New year, new monthly series on the blog! In 2019, I shared my favourite tunes with you each month through groovy, curated playlists. There’s one for every mood and occasion, so I highly (and humbly) recommend you go back and listen to all 12 — your music library will thank me later.
This year, I’ll be highlighting a sampling of all my faves — fashion, beauty, books, music and movies & TV — with monthly Favourites lists. Let’s face it: If I’ve been hooked on a product/show/song for a month, I’m in for the long run. So, get out your Notes app and shopping list — the fun starts now!
Fashion
* Blanket Scarves *
SIMILAR: Aritzia, $88 // Aritzia, $29.99 (exact from Aldo, $20 sold out)
I have to be honest — I’m not much of a scarf person. I end up getting super hot super fast and they always give me a bump in the back of my hair. But my outlook on scarves quickly changed when I picked up my first blanket scarf. The one pictured above is from Aldo and it’s a BLESSING — no fuzzies shed, I get the right amount of warmth and it’s a super cute accessory. Even on a bitterly cold night, I can wear a short sleeve shirt under my winter jacket, put this scarf on top and I’m in a perfectly warm cocoon. It also becomes an office-appropriate blanket if I keep it draped around my shoulders. Winning all around.
* Statement Booties *
SIMILAR (Buckle Booties): Topshop (The Bay), $190 (exact discontinued)
EXACT (Stud Booties) [NOT PICTURED]: Steve Madden, $129.98 on sale
I’ve written extensively about the power of a good pair of booties. The sound! The added height! I could go on and on. These Topshop buckle boots have been my precious babies for more than a year, so I’ve been devastated seeing them fall apart before my very eyes. 😿 While I look for the perfect replacement, I’m currently breaking in an edgy studded Steve Madden look that is easy to dress up or dress down. I just have to remind myself, no pain, no gain!
Beauty
* Daydreamer Palette by Hilary Duff | NUDESTIX *
Nudestix, $89
Not your average palette, this makeup kit from Canadian company Nudestix is the perfect one-stop shop for any beauty newbie (AKA me). It features all the products and shades you need to create a show-stopping day-to-night look: three Magnetic Luminous eye pencils, a Nudies cream blush, a Nudies Glow highlighter stick and a Gel Color Lip + Cheek Balm, all in six brand-new shades. Besides the fact that I am a forever fan of Hilary Duff, I couldn’t resist their adorable holographic makeup bag!
Nudestix boasts that the total value of the kit is $204, but for a limited time you can score all of the products together for just $89. I even managed to land a 25% off deal over the holidays when this was sold at Sephora. I’m excited to test out more looks in the year ahead!
* Derm Renewal Booster with 10% AHA | G.M. Collin *
BeautySense or Summit Spa, $74
I’ve found it, amigos: the holy grail for finally saying bye-bye to acne scarring and hello to an Insta-ready even skin tone. It’s been so long since my skin felt this good and I felt so good in it! Of course, it’s always best to consult with a dermatologist or esthetician to see what’s best for you, but this has worked extremely well for my combination skin. I get it directly from a spa near me but I linked two online retailers for you to try it out!
Books
* The Global Soul: Jet Lag, Shopping Malls, and the Search for Home by Pico Iyer *
Available from Amazon for $2.60 (used) – $15.47
I need to give a shout out to Air Canada’s in-flight enRoute Magazine for introducing me to this gem. As a mega travel nerd, I was excited to dive into Pico Iyer’s thoughts on free-floating global souls, finding (and defining) home and re-thinking our life experience in the context of diversity, multiculturalism and globalization. Though so much has changed since the book’s release in 2001, a lot has also stayed the same. Reading about Iyer’s travels through Toronto and LAX brought me as much comfort as it did nostalgia.
Music
More music is always the right answer. Earlier this month, I started a forever favourites ♡ playlist on Spotify that I’ll be updating as soon as I fall in (or out of) love with a song! Check out what I’m listening to right now and scroll down to sample two new albums far too good not to share.
* Rare by Selena Gomez *
Now THIS is a poppin’ pop album. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve listened to it from start to finish — there are truly no skips and you can pick up on Selena’s admirable growth as the album progresses. My standouts are “Look At Her Now,” “Vulnerable” (another Jon Bellion masterpiece) and “A Sweeter Place” with Kid Cudi, but “Rare” also deserves extra love for being such an amazing opening track.
* Manic by Halsey *
Badlands was an incredible debut album and hopeless fountain kingdom was an exciting follow-up. Halsey’s latest release Manic can be best described as an incredibly captivating and inspiring work of art. Featuring 16 songs, including interludes and collaborations with Alanis Morrisette (an ANTHEM!) and BTS’ Suga, Manic has something for everyone, from pure pop to indie rock and an ode to country. If you’re not already a fan, Manic will have you hooked on Halsey.
Movies & TV
One of the few perks to being sick for a week is finally having time to squeeze in much-needed screen time and catch up on the latest movie and TV releases. Netflix stole my heart this month, with December’s The Two Popes being a great movie night “dramedy” (I won’t spoil it but the ending is perfect) and YOU season two making me question all of my social decisions. Season three next winter should be a heck of a ride.
Let me know what you’ve been wearing, watching, reading and jamming to this month in the comments below — or tweet me @angelamcleanx!
*None of the links in this post are sponsored or affiliate — this is just me spreading some sweet product recommendations! All prices listed are in Canadian Dollars (CDN) and accurate at the time of posting.
xx
