January Favourites

Happy New Year! I can’t believe we’re already in 2016. Last year was one of the very best for me and I’ve started this new year feeling incredibly grateful for the health and happiness in my life, for the best friends and family and am so excited for all the adventures 2016 has in store already.

So, as we slip into another January, I love to use the month to plan new things and hibernate a little. As the pre-Christmas pay cheques are usually running a bit low by the middle of the month, it’s easy to fill weeknights and weekends with quieter activities and it’s good to use the slower pace of this month to re-evaluate, getting back into things I might not have had time for over the craziness of the festive months. Here’s some of my personal favourite things about January…

Cosy fashion essentials 

Over the knee boots (I love these ones from Public Desire and a great price too), a good hat and scarf, and a couple of super warm coats are definitely my fashion go to’s this month. A personal favourite is my new Millie Mackintosh faux fur jacket – it’s currently on sale at 50% now so go go goo! I ordered in the Boxing Day sales and have had lots of compliments on it since; it’s perfect to wear for numerous occasions and fits like a dream. They come out quite small though so maybe order one size above…

Candles 

Who doesn’t love a scented candle? I’m obsessed and have far too many, but the cold and drizzly January nights are perfect for cosy deliciously scented candles. My sister introduced me to this local London organic and natural skincare brand – MBotanical – and this Rose candle smells incredible. Shop via their Easy page here.

Indulging in some ‘you’ time

For me this is usually in the form of reading or watching the latest programme everyone’s talking about on Netflix – which reminds me, if you haven’t watched Making A Murderer yet, watch it. Now. ‘You ‘ time can be anything from just taking a little walk to one of your favourite areas of London or popping out to your local florist and making sure you’ve got fresh flowers in the house every week, or going along to try out that new exercise class you’ve had bookmarked.

As I’m off back to New York next week with my husband (can’t wait!), I’ve stocked up on some new reads for the flight. I’m on a bit of a Donna Tartt flow after absolutely loving her other two books, The Goldfinch and The Secret History. So her other book, The Little Friend is on the list alongside Judd Apatow’s hardback Sick in the Head. Many of you will have watched Judd’s work behind the screen – he’s worked as producer on everything from GIRLS (favourite TV show), to Bridesmaids, Knocked Up, Anchorman, This is 40 – this list goes on. For any film lovers like myself, give this a read. I’m only a few chapters in but so far it’s a brilliant look at Judd’s interviews with the greatest comics of our time, such as Jerry Seinfeld, Lena Dunham, Chris Rock, Seth Rogan and Jim Carrey. A great one to have on your bedside table to dip in and out of.

Mix up your beauty regime

January is a great month to really focus on your beauty regimes and get it sorted for the year ahead. Indulge one cold and rainy weeknight in that face mask you’ve always wanted to use or treat yourself to some amazing salts for your baths. For skin, I am utterly obsessed with two products at the moment – the Midnight Recovery Oil from Kiehls and the Magic Cream from Charlotte Tilbury. You gently pat in a tiny amount of oil onto your face at night before bed and come morning, your skin will be completely rejuvenated. I received CT’s magic cream as a present for Christmas (as my obsession with her products continues to grow!) and it’s honestly made a difference to my complexion within 5 days of using it. I’m also loving some new Wella products recommended to me by my hairdresser and they’re working wonders on my hair to ease the dry ends that tend to happen more often in the cold weather.

Making notes 

I love jotting things down. Lists, plans, places I want to go to at some point either next week or in the next five years, you name it – there’s always a notebook and pen next to me! My favourite stationary brand is Smythson and their mini notebooks are the best for fitting into any handbag if you’re on the go. It’s become a tradition now too that I get one of their diaries for Christmas every year so I’ve already been busy filling in some key dates for holidays, hen parties, work events and weddings. I know some people don’t like paper diaries as everything (sadly) seems to be done on iCalender now but I couldn’t recommend it enough – they’re also great little things to keep and go back over in years to come to see how you filled up your days and weeks…

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year break and wishing you all happiness and success in 2016. There will be lots more exciting content this year on the website so keep tuned – and do let me know if and what you’d like to see on the site specifically.

LMNH x