The Breakdown’s Favorite Things: Winter Holiday Ed.
So many gifting lists, but how many are not attached to advertisers for a magazine? Here’s one! These are a few favorites chosen by Founder and Editor-in-Chief Aarti Kuver, PhD. She has used and curated these products for years. They nourish the body and mind for daily contentment. For yourself, another self, or an elf, these picks are perfect for the Winter holidays and beyond.
Skincare goes beyond products. it involves mood. Pratima Skincare Neem Oil adds sandalwood to soothe irritability and Diptyque Sapin Holiday Candle centers on pine to uplift gloomy feelings. (Image: AKJAM Publishing)
For the Skin
Pratima’s Neem Oil does wonders for the skin and mood. I recently noticed that my skin gets dry, itchy and hurts during a workout. Applying this soothes, prevents, and smells so intoxicatingly good like meditation in a bottle! Neem, avocado and lavender heal irritated skin while sandalwood instills the scent. They’re offering a limited edition 2oz size ($27), but is also available in a larger 4oz ($46) version.
Favorites for the Winter holidays: The Black Scientist T signifies Human Value, the Sapin candle uplifts moods, Neem oil heals irritated skin, and the Little STEMmers book paves the way for Next-Gen innovators. (Image: AKJAM Publishing)
For the Mind
The “Little STEMmers: Making Dreams A Reality” book is a gift of art, humanity and education for all ages. This colorful book is hand-illustrated by People’s Choice Award-winning fashion designer 156. It styles Women In STEM when they were little girls dreaming of big futures. I wrote lyrics to describe the struggles and successes of these STEMmers in my continued effort to inspire young minds to pursue STEM no matter what! It’s easier to remember their stories when putting a rhyme to them. Proceeds go to publishing other STEM books currently on stand-by*. Now that signifies science is art and art is science!
For the Mood
The Diptyque Sapin (Pine Tree) Holiday candle is an annual buy for our household. The price increases have been off-putting, so I save a gift card for the purchase**. I almost skipped their 2022 release because the glass is not painted like in previous years. But! The motif glows in the dark like the stars in the sky. I’m a sucker for that. Sapin infuses a pine forest aroma, which uplifts the mood during cold and dark months. They have a mini (70g, $48) and a regular (190g, $84) size.
For the Style
The Black Scientist T with Gold Lettering sends the message of being an Originator. It is super soft and looks good dressed up or down. I like it with a blazer and a silk skirt or joggers and Vans. Most importantly it signifies that your humanness has value to the universe beyond monetary constructs. Now that’s Fashionable Science!