I don’t know where the heck August went, but my iPhone tells me that it’s almost over, so unless it’s as confused with the date as it is with the place I wake up, I guess we’ll be welcoming September very soon (#happydance). But let’s not get ahead of ourselves…
The end of another month means it’s time for another monthly favorites post. BUT… I’m going to put a bit of a spin on it this time around. You know how I just celebrated Spoons’ birthday? Well, I also happened to publish my first monthly favourites posts one year ago, so I thought it would be fun to go back through the last 12 months and see which things I’m still using and loving – kind of like a best of the best.
I know it probably makes more sense to do something like this at the end of December, but this is just the way things worked out so we’re going to roll with it. I’ll try to keep my commentary at a minimum since there are a lot of things to go through and I already explained why I love each of them. So, if you want some more info on something, go ahead and check out the original post it was featured in.
. – . – . – .
. food .
Dry cappuccinos – September 2012.
Still one of my favourite hot drinks. If it’s not black coffee, it’s a cappuccino.
Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice tea – October 2012.
I can’t even remember the last time I didn’t start my day with a cup of this tea. Obsessed.
Chunky Homemade Applesauce – November 2012.
I’m not exaggerating when I say I always have a batch of this in my fridge. I finish one just to whip up another.
Maisie Jane’s roasted almond butter – November 2012.
No matter how many different ABs I try, this one remains my favourite. All almonds; no added salt, oil, or sugar.
Barefruit Apple Chips – March 2013.
I eat these on a daily basis. Sometimes a whole bag at once, and sometimes I try to ration. Crispy and addictive.
Genuine Health Greens+ multi+ vitamin supplement – March 2013.
One of the only vitamin supplements my body tolerates. I take a scoop everyday.
Frozen bananas – June 2013.
Cold, creamy, and sweet… I probably eat 1 – 1.5 frozen bananas a day.
. – . – . – .
. beauty .
Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters – August 2012.
If I’m looking for lip colour, I usually reach for these. Nice colour payoff without feeling dry.
Urban Decay Naked 2 eyeshadow palette – September 2012.
My go-to daily eyeshadow. Great colours, great pigment, great wear.
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion – September 2012.
I use this every day, all day. Makes my hands so soft without feeling greasy.
MoroccanOil Light Treatment – November 2012.
I use this every time I wash my hair. It helps keep my ends soft and smooth.
Maybelline SuperStay 24-hour concealer – December 2012.
Favourite concealer when it comes to coverage and long-wear. Daily staple.
Lush’s Honey Trap lip balm – January 2013.
Another every day, all day kind of deal. This goes everywhere with me.
MAC’s Mineralized Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle – January 2013.
Daily makeup staple. Adds a pretty, healthy glow to your face.
Johnson’s Baby Shampoo – January 2013.
What I use to clean my makeup brushes. Wallet-friendly and effective.
Maybelline Colossal Volum’ mascara – February 2013.
Daily makeup staple. Gives a high-end mascara look at a fraction of the price.
Macadamia Hair Deep Repair Masque – March 2013.
I use this once a week to give my hair an extra shot of moisture. Leaves it healthy, soft, and smooth.
Urban Decay All Nighter makeup setting spray – March 2013.
Daily makeup staple. Makes my makeup “mesh together” and last all day.
Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes – March 2013.
Daily skincare staple. Great for removing even stubborn makeup. Doesn’t leave my skin feeling dry.
St. Tropez Self-Tan Bronzing Face Lotion – April 2013.
I apply this to my face once every few days. Gives a nice glow with no streaks or orange hues.
Philosophy Purity Made Simple Facial Cleanser – April 2013.
Daily skincare staple. What I use to wash my face every night and get any gunk off.
MAC’s Painterly paint pot – May 2013.
Daily makeup staple. I use it as an eyeshadow base and to cover up any discoloration on my eyelids.
Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush – May 2013.
Daily makeup staple. Favourite blush ever. Doesn’t fade, doesn’t make me break out.
The Beauty Blender – May 2013.
Best.beauty tool.ever. Makes makeup go on flawlessly. Daily staple.
Philosophy’s Turbo Boost C Powder – May 2013.
Daily skincare staple. I mix this into my facial cream and it’s given me a brighter, more even complexion.
Revlon’s Colorstay liquid foundation – June 2013.
My current favourite foundation. Great coverage and staying power without feeling heavy/cakey.
Tarte’s Matte Bronzer – June 2013.
What I reach for when I want a sunkissed glow. Doesn’t look orange/dirty and stays put.
Dry brushing – July 2013.
Still doing this every morning. Still loving the results.
. – . – . – .
. odds and ends .
Song of Fire and Ice series by George R.R Martin – August 2012.
Probably my favourite epic fantasy series. Martin is all sorts of brilliant.
My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok – September 2012.
One of my all-time favourite books. I’m sure I’ve read it at least 5+ times.
J. Crew Pixie Pants – October 2012.
Probably the best legging-type pants I’ve ever come across. Makes the legs and butt look fantastic 😉
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein – October 2012.
On my list of favourite books – one of the few that make me all misty eyed by the end.
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss – January 2013.
This book… there are no words. It is easily near the top of the list of my all-time favourite books. Maybe top 3…
The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss – February 2013.
The sequel to the book above, and just as good.
Jesus Calling daily devotional by Sarah Young – March 2013.
I start pretty much every day with a reading from this book. Beautiful meditations.
. – . – . – .
. blog .
It was definitely nice to get back into blogging after taking most of July off…
- I spent a lot of time this month stressing the importance of trusting yourself when it comes your own diet and health. It’s good to be open to new ideas and try different things, but at the end of the day you need to follow your own food rules and disregard what others say you “should” do.
- Two new recipes this month! First, my grandma’s recipe for beef rouladen. Second, what may be my favourite recipe to date – no bake almond fudge protein bars. Still lusting over those…
- Spoons turned one year old and I shared some things I learned about blogging over that year.
- And last but not least, the beginning of link love as a way to share some favourite articles from the web.
. – . – . – .
Did ya make it this far? 😆 I know that was a lot to take in, and I’m sorry – a year is a whole lot of favourites to go through. I have to admit that it was pretty interesting to go back and see what things are still around, though… BUT! it’s high time to put this post to a close, so I’m going to do so by saying…
LONG WEEKEND! WOOP!! 😀
And now, give me 3 of your all time favourite / daily staple:
a) foods
b) beauty products
c) random odds and ends
the art of racing in the rain made me ball!!! like hardcore cry and break down. Amazing book. have you ever read chasing redbird? it is an easy read but i highly recommend it. makes you think .
Never have… but I’ll be looking into it!
Chunky homemade apple sauce? OMG :))))
Tastes just like apple pie filling – promise 😀
Man, there is so much awesomeness crammed into this one post!! Can’t wait to reserve a little time and check out all of the links. I’ve still been wanting to try the dry capp for awhile. Once, it cools down a little here I’ll definitely be ordering one!
Thank you for your inspiring photographs; some lovely products that you have mentioned.
Sophie x
i think a best of the best can be done any time of year, that’s the great thing about having your own blog! ha! the books were good for me, I need to go check those out
favorite – tea tea and tea.
I wish I wash beauty- savvy like you.
i am happy to report that i have almost half of these items. I’m gonna be like Amanda! WHOOP!
Top 3 Foods: Bananas, Coconut Chobani, Tomato Sandwiches with Laughing Cow Cheese!!!!
Top 3 Beauty Products: Simple Facial Wipes (love them, too!), China Glaze Nail Polish, and Revlon Just Bitton Lip Stains!
Top 3 Random Odds and Ends: Progressing, less obsessing, and you, of course 😉 I’m just trying to suck up. HAHAHA.
I love this post and it’s not better way to celebrate a good ‘ole blogiversary!
I love the Jesus Calling devotional!! It really has transformed my daily relationship with God and my intimacy with him, but of course every day is a challenge to focus on the important things 🙂
As far as food for this month I’ll say Starbucks (I’ve been there too much), bananas, and almond butter 🙂
I’ll have to check out those J Crew pants. I’m in need of some that are similar to that. And all of the books you mentioned I need to take a look at too. Loved this post!
Oh the devotional has done amazing things for me! I love how it’s written like God is talking -to- you… makes it feel so much more personal and intimate.
Best of lists are always great… and from you they are even better! You consistently have good info going on and the makeup ones are my among my favorite as I have ZERO experience with makeup. Well hmm not entirely true, mascara and me are pals, and I do put some concealer on. That’s about it though haha. Oh wait and eye liner! hey now, we have a few things going on hurrrr 😉
Local apples/apple picking is something I am most looking forward to this upcoming month! It’s among my Favorites about fall and just the general scents, flavors and sights, weeee can’t wait. But again I have said this before, the winter doom thing SUCKS when it comes sneaking in! Ahh well, I’ll just have to enjoy fall as much as possible.
Have a glorious weekend Amanda!
I need, need, NEED to go apple picking this year! I always plan on going, but somehow never make it out. I think I have to post about it and have people hold me to it.
Foods- Peanut butter, apples, bread.
Beauty- Eerrrmm..I don’t do much here..AH I NEEP HELP!
Odds and Ends- COFFEE, does that count as food? CATS! anddd running.
I don’t know if those work, but I AM MAKING THEM WORK! HA!
The moroccan oil, maybelline concealer and simple cleansing wipes are ALL of my daily routine, too! I’m obsessed with my Milani lipsticks and I NEED the urban decay naked palette. NEED. Christmas (which also happens to be my birthday) isn’t close enough for it, ha!
I’m so excited for local apples…I’m basically going to make applesauce like it’s my job, I haven’t made any in a few months. And my GoT obsession obviously doesn’t even need commenting on at this point. And as for the other favourites:
Food as of currently: bananas (I wasn’t eating them too often for a while there in favour of berries and summer fruits, but the magic has officially been rekindled), ice cream/frozen foods in any form (froyo and coconut ice cream), and hot dogs, because I’ve been to like 12 BBQs this summer and always ate a hot dog.
Beauty: whatever you tell me to buy in Sephora :-p I have been using macadamia oil on my hair and loving it.
Odds n Ends: Insurgent (just finished reading it last night and now I’m extra happy that I don’t have to wait too long for the next one) nighttime walks with the puppy, getting excited to bake Fall-ish things.
Happy Friday my dear! <3
Confession: I’m ridiculously excited for our Sephora trip <3
Foods: peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, ripe nectarines with plain Greek yogurt, sweet potato fries
Beauty products: Cetaphil face wash (so gentle but effective, and cheap too!), Laura Mercier mineral makeup, Too Faced eyeliner (love the texture, and it’s waterproof!)
Random: the Harry Potter series (you’ve GOT to read it), long walks through the city, warm baths
I love a lot of the Cetaphil face products too. I couldn’t believe how well they worked when I first tried them, but they’re great for sensitive skin.
I love all your faves 🙂 I need jeans, a tshirt, and coffee on the weekends 🙂
This is my reminder to try some of the products I’ve seen you post before. I’m a big moroccon oil fan and I really wan to try that hair mask! I also want to try Lush products and read The Art of Racing in the Rain. I have a feeling I”ll cry over that one too!
I am pretty sure that almond butter would be on my list EVERY. SINGLE. MONTH.!! 😉
😆 I would put it on mine too, but I’m pretty sure it would start getting redundant after a while.
Homemade applesauce is definitely the best! I love the eye shadow palette! Those are totally my colors!
My favorite food products are definitely peanut butter (can’t get enough of it) and coconut cashew truebars.
My favorite beauty products are the YES To tomatoes line! I love the face wash!
I love Aveeno’s skin care products–I have really sensitive skin, but Aveeno’s a brand that consistently works well for me and doesn’t irritate it. Top 3 foods, in no particular order: nut butter (most kinds–I’m not very picky in this department!), froyo (you really shouldn’t be surprised :P), and fresh fruit. I can’t pick just one fruit…that’d be devastating. 🙂
Need to make your apple sauce pronto! Simple wipes are the best. Perfecto-post-workout.
3 fave foods right now: FIGS, sunflower seed butter and flax seeds.
Have a lovely long weekend girly! xo
You may think this is not the right time to post this, but in my opinion, it’s the best time! You reminded me of my need to make homemade applesauce this year. I know I’ll go apple/pumpkin picking at some time this fall, and applesauce would be the perfect thing to make. Maybe you’ll come up with recipes for my own pumpkin/apple butter? I can always buy it…but I just love homemade treats!
Ugh, I bawled at the end of The Art of Racing in the Rain. Such a great book. Hope you have a great weekend!
And YOU just reminded me that I need to make sure I go apple picking this fall I mean to go every year but somehow never make it out. And I reread Racing in the Rain and -still- bawled the second time, even though I knew what was coming. Ridiculous.
I, too, love Aveeno and the Revlon lip butters. Might have to check out those Pixie pants…
ohhh i might need to pick up some of that urban decay eyeshadow 😉
It’s such a great idea!
A) Coffee (cappuccino and cafe latte with coconut syrup and whipped cream), pancakes with whipped cream… okay, maybe just whipped cream, coffee and spinach
B) white powder Chanel and blue contact lenses
C) collar dresses, Pinterest and Iphone which I want to finally buy
Umm seriously, what an amazing collection of things. I just went through and copy/pasted half of those things to remember for later. I use the simple face towelettes as well, adore them. And I must get the Urban Decay All Nighter spray, it is exactly what I have been looking for. My three daily staples for beauty are Burt Bees face moisturizer, Eos lip balm, and MAC studio fix powder.
I love this! We have super similar tastes in each of these categories 🙂
Foods: TJ’s sunflower seed butter, overnight oats, and avocado toast (recently with smoked salmon on top!)
Beauty: Tarte Amazonian clay blush in Exposed, Maybelline One-by-One mascara, Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment
Random: She Reads Truth on my iPad, Food Network, mornings 🙂
Ohhh you just reminded me that I have a small sample tube of that Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment that I keep forgetting to try out. Thanks girl!
To be honest, I actually only have the Sephora samples of them too 😉
Love this post! Such a great round up of favorites. You’ve finally convinced me I need the beauty blender too! I keep seeing it everywhere 🙂
The Mac painterly paint pot is also something I use everyday too. Sometimes I wear it as a primer for other colors or just alone since the color looks very natural.
Just got some awesome makeup and skincare tips from you! I use the same moisturizer 🙂 Also obsessed with Bare Chips and Game of Thrones!!!
Three favourite nut butters:
1. Justin’s Vanilla Almond Butter
2. Homemade Pistachio Butter
3. Marantha Peanut Butter
Loaded into my oats with banana! Have wonderful long weekend lady 🙂
I’m SO happy that I finally managed to pick up a jar of Justin’s vanilla AB so that I could see what all the fuss was about. It.isamazingggg.
Happy Friday, hun 🙂
That Naked eyeshadow pallet is my all time fave. You can creates o many looks with it!
I’ve heard good things about that devotional book. I really need to get better about doing mine. Yeah… pretttttty bad about it. Whoops!
Loving the look of your makeup choices. Now if only I knew how to properly apply it…
For foods, my first is definitely the Tazo chai latte concentrate with almond milk and coconut creamer. My Clif Builder’s protein bar in chocolate mint. Lastly, it would have to be sweet potatoes; can’t get enough of them!
Moroccan oil is one of my go-to’s – perfect way for me to style my hair. My Urban Decay Naked palette is a must and one of the best birthday presents. And…probably eos lip balm. I have most of the flavors!
Last! Random odds and ends. I always ALWAYS have a water bottle or tumbler with me. My Jawbone UP to track my movement and sleep. And my planner/gratitude journal to keep me ‘sane’.
Fun recap, girlie! I know you’re a cappucinno fan but have you tried their lattes? I am hooked lately and fortunately they are just as foamy! Narrowing down to just 3 foods as my “all time favorites” is a toughie but I am going to have to go with yogurt, apples (both cooked & applesauce) and eggs- I am yet to get tired of any despite my mass consumption! I know it’s terrible on my part but I am always So lazy to clean my face in the night- those SIMPLE wipes sound ideal for me! Happy Friday, Amanda!
I actually started out drinking coffee with lattes (vanilla to be exact), but now I just find them way too milky with not enough of that strong coffee flavour. That’s actually part of the reason I get my cappuccinos dry – I don’t like them too milky.
I’m not sure if it’s a good or a bad thing that when I saw this post pop up in my bloglovin’ feed, I was confused as to why you were doing a monthly favorites. Until I realized it’s the end of August. Woah. That’s weird… and since I love all things j.crew, I’ll have to give those a shot! I’m still looking to revamp my wardrobe…
Ahhh ABC time!
A) Coffee, chocolate (in any form..even milk), peanut butter. Not very creative, am I? BUT it’s almost pumpkin season and by boy and I are off to the bucks to get pumpkin spice lattes this morning!!
B) Dry brushing (your fault!….or rather….thank you 🙂 ), Burts Bee’s Cuticle Cream, Essie nail polish.
C) Odds and ends??? AHHH. Ummmm….My tablet? Boat shoes. Andddd my keurig? I’m pathetic ha!
I gotta check out “Jesus Calling”, I have been reading and re-reading Charles Cowman’s “Streams in the Desert” for a couple of years now.
This is a GREAT post – while I have been a reader of your posts for about the last month, I have yet to stalk out your earlier posts – so this is a nice way to read some of them 🙂
Some of my fav foods are: coffee (yes it’s a food group for me), peanut butter, Food Should Taste Good multigrain chips!
I don’t have an extensive beauty list but love Olay and Tresemme Keratin Shampoo/conditioner/leavin conditioner – am a fritzy kind a gal so this works GREAT in summer!
I love Avocados specially baking with them
I love and need a good ol sweat session EVERYDAY!
And I wish someone would invent a stratch and taste screen/taptop cos I want a taste of your no bake almond fudge protein bars!
Oh well – I am just gonna have to try them out this weekend!
Have a happy long weekend 🙂
😆 That scratch and taste idea is brilliant! And you never know… with the way technology is going, it might just happen someday 😉 And PLEASE check out Jesus Calling – it’s such an amazing and motivating devotional, and always puts me in such a good frame of mind.
Happy weekend, lovely lady! <3
Oh wow, this was great!:) I was slightly excited, ok very excited, to see someone else loves that concealer as much as me!:) I’ve work it for at least six years now!:) I also lived seeing your makeup. I’ve always wanted to try Urban Decay!:) If you feel like experimenting any at all, I just discovered Physician’s Formula BB cream and powder and I’m in love. I tell everyone about that stuff. In the meantime, I’ve got to see about getting some of that Mac shimmer powder:) I love a good shimmer!:)
I need to try that tea as I have notice I am craving tea in the morning more than coffee this week…I love Yogi’s Kava tea. You must try it if you haven’t…I must admit that my daily staples/favorites are changing lately. My go to answer is forever peanut butter but I have found myself not wanting it at every meal as usual yet I think it still counts as a favorite lol…fave beauty product was always Dior Dior Dior but I have been changing that as well over the last few months due to allergies…here is a random odd/end – I am determined to find myself a new handbag that I can write about the next time you ask what I am currently loving lol. This girl needs a new purse! Have a great weekend.
I am such a fan of homemade applesauce! I am a bit lazy with making it, but when it’s there, it never lasts long!
I am still a MAC girl. I want to look into organic make up soon, but I am having a hard time letting go my beloved amd perfect MAC products. When it comes to cosmetics though, I am a huge fan of Origins – organic and makes my skin look better than ever!
Happy Weekend love! Ps. the package is ready to go 🙂 so excited!
It’s so hard to get into more natural cosmetics because, unfortunately, a lot of them aren’t as good 😕 But I was actually looking at Origins the other day and thinking about picking some up to try… so I think you’ve just convinced me 😉 And I’ll be sending yours out on Monday! <3
oh what a great idea for a best of the best list!! love this. also im obsessed with those jcrew pixie pants, i wonder if they’re still available even though those were from last year?? i’ll be checking on that as soon as i finish this comment 🙂 some of my consistent favorites are my daily misto, bronzing powder, and i guess bar method. i picked it up last october and its been a constant part of my life since then.
I’m pretty sure the Pixie Pants are one of their staple items so they should still be available. They’re a bit pricey as far as leggings go, but they’re worth the investment! SO flattering, and they’re not thin and flimsy so you don’t have to worry about anything showing through.