I asked my son if people still used the word “stan,” and he said what do you mean, like the Stan countries? When I explained that no, I wasn’t talking about the Central and South Asian, mainly former Soviet countries, I was talking about describing how I feel about things I like, he tilted his head. I don’t think people your age say it, probably. Excuse me? I was listening to Stan before you were BORN. I am TAKING BACK the Stan.
I know January has been a rough, grim, and frankly terrifying month, on the international front particularly, but you know me:
And to that end, there are many things I found I could Stan in the month of Jan. I would like to go on record to say that January sunsets are truly things of beauty, and even though we still haven’t made it to 5:00 yet – tonight’s sunset is at 4:48 – there is more and more daylight and clear skies every day.
Nicole’s Favourite Things: The Jan Stan Edition
If I Could Turn Back Time
Where have the Cerave products been all my life? I know where they have been, inexpensively hanging out in the drugstore, so I suppose the real question is WHY haven’t I used them before now? A few months ago my skin was feeling so tight and dry with the change in seasons, and I bought this moisturizer for my first morning ablutions:
It’s revolutionary! I put it on first thing in the morning after washing my face; it’s much thicker than what I would usually use on my face, but it absorbs by the time I’ve brushed my teeth. In the summer I prefer a much higher SPF but I think 30 is perfectly fine for a) winter, b) walking in partial darkness, and c) the cloudiness that is typical of winters here.
I also purchased this product, allegedly a “serum,” but which seems more like a lotion:
I put it on before my Neutrogena retinol night cream, which leads to a LOT of tingling, but I think it actually does make my skin brighter and softer and maybe – MAYBE – even lessens the look of wrinkles. Does it turn back time? Absolutely not, but I think that’s just too tall an order for any kind of topical treatment, particularly one for less than $20 at the drugstore.
Bundt and Hustle
As I have mentioned before, I have been diligently working my way through my friend Julie’s cake cookbook (HI JULIE) since I bought it in 2022. I ran into a roadblock, though, because a number of recipes call for a Bundt pan, which I did not have until this Christmas, when my son gifted me one. This was along with a copy of Commonwealth, which I mention only because it otherwise sounds like he gave himself a Christmas gift under the guise of generosity. Also, I wanted both of those things. In any case, I made Julie’s Family’s Chocolate Cake, and instead of the ganache called for, topped it with a cream cheese frosting in order to use up the last of the four pack of Costco cream cheese I had purchased for a friend’s birthday carrot cake.
I foresee many Bundt cakes in our future. I have the pan, nothing can stop me now!
Snow Much Fun
It’s so strange to me to live in a place where in January there is next to no snow on the ground. Yes, it has snowed. But each snowfall was accompanied by a melt within a day or two. Someone recently informed me that one year it snowed here in December and that snow was still on the ground at the end of January, and my response was one of befuddlement. This was not as winterly impressive as that person thought. I’m from Calgary? Sometimes the snow from October lasts until May? But in any case there is no snow here in the valley, and so my husband and I have been occasionally driving up into the mountains to do some snowshoeing.
I love snowshoeing so much. What a great way to experience the winter. It’s fantastic exercise that takes in the beauty of nature, and it also makes me feel Wholesomely Canadian.
There is also no falling, and after I bruised my tailbone last year cross-country skiing, I am a big fan of staying upright in wintry conditions.
I Understand You Completely
I don’t know what is going on lately, but there seems to be an explosion of Pride and Prejudice merch available, and I am here for it. Before Christmas I was shopping at Indigo and although I most certainly did not need to buy myself anything, let alone another mug, I could not help myself.
Not to get all snobby and pedantic, but this delights me on so many levels. A regular, non-Jane-Austen-stan might think oh yes, there IS no enjoyment like reading and yes, we all feel that way. But it’s much funnier on a deeper level. The quote actually belongs to Miss Caroline Bingley, who is ostentatiously picking up a tome of a book in order to impress Mr Darcy. After flipping a few pages she abandons the book for other, more enjoyable pursuits. It’s a deep cut, and it makes me absolutely delighted every time I use it.
While purchasing new clothes, I came across a whole lot of Pride and Prejudice-themed items, and I immediately added to cart this sweatshirt, purchased two sizes larger than normal in order to be as cozy and comfy as possible.
I had to explain the significance of Most Ardently to my husband and son, who looked at me like Shrek and Donkey when they first hear the song Duloc Is A Happy Place. They much preferred my tee that the three of them bought me several Christmases ago:
Poor maligned Lydia. She’s only trying to exercise the only economic power women had back then. Also, we were all fifteen once, and I’m sure if I lived in that era my head would also have been turned by a red coat, even if I am a Charlotte Lucas at heart.
Paint It Black
Have I mentioned lately how much I love my girlfriends here? I adore The Golden Gals Squad; they are always up for something fun, and to that end my friend Sandi (HI SANDI) booked us in for a paint night at a local restaurant.
Credit for the above goes to my friend Sara (HI SARA), and honestly, she saw me. I was objectively the worst painter in the group by a long shot. I was there for the vibes and the hysterical laughing.
My husband, of Supportive King fame, said wow, it’s so much better than I thought it would be! I mean, me too? But the bar was pretty low. Also I’m not sure what he thought it would look like, but probably he assumed it would be tear-stained. Frankly, it looked nothing at all like the demonstration piece – for one thing, there is supposed to be a stag involved but I know my where my artistic limitations lie – but it wasn’t like I was planning on displaying this anywhere in my home anyway. I’m not Botticelli, people! This isn’t the Birth of Venus! It’s just a bunch of apparently dancing trees in a winterscape. Happy little trees! Let’s have a moment of silence for Bob Ross.
Outfit of the Month
This month’s outfit has a nice mix of old, new, and medium pieces. The polka dot tank and long-sleeve tee date from around 2017, the jeans are new, obviously, and nicely stretchy, and the cozy long sweater was purchased sometime during the pandemic. I don’t know when, as all those years blur together and what is time anyway, but I do like the sweater. It’s a perfect layer for an occasionally hot-flashy woman like myself in the dead of January, because it’s easy to slip off.
A few years ago I saw a meme about Decorative Gord Season, the Canadian version, which included a photo of the Barenaked Ladies’ Gordon album, Gordie Howe, Gord Downey, and, of course, Gordon Lightfoot. These days around 4:48 pm I start humming Sundown, which is an honourary favourite thing this month.
I know there is a lot to be glum about right now, and I personally have to completely skip over the news and even the headlines, lest I spiral into complete and utter despair. But I hope you can find a lot of beautiful things in your own little world, and I hope you found some this January. xo
I’m with you – it’s a great life if you ignore the news. And ignore it I do.
I’m not trying to make you jealous, but we got out a little earlier than normal for our after dinner dog walk last night and it was still light out! It was about 5:45. I don’t see too much difference in the morning light yet but that’s fine because at least we’ve got more light from somewhere.
I own both full sized and mini bundt pans, but I rarely use them. I’m going to take this as a challenge! I’m just not sure what I will make yet.
My artistic ability is that I am also really good at wine.
FIVE FORTY FIVE WOWZA!!! Sunrise is around 7:30 so I’ve noticed a difference, but not as much as the evening light.
Mini bundt pans! That sounds super cute!
SNOOP DOGG WINE AND PAINT, that’s what we need.
My children are very into Cereve! I like the Skin Renewing Night Cream (the peptides one), which I have to hide in the pocket of a bathrobe because otherwise the children keep using it, and it is a very small container.
That is such a good photo of you at the painting party!!
Thanks Swistle! I feel like that photo really captured the moment!
I haven’t tried that cream but rest assured I will be looking for it!
I LOVED THIS POST. So many happy things.
A Bundt pan – surely the strangest named pan in the kitchen. I rarely use mine (a few times a year), but have two – one metal and one silicone. I really should get rid of the metal one since I haven’t used that in YEARS.
Yay for mugs that make us happy. I really do thing a pretty or sentimental mug can make my day so much brighter.
I LOVE that picture of you out snowshoeing. You’re glowing and doesn’t the white background of winter in Canada make for tremendous pictures? As much as I dislike snow and cold and winter in general, even I have to admit it is absolutely gorgeous. You look like a fashion model.
That heart sweater. TOO CUTE! I want one.
Ha – Happy little trees. What a classic Bob Ross moment. Did you ever see the documentary. It was rather sad 🙁
Awww thank you my friend, don’t I feel all lovely now from your sweet compliments!
I haven’t seen that documentary! I’ll have to see if it’s on one of our many streaming services.
Another underappreciated (IMO) drugstore product is Vanicream lotion. I get it for my ezcema-prone boys but have stolen it from them for the winter. It is so creamy and wonderful!
All that snow is delightful! We have barely had any snow this year which is a bummer for us since the boys are at a great age for playing in the snow. But we have at least 2 more months of winter so there is still hope – although I’d rather have snow during Dec-Feb. I’m over it by March but March is a high snowfall month for us since it tends to be warmer.
I have never done a painting event but my painting would likely be worse than yours!! I have zero artistic ability.
Gah the news is grim here but I have to follow much of it for my job since it impacts recession odds and inflation/unemployment expectations, etc. It is SO DEPRESSING. I stupidly follow the confirmation hearing for RFK Jr and got all worked up over his comments about people with chronic illnesses and how we are a burden to the healthcare system and so on and so forth. Did you hear me screaming in frustration in BC???
Lisa, when I was in Calgary the majority of the snow would come in March and April. There would be snow in the earlier months but that is when the thick heavy snowfalls would mostly happen. I would have thought you would have had decent snow this year, that is a bummer. It’s so fun for kids your kids’ age.
YES!! CERAVE FOR LYFE!!! Someone recommended a different Cerave (Ultra-Light Moisturizer) and I tried and DON’T DO IT, NICOLE. It smells like sunscreen SO MUCH and you have to use three times as much to get that delicious moisturizing feeling. The stuff you’re using is the right stuff. I also use their nighttime formulation. And preach it to Vanicream from Lisa’s post, too. Vanicream is literally the ONLY lotion I’ve found that helps my eczema and it is a miracle product. All hail drugstore skin care.
One of my FIGs (figs? what nomenclature are we using for this?) was the sunrise the other day because I saw some tiny bits of light on my morning walk with Hannah!!!! The days ARE getting longer. THRILLING. THRILLING!!! Someday soon Hannah will get a walk that isn’t in the dark. SOON!!
I don’t mind a sunscreen scent but I’d prefer the sunscreen scent to be with actual sunscreen, like Hawaiian Tropic or something! Not on my face first thing in the morning. So I will continue! Plus I love how it feels. I might change my tune when it’s spring though.
Oh oh oh I saw such a gorgeous sunrise this morning, I was just in total awe! We are sisters! Sunrise sisters!
Nicole, This post was just what I needed to brighten my day! I LOVE your painting! I’ll bet you had so much fun with your friends, and your trees DO look happy! And the sky is gorgeous!
I also love Cerave. I use the nighttime formula both day and night. I will have to check out the Vanicream that everyone’s raving about in the comments.
I’m intrigued by the Jane Austen products you’ve been finding. (I love my Valentine, by the way!)
Oh, by the way, I’ve never heard of the term Stan. 😂 I looked it up, and it’s a thing, and now I feel baffled. Where have I been?
Hahaha you’ve probably NOT been listening to Eminem circa 2001 or so. But I love how my son immediately assumed I was talking about the Stan countries. Like…what does he think I’m conversing about these days? How would Kazakhstan come up in casual conversation?
Thanks so much – you’ll notice I didn’t post a photo of what it was “supposed” to look like! Lol, it’s art! As George Costanza says aggressively “I HAD A DIFFERENT INTERPRETATION!”
Very pretty cake and sunsets (both photographed and painted).
We had 8 inches of snow the first week of January that’s still not completely gone and it seems just crazy because that’s unusual for it to last so long here.
Oh Beth must be so happy! I know how much she loves the snow!
LOL you are so delightfully dorky– love it! I have the Cereve retinol serum and eye cream– love them both! (The lotion hurt my face– maybe it’s the sunscreen? But like how can my face be so sensitive?!?!)
WELL I NEVER SARAH (yes I am a total dork, I know it, I own it)
Your outfit is SO cute! And I need to take a page from your book and just start skipping the news completely because I just keep spiraling down into doom.
I mostly use my bundt pans for a lemon pound cake – clearly I need to up my game.
Gigi, skipping the news is the only way I can function right now. I get all sweaty just thinking of it. And I’m not even in your country! So I can’t imagine how stressful it is for you.
I think your painting is pretty decent, I’m sure if I went to something like that I would not be painting a stag either. The snow always looks so pretty, but I’m glad not to live where it snows. I’ve only been snow shoeing once, in Park City and it was beautiful. We have mainly been to snowy parts to ski but snow shoeing was such a gentle way to enjoy the forest.
It IS a gentle way to enjoy the forest! I love it so much. I do love skiing too but I’m going on a trip soon and I don’t want to fall again. (haha just realized I made an inadvertent bad pun)