DAZE / February 2018

February often flies by. Maybe it's the fewer days, maybe we will it to pass because it holds none of January's promise for newness and none of March's signs of Spring. Snow has been a presence all of its own, bringing with it a dusting of elegance and joyous exuberance all at once. There is something so thrilling about waking up to blanket of snow, sinking well-wrapped feet into a glistening landscape and hearing it crunch while you walk. Since snow is sometimes a rarity, it almost feels like a daydream when it happens. While the world comes to a bit of a standstill, you walk around and fall gently in a daze as your fingers feel numb and your nose feels cold. 

Treasures and Troves

But there have also been days when the snow has been absent (which, let's be honest, is usually 98% of the time) and sleep isn't such an easy avenue to walk down. Despite long days at work and all the exhausting elements of life admin, sometimes sleep evades us even when we're longing for it. I have no antidote for that (so sorry) but this Champney's Heavenly Days Sleep Pillow Mist has been a really welcome addition to the evening wind-down routine. (Routine might be a slight exaggeration; it's more of a short list of things which are good to do but often forgotten. Woops). 

A gentle spritz or three above your pillow does not send you straight to the land of slumber (how brilliant would that be?!) but it does provide a soothing sense of calm and every sleepy inhale seems to somehow send you one step closer to sleep. The scent is lovely; fresh and sweet but never overpowering. Part of the As Good As New collection, the temple balm is also a helpful addition. Both are definitely worth a shot if a soothing night's sleep is on your wish list, the pillow mist especially.

Curiously Cultural

When it's too cold to venture out (or even when it's not), there's been plenty of reasons to staying in this month. Collateral on BBC2 has been an intriguing watch with a truly stellar cast. It is fast-paced and hurtles down a path that is simultaneously predictable and unpredictable. The fourth and final episode is looking to be a riveting conclusion. We're also halfway through Keeping Faith, starring the wonderfully Welsh, Eve Myles. It warrants a fuller review, which will likely appear in the next edition of a month in words once all episodes have aired, but the first three can be found on the iPlayer should you want to see for yourself this serious yet soulful drama.

Just one book completed, though others were started (and not abandoned, just postponed). The Book of Mirrors was a solid read; lightly enthralling and deeply layered, almost to the point where you would forget until a chapter would suddenly remind you. Books can be a brilliant distraction but events occur in the world and you find your attention focused (for better or worse) on social media. This can be uplifting, reaffirming and sometimes simply sad. Occasionally all three, depending on the day. Hoping that March, with its brighter days and warmer winds, will bring with it some bookish delights.