November Favourites

Mad Men - In October, we had a strike that lasted far too many weeks. A couple days into the strike, I was informed by a classmate that Mad Men had returned to Netflix. I've seen Mad Men in the past because of its styling and wardrobe, but now it has me hooked for entirely different reasons. The dynamic characters, the social issues, the ad culture. The fictional agency of Sterling & Cooper does a great job at showing what ad agencies are like (and namedrops a lot of the original greats). Super interesting, super informative. Still super beautiful to watch - both in wardrobe styling and in cinematography. It's easy to understand why it won so many awards.

Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Cream - This is a very expensive product. The plus is that you don't use a lot of it at once, and it works. My skin is likely my biggest insecurity. Lupus paired with rosacea leaves my skin so, so damaged. Not only is my skin inflamed but it is also dry and puffy. I have used products from high and low to try to fix and regulate my skin. This works. The gimmick is that tigers used to roll around in this grass (tiger grass) to heal their wounds. It is a very thick cream that I have to be very careful balancing because just as likely as it is to help with the dryness on my cheeks, it can cause breakouts on my T-zone. I am happy with it for the most part. It's a favourite.

The Ordinary line by The Abnormal Beauty Company - I see this company showing up on more and more bloggers' recommendations. I've only been using them in the past few months off some recommendations from friends and Into The Gloss. Currently, I have about four The Ordinary dropper bottles sitting around my room. The thing about The Ordinary is that it does high-quality serums and oils for a very affordable price. If I remember correctly most of the products are under $20, and these same products are much, much more expensive elsewhere.

Amongst my collection, I have: 100% Cold-Pressed Virgin Marula Oil, Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2% and Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%.

Communication Arts Advertising Annuals - So back in September, I started an advertising copywriting program at Humber College's School of Media. We're told to really dive into the advertising culture and see what that's all about. To do this, we should go through annuals and see what award-winning work looks like, what the mindset is. I've been through some of my professor's annuals, but I love Communication Arts. I picked it up at an art-focused bookshop. I find their selection of ads to be great, the articles helpful and insightful. The price point is also not bad for an annual since some of them can be upwards of a hundred.

Swipe Art + Design - Speaking of Communication Arts, I picked up my copies at Swipe. The shop is the official bookstore of the Art & Design Club of Canada. It is beautiful. Every time I go in, I want to buy everything. I can't because most art and design books are expensive, but the dream is a coffee table and a shelf stacked with books found at Swipe. Really, it's all art and design books. A space in my head looks like Swipe.

AGO membership - At the beginning of the month, I saw my friend Tara who ended up convincing me to get a membership at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Membership is $45 for students, and this includes entry to the gallery and many of its special exhibits. We went to see the del Toro exhibit specifically. Although art is no longer my main focus these days, it is great having the chance to go and have my viewpoint and mindset readjusted.

Double Cup Love by Eddie Huang - Full review here.

Mom's shaggy maroon jacket. 

March Favourites

F. Miller face oil - After reading about it on Rebecca Ramsdale's blog, and in a desperate attempt to fix my very angry skin, I purchased this at Easy Tiger and fell in love. Rebecca explains that Fran of F. Miller mixed the oils in an attempt to combat the harsh Canadian winter and its effect on her eczema and psoriasis. I don't have eczema or psoriasis. I do have a bit of rosacea and lupus that mostly manifests on my skin. This oil (and a slew of samples from the kind man at Sephora Yorkville) has helped to calm the extreme redness on my face as well as bring back some of the moisture that winter has completely stripped away. The effect feels instantaneous. I feel so much better.

Hanya Yanagihara - Here is an amazing author. I read her second novel A Little Life first and I have to say I liked that better. It was a beautiful book that described living and the many consequences and tribulations that can come with living, and admittedly, a difficult life. In March, I read her debut novel The People in the Trees. If A Little Life was about the consequences and tribulations that can come with living, I think The People in the Trees describes the consequences and tribulations that comes with existing in our globalized world. It is the dark that comes with exposure to the unknown, and how we often scramble to react instead of simple observation. The People in the Trees is not an easy novel to swallow. I can't say I recommend it because it is very, very difficult at parts. It is about a selfish man, and finding justification for his selfish behaviour. It is an interesting read, something that encourages growth and self-reflection. Maybe we can end on calling it a challenge.

GIRLS - It's the final season. The show hasn't changed that much from the beginning. The characters are all the same or very similar kinds of selfish. I loved this show in the beginning though, and I still do into its last season. It is a bit of a guilty pleasure. Hannah is back with the same narcissism and insecurity while she deals with everything, even more things. It's a little reassuring to have someone act that way, even if it is someone on TV.

The Course of Love by Alain de Botton - I was reading a review on this book that says this is the book you should read before marriage. It is a book that is good for helping us understand all of our personal relationships better. It walks the reader through the very beginning of a couple's meeting to their courting, dating, marriage, insecurities and woes of marriage, having children, having an affair, and realizing what a prolonged relationship really means. There is also a third voice - almost like a narrator, that describes each critical step or misstep at each point. It is a beautiful book. A nice short read for when you maybe want to get some perspective on how to function in a prolonged relationship. For me, one question about marriage has always been: How do you make love stay? How do you make love continue to grow at the same pace? This goes there.