You’d never guess by the layer of snow/ice outside my window right now, but we had a few days these past couple of weeks (pre-storm, of course) that truly felt like Spring- with sunshine and higher temperatures that had me removing my jacket and throwing on sneakers instead of my boots. I’m already starting to get advertisements for all of the new and lighter makeup, floral perfumes/candles, pastel-everything, etc., etc., and I am finding myself more than ready to dive into a new season despite the fact that this past Winter really wasn’t too terrible!
But February isn’t over- yet – and even though I’m getting ready to look back and wrap this past month up with a pretty pink bow before we head into March with my usual end-of-the-month recap early next week, I want to talk about some of my favorite things from the last few weeks- including new makeup, thoughtful gifts, and all the heart-wrenching documentaries (and horror movies!) that made cozy nights in something to celebrate and look forward to.
That’s right- it’s time for an other ‘Favorite Things’ post! As always, I’ll be sharing the products/finds/items I could take photos of before I jump into a lengthy list of the miscellaneous movies, music and odds & ends that made this past February feel extra special.
So without further delay, let’s get right into it!
One of my favorite things about blogging is that I occasionally get to write about cosmetics or clothing that may have otherwise flown under my radar had I not stuck with this most beloved of passion projects. This past month, I was sent two eye shadow palettes via a beauty/skincare service to test and try- and they both happened to be from brands I’m familiar with and absolutely adore!
I love everything and anything from Beauty Bakerie, from their cruelty-free ingredients to their wide array of shades/colors to their adorable packaging- and their ‘Proof Is In The Pudding’ shadow palette has quickly become one of my favorites. With neutral shimmers and mattes to mix and match, I can create a long-lasting office-friendly look or a more dramatic “night on the town” style in just a few quick swipes and with no creasing or messy fallout during application.
And if I want something a little more romantic or whimsical, the ‘Suite Escape’ palette from Wander Beauty has my back with cool metallics and stunning glitter tones. I am absolutely head over heels with the pinks and purples in this palette- which were perfect for Valentine’s Day and are going to be worn frequently throughout the Spring.
This hot pink and hydrating lip gloss from Smith & Cult (who make some of my favorite nail polishes!) was a little splurge I treated myself to earlier this month when I was looking for a non-sticky and non-drying bright pink gloss for Valentine’s Day and to liven up my complexion in the late weeks of Winter when I am at my palest.
This sparkly formula, in the shade ‘Cherry Blossom’, brightens my pout and adds a fun prismatic effect that catches the light just right whenever I wear it- all without any goopy-ness or tackiness that tend to come with other glosses or balms.
I wear this one all on it’s own, or over liner to give my lips a fuller and ultra-soft look. It’s been my go-to all month!
Some of you may recognize this enamel pin set from my recent Valentine’s Day post. Courtesy of Battle Born Pins in Las Vegas, this Killers’ album-inspired collection was a gift from Troy since he couldn’t be here to celebrate the holiday in person this year. I am absolutely in love with these- both for sentimental reasons and because they’re such great quality.
And as we approach the three year anniversary of Kelsey’s passing (she was the ultimate Killers fan!) I think of her whenever I clip these onto my jacket/bag/etc. She’d love these so, so much.
And finally, I’ve got some big changes planned for my hair in March (think a more natural, coppery redhead instead of the cherry shade I’ve been rocking for a few years now!) which means I’ve got to keep my curls hydrated and healthy to withstand any foils and/or processing. I recently picked up this styling/smoothing leave-in conditioner from Nelson J Hair Care and it has been a game changer.
Infused with Argan Oil and Coconut Oil, this fine mist acts as a conditioner, frizz-fighter, color sealer, sunscreen and detangler all in one. I’ve been using this a couple of times a day when styling and refreshing, and it’s like it breathes life back into my Winter-weathered hair in just a few pumps!
And there you have it- some photogenic favorites I’ve been feeling and falling in love with this month. But, as always- there’s more!
– MOVIES/MUSIC/TELEVISION –
‘Pamela, A Love Story’ – I love a good comeback story, especially when it’s on the terms of someone who had been gravely wronged in their past (i.e. Britney Spears.) This year’s feel-good return to the spotlight comes courtesy of Pamela Anderson, who sets the record straight on her life, misconceptions that came with blonde bombshell status and the fallout from the sex tape scandal that was recently the subject of Hulu’s ‘Pam & Tommy’ miniseries. This documentary, presently on Netflix- is sweet, sad and moving- made all the more wonderful by seeing the bond Pamela has with her two grown sons. I highly recommend it if you were a 1990s kid like me!
‘Amber: The Girl Behind the Alert’ – For another powerful documentary, but with a much more serious/bleak subject matter, I bawled my way through this film, which details the conception and gradual widespread usage of the Amber Alert System following the 1996 kidnapping and murder of 9-year-old Amber Hagerman. With interviews with Amber’s mom, surviving family friends and media personnel who made every effort to find her and bring her home safely, only to then use their grief to develop a way to save other children before it was too late- this is a must-watch. As heartbreaking as it was, I learned so much.
‘Skinamarink’ – What better way to close out this month’s collection of favorites than with a divisive horror movie? Without spoiling this one too much, I can say with certainty that you will either love it or hate it. There really is no in-between. I personally liked it a lot since it felt totally new and unique compared to a lot of recent horror movies, and it had some seriously eerie and unsettling moments amid some admittedly confusing scenes that left a lot of room open for interpretation.
But I’m just going to start smashing Chatter Telephones on sight from now on.
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And there you have it- my favorites from February 2023! A pretty good assortment of things given this is the shortest month out of the year, anyway! Now I’m excited to see what I discover an obsess over in March!
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 