MODA Blog Favorites: January 2018
After the end of a grueling month of p-sets, essays, and juggling who knows how many other responsibilities and obligations, MODA Blog brings you a refreshing list of favorites from our bloggers and photographers to fill you with inspiration and energy for the next month.
Olivia
Call Me By Your Name (the book not the movie!!)
Call Me By Your Name was undoubtedly one of my favorite movies from last year, and I think it's in part because I decided to stay true to the source material and read the novel before I saw the film in theaters. While Luca Guadagnino's interpretation of the work is stunning and draws incredible strength from Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer's chemistry and raw performances, André Aciman's writing is simply riveting and so poetic. It is truly one of the most beautiful novels I've ever read, and Aciman's lyrical writing style rivals those of other literary giants like Ian McEwan, Haruki Murakami and F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Trader Joe's ends & pieces
I realize there are bigger fish to fry, but can I just take a moment to give Trader Joe's ends & pieces a shoutout. It's essentially a bag of leftovers corners from the fruit bars they make, but let me tell you these are so amazing and delicious and the perfect "healthy" snack. I found out recently that these are a seasonal product (which is honestly rude... give the people what they want, Trader Joe's!!!), so whenever you see them at TJs you must stockpile at all costs.
Glossier mint balm dotcom
This winter hasn't been as bad as ones in the past, but you can still run the risk of dry skin and chapped lips. While a lot of Glossier's skincare products are iffy, their lip balms are actually pretty great. I use mine as a lip salve at night and it's quickly become my go to lip balm (even over tried and true loves like Burts Bees and Mongo Kiss chapstick).
Olinka
First Aid Beauty Skincare
I hate a lot of things about winter, but the thing I definetely hate most is the impact the harsh dry weather does to my skin. A few weeks of walking around campus in the bitter cold made my already-dry-skin even dryer. My skin savior has been First Aid Beauty Skincare, especially their sensitve-skin-friendly Face Cleanser and their Ultra Repair Instense Hydration Cream. Since using these products, my skin has gone from a red, flaky, mess to smooth and supple.
Moleskine Notebooks
Ever since coming to campus, I've started religiously using Moleskine notebooks for all of my notebook needs. Even though they're more expensive than regular spiral notebooks, the quality is worth it, especially since I rarely fill regular notebooks. I like to use their Cahier Notebooks for notes, their Classic Notebook for journaling, and their 12 Month Daily Planner to schedule out my life.
LÄRABARs
One of my goals this year has been to eat breakfast every morning. For someone who's a chronic oversleeper like me, it can be really tricky to make it to the dining hall in the midst of rushing to class. Whenever i'm running late, I just grab a LARABAR and eat it while I'm walking to class. Despite only being made from a few simple igredients (with no added sugar!), these are super tasty and come in a variety of favors.
Yeju
Living Proof Restore Collection
My hair has braved through endless curling, straightening, and dyeing throughout this year thanks to my inability to commit to a certain hairstyle. Sadly enough, the effects started showing with split ends, breakage, and a generally unkempt look that might've fit my mood for finals week. But over break, I decided to experiment with Living Proof's Restore line (since I already love their Perfect Hair Day collection) and I don't think I'm turning back. Since I started using the shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in cream, my hair has become softer, shinier, and more manageable in general. Its appearance is less frizzy and also doesn't get static-ridden in this dry, windy sweater season.
Check out the sampler trio here
L'Occitane Hand Cream
Bless my mother's soul for gifting me this because it's the only thing keeping my hands from flaking in this merciless cold weather. I've always been a bit skeptical with hand creams because my hands just aren't soft, but this one does the job. It doesn't feel greasy or stay on the top layer of your palms. Not only are my hands noticeably softer, but they also smell like heaven in a bottle. Grab yourself a tube or two. There's a small store in Lincoln Park that you could check out, but Sephora and L'Occitane's websites also have an extensive line of scents and different intensities of moisturizing effect.
Brandless Chocolate Chip Cookies
I've made it a New Years Resolution to not leave my apartment when necessary because it's cold. Now that I can order bags of chocolate chip cookies through Brandless and munch on them while reading for my next discussion, life is 100% better. Discovering Brandless not only saves you money from buying overpriced brand-name snacks, the taste rivals the simplicity of the packaging and company's mission.
Kardelen
L'Oreal Lash Primer
This month I bring you my favorites, all of which hail from the beauty aisle at Target. Makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes made the recommendation of this primer- and it works. It does its job beautifully with my other new favorite mascara- MAC's False Lashes.
Ponds Cold Cream
Hot take- Neutrogena makeup remover wipes can be alarmingly drying, especially in the winter, and don't always remove stubborn mascara and eye makeup as well as I'd prefer. I picked up a jar of this cold cream at Target and noticed instantly that it works beautifully to remove all traces of makeup as well as to keep my skin hydrated.
Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless Foundation
I picked up a bottle of this in the summer because I had run out of foundation, but set it aside in favor of another one. I rediscovered this and am absolutely in love with it, as it sets beautifully and doesn't get too separated during the day. A cult favorite of YouTubers and laymen alike, this can be found in any drugstore with an impressive range of colors.
Images via ulta.com
What have you been loving this month? MODA Blog wants to know (our bloggers and readers are always seeking new inspiration and cool things to try out!).
Featured image via Kathryn Hicks.
