Friday Favorites 6.9

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good things are coming

I hope everyone had a good week and my friends in the Northeast stay safe in this air quality. I’ve had a terrible cough since Tuesday and trying to limit my outside time as much as possible. Schools went remote today so I’m enjoying my start to the day with a cup of tea at home. For the last month, we have been weeding, planting, and tending our backyard to make it a backyard oasis – a rare find in Philadelphia! My new favorite evening activity is coming home from work and changing into comfy clothes to head to the couch outside to read a little bit before making dinner. Unfortunately, this week that evening tradition has had to be put on pause since I am trying to limit my outside time as much as possible.

We are trying to make the best of the start of summer with this bad air quality. Next week is the last week of school (yippee!) so we will probably be spending our weekend at home getting a lot done on our to-do list. Why is adulting just one long to-do list that never ends?

Philly Things

Last weekend, we were up and moving early on Saturday and went to the Rittenhouse Art Show and Farmers Market. We added on a few more errands in the City because the weather was so nice and we wanted to enjoy it as much as we could. We went to the new Kura Revolving Sushi Bar on Chestnut Street for dinner and we both loved the experience! It had been on our list for a while and not only was the food delicious but it was a great experience. Robots delivered your drinks, food was delivered on a revolving bar and the vibe was really cool. Each plate is $3.50 making it easy to try new things you wouldn’t normally order. My big piece of advice is that this sushi is not your grocery store sushi, it is authentic sushi so go in with an open mind! I tried new dishes and liked all of them and fell in love with conch sushi – who knew I would!

Cork is my favorite store to pop in and “treat” myself. Not only do they have the cutest hostess gifts but they have an excellent wine selection.

Flourish is a store in our neighborhood that sells plants and locally made goods that just had its one-year anniversary. We finally stopped in recently and picked up a few gifts for family.

  • Shiny Happy People
  • Anna Nicole Smith – You Don’t Know Me
  • Selling Sunset
  • Real Housewives of Orange County

This toner is great and I’ve been using it sparingly because I’m close to running out. It does it all – cleanses, exfoliates, and makes your skin glow. Yes please!

On Sunday we went to Costco and I bought a giant bag of lemons so of course I had to make my lemon pasta recipe! It’s a recipe that I originally found online and it’s turned into throw things into a pan and see what happens.

In a pan, start with oil, garlic, and onions on low. Juice 3 lemons and add lemon juice to the pan while the pasta is cooking. Add the lemon carcasses to the pasta water. Add seasoning to the pan (basil, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon pepper, etc). Once the pasta is ready, slowly add pasta to the pan and stir. Add more oil and juice from the 4th lemon and add lemon carcasses to the pan for some extra zest. Let the pasta cook for a few more minutes and bam, lemon pasta!

  • Finally (finally!) purchased these sandals that were very popular last summer and it looks like they will be in style for a little longer.
  • With the plastic bag ban in Philly, I had to buy another one of these laundry tote bags to help transport groceries and stuff around.
  • I’ve been deep cleaning and swapping out decor to get ready for summer. I’ve been looking for a small lamp to put in the kitchen that doesn’t take up that much room and adds some lighting without the harsh kitchen lights. Found this lamp that is perfect and so so sooo cute!
  • I can’t resist anything gingham so these bowls and cups came home with me. They will be perfect for summer in the backyard and now I need the rest of the collection!
  • Working on getting through the next Outlander book to prep for the new season this month!
  • For a lighter read, I’ve been reading Kathy Reichs books that were turned into the series Bones.
  • warmer weather
  • sandal season
  • reading outside
  • my lemon decor around the house

Summer Fridays CC ME Serum Review

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There are very few products I have tried that make me this upset when I use every last drop. My morning routine was completely thrown off the other day when I went to use my Summer Fridays CC ME serum and nothing came out. I’ve used a lot of products that claim to make your face look brighter, smoother, etc. and this one actually gave results. It’s a favorite for many people because this serum naturally brightens, improves skin texture, and reduces dark spots and hyperpigmentation. It does it all and looks great under some light foundation and concealer. I found that I didn’t need to apply that much makeup when I used it because my face glows when I use this serum.

The serum is light and dries quickly so I didn’t need to wait for what feels like forever with other products for my skin to absorb the serum. I brought it on my recent trip to Disney and I’m so happy I did because your skin can show signs of travel and lack of sleep very quickly. All of my pictures from our trip turned out great and I didn’t have to worry about what my face looked like with no sleep because of this serum. Sounds a bit dramatic, I know, but when you find a serum that makes your skin glow and hides dark circles and fine lines, buy it in BULK! Or sign up for auto-replenish because that’s a thing now. 

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Summer Fridays CC ME Serum

Friday Favorites 2.17

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Wow. It’s been a busy week for me and it feels like it flew by. One of my goals for 2023 was to come back to this little corner of the internet and start writing again. I thought I set myself up for success and planned out time in my schedule to create content. But as life happens, plans change. I wasn’t looking for a change, anyone who knows me at all knows that I hate change and avoid it at all costs. However, sometimes the Universe finds a way to make you walk to a fork in the road and decide: what are you going to do? All of this to say, I recently left my job and after two days “off”,  I started at a new job. Same time of job, just a different company. This week has been busy with onboarding and jumping right into a new job, but I’m excited about this new opportunity. 

Philly Things

  • I went to brunch at Blondie a few weeks ago with an old work friend in Manayunk. Not only is the place so cute, but the food is delicious too! It’s a place to go if you want a cocktail with your brunch. I looked over the menu a few times to try and find coffee or a juice listed that did not have alcohol in it and no luck. I am definitely going again and bringing the boy next time!
  • The City Winery has become one of our favorite places to see a show. Last year we saw Melinda perform and a few weeks ago I got us tickets to see Vonda Sheppard. She did the music for the Ally McBeal soundtrack and my mom played that CD on repeat when I was growing up. It’s such a smart concept for a concert. You can reserve a table to sit at and order dinner and drinks during the show.

What I’m Watching

  • The Playboy Murders
  • Pamela, a love story
  • Yellowstone
  • 1883

Products I’m Loving

  • Summer Fridays CC ME Serum

Recent Purchases

What I’m Loving

  • I recently listened to an interview with Danielle Prescod on a Goop Podcast. Her new book, Token Black Girl, sounded so interesting and it’s in my Amazon cart to order once I get through a few more on my overflowing shelf. 
  • H&M Dior tote dupe
  • Skirt from Target

2023 Goals

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Looking Back at 2022

As I was reading about the goals I set for myself this time last year, it was interesting to see what I put my energy into this year. I was dedicated to my job and growing into my new role as my company transitioned and grew. While I made work a priority, I didn’t have much time left in the day for this little corner of the internet. It’s made me a little sad because when I did have a free minute to jump on my laptop and share an outfit or one of my favorite things, I didn’t have the creative energy left to give to Blonde Rosie content.

This year I committed to going out more and trying more restaurants in Philadelphia. We did a good job of making a weekly date night and sticking to it. We love our neighborhood places like Pub and Kitchen or Grace’s Tavern which is great for after a long day and you want to grab a drink with dinner. Pietro’s in Rittenhouse is an Italian restaurant we always forget about we recently took my parents to it and fell in love with it again. After years of walking by Parc, it is now our most frequented restaurant here in Philly.

I set a lot of goals for myself last year that I didn’t get to and I’m accepting that it is okay. I spent more of my free time out with Jake and building relationships with new friends. Now that I’m older I am learning how hard it is to juggle life, work, friendships, and sleep. Having a healthy work-life balance takes work and I look forward to investing more energy into that balance this year.

My Goal For 2023

I like to pick a word for the year that sets the tone for my goals for the year. This year I am focusing on health; my mental and physical health. For years I have been wanting to join a fitness studio and couldn’t because I didn’t have the income to make the commitment. Now I have the income to sign up for classes but I don’t have the time because of my job’s schedule. Funny how life works out that way, huh? When work is busy which feels like all the time, I can feel my mental health taking a toll and I want to do things that are good for my mental health. This year I’m planning to spend less time on my phone, not work late every night, go to bed at a normal time and make time for my hobbies. If you do one thing this year, invest in self-care! I have always been really dedicated to my nighttime skincare routine and use the right products for my skin. I recently went to a med-spa and was told again and again how healthy my skin was.

I have a lot of fun travel planned for this year and I am SO EXCITED! Our trip to London in the spring is booked and I’m starting to shop for it now. In May we are flying down to Florida again to spend the week with Jake’s family and I’m looking forward to sunny warm weather. Jake has been doing a lot of travel for work lately and I’m hoping to join him this summer on his trips to NYC and a few other office visits that come up. I want to plan a few small weekend getaways that are a short drive away and do more things in Philly.

One of the reasons my blog content has been nonexistent lately is because I am trying to save money and not spend it on stuff. Each month I put a big chunk into my savings account that I don’t touch. I’m saving for some big life events coming up in the next few years. This past year, I started putting a lot of my belongings in storage in the basement or getting rid of stuff I didn’t use. I have been loving to look at pictures on Instagram and Pinterest with a minimalistic look. I hate coming home to a messy home and my goal this January while we put away Christmas decorations is to purge and get rid of things that can turn into clutter.

So this year is going to hopefully involve a lot of yoga classes, making time for my mental health, lots of travel, and just slowing down to enjoy life!

Friday Favorites 7.22

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Coffee in one hand. Confidence in the other.

Lately, I feel like I’ve been cramming an entire summer into two weeks while work is just as busy! I’m up *very* early every morning to get to New Jersey for summer camp every day and then rush home to enjoy summer. Last week, Jake’s mom visited us from Florida and we packed the week with a ton of fun philly things. We took her to all of our favorite restaurants like Grace’s Tavern, Pub and Kitchen, and Parc. On Friday night, we saw Elton John on his farewell tour which was such a fun experience! Saturday morning we had brunch at Sabrina’s at the new location just a few blocks away from our house. It’s becoming a dangerous place because we are there almost every weekend now because of how close it is and because it has a bar. After our mimosas, we went home and had a quiet night in because we woke up early on Sunday to do a beach day at LBI. When my alarm went off, I jumped out of bed like a little kid on Christmas because I was so excited to go to the beach! The week started off with me sleep-deprived after a full day working at Summer Camp and then going out at night. Worth every minute though 😉 Looking forward to a relaxing weekend and to try and stay cool during this heatwave.

  • Victoria’s Secret Angels and Demons
  • The Bear
  • Brooklyn Nine-Nine
  • Becoming Elizabeth
  • Magnolia Table

Air Dry Cream by JVN has been a life changer with this heat.

I’ve been mixing this liquid highlighter with my moisturizer as a foundation so it doesn’t sweat off in this heat.

Reminder to use sunscreen daily. I’ve been using this one.

I bought these containers from The Home Edit line and I have more in my cart!

Also realized a few days before our trip to the beach we didn’t have any beach chairs so I bought these chairs on sale.

Ordered these Bluetooth headphones to take calls at work.

This pet hair remover is my most used tool around the house now lol

Since I live in my car lately, I ordered this tissue holder for the car.

  • Walking through Rittenhouse Square Park at night is so pretty and it’s even more special during the summer.
  • Drinks at the bar at Parc
  • Ice cream at Skipper Dipper in LBI

Friday Favorites 7.1

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When you focus on the good, the good gets better.

I am in shock that we are in July! Does anyone else feel like summer is almost over when 4th of July comes around?? I had a slower week this week since school wrapped up and preparing for summer camp to start next week. I’m enjoying my “summer break” as much as I can after a busy school year. I’m making a list of things I want to do and see this summer so I don’t miss out! Today, I’m working from Panera since I dropped off my car to be serviced at 7 am. Not how I wanted to end my week but at least it’s been a productive morning. Hope everyone enjoys the long weekend!

Jake and I are always looking for a show to watch together and right now we are watching Brooklyn Nine-Nine. While I’m enjoying being able to work from home this week, I’ve been watching Ladies of London during my work breaks. I’m begging that Bravo brings back this show because it’s such a gem in the world of reality tv. This week a lot of new episodes dropped from our go-to shows from The Boys and Westworld.

I’ve talked about this shampoo and conditioner on Instagram before but as I’m finally finishing up the bottles, I need to talk about it again because it’s so good for blondes. I’ve always wanted light blonde hair but my natural hair color makes my blonde a brassy color. Our city water does not help at all but since I’ve been using this shampoo and conditioner, my blonde has been perfect without my weekly purple shampoo 45 minute application. Keep an eye on the blog for a full product review because it’s that good!

It’s summer (and hot) which means I’ve tossed my foundation in the trash. Just kidding but I’m giving my skin a break and I’ve been using this budget friendly moisturizer daily. It gives a nice rose glow with just a little bit of product and does better during the hot days.

I sat down on a chair in the backyard and it literally collapsed seconds later. Our outside furniture was given to us by a neighbor and we wanted to fix up the backyard before we purchased any furniture so I wasn’t that sad. That day we ordered this budget friendly outdoor furniture set since this isn’t our forever house and didn’t want to worry about the weather to ruin nice furniture.

It’s summer so that means that Ed the cat is shedding. A lot. I’ve had this pet hair roller in my cart for almost a year and finally pushed the checkout button. Excited to use it and get our couch back!

Treated myself to a face ice roller after purchasing one for everyone I know except me. My mom loves hers so I’m excited to add this step in my morning routine.

Saw this window privacy film on Instagram and immediately added it to my cart. Our second floor bathroom needed a new one and this design makes it look like an intentional design feature instead of being up for privacy reasons.

  • Saw this chair at Target and it’s made of sherpa and it swivels. Fell in love immediately!
  • A lot of the Studio McGee items at Target are on sale! I’ve picked up pillows, artwork and small pieces for the house the last few weeks.
  • Fresh flowers in the living room.
  • On Wednesday, we had a work lunch at Not Your Average Joe’s at Suburban Square. It was a nice treat in the middle of the week.
  • Our backyard is very green and the grass is coming in so nicely! It’s a project we put off for so long because it was a lot of work but I’m so happy that the grass seed we planted came in perfectly.
  • Our new outdoor furniture is being delivered today. YAY!
  • The upcoming 4 day weekend!