MODA Blog Favorites: March 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.
Kathryn
Imperfect Produce
If you haven't yet heard of Imperfect Produce, they are a phenomenal mission-oriented company striving to reduce waste and resources in the produce industry. By rounding up and selling the produce that is too ugly (read: slight scarring or misshapen but tastes way better than any grocery store offers) to make it to the shelves, Imperfect Produce saves resources and prevents waste of perfectly fine fruits. Their email alliterations also always make me laugh (à la "welcoming watermelons" & "romantic radishes")
Z: The Beginning of Everything
Finally a show that is not a shitty cop drama - pride for my taste runs through me! I've watched this before, but felt the typical reading period relaxation urge to rewatch and have gotten sucked into the magic again. I'm a sucker for this time period's fashion and flair and this Amazon Original does a great job highlighting the glitz, drama, and life of Zelda Fitzgerald. Rumor has it that the show has been unfortunately cancelled for a second season so enjoy the first with me.
Faux Fur Fluff Jackets
I recently succumbed into my post MODA show creativity burst and DIY'd this fluffy faux fur jacket (with lining!!). I followed this tutorial from the Nava Rose and made a pattern from an old coat. For about $25 in fabric (yay for Joann's coupons) I couldn't be more pleased with the final outcome. I still have plenty of fabric left to DIY some more too. 😉
Kardelen
Backlit makeup mirror
I used to awkwardly loom over my sink and bathroom mirror to put on makeup, but, in a slightly tipsy post-Moda show burst of energy, I bought a backlit makeup mirror off of Amazon, and have greatly appreciated its presence on my makeup stand. $17 is not a bad price to pay for assurance that your foundation is eternally blended to perfection, I think.
Flat top makeup brushes
As an avid watcher of Laura Lee's Youtube channel, I began to believe in the power of a flat top makeup brush for aforementioned foundation. I use the Ecotools one, but the Morphe option is an attractive one due to its gold color and exalted status in the makeup community.
Hourglass No. 28 Primer Serum
I bought this because I was being pushed to at Sephora, which is a trap I am always falling into. Not that I regret it. Not only does it smell amazing, it makes my makeup look luminous. Enjoy it for its aromatherapy, or for its ability to make your skin look baby soft after a long day of work and classes.
Olivia
Health-Ade Kombucha
I'm not quite sure if there are any proven health benefits to drinking kombucha since most of the online articles I've come across provide conflicting information, but I personally find the drink super refreshing after a bout of particularly bad eating/unhealthy snacking. That being said, almost all of the kombucha brands I have tried taste gross or are sickeningly sweet–with the exception of Health-Ade (my personal favorite flavor is Pink Lady Apple). I've found this everywhere from Trader Joe's to HPP and the CVS on 53rd and bottles usually retail for around $3.
The End of the F***ing World
While I've been waiting for all 5,000 shows I try to keep up with to finally return this spring, I happened across this amazing British dark comedy/horror series on Netflix. Admittedly, trailers and promos for the show read kind of corny, but the show has such a clever, hilarious and unique take on coming-of-age, teen drama tropes that you'll likely end up binge-watching the whole season in one sitting like I did (episodes are only 20 minutes long!!). Watch for Wes Anderson meets Heathers meets Badlands meets Freaks and Geeks.
The Body Shop Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Night Mask
Honestly I'd risk it all for this mask. Rarely do skincare products blow me away and I'm not one to experiment too often with new products, but I bought this on a whim after being peer pressured by the sales employee at The Body Shop and I've never looked back. This is seriously a miracle worker–lather it on or use it as a topical treatment for select spots overnight and the next morning your skin will look noticeably better. For me, this product has helped reduce redness, stop breakouts and it leaves my skin feeling fresher.
Olinka
Glow Recipe Blueberry Bounce Cleanser
After using this product for a couple of weeks, this has become my go to cleanser. Although it's a but pricier than other cleansers ($34 for 3.38 oz) the effectiveness of the product makes it worth it. Not only does it deep clean your skin, it also has AHAs for exfoliating and is loaded with hyaluronic acid, so it's still gentle enough for my dry skin. I normally stick to using it as a cleanser, but it also doubles as a 10 minute mask if your skin needs a quick boost of hydration!
Sputnik Sweetheart
While others went alpine skiing or visited exotic beaches for spring break, I sat at home in Minnesota with my dog and read (exciting, I know). My favorite book I read over bring was by far, Murakami's Sputnik Sweetheart. After hearing about Murakami for so long, and collecting several of his novels without getting the chance to read them, I read this and was absolutely blown away. If you have yet to read any of Murakami's work like me, this is a great starting point. I'm definitely going back for more.
Tazo Dessert Delights Teas
Even though I've always loved Tazo teas, their new dessert delights range has possibly made me fall more in love with them. Their range includes Butterscotch Blondie, Glazed Lemon Loaf, and Vanilla Bean Macaron. I like drinking these when I want dessert but don't want to commit to an actual sweet. I especially love drinking the Vanilla Bean Macaron to relax me before bed.
