Monthly Muse: February 2021 Favorites

It is officially almost one year since the world fell apart and I'm not sure how to feel about it. That is definitely a different conversation for a different post but wow, it's crazy how fast we got here. February felt like it flew by and so much happened, I feel like I have whiplash.

We're officially leaving winter behind and saying hello to spring, which has me feeling indifferent. I'm semi excited about the warm weather but as the resident cold weather lover, I'm sad to see it go. I guess it means we're just one step closer to next fall & winter! 

All that being said, I feel like I didn't 'love' a lot of items this month; I of course 'liked' a bunch of stuff but nothing truly worth mentioning here. I took a back seat from shopping which has honestly felt really good and I think I'll continue to limit myself in small ways. It's something I really struggle with and really want to tackle.

Most of these items are new and purchased well before Lent started and I stopped shopping. 

*If you didn't know, I gave up shopping for Lent. Lent is the time between Ash Wednesday and Holy Thursday and in the Catholic religion, it's common that you give something up to symbolize Jesus' sacrifices while he traveled through the desert. I am not a really religious person but I do identify as Catholic and I enjoy being spiritual; I always try to participate in Lent in some aspect so what better time to test out not online shopping? 

Macbook Air 13 Inch

After Christmas I knew I needed a new laptop. My old one was a Macbook 11 inch from 2016 and I was in desperate need of an upgrade. I use my laptop constantly, like most of us do, and I just wanted a better computer. I couldn't use iMovie and constantly needed to delete items off the hard drive because the storage was shot. I knew I was going to get a Macbook, just didn't know the model or size. After some research I decided on the Macbook Air, 2020 version, in Gold (it literally looks rose gold and is beautiful) and got the 13 inch.

My work laptop is a 15 inch Macbook Pro and since working from home for almost a year, I've gotten very used to it. The 11 inch wasn't working for me anymore as a personal laptop so upgrading to the bigger model has made a huge difference.

I might do an entire post, or video review about the laptop but wow, I am in love. I get very excited over new tech and this laptop is just so much better than my old one, I feel like a new person. I actually enjoy doing mundane things on my computer now and the experience of writing and editing videos is so much better. If you've been putting off upgrading your old Macbooks, I highly recommend doing so now! 

Target Marble Tray

This was very much an impulse purchase at the beginning of the month but it is probably one of the best purchases I will ever make. I saw someone on Instagram with this marble serving tray from Target and for $20, I immediately purchased it. The first one came cracked so Target sent me a new one (I got to keep the broken one and it's honestly still usable) and I'm pretty much in love. It's a little smaller than I envisioned and I was stuck on how to use it but then I decided that I would use it as a laptop 'elevator'. I have a wireless mouse and keyboard that I never use but they came in handy for this new setup. I just place my laptop on the tray, on my desk, and use the mouse and keyboard. It has helped my neck, having the laptop a little higher and I don't find myself as sore... but the best part? It finally helped me differentiate between work and 'fun' hours. 

Like most people, I've had a hard time separating work and play during the pandemic. I enjoy working at my desk both during work hours and after for my blog & writing. Having two different computers helps set boundaries but it still 'feels' like I'm slaving away at my desk 24/7. The serving tray/laptop shelf has helped my mind realize that this is 'fun' time vs when I have my laptop just on my desk during work hours. Does that make sense? 

Also, the marble tray is perfect for decor and as a photo background/prop. It's so versatile and so freaking pretty. 

Pellatini Power Crystal Pens

I discovered this company during quarantine, through TikTok and kind of became obsessed. I think they have super cute stuff but the item I was drawn to the most was the crystal pens. They're gold pens with different crystals on the top and all the crystals have different meanings. They''re super nice pens; very heavy in your hand but write really well. The ink isn't too heavy, so it doesn't bleed as your writing -- it's a very simple black pen but they look beautiful on your desk. I have all four pens but am thinking about buying doubles because they're that good. 

Maxkare Folding Stationary Bike

This was an after Christmas purchase but it was a necessary one. I really wanted a bike in my house but I had very specific needs; I wanted it to the small and compact, so that it can be folded up and stored away but I also wanted it to be sturdy. I don't have the space for a larger spin bike but I also don't love spinning. When I'm at the gym, I like the bike and elliptical but decided a bike would be better for myself and my mom. I did so much research for months and finally decided this was the bike for me. 

It's actually pretty great if you just want something for a light, daily workout. It folds up beautifully, was super easy to put together (my mom and I took maybe an hour to put it together), and is very sturdy. It's also a very quiet bike which was another feature that was important to me. The bike has multiple resistance settings which is great for making your workout a bit more difficult, but I do wish that it had a few more stronger settings. 

I use it pretty much everyday for 30 minutes to an hour and it's so enjoyable. I break a sweat, feel like I accomplished something and is just a great addition to my home. 

The bike was $120 when I purchased it, and as I'm typing this, looks like it's out of stock on Amazon but MaxKare is a well known exercise equipment brand so it should be available other places. However, here is a similar one. 

What did you love this month?

xoxo

B