To be 100% honest, my favorite blog posts to write are always my current favorites. It’s one of my content goals to write more for the blog in 2022 and so hopefully I’ll be bringing these back frequently throughout the year. Today, I’ll be sharing some of my current favorites from the past month) in lifestyle, fashion, and beauty. You can also check out my most recent YouTube video for some life updates and a look into my February.
There are several affiliate links throughout this post. All opinions are 100% my own as always.
What’s Hot
Lifestyle FAVORITES
Journaling
I have such an appreciation for daily journaling at the moment. I’ve been absolutely loving easy one page prompts that help me focus in on my energy, mood, goals, or state of being. I love grabbing easy layouts from Pinterest. Margot Lee, a lifestyle creator and YouTuber, also shares some of her favorite journal spreads on her IG stories. It’s nice to continuously check in regularly on how I’m feeling and on my different weekly/monthly goals. I bought a Moleskine journal and it is my new favorite thing!
Goodreads
I’ve recently been super into the Goodreads app and frequently update it with my reading habits. I think adding friends to my account has helped me stay accountable when it comes to actually upholding my reading habit. You’ll always find a book on me now and it’s a goal in March to finally go and get a library card. I love buying books but the habit is definitely getting pricey!
Notion
I talked about Notion last year in a YouTube video about how I balance graduate school with content creation and living life. It’s a great resource for creating to do lists, planning out content, keeping track of client action items and doing quick brainstorming and story board sessions for all kinds of content types.
Gorillas App
The Gorillas app has been a god send over the past couple of months. It’s been a great way to start reducing food waste and to cut back on how much money I spend on groceries in general. The goal of Gorillas is to have groceries delivered to your door quickly and efficiently with sustainable packaging and well supported riders. It’s currently only available here in NYC, but if you’re interested in trying it out, you can get $20 off a purchase of $30 or more with my code “GABBYWHITEN20”.
Casafina Pasta Bowls
I love cooking at home because it’s much cheaper than take out and eating out in the city. The Casafina Gifts low pasta bowls I bought are my new favorite kitchen items. I swear it makes the pasta taste better, lol. I got a set of four in the vanilla color way off of Verishop (if you download the app, they give you $20 to spend with no strings attached).
Mid-afternoon Tea Time
This month has been big for tea and coffee time. I’ve found myself always carving out time to take coffee and tea breaks in labs and on the weekends. We’ve been taking some time each afternoon to enjoy a cup of tea with a Dutch treat called stroopwafel. My lab mate Marte is originally from The Netherlands and has introduced us to one of the greatest tea companions, maybe ever. It’s a great time to chat about current events, write in my journal, and take a breath during somewhat busy and stressful work days.
FASHION Favorites
Victoria’s Secret Pink Sweatsuit
I’ll be honest I couldn’t tell you the last time I purchased anything from VS Pink. Their wide leg yoga pant was probably one of the hottest staples when I was in high school. I recently received a package from them in celebration of their collab with We The Urban. The matching sweatsuit they sent me is my new favorite thing. The quality is impeccable and *high key* a matching sweat suit almost immediately makes you look put together. LOVE!
Zara Chain Strap Shoulder Bag
I’m thankful everyday that my mom and I can bond over fashionable accessories and I was delighted when she purchased this Zara shoulder bag for me over the holidays. I almost never buy bright colors, but I actually do love a pop of color when styling neutral outfits. The fun kelly green bag is one of my new favorite ways to add color to more styled outfits for day and night. It’s pretty affordable and really great quality (for being from Zara).
Platform Low Top Converse Sneakers
I have only ever owned a pair of bright pink low top converse in my life, but my mom recently gifted me a pair of platform white leather Converse that she bought but were way too big for her. Needless to say, I’m obsessed. They instantly take any basic outfit to the next level. They’re also wildly comfortable and definitely gaining in popularity.
Dagne Dover Backpack
My parent are actually winners this year with the Christmas gifts as I also adore my Dagne Dover book bag that my father kindly gifted me this past year. I got the Large sized book bag in the olive green color and it has been the perfect upgrade to my smaller Marc Jacobs bag I got from Nordstrom Rack years ago. It’s an extremely well made bag and comes with the most useful small extras (shoe bag, matching pouch).
BEAUTY + SKINCARE Favorites
Merit Mascara
I don’t have much to say about this other than it’s the only mascara that has been able to eclipse my love for the Benefit They’re Real mascara. It’s not clumpy and elegantly lengthens my lashes. What else could a girl want?
Ami Cole Lip Oil
In a similar vein, the Ami Colé lip oil is the only lip product that I can say I love equally, if not more than the Fenty Glow Bomb lip glosses. It’s moisturizing, plumping, and the perfect nude shade for my melanin-rich ladies. I absolutely adore it!! Get $10 off your purchase!
Native Body Wash
I was able to try out the Native body wash after collabing with them on a self love campaign in early February. The ginger lemonade body wash from the Native x Baked by Melissa collab is my new favorite shower product. It’s lathering capability is next level and the scent is subtle but stays on my skin for a decent amount of time. Genuinely a big fan!! You can use my code “GABBYWHITEN” for 20% off!
Colorful Eyeshadow Looks
I don’t know if I should thank Euphoria for the recent uptick in colorful eyeshadow on adults, but man am I glad it’s becoming a thing. I’m definitely someone who in general feels more comfortable with neutral eye looks, but I’ve always admired creators who are able to play with color and textures in their makeup. I was recently added to the Colourpop PR list and it’s been a delightful treat to receive eyeshadow palettes with brighter colors to start playing with. I got the It’s a Mood palette from them and I actually feel like I’m in middle school again and extremely excited to try out different color eye looks.
BOOKS, MUSIC + ENTERTAINMENT Favorites
2000s Hip Hop
I haven’t really been drawn to any new music lately (other than queen Florence’s new single, King). I have found myself drawn to 90s/2000s hip hop and R&B and absolutely vibing with the likes of Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott. Timbaland, JT, Mary J. Blige, and Swiss Beatz.
Abbott Elementary
All I have to say is go watch Abbott Elementary immediately. Run, don’t walk. You won’t regret it!
Favoriting Euphoria Tweets
I’m not going to lie the content that is created from the dumpster fire that is Euphoria is worth the hellacious ride that Sam Levinson takes us on from week to week. I was absolutely flabbergasted by how lackluster the finale was and just the general lack of care with some of the character’s story lines (Kat, Jules). The penultimate episode though? Brilliant. It had me on the edge of my seat. If it was safe to stan, I’d stan Lexi Howard (and Ethan).
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is 100% worthy of all the hype. It’s one of the more well written novels I’ve read over the past few weeks in the romance genre. I was glad that I chose it to be my commute book (I always have a book on me now!) because I think I would have been very tempted to stay up extremely late to finish this book in one swing. But, I was able to savor it! Cannot recommend enough, five stars!
The Guest List
The mystery/thriller/whodunit novel genre is my other favorite genre opposite of romance. Personally, I thought The Guest List was pretty good. Lucy Foley emulates and Agatha Christie plot structure and I’m a big fan. It’s an incredibly quick read. This story was maybe a bit darker than I was expecting, but still pretty good. I found myself pretty surprised with the ending although if you were reading it with the explicit intention of trying to figure it out, you probably would have predicted the ending, maybe?
Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams @ The Brooklyn Museum
I almost didn’t want to mention this exhibit because it’s no longer running at The Brooklyn Museum, but I think the Brooklyn Museum has been running under the radar in creator content. I love their permanent exhibits and they used to have a fun night time event that was worth attending! They’re currently showing a Andy Warhol exhibit that I might check out sometime this month! Tickets are relatively inexpensive, you
CREATOR Favs
Eni (@enigviensunday)
Eni has been one of my creators for years at this point. She is currently in her final semester at Columbia Law and shares her experiences and advice for those looking to pursue law. She is also a beauty and scent guru. I have a running list of perfume and beauty products on my phone simply from her IG story segments sharing new products. She is also really great about breaking down beginner products and techniques to creating beautiful makeup looks!
Biobele (@bio.bele)
I adore Biobele’s Tik Toks. They are so well crafted and just genuinely great to admire and look at. I highly recommend if you’re looking for more Black ASMR/food accounts. I’m sure a lot of you have heard of her before, but if you haven’t you should definitely check her out!
Hira (@hira_again)
I want everything in Hira’s closet. Everything! We have such similar styles and tastes so it’s been fun to follow along with her OOTD Tik Toks because I can replicate a lot of them with pieces already in my closet. Big fan of her content and she’s such a sweetheart as well!
Jaz (@justjazzzyidk)
My girl Jaz is just genuinely hilarious and I love her v. chaotic and relatable Tik Toks. We met briefly at a few influencer events in December and I’ve been a big fan ever since! Here for Black girls being goofy on social!!
SHOP THE POST
Okay, those are all my faves as of late and I hope you enjoyed this post! What are you currently loving and what are you excited to drop in the next few months. I’m holding on for dear life to make it to this second season of Bridgerton. Until next time!!
