Each month, I share my favorite finds – from fashion trends to music to books to body products, and more. Weigh in with your own discoveries (or rediscoveries) in the comments!

A good ol’ fashioned Old Fashioned

For as long as I can remember, my folks have had family over to our house on New Year’s Day. When we were kids, this was great (so many people, so much food!). As we got older, less so (so many people, I was out til 3 in the morning! oh god, so much food). But the itinerary stays the same: we watch Wisconsin play in a bowl game and drink my father’s Old Fashioned’s. Here’s Esquire’s recipe: Esquire http://www.esquire.com/drinks/old-fashioned-drink-recipe

• 1 sugar cube
• 3 dashes Angostura bitters
• club soda
• 2 ounces rye whisky

Place the sugar cube (or 1/2 teaspoon loose sugar) in an Old-Fashioned glass. Wet it down with 2 or 3 dashes of Angostura bitters and a short splash of water or club soda. Crush the sugar with a wooden muddler. Rotate the glass so that the sugar grains and bitters give it a lining. Add a large ice cube. Pour in the rye (or bourbon). Serve with a stirring rod.

AQUAPHOR

Through endless trials of goops, glops, and balms, I’ve found there’s nothing better than plain old Aquaphor for keeping my lips soft during the winter months. It reminds me of my brother-in-law’s love of Cetaphil… it’s simple, straightforward, inexpensive, and you can find it literally anywhere.

And you can’t beat the value. I just ran out of the 3 oz tub I bought in college. Yeah, it’s lasted awhile. Actually, hmm, I wonder if I should have tossed it years ago? Maybe, who knows. What’s your favorite drugstore grooming find?

THE “50 SHADES OF GREY” SOUNDTRACK

While the album doesn’t come out til February 10, every song I’ve heard so far is getting me pretty excited…to buy the soundtrack (No, I will not be seeing the film – in theaters or otherwise – though I do cop to reading the books. If any woman tries to tell you she didn’t read at least one in the series, she’s a liar). Really anything by the Weeknd I’ll listen to, and he’s got two tracks on the playlist, along with Ellie Goulding, Sia, Jessie Ware, the Rolling Stones, and Beyoncé.

If you don’t want to see the movie with her on Valentine’s Day (and you definitely, definitely don’t), surprise her with this album then feign a gall bladder rupture on the 14th.

STYLISH SNOW GEAR

This week I hit the slopes in Lake Placid, NY wearing J.Lindeberg ski. This is only the third year I’ve been snowboarding, the second that I’ve gotten off the bunny slope in any meaningful way, and the first that I’m wearing my own gear instead of borrowing a friend’s. While JL’s women’s line isn’t available extensively yet in the US, the men’s line continues to offer guys clothes that look and feel good, at the office, at the mountain, or on the links.

BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS

I finished The Secret History by Donna Tartt in about two days, not surprising since I devoured The Goldfinch just as quickly last year. At the same time, I was listening to Traction (business books on Audible are my jam), which helped me think about finding new readers of SG in a new way. This week I started Sarah Vowell’s Unfamiliar Fishes and am already looking for suggestions for my next read. Leave yours in the comments if you don’t mind.

SUPER BOWL STYLE

Yes, I would have been more excited if the Packers were playing, but I’m nevertheless happy to be getting out of the cold and heading to Arizona this weekend to be covering style on Saturday’s NFL Honors red carpet. Whether you’re cheering on the Patriots, the Seahawks, or just the opportunity to eat like, a lot of buffalo wings, you can do it in more than just an oversized jersey. Check out all the stylish options ready to help you cheer for anything but a(nother) blowout:

Tell me:

What were your favorite clothing, accessories, and grooming finds in January?

Want more of my favorite finds? Check out past months’ picks here, here, here, and here.