What I’ve Been Up To
I haven’t shared a post about my Life Lately in almost a year. A few commenters in my reader survey asked that I share more day-to-day personal things on the blog, so I am returning to these monthly updates. Here’s what I was up to in January.
My mom and daughter both have January birthdays, and we took a road trip to our daughter’s to celebrate them. We hung out, played games, and ate a few times at some really good restaurants. I can’t believe my baby is 24!
I don’t think I’ve been inside a movie theater in years except for watching the Taylor Swift movie with my 5-year-old niece. My husband prefers to watch movies at home, but I got him to the theater twice this month.
We saw Wicked, which was amazing. I saw the musical back in 2005, and the movie is just as good, if not better. The costumes and sets are elaborate and stunning.
We also saw The Complete Unknown. I’m not a Bob Dylan fan, but I love music and really enjoyed the movie. Timothée Chalamet was brilliant and nailed the role. It really transports you back in time with beautiful cinematography.
Products I Tried
I tried Divi’s best sellers bundle of Dry Shampoo and Scalp Serum. Divi is women-owned, and their products are made with clean ingredients.
Both the Scalp Serum and Dry Shampoo have a fresh scent. The dry shampoo is lightweight and gives my hair extra volume. I’ve been using the serum for a few weeks and will report back.
Truvani sent me their new grass-fed collagen peptides to try. They are made with just one ingredient to support hair, nails, skin, joints, and gut health. It’s unflavored and easily dissolved into my tea and smoothies.
Laura Geller sent a fun pr pack with her jelly balm lipsticks and little jars of jelly that matched each shade. These lipsticks are super hydrating and glide on like a balm, yet give you the color wash of lipstick.
What I’m Watching
We just finished watching the Black Doves series on Netflix. It’s a thriller based in London starring Keira Knightley, a spy employed by a mysterious corporate espionage network. We also watched The Penguin series on Max. It’s a crime drama based on the Penguin character from Batman and his rise to power in Gotham. I cannot get over the transformation of Colin Farrell; it’s unbelievable.
What I’m Reading
Fates and Furies tells the story of what seems to be a successful 24-year marriage from the husband and wife’s perspectives. The book is told from the third-person perspective in two parts. Part 1 is the husband, and part 2 is the wife’s. All the characters are interesting, and the stories have many moving parts. It’s a complex love story full of secrets, sacrifices, and regrets. Rating: 4/5.
Tell Me Everything is about ordinary lives told in extraordinary ways. It takes place in Maine right after the COVID pandemic. What I thought was interesting was that there really isn’t a plot. It’s character-driven, and while there’s so much sadness in each character’s life, it isn’t a sad book. The focus is more on the characters’ love, kindness, joys, and friendships. It’s a good reminder that the little things in life are what matters rather than the big picture. Rating: 4/5.
Killers of a Certain Age is an action-packed thriller about four female assassins recruited in their early 20s for an international clandestine organization. They’re now ready to retire, and the organization has given them an all-expenses-paid luxury cruise to celebrate. They find someone from their organization in disguise on the ship and immediately sense that they are in danger and have been marked for termination. The story has several flashback scenes to their recruitment and early missions, but it’s mostly told from the current times. While there are descriptions of violence and murder, the focus is also on their friendships and trust and the invisibility of older women. It was entertaining to read. Rating 3/5.
Recipes I Tried
Shrimp and Corn Chowder Soup from The Heaven on Seven cookbook. Heaven on Seven was one of my favorite restaurants that closed in 2022.
Potsticker Salad – this salad was delicious and is a great alternative to serving potstickers.
Trader Joe’s Chicken Shawarma. I served on naan bread with homemade tzatziki sauce and cucumber salad.
What I’m Wearing
Goals Recap
January goals
Fitness: I gave myself two challenges this month: Dry January and a 30-day yoga challenge. I’m thrilled to say that I nailed both of these. Only four more days to go!
Financial: We didn’t make extra car payments this month. Instead, we gave the money to our daughter so she could make an extra student loan payment. To me, that’s still a win.
Relationships: I had lunch with a good friend and reconnected with an old one. My husband and I had a fun date night this past weekend. We went to one of our favorite lounges for drinks (mocktails for me) and apps and then came home, made a fire and popcorn, and watched Spanglish.
Blog Goals: Post daily on LTK and share to Instagram stories – check! (follow me on LTK here). Share exclusive content weekly – check! You’ll always find exclusive content in my newsletter. I’d love it if you subscribed. If you CLICK HERE, you’ll get my free closet cleanout challenge!
February goals
Fitness: February challenges: Get back to the gym: strength train 2x/week and swim 1x/week. And, no sweets.
Financial: Make an extra car payment and set up a vacation savings account.
Relationships: Plan a clothes swap with friends.
Blog: Create a new opt-in for my newsletter. Post 1x/week on Instagram.
Popular Posts in January
Pros & Cons of the Stitch Fix Styling Service
Do Red Light Therapy Masks Really Work?
What I’m Looking Forward To Next Month
I started a new job last month and will be traveling for work twice in February. I’m looking forward to meeting my manager, co-workers, and some of my business partners in person.
I’m also looking forward to our monthly dinner group and neighborhood Ladies Night In resuming. Oh, and book group, we’ll read and discuss The Five Star Weekend.
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Thanks for reading!
Linking up with:
Between Naps on the Porch | I do de Claire | Walking in Memphis in High Heels & The Fashion Canvas | My Slices of Life | The Style Splash | Curated by Jennifer | Mummabstylish | Shelbee On the Edge | Nancy’s Fashion Style | Momfessionals | Marsha in the Middle
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