january 2014 favourites

This month, I spent most of my time shopping for bargains during the post-Christmas sales and didn't do much vlogging, hence no vlog this month. Sorry about that! But there are some stuff I've really been loving this month and would like to share them with you.

Favourite app: Buddhify
I want to meditate more regularly and I find that apps are really useful in helping me focus or relax. Only problem is that I've got to make sure I've got enough power in my phone for the entire session.
After using Headspace for a while, I've switched to Buddhify and I love it. It's got loads of different meditation topics and I like it because you can meditate on-the-go, at work, at the park, if you've got insomnia, when you get up in the morning, etc. And it also keeps track of how often you meditate, how much of the content you've accessed, etc. Each session is between 5 to 11 minutes so it's not daunting for a beginner like me.

Favourite website: The Kitchn
Now that I find myself cooking so much, I often turn to The Kitchn for inspiration. The Kitchn is a sister website of Apartment Therapy and focuses on recipes, cooking tips, kitchen organisation. Basically a lot of kitchen-related porn, but not quite the kind that you're thinking of... 

Favourite YouTube channel: Healthcare Triage
Since I'm not gainfully employed, I spend a copious amount of time online, usually watching cute baby animals sneezing or falling sleep. Anyway, recently I've been hooked on Healthcare Triage which is a channel that focuses on healthcare issues pertaining to America. Some of the topics are American-centric (like Obamacare and insurance) but what I like about them is that they break down research into bite-sized chunks that are easy enough to understand. Did you know that sugar doesn't actually make people hyper? If you're a hypochondriac or just really into science stuff (like me!), please check out their awesome channel.

Favourite tv show: The Mindy Project
Mindy Kaling, are you my spirit animal? I watch waaay too much tv for my own good and I'd like to think that because of this, I have discerning tastes. And The Mindy Project is just so funny, and even though it's not reality, Mindy finds herself in loads of situations that I've gotten myself in. Another reason why I love this show? Chris Messina! 'Nuff said.

Random favourite: Pukka Tea
Since I have problems falling asleep, I've been trying to avoid caffeine, so I've switched to caffeine-free teas. With the weather so cold in Belfast, I've been basically surviving on hot tea to stay warm. I really like the Pukka Tea range but this month, my favourite has got to be Lemongrass and Ginger, try it if you can get your hands on it. I drink it both on its own, or with sugar sometimes.

I hope everyone's had a lovely January and that February's going to be awesome of you all!