Friday Favorites – May 18th, 2018

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Happy Friday! I hope you all have had a good week. We had lots of rain in New York City this week but I am thrilled that we’ll be down in Savannah this time next week, enjoying warm weather and sunshine! A little quality time with family and some sunshine is exactly what I’m craving! Tonight we are relaxing at home with a movie and then tomorrow we are heading to New Jersey to meet our friends’ new baby boy! I’m excited to get some newborn baby snuggles. It’s already hard to remember Katie being that small.  Sunday I’m catching up with my friend Mary over a morning run and then Bo and I are going to be smart and spend a bit of time packing for our upcoming trip. I’ll be in Arkansas Wednesday and Thursday for work and then will fly directly to Savannah to meet he and Katie. That means that this weekend we need to pack everything for Savannah so he doesn’t have to worry about packing in addition to flying solo with her.

Now, let’s dive into this week’s edition of Friday Favorites, including recipes, articles, posts and other things that caught my eye this week.

  • The picture above has made me smile so many times this week as have the rest of the images Michelle sent over earlier this week following a mini-shoot we did with her in Prospect Park. It has been so fun to work with her as she now knows our style, best angles and personalities. If you’re based in New York or New Jersey, I highly recommend Michelle for any of your photography needs – she’s amazing!
  • After using it for a few weeks, I can say that I’m loving Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollowood Flawless filter highlighter. A little bit goes a long way as I dab a bit in between my eyes and on my cheeks but the result is a subtle but gorgeous glow! If you like lighter, more dewy coverage, I know some people where this as their foundation instead of using it as a highlighter.
  • I shared these Tory Burch Miller Leather Logo sandals on Instagram the other night and had no less than 40 of y’all comment that they are your favorite summer sandal! I’ve eyed them for years as a few of my good friends swear by them but have had a hard time rationalizing the price. Luckily, a Saks gift card was hanging out in my wallet and this was the perfect way to use it! I’ve worn them twice already and love that they can easily be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion!
  • I can’t believe that this dress is now on sale for $49! The flattering, floral dress is long enough for work but fun enough for the weekend. I’ve worn it with a jean jacket and sandals as well as flats and a sweater and every time I wear it I get compliments. It’s available in petite, regular and tall so it works for just about anyone!
  • I’ve had three nail polish colors on rotation recently – a perfect nude that lasts forever, a fun vibrant pink and this funky purple.
  • I love getting emails and comments from you all after you try a product I recommend and this one is definitely the reader favorite right now.  The Revlon Oval One-Step Hair Dryer still amazes me in its ability to dry and smooth my hair in less than ten minutes. It’s simple to use, even for someone like me who has zero round brush skills.  It has over 500 reviews on Ulta and the average review is 4.5 stars which is proof that it’s a winner.  I will say that I found the cheezy video on Ulta’s site really helpful to watch before using it the first time but now, a few months later, I’ve figured out the method that works best for my hair.
  • If you find yourself shopping at multiple stores in order to get the best price on groceries, you may find this article that compares the price of groceries at four different retailers, interesting.
  • I have so much respect for Michele’s work ethic and each time that I’ve had the pleasure to spend time with her I find myself inspired and dreaming of achieving just a portion of what she has accomplished. Warning, you may be exhausted by the end of the article but you’ll also gain a few tips to apply to your own life!
  • We whipped up this healthy Mediterranean Quinoa Salad as a side dish earlier this week and have been enjoying leftovers all week. The flavors only get better with time and I love that you can choose to add protein to make it a main dish or stick with the feta and vegetables when serving it as a side dish.

 

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored and instead is a list of the things of my favorite things this week. As normal, it includes lots of beauty and fashion items which means there are a few affiliate links via ShopStyle. It takes time and money to maintain a blog so I thank you for the support and few cents that come from clicking through the links!

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Winter Favorites – 10 Items I’ve Worn Constantly This Winter

Spring Snow

The calendar says spring has arrived but the weather says winter. Based on today’s weather, you’d never know that it is the second day of spring.  There are kids shoveling snow and others walking by with sleds.  While many other people are talking about the latest spring fashions, I thought I would say farewell to winter weather by sharing the items that I have worn non-stop during our never-ending winter.  While I love cold weather and appreciate and enjoy experiencing all four seasons, after growing up in the perpetually warm and humid Savannah, Georgia, I’m ready to say farewell to my winter wardrobe. In fact, if you follow along on my daily Instagram stories, then you will most likely recognize many of these items especially the tops and coats.

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One of the downsides to simplifying my life and wardrobe is that I now have far fewer clothes in my closet. As I scroll through Instagram photos or our family photo stream, it is clear that I played favorites this season, even within my smaller wardrobe, and wore the below ten items on repeat.  I am ready to say hello to short sleeves, skirts, dresses and vibrant colors as soon as spring appears in Brooklyn. But, until then, since there are lots of end of season sales taking place right now, I thought it would be helpful to share the 10 items I wore non-stop this winter in case you want to stock up for next year.

Barbour Beadnell Polarquilt Jacket – Even though I’ve owned this coat for more than a year, this was the first year I could wear it as I purchased it when I was unknowingly pregnant with Katie. It became an instant favorite this year for warmer winter days and was worn on repeat when the weather was below 50 degrees and above 30.  It has large pockets that easily fit my cell phone, keys and credit card while the second set of front pockets are hand pockets –  perfectly angled and lined with fleece to keep my hands warm on cold days.

L.L. Bean Cozy Pullover – I wish I had purchased this sweatshirt in multiple colors as I’ve worn the spruce heather at least twice a week since receiving it in November. Clearly I’m not the only person who fell head over heels for this sweatshirt as every color in my size is back-ordered until late April.  It isn’t loose and baggy like most sweatshirts, instead it has a slimming cut and the hip length is perfect for wearing it with jeans or leggings. The thumb holes were an added bonus that I discovered after ordering it and the front pocket has been perfect for holding Katie’s toys or pacifier when we’re out and about.

9′  high-rise toothpick jean in classic wash  – These jeans have been a blessing for my post baby as the higher rise and stretch allow me to wear the jeans confidently without being uncomfortable all day. The cut and dark color accentuate and flatter my long legs while I also appreciate that they come in petite, regular and tall.

Sorel Joan of Arctic Cold Weather boots – I bought these five years ago when we moved abroad and just today did I notice that they are starting to show some wear and tear. These waterproof boots are perfect for snowy days as they keep my feet and calves dry and warm while also providing traction that makes me feel safe and secure even when I’m wearing Katie. I find that these run a bit small especially considering how thick most winter socks are so I would recommend ordering a size larger.

Sorel Nakiska Suede Slippers – Since I work from home, I spend more time in slippers than the average person. In fact, I wore out these amazing slippers in two years and received a new pair for Christmas. Unlike most slippers, these have a sole that provides arch support and the rubber bottom provides traction on our slippery, wooden stairs. The only down side to these slippers is that the wool lining keeps feet nice and cozy, which makes them  more appropriate for cooler months than year round.

J.Crew Dreamy Stripe Pajamas  – After buying one pair of these pajamas in gray and white I loved them so much that I bought a second pair in navy and white and have worn them almost exclusively all fall and winter. Since I have a short torso and long legs, most pajama pant sets don’t fit properly. These pajamas not only are long enough but they are also the softest pajamas I’ve found. The fit is definitely loose and I sized down in my second pair after finding that my regular size was a bit baggier than I preferred.

Tissue Turtleneck – Every year J.Crew factory sells this turtleneck in multiple patterns and colors but this year the black and white stripe was my favorite. It’s a perfect weight for layering thanks to the lighter weight and slim fit. I own four of these turtlenecks and wear them alone and under blazers, jackets or sweaters. They wash and dry well in the washer, are thick enough to not show bra lines and don’t shrink. If you want a looser fit, order a size larger than normal as they are pretty snug.

Merino Wool Sweater Blazer  – Available on both J.Crew and J.Crew Factory sites this has been one of their most popular items this season. A great classic that can easily be dressed up or down, I love that this one cotton which means it is machine washable and far cheaper than the J.Crew version which is merino wool.  It runs a bit large so I recommend ordering down one size but otherwise this has been a great staple this season and has been worn to both the farmer’s market on weekends and client meetings during the week.

Patagonia Down Sweater Jacket – This water resistant, down jacket is a lot warmer than it looks!  I’ve only worn my long, down coat a few times this season as this coat has been heavy enough to keep me warm most days, including during today’s snowstorm. The coat is more fitted than some winter coats which makes it very flattering. It is light and easily rolled up or stuffed into my purse and diaper bag but once I put it on it’s so much warmer than expected.  It is definitely an upgrade versus my long, down coat which I lovingly call my wearable sleeping bag.

Sarah Marie Design Studio Sweatshirt –  The saying on the sweatshirt makes it fun while the fit and cozy factor make it a winter time essential especially when I’m relaxing on the couch or hanging out with Katie. Every time I wear it I get comments from people on the street or Instagram as the struggle to get out of bed is very real. The fleece sweatshirt is so soft that I’ve actually worn it to sleep during colder winter nights. But, typically I wear it to and from workouts, relaxing at home or running errands.  An added benefit is that Sarah Marie Design Studio is a small business and you’re supporting a fellow runner and designer by purchasing through her online store.

 

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Weekend Reading – February 17th, 2018

Happy Sunday! After a long week of travel, I’m happy to be back in Brooklyn with Bo and Katie. So far we’ve spent the weekend doing some things around the house, catching up with friends and enjoying lots of cuddles with Katie. She is doing her best to army crawl everywhere possible so life has quickly taken on a faster pace. Today we’re heading into the city for brunch with friends and then tomorrow, Bo and I are enjoying a day date since Katie’s nanny share family doesn’t have the day off for President’s Day. Our plans include going to Aire Ancient Baths, a leisurely lunch and then going to the movie theater for the first time since Katie was born!

This week, instead of Friday Favorites, I’m sharing some weekend reading which includes recipes, articles, posts and other things that caught my eye this week.

  • I’m trying to incorporate more strength training into my weekly workout routine and this 20 minute Metabolism Boosting PopSugar video was the perfect thing to kick-start my motivation! I was dripping sweat by the end of the video, loved the intense but short routine, and I only needed a yoga mat and a set of 10-pound weights.
  • After seeing Little Fires Everywhere on many different lists I finally bought it a few weeks ago. I finished it in just a few days, as the characters hooked me immediately. The author did a wonderful job developing each of the characters and inter-twining the story lines as she shared the tale of the Richardson Family of Shaker Heights, and the people who came into their lives and changed everything they knew.
  • It’s been a month since I upgraded my moisturizer to Beautycounter Adaptive Moisture Lotion. Even during a week of three flights and far too little sleep, this was able to keep my skin hydrated all day long without looking greasy or causing any breakouts.
  • I finally started meditating last month and it was a game changer especially in January when I was dealing with some minor insomnia. While there are many different apps that you can use, I liked that Headspace’s offers a complimentary Basics 10 session pack. You can even change the duration of each session – 3 minutes, 5 minutes or 10 minutes. For the first few days I did 3 minutes before going to bed but by the 10th day, I was meditating for 10 minutes.
  • I heard about this New York Times article from no less than ten friends and family members the day it was published. The tiny Vermont town of Norwich has produced 11 Olympians and it isn’t due to their state-of-the-art training facilities or level of rigor. Instead, most parents stress enjoyment and participation over expertise and have created a  supportive community instead of a competitive atmosphere.
  • After the horribly tragic event that took place in Florida this week, I have to share this article which discusses the changes Australia enacted following a mass shooting in the 1990s. Regardless of political affiliation, everyone I’ve spoken with since the shooting agrees that something has to change. Whether the number is 6 or 18, the startling and scary statistic regarding the number of school shootings that have occurred this year alone is shocking and unnerving.
  • Three months later, these high rise jeans are still my favorite and I recently ordered a second pair in a different wash and am keeping my eye out for a white pair to wear this Spring and Summer.
  • Speaking of Summer, I just ordered a new cover-up and swimsuit after falling head over heels for Lilly Pulitzer’s vibrant prints and flattering designs!  When I went through my closet and dresser last month, I parted ways with most of my beach attire since it was either faded or didn’t fit anymore. While I refuse to buy more than I need, I’m hoping to find two cover-ups and two swimsuits for the Summer! Any recommendations for mom-friendly swimsuits? So far a number of my friends have recommended Athleta.  
  • A few weeks ago, one of my co-workers recommended that I give Apple AirPods a try as they are great for the hours of conference calls I have as well as listening to music, books, or podcasts on-the-go. After a week of using them, I can’t figure out why I waited so long! I love that they synch easily with any device, turn off when I take them out of my ear and have a convenient carrying case that doubles as a charging device. The sound quality is surprisingly good and they are snug enough to use for HIIT workouts. I will most likely not use them for workouts regularly as I fear that my excessive sweat would ruin them. The battery life is around five hours but I haven’t had an issue since anytime I have them in their case they are charging.
  • For years, going to the grocery store each week has been one of my favorite activities. I love discovering new items, exploring the shelves and finding the perfect produce. But, since Katie was born this has become more challenging and that combined with the winter weather, lack of car and work travel, going to the grocery store has become an arduous chore. We joined Instacart Express using one of their new member codes (click link for your own code) and were amazed at how easy it is. We have access to ten different stores (Whole Foods, Fairway, Key Food, Green Grape, Costco, etc) locally and the groceries are delivered within 2-3 hours even on a busy day like Saturday. I’ve been checking and so far it seems like most groceries are the same price they would be in store. Have you tried Instacart? Do you use another delivery service? 

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored and instead is a list of the things of my favorite things this week. As normal, it includes lots of beauty and fashion items which means there are a few affiliate links via ShopStyle. It takes time and money to maintain a blog so I thank you for the support and few cents that come from clicking through the links!

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