February
"The more I wonder, the more I love." — Alice Walker
I’m forever grateful for the shortest month of the year, this year it felt particularly short and sweet. Dinner party with friends, coffee in the sun and multiple trips to the library later and the month was gone.
Here are my February favorites.
Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré
I’ve been hearing about this “primer” for years, but as someone who wears pretty light makeup I felt like I didn’t need a primer but then I saw someone use this cream to remove mascara and I was sold. This multi-functional product has as the kids say, changed my game. It’s a moisturizer, a primer, a mask and a makeup remover and it’s excellent at all of them, it is scented but I feel like the scent fades pretty quickly as it absorbs. The beginning of the month was cold and harsh and I would come home after walking the dog in the morning with very painful skin but after applying this pre-walk, no more. It’s also worked so well as a primer, no pilling and my makeup slid on perfectly. Definitely recommend.
Wristband Scrunchies
For my entire life washing my face has been dreadful, the water dripping down my wrists was just a sensory nightmare. I’ve been watching the girlies slide these wristbands on and wash their faces and I’ve been casually looking for them unable to find any until now, I was walking around Normal and there they were. Oh my god my whole life has changed, I slide them on and go! How have I lived without them, I definitely recommend and also you should just buy the thing that will make your life easier.
I am absolutely obsessed with chef and author Dan Pelosi aka Grossy Pelosi and his kitchen renovation unsurprisingly turned out absolutely fantastic. It’s so beautiful and I’ll be thinking about his pantry for the rest of time. Follow the link to see his full kitchen, read all about the process and if your like me find some really good inspiration.
I love Josh Lora aka
on TikTok and here on Substack, his cultural commentary on everything from books to the Real Housewives is a true delight. I’ve been following him on TikTok for years and I’m so glad he’s now making long form podcast content.Homemade Tzatziki
A couple weeks ago we had an abundance of yogurt and it was Greek night in my house and I was going to go out and buy tzatziki but I stopped myself and I so glad I did. Just making it myself was so easy, I grated a third of a cucumber and then squeezed it out, one garlic clove and then added it to a cup of plain yogurt and just salted to taste and it was perfection. I’ve made it two more times and I’ll never buy it again.
I bought this grater as a Valentine’s Day gift for my husband and I love it, I was looking for a cheese grater a la the Olive Garden and then found this and it’s even better. Find me shredding everything.
Killing Thatcher by Rory Carroll
Continuing my year of reading more nonfiction, I picked up this book up at the library and oh what a ride. After reading Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe, I needed more and this fit the bill perfectly. A thrilling account of the 1984 attempted murder of Margaret Thatcher, definitely recommend.
I am absolutely horrified by what is happening in the United States, I don’t think I’m even in a place where I can properly voice just how angry I am. Most of what’s happening feels not only ridiculous but cruel, for example the mass firing of federal employees like national park ranger Alex Wild. This video is short but a must watch.
Spring Capsule Wardrobe by Meg Donohue
I am so excited about the forthcoming season and its “all you need is a light jacket” weather. I’m trying to do minimal shopping this spring but I was inspired by this article.
What do James Baldwin’s clothes tell us about him? By Derek Guy
This article is just a real crossover of two people I enjoy, Derek writes about fashion through a historical and cultural lens and of course I love James Baldwin’s writing but his style was truly impeccable. “Dress unfolds in the subtle ways we signal who we are—or who we need to be”.
Don’t forget your coffee,
Paige
“I’ll never know and neither will you have the life you don’t choose. We’ll only know that whatever that sister life was, it was important and beautiful and not ours. It was the ghost ship that didn’t carry us. There’s nothing to do but salute it from the shore.”- Cheryl Strayed