nearby helps me cut my screen time and actually wind down for bed. This past month I ready two books and started a third, beginning with Stay Sexy & Don't Get Murdered by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark (for those under a rock, Karen and Georgia are the hosts of My Favorite Murder, AKA – the best thing about Mondays and Thursdays). I liked the book, but actually think I would have enjoyed it better as a book as opposed on my Kindle. The way it's formatted, it seems like it would read better on the page. Otherwise, it was great and I enjoyed Karen and Georgia's laidback and straightforward writing style. After that I flew through Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan, which I loved. I tend to gravitate towards memoirs and non-fiction, so reading this was pure fun and such a nice change of pace. I'm looking forward to reading the other two books in the trilogy and watching the movie. Now I've gone back to old habits and am almost done with The Killer Across the Table by John E. Douglass, who the show Mindhunter was inspired by. Recommended.

Bought: I've been keeping my purchases very, very intentional after being a bit spendy at the end of the year, but I'd had my eye on this pair of very cute white sneakers for so long, I finally took the plunge using a birthday discount. And I must say, no regrets. I'm wearing them now with distressed denim but I can't wait to style them for spring with feminine dresses. I also purchased this set of bright leggings and the matching crop top for yoga and the gym and I love them. I usually opt for black or dark blue workout sets, but I love how bright and bold this set is, it also just makes me really, really happy and excited to workout and there's not much more I could ask for.

Cooking: I've been working on incorporating more vegan and vegetarian dishes in my routine this year, along with just replacing meat with tofu, beans or tempeh more often. A fantastic side-effect of this is that I've been rediscovering my cookbook collection. Most of our cookbooks are plant-based anyway, but I haven't used them in awhile – my go-tos lately have been the Oh She Glows cookbook and Oh She Glows Everyday, The Moosewood Cookbook, The First Mess and Love Real Food.

Working on: If it's not already obvious by what I've previously mentioned, I was kind of a wreck at the end of 2019. My skin was a nightmare, I was experiencing major cystic acne breakouts a couple of times a month, I wasn't sleeping well, my gut was in a shambles (which was helping with those breakouts), my period was weird, and I was becoming an expert at talking myself out of going to the gym – or even just going outside (movement is my #1 coping mechanism for when times are stressful and times were definitely stressful). In short, I felt like crap, and it culminated in a really bad night on New Years Eve (some people drink too much on NYE, I ate too much cheese - ha! But for real.) In the new year I cut out all alcohol and most dairy (I still occasionally eat fermented dairy, like kefir and low-sugar yogurt), two things I know exacerbate my acne problems and aren't great for my digestion, and I've been working on getting back to early morning workouts before I sign on for work. It's been a process, but the difference I've noticed is kind of incredible and super motivating. Something that's been helpful for me this time around is not putting hard stops on anything – for instance, I'm not saying I've quit drinking, nor am I doing a "dry January", I'm simply not really drinking right now. If I want to, I can, but I don't really want to. A couple of other things that have helped my skin: This set by Sunday Riley (I use the toner AM & PM, the oil only at night, and the mask as a spot treatment), this supplement for liver support, and lots and lots of water.

October In Review

I know everyone says it, but I can't believe how quickly October went by. Looking back, I know I did a lot – my brother was in town, we did some hiking, work was busy per usual (ok that doesn't sound like a lot – TBH it was mostly work) – but it feels like such a whirlwind! In fact, every month feels like this, so I'm taking a note from Joanna and will be sharing a little wrap-up at the end of each month – what I read, stuff I tried, products I liked, and generally what went on. A nice little touch-base if you will. So without further ado – and before we get too far into November – here we go...

The Choice by Dr. Edith Eva Eger: I heard about this book through an interview with the author on one of my favorite podcasts, Wild Ideas Worth Living. After finally finishing the last book I was reading, I picked this one up for my Kindle and tore through it – and wow, it didn't disappoint. Lying somewhere between a memoir and advice book (I don't want to call it self-help, it's bigger than that), the author, Dr. Edith Eva Eger recounts her life – from her childhood in Hungary and discovery of her love for dance, to her internment in and incredible survival of the nazi death camps, the anti-semitism she experienced post-liberation in both Europe and America – and how she overcame it all, both physically as well as in her mind. It's a wonderful book that got me thinking more critically and compassionately about my own grandmother's trauma growing up in nazi Germany and how that trauma can be handed down generationally. This book is an important one, and one I highly recommend to just about everyone, especially given the divisiveness of our country right now.

The best tights & bag: Two things I added to my wardrobe last month that have made a big difference? These control top, super supportive tights and a fashionable carryall bag – specifically the Transport Tote. I'm always on the hunt for a great pair of tights, and these are the perfect opacity while still being supportive – but not constricting. I have a feeling I'll be wearing these a lot this winter. On a similar note, I've gone through so many work bags recently and just wanted something that felt professional but still fun. I got this one and love it. it's the ideal size for my laptop, a planner, and a few essentials – and not much more, which is important because I tend to carry a lot of crap!

Hiking Kearsarge North: I was really hoping to bring my brother out to Tumbledown while he was in town, but like most vacations that include a lot of family, his schedule ended up filling up fast. So instead we hiked closer to home and did Kearsarge North. Despite seeing this mountain multiple times a week and hiking close by, I'd never done it and it was the perfect kind of challenging. maybe not as full body as Tumbledown, but still fun with an incredible view at the top.

L.L. Bean Stowaway Day Pack: Speaking of hiking, I've now used this packable backpack on two longer hikes and love it. It's the perfect size for a day hike, has two water bottle holders (I drink a ton of water), and packs down easily for storage. Best part though is that it doesn't hit my hips when I'm moving.

Ogee Organics: Earlier this month I had the opportunity to try the whole range of shades of Ogee Organics' Sculpted Lip Oils and friends let me tell you, they're great. Beautiful color, no flaking, and incredible ingredients. My favorite shades are Gardenia and Clear – they're a little minty, but not too much, and the color is such a pretty wash. PLUS, Ogee is a Vermont-based company and I love being able to support New England-based businesses. I received a ton of interest on my Instagram post and i"m so excited to be able to share a discount with you! Click here and use the code JulieLovesOgee to receive 15% off your order of anything on the site!

Joining the Thinx Leaders program: I'm so, so excited to be part of the Thinx Leaders program! I shared my first period story and why I'm so excited to be part of the program in this post – but in short, I love repping a product that cuts back on waste, supports the wellbeing of people with periods, and gives back to those in need and supports education for girls. Not only that, but I love giving back to YOU – if you shop through my Thinx Leaders profile, you can save $10 off your first order.

Primera Miracle Seed Essence: I've been using this hydrating essence for a few weeks now and I honestly love it. With winter arriving soon, my skin has needed all the hydration it can get. After washing my face, I put a little of this in clean palms and pat it in before adding serum and moisturizer. So nice.