MODA Blog Favorites: March

After the end of a grueling month of p-sets, essays, and juggling who knows how many other responsibilities and obligations, MODA Blog brings you a refreshing list of favorites from our bloggers and photographers to fill you with inspiration and energy for the next month. 

Nivedina

Images via here, here, and here.

1. Bucketfeet: Founded by a couple of friends who met while volunteering in Buenos Aires, Bucketfeet is a footwear company that features the work of an international community of artists on canvas shoes. This month, I got myself a pair designed by Colombian artist DjLu. His signature design is a grenade that looks like a pineapple, which criticizes the way that farmland has turned into mine lands in parts of Colombia. Apart from selling some cute (and comfy!!) shoes, Bucketfeet sets an example as a company: every purchase directly supports the artists, the artists receive both upfront payments and royalties, and Bucketfeet has donated over $500,000 back to the artist community.
2. Bru: I stumbled upon this stunning and airy coffee shop one Saturday in Wicker Park, and it has quickly become one of my favorite places to get work done. With a delicious selection of crepes, smoothies, and pastries, lots of plants, and a bar decorated with pennies, Bru is what I want my home to feel like someday.
3. Between the World and Me, by Ta-Nehisi Coates: I picked this book up during Spring Break, and by the end of the day I had read it through two times because Coates' writing is so captivating. Deemed by many as "the James Baldwin of our time," Coates writes this book as a letter to his 15-year-old son, who he notices has been trying to comprehend racial injustices in America. I love this book because Coates does not gloss over anything, and his message is realistic. If you are a person who knows other people, this is a book you need to read.

Kathryn

Images via here, here, here, and here.

1. Yoga: After a long and grueling bus ride from Boston to NYC this Spring Break, my back was desperately in need of some strengthening and stretching. As I do every quarter, this Spring I resolved to be healthier, more productive, and more motivated (currently accepting bets on how long I can make this last, granted I'll be surprisingly proud of myself if I last until third week). Motivated by a cute mat and a small splurge at Lulu, I've jumped full-heartedly into the yoga craze. Aside from the conveniently close classes at Ratner, I have utilized and exhausted my free week trial at CorePower (near Chipotle on 53rd) and am currently on the hunt for some more studios to explore (read: scam free trials from). 
2. Apple Watch: Encouraging my unhealthy obsession with Apple and continuing my more productive quarterly resolution of productivity, my resent obnoxious acquisition (my mom won it and I bargained with her failure to get around to selling it after a year on our shelf) of an Apple Watch has seriously upped my efficiency game. I've tracked exercise and sleep,  planned more effectively on my already meticulously color-coded iCal, and increased my infatuation with the Transit app ten-fold (my irritation with the 4 bus continuously passing me as I sit on the stop bench has yet to be mitigated, however). 
3. Milk Makeup Sunshine Skin Tint: A huge ra-ra for skincare from me for the Sunshine Skin Tint by Milk Makeup! Continuing my newfound obsession with the dewy skin look, I have loved the easy application and natural coverage of this product. The citrusy scent is strong but enjoyable and the dewy formulation and lightweight coverage effortlessly blends and provides a natural finish. 
4. Bullet Journaling: This one has been a long established habit of mine, and I carry my soft cover gridded Moleskine notebook literally everywhere with me (also always accompanied by a ridiculous amount of pens and markers). I've found such success in organization with the flexible system for my ever-changing, always-busy schedule. I regularly procrastinate with scrolling through spreads on Pinterest or watching YouTube videos for flip-throughs and inspiration (check out @amandarachlee for some killer minimal and cute layouts). 

Ashley

Images via here, here, and here.

1. KIKO MILANO Cream Blush: On spring break, I discovered the magic that is KIKO MILANO. I picked up their cream blush (amongst other things) from their new capsule "Less is Better," and I am obsessed. It blends out like a dream and offers that natural flush. I have both colors, (01) Impalpable Rose and (02) Tenuous Mauve. I just dab my fingers in the pot, swipe onto the apples of my cheeks, and blend away.
2. & Other Stories Oversized Shirt: Now that I'm spending less time in the library (perks of being a spring quarter senior), I've been focusing more on the way I dress. One clothing item that instantly perks up an outfit is an oversized shirt. It's super versatile; you can tuck it into a pair of jeans or throw it on over some leggings. It instantly makes you look polished. I love it so much I picked it up in white and blue striped as well. Best of all, I don't need to steal my boyfriend's shirts anymore!
3. More Life: I love Drake, so naturally his new album has been on repeat. While it's not my favorite album of his, I've been listening to Free Smoke, Passionfruit, 4422, and Gyalchester nonstop. Check it out on Apple Music!

Olivia 

Images via here, here and here.

1. Pablo Neruda: Maybe it's because I'm in Paris for study abroad or maybe it's because spring is finally here, but Neruda's nostalgic and evocative poetry feels especially appealing as of late. I came across a decent selection of his works at the beloved Shakespeare and Co. bookstore on the Left Bank and can't decide if I need a pocket-sized reminder of his best love sonnets or his complete works–I guess whichever version fits in my suitcase!
2. The Body Shop Tea Tree Cleansing Clay Mask: I have fairly sensitive skin, so I'm always skeptical about experimenting with different products, but this face mask is definitely worth a shot if you're looking for something new. Soothing and calming, it's perfect to lather on for a couple of minutes right before bed. It's not too drying either and incredibly cheap compared to equivalent products on the market. The Body Shop is also cruelty free and uses mostly eco-friendly and all natural ingredients in their products.
3. Knobbly Studio: I found this jewelry brand on Instagram of all things and instantly fell in love with it's simplistic and sculptural aesthetic. The artistry is evident in each piece, with most designs evoking some abstracted version of the human form. I'm still debating whether or not I want to splurge on a pair of their earrings, but surfing the site for inspiration is fun regardless. 

Featured image via Kathryn Hicks.