The January edit

On a cozy scent, bronzing stick, a heart-wrenching book and more.

January came in like a lion. The weather (record-breaking snow storm and two school closures in two weeks), the world (*gestures around wildly at everything*). These are a few things that offered a bit of solace and respite amidst it all.

Heart the Lover by Lily King

My first read of the year was a great one. The book is about a college romance and its profound impact on the narrator’s life years later. Even though I was prepared to have my heart squeezed having seen some of the initial reviews, actually reading it was no less emotionally devastating.

Revolve by Bal Khabra

I generally don’t read a lot of sports or hockey romance but Bal Khabra’s Off the Ice series has been an exception. The third book follows an Olympic skater who suffers from a major injury and a hockey player who’s down on his luck. I love how her books focus on personal growth as much as the romance. Also a timely read with the Winter Olympics!

Ded Cool Xtra Milk Eau de Parfum

The brand says this fragrance “smells like you but better” and that’s exactly right. With notes of bergamot, white musk and amber, it’s the olfactory equivalent of fresh warm sheets just out of the dryer. A cozy sweatshirt with a spritz of Xtra Milk is my ideal combo.

Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzing Stick

I’ve generally been contour-averse but have recently wanted to add more definition to my cheeks. This beginner-friendly stick from Rare Beauty is both natural-looking and easy to blend, making it a nice addition to my makeup routine.

Tower28 BeachPlease Lip + Cheek Cream Blush in Power Hour

In the depths of winter, this blush is pure warmth. The terracotta shade melts into your cheeks and gives you the kind of sunkissed glow that you get from a beach getaway. I’ll either use my fingers to apply or e.l.f. Beauty’s Kabuki Makeup Brush (a favourite!).

Clarins Multi-Active Glow Serum

Clarins skincare is very underrated, IMHO. I’ve had a few fave products over the years like the Double Serum, Hydra-Essential Moisturizer and the Cryo-Flash Face Mask, and most recently it’s been the Multi-Active Glow Serum. It has done wonders for my skin in terms of smoothing and brightening. Plus, even with a light consistency, it’s been amazingly hydrating during this very cold and dry winter.

Bridgerton Season 4

This season follows Benedict Bridgerton, renowned rake and the tonne’s current object of affection. I loved the slow burn romance between Benedict and Sophie (give me yearning, always!). You also get to see how Regency era England was so deeply governed by a rigid class system, particularly with Benedict’s ahem, words in episode 4 (you get more of the historical context more in the book, An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn). Side note: I’m obsessed with Yerin Ha (the actress who plays Sophie) and her brand of cheery chaos.

People We Meet On Vacation

People We Meet on Vacation is my favourite Emily Henry novel so I had high hopes for the film adaptation. I thought Emily Bader (who I loved in My Lady Jane) and Tom Blyth were perfectly cast and had great chemistry. I would’ve loved to have had this as a series so we could get more backstory and character development that’s much harder to nail in the shorter runtime. Yulin Kuang, who was the screenwriter for this one, will also be directing Beach Read so I can’t wait.

Traitors US

I think I’d be a terrible Traitor. This season of the show has a motley crew that includes people from shows I’ve enjoyed like Top Chef, Laguna Beach, Love Island, Dancing with the Stars and the Real Housewives franchise. It’s juicy, infuriating and I’ve been living for Thursday nights.

Culinary Class Wars

I’ve written about my love of food competition shows before, but more specifically, I think I enjoy watching people do things they’re passionate about and do it really well. In the second season, the black spoon chefs are once again pitted against white spoon chefs in culinary battles. Watching the show inevitably makes me want to cook more, which is a good thing.

• The trailer for The Devil Wears Prada 2 dropped and I cannot wait.

• Ted Lasso is coming back this summer and season 4 will focus on women’s soccer football!

• 15 period dramas to keep you sane until the next episodes of Bridgerton drop.

• So many incredible moments for Bad Bunny, including his custom couture outfit by Schiaparelli at the Grammys.

• To strengthen your body and brain, try failing at a new sport.

• A search for the perfect Danish pastry in Copenhagen.

• Love the limewashed walls in this Brooklyn rental.