January: The Absolute Worst.

Listen, January is my birth month so I'm allowed to talk shit about how lame it is. Oh, freezing rain? Sleety snow? More freezing rain? Everyone is sick? COOL. WINTER IS SO GREAT. (But seriously, you winter-loving weirdoes. Why do you like it? What's to like?)

Despite my bad attitude I do have some new things to tell you about that I like very much. For context, I spent the last two weeks of 2023 unable to walk (yes, again) because I had foot surgery (yes, again. But this one was to remove the hardware installed during the first one.) During this time I did a lot of reading and watched too much TV. I also bought some stuff because what else could I do? 

This Book of Weird Ass Short Stories
If you've never read any Kate Atkinson maybe don't start with Normal Rules Don't Apply (start here instead) because even for her, it's weird. If you're already a fan, absolutely go for it. Technically this is a collection of short stories, which I don't generally go for, but all the stories intertwine and interconnect in that devious way Atkinson has and it's dark and apocalyptic and beautifully written. Plus, the actual hardback is gorgeous so this is not one for your Kindle. 

This Twisty Mom Thriller That I Liked Just Fine
If you want a twisty thriller page-turner of a read, Katherine Faulkner's new book The Other Mothers is definitely that. Overall it was a compelling page-turner, though I found the ending a bit too explainy (she ran out show and went for tell.) Also, I am not a mom so some of the play-group nuance didn't hit but I still enjoyed reading it. Her first book, Greenwich Park (which I wrote about here), was also a fun, twisty read and both books are perfect for a sick day or a vacation read. 

This Documentary That's Pure 90s Girl Nostalgia
Y'all, as a 90s-era young adult there are not enough words to explain how huge the supermodels were at that time. They were very much a part of the culture of the time in good ways and bad. The Super Models documentary on Apple+ is so freaking great - a real hit of Gen-X culture and nostalgia. Plus, you get the George Michael video! Vivienne Westwood! Todd Oldham! Marc Jacobs! I just freaking loved it. 

This Crazy Movie I Somehow Missed
I'm not much of a Disney person so when Cruella came out, I didn't pay much attention. Then I saw a very clip of it online with Emma Thompson being deliciously campy and mean so I decided it might be fun. Y'ALL. I had no idea. No idea! This is a wild fashion movie and a little bit punk rock. I mean, London in the 70s! Liberty of London! Emma Stone! That weird guy from Fleabag! A dog dressed as a rat! Incredible costumes! An amazing soundtrack! suffice to say I loved it. If you're snowed in or home sick and haven't seen it, I highly recommend it for a weirdly wonderful good time. 

I Found My Perfect T-Shirt
This will be disappointing for some but I found the perfect long-sleeve crewneck cotton tee and it's the Lululemon Love tee. I know. I KNOW. I'm sorry. But its so perfect! This is not a thin and droopy tissue tee, this Pima cotton/lycra tee has enough shape and heft that you can wear it by itself but it also layers nicely under a sweater. I went with my normal size and it fits perfectly - skims the body without being clingy. I've thrifted a few of the short sleeve Lululemon tees and they are great but it's SO hard to find a good long sleeved tee. I bought one in black and now I'm thinking about this striped version. (I'm so predictable.) PS. I also bought this hoodie which I was Very Not Sure About and then I started wearing it around and now it's my favorite stupid hoodie. What can you do? The heart wants the hoodie it wants. 

My New Favorite(?) Mascara
I'll be frank: "favorite mascara" is a tenuous category because mascara can start good and go very bad or start bad and then get better with a bit of age. It's true, right? But whatever, my current-as-of-this-month favorite is Lancôme Lash Idôle Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara. I got the mini size and so far it's a great everyday option. The wand is fairly small and curved so you can get even your puniest lashes covered and it's nicely lengthening without being crazy dramatic and it was still hanging in after a late afternoon workout.