Friday Favorites 11.12

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I hope you all had a great and productive week! After being glued to the tv for a week, I was happy to put the remote down! I’ve been going on a long walk every day to enjoy the last few days of this gorgeous weather. As I say this it is pouring outside but honestly my legs are grateful for this break! A few months ago I thuught it would be great to start working out with all of this extra time that I had. I was committed to an ab workout every day and noticed zero changes with my body. Now that I have been moving and walking, I’ve been noticing my body getting stronger and my body slimming down. These long walks have also been great for my mental health. I’ve been noticing some people decorate for Christmas which I love! In our house, we are keeping the Christmas decorations in the basement for now since we willbe celebrating Thanksgiving just the two of us at home so I want the fall decor up. Dooesn’t stop me from ordering a few things here and there though!

This weekend we plan on going to Target to pick up some Christmas items from the dollar bin. I went last week and bought a ton of large items forgetting that I had to walk a mile home! It was a necessary purchase but comical as I struggled to walk home. Speaking of long walks, we also plan on doing a Trader Joe’s run this weekend to stock up on the Christmas themed snacks. I was joking the other day that I fall for cute marketing all the time and have no self control. Jake had to remind me that it wasn’t a good thing! Since this year is very different, I want to over decorate and really enjoy this holiday season. Jake and I are excited to work from home on the couch while watching Christmas movies on Freeform and bake cookies.

Watched the new movie, Rebecca, on Netflix the other night thinking I could have it on in the background while i cleaned my bedroom but was so captivated by the story. I had no clue what it was about before I pressed play and loved everything about it – the costumes, location and story line. The movie is based on a 1938 novel so I’ve added the book to my want to read list on Goodreads.

Speaking of Netflix, I also started to watch The Queen’s Gambit and once again, I had to stop what I was doing and watch this show. I know nothing about chess and I’m able to understand the plot. Also love a strong female lead in a male dominated game. Fun fact, in middle school I signed up for the chess club because I had a crush on a boy who was in it and I got kicked out…. because I didn’t know how to play! I wonder now what would have happened if someone taught me instead of just saying I couldn’t join because I was a girl.

Last week, we watched a lot of Steve Kornacki’s coverage of the board when the election numbers were coming in. Rumor has it that there is a petition to get his tie that he wore all week into a Smithsonian!

First, we need to talk about the breaking news this week that Ulta stores will be making their way into Targets. From a business decision it’s a great idea for Target and for the consumer, this allows us to be able to shop so many more products. In the last year, I’ve been working with new brands that are affordable and are in Ulta stores. These brands are clean and vegan with a commitment to good skincare and ingredients. If it weren’t through these collaborations, I may have never heard of some brands so I’m excited that with Ulta being in Targets, these amazing products will be more accessible.

One of these brands is Botanics and I’ve been loving the Simply Calm Overnight Mask. I’ll use it a few times a week and I swear my face feels so soft when I wake up in the morning.

I also shared recently on the blog my review of Covergirl’s Clean Fresh line. I’ve been using the mascara a lot since doing my makeup these days since my eyes are all you can see!

For anyone dealing with mascne (raises hand) I suggest using this quick drying foam to prevent breakouts from Dermalogica. It was great in the summer to prevent breakouts from sweat and now I’ve been using this foam in the morning if I have errands to run in the afternoon.

Just ordered a few items by the Sassy by Savannah collection so I will share photos and a review once I get them in!

Currently, I have a few things in transit on their way to my house and I am so excited. For now, I’ll just share the items that I have picked up recently like really affordable masks from Target that are really comfortable for wearing all day.

Last week I went into Nordstrom Rack to find a present for my moms birthday and ended up buying a few things for myself instead. I’ve loved the Rachel Parcell line even before it went to Nordstrom but it was never in my budget. I was excited to see a few pieces from the line at my local Nordstrom Rack that were heavily discounted. For the first time I got to see how well the pieces were made and the quality really does make it worth every penny full price. I picked up a few dresses and a top from the Rachel Parcell line, a Free People scarf that I fell in love last year and a super soft long sleeve top for lounging that was very discounted. I did notice that the prices in store were a bit lower than the online prices but I think that is because there has been less foot traffic in the stores. Also want to mention that the Madewell cardigan I shared earlier this week on the blog was also an incredible Nordstrom rack find!

Added new candlesticks to my fireplace mantle and I love the way they look! Very affordable and look very expensive with the antique gold finish. They are so good that I sent them to my mom for her birthday. I featured them on the blog this week here.

Currently reading The American Heiress and it’s going to take me a while to read but it’s such a beautiful bok to get lost in.

  • I (we) made cinnamon rolls from scratch on Sunday and it was definitely a learning experience but worth all of the work because they were delicious! I found the recipe here.
  • After being lazy for a while when it came to making dinner, we are back in the kitchen and I’m happy to be using fresh ingredients again. This week, Jake made a lasagna and I made breaded chicken strips with roasted carrots and broccoli with rice as well as our usual go-tos. Making a list of dinners for the week has helped us eat healthier and
  • A recent Sunday ritual is an hour long bath with bath salts and bubbles. I’ll prop my laptop so I can watch an episode or movie while in the bath and it’s a great way to make myself to slow down. My skin has also never been softer!
  • The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City premiered this week and Jake’s first thought was “There’s another one?!” while I’m blasting the AC and wearing winter pajamas to get ready for another franchise.
  • We have a big tree in front of our house that from the second floor bedroom windows all you could see for weeks was the leaves changing to a gorgeous maroon color. With the wind and rain this week, most of the leaves have fallen making our front sidewalk look like a sea of leaves. It was sad to see them go but three giant trash bags later we got the sidewalk swept up. I love keeping the front of our house neat and clean which is a challenge in the city, but very rewarding.

Madewell Stripe Print Cardigan on Sale

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I’ve had my eyes on this Madewell cardigan for a long time. You can imagine my excitement when I found a great dupe that I shared recently on the blog. Recently, I did some shopping in the city trying to find a birthday present for my mom, For the record, I went home with my hands full of bags but with nothing for my mom to send her. I went to Nordstrom Rack and I forgot how many great finds are there for affordable prices. They carry a lot of higher-end pieces as well as J Crew and Madewell pieces that can be a bit pricey. Even though the last thing I need is another top or sweater right now, I had to look because the prices were too good not to at least go through the items. I couldn’t pass up on the popular stripe Madewell cardigan that I felt like everyone has the last few years. It was a lot less than I remember the sale price was and I knew I would wear it for years. I love the brown and navy blue for fall and the pop of pink is perfection!

It is definitely a comfortable cardigan and pairs well with a lot of outfits. For the record, my dupe feels just the same and is just as great. The Madewell cardigan is lightweight enough so it wasn’t heavy and I wasn’t sweating on an unusual warm weather day recently when I was running errands during the day. And on a cooler days when I go for a walk it keeps me nice and warm!

Madewell Stripe Print Cardigan // Madewell Dupe Cardigan

New Mantel Decor

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I was cleaning up at night before bed as I do most nights because I love waking up to a clean house. We have been in our house for a full year now and I’m still tweaking things here and there, especially around the holidays. After seeing new home decor items at Target released for fall, I decided I didn’t like how my first floor was decorated and wanted to change things up. For the record, it looks pretty as it is, I just need to rearrange things every few months because I’m crazy like that. I’m trying not to buy too much for our home because I may love it but we don’t have that much room for it all. I had to give in when I saw these candlesticks and the price was too good not to get them. I knew they would be perfect for my fireplace mantel throughout the year and could move them around with the seasons. The gold finish looks antique and are made really well for a low price. My mom has dozens of gold candlesticks varying in height and style that we love to decorate her home with. I’m excited to start building my collection with this set that can easily go with more candlesticks I buy in the future. Or more candle holders I buy from this amazing collection at Target right now! Right now I have my mantel decorated for fall and I’m excited to decorate it for Christmas in a few weeks. The candlesticks are the perfect elegant touch that this space needed in our dining room.

Candlesticks // candles // similar candle holder

What A Week

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I feel like I should start off by announcing it is Monday, November 9th like Governor Cuomo in New York did each day during the pandemic briefings. With last week’s election anxiety, its never ending news coverage that had all of us glued to the television waiting on results I found myself in a slump. There’s plenty to do to keep me busy during the day and I found it difficult to do any detailed task once I moved to the couch in my bathroom in the morning. Scrolling on social media, on said couch in the same bathrobe I wore basically all week, I noticed a lot of people also in the same spot glued to the television waiting for results to come in. There was a lot going on last week that kept us busy so this week I want us all to take a deep breath and put the remote down as we get back to work!

Slumps happen and last week was a justified reason for being in sweatpants all week while we were watching the news waiting for results to come in. At first I started to feel really guilty sitting on the couch all day. I would switch from different news channels to get different perspectives and binge watched Downton Abbey on Amazon Prime when I needed something light to watch. Jake was working 12 hour days in the office that week so he was out the door before the sun came up and would be coming home late and often doing more work from home. Both of us were not hungry so we often skipped dinner or just snacked while we watched Steve Kornacki at the board breaking down the numbers. Jake was sweet and told me not to stress and just hang out on the couch all day because it’s something he wished he could do. I’m embarrassed to say that we had a sink full of dishes by the end of the week because neither one of us had the energy to do the mundane things. I let myself live in the slump knowing that I could start fresh the next week which helped me take the time to relax and be lazy which is what my body needed.

After nights of staying up late, Jake and I were both in bed on our phones on Saturday morning when the results came in. We got a text from a friend we were in a group chat with all week sharing election updates to turn on the tv because Pennsylvania was called. We went running to our media room to turn on the tv and felt a sense of relief that the election was decided. I got to call my parents to tell them the news and it was good timing because they were with my brother in Raleigh. I had a few errands to run in Center City so Jake and I had an excuse to go out and enjoy the warm weather. I loved he energy in the city and the warm weather was just what my body needed. It was my first long walk in a week and my body hated and loved it at the same time. I forgot how much my body needed a long walk everyday. I have an alarm set on my phone everyday at 3pm to take a walk and listen to a podcast. Sometimes I’ll run an errand and other days I’ll just walk 20 blocks and look at the pretty Philadelphia architecture. I am also setting my alarm a bit earlier this week so I can have a slow morning with hot coffee and a mug of hot water with lemon. It’s a great way to start drinking a lot of water throughout the day and has health benefits too. After a week of only wearing pajamas and some days changing into different pajamas throughout the day, I’m ready to get back into some real clothes this week! I like to put on makeup a few times a week just so I can feel a bit more normal

I woke up today and headed straight for my office to get organized for the week. I pulled out my planner and made a long to do list. I put some items that need to be done this week and some things that I want to do this week for me because they bring me joy. Scheduling time for a face mask on Wednesday night, catching up on shows on Thursday afternoon, reading for an hour before bed and catching up on laundry on Tuesday. Later today I’ll find a day that works best for Jake and I to plan an outing maybe to get coffee or brunch next weekend so we have something to look forward to.

Being in a slump can feel like the worst way to spend your time but it’s usually a sign that your body needs a break. I’m so quick to get mad at myself when I don’t have the energy to do things or be productive or when I skip a daily walk but it’s usually because my body needs rest. This week I am planning out things to do and ways to relax in the evening. I love taking a long shower at night and then getting into bed after I apply lotion and my night cream to read my book. It’s the nights that I keep the tv off and get into bed early that I have the best sleep and wake up the next morning refreshed.

Take care of yourself and find ways that allow your body to get rest. The colder months are coming which means less sunlight and colder days that can cause seasonal depression. I’m creating routines now so I can be ready for environmental changes.

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.