obsessions | january 2014

OK. It's really not my fault that over a week into February I'm posting my January obsessions post. After a fabulous week-long vacation on a cruise to Mexico and Belize, I'm totally playing catch-up when it comes to this little blog. So we are already a month into 2014, huh? Wow. January is always a little bit bittersweet because it means the end of the holiday season. But I love the fresh start of a new year, so let's get into what I was obsessed with in the first month of 2014.

Favorite Instagram: Orange tulips in my living room.
1. 2014 Planner from Sugar & Type. As I shared in part one of my Thoughtful Gift Guide last year, I was looking forward to receiving my 2014 Day Planner from Sugar & Type. Well, it finally arrived and the word "obsessed" doesn't even begin to describe how much I love this thing. I've tried every online program, app, and website to try to get organized and I realized that for me, nothing beats having something tangible in front of me. My Sugar & Type planner allows me have a visual of everything that's going on in a way that doesn't make me feel overwhelmed. The design is simple, yet effective. Each page has just the right amount of details without being cluttered. I have found the layout and design to be exactly what I need to get my act together. Seriously, this is the best investment I could have made as I head into the New Year.

2. Los Angeles museums. I revisited some of my favorite museums in L.A. last month and January was the perfect time to do it. Most of January was absolutely glorious when it came to the weather in Los Angeles and I was not complaining.We took advantage of the great weather to take my little sister to The Getty Museum for the first time before she headed back to the icy tundra that is Boston. Let's just say, our day at The Getty made her even more sad about leaving beautiful, sunny L.A. for the polar vortex that awaited her.

There was also a free museum day in L.A. at the end of the month, so the husband and I went to LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) because neither of us had been there in a few years. OMG WHAT A MISTAKE. The place was so crowded and terrible and I could barely stand it. I like to enjoy my art without throngs of people pushing up against me, being loud, and smelling like sweat. The museum itself is wonderful, but I will definitely not be going there on free museum day next year! Despite the chaos of our visit, LACMA does have one of my favorite sites in the whole city: the Urban Lights exhibit. It's so stunning that I forgot how disappointed I was with the rest of the day.

3. Music, Books, and TV.
Music: I became obsessed with a bunch of new (to me) songs and albums last month and I've been excited to share them with you! I've loved Lorde since the first time I heard "Royals" on the radio, so I was happy to discover that the rest of her album is incredible. One night, I literally listened to Pure Heroine on repeat like five times in a row. Hook me up to the bandwagon! I also really love John Legend's new album Love In the Future, especially "All of Me" and "The Beginning." I've been a John Legend fan for years and he consistently puts out quality music that is just better than most crap on the radio. Even though I had an encounter with him where he was super rude, I can't help but love his music! Bastille's album Bad Blood is also really great with my favorite track being "Things We Lost in the Fire." And FINALLY, Aloe Blacc's "The Man" is my official jam. This thing is on repeat all day, every day in my house...and in my head!

Books: In January I announced the Husband and Wife Reading Challenge that the hubby and I are doing this year. I didn't get around to reading any of the challenge books last month, but I did read the Time Traveler's Wife and goodness it was incredible. I'm not even going to watch the movie because I'm just going to assume it's terrible. How could anything compare to the book?? Anyways, I've already read two books so far in February (thank you, vacation!) and am determined to read at least one of my reading challenge books this month as well!
TV: Since some of my favorites took a break (Revenge, The Mindy Project) or are still on a break (Scandal), I decided to pick a new show on Netflix to binge-watch and decided on Ugly Betty. OMG where has this show been all my life? I absolutely adore it and cannot stop watching it. If you are looking for a great show to watch, I totally recommend Ugly Betty!

4. Things I Retweet. After a slow end of the year, the internet entered 2014 with a bang and I read so many great things that I just had to share with you all on Twitter! Enjoy!
On Race

Did Justin Bieber Set White People Back? from Post Bourgie

Living A Color-Conscious Life by Austin Channing Brown

This is What I Mean When I Say "White Feminism" by Cate Young

On Empowering Women

18 Things Women Shouldn't Have to Justify by Brianna Wiest

Your Purity is Not a Rose by Sarah Anne Hayes

Diffusing the Compliment Grenade by Megan Gahan

On Faith

Confessions of a Former Judgmental Christian by Amber Wright

Let's All Be Friends by Tsh Oxenreider

On Blogging

When I've Failed as a Blogger by Brenna D'Ambrosio

On Happiness

14 Simple Steps Towards Happiness in 2014 by Allison Vesterfelt

On Productivity

A Night Owl's Guide to More Productive Mornings by Alan Henry

On Harry Shum, Jr.

Watch This Dancer Show What it's Like to Come Out of Your Shell from Buzzfeed

Well, I hope everyone had a great start to their new year! Let me know how it's been going so far and what you think of my January Obsessions in the comment section!


And as a special little treat for my readers, the wonderful folks at Get Fresh are offering you a 20% site-wide discount on their amazing bath & beauty products! Just enter in promo code ALYSSA on your Get Fresh order through February 15th to enjoy the discount! Thanks to everyone who reads this blog!