The January List

Delicious things to read, wear, watch and shop right now

Ok, so the longest month of the year is officially behind us now. So long, January, it’s been a blast.

I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I’m looking forward to the next chapter. I’ve heard rumours about daffodils coming soon (woohoo); plus there’s Pancake Day. But I’d also be lying if I didn’t acknowledge that there have been some good times this January too: in there, amongst the grey and the drizzle and the bitter seemingly never-ending cold, there were some very happy afternoons spent curled up on my sofa with my book and a mug of tea (guilt-free because the weather really was too dire to even contemplate going outside); there were lots of deliciously early nights (because January = very few plans indeed); and there’s been an ongoing campaign (very much still running) to get our house into shape, which while not strictly speaking fun, has however been very rewarding. I also hosted a meeting of my book club which was truly a highlight of the month - such a mood-lifter - and involved a dark chocolate mousse with pistachio cream that I’m very happy with (will be sharing the recipe as soon as I get around to writing it up properly).

Anyway, here we go. Here are some of the bits and bobs that have brought me most joy lately:

I was given this LED mask for Christmas and am now completely obsessed. I’ve been doing 8 minutes, as instructed, every morning religiously (the mask gives you a little tally of how many consecutive sessions you’ve done which really helps maintain momentum) and I love it. I do it first thing when I wake up and before I get out of bed, typically while listening to a podcast or the morning news, but sometimes I like to just lie there in contemplative silence, wearing what my husband affectionately (I think) calls my psycho-killer mask and just taking a moment before getting into the day. I genuinely think that I’ve seen a difference to the texture and feel of my skin - and I also think that the LED light treatment has eased the underlying inflammation and red tone to my face (even on my cheeks where my rosacea is angriest). The mask also comes with a lovely under-eye cooling setting - so if nothing else I start the day with my eyes de-puffed and feeling very relaxed. That’s not nothing.

This is, genuinely, such a great life hack. My friend Lisa first got me on to it, and if you too suffer from Goldilocks syndrome and find your butter to be either fridge-cold and hard or too smushy soft (and slightly rancid tasting) from being left out, then this little butter dish is exactly what you need. It’s not the prettiest looking butter dish (I’ll give you that), but as far as gadgets go it’s also pretty discrete and inoffensive looking. And worth it’s weight in gold with the temperature control bit.

So, I now sleep with my hair tied up in a little silk bonnet that looks remarkably like the sort of silk turban you might imagine 1950s film star (or housewife, take your pick) wearing: I don’t do this because I like the look of it, although I’ll admit that it’s growing on me and as far as silk turbans/bonnets go this is a pretty flattering one, but because silk fibres are meant to be so much kinder to your hair than cotton or linen and prevent breakages and unwanted frizziness (I’m plagued by frizziness). I’ve got to say that I’ve really noticed an uptake in my good-hair-days since committing to this new headgear situation. I have flirted with silk pillowcases in the past, which is another good option, but the fact they don’t match the rest of my bedlinen always bothers me too much and I end up hiding them away before eventually and inevitably de-cluttering them off to the charity shop. So a bonnet it is. Plus it’s great for travel.

We’re basically talking the holy grail here: a really good, classic cashmere cardigan that’s a nice, flattering fit and isn’t crazily priced. Moreover it comes in pretty much every colour you could wish for. Yep, the actual holy grail.