Welcome to my first Currently Loving feature of 2025. I use this semi-regular series to share a few of the things – material or otherwise – that are bringing joy to my life. This is a curated list of items and experiences that spark happiness and add a touch of delight to my everyday routine.
Sharing these favourites with you is not about suggesting you need to go and buy them all (or any of them), but rather to acknowledge some of the simple pleasures that enhance our daily lives, or make said daily lives easier.
My lists vary – sometimes they’re as outdoorsy as you might imagine, whereas other times they’re focused on the comforts of home. This edition is a bit of both, for example, there’s a fabulous coat to inspire outdoor adventures, and some cozy pyjamas for relaxing indoors. It’s not just about material possessions either; you’ll find my favourite homemade pudding on this currently loving list, along with a captivating audiobook that I listened to in record time.
So, without any further preamble, here are ten things that are making my January days a little brighter.
Currently Loving | January 2025
01 Fjallraven Kiruna Padded Parka
This bright mustard yellow (‘acorn’) coat was my birthday present at the back end of last year. It’s the Fjallraven Kiruna Padded Parka, and I chose it to replace the old (and beloved) The North Face Honee Snugs Parka I’ve had for well over a decade. If you’ve been reading my weekly blogs for a while, you’ll know I have had my eye on a Fjallraven coat for quite some time, and it felt like it was time to get one.
The Kiruna is a lightly padded parka designed for the everyday outside adventures. And I have worn it almost daily since mid-November – it couldn’t not go on my currently loving list this time. It just looks and feels great; the shape, the style, the fit and the colour are all spot on.
The coat is made from Fjallraven’s G-1000 Original material, making it great in the wind and rain. It’s also got a touch of PrimaLoft Black insulation, making it nice and warm. It’s not 100% waterproof, or rated for below-freezing warmth, and I’ve not tested those limits yet. I’ve no intention of going skiing in this one, but it really is ideal for One Hour Outside activities of all kinds in the British autumn, winter and early spring.
I am so very happy with it. Yes, it was very spendy, but like the coat it replaces, I am hoping this will be good for well over a decade, or longer. To make sure of that, I’ll treat it with Greenland Wax after its first wash – maybe that’s worth a blog post when I do it.
02 The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to 2025
Long-time readers of Splodz Blogz will know that I’ve been taking part in the Icelandic tradition of Jolabokaflod with some of my Comms Unplugged friends for a few years now. The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to 2025 by Lia Leendertz (and a bar of raspberry dark chocolate) was my Christmas Eve treat of 2024.
The Almanac is a really beautifully illustrated guide that has been written to help you reconnect with the seasons, specifically in Britain and Ireland. It includes folklore, stories, seasonal recipes, and the like, as well as practical information such as sunrises, moon phases and tide tables.
With a chapter for each of the months of the year, it’s a lovely resource to help me mark and appreciate the outdoors and nature even more as we roll through the seasons this year. My secret Jolabokaflodder (definitely a word…) chose well, and I fully expect to revisit this book often. As such it’s sat on my bedside table, which is quite the complement – I don’t have much stuff out on display!
I hope the person who I was responsible for sending a Jolabokaflod surprise to this year likes theirs as much as I like mine!
03 Meraki Fig and Apricot Candle
This was a Christmas gift from a good friend, and it’s gorgeous. It both looks and smells beautiful, and is proving to be the perfect hygge-appropriate addition to days when I work from home and it’s gloomy outside.
Meraki is a Danish skincare brand, but they also make a series of hand-poured candles made with natural ingredients, offering a clean and long-lasting burn. This fig and apricot scent is really lovely, filling the room with a subtle and sweet smelling fruity aroma. Exactly the kind I like.
I don’t know where my friend got this candle, but they are available a few places online – Fig1, the Wetsuit Centre, Natural Bed Company, and Amazon.
04 FatFace Pyjamas
I said there were things that might keep me indoors on this currently loving list, and this entry is probably the main culprit. Also a Christmas present, this grey pyjama set from FatFace has bunny rabbits printed all over them. So cute – and so comfortable.
Made with a super soft 100% cotton fabric, the tee is baggy enough without being too big, and the trousers feature an adjustable tie waist and two pockets. You honestly can’t go wrong with FatFace pyjamas; I think these might be the perfect set. I’m not sure what else I can say about that? Other than, sadly for you, these aren’t available anymore. Not even in the sale!
05 Simba Stormur Slippers
As I mentioned in my gift ideas post back in December, anyone who spends hours on their feet in heavy or tight outdoor-focused footwear understands the need for a good pair of slippers. Make it a pair with a decent sole that can be worn inside and outside, and you are onto a winner.
These are the Stormur slippers by Simba – the mattress company – who brought out a range of slippers with a reflexology-inspired footbed at the end of last year. I chose the men’s version because I wanted the green ones (!), and I’ve been wearing them on a daily basis (sometimes all day) for two months.
The felted clogs look great and are very practical; the felt uppers are warm, the wide toe box allows my feet to spread, the insole feels nice, and the rubber outsole is suitable for indoor and outdoor use (although mine are definitely being kept just for indoor use). I mean, I’m no reflexology expert, but I do know that the little gel-filled dots on the insole feel rather pleasant on tired feet.
The Stormur are a great slipper, perfect for letting my feet relax after a long day outside, when I’m working at home, or just when I’m pottering around the house.
06 Homemade Apple Crumble
I promised my favourite pudding in my currently loving introduction, and this is it – homemade apple crumble. Made by me, on this occasion. Although don’t worry, my crumbles aren’t anaemic, this specific one hasn’t been in the oven yet!
Maybe you don’t agree, but I think that apple crumble is the ultimate comfort dessert. I love how the tart, juicy, soft apple filling contrasts beautifully with the buttery, sweet, crunchy topping – the perfect combination. It’s easy to make, is delicious, comforting, and evokes a sense of warmth and happiness that few other puddings can match. Yes, other crumble fillings are available, and are almost as good, but apple is the best. In my opinion, that is.
My crumble topping has oats and cinnamon in it (I use this recipe as a guide), which I would highly recommend if you’d never had an oaty crumble topping. I prefer mine with custard (a jug-full), but am also very happy with a scoop of Cornish ice cream if that’s what is available. How about you?!
Talking of comforting recipes, this Wild Rice Soup is very good, as is this Chickpea and Roasted Parsnip Curry – both worth a try this month as they’re perfect for the dark nights of winter.
07 The Last Overland by Alex Bescoby
Represented by my trusty headphones, this currently loving entry is my most recent audiobook listen. Recommended by a friend who thought I’d enjoy it, I got through The Last Overland (here on Audible) by Alex Bescoby in record time. And I’m passing that recommendation on to you.
The book follows Alex Bescoby and his team as they recreate a historic 1955 Land Rover expedition from Singapore to London. Undertaking this journey in a vintage Land Rover called Oxford, the very same car that did the trip the first time, the team navigate through changing landscapes, cultures, and political climates.
The story not only celebrates the spirit of exploration but also offers reflections on the enduring legacy of the original journey – and how it differs from the modern-day trip. It’s a captivating mix of travel, history, and personal discovery, with engaging storytelling, plenty of historical context, and some emotional personal reflections. A great read for anyone who loves an overland adventure.
Having sped through that one, I need something new… What new adventure stories have you read recently? I’m in need of some suggestions.
08 Green Guernsey
You might not be able to tell as it’s quite dark in my currently loving photograph, but this entry is my Guernsey jumper, a surprise birthday present from my parents at the end of last year.
A Guernsey is a traditional knitted jumper originating from the Channel Island of Guernsey. They are typically made from tightly-knit, oiled wool, making them very durable and water-resistant – perfect for fishermen. Designed to be somewhat fitted, they have a high, snug neckline and long sleeves to provide warmth and protection against the elements. While I am not a fisherman (!), it is a great outdoorsy sweater that I know will be ideal for those cold and damp days walking, camping, or just road tripping. Imagine this under my new Fjallraven parka? The ideal winter combo!
I am very grateful for this very thoughtful gift that by my parents purchased in Guernsey on a visit last year. Mine came directly from Guernsey, but you can find them online at Guernsey Woollens and Le Tricoteur. Or, if you prefer, here’s a pattern so you can knit your own!
09 Goodr Sunglasses
I have been keen to try Goodr sunglasses for a good while now, thanks to the fact that loads of outdoorsy people seem to swear by them. I have definitely been influenced! And yes, I am now joining in… These are the exact ones I have, in orange and blue, but they are available in ALL the colours.
Goodr, a Californian company, promise no slip, no bounce, and all-day comfort – and I have to say, they deliver. For not much money, too. The non-slip coating is such a good call by the designers, as these really do stay in place – I find I hardly ever need to push these up my nose, even when I’m concentrating on where my feet are going (so, looking down). They’re not even tight on the face; snug, yes, but still super comfortable.
They also have polarised lenses which reduce glare and block 100% of UVA and UVB rays, so they are looking after my eyes, too. They are beautifully but simply designed, seem well made, and I am definitely currently loving them. At just £30 they are also very good value.
I just hope I don’t lose these ones like I seem to lose so many pairs of sunglasses when I’m out on adventures. Maybe I should stock up?!
10 Montane Tucana Hiking Trousers
I was very excited when I found out that Montane are kit sponsor for the 2024/24 group of OS Champions, and these hiking trousers are part of that deal (I also received a tee and a jacket). The Montane Tucana Pants are a lightweight durable stretchy hiking pant designed for mountain walking – and they are great.
The Tucana are made from a tough but stretchy and wind-resistant fabric, which has a PFC-free DWR coating, making them water resistent. I’d describe them as part trouser, part legging; while they are slender in their style, they are not skin-tight, meaning I get the benefits of a form-fitting cut without feeling self-conscious wearing them.
I especially like the large stretchy waistband, which is accommodating enough to allow some breathing space even when I’m bloated (or decide I need a huge pub lunch mid-hike). I can move very well in these, and find them incredibly comfortable. They have proved ideal for hiking in all kinds of weather and on all kinds of terrain, and have become a firm favourite for day hikes over the last few months.
When you read this currently loving feature, I should have (just) completed the Mendip Way wearing this specific pair of hiking trousers. So, if it turns out they aren’t as great on multi-day hikes as they are on day hikes, I’ll let you know.
What are you currently loving this month? What do you think of my choices? Tell me in the comments below.
Read all my Currently Loving posts.
Disclosure: This is not an advertorial or sponsored post. However, the Montane hiking trousers and Simba slippers should be noted as gifted – the former from OS (they are part of my OS Champion kit).
There are also affiliate links on this page, the funds from which help me go on the mini adventures that make life interesting. If you buy something using one of these links, I receive a very small commission. This does not cost you anything. Thank you for supporting my future adventures.
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