It's been a minute since my last Current Obsessions post so I figured we should kick the new year off with one. I've been on a 'strict' no buy the past month or so which I'll talk about in another post but I've been limiting my purchases and it feels really good.

That being said, I've been shopping my stash and trying to use the items I have in my many collections of 'stuff'. I've rediscovered some favorites and have just been enjoying all these items... probably enjoying them a little too much as they are obsessions and I can't seem to get enough.

 I do not ski. I haven't been skiing since I was 11 years old and it didn't go over well. I'm not good on my feet unless I'm ballet dancing *yes, I was a ballet dancer for like 15 years and was really good* but skiing was never my thing.

However, I love the vibes of skiing. I love a ski lodge, a cool outfit, a warm fire... I love the idea of being in the mountains, surrounded by calmness and snow. I don't want to ski but I want to live like someone who goes skiing often, in Aspen, preferably.

It's a weird obsession of mine over the past few years, this Après ski lifestyle that I chase but it came to full effect this year when Stoney Clover Lane released their Après ski collection. I bought way too much but I love how everything turned out. 

I have written a few of these Current Obsessions posts in the past but they were always focused on one category... however, over the past few months, I find myself really being drawn to a random assortment of things that just bring me a lot of joy. 

These are items that I can't stop using and can't stop talking about; they are all great in their own way and truly cannot get enough of them! 

Let's get into it... 

Glossier Cookie Butter Balm Dot Com

Balm Dot Com is my favorite lip balm of all time and when the band announced that they were launching a Cookie Butter scent for the holidays, I rushed to the website. I was so excited because I love anything Cookie Butter scented/flavored, and it was the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. I don't know what I was expecting when I smelled this but I was shocked. It smells exactly like Cookie Butter... like exactly! It smells so delicious, so perfect and it adds the slightest nude tint to your lips, while still having the same, great moisturizing formula of regular Balm Dot Com. Whenever I use this balm, I am transported to the North Pole and it puts the biggest smile on my face. 

Starbucks Sugar Cookie Latte 

Hotel Lobby Candles

Stoney Clover Flat Pouches

I don't think I really have to explain this one. I am Stoney Clover's biggest fan and a huge fan of their discontinued, once in a while, vegan leather flat pouches. I have a handful of flat pouches and just purchased another one from their American Girl collection. I love using them as clutches but I've been using them as iPad cases for the past few weeks and I love it! With my new iPad, I like to have it case-free... I just like the way it looks and feels, but I don't want to have it out in the open all the time. The SCL flat pouch is perfect for that. 

The vegan leather pouches are only available at select times, in select collaborations now (a few from the American Girl collection are still available) but you can also use the clear flat pouches for this! 

Replica Fragrances

For the past year or so, I have been really into perfumes. I don't know what came over me but I am simply obsessed with buying all different types of fragrances; it's a little luxury that really makes me so happy. One of the brands I have come to really love is Maison Margiela Replica fragrances. Years ago, I fell in love with By the Fireplace and Under The Lemon Trees. This past spring, Bubble Bath was my go-to and then, I discovered the scent Autumn Vibes. I haven't touched any of my other perfumes in a good two months because these take the cake. Each one is so unique and light... the scent lasts a long time but they aren't overpowering. These are my new go-to! 

What have been your current obsessions lately?
xoxo
B

Halloween is tomorrow and I've been in the spirit since mid-September. I decided to further get into the spirit by reading themed books. I've never been a seasonal reader until last year when I read 'A Nantucket Christmas' and "The Autobiography of Santa Clause"

There was really nothing like sitting by a Christmas tree READING about Christmas. Once the Fall season rolled around, I wanted to try to read something seasonable and when I got a notification that 'The Rules of Magic' by Alice Hoffman was available for $.99 on Kindle, I immediately bought it and started reading.

I love the movie "Practical Magic" but never read the book. The fact that "The Rules of Magic" is the prequel to "Practical Magic" was more than enough reason to start the series. Plus, it was the perfect time to get witchy and into the Halloween spirit.

This isn't technically a book review because how does one review the great Alice Hoffman? It's just a stream of consciousness about Practical Magic, both the book(s) and movie.

The Rules of Magic

This is one of Hoffman's newer books and was written after Practical Magic (both book and movie). It follows Jet, Franny, and their brother Vincent. We see them discover who they are, go through life and deal with hardships and make it to adulthood.

I only knew of the Owens sisters from the movie Practical Magic so it was interesting to learn more about them from this book. It was a very long, strange book; it almost didn't have a point but I think that was the beauty of it!

The thing that surprised me about both books was that there wasn't a whole lot of magic. The characters are obviously witches and they understand that but it wasn't witchy in a sense of traditional witches, it wasn't about Halloween -- it didn't even all take place in the fall but it felt very cozy. I think that's a testament to Hoffman's writing. I was inside the mind of the characters and needed to know where their stories were going. It was just so good and a book I think I would love to re-read every fall.

Practical Magic

After finishing up The Rules of Magic, I dove headfirst into starting Practical Magic. I will say, I think I liked Rules of Magic better only because I didn't have a preconceived notion of what the story was going to be. The book is totally different than the movie -- it was sort of the same but really, really different. For instance, Sally's daughters are teenagers the entire time, Jimmy doesn't come back from the dead, and Sally lives in Long Island for most of the book! It was wild but also really fun that it was totally different. I think I liked the book more than the movie! The writing was just as flowery, beautiful, creative and warming -- it was just so good!

Neither one of these books is Halloween themed but I think they are the best books to read during the fall season. They are cozy, fun, creative, and comforting; I simply cannot describe it...for lack of a better word, they are magic, pure magic!

The movie is no different, really. It's a classic for a reason! It's definitely a little scarier than the books and for a while, I couldn't watch it because of the aspect of Jimmy possessing people around him. In the middle of reading "The Rules of Magic," I simply couldn't wait any longer to turn the movie on; I rented it on Amazon Prime and spent a Sunday afternoon watching it. Ugh, it's just so good and Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, and Stockard Channing are brilliant. I would dare say it's one of my favorite movies and one that I need to watch more.

If you have not read or watched any of the Practical Magic books/movies, please do so! If anything, watch Practical Magic tonight and start reading ASAP! While these are definitely my fall comfort novels, they don't NEED to be read during this time of year. Just read them -- you won't regret it!

xoxo
B

Just like I have an obsession with brunch, I have an obsession with champagne. The two are linked in a way, I suppose... I mean, mimosas=champagne so it makes sense.

I don't know what it is but there is something so elegant, so girly, so chic about champagne and champagne accessories.

It is a true obsession of mine and I kind of want everything champagne themed.

It didn't help that in December Kate Spade released a champagne-themed collection and I pretty much needed everything.



Below are just a few items that I've been loving or am lusting after that are all about the champs!

My Kate Spade obsession came to an overwhelming climax over the holidays and has since calmed down.

That doesn't mean I'm not on the website multiple times a day, looking at the items and putting things on my wishlist.

I say that my obsession has calmed down because it's 11 days into the new year and I haven't shopped! I've made wishlists and thought about shopping... I even placed a few orders and then canceled them. I am doing really well so I don't want to mess it up.

That being said, I can't stop thinking about some of these new Kate Spade launches. I'm pretty comfortable on the handbag front so what has been really drawing my eye is their new athleisure line, especially this touchscreen smartwatch, which I need like I need air to breath!



Who would want a review on that?!

Anyways, take a look at the things that caught my eye!