If my birthday didn’t fall in January - I am not sure if I would have been a big fan of January tbh.
But hey - congratulations are in order. We seem to have made it through the darkest months of the year. ✨
Here is a wholesome read of all my favorites, and hope it makes you smile or find a bit that you wanna try. Take a break, make a tea and let’s get into it.
🥐 Notes from Paris
I visited Paris almost 7 years ago, as a broke college student. It was my first European trip and I did the worst possible mistake. Wearing cheap 3$ white sneakers for the sake of fashion. 🫠
Looking back what would I tell that version of me?
One, babes wear good shoes. Two, things have a way of working out. Be a little easy on yourself.
I love visiting the same cities again. There is no rush or FOMO to complete your tourist checklist. You can linger longer in places that you loved previously, and add details to your existing memories. Plus you get to reflect on how have evolved from the previous versions of you.
There were some things that I really wanted to do again + somethings TikTok told me I should. My personal highlights..
✨ stand in this 13th century chapel again
Quite possibly one of my favorite places on the earth. I was worried that what if I exaggerated my memories and I am up for disappointment this time around? Thankfully, it was just as I remembered if not better
🌳 lounge on these iconic green chairs in Tuileries Garden
Number one activity to feel Parisian af. Even if it freezing, quite literally.
🛍️ visit a local pharmacy for discounted French cosmetics
All credit to TikTok girlies, this one was actually a hidden gem. As a La Roche-Posay girlie, let’s just say I left the store very happy.
📚 dillydally in the Shakespear & Company book store
Easy to dismiss as a tourist trap, but fascinating if you take a moment to soak up the legendary literary trail here.
I loved reading about Sylvia Beach - an American who lived in Paris during world war I and II, and had opened the OG english bookstore in 1919. Highly recommend a scan of her wiki page!
I also met up with my college bestie, she now lives in Paris and speaks fluent French. Needless to say, I followed her everywhere while she Qui, Qui-ed her way to get us THE croissants.
📚 everything I read in January
Iron Flame By Rebecca Yaros
I will admit, the sequel is a little all over the place, but I still loved spending time with familiar characters to start my year.
My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars ★
You, Again by Kate Goldbeck
A very rom-com-esque novel, 100% a beach read.
My Rating: 4/5 Stars ★
Selection by Kiera Cass
I was on a red-eye flight to India, in the middle seat of economy section. This Hunger Games x Bachelor kept me company.
My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars ★
🍵 an assortment of favorite things from January
📝 Fiddling with my new year goals
PSA, January is a trial month. So I have been trying out some goals/intentions I set this year.
Looks like I only wanna keep 1-2, and rest need to be kept away for next season of life. How about you - do you have a few things you wanna do this year?
👟 Converse sneakers
I didn’t expect much as they were mostly for fashion for my paris trip (I never learn!) - but hey I love them.
💎 A mini jewellery box
I love swapping out earrings/necklaces but then am always losing bits and bobs when I travel. Been loving this tiny less than $10 upgrade.
👀 Font inspiration
If you are into aesthetics, this will make your day.
Hope you leap into February with the leap year energy we all deserved.
I am looking forward to writing about some career moves + highlights from India trip in the coming weeks.
Talk next week,
Chhavi x