Things I've brought into my life

Since last week's topic was quite intense, I thought I'd keep it light this week and talk about a few things I've recently brought into my life, that I've been loving and that have made my life somehow better or easier.
Also I would like to take the occasion to clarify that I do not by all means identify myself as a minimalist, in spite of some previous posts about decluttering and living simply. I do believe that it's totally ok to bring new things into your life as long as they serve a purpose and/or they make you happy.
So without further ado, here are a few items that I've been loving in the past months.

1. Bamboo hairbrush
My hair is getting longer, to the point that I can no longer finger-comb it. I've had a Tangle Teezer for years and although it did the job it was starting to get super dirty and old, plus I never really liked the feeling of really thin bristles on my curls. I wanted something thicker that would massage my scalp along with detangling my knotty tufts. So I found this bamboo brush by the brand Bass and since I got it I've been loving brushing my hair with it. I mainly use it on wet hair after I shower but I do brush my hair dry sometimes (although I'm not allowed in public unless it's tied up), which makes it last a couple of days longer before I have to wash it.

2. Dry skin brush
My upper back is covered in little scars from when I used to suffer from minor acne (and I couldn't stop picking at the zits). I've always been annoyed by these little marks, so I started to look into ways to make my skin smooth and even, and apparently dry skin brushing can do the trick. My skin also gets super dry during winter which was another concern of mine. I found this brush by Yerba Prima which is vegan and affordable (man, these brushes can get pricy!) and let me tell you, it hurts like fuck at the beginning but it's totally worth it. I use it every day before I jump in the shower and I only brush my upper back and my butt (before you judge, you should try it: it's the best feeling ever), and I hope I'm not biased but my skin does feel smoother.

3. Reusable menstrual pads
I've had a menstrual cup for almost seven years now and it's probably one of my favourite things on the planet, however recently it's started feeling a bit uncomfortable. It might be that it's just time to get a new one, but while considering my options I decided to invest in some reusable pads made of cloth and bamboo. I'd gotten a couple from a local retailer at a Green Expo a few months ago, and after trying them I decided I wanted to commit and bought a whole set. (I used the same supplier but I also found this brand that seems pretty rad). I'm now equipped to cover a full period and I love them so much I'm actually looking forward to that time of the month. These cloth pads feel nothing like regular, disposable pads: they don't smell, they are easy to clean, they don't stick to your lady bits and honestly it feels like sitting on a mattress. 10/10 would recommend.
(Plus look how cute they are! Although it is a bit pointless to spend so much time picking a pattern for something that you are going to bleed on.)

4. Vintage jacket
I was very much in need of a mid-season jacket, something that would not make me bake now that is not winter yet but that would still protect me from the harsh Wellington wind. Of course I didn't want to buy anything brand new or give money to some unsustainable, unethical high street retailer, but luckily this city is packed with little cute second-hand shops. During Cuba Dupa last March my favourite vintage shop had a sale on, so I went to check it out and I found this AMAZING corduroy jacket. Seriously I can't even begin to explain how much I am in love with this piece of clothing. I'm wearing it all the time and I like the idea that this is becoming a staple piece for me, as I've been trying to create some sort of personal style beyond the current "wearing boyfriend's dad's clothes hippie meets hobo" that defines me - but it's still a work in progress.

5. Coffee plunger
During my No Spending Challenge in March, I realised that coffee is very important to me. However I'm not willing to funnel all my savings in caffeine, therefore I've been on the hunt for a reasonable-sized, second-hand coffee plunger, and I eventually found one for $10 at Salvation Army. This thing has revolutionised my mornings to the point that I can't wait to go to bed at night so I can fast-forward to the day after and make myself 750ml of coffee. It's surely not the same as a flat white in a cosy cafe in town but it saves money and you can sip it from the comfort of your own pyjamas. 

6. Sauerkrauts
This is a bit random but I've been obsessed with sauerkrauts recently. I add them to everything: salads, soups, potpourris. I hear that they help improve your digestion and I wonder if the reason why I actually feel more bloated is because I usually devour half a jar in one sitting. My favourite brand so far is The Urban Monk, and my favourite way to consume this heavenly pickle is on a slice of toast with hummus and some lettuce.
(Edit: actually, sauerkraut are fermented, not pickled. Apologies, I had to google it. Good news is: should I ever form a band, we now know what I'm gonna call it #heavenlypickle)

7. Women Who Run With the Wolves
This book had been on my list for so freaking long I can't even remember the first time I heard of it. Although my new year's resolution was to stop buying books and read what I already have, I heard too many good reviews on WWRWTW to pass on it. So I bought it. And I'm not regretting it. It's basically a collection of folk stories focused around female characters, accompanied by a lecture on how you can apply these tales to your own life situations in order to grow, learn about yourself, stop being afraid, and become a kick-ass powerful woman. If you want to feel like you can accomplish the fuck out of everything, this book is for you.

8. Lipstick
I'm not big on makeup: I don’t own a bronzer, I don't know what contouring means, the only highlighter I'm familiar with is from Stabilo, and the one time I tried to fill my eyebrows I ended up looking like this. But I do like lipstick. So when I was home for Christmas I went on a quest to find The Perfect Shade and I was so happy to discover that Deborah had it: this is an Italian, (as far as I know) cruelty-free brand that my mum used to use when I was little. I got myself their classic Rossetto in the shade 800; I think it suits me and it gives me 90s vibes which I dig, plus it reminds me of my momma and it smells like my childhood.