Why does it feel like I haven’t done a monthly favourites post in forever?
Possibly because my last one happened all the way back in November and it’s now February, but I skipped over December in favour of a favourite blog recipe roundup, and I had to wait until the end of January before I could share my January favourites.
And would you look at that! January just so happens to have come and gone, which means I can finally fill you in on what I’ve been loving all month. Side note: does anyone else love it when a new month starts on a Monday? It’s like a fresh start double whammy. But I digress. On with the favourites!
70% Mint Dark Chocolate from Divine Chocolate.
What it is: Dark chocolate with crispy mint pieces and natural peppermint oil.
Why I love it: Uhm… because it’s delicious? I’m a huge fan of mint chocolate in general, and I LOVE how this one has little crispy mint sugar crystals in what’s otherwise a super smooth bar. The fact that it’s made with fair-trade ingredients is just icing on the [chocolate] cake.
. – . – . – .
Organic Hemp Hearts from Manitoba Harvest.
What it is: The nutritious centre of de-hulled hemp seeds, sporting 10g of plant-based protein and 10g of omegas per serving.
Why I love it: I’ve been trying to focus on getting more omegas into my diet lately, and hemp seeds are my favourite way to do it because they don’t taste as bitter as flax seeds and they don’t get stuck in your teeth like chia seeds. They have a slightly nutty flavour and tender crunch, and they’re great in oats, smoothies, and salads [side note: recipe coming at ya tomorrow!].
. – . – . – .
And holy.SNAP was January a tasty month on Spoons! Blog recipes included:
Healthy Two Minute Brownies || Soft and Chewy Banana Bread Granola Bars
Healthy Chocolate Lover’s Blender Brownies || Banana Cream Pie Overnight Oatmeal Smoothie
Chunky Monkey Breakfast Bake || Blueberry Oat Greek Yogurt Muffins
Soft and Chewy Double Chocolate Banana Cookies || Chunky Monkey Cups
. – . – . – .
Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 mascara from Tarte Cosmetics.
What it is: A lengthening, curling, volumizing, and conditioning mascara.
Why I love it: It makes me look like I’m wearing falsies without having to deal with the hassle of actual falsies. This gives my lashes volume like WHOA, and it’s one of the only mascaras that will actually help my lashes hold a curl. I love how the formula is a little on the thicker side but never clumps, and I love that the bristles on the wand are on the shorter side so you can really focus on pushing it into your lashes without having to worry about poking yourself in the eye or getting mascara all over your eyelid. I keep wanting to believe that I can find a drugstore mascara that will do a similar job, but this proves me wrong every time I buy it.
. – . – . – .
Shade + Light contour palette from Kat Von D Beauty.
What it is: A face palette with three shades for contouring and three shades for highlighting, used to define facial features and create dimension.
Why I love it: Helloooooooo cheekbones! Contouring your face is such a great way to make your facial features pop, and I love how the darker shades in this palette add depth without making you look muddy or ashen, while the lighter shades really brighten up whatever area they’re applied to. The formula of the powders is super smooth and easy to blend, and the colours work with pretty much any skin tone. I may or may not also use them on my eyes ?
. – . – . – .
Translucent Loose Setting Powder from Laura Mercier.
What it is: An finely milled, lightweight setting powder that leaves skin with a flawless silky finish.
Why I love it: I mentioned this back in my November favourites after only using it for a short time, and I just wanted to follow up and say that I’m still in love with it. –> “If you’re looking for a lightweight powder that’ll set your makeup without making you look cakey or powdery, then you need this in your life. Not only does it give your skin a beautifully smooth and silky finish, but it helps control the oils that your skin produces, making your makeup last longer and keeping your face from looking greasy (even in the T-zone). It’s also great for setting your undereye concealer and keeps it from creasing throughout the day.”
. – . – . – .
Coconut Milk and Vanilla Mint Visibly Soft Lip Balms from EOS.
What it is: A natural lip balm enriched with conditioning oils, moisturizing shea butter, and antioxidant vitamins C & E.
Why I love it: They changed their formula! And these new ones in the striped packaging are so much more hydrating and luxurious – it feels like they actually stay on my lips and keep them moisturized for a good amount of time. I also love how they’re made with natural ingredients and don’t contain a tonne of chemicals or dyes.
. – . – . – .
Erin Condren Life Planner from Erin Condren.
What it is: A stylish and functional customizable day planner filled with bright colours and motivational quotes.
Why I love it: I’ve already done a full review on this planner so I’m not going to go into too much detail here, but I love how pretty it is while being functional at the same time. It makes it so much easier to stick to, and while I know it’s a bit pricey for a planner, the quality is awesome and I literally use this thing every.single.day so it’s totally worth it. That and I’m a sucker for decorating it and basically use it like a scrapbook.
. – . – . – .
FriXion erasable pens from Pilot.
What it is: Erasable gel ink pens that use friction to erase mistakes — “The heat generated by erasing friction causes the unique thermo-sensitive gel ink to become clear so the words disappear completely from the page.“
Why I love it: These have been a godsend in my planner where I get a little OCD about neatness. They look, feel, and write like regular gel pens, but you don’t have to worry about making mistakes or needing to change things around because they’re 100% erasable. And I’m not talking the crappy “erasable” pens that use an actual eraser to erase and end up mostly smearing the ink all over the page. These use friction to get rid of the ink, and don’t leave any smears or eraser gookins to brush away. Just make sure you don’t use them on any legal documents, for obvious reasons.
. – . – . – .
Disclaimer: this post was not sponsored by any of the companies mentioned nor does it contain any affiliate links. I genuinely love all these products, and that’s why I’m sharing them with you.
Let’s chat!
What’s one thing you’ve been loving this month?
Tell me at least one awesome thing that happened in January!
More places to find me!
E-mail — [email protected]
Twitter — runwithspoons
Facebook — runningwithspoons
Pinterest — runwithspoons
Instagram — runwithspoons
Bloglovin — runningwithspoons
Snapchat — runningspoons
I’ve been trying to incorporate more hemp hearts into my diet because of all of the health benefits they provide! I like to sprinkle them on top o fmy oatmeal in the morning. Thanks for sharing!
Holy hell! You were a beast in the kitchen which surprises me not at all. Way to hit the ground running in January. Any chance you’ll send me some of that motivation and energy. I seem to be struggling with February although I do love my planner. 🙂
So that mascara actually works? I’ve been dying to find one that would make my lashes look longer and appear fuller and I probably have 10 tubes at this point with no success. I might have to try this Lights, Camera, Action one. Also, I love Erin Condren planners. I totally missed the boat for this year but have had one the past two years and I always love personalizing them so much!
It most definitely works! I have pretty long lashes to begin with so I can’t say much about the lengthening, but it definitely adds a nice amount of volume. And I love that it doesn’t get dry and flake off onto my cheeks.
I just picked up a new bag of hemp hearts on sale at whole foods 🙂 I love sprinkling them on my omelets, it just adds a little something extra.
I still need to try hemp seeds as I have heard so many good things about them! I can get hemp seeds in Australia but they have to put a big label on the packet saying ‘not for human consumption’ – apparently Australia is one off the two places in the world where it is illegal to sell them as food…. So random!
😆 Seriously?!! That’s actually the first time I heard that, but I guess it makes sense. I actually read something about it being better for people with a marijuana addiction to avoid them as well.
I’ve been loving enchilada-stuffed spaghetti squash! Gotta love produce on sale 😉 And January featured a lot of movies with friends – so fun!
One of these days I really need to get around to trying spaghetti squash… and stuffing it with all sorts of amazing things.
Have you tried Manitoba’s bars? I haven’t, as I’ve been bit before buying snack foods made with ingredients I love when *I* cook with them but apparently don’t like in every way they come pre-packaged. Because of that, I’ve been hesitant to try the bars, so I’m waiting till I hear if more people like them. I do love hemp hearts though. My less food-trend-aware relatives tease me that I like them so much because I’m getting high, lol!
Awesome thing about January was more leisure time, especially before bed! I’ve been loving watching kids’ movies with my sibs more lately. One even recently made my favorite movie list (Big Hero Six…I was surprised I liked it so well, but it’s a sweet movie)!!
I haven’t tried their bars, actually, but that’s mostly because I tend to overlook bars since I can’t eat most of them anyways. That one seems to be allergy friendly, though, so now you’ve got me curious and I kind of want to pick it up the next time I go into the store. Will report back 😉
Love that planner! I have one myself and use it so much. Worth the investment for sure.
I have to say I am a pencil girl at heart. The eraser makes it so worth it and I am a fan of Ticonderogas. However, I will ONLY do crosswords in pen. It’s an ego thing 😉
One thing I loved this month was using my ramekins to make single serve things in the microwave. It looks so much prettier than a bowl and we all know, prettier things are more fun to eat 🙂
I really feel the need to invest in some setting powder – maybe for my birthday in two weeks! And COLORED FriXion pens?!! Our Target just had the black ones…I might have to search Amazon for some colors!
The Laura Mercier one is ah.maze.ing. So fine and light that it really doesn’t make you feel like you’re wearing any powder. And I found mine at Walmart — you can always try there!
Need to check out all these beauty products! Didn’t even know they had that type of EOS lip balm. This month I have been loving Lenny&Larry’s cookies, strawberry cream cheese, 90 degree workout clothing, and consignment shopping. 🙂
I’ve heard such amazing things about those cookies! I seriously have to see if I can find them around here…
Really loving my planner too! I need to check out all your beauty recommendations – especially the lip balm since winter makes me seriously balm dependent.
I probably have 20 different balms scattered all over my house/car/purse/ etc. I seriously can’t live without them.
Your blog posts this month have been so on point girl! I really want those erasable gel pens!
Thanks Sarah! And they’ve seriously been an OCD lifesaver for me 😉
Okay so I need that Tarte mascara like yesterday!
It’s one I keep coming back to!
Should I start counting down the days, no, months until these new EOS lip balms find their way over here? They sound – and obviously look – amazing [especially the less-chemicals part] but I’m sure we won’t be able to find these in stores until at least summer. Bummer. [Yes, I had to rhyme on purpose here]
At the risk of repeating it over and over the best happening in January wasn’t my birthday but the birth of my little nephew <3. I'm pretty sure soon enough people will be as annoyed by my gushing as I used to be when others did … oops.
Aww. I’d be more than happy to do a care package exchange. That a way you could get your hands on some before summer 😉
I’m not the biggest mint chocolate fan, but I love a little crispy in a chocolate bar! I’ve also been meaning to try hemp hearts especially because I keep seeing them absolutely everywhere. Your January recipes were so spot on too!
Right now I’m loving spiralizing all things I’m definitely on a kick and lots of great things happened in January, but my company (I work with people with disabilities) had our annual state survey last month and it went almost seamlessly!
I may be a little biased, but I say totally give hemp seeds a try 😉 They add the perfect subtle nuttiness to things like cereal, oats, smoothies, and salads.
The awesome thing that happened in my life in January is that my first born turned 5! After a time in my life thinking I’d never have kids….5yo is a miracle to me! Also, plan on making some of those granola bars this week. Yum!
Now that’s definitely something worth celebrating 😀
I’m with you, there’s something about a Monday start to a month that just makes me happy! And erasable pens? I’m in!
Hope the week (and month 😉 ) is starting out well for you, Sarah!
Always gotta have that dark chocolate <3 Those pens would also come in handy for my school work! I tend to make mistakes quite a bit and end up scribbling over them to cover up, not anymore!
#truth
I’m pretty good with my eye makeup but I haven’t even attempted this contouring madness. I feel like if I start watching You Tube tutorials I will probably lose half of my day. That still doesn’t mean I won’t do it though 🙂
Lol! I’m pretty sure I’ve learned the majority of what I know about makeup application from countless hours of YouTube. I actually think that most of my subscriptions are to beauty channels.
Shooooooot. I’m gonna need to get my hands on those pens! I’ll sometimes not write things down because what if it’s messy and I can’t fix it?! The horror!
Haha! I can totally relate! I found mine at Walmart.
You did have a delicious January! I need to go check out those chunky monkey cups STAT.
I’m a big fan of Tarte’s products as well. I prefer 100% Pure’s mascara to theirs but I do love their lash primer. Plus you can’t beat that it’s more of a natural brand and it’s cruelty-free.
As far as planners go, remember how I said I was making my own? Well it turned out to be so huge that I could only bind 6 months of it, lol! So now I have two planners for one year. I’m going to try and figure out how to streamline it for next year because I really love the layout!
A few people have mentioned 100% Pure, so I was hoping to have to look at them. I just have no idea where to find them around here, and I’m always hesitant to order makeup online without being able to test and colour match it first 😕 And I’m still impressed that you made your own planner! I’d love to do that, but I honestly don’t think I have the patience 😆
I try every drugstore mascara and am never *fully* satisfied… maybe it’s time to give the more expensive stuff a go. I’ve been loving clementines and all things citrus a lot over the past month and I’m still obsessed with my ECLP 🙂
The only drugstore mascara I’ve ever come across that I was impressed with was the Volum’ Express by Maybelline. But yeah… the higher end stuff definitely makes a difference.
Those brownies are on my to-make list!
The mint chocolate is right up my alley. I’m obsessed with 85% dark chocolate but can never find any fun flavors. Just plain!
Have you looked into any of the bars by Giddy YoYo? They have some really awesome dark chocolate flavours, and all their chocolate is raw, organic, vegan, and fair trade.
I need that mint dark chocolate and the lip balms in my life, stat. I discovered a quinoa dark chocolate bar awhile back that is also incredibly delicious… the crunch and cocoa together!
That reminds me of one of my favourite bars by Alter Eco! The crunch makes me think of a Crunch bar, which was one of my favourite chocolate bars back in the day.
I enjoy that it’s Monday and Feb. Something about today just feels so fresh and knew.
I’m a pen snob and I definitely have my favorites as well.
Hope the week (and the month 😉 ) has started out great for you, Hollie!
Frixion pens are my ALL TIME favorite! They’re in every store in Japan, so when I was over there I stocked up. They write like a dream and I love that they come in amazing colors. Perfect for those of us that love our planners.
http://www.divaandthedivine.com
I love that you’ve heard of them! I remember “erasable” pens from my school years kind of being a joke, so I was stoked to see that these are actually amazing.
I love my Erin Condren planner! And thanks for the tip on mascara I am trying this out next time I run out!
I honestly can’t live without mine! And it’s fun to go back at the end of the year and look at what happened.
Haha I thought I was the only one who was super pumped about Feb 1 being on a Monday. It kind of makes me feel like a nerd 😉
And girl your recipes were INSANE this month! So much goodness.
And erasable pens? I NEED THEM!
I think it was the running chocolate/banana theme 😛 And I was hoping to introduce something different, but seeing as February is the month of chocolate, it’ll probably have to continue 😛
Always Yes to mint chocolate! I usually pick Lindt, but because it is only option in Russia 😀 And books are my favorites things in January. I finally pass my exams and can do whatever I want. Think about a lot of reading!
Ohhh that’s such a great feeling! I remember finally being able to read something other than text books when I was done with school — bliss.
Guess we had the same idea for posts today! haha 🙂 Great minds think alike! Yum I’ll have to try the hemp…ive never really tried it before except for hemp milk which i hated!
It’s a good day for a favourites post 😀 And I’m not huge on hemp milk or hemp protein powder either, but the seeds are actually super nice.
That mint chocolate looks amazing. I love that combo! Also, EOS lip balms are the greatest. I have the vanilla mint flavor in my purse too and I love it.
I need those erasable pens in my life stat. I’m constantly making mistakes, so those would cut down on all the random scribbles all over my planner haha.
They’re really a godsend. And I swear you can barely even tell that the ink is a ny different from a regular pen.
So many of these I’m also obsessed with. And I agree: Monday + new month is the best!
Hope you’re having a great one, Gretchen!
I picked up the Kat Von D shade and light palette in New York and am so in love with it.
Emma Inks
Isn’t it amazing? Her eye shadow palette is next on my list of must-trys.
I got renewed in blogging this month, so I feel like that’s pretty awesome! Haha.
Always a good feeling! And January is a great time to get a little blogging boost.
I was actually thinking how I love that it’s Monday AND Feb. 1 haha so I’m glad you said it! and Yes hemp seeds. I tend to go back and forth with them and chia seeds for what I include in my smoothies. Both are great options!
My biggest problem with chia is just that they get stuck in my teeth 😆 And even when I blend them, it still manages to happen…. Sneaky buggers.