January Favorites

small joys from last month

January began with uncertainty about if I’d be able to travel to the U.S. to attend my brother in law’s wedding, spend time with my family and meet my niece. I’d been waiting for an update from the French prefecture for months on my visa renewal, practically begging them towards the end for one simple piece of documentation that would allow me to cross Schengen zone borders while they took their sweet time renewing what we thought would be a straight forward spousal visa — I was effectively “stuck” in Paris until I heard back.

no trip to the u.s. is complete without costco pizza and a lot of mexican food

Meanwhile, my husband was already in the states for his brother’s wedding — yes, sadly I missed it waiting for the famously slow French bureaucracy. I joined enviously via facetime both for the wedding and as he enjoyed some of our favorite restaurant spots in Austin while visiting our close friends after the wedding.

With the documentation coming in a week after our scheduled departure and 3 weeks after my visa expired, we had to cancel my ticket for the flight I was supposed to join my husband on. Fortunately, we were able to swing a last minute rebooked ticket (thank you airline miles!), allowing me to meet my new niece.

i got a solid week of snuggles with my niece !

January was heavy for many reasons. I know this is a monthly favorites article but I can’t in good conscience write it without mentioning that I spent much of my time in the U.S. worrying, vigilantly checking my parents’ locations, and getting anxious when they didn’t pick up on the first ring while also pleading with my brother to get an enhanced ID. It’s gut wrenching having to soldier on with life while feeling powerless to change the circumstances we find ourselves in.

I carry this fear despite being a U.S. citizen — simply being a person of color here carries risks beyond superficial racial biases. You could find yourself detained and imprisoned without due process, deported to a country you have few ties to and for the least fortunate of us, as we’ve seen time and again through each iteration of racism in U.S. history, death.

Reading

I didn’t do any major reading this past month, but I did receive a few new books for my birthday, including I Who Have Never Known Men, The Correspondent, The Last Letter and Theo of Golden. Have y’all read any of these?!

i unfortunately forgot ‘Theo of Golden’ at my parents

Eating and Taste Testing

The panadería is a dangerous place for my waistline, but it’s a place I must visit repeatedly for Mexican pan dulce. I have a few I always get — unfortunately, I have no idea what most of these are called. My favorites are pictured below:

Also, this chocolate chip cookie cake from Costco is an honorable mention. You must try it if you see it!

Perusing, Paris & Proud Of

Snow in Paris

It feels like a lifetime ago, but it snowed in Paris !! Seeing the buildings and rooftops blanketed in snow felt like a scene out of a movie. I sat by the window, watching the flakes drift past my window as they covered the cityscape below. It was a silver lining of being “stuck” in Paris. Next time, I’m going outside to play in it!

@oferodrigit’s snowing in Paris and it feels like Christmas #parissnowing #winterinparis #itssnowing

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New Photography Website

My photography website needed a major face lift and it finally got one! Apart from a redesign, I finally added new work from the past year. A website is truly never finished and it’s something I’ll continuously refine as my work evolves, but I’m happy with where it is now. Next up: revamping the “Selected Work” gallery so it’s categorized — stay tuned!

every time you do a full reload the website (cmd + shift + R on mac or ctrl + shift + R on windows) the photos are randomized ! the same thing happens under “selected works”

Obsessing Over

Riposo Pajamas

I’ve professed my love for Riposo before and for good reason — they’re the best pajama sets I’ve ever owned. I bought my first set in fall of 2024 and for Christmas I requested a few more. I really wanted the Miller set, but it was sold out unfortunately. Instead, my parents gifted me Leni and Wren. Both are buttery soft, breathable and fit beautifully.

days after arriving home, i got a nasty cold and was out for a little over a week

Recommending To You

Gifting Experiences

I’d been planning on gifting my nieces and nephew an experience for Christmas and while I was visiting, we got to take them to see the Zootopia sequel at the theatre, popcorn, soda and candy included — it was such a blast. Before my arrival, they kept asking when they would get to go to the movies with “tia” and “uncle” — their excitement nearly brought tears to my eyes. It also gave my brother and sister in law an evening off to enjoy a date night!

In the same vein, we got to take my niece ice skating for her birthday. She got to leave school early and enjoy an afternoon at the rink. The smile on her face as she raced circles around my poor husband as he tried to keep up was priceless.

Treating Myself To

Froyo! I ate more froyo in the past few weeks than I have in the past decade. I was reminded of how delicious it was, picking from the plethora of toppings is one of my favorite parts. My top flavor “on tap” was a tribute to peanut butter reese’s pieces. I’ll be on the hunt for something similar in Paris.

i’m more of a fruit and sprinkles type of gal while my husband loves to mix candy into his

On My Radar

I’m introducing a new category (“On My Radar”) this year, mostly highlighting one or two things that I’m keeping an eye on. Think of it as a way for me to introduce you to something that’s captured my attention, but I don’t necessarily have all the intel on yet.

For this month, Act+Acre is on my radar. I recently stopped by Sephora to pick up a few Ceremonia samples (I love their heat protectant) and right above the shelf I saw Act+Acre beautifully displayed. Their sleek, pastel blue bottles and minimal branding caught my eye. I ended up taking a sample of Stem Cell Scalp Serum™ after being intrigued by their ethos and the raving reviews online. Unfortunately, they don’t ship internationally and I’m kicking myself for not picking up a bottle of Daily Hydro™ Scalp Serum because my hair could use it. If you’ve tried it or are familiar with the brand, I’d love to know your thoughts!

images from act + acre’s website

ps — if you’re in the UK, you’re in luck!

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Monthly Favorites

Briggs & Riley Carry On

If you were at the SLC airport on the same day I was in January, you may have seen me sprinting from customs to my gate. I had my travel bag perched on top of my carry on with my coat draped over it trying to keep it all from toppling over as I ran. After clearing security, I took off in a full on sprint to the end of the terminal. I practically glided through the airport and it was all thanks to my carry on.

I’ve mentioned this carry on before, but if you’re in the market for a carry on that will literally carry you through an airport when you’re the most in need, you must get this one. My husband and I splurged on these because 99% of the time we’re not checking luggage and the investment was worth the five hour layover I avoided by making it to my gate in the nick of time. There’s also a lifetime guarantee — they’ll fix it for life, no questions asked!

there was no more space in the luggage compartments, so the flight attendant tied my bag to an empty seat

Physical Books

While looking for The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros for my friend, I stumbled upon I Who Have Never Known Men after seeing it recommended online a few times. I usually read on my e-reader, because checking out books from the library in English is virtually non-existent in Paris. Buying this physical copy reminded me to treat myself to more paperback purchases in Paris.

i ended up gifting ‘Blue Sisters’ to my friend for her birthday alongside ‘A Little Life’

Celebrating my Birthday at Home

When my mom learned we were planning to visit in January, she was thrilled that I’d be home for my birthday. She noted it’d been sixteen years since we’d celebrated my birthday together in person. I hadn’t realized how long it had been. Since I left for college, having a birthday in late January meant I was back at school or long gone after visiting during the holidays. My sister in law just so happened to be due on my birthday, making it an even sweeter birthday.

my best friend showed up with a bunny ice cream cake on my birthday :sob: — ps, i’m obsessed with bunnies and often send her photos of cute ones i see

I remember feeling a bit sad last year around my birthday — we’d just moved to Paris and were in the trenches hunting for an apartment while the weather was cold and wet. This one cured the feelings I felt last year. I sat there feeling lots of gratitude to have my friends alongside me as we ate delicious Mexican food my parents had prepared (carnitas and birria) and enjoyed some sweet treats. My mom had these cookies made with a “Parisian” theme and I thought they were so precious. I’m reminded that no matter how old I get, I’m still my mom’s little girl.

i don’t care how cliche these may look, they made me teary eyed when i saw them

Barefoot Socks

If you’re like me and need a pair of socks to sleep, may I suggest the barefoot dreams fuzzy version? They were another Christmas gift request and my husband made sure I got them. They’re exactly what my feet need during the chilly Winter nights. They’re a bit on the longer side, but I just fold them over or scrunch them down when needed.

i don’t have slippers yet, so you’ll most likely find me lounging in these socks when i’m at home

New Balance 471

I feel silly mentioning these again, but they’re incredibly comfortable. The color I own is no longer available, but I forgot to pack extra shoes on my trip so I’ve been wearing them daily. They gave my outfits a more casual tone for my time in the US.

Porto Novella

I’d wanted this purse for about two years — always unsure of what size to get. I finally decided about a month before our move and my husband gifted it to me for Christmas. Unfortunately, it didn’t arrive before our move, so it sat at my in-laws for about nine months before we could retrieve it during one of my husband’s work trips. I’ve been reaching for it more and more and it was the only purse I packed for my trip — giving my crossbody a much needed break. It is the softest and most subtle purse I own!

ps — I noticed it stains and marks easily. I’d been warned about the marking, but hadn’t considered the stains. I was around several small children for a month, and I wasn’t careful about storing it. While I’d prefer it not to have any stains, I’m reminded that those little marks are from my nieces and nephews and I suddenly don’t care because things are meant to be worn and marked. Those signs of use are signs of an item well loved.

my color is called “vinno rosso”

Framed Memories

My best friend’s boyfriend gave me a birthday gift that made me cry the moment I opened it. While visiting us in Paris last fall, he snapped a photo of my best friend and I walking home, printed it and framed it for me. My best friend didn’t know what it was (he refused to tell her) and it was just the sweetest surprise — especially because we have so few photos together (idk how, we’ve known each other for over half of our lives, but it’s a fact). Her birthday is a few days after mine and he gifted her the same one! It’s one of the most thoughtful gifts I’ve received recently.

501 90s

I’m back again singing praises for the Levi’s 501 90s. During a recent sale, I picked up two washes — one reminiscent of the wash of vintage pairs and a selvedge version. I especially love the vintage wash as I’ve been wearing it more often lately.

vintage wash on the left | selvedge on the right

Necessaire Body Wash

I found a few mini versions of Nécessaire body wash at my parents’ house from my previous trip and was reminded of how lovely olibanum scent is. When we lived in Austin, we regularly bought the eucalyptus scent, but now I’m wishing we’d tried the other scents more regularly. I also found a bottle of hinoki which made me realize that each scent targets different concerns. Their multi-acids formulation targets rough texture and unevenness while their multi-enzyme version provides a gentle cleanse. You can find a few other versions like their multi-oil, mutli-mineral and barrier complex formulations.

All featured items mentioned here.

Follow me on Instagram and TikTok for more snippets of daily life in Paris. You can also find me on Indyx if you’d like to take a peek at what I’m wearing.

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Sending y’all lots of love and may all our Februarys be softer and kinder.

xx Ofelia

Disclaimer: some links are affiliate links, which means I may receive a very small percentage from a sale. As always, anything that is linked are things I either own, recommend or would purchase myself.

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