I compiled my last ‘5 Things I Love’ post in September 2019! So much has happened since then! But it’s a brand new year, so it’s a brand new compilation of random things that I love, mostly happening in January 2020.
Please feel free to share the 5 Things you love too – it helps you think a little and put things into perspective, and breaks down each month into more easily digestible bits 🙂
What I Love – Red Lipstick!
The Chinese/Lunar New Year is just around the corner, and this year, I have absolutely no doubt about what red lipstick I’ll be wearing.
It will be the Radiant Liquid Rouge Shine by Cle de Peau Beaute in Legend Red #103. It is the most beautiful, and flattering, red shade, with the most beautiful shine, and leaves lips looking plumped up and well, kissable!
I’d happily wear it well into Valentine’s Day too! 😉
RELATED READING: You must check out the Legend Red shade – 4 beautiful textures for one stunning shade of red! READ HERE
What I Love – Rediscovering Vitamin C serums
I took a break from using Vitamin C serum late last year, for about 2 months. My skin was undergoing some form of external stress, and I needed to get it back to a comfortable level, before I could go back to a more rigorous, intensive routine.
The difference in my skin tone and texture is palpable!
After just 2 weeks of daily use, I noticed that my skin was smoother, calmer and much more even in skin tone. Combined with an intensive hydration routine, I have noticed that scars and post-inflammation hyperpigmentation heal more quickly.
I have also been spending a little more time outdoors, and using Vitamin C, and sufficient sunscreen where it matters (some parts of which we tend to forget about!), has helped me keep my complexion more even toned. Important for me, as I battle with hyperpigmentation that flares up pretty easily.
I’m finishing up the current Vitamin C serum from Novexpert, and I’ll be then going back to the Timeless Vitamin C serum, which now comes in new packaging. I’m going to try it in the new packaging and see if it lasts any longer!
While I do have a tendency to hoard skincare (a trait I’m trying to stop), the one product I do not hoard is Vitamin C serum. They tend to go off more quickly, and I don’t use expired or oxidized products on my skin. So, buying only when my existing serum is approaching the end is the better way to go.
If you haven’t yet tried using a Vitamin C serum, I highly recommend it, if only to strengthen your skin from external oxidative stresses 🙂
RELATED READING: Where do you start with Vitamin C serum? How about this very affordable and very effective one you can pick up at pharmacies? READ HERE
What I Love – Life
After the hectic months I was going through at the end of 2019, this past month has been fairly quiet and stable for me. I love that! 🙂
Excitement and surprise is all well and good to keep things interesting, but I take comfort in stability and a fairly set routine. And that’s what it has been, more or less.
I’m happy pottering about cooking meals, watching silly movies on Netflix, going to sleep and waking up, knowing the next day’s routine is about the same. Boring it might seem, but I’m done with excitement for a while haha 😀
The most excitement I’ve had is to spend time with dogs, and in rekindling my love for dogs. It gets me outdoors, I get to play with and watch dogs at play, and we retire at the end of the day, tired and happy.
There is really, no better way to spend a weekend 🙂
What I Love – Small wallets
With my change in lifestyle from a more formal working lifestyle to a more casual one, I’ve found my large wallet too bulky. So my latest love is a small wallet!
It’s been a major change for me, as I have always used large wallets with many card compartments to slip all my cards in. It was therefore a major mind-set shift for me to transition to a small one.
It’s been so much more convenient, and I can slip it into my pocket, so I don’t even carry a bag out sometimes! It’s liberating! 😀
I’ll share some thought processes on this, and how I made this transition, if anyone’s keen 😀
What I Love – COS
Yes, I’m late to the party that is COS – the Swedish brand of minimalist style clothing. They are from the same company that makes H&M, except you get better quality material and more classic, simple lines.
The designs are representative of Scandinavian minimalism, with minimal embellishments and fuss. I like the roomier cuts for dresses and skirts which allow for a very comfortable fit. It is especially comfortable if you are blessed with hips, as I am LOL! The wider cuts at the lower half of the dresses allow for a nice swingy feel as you walk, and there are some nice fitted pieces too.
I also like that the materials used are slightly heavier, so they fall better and feel like they will last longer. However, it also means that it can sometimes feel hotter when worn in our weather. The cut also tends to be a little long for me, as they seem to be cut for taller physiques.
The biggest down side is the price. COS clothes do tend to be rather pricey, so I usually wait till sale time before I pop in and take a look, and maybe indulge in a piece or two. The higher prices do make me think a little more about whether I want to purchase a particular piece, which means I make a more informed choice.
This is as opposed to Uniqlo, where prices can be very affordable, and I can do a little more damage than I expect without feeling too much of a pinch 😛 That said, I am trying to wean myself off Uniqlo, not because I dislike their designs, but because I’m trying to be more conscious about my spending, and about how I live my life.
Incidentally, I found out that COS has an online store that ships to Malaysia and internationally. Their prices are about on par with what they are in the local stores (or a little higher, based on the exchange rate) , but they may have some items available or on sale, that aren’t otherwise available in local stores. You will be charged taxes if you buy online and have it shipped to Malaysia (10% for now) so be sure to factor that in if you do decide to make a purchase 😉
I have a few pieces from COS now, and I know that they will be a store that I will check out from time to time. The designs are age-appropriate and fairly modest, and are generally quite well-cut. When you reach a certain age, all you want to do is not look like you raided your daughter’s wardrobe 😛
What are the 5 things you love this new year? Share?
Feel free to use my categories, or share your own. I’m sure you can think of something! On this note, I’m on my annual Lunar New Year break, so Happy Lunar New Year, enjoy the festivities and the holidays, and here’s to a happy, healthy, prosperous year of the Rat! 😀
Paris B
Gong Xi Fa Cai Paris…thanks for sharing your current top 5. I have always love reading your recommendations especially fashion and skincare brands..Because of you I have am using Pixi, and a few other brands that I can’t immediately recall…and now Cos, they have a shop here in Zürich so will be checking that out for some minimalist and clean fashionable look…enjoy your CNY with family and friends!
Happy CNY Paris! What a better way to open the Rat year with the 5 loves of life !
My 5 most love this month are
1) bak kwa — haven’t had this in more than 10 years. Most of the times I give the bak kwa to my mom but this year she’s spending cny early with my family, I excused myself and tried the bak kwa. My taste bud is happy but waistline and guts really hate me now
2) smaller wallets — in the rush of time I started using my hubby wallet with only 3 slots for cards and a small currency pouch. I share your feeling of liberation of stepping out with handbag at times 🙂
3) comfortable but stylish shoes — I think they are called fugly shoes (?). Having retired from corporate life, I love wearing comfortable shoes. Not that I wore pointy heels before but I did wear 2inches heels for more than 20years, starting from college….Didn’t know better
4) animals — I don’t have space for pets at home anymore but witnessing the Aussie bushfire breaks my heart. Started educating my kid about donating her toy money to help the Aussie animals, glad to discover her compassionate nature.
5) movies — haven’t watched movies for 5 years, since the birth of my first kid. Now that she likes watching movies, I rekindled with one of my many most loved activities. Gosh I really like Tom Hiddleston as Loki….
Loved this post!
I love: Scandi fashion brands, long walks, tea, beaches and the fact that it’s spring soon!
Hi again,
Sorry a little late to the show…but here goes :
1- Red lipsticks of course ! Mine is Shiseido “Carnevale” RD 506. They stopped making it (tears rolling down my cheeks);
2 – Chanel nail polish in 709 Purple Ray and 705 Open Air;
3 – Ebony Wood, Zara Perfume made by Jo Malone ;
4- Silverware, I polished it all up and eat on it for lunch and dinner;
5 – Medium high neck short sleeve tops (protects my chest area from sun, feels light and airy).