January Favorites

It's Groundhog Day!... Before I head off to buy Valentines and go watch the Bill Murray classic, it's time to reflect on my favorite things from January. I won't sugar-coat it, January was a rough month for me and so far February is starting off not much better. I have been diagnosed with bursitis of the hip and an inflamed lower back muscle. Walking is not easy and I've had to pretty much stop exercising which, as an active person, has thrown me and my body for a loop. Still, rather than have a pity party (though I've done that too because #ImOnlyHuman), I want to look at all of the good things that happened this past month.

Hidden Figures & This is Us

I put these together because they're both entertainment but they could each be their own. Hidden Figures is my favorite movie of the season and I really hope it starts getting more recognition. For those who don't know, the movie is about three black women working at NASA during the space race. Forgive me for sounding like a cheesy commercial but I laughed, I cried, and at times was on the edge of my seat. If you are feeling hopeless about the state of the world, go see Hidden Figures, I promise it will help.

I have been hearing the hype about This is Us since the show began but figured, how good could it really be? THAT GOOD is the answer (side note: Hello there Milo Ventimiglia, I didn't know this is where you've been). The plot line and characters are complex but lovable, even when you hate what they're doing and the overarching themes that drive the show are heartfelt without being cheesy. It's a very human and relatable show, and I think we can recognize bits of ourselves in each of the characters. For those with FiOS, it's available OnDemand, which is how I've been catching up. 

Pixel Forest

Perhaps one of the most Instagrammed art exhibits, Pipilotti Rist's "Pixel Forest" was pure and utter whimsy. Similar to Martin Creed's exhibit at the Armory this past summer, specifically the room filled with balloons, Rist transformed three floors of the New Museum, turning them into other-worldly, dreamlike spaces. My favorite, and the one you've no doubt seen countless pictures of was the room hung with strands of lights that changed color. I wanted to both run through and touch them all while also stand completely still and watch the colors change around me. The power of art is awesome (not in the dude, bro way but in the deeper and more spiritual sense of awe), and why I ended up studying so much Art History in college.

Georgiana Paraschiv for DENY Duvet Cover

I've been wanting to do some apartment refreshing for a while now and I finally bit the bullet and took the baby step of getting a new duvet cover. I went with the Georgiana Paraschiv for DENY Abstract M3 Duvet Cover (say that 3 times fast, or even once) from Urban Outfitters. I know it's such a minor thing, but it has totally transformed my room and I'm in love with my bed all over again. From the gorgeous coloring to how buttery soft it is, my bed is now like a cloud. Say what you want about fancy bedding and homewares but Urban Outfitters pretty much never lets me down.

This picture doesn't do it justice. PC:  UrbanOutfitters.com

This picture doesn't do it justice. PC: UrbanOutfitters.com

 Outpourings of Love and Activism

Are things looking bright and shiny in the US right now? No, although technically the sun is out as I write this but still... Rather than be filled with despair, I'm choosing to focus on the incredible love and humanity that is springing up in reaction to policies and words filled with ignorance and hate. From the Women's March (really marches), to all those who have rushed to airports to rally, offer services and support, to everyone making calls and signing petitions, it has been an incredible display of what it means to care for our fellow human beings and to be a part of our great nation, which I still believe is great. 

Spotted on the street. Also currently my computer desktop.

Spotted on the street. Also currently my computer desktop.

I know that's only four and usually you get five but I haven't been up and about much this month so have missed out on some things. Since the first was a two-for-one, let's just say I made it to five :)

What were your January favorites?