January in this part of the world is winter time and although here in California, winter means having to occasionally wear real shoes, I do enjoy winter travel, best of both worlds so to speak. My December trip to Japan inspired the purchase of a new jacket. The Uniqlo brand – a Japanese company, how’s that for coincidence – has immediately become a favorite.

The jackets are SO LIGHTWEIGHT, it’s incredible! And warm, so toasty warm!  It really did pack down into a bag just slightly larger than a can of Diet Coke. When packed down, it fit into the pocket in the side of my backpack that is sized for a water bottle. I loved the jacket so much I decided to splurge on a vest for ballet class; it is a perfect layer to start out a winter day ballet class.

I’m also loving the Believe Training Journal from runners Lauren Fleshman and Roisin McGettigan-Dumas. Even though it is written for runners with just a bit of imagination, it’s easily adaptable for any physical training, including dance! I still want to write one specifically for the dancer but for now this training journal is working out wonderfully as I re-enter my dance training.

It’s a great journal but I still need a planner. I’m loving this new planner by a millennial start up company. The Passion Planner gives an opportunity to be creative and self-inspiring while organizing and scheduling life in the way that I often need to if I have any chance of getting things done.

Some additional photos as asked for!

I’m also spending time listening to David Bowie’s final album (do we still call them albums?). Isn’t it still shocking that he’s gone?! His last gift of music is pretty incredible – dramatic and lush, as always, pure Bowie. I’m also watching all of my Alan Rickman movies. Sense and Sensability has always been a goto film for me because of him and Emma Thompson. Another immense loss for the world, how I loved Mr. Rickman. And the final season of Downton Abbey is upon us. I don’t have television service so I actually have to wait until it comes out on DVD so as I wait I’ve been reading The Countess of Carnarvon books, Lady Almina and the Read Downton Abbey and Lady Catherine, the Earl, and the Real Downton Abbey. Both great reads while I wait for my pre-ordered DVDs to come from PBS – yes, I still like having something in my hands vs. the downloads, someday maybe I’ll get onboard with downloading movies.

Happy January!!