No more gift guides!
Just...guides?
Oh, hey.
I spent the last month (and a bit more) avoiding everyone’s gift guides on, well, everywhere, hence the radio silence. I’m kidding! I’ve had to post a few myself. But seriously, we’re all sick of it.
During December I was either in full glam for holiday parties or in my pyjamas. There was no middle ground. I felt like social media and I had a weird thing going where I didn’t really know what to post because all I was doing was going to work events or sleeping. There was no routine, no normal outfit worn.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention a twinge of early burnout symptoms. Perhaps it was a result of my completely unhinged social schedule, perhaps it was the beginning of processing what I deemed to be a Very Wild Year. The thought of taking a single photo of myself, of getting dressed beyond what I had to work myself up to socially each evening, felt a bit impossible. It wasn’t depression per se because I didn’t feel sad, just an overwhelming exhaustion and apathy for my work.
My old university roommates and I recently reunited. Obviously, the only appropriate method of catching up amongst six Type A women is via PowerPoint, which turned out to be one of the best ideas my friends have had in a long time. Firstly, everyone got their time to speak (which, if you’ve ever lived with six people, feels monumental). Secondly, it made me feel less alone in dealing with last year’s low blows. 2024 was emotional! I spent half of it dreaming about L.A. (and a subsequent few months completely embarrassed about that. We don’t need to get into detail). I experienced a friendship breakup and it sucked and made me angry. I tried moving for a month and felt deeply homesick and lonely. I felt my body changing and found it hard to love it. I went back to therapy.
I also experienced incredible trips across the world. I made new friends and am learning that it’s okay to lean on them. I also am learning what feels good to me and it is magical.
Upon further reflection, perhaps a lack of schedule in December was a yearning to discover what actually feels warm in my life. Perhaps it was just hedonism. You be the judge. But I swear there were little saplings that emerged of things that felt really good.
Every January I do a five/six day reset that comes in three parts: Firstly - and I know this is so cliché - I do the Goop Annual Detox. I love GP! I started doing this in 2020 and have found it to be the toughest and most essential energy reset to set me up for the rest of the year. It’s not restrictive or particularly demanding, but rather a commitment to cooking at home and nourishing the body consistently and plentifully. Foregoing caffeine and sugar is the hardest part, but the feeling of that first coffee after five days is unmatched.
Secondly, I go through my closet. I generally do this every month, but as it coincides with my meal plan, it feels more meaningful. Shopping my own closet and determining what truly deserves to stay in it feels satisfying. The
guide to clearing the closet proved particularly helpful - the idea that our closets are not personal time capsules resonates with me and makes it easier to let go. Our camera rolls provide proof of the clothing item (however, I still consider myself a collector and know that certain pieces are worth clinging to!). My current tactic is to set my giveaway pile aside for a few days. If I don’t remember what’s in the pile or don’t reach for anything, it’s time to go. More updates on this later.The last part is more of an extension of the first, but taking the time each day and night for body care is a must. Stretching, foam rolling, and moisturizing the body. 10000 steps each day and at least 30 minutes of Pilates. And the end of the week I’ve booked myself an LPG session as a treat.
Some reset week favourites include:
COSTA BRAZIL VELA CANDLE - I adore this scent. It’s sensual and warm and for any existing fans of CB’s Aroma in Oil fragrance, this is the perfect compliment. The stainless steel vessel makes it all the more special.
OMAD SHEET MASK - This is sold out constantly at Formula Fig, and for good reason. I first tried it while in LA, where my skin feels like sawdust because it’s so dry, when a friend introduced it to me. Its divine.
CAUDALIE DETOX MASK - It’s not a detox week without it. This is one of a few clay masks I trust.
TEKLA BATHROBE - treat yourself in the name of self-care!
AGENT NATEUR HOLI(MANE) - I’ve gone through many bags of this and am constantly filing my nails and my hair is growing fast.
CHANEL L’HUILE JASMIN - Chanel had this developed when she lived at the Ritz and that’s iconic to me.
NÉCESSAIRE BODY LOTION - I like the packaging and the formula and the fact that it’s unscented.
A few other things to note:
I just finished Amor Towles’ Rules of Civility. I’m new to his work and haven’t read A Gentleman in Moscow, but this had me dreaming of a very romanticized version of New York.
I’ve just started The Overstory by Richard Powers. I’m a few pages in, but the best I can describe it so far is “weaving”, and in the best way. It feels like a scene in a movie where they whiz through the forest and everything is deep green and pulsing, except you’re moving through time and space. I think that will make more sense as I progress through the book.
Upcoming: home inspiration as I begin to renovate and properly decorate my home (eep!), and a capsule wardrobe at different price points.
In the meantime, a January playlist that hopefully feels like warm summer sun.