Two weeks since the start of school...
I know this is such a weird time to do a favourites collection, but I thought it would be quite nice to share what I've been loving outside of class so far after adjusting to my new school life (in terms of starting the IB & with new covid restrictions).
1. CEDARWOOD ESSENTIAL OIL
I recently bought an aroma diffuser for my dorm room from Muji, and got this cedarwood essential oil. I hadn't used an aromatic diffuser for a while since I was used to lighting up candles and incense sticks at home, but since we're not allowed to use them at school, I have approached aromatherapy.
To start, I bought this cedarwood essential oil. First, because I am a big fan of scents of nature (trees, minerals, fruits). Another reason is because when I tried the tester at the store, the scent reminded me of the onsen (hot spring) that I visit whenever I visit my hometown in Aomori, Japan. I'm not exactly sure if it was the scent of the actual hot spring or the wooden tub in which the water was in it, but it gave me some kind of nostalgia.
These past few days, aromatherapy has been my go-to ritual before bed or during study (basically whenever I need some detoxification).
Muji cedarwood essential oil (refinery29) - https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/shop/product/cedarwood-essential-oil-10ml-173932
2. KINTO TRAVEL TUMBLER
I bought this travel tumbler in Japan this summer since I was looking for a new water bottle to use at school, and I have to say it is just so so perfect! I use it for my morning coffees, water during the whole day, as well as tea at night, it is an essential for my boarding school life. I bring it to school every day full of coffee, then throughout the day I rinse it and use it for water afterwards. The tumbler is useful for every situation. I bring it to coffee shops as a reusable cup, and the coffee stays warm forever! AND, there are 8 colours to choose from!
3. 『明け方の若者たち』カツセマサヒコ
"the end of the pale hour" by Masahiko Katsuse
This novel (modern Japanese literature), set in Tokyo, Japan, is about a university student with big hopes and dreams for his future, starting his first job in a large successful company, finding love, and constantly seeking for motivation. It is about young dreamers who continue spending their boring, predictable daily lives seeking for some change. Any change.
Reading this as a teenager, I found this novel impactful because I have been looking at possible future careers, universities, and all these plans for when I graduate high school. A story about young adults who live as they constantly tell themselves, "my life wasn't supposed to be like this", first, I didn't know exactly how to interpret the novel. Though one thing I know clearly is that I have to create my own opportunities in life. Observing the protagonist constantly relying on those around him, blaming others for his predictable days enabled me to learn a lesson, and I am so glad that I have learnt this lesson before becoming a young adult.
I have encountered this theme of boring and predictable lifestyle quite frequently these days, as I watched the movie Fight Club for the first time and listening to multiple podcast episodes. As a teenager turning into a young adult, I think it is quite important to reflect on it in more detail (so look out for a post about this soon!).
『明け方の若者たち』カツセマサヒコ (amazon JP) - https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E6%98%8E%E3%81%91%E6%96%B9%E3%81%AE%E8%8B%A5%E8%80%85%E3%81%9F%E3%81%A1-%E5%B9%BB%E5%86%AC%E8%88%8E%E5%8D%98%E8%A1%8C%E6%9C%AC-%E3%82%AB%E3%83%84%E3%82%BB%E3%83%9E%E3%82%B5%E3%83%92%E3%82%B3-ebook/dp/B0897CNQ5Z
4. DAVINES MOISTURISING BALM: AUTHENTIC FORMULAS
This moisturising balm for hair, face and body is by an Italian haircare & skincare brand called Davines (though I actually purchased this in a select-shop Japan). To be very honest, the reason I bought this in the first place was because I fell in love with the illustrations on the cover. However, soon I realised the benefits of the moisturiser and fell in love with everything about it! The moisturiser nourishes, hydrates and protects your skin and contains 98% natural origin ingredients and organically grown safflower oil. I've been using this balm everyday, applying to wherever I feel dry whenever during the day. After applying once, my skin & hair feels soft for the whole day! With such an impressive result, I decided to look into this brand and I found many exciting things!
Turns out, Davines is a B corp which started as a research laboratory, afterwards creating a botanical garden in order to inspire its researchers in developing new effective and sustainable formulas.
above: botanical garden located in the headquarters of Davines (Davines Village) just outside of Parma (apparently bookings for visits available!)
Currently, I am obsessed with discovering more about the brand, Davines and its projects. Davines also has a youtube channel so I will be bingeing them tonight!
Davines moisturising balm: Authentic formulas (Davines) - https://www.davines.com/products/moisturizing-balm
Davines official website - https://www.davines.com/
Davines youtube channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/DavinesChannel/featured
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