Random things I’m obsessed with right now…
I love to write, but the nature of my job in branded content means I don’t often get to write about what I want to write about. So, I figured I’d just jot down some of my thoughts here — starting with an extremely random assortment of things that are bringing me joy at the moment.
Le Creuset Dutch Oven
I’m not really skilled in the kitchen. I can bake, but for some reason I find cooking to be very intimidating. I do have a handful of cookbooks, which I occasionally open up before promptly returning to the shelf upon seeing the laundry list of ingredients required to make one dish. I mean, is there anything worse than spending hours in the kitchen and then having to eat something that didn’t turn out quite right? Despite all of this, I do want to become a better chef, which is why I recently invested in a Le Creuset Dutch Oven. I’ve already made pot roast and chicken and dumplings (crazy how a new piece of cookware makes you want to cook more), and both actually turned out pretty well. Plus, the stunning Marseille color looks great on my stovetop.
Write the Word® Journal | Cultivate Faith
Someone recommended the Write the Word® Journal | Cultivate Faith to me years ago and I’ve used it on and off ever since. It’s basically a self-guided bible study: You write the date, what you’re grateful for that day, and then pre-selected scriptures. There’s also a page for you to write any thoughts you have as well as your word of the day. I like that you can work your way through it at your own pace. It gives me a chance to be quiet and reflect for a bit, which is something I think we could all use a little more of.
Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick
I’ve always been a powder blush kind of gal (I like the ReDimension Hydra Powder Blush from RMS Beauty), but I recently grabbed the Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick at Sephora in an effort to upgrade my existing beauty routine. It’s on the pricey side, so I decided to try the Petite version ($26 vs. $48) before committing to the full-size version. I have the shade Petal — it’s a dusty nude rose — and I love it. It’s easy to use and blend, and it looks really natural. 10/10, will buy again.
Duolingo
I double majored in English Language & Literature and Spanish Language & Literature in college, but I definitely did not maintain my Spanish skills. Also, I’ve never been much for speaking Spanish — I was always more comfortable reading and writing it. For the life of me I can’t remember what sparked this sudden interest in re-learning the language, but at the end of last year I downloaded Duolingo (I even paid for Super Duolingo for access to Unlimited Hearts… I’m just not patient enough to wait hours for more lives to accrue). Anyway, here we are 40 days later — yes, I’ve practiced 40 days in a row — and I’m addicted. Sometimes I miss being a student, so it’s nice to be learning like the good ol’ days.
Hotel Lobby Limited Edition Chalet Candle
Hotel Lobby Candle is my favorite candle company at the moment. It was founded by a former magazine editor, so I’m especially inclined to support it. All of their candles are lovely — I particularly like Signature, Paris Nuit, and Island — but I adore Chalet. Unfortunately, it’s being discontinued (le sigh), but I have a small backstock for emergencies. At least it’s on sale before it’s gone forever. 😢