Elena's
December Picks

Bioderma Ultra-Nourishing Anti-Irritation shower oil and Cetaphil Pro RestoraDerm Eczema Soothing Moisturizer are two key products I always have in my arsenal to keep flare-ups at bay. I use these most months out of the year, sometimes even into the summer. I get anxious when I’m running low, so backups are a must.

 

Since one of the, ahem, joys, of menopause is bone loss, I try to be mindful of how much calcium, vitamin D, and K2 I get every day. I make sure to get calcium through food. Icelandic Provisions Tradional Skyr is like a dessert. But with 15g protein, only 10g of sugar, and 15% of the daily calcium requirement, it simply has more bang for your nutritional buck. I’m averse to watery yogurt, and Skyr is so deliciously thick and creamy that it has replaced my daily Greek yogurt.

 

Crystals are pretty much everywhere in my house, bag, office and car. They give me a sense of calm. This pale green fluorite is a beauty, and one of my favorites. The color is soothing and reminds me of searching for sea glass on the beach, which is a form of meditation for me. I find some gorgeous stones and crystals at Portal Crystal Gallery in Arlington, Massachusetts. Crystal Concentrics

 

If you’ve never browsed on Society 6, check out their amazing array of patterned travel mugs, artwork, and laptop covers. This French toile pattern on a travel cup caught my eye because it evokes my teenage years, when I was obsessed with French history and Marie Antoinette. I used to love everything vintage patterned, and even today I squeeze it in here and there.