Mrs Brightside Best Things in Life

My 10 best things for 2012

1. Antonia Burrell Cleanser. I started using this over the holiday period. It's the only all-natural emulsifying cleansing oil on the market, designed for blemish-prone skins that also need anti-ageing TLC. Would never, ever use anything else ever again.
2. The carrot cake at Buenos Aires Cafe, Royal Hill, Greenwich ( 020 8488 6764 ). It is unbeaten in the taste, texture and generous cream-topping stakes. Matched only by the very light nutty sponge and orange-laced buttercream of The Urban Kitchen's homemade carrot cake (this place deserves a medal for bringing artisanal quality food to South East London's Bromley. A minute stroll from Bromley South train station).
3. Going veggie at night. It seems at odds with the silly protein-only spirit of most new year diets (diets, BTW, are a really DIRTY word in my book), but since I cut out all the animal protein for dinner going with lentil curries, black bean tacos, brown rice 'risottos' etc, I've had a much happier and healthier winter. Comforting, piping, cockle-toasting, and hugely wholesome, I think it's important to eat what you crave... (yes, even if it's a nibble of Nutella with Wotsits). Gourmet Merchant also produce delicious pre-cooked and delicately dressed lentil and quinoa pouches, so hot healthy dinners in a rush are no longer an unrealistic luxury (stocked at Waitrose).
4. Reading more. Currently stunned by soon-to-be-published Lauren Groff's Arcadia. Masterpiece.
5. The soya yoghurt, peach and granola pot from Whole Foods. Just because it's delicious, filling and fuels me up for the day when I'm too busy to make breakfast at home.
6. The Ocado App. I never ever thought I'd be the sort of person who'd do their weekly shop on the bus ride home. But now I am. Sad, but terrifically, time-savingly true.
7. ASOS jewellery. With a sibling who designs for them I am prone to bias - except the signature pieces she's sent my way always get me stopped in the street. Ridiculously cheap, but cutting-edge design. The pricier pieces (think £15 for a ring) look astonishingly premium too.
8. Box Sets when kid is in bed. Some just-popped salty corn and a few hours of In Treatment, The Good Wife, Studio 60... a jolly end to the day.
9. Iron & Wine. Their album's been on a loop in our car, home, ears... it's deliciously melodic, a tad eerie, lovelorn and so very easy to listen to (which when you get OLD is important). Oh, and their 'Flightless Bird' was used at the end of Twilight, 1 (slow-dancing at prom...) which will either pull you in, or swear you off, for life. Give it a chance - it's beautiful.
10. True friends. The confessions you share over that second glass of wine; the hugs that go on longer than normal; the sleepless nights you share with those who've come through the other side; just doing a little thing that puts a real smile on someone's face. Being thoughtful - doing it, not just wishing you had time to do it - and being genuine - not just in conversation with someone because there's no one more important in the room - two things I try to build my life around... to be not beyond reproach, but beyond suspicion - a good person is a good person, rarely mistaken.