10 Things We Like for February

Well we did it team! We made it through arguably the worst month to get to arguably another bad month. This one’s much shorter though and has Valentine’s Day and Galentine’s Day, President’s Day (shout out to the boys), and Black History Month! Read your Toni Morrison! And if those aren’t enough to live for, we humbly submit these 10 things we’ve been loving.

Claire’s 5:

Eleven Madison Park’s Granola

In January I pursued what turned out to be a deeply triggering endeavor, cutting out sugar. TL;DR, I realized my real problem is an addiction to convenience which has prevented by from properly nourishing myself, and have found the only antidote is having homemade easy to eat food. Is there sugar in this granola? Yes. 1/3 a cup of maple syrup and 1/3 a cup of brown sugar to be exact (however, I tend to only add 1/4 of brown sugar.) There’s a chance I’m eating just as much sugar as I would be in a bowl of cereal, but I made it myself and it has other good stuff too!! After trying many granola recipes this is my favorite and I’ve never even made it in full. I love the proportion of wet to dry so I try to stay within the boundaries of total measurement, but I like the olive oil/ maplye syrup/ brown sugar wet combo and then in addition to the oats I throw in whatever I have on hand. It's tended to be chia seeds, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, some dried fruit. But the cool thing about granola is you can’t really fuck it up!

Appointment Television

If you follow the Patreon, which is a forever top 10 thing imho, you know I’ve been watching Traitors and Severance. If these had been single batch dropped for binge viewing I’m sure I would have binged them, obsessed over them, then moved on immediately. It really is fun having an episode to look forward every week, a rendezvous scheduled with my watching buddy, and time to consider and digest what I’ve just seen! Even Traitors! We’d have way fewer Carolyn memes if we had to watch every episode at once! If these aren’t your style I still highly suggest finding a show that comes out weekly as a fun treat! Turns out the olden times had some good ideas!

Morning Pages (and the tools that got me there)

I’ve finally done it, two straight weeks of a morning routine. Although the Artist’s Way wasn’t for me (I actually already have a pretty fulfilling creative practice) I love Morning Pages. The low lift of just free writing in the morning has become my meditative practice, and is a great starter before I go straight to my work out. The thing that has enabled it is my night before system! Which involves setting up comfy cozy clothes next to my bed so I’m not dreading those few moments of being cold when you get up. I cannot overstate how much I’ve been loving our new CMBC sweat pants (which I’m hiding as a link in a different link because even though I swear by them I could never put my own merch as a 5 thing), Quince robe, and these Ugg slippers. Set yourself up for success! Get comfy first!

Amber Book Light

I hate to say it but unfortunately reading before bed has been transformative for my sleep. I never would have guessed having Sex and the City running in the background was bad for REM but there you have it. I was previously reading and then feeling my eyes get heavy then having to get out of bed to turn the light off and that was hell. Shout out to this sweet little light. It really is a lovely way to close out the day.

Dermologica Daily Microfoliant

I’ve been using this exfoliant since it was recommended to me by my wedding make up artist. It was recommended for use leading up to the day and night before to smooth out my skin and boy does it. I have very sensitive skin, but I’ve never had a problem with this product, thought I only use it at most twice a week.

Claire’s ask!: What is your favorite body wash? I’m looking for a potentially unisex body wash that’s good for dry skin but also acne??? I think it’s time I get into Big Skin Health. (Big Skin is the skin on your body not face, there’s so much of it it’s so big)

Ashley’s 5:

Swedish Hand Cream

Dare I say this has been the crumbliest winter of my entire life? Both mentally and physically I’m in bits but this Swedish Dream hand cream is absolutely rescuing what it can. I found it in a shop near my house and while I don’t usually like an extra creamy cream I need the extra juice for my dry and crackling hands to lap up or they may not make it to summer. It’s extremely thick, smells nice but not overpowering, and it’s gooey at first but it dissolves into of my skin quickly enough that it’s entirely worth it.

The War Against Screen Time

If you’re a CMBC historian you may remember me “trying to be on my phone less” from perhaps every single week for the last 4 years however right now I’m making a genuine effort. I could write an entire newsletter on my current full-frontal attack on screen time but today I wanted to continue recommending the app JOMO. I’ve mentioned it on the podcast a few times but I really appreciate the variety of app-blocking settings that you can customize. Even though the blocks aren’t terribly difficult to get through, having to ask myself “do you need to check Instagram right now?” is a great step in helping me not check Instagram right now.

This Nespresso Fella

I spent years oddly resistant to countertop single-coffee devices. It had nothing to do with flavor, I’m an unapologetic instant coffee appreciator. It’s possible it was a volume thing, I loved making a full pot of coffee and drinking it all day but this Nespresso pop machine was absolutely the missing piece in achieving a better morning routine and getting a handle on my caffeine addiction. Just kidding I still drink a heaping amount of coffee per day but this machine makes preparing a perfect cup of coffee so much easier and makes me feel fancy and put together. I love that there aren’t a billion pieces to take apart and wash all the time and because the coffee preparation is so seamless I’ve been more likely to drink a cup of water before I start chugging coffee. I literally cannot explain why that’s the case but it just is and I love this thing.

Seasonal Candy

I’ve always had quite a sweet tooth and as I’ve managed to get a handle on it over the years it’s morphed into something of a candy that sucks specific sweet tooth. I’ve been literally craving conversation hearts all winter and I know they taste like chalk but I love them! I love knocking back a few handfuls of sugar chalk and texting photos to friends for a good laugh, crushes for a good flirt, the opportunities are endless and the seasonality is magical.

Bundling All The Way Up

Two years ago I purchased a striped balaclava because it seemed chic and then it went to the bottom of my hats and gloves bin because I was a chicken. This year I have no patience for feeling chilly. When I’m too cold I walk around in the wind saying “ooooh nooo” out loud and that’s no way to live. I’ve finally started bundling all the way up starting with a base layer and finishing with my full face covering because at 7:30 am when Bug is ready for a walk only layers will keep me sane. Soft hood separates like this also seem like they protect side face better than a traditional hat or jacket hood and perhaps there could be matching detached knit hoods for Bug and I on the horizon…