NEW YEARS MUST HAVES

Hello people of the internet!
Firstly, I hope you all had a lovely Christmas a nice 25th of December if you don't celebrate it!

Unlike most people, I don't set myself new years resolutions. I get anxious enough as it is without having to worry about whether or not I'm achieving the goals I've set myself.

However, I do like to start the year off equipped with what I consider 'must haves'. Of course, I'm only human and chances are I've forgotten something so if you think my list is missing something let me know in the comments below!


Also, I'll be including links to all of my must haves, so if you're interested in any of them then all you have to do is click on the corresponding image!




The Notebook.

No not the heart wrenching film, but the small blank book in which you can make notes. For me personally, notebooks are probably the most essential items to own. I am forever in need of somewhere to jolt down an idea, doodle or write out a to-do list.

I especially love ones with pretty covers. I think that when it comes to notebooks then you are fully allowed to judge them based on their covers!

Unfortunately, my featured notebook is no longer for sale, but if you'd still like to browse the web for it then it's made by a company called Èccolo.



Furthermore, here's a few links to other journals that I love:
1.  The Serious Notebook (so people think you know what you're doing) by Happy Jackson.
2.  The Tabby Cat Journal by A Little Lark.
3.  The Write Something Today Even If It Sucks Notebook by Amanda Wright.
4.  The Cat Pattern Notebook by Mary Kilver.




The Calendar and The Diary.

For me, both of these are essentials. I know that theoretically, they both have the same purpose but I couldn't live with just one of them.

For the most part I use the diary to note down assingments and generally most things college related. I do sometimes use it for social events too, but rarely. This particular one is really handy to carry around because it basically has a section for everything; including detachable shopping lists.

I think that the large wall-hanging calendars are so useful too. I obviously always get something cat related because in case you hadn't already noticed from any of my book reviews, I love felines. I tend to use these types of calendars for reminders such as birthdays, deadlines, et cetera. That way, I see the reminders everyday when I mark off the day. Plus I think they add to a room; I like to keep mine on the wall above the small bookcase where I keep all my stationary, and I think it just add a little Je ne sais quoi to that area. Would you guys like me to post a picture.. Maybe a room tour? Let me know in the comments.

Also, if you're looking for a similar calendar for 2015, I love Cat's Life Calendar by Gemma Correll.




The Wreck This Journal.

A definite must have. I was given a Wreck This Journal for my birthday last July, and I still enjoy using it.

If you're not already familiar with what it is: it's basically a book with random tasks on each page. Each task in intended to nudge you out of your comfort zone, forcing you to gradually 'wreck' the book. For instance, some pages instruct you to 'Bring this book in the shower with you' or to 'Climb up high [and] drop the book' and my personal favourite: 'Doodle over the cover'.

Obviously this isn't for everyone, but I really love mine. I'd especially recommend it to anyone who enjoys listening to audiobooks. If I'm listening to one and have to time to sit down then you can pretty much bet that I'm working on my 'Sew this page'.. I'm sewing the Hufflepuff crest.

Also, I'm pretty sure that there is a compact version of the book (pocket sized) as well as an app for your phone if you'd rather try one of those :)

I actually think I'll do some kind of blog post about this soon, maybe showing my favourite pages?




The Face Masks.

After a stressful day a nice face mask can do wonders not only for your skin but for you mood too.

I know that most people like to have baths when they're stressed out, and whilst I do love a good soak in the tub, sometimes I just don't have the time or energy for one. Those are the times when face masks come in for me. I'll just plop one on lay down and relax to an ASMR video or watch an episode of Gossip Girl.

Obviously any face mask will do, but I just love the packaging for the Anatomicals' face masks. I'm a total sucker for packaging and honestly the Grease one gets me every time!

I often use face masks, so I like to try a range of brands. I do have a couple of favourite brands who both do great face masks. Also, both brands are against animal testing, which is always a plus in my books.
1. The Montagne Jeuness range; they do a variety of different masks targeted at different results or different skin types. These come in sachets like the Anatomicals' so they can be a little fiddly when you've already got product on your hands.
2. The Lush facemasks; handmade and completely organic. They come in pots which I find so much easier, plus if you return a certain amount of pots then you get something free I beleive.



The Purrfume.

Please excuse the pun but it had to be done! (Let's pretend that didn't rhyme shall we?)

I have a range of perfumes that I like to alternate between ranging from the cheap perfumes from Zara to the pricier alternatives of Ralf Lauren and Estée Lauder. I tend to receive perfume as a gift as so my collection has grown a fair amount and Purr by Katy Perry is the newest addition!

I tend to not feel ready in the morning until I have perfume on, so having a few different perfumes is so much better for me personally as alternating scents means I don't get too used to any of them and so I notice them more.


Plus as we've gathered I'm a sucker for both good packaging and cats so this bottle is basically my own version of perfume heaven!




The Spearmint Gum.

Now I know that for some of you it may seem a little odd that I included gum as one of my must haves. However, hear me out.

Gum reduces stress and anxiety. Whether this has to do with the taste itself or the process of chewing, studies have shown that stress levels decrease when chewing gum. And for me this does work to calm my nerves and tame my anxiety in situations I find stressful.

However, normal mint gum actually gives me stomach ache so I use spearmint instead. Plus, it's always handy to have around after meals!

I'd definitely recommend the pots instead of the packets or boxes because they're not only so much easier to find in a bag, but they don't get lost at the bottom of your bag and covered in lint.




The Tissues.

There is never a day in which I don't need a tissue.
Yep, it may sound extreme, but it's true.

If you're going to buy tissues like the ones I've featured here, I'd recommend filling the packet up with half of these and half plain white tissues. Maybe it's just me being selfish, but I am forever asked if I have tissues and I don't really want to give out my Cath Kidston tissues that were a gift..

Plus, sometimes I need to dispose of gum in a tissue and I don't really want to use a nice tissue so carrying plain white tissue too is super handy!




The LED Book Light.

Now, I couldn't call myself a true bookworm without mentioning something book related now could I?

Admittedly, I mostly read books via my phone. That's because I'm lazy and reading a physical book means having to get out of bed at 2:30AM when you've finally finished your book. And I'm really not up for that.

However, using a book light eliminates that problem altogether. I don't have to get out of bed in order to turn the light off because the light is right here! Win!




Thank you if you've read this far! This post basically took me an entire afternoon to photograph, edit and then write up so any feedback in the comments would be really lovely!





Over & Out, T xx

PS: WHAT ARE YOUR NEW YEAR MUST HAVES?