Elevate the Everyday
The festive season has finished, New Year's Eve has come and gone and the kids are back at school. For lots of us January evokes a cold seriousness both literally and figuratively, while we defrost car windows during the morning grind we may feel disenchanted with the pedestrian nature of the everyday.
I have somewhat of a vested interest in making the most of January: it's my birthday mid-month and it does tend to evaporate without ceremony unless I'm determined for it not to. That said, will and effort are one thing but pulling off this feat is another and most of us aren't even in a prosecco and cake mood let alone pubbing and clubbing by the time the most depressing week of the year rolls along (true fact!).
So for about the last decade I have been devoted to making my birthday month a time to hunker down, relax and give myself space to look ahead. But it is my birthday, after all, so I've kicked the monastic approach to the curb and gone luxe elevating my approach to everyday rituals; making my celebration a slow burning scented candle instead of a firecracker. And I'm good with that. In fact, I'm here to recommend it to you, regardless of where your birthday falls; you can go dry, take long walks, change your diet or even undertake the dreaded personal finance review (sympathetic sigh) but soak yourself in beauty at the same time, you'll feel content, strong and ready for the year ahead.
In this spirit, we have created the Elevate the Everyday Edit, curated with the little things in mind, here are my top pics:
1. Historical Toothbrush, Havana & Green
Hand-cut, milled and shaped from acetate, then infused with bundles of pure bristles or nylon, with the tip of each tuft rounded to protect the tooth enamel these beautiful toothbrushes by Acca Kappa maximise cleaning efficiency and gently massage gums.
Simply gawgeous; they are the perfect companion for your getting ready and unwinding rituals with an old-school craftsmanship that's heartening. If you tend to brush your teeth a little hard (🙋♀️), you'll appreciate the softer approach that these allow for, I favour the medium nylon for personal use.
Also available in Classic Brown and Black & White.
2. Shearer's Soap
Made from a translucent base high in glycerin that is incredibly gentle on skin and Poppy seeds which work to exfoliate, Shearer's Soap is described as 'gentle on the skin, strong on the nose'. With a bespoke fragrance inspired by the soap that shearing gangs used to scrub with, its fresh, natural scent immediately evokes a sense of cleanliness and hard day's work. Providing superb all over body exfoliation and a wholesome start to the new year.
3. Karekare Tonic (Sea Salt Spray)
For anyone with a new year's resolution of less heat styling, this sea salt hair spray is your new best friend. With key ingredients that include Epsom Salt and Sea Beet which work to activate curls, remove excess oil from the scalp (which can lead to problems if you have thinning or oily hair) as well as increasing, volume, shine and suppleness, Karekare Tonic 'takes bland, dull, lifeless hair and drags it to the dance floor for one last intoxicating fling'.
As someone with naturally curly hair and who experiences the good and bad days that come with that I love the vibrancy and texture the spray gives my hair, and the ease of my hair styling ritual that comes with use. I just spray it into my hair when it's damp or dry, give it a scrunch and shake- et voila!
4. Natura Paddle Brush
Ergonomically designed to reduce structural damage to the hair while brushing, cone shaped pins easily penetrate hair while the rounded tip of each wooden pin gently massages the scalp.
The perfect go-to hairbrush, Natura brushes are naturally anti-static and plastic-free. The wooden pins give a super-relaxing massage effect, which is a nice treat at the end of the day, they are also finger-like when it comes to detangling making them a better option for curly and wavy hair. Try the travel size or oval/ rectangular shapes if you're sporting shorter tresses.
5. White Moss Fabric Softener
As someone who is forever climbing the laundry mountain of muddy waterproofs, sports kits and your usual work and school clothes I would generally say anything to do with the utility room is about as pedestrian as it gets. However, I keep a little White Moss Fabric Softener under the sink and add it to bedding washes; the fresh, aromatic fragrance is calming and serene completing the set for the last stretch of evening when I get to cosy up in bed with my book.
6. White Moss Hand Cream
Did you know that hand cream often works best before bed? Left to nourish hands without being washed off as you recharge, I like to always have some to hand on the night side table, it also leaves my hands feeling soft and silky.
White Moss hand cream is ideal for combatting inflammation and cracking, providing long lasting hydration- definitely a winter saviour for cold January!
7. Eucalyptus and Oakmoss Scented Candle
Connecting directly to the most primal and emotional part of the brain our sense of smell has a huge impact on how we feel. Combining fragrance with the soft glow of a candle, helps provide inspiration and create space for reflection.
With intense hints of oakmoss and the freshness of eucalyptus this candle is composed of woody essences, reminiscent of a walk through the woods. Creating an atmosphere that will make you feel regenerated and serene they have a 30+hour burn time and are bottled in beautiful, fine glass.
8. For Him: Vegan Shaving Brush
The ultimate accessory for a complete wet-shaving experience, Musgo Real's vegan fibre shaving brush is elegant and functional with a handle made of wood and metal and a synthetic hand-made brush head. 
Pair with Oak Moss Shaving Cream and Eau de Cologne for a woody-fresh fragrance that's sweet enough to share.
Looking for more recommends to elevate the everyday? Check out our edit here.
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