Clean Beauty Favorites from Covergirl

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My morning routines are constantly changing these days based on my mood and the weather. Some days I throw on some jeans a a cute top and others I wear leggings and a comfy oversized long sleeve top. One thing I try to do everyday is to wear a little bit of makeup because I feel like it helps my energy levels and honestly, I just really miss getting ready in the morning! I wanted to talk about a mascara from Covergirl that I’ve been using a lot lately because it is perfect for everyday use. The best part is that the mascara is clean and vegan. It’s great for volume, length and definition of eyelashes without clumping and feeling heavy like other mascaras. These days I want a more natural look and I love how this mascara is great for blondes because it adds some color to my eyelashes and gives me the volume I need without looking like I’m wearing too much makeup.

Clean Foundation: For months I’ve been using my Covergirl foundation because I can easily build on my coverage preference. In the summer I would mix with my SPF moisturizer in the morning to give my face some light coverage to cover any imperfections while protecting my face from the sun. I’m still mixing my foundation with an everyday moisturizer because I don’t need that much coverage but I like when my face looks like it has a filter on it to smooth my skin out a bit.

Clean Fresh Mascara: Covergirl recently sent me their mascara from the Clean Fresh line and I really like it. CoverGirl’s new Clean Fresh line is formulated without sulfates, formaldehyde, phthalates, parabens, and talc. It’s also vegan! I love to see more brands create accessible clean makeup and Covergirl has been doing this for a long time! I like that I can purchase a product from Covergirl and I know that it’s safe to use on my skin and looks good and natural.

A quick dab of foundation and two or three coats of mascara in the morning and I am ready to get my day started! Are you wearing makeup a few days a week? I’d love to know if you do and what comments you use in the comments!

Plans for November

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Brr it’s chilly outside! It feels like over night November brought the the colder weather. Our heat kicked on for the first time in months and I’ve found myself bundling up in my bathrobe most of the day to stay warm. I’m sitting at my dining room table with a fall scented candle going drinking a warm cup of tea to warm me up. My planner is open and I’m starting to make plans for the month. November this year is going to look very different. As a family, we made the difficult decision not to be together for the holidays so we could stay home and be safe. I’ve always associated holidays with family so I’m going to have to make new traditions and create new ways to find joy this month.

I put together a list of things to do in November to get me excited about the beginning of the holiday season and ways to make new traditions. This time last year I was working long hours and Jake and I were exhausted when we got to Thanksgiving. I think it’s say to say that I slept like a full day once I got to my parents house because I was going going going. The perk this year is that Jake is only working in the office part time and my schedule is way more flexible now that I’m not working. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity so I’m going to take advantage of both of us being able to spend this much time at home during the holiday season.

So let’s get started and make a plan on how we are going to celebrate the holidays differently this year.

Deep Clean Your Home

I like to do a deep clean of the house at the start of each month because it doesn’t take long when I do it often. I’m also planning to rearrange our furniture for our tree so I’m getting the house ready for Christmas decor.

Tackle An Organizing Project

I’m going to be packing up fall decor and taking out a lot of Christmas decor so I want to make this process as easy as possible. I like when everything in my house has a home so I can easily find, it, use it and then put it away. I’m sure when I’m cleaning the house I will find something that is driving me crazy and needs to organized. Also need ot make room for the winter layers now that the cold weather is here to stay!

Go Out to Dinner

We had so much fun the other night when we went out for a date night. Nowadays, going out to dinner requires some extra planning (making reservations and masking up). We have a list of places we want to support in our area and I want to take advantage of eating outdoors while the weather is still manageable. In the past we didn’t appreciate being able to go out to eat so now it’s really special when we go out.

Update Your Home Decor

Not sure why but I got bored with my home decor recently and I’ve been itching to move things around. Probably because I’ve been at home staring at the same wall for so long LOL Over the summer I had so much fun going to antique stores with my parents so I plan on going to a few local stores to see what I can find. Also love everything that target puts out including these new candlesticks I just recently purchased.

Sunday Traditions

When everyday feels like the same I’ve been making SUndays feel extra special with Sunday traditions. Pancakes or croissants for breakfast while we watch a movie in our pajamas on the couch. I like a slow start to the day and it’s been nice not to have to rush to do errands or do laundry because I have more time during the week to get stuff done. I usually take an hour long bubble bath at 8pm while watching an episode on my laptop with bath salts and candles. Sundays are truly lazy days in our house and it’s been a great reset. Then I head to bed early with a book after drying my hair and tidying up my room.

Support a Local Bakery or Cafe

I need to get a daily walk in everyday to keep me sane so we plan on heading to a bakery or cafe to pick up a coffee or sweet treat to warm up. In the spirit of making new traditions, I want to use this time to do more things that I can walk to. Businesses are really going to struggle as the weather gets colder so support when you can.

Bake

I stocked up on a ton of mixes so I can easily make breads and cookies so I can making baking a weekly thing. I’m sure we will go old school and make cookie from scratch but this has been as easy and quick way to bake.

Start Planning Christmas Cards

I made a promise to myself to get my Christmas cards out on time! Since we still have Christmas cards that we purchased last year and never used, it should be easy to take a family photo and get them written and sent out!

Watch Classic Fall Movies

Making a goal to get through this movies that scream fall or perfect to watch on a cold chilly day:

  • You’ve Got mail
  • When Harry Met Sally
  • Harry Potter
  • Lord of the Rings
  • Sleepless in Seattle
  • The First Wives Club

Wear Your Fall Wardrobe

Don’t let that wardrobe collect dust, bring it out and make it accessible so you can easily wear those cozy sweaters and brown plaid pieces.

Read

2020 has been the year that I’ve been reading like crazy because I’m dedicating time at night to read just one chapter. One chapter usually turns into a few chapters but it’s a lot easier to start reading when I say I’ll just read one. I’ve also noticed I’ve been sleeping better and fall asleep earlier.

Drink Tea

I love to get into bed in a matching pajama set with a cup of hot tea, my water bottle and I’ll apply my nighttime skincare which I keep on my nightstand. Then I’ll use a face roller while I read and sip on chamomile tea. It’s quickly become the favorite part of my day.

How I’m Wearing Ankle Boots This Season

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It’s currently raining while I sit in my office planning content for this month so it must mean that it’s officially boots season! We have had some weather that teased us of an endless summer the last few weeks which have been making my daily walks very enjoyable. At times I’ve wished for a breeze or two when I actually dressed for fall weather and not for the warmer days it has been recently. I’m excited to start wearing my boots again because they are such a closet staple in the colder months. They are just so comfy and are fun to wear. I remember when I first started buying them a few years ago and there weren’t that many options, classic leather or suede and usually in conservative designs and colors. Nowadays, there are so many different designs and looks you can put together with booties. Right now I have my eyes on black booties with pearl details which is a genius way to switch things up with the classic black boot and make it more feminine. I put together some boots I have my eyes on this season and I hope it inspires you to add some new boots with embellishments and fun new details to your closet this year.

one // two // three // four // five // six // seven // eight
  1. CLASSIC BLACK SUEDE

I have a pair of black suede booties that I call my comfortable but fashionable commuting shoe for work. Obviously I’m not commuting to an office these days, but at one time they were once my favorite shoe to slip on and chase after the train. I love a suede boot for everyday wear and the scallop details on these add a nice feminine detail to them.

2. UPDATED WESTERN

When I went to Nashville a few years ago I looked at the traditional western cowboy boots and walked out of the store when I saw the price of a boot I would wear once. That is why I love these updated western style because they are cute as well as practical for an everyday style. Pair with a dress or skirt with black tights for a more comfortable option than heels for a dressed up look.

3. CLASSIC LEATHER

Over time I have accumulated a few pairs of leather Cole Haan boots because the quality is amazing and they will last for a long time. I’m a big fan of this style because they are great for weather (rain and snow) and only improve over time as they get worn in. I’ll be grabbing these a lot as my go-to daily shoe to run errands or a daily walk.

4. MODERN STYLE

I love this chic boot because it’s versatile and really can go with any outfit. The sleek and pointed toe make any outfit sexy and dress up a look without much effort. Wear with black tights for a polished sleek look or tuck in your pants to show off the structure of the boot.

5. PATENT

No doubt this style turns heads with it’s shine and sleek silhouette. I’m loving this new take on this modern style boot because it can be worn with light denim during the day or dresses at night. I hope this trendy style stays for a while because it’s such a fresh take on the classic black boot.

6. ANIMAL PRINT

For those who have enough black boots in their closet and are looking for something new, I love this splash of animal print. When you need a break from the usual black boots, the animal print add some fun to any outfit without overly committing to the animal print look.

7. EMBELLISHMENTS

This year is all about the embellishments on boots and I am loving every style I see. I like this style specifically because it’s fun while still being conservative with the crystal balls on the heels. At first glance it’s a great leather boot and the embellishments add some fun to any outfit. The embellishments can help elevate any look and allows you to have add some sparkle to an all black outfit.

8. PEARLS

How did I go this long without boots that have pearls on them?! I first saw this style trending a few weeks ago and it immediately made me stop scrolling to stare at them. These are perfect for those who are looking for a more feminine boot style. Pair with a pink coat or preppy black and white outfit to take chic to a whole new level. Never in a million years would I pair pearls with combat boots or think to wear combat boots with a preppy outfit until now.

Styling a Faux Leather Skirt for Date Night

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Are you still working from home or back to the office? We are doing a bit of half and half in our house with Jake working a week of 12 hour days and then working from home for two weeks before he goes back to the office as he alternates with other team members. It’s always nice to have something fun to look forward to at the end of the week so we scheduled a fancy date night last Friday at Parc in Rittenhouse. For years, I’ve wanted to go because it’s a one of a kind experience in Philadelphia. If anything, 2020 has taught us that we really need to slow down and experience the opportunities around us. Right now you need to make a reservation a week in advance and they don’t stay open for long. Luckily, Jake was waking up at 5am for work that week so he was the first person to make a reservation when the slots opened up for the week. For my Philly friends, we chose to eat indoors because while there is outdoor dining it just wouldn’t be the same experience and it was our first time there. The restaurant is doing an amazing job at separating tables and doing temperature checks before you go inside. It felt like a private dinner because we had a whole section to ourselves and the wait staff was very friendly as we enjoyed a four course meal without feeling rushed.

As much fun as it was to go out to dinner, I also had so much fun picking out an outfit after weeks of wearing jeans and a t shirt. I was excited to finally wear this brown faux leather skirt that has been collecting dust in my closet since I purchased it. It may have been technically fall but it was pretty warm that day and we planned to walk to the restaurant so I wanted to dress appropriately. I found this short sleeve Max Mara sweater that I completely forgot that I even had in storage which kept me cool on our way to dinner and kept me warm on our walk back when the temperatures dipped below 60 degrees.

I’ve noticed that since we rarely leave the house these days and when we do, I get so excited to put together an outfit and pick out accessories. I’m excited to see that faux leather skirts are still in style this season because it’s such an easy way to get dressed up without much effort. My skirt is from Loft last year so I’ll link this similar skirt from Express and skirt from Abercrombie. My sweater was a consignment store find but I love this J Crew short sleeve sweater just as much!

Bye Bye Breakouts with Dermalogica Clear Start!

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Dermalogica Clear Start Flashfoliant Foaming Exfoliator

The secret to clear skin is being consistent with a skincare routine and using the right products that work for your skin. I’m excited to work with Dermalogica to share a new product that I’ve been using to keep my skin clear from breakouts. Flip the bottle, squeeze for foam and go! The FlashFoliant Exfoliating Foam is a fast acting chemical exfoliant that brightens, smooths and helps prevent and clear breakouts. Perfect for a quick and easy morning skincare routine, just apply the foam and go and no rinse is required! The chemical exfoliant gently removes dead skin cells and oil leaving your skin feeling refreshed and the foam quickly dissolves so you don’t have sticky skin.

This multi-tasker cleanser gives me super glowy skin. This fast-acting chemical exfoliant brightens, smooths and helps to prevent and clear breakouts. I used this every day in the summer which was great because I wanted an easy skincare routine that worked hard to prevent breakouts from sweat and from being outdoors. The formula gently remove dead skin cells and oil, leaving you with a brighter complexion. Apply the foam and go – no rinse required! How can you not love an amazing product like this ?

Products were received complimentary and as always, all opinions are my own.

Dreaming of Paris

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fine knit sweater // sweater with collar // skirt // faux fur jacket // pleated blouse // grey collared sweater // pleated skirt dress // pearl headband // blue headband // ribbed mock-turtleneck // puff sleeve blouse // scallop edge blouse // ballet flats // houndstooth knit cardigan // double breasted blazer // houndstooth dress //

I’ve been playing French music on our Alexa’s around the house as a way to drop subtle hints to Jake that I really want to go to Paris once it’s safe to travel. So far I think it’s working because I keep hearing him from the other room saying “we will go when it’s safe!” I blame this recent Paris obsession after binge watching Emily in Paris in a weekend. I loved how Emily mixed patterns and had fun with her outfits while walking around Paris. It’s a city that encourages you to branch out from safe outfits and wear timeless chic pieces. Since we can’t travel to Paris anytime soon, I put together some chic pieces that I would love to pack in a suitcase and jet off to Paris in. For now I’ll just throw on a chic sweater and a beret as I walk to a bakery down the street to get a croissant.