December Love List

We’ve already been through this, I know, but let me say it one more time: I can’t believe 2015 is over ! It was one hell of a year, and Christmas incredible. I do feel sad, though, that I’ll have to wait months and months until Christmas rolls around once again. It’s my favourite time of the year and it won’t be happening for ages…. At least now I get to look back on my favourite bits of December 2015 in today’s Love List.

As I’ve explained before, a love list is basically a monthly favourites for everything random, so I’ve got a huge variety of best bits from December to share. Enjoy !

Favourite food?

Of all my favourites from December, this was probably the hardest. I honestly can’t remember what I was eating at the start of December and everything I ate in Costa Rica was different. I was a bit exotic and tried some Costa Rican traditional food: black beans, rice and fried plantain (called Casados) which was surprisingly yummy, so I think I’ll choose that. Always good to get some culture, I guess...

Favourite film/programme?

Throughout December I have really enjoyed sitting down with my family and laughing out loud to Chris Evans’ TFI Friday on Channel 4. I honestly have no words to describe this show; it’s plain hilarious and completely mad (if you have ever listened to Chris Evans then you’ll know he has tons of energy). Huge celebrities appear every week, including Justin Bieber, Macklemore and Florence and The Machine. It’s so funny, but you’ll have to see for yourself!

Favourite item of clothing?

I hope shoes count as clothing, because I have fallen in love with my Tommy Hilfiger high top black synthetic hair sneakers. I couldn’t find the exact ones online, but these are similar. Warning: not to be worn without long socks! I got a blister on my heel after wearing ankle socks, but the shoes are fine once I put long socks on instead. They are gorgeous and I received tons of compliments on them, and they go with practically everything !

Favourite moment?

I can’t pick just one moment from December, because I loved every single second of my 2 week paradise in Costa Rica. Of course, I found some activities and places extraordinary compared to others, but I could never put my finger on just one moment. So my answer: the entire Costa Rican holiday. I won’t give anything away yet - you’ll have to wait for the details in my upcoming series…!

Favourite beauty/skincare products?

Because I was always doing something in Costa Rica, activities of all sorts, I never really wore any makeup at all. Every evening, when going out to dinner, I’d apply a couple coats of Makeup 4 You's clear ‘nourishing’ mascara, but that’s all. I couldn’t find it online, but I suppose it’s similar to Maybelline’s Great Lash in clear. This stuff is like a treatment for your lashes, it lengthens naturally but opens my eyes up. It was the only product I reached for continuously this month!

Favourite song?

I’ve discovered and listened to lots of new artists and songs, but to choose my favourite song of the month I’ll go with what I listened to most. This is not a new song at all, but I heard it over and over again in December and loved it. The song? Elvis Presley’s In The Ghetto. If you really listen to the words it’s quite sad, but I love the gospel choir in the background. This isn’t the sort of music I often opt for, but hey, new year new me, right?

Favourite way to spend my time?

I’ve really started getting into reading again lately. I’m one of those people who goes through reading phases. If I find one good book, I’ll read another 5 books, but as soon as I find one I’m not really into, I’ll put reading to one side for ages. In Costa Rica, where internet was limited, I often lounged about the pool reading or during long car transfers from one place to the next I’ll pick up from where I left off. I’ll let you know what I was reading soon - it’ll be in the upcoming series.

Favourite drink?

This was actually quite a hard one to choose as apart from a cuppa PG Tips, I mostly drank water all month. I had lots of smoothies in Costa Rica, though, and surprisingly watermelon is delicious in a smoothie! But, my favourite was probably mango, banana and strawberry. Everything tastes better in Costa Rica, when the fruit is fresh and local and there are no added sugars or anything of the sort.

Random favourite?

I’m sticking to the theme of November’s random favourite: mindfulness and meditation. In December, I received the Mindfulness Colouring Book for Christmas and love it! The patterns are beautiful and it really is calming and very therapeutic. It’s so calming to sit down with a cuppa and simply draw; not have to be anywhere or do anything, just be.

What have you been loving in December?

Niamh x