Loving Lately: "It's Still Winter" Essentials

I haven't had a lot of time for reading lately, but I love to flip through the Kate Spade All in Good Taste book when I have a few moments to read a few pages and get some inspiration. It makes me want to host a killer dinner party SO bad, but unfortunately that's not in the budget anytime soon. However, the book is full of good advice and makes a great source of inspiration. I'm taking tips from it that I can adapt for the next low-budget party my roommates and I host.

The Naked Basics eyeshadow palette by Urban Decay. I had been on a long search for a good neutral eyeshadow for those days that I don't want to look like I'm wearing a lot of makeup but I still want to smooth out my eyelids and cover up any redness. This palette is just what I was looking for. With a range of shades I can create a great ombre effect if I feel like getting fancy, or just swipe one of the lighter colors across my lids when I'm in a rush. Walk of Shame and Naked 2 are my favorites for a nude look.

Sleep mask - the 40 Blinks sleep mask by Bucky. Need some beauty sleep? Me too. I'm not a city girl by nature so getting used to sleeping with street light coming in through the widows is tough. I love this sleep mask because it is comfortable to wear and provides room for your eyelashes to blink without hitting against the mask. It comes in a few cute prints and is reasonably priced, but the only downside is that you have to order a minimum of two. I use one for everyday and the other for travel, but you could also gift one to a bestie!

Coloring Books. Recently the popularity of  'grown up' coloring books has skyrocketed and it seems like everyone has one! I had to jump on that trend too, because who doesn't love to color? It is a great way to relax at the end of the day (a perfect way to unwind before bed without staring at a screen) or de-stress and let your creativity out. This is the one I have, called "Enchanted Forest"! I love how whimsical the images are, full of castles, critters, fairy homes, and toadstool-dotted landscapes.

Kusmi "Euphoria" Orange Chocolate tea. This tea is DELICIOUS! My mom and I discovered it on a trip to Montreal a few years back and have been looking for it ever since, but it is hard to find! If you're into herbal teas and interesting flavor combinations Kusmi (from Paris) has some really good options. The aroma of this orange chocolate is mouth-watering, and the taste really stands up too. Whenever it's cold in my apartment I like to warm up with a mug of tea, and this one has become one of my go-to's.

Mini wallet. While I love the aesthetic of a big zip wallet, sometimes it can feel like a lot to carry around. Recently I have been all about the convenience of a small folding wallet. It holds everything I need, fits easily in a small cross-body, and provides easy access to my metro card on my daily commute. I have this polkadot one from Kate Spade which seems to be sold out, but these are two similar options to the one I have 1/2.

What are your must-haves this winter?