I still can’t believe it’s MAY! I feel as if this year is flying by and I’m almost 25. Here are all my favorites for the month of April.

This month my favorite read was, “When Breath Becomes Air” by Paul Kalanithi. Technically it is a reread since I first finished the book in June. While reading this book, I cried, hoped, and found some peace.

The first time I ate alone in a restaurant was when I was reading this book. I wanted to get out of my apartment, out of the city and kept driving. All I knew was that I wanted to go where I wouldn’t be recognized and left alone. About 1.5 hours later, I ended up in Gilroy. Ironically I drove myself to the very person I was running away from. It was as if fate was toying with me.

Rereading the book in April, allowed me to reflect on where I am going and where I’ll be. I’m healing, reopening old wounds and watching the scars slowly fade, but I am at a good place. In these moments, I realize that I forgive you and I forgive myself.

“What makes life worth living in the face of death? What do you do when the future, no longer a ladder toward your goals in life, flattens out into a perpetual present? What does it mean to have a child, to future a new life as another fades away? These are some of the questions Kalanithi wrestles in this profoundly moving, exquisitely observed memoir” -excerpt from the  inside front cover

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As I get older, I find myself drawn to the basics. My nude Steve Madden sandals are one of my essentials and favorite pair of shoes. They go with everything and the low heel is super comfortable. Roses de Chloe is one of my favorite scents, it’s a rose based perfume that doesn’t scream grandma perfume. Well even if it did a little, I wouldn’t mind too much since I love roses.

I always try to apply sunblock daily and one of my favorite sunblocks is made by Shiseido Anessa. Anessa is a sub-brand of Shiseido that is found exclusively in Japan. Instead of a creamy base, it is more of a milky sunblock. This makes it more waterproof and less thick thus I am more likely to reapply over my freckled skin. I would totally recommend this if you live in a hot environment.

In my skincare post, I mentioned this TATCHA moisturizer, a relatively new addition to my skincare. TATCHA’s water cream claims to release a burst of skin-improving Japanese nutrients, powerful botanicals, and optimal hydration for poreless-looking skin. The packaging is super cute as the cream is encased a Tiffany Blue tub with a gold bow on top. The bow holds the tiny gold spatula that I use to scoop out my moisturizer. Inside the blue tub, is a jiggly white cream. I tend to use a cream over a lotion moisturizer as my skin is dry. This helped heal my dry patches caused by allergies and I notice a brightening effect as well. I’ll update with a review specific to this moisturizer soon.

Even though I own a plethora of makeup, I don’t wear a full face of makeup to work every day. Honestly, I’d rather sleep in. I’ll just fill in my eyebrows and use my cushion foundation. I prefer cushion foundations because it allows me to reapply SPF to my face. Dior Capture DreamSkin Perfect Skin Cushion foundation has an SPF of 50 and comes in 4 shades- I use shade 10. This foundation has light coverage so it’s perfect for the no makeup look.

Paul Kalanithi When Breath Becomes Air

Shiseido Anessa Whitening Skin Protector SPF 32 PA ++ (Pink one discontinued)

TATCHA The Water Cream 

Dior Capture DreamSkin Perfect Skin Cushion Broad Spectrum SPF 50