Your Monthly Dose of Inspiration: Curated Discoveries for a Well-Lived Life

Welcome to our monthly roundup, where we share a carefully curated selection of things to see, buy, read, and watch. Our aim is to bring you joy, inspiration, and practical recommendations to enhance your everyday experiences.

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As the holiday season unfolds, with its festive decorations, community gatherings, and delightful traditions like cookie baking, finding moments of calm and focusing on what truly matters becomes paramount. It’s easy to get swept up in the whirlwind of expectations and endless to-do lists. My personal mantra, especially during this bustling time, is to “choose the best and leave the rest.” This philosophy guides not only my holiday planning but also the selections I share with you each month.

I sincerely hope you can adopt a similar approach, focusing on meaningful experiences rather than succumbing to overwhelm. If you’re seeking a little extra help to navigate the season with grace and intentionality, my complimentary Holiday Planner is a valuable resource, available by signing up for my email list here. It’s designed to help you organize and prioritize, ensuring your holidays are filled with joy, not stress.

This month, I’m excited to share a collection of my favorite recent discoveries and experiences. From a rejuvenating tropical getaway and a truly game-changing beauty product to a quartet of captivating books and an entertaining biopic, there’s something here to spark your interest and perhaps inspire your own “good things” list.

Monthly Favorites: Travel, Beauty & More

Unforgettable Travel: A Hawaiian Escape to Maui

Undoubtedly, the highlight of last month was our incredible trip to Maui, Hawaii. Stepping off the plane into that warm, balmy air was an immediate antidote to the crisp autumn chill we’d left behind. It was a true privilege to join my parents, sharing their beautifully appointed rented condo situated right on a picturesque golf course in the vibrant Kaanapali area. The luxury of waking up to lush green fairways and the sound of tropical birds was an absolute dream.

While my parents enjoyed their rounds of golf, Brian immersed himself in the island’s renowned surf breaks, catching waves with an infectious enthusiasm. For me, the ocean’s allure came in the form of snorkeling. We embarked on four separate snorkeling excursions in various locations, each offering a unique underwater spectacle. Drifting through crystal-clear waters, observing vibrant coral reefs, and encountering an array of colorful marine life was an utterly mesmerizing experience – truly my favorite part of the trip. Beyond the specific activities, the sheer joy of basking in the consistent warmth, coupled with the endlessly stunning views, provided a much-needed mental and physical reset. The golden hour sunsets from our balcony were particularly magical, painting the sky with hues I’ll never forget.

It’s fascinating how often people react when I mention our Maui trip. Almost without fail, the response is something like, “Oh, Maui is our absolute favorite place!” or “We adore it there; we go all the time.” It seems we might have been among the very last West Coasters to finally make our inaugural visit, and I can now completely understand why it holds such a special place in so many hearts. Its captivating beauty, relaxed atmosphere, and endless opportunities for adventure make it a truly unparalleled destination.

A Touch of Winter Magic: Early Snowfall at Home

Returning home from the tropical warmth of Maui, we were greeted by distinctly different weather. The cold and wet conditions were a stark contrast, but just about a week later, a beautiful surprise arrived: an early snowfall. For us here in the Willamette Valley, snow typically holds off a bit longer, making this early dusting a delightful and unexpected treat. The landscape transformed overnight, shrouded in a soft, ethereal blanket of white.

Brian captured this serene photo of the snow-kissed hills from our window. While the image is slightly zoomed, our actual view, though a bit farther removed, remains incredibly breathtaking throughout all four seasons. The sight of the quiet, snow-covered hills brought a unique kind of peace and beauty, reminding us of the diverse wonders our local environment holds, even as we reminisced about our sun-drenched Hawaiian escape. It was a gentle reminder that every season brings its own special charm.

Beauty Breakthrough: Discovering the Perfect Mascara

My journey to find the ideal mascara has been a long and often frustrating one, spanning many years and countless tubes. As someone who refuses to spend $20-50 on a single tube of mascara, my search has always been confined to drugstore brands. Despite trying nearly every product lauded on “best of” lists, I continually encountered the same issues: noticeable clumping, an inability to hold a curl, frustrating under-eye smudging by the end of the day (even with waterproof formulas!), and difficulty with removal.

The under-eye smudging was particularly vexing; it created an unintentional “raccoon eye” effect that negated the whole purpose of wearing mascara in the first place. While I no longer wear mascara daily, when I do, I want it to perform flawlessly across all these criteria. After years of searching, I’ve finally found a product that checks every single box and then some!

Enter the Pacifica Beauty Stellar Gaze Length & Strength Black Mascara. This mascara is an absolute revelation. Not only does it deliver on all my long-standing requirements – creating defined, curled lashes with minimal clumping – but it also manages to look incredibly natural. Beyond its performance, I deeply appreciate Pacifica Beauty’s commitment to clean beauty: it’s silicone, sulfate, and paraben-free, as well as being entirely vegan and cruelty-free. This aligns perfectly with my desire for more conscious beauty choices without compromising on quality.

The most impressive feat, however, is its ability to last all day without a hint of smudging, ensuring I avoid those dreaded “raccoon eyes.” Yet, when it’s time to remove it, it comes off effortlessly with just water. The mechanism behind this magic remains a mystery to me, but I am absolutely thrilled with the results. This mascara has become a true staple in my beauty routine.

November Reads: Dive into Diverse Worlds

While I typically devour more books, especially during travel, November saw me completing a respectable four reads or audiobooks. Our trip to Hawaii involved a lot of visiting with family, which meant fewer opportunities for my usual snippets of listening while cooking, cleaning, or driving. Nevertheless, each of these books offered a unique escape and left a lasting impression.

Book Review: A Dangerous Place (Maisie Dobbs, Book 11) by Jacqueline Winspear

Oh, this book in the Maisie Dobbs series, which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed over the past year, left me with mixed feelings. Without revealing too much of the plot, I must express my profound disappointment with the direction the author chose for Maisie’s character in this particular installment. It felt, to me, like a narrative “cop-out” – a way to maintain Maisie in her established role as a woman who solves mysteries and delves into others’ problems, without having to contend with significant outside interference or personal evolution. After the intriguing developments in Book 10, which hinted at Maisie moving beyond her single-minded focus and potentially embracing a broader life, I had genuinely looked forward to seeing how a woman of her intellect and capability might navigate multiple facets of life simultaneously. This book, unfortunately, felt like a missed opportunity to showcase that complexity and growth, leaving me with a sigh of creative frustration.

Book Review: No Time Like The Future by Michael J. Fox

After being deeply moved by Michael J. Fox’s first memoir last month, I immediately placed a hold on his latest work. I listened to this audiobook during my serene morning walks in Hawaii, finding his voice and story incredibly compelling. While not quite as focused on his early Hollywood years as his first memoir, this book picks up in his later life, offering an intimate look at his family life, his ongoing battle with Parkinson’s, and his dedicated work with his foundation. It also courageously details the myriad physical setbacks he’s endured in addition to Parkinson’s, revealing a relentless series of challenges.

He has truly been through the wringer, and these adversities have undoubtedly tested his famously “glass half full” outlook on life. Yet, hearing him recount how he arrived at certain life choices and how those decisions impacted him, as well as his friends and family, is as profoundly inspiring as one has come to expect from him. What resonates most deeply with me is his unwavering spirit – how he simply *did* things, even in the face of advanced Parkinson’s. His anecdote about golfing, despite an unconventional swing and uncontrollable shaking, serves as a powerful metaphor. He still hit the ball, he still played the game. This relentless pursuit of life, despite formidable obstacles, reminds me of Nike’s timeless “Just Do It” slogan – a potent philosophy for embracing life’s challenges head-on.

Book Review: Blood, Sweat and Chrome by Kyle Buchanan

Oh man, this book is an absolutely wild ride! Brian and I listened to this whenever we were driving, so it took us a little while to get through, but every minute was captivating. It offers a super interesting, and at times unbelievable, deep dive into the making of the iconic film Mad Max: Fury Road. The book chronicles the incredible journey, including the astonishing 10-15 years it spent in pre-production – yes, more than a decade, during which Mel Gibson even aged out of the titular role!

It details the ingenious creation of the many crazy, bespoke vehicles that were all built and actually driven for the scenes, emphasizing that there was virtually no green screen used. The author masterfully uncovers the complex financing, the sheer logistical challenges of a nine to ten-month shoot in the harsh, hot, cold, and incredibly dusty environment of Namibia, and the unwavering, visionary determination of director George Miller. The narrative is richly interwoven with candid interviews from cast and crew, offering first-hand accounts of incidents, on-set conflicts, and even marriages that blossomed amidst the chaos. What truly amazed me was the revelation that the entire movie was crafted without a traditional script, relying solely on intricate storyboards. It’s a testament to its underdog spirit that it went on to achieve critical acclaim and win multiple Academy Awards. Now, armed with all this incredible background knowledge, we absolutely have to re-watch Mad Max: Fury Road – it promises to be an entirely new viewing experience!

Book Review: The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis

This book began at a somewhat slow pace, and initially, I wasn’t entirely sure what to make of it. However, as I gradually began to grasp the nuances of the characters from its distinct eras, the narrative truly picked up momentum. The Masterpiece skillfully alternates between two timelines: the vibrant 1920s-30s and the tumultuous 1970s. Both threads are intricately woven around the majestic Grand Central Station in New York City – first in its glorious heyday, then later on the brink of potential demolition to make way for a high-rise development.

The story centers around an art school that was once housed in the upper offices of the station, focusing on the lives of its teachers, particularly a pioneering female artist striving to make her mark in the predominantly male-dominated art world of the early 20th century. The central mystery revolves around “The Masterpiece” – a significant painting that goes missing. The characters from the 1970s timeline discover the painting, initiating an unraveling of the mystery surrounding its creator and its disappearance. While I confess I never developed a profound emotional connection to any of the characters, the historical backdrop and the unfolding mystery were compelling enough to keep me engaged. I was genuinely invested in seeing how the various narrative threads would resolve and the secrets of the past would finally come to light.

Entertainment Spotlight: Movies We’re Watching

Film Review: Elvis, directed by Baz Luhrmann

I had followed many discussions and reviews about the movie Elvis, directed by Baz Luhrmann, when it was released back in August. While some reviews were mixed regarding the film’s overall structure or historical accuracy, the vast majority offered glowing praise for the relatively new actor who portrayed Elvis, Austin Butler, particularly for his captivating performance and impressive vocal work. My daughter and I decided to watch it, and we both thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The film was undeniably fun, a vibrant spectacle that skillfully highlighted the most iconic moments of Elvis’s legendary career, all set to an incredible soundtrack of his timeless music.

We absolutely concur with the widespread acclaim for Austin Butler; his portrayal was nothing short of exceptional. He managed to capture not just the look, but the very essence, charisma, and raw energy of Elvis Presley, making the story feel fresh and authentic. Luhrmann’s signature flamboyant and fast-paced directorial style certainly contributed to the movie’s engaging nature, keeping us captivated from start to finish. It was a fantastic watch that truly brought the King of Rock and Roll’s story to life for a new generation.

That concludes another delightful edition of our Monthly Favorites: Curated Discoveries for a Well-Lived Life!

If you’re curious to explore more of my ongoing discoveries and recommendations, you can delve into all the previous “Good Things Lists” right here. Your thoughts and recommendations are always welcome! Have you tried any of the items or experienced any of the places I’ve mentioned? Or perhaps you have a fantastic book, product, or movie you’d recommend? Please share your insights and comments below – I’d love to hear from you!

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