Saturday 3 January 2015

January Blues? My mood-enhancing kit

It's new year and apparently everything is new and fresh and different and we can all make fabulous things happen in 2015. But I always wonder why a new year gives me a feeling of unease instead of the optimistic glow it seems to give other people. I'm not an overly pessimistic person, but for the last few days I've felt empty and down. And I blame this new year business! It's not that I'm against people embracing the new year and using it as a new start; it's probably just me being a grumpy person now that I'm no longer a twenty-something! I also blame the fast-approaching new term. Going back to work is always a shock to the system after a break, and the idea of getting up at 6am again is miserable!

So to calm myself down a bit, I've been playing around with Photoshop and have created the above collage of lovely, pink, calming things that are currently making me happy! This isn't a favourites post exactly, but it will act as one for this month. Here is my mood-enhancing kit for my January blues:


1. Lush Magic Wand (Bubble Bar)
Like many of you, I got a few items in the Lush 50% off post-Christmas sale. This re-usable bubble bar wand smells like the Snow Fairy scent (which is sweet and delicious). 

2. Valentino Valentina eau de parfum
I received this as a Christmas gift and it's a scent I've had my eye on for a long while. It is a sophisticated floral with a sweetness that is addictive. When I looked up the notes, it wasn't surprising to see orange blossom, vanilla, wild strawberries, jasmine and tuberose as these are prominent in many perfumes nowadays, but it never feels too cloying or sickly.

3. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder Blush
I've chosen Ethereal Glow because it's such a delicate light pink and it actually works as more of a highlight, albeit a subtle one. If my skin looks good, I feel better in myself and this makes me feel happy when I apply it!

4. The Elizabethan Session album
This 2014 album is a unique collaboration of well-known folk artists, including Nancy Kerr. I bought this recently and it is really relaxing to sit and listen to. The songs are based around the Elizabethan era, but it is very fresh and modern-sounding. I mentioned Nancy Kerr because her voice is just divine. 

5. Nars Lipgloss in Belize
I've been liking wearing pink nude lips recently. There's something about playing down the colour of my lips that seems to work for me. Belize is a shimmery mauve-pink which is one of my favourite glosses for emphasising the lips without drawing too much attention.

6. This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray
Maybe it's a placebo, maybe there's something psychological going on, but this stuff works for me. I've never purchased it, but have received samples twice now and when I'm done with them, I may well purchase a full-size. You spray a little on your pillow before bed and the lavender scent washes away your anxieties. I find that if you focus on breathing deeply, it calms you down a lot too.

How are you feeling about the new year? 


1 comment :

  1. Hi. I think I already follow you actually! Nice blog design x

    ReplyDelete