June 2024 Favourites: Luxury Skincare, Calpak Luggage, Digital Devices & Neoclassical Furniture

I have been wanting to do a luxury beauty haul for a while now, and I am glad Revolve Beauty has quite a few of my favourites. Now that they have an entire page dedicated to all things beauty, I find the latest launches with all my favourite brands in one place. Not to mention the up and coming arrivals with groundbreaking ingredients banishing harsh chemicals.

As I age, taking on more responsibility has shown on my skin. The more luxurious my skincare is, I noticed the faster the results. Perhaps it is all the scientific research being funded out of my pocket, but it makes a ton of sense to trade my time for less time worrying. Sturm Glow Drops are a guaranteed result that I noticed clear and brightened skin within one day. Then, even brighter glowing skin the next day. A new essential is now in my graces.

Summer is here, and I needed lightweight potions that do all the work without making me break out. If I have the least bit of excess oil, my skin says ‘Forswear this, Darling’. Alternating serums is something I am used to, but a light cream moisturiser that lets my skin breathe without feeling heavy? Augustinus Bader already has quite the cult following. Count me as a seasonal member for this lightweight solution. It prevents unwanted shine when you want to enjoy especially sunny days.

Crowds have thronged for this serum on multiple beauty podcasts I used to religiously listen to. Now, I have Vintner’s Daughter: Active Botanical Serum in my clutches. Here is to a radiant Summer complexion.

Beauty

My sleep schedule has been changing day to day, and as I come to terms with the fact that I am not as disciplined as I used to be, I am taming morning puffiness with eye patches from Pixi. Dinna fash, because I am working on a new nightly routine.

Another thing that ages you is hair. I learnt this from a study that the FBI did observing that the first thing strangers notice about you is your hair. The condition, health, colour, all of the above. I need help with this as I consistently make the mistake of not getting a proper schedule with my stylist. Taking on more projects at work and at home have me cutting out time where I really need a salon session! This is why I got the Goop mask to hydrate what was once crunchy, dry hair. Think dead tree branches. Goodbye, split ends jutted out in all directions. Hello, glossy black wave of silk.

Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Gel in Soft Brown has been my go-to for years, and I stock up on multiples. It is the perfect in-between micro-powdering touch ups. I still get ceaseless compliments using this tinted brow gel.

Travel

Want to know a funny story?

My cat relieved himself in my Calpak mini-carry on luggage.

This is why I purchased a new one in silver with the Calpak carry-on size as a gift for my husband. We had some trips planned, and he did not own a carry-on. Full-sized luggage is not my thing, because I worry so much of my checked bag getting lost. It has happened to me a handful of stressful times. With the mini carry-on, I can pack two pairs of heels and two weeks worth of dinner gowns. Yes, I have travelled a lot and am next level when it comes to packing the most in the tiniest parcel of a bag. This time, I got silver, so we match!

Originally, I had the pink and black mini-carry on and you can see in the video below.

Previously, I wrote, filmed, and reviewed an entire Calpak Rose Gold Collection you can view here.

Technology

Mr. Ritter needed a new computer, so I got him a quick-fix situation. Once this dies out in a few years, we plan on having a study / office with a proper desktop setup we both can us. For now, we are saving everything we can for a house, and not worrying too much about technological details.

Especially when devices are upgrading faster than the speed of sound. Getting the latest and greatest with all the lasting power in the world does not make sense, unless it is something we use routinely. Husband simply uses this sweet 4GB computer for light browsing, and I am the one who needs all the RAM and space. (Exhibit: this blog)

If you are close with me, you know I absolutely hate televisions. They keep you trapped in the matrix instead of having adventures. I opted for a smaller telly, because they are already gaudy as can be. Once we have a house, I am putting this in the guest room, because I do not want to see this. Even with the crown moulding frame (stay tuned) I will be adding to this soon-to-be mounted pain in the neck, it bothers me terribly. Anyway, this smart TV is something bearable.

The sound system with a subwoofer is a must, because when I do something — I do it right. Simply put, if you are going to have something as awful as an LED screen TV in your sitting room, you have to immerse yourself with the proper implements. A good spatial audio situation will set you up for success when it comes to blasting Mendelssohn on a Sunday. This is the one technological purchase I looked forward to. Expect future sound upgrades in our house.

Furniture

Remember when my wonderful ex-husband and I purchased a manor? We moved into a life that we were not prepared for, yet I still have hankerings for decorating a truly settled home. That feels like an epoch ago, yet there is no other way to live than with peace of mind that your sanctuary is stalwart when it comes to comfort. The yearning for home never leaves once grown accustomed.

Moving Into Our Manor

Designing My Manor Plans

Luxury Kitchen Renovation Plans

All the flower arrangements in the world will not turn this into a home unless it has the verity of creature comforts. Namely, mahogany and cherry wood furniture to warm up the space. Textiles from abroad to exchange travel stories. Memories framed with indentations to show how many times one has moved. Scratches on silverware. And stains on disgustingly cosy comforters.

Caught between a Scylla and Charybdis, I realised I wanted to be settled a bit in this temporary three-bedroom before the house search. A home has to be a placed that is lived in, with furniture to tell the story. This is why I chose Neoclassical and Georgian-inspired pieces. Tradition is something we continue around here, because if it was beautiful 1,000 years ago, it can still be today. That is the definition of classic style.

Aware that the first house we close on together will be a starter home, I kept some permanent rules in mind. Here is a quick run-down of these furniture favourites.

The mirror is because John is obsessed with fixing his hair. I am besotted with this decadent accent, and could use more selfie space to take outfit ideas for your viewing pleasure.

The nightstand with decent storage. I need a nightstand to hold all my books, a light, notepads and pen, when I want to be productive in bed. This usually happens after a long day of sitting up or shuffling, and my back needs a break. The grains in the wood are breathtaking, while the hardware is what sold me.

The bookcase – I bought two, because I needed the storage. Too many files on the floor with a file cabinet that is broken.

The entryway table was a piece desperately necessitated since my file cabinet that doubled as an entryway table was rendered useless. Mail and keys in a silver vide poche will sit on this warmly wooded piece. I love the curves.

The solid wood dining table is going to be our new dining table, because we are currently using my old console table to eat. We have the dark wood one, and I cannot wait to make tablescapes on this larger, better-suited masterpiece.

The coffee table is perfect with storage, a cherry finish, and something to put your feet up when watching a movie and having dinner simultaneously. The finish is a medium brown with Georgian-Revival castellations.

The bathroom storage is a necessary evil as we did not design our bathroom, nor are we allowed to renovate this transient quarter. We keep knocking things over on our single vanity sink, and fighting for storage in such an incommodious space. I chose white, because bathrooms have to look and feel especially clean when you do not fully own them. When I renovate my future bathroom, it would have dark woods and marble everywhere. One day.