These Are A Few Of My Favourite Things: January 2018

Favourite Things is a monthly feature on Pop! Goes The Reader in which I share a small assortment of things that brought me joy this month.

01. Fab Fit Fun Subscription Box ($49.99 USD – 1 Box/Seasonal, $179.99 USD – 4 Boxes/Annual)
I love subscription services. I love the sense of anticipation and surprise they inspire and who doesn’t love getting mail? That said, at the end of 2017, I took a little time to reflect on the services I was currently paying for and decided to make some changes. While some services were still making me incredibly happy (Ipsy and Meowbox) others began to feel repetitive and wasteful (A girl can only use so many book-themed candles). After cancelling a couple of my old subscriptions, I was eager to try some new ones. While I adore the three new services I eventually settled on (FabFitFun, Rachel Zoe’s Box of Style and Pusheen Box), FabFitFun is easily my favourite. Offering a combination of beauty, wellness, fashion, and fitness items, FabFitFun‘s carefully curated collections are consistently trendy, relevant and useful and offer incredible value for their price. My last box was valued at over $400 USD! I’m already counting the seconds until my Spring 2018 box arrives.

Want to try FabFitFun to see if it’s the right subscription service for you? I currently have a code that will allow me to share 3 free FabFitFun boxes with friends and family! With this code you’ll receive a Starter Box valued at over $75.00 USD with 3-4 full-size products to help you get an idea of what you can expect should you like to become a member. The only thing you have to pay for is the shipping! If you’re interested, please leave a comment below or send me a tweet or DM on Twitter! Codes will be shared on a first-come, first-served basis. I sincerely believe in and love this service and I think you might, too!

02. Hydrate Spark Water Bottle ($54.95 USD)
This might be one of the more silly and frivolous things I’ve ever owned, but after taking poor care of myself in 2017, I knew I wanted to make my health more of a priority in 2018. At the top of that list was making sure I was drinking enough water, and so far the Hydrate Spark water bottle has been a really wonderful way to help me do that. In addition to tracking how much water I’ve had and how far I have to go to reach my daily hydration goal thanks to the bottle’s corresponding app, the Hydrate Spark will also glow to remind me to drink if I’ve gone too long without doing so. It’s responsible, so I don’t have to be! Perhaps best of all, Hydrate Spark will also pair with things like your Fitbit, Apple Health Kit, etc. to help you better coordinate your health and fitness goals. It’s the bottle that keeps on giving.

03. “Dirty John” Podcast
As someone who enjoys true crime stories, I’m always on the lookout for new books, television shows and podcasts on the subject. The striking cover of Dirty John caught my eye on iTunes one afternoon and I listened to the first episode, not expecting much as I knew absolutely nothing about the man on which it’s based. To my surprise, Dirty John, which is reported and narrated by Christopher Goffard of the Los Angeles Times, was an incredibly riveting and engrossing six-episode podcast that I ended up devouring in a single day. While I don’t want to say too much for fear of spoiling the story and the experience for you, Dirty John details the exploits of lifelong con man and career criminal, John Meehan. More specifically, Dirty John explores John’s relationship with Debra Newell, a successful interior designer he met online, and Debra’s family’s attempts to extricate this man from their lives and the horror and chaos that followed. If you enjoy true crime, Dirty John is one podcast that’s definitely worth a listen.

04. Super Mario Odyssey ($54.98 USD)
As a lifelong fan of Nintendo whose journey with its beloved hero began with Super Mario World in the ’90’s, words can’t express how excited I was for the release of Super Mario Odyssey in late 2017. Having received the game for Christmas and played a little every day for more than a month now, I can honestly say that Super Mario Odyssey lived up to my incredibly high expectations and is now my favourite 3D Mario game to date. It’s creative, challenging, expansive, satisfying and brings me endless amounts of joy. I may never stop smiling. (And can we please talk about how Jump Up, Superstar is one of the most charming songs in recent memory? This game is the gift that keeps on giving!)

05. “Renewed” Pumpkin Walnut Facial Cleanser by Feel Beauty ($28.00 USD)
One of the things I love most about Ipsy is that it introduces me to products and brands I might otherwise be ignorant of and Feel Beauty is one such example. After receiving a small sample size of their pumpkin walnut facial cleanser in one of my Ipsy bags and seeing how well it worked and how beautifully it smelled, I couldn’t purchase the full size fast enough. This vegan facial cleanser is gentle on my skin and has natural ingredients that make me feel good about what I’m using on my body. My complexion has never been clearer and my face is now smooth and glowing. I can’t say enough about how much I adore this product and this company!

06. Mickey & Minnie Postcard Bangle by Alex and Ani ($44.95 USD)
I’ve always liked the delicate, simple elegance of Alex and Ani bangles and have long wanted one with a Disney-themed charm but was never able to find one I truly loved. This past Christmas my mom surprised me with this precious Mickey and Minnie-inspired “lovecard” bangle and it’s now one of my most-treasured possessions, made all the more special because of who gave it to me. I never want to take it off. Thanks, Mom!

07. Brains Gummies by Squish Candy ($6.00 Canadian for 140G)
Don’t let the disgusting exterior fool you – These little candies are absolutely delicious! A Squish boutique recently opened in my local mall and I couldn’t have been more excited to discover these scrumptious strawberry-flavoured brains with a surprising liquid centre inside. As strange as it sounds, candy can be a great way to refuel during long runs, so I’m always on the lookout for fresh, fruity gummies and Squish definitely fits the bill. I’m already looking forward to trying their other flavours, like these lime, apple and pear Crazy Cats!

08. Peach Hand Cream by TONYMOLY ($12.00 USD)
Like the Feel Beauty Pumpkin Walnut Facial Cleanser, I was first introduced to Korean beauty company TONYMOLY when I was sent a small sample size of their peach hand cream in one of my Ipsy bags and I immediately fell in love. The scent was clean and refreshing and the cream itself absorbed beautifully and didn’t leave an oily residue behind like so many other hand creams do. I was disappointed to learn that the TONYMOLY website doesn’t ship to Canada and thought all hope was lost until I discovered that Hudson’s Bay carries a small selection of their products here in Canada. I quickly purchased both their peach and apple hand creams (look at that adorable packaging!) and they’re now an essential part of my daily skincare/beauty routine.

09. Michael Kors Remi Pom-Pom Suede Ballet Flat ($158.00 Canadian, $110.00 USD)
If I have one wardrobe staple, it’s a good Michael Kors’ flat. In addition to being incredibly stylish, Michael Kors have consistently created the most comfortable, wearable shoes I’ve ever owned. This particular pair was one I discovered while shopping for Christmas gifts at Nordstrom, and I couldn’t resist treating myself. They’re cute, whimsical and makes me feel a little like Tinker Bell when I where them. What’s not to love? An honourary mention should also go to the Michael Kors Alice Suede Ballet Flat which I also purchased recently, though I haven’t had a chance to break in yet. I love the delicate lock detail and the beautiful, rich red, which adds a nice pop of colour to any outfit!

10. “I Love Juicy” Shampoo by Lush ($9.95 Canadian for 100ML)

Now it’s your turn! What have you loved and/or has brought you joy lately? Let me know in the comments – I would love to hear from you!