What I’m Crushing On in January 2021

Okay, it’s mid-January and in Ontario, we are back under COVID-19 restrictions of Step 2. This means indoor dining is not allowed, theatres and attractions are closed and stores are at 50% capacity. It’s a good time to catch up on some reading or watch that Netflix series you’ve been eager to see since there is not much else we can do at the moment. I have been doing a bit of both. I did manage to write down my New Year’s resolutions for 2022, and have been having a slower-paced January, which was needed. Here’s what I’m crushing on in January 2021:

Mare of Easttown

This HBO limited series stars Kate Winslet as Mare, a divorced detective in the fictional town of Easttown, a homey small town east of Philadelphia. The latest murder of a teen girl has Mare deeply entrenched in the case alongside Detective Colin Zabel (Evan Peters), the county detective called in to assist. The tough-talking Mare is shielding herself from her own grief as a result of the recent suicide of her son. Mare is also trying to retain custody of her grandson from his drug-addicted mother. Winslet has turned in a brilliant and unexpected performance as Mare, complete with the Philly accent. She recently won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or Television Motion Picture. The series was also nominated for 16 Emmy Awards at the 2021 Emmys and won 4 Emmys including Outstanding Lead Actress for Winslet, Outstanding Supporting Actor for Peters and Outstanding Supporting Actress for Julianne Nicholson who plays Mare’s best friend Lori. Look for scene stealer Jean Sharpe as Mare’s wisecracking mother. You can stream Mare of Easttown in Canada on Crave.

Michael Kors Gorgeous! Eau de Parfum

My sister gave me a bottle of Michael Kors Gorgeous! Eau de Parfum for Christmas and I have been wearing it ever since. This is from someone who stopped wearing perfume several years ago because they bothered my nose and throat. I love all scents that are woodsy so it’s not surprising that I have latched on to this perfume. It’s a woodsy floral with top notes of Pink Pepper and Mandarin Orange that give you an immediate feeling of invigoration! The middle notes of Jasmine Sambac, Tuberose, Ylang Ylang and Orange Blossom are a sophisticated floral while the base notes of Guaiac wood, Tonka Bean, Cedarwood, Benzoin, Cashmeran and Suede give this perfume woodsy undertones for those of us who dislike pure florals. I dab on only two drops, which I find is more than enough and that amount doesn’t irritate my senses. If I had to use only one word to describe this perfume, it would be: Expensive

State of Terror by Hillary Clinton and Louise Penny

I have enjoyed Louise Penny’s Chief Inspector Gamache series, which takes place in Three Pines, Quebec, but have never read any of Hillary Clinton’s books. I thought this writing team couldn’t fail to produce a gripping thriller and I was right. State of Terror takes place in Washington D.C. under a new administration trying to clean up after the incompetence of the previous one (hmmm…I wonder which administration they are referring to?) Incoming president Doug Williams has appointed his political enemy, Ellen Adams, as his Secretary of State. This move means she has to step aside from her media company, a platform she had used to criticize Williams. A foreign service officer employed in Adams’s office receives an anonymous text message that she later learns is a coded warning, followed by terrorist attacks abroad involving Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Russia and the race to develop nuclear weapons. State of Terror steps on the gas during the opening pages and blasts at full speed for the length of its 486 pages. It’s an exciting and extremely well-informed read.

Reading Socks from Indigo

My niece bought me these purple Reading Socks from Indigo for Christmas. When I first opened my gift, I thought: “I might wear these if it’s really cold.” Well, I have worn them every day since I received them. They are made from recycled Chenille knit 100% with a recycled sherpa lining. These thick and comfy socks have a non-slip sole and needless to say, they are SUPER warm. Today in Toronto it is feeling like -23C (-9.4F); you can bet I’m wearing my Reading Socks!

I hope you enjoyed reading about what I’m crushing on in January 2021. What are you crushing on right now?