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Friday Favorites – November 18th, 2017

Friday Favorites

Can you guys believe that the holiday season is here! Thanksgiving is just a few days away and my Christmas vacation begins in five weeks!  It’s going to be a busy, but fun few weeks! The title of today’s post may be Friday Favorites but I’ll be the first to admit that yes, it is Saturday. I’m still figuring out how to manage everything right now between a new job, an adorable five month old daughter, trying to squeeze in workouts and blogging. But, better late than never, right?  Since we don’t have too many things planned this weekend, I’m hoping to draft a few posts including a gift guide or two and some thoughts on my workouts these days.

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.

  • Even though I tend to be a minimalist when it comes to makeup, I’m loving this eye shadow pallete from Beautycounter. The set includes 18 rich but neutral colors as well as a double-ended brush and a removable mirror.  I layered three colors this morning for our family photo shoot and was surprised to see that seven hours later, my eye shadow still look perfect!
  • It’s been three weeks since I purchased the Revlon One-Step Volumizer hair dryer and I’m still head over heels. I’m amazed how quickly it allows me to blow dry and style my hair. Unlike other blow dryers, this styling tool leaves my hair frizz-free without any product or even a straightening iron. In addition, my hair goes from wet to fully-styled in around ten minutes! I love that after seeing my Instagram stories so many people have bought this blow dryer and emailed or commented letting me know how much they love it!
  • I couldn’t resist buying this adorable Santa suit for Katie when I saw that it was just $13! We had fun with the outfit during today’s photo shoot – styling Katie with Christmas lights, soft ornaments and a fuzzy blanket. I can’t wait to see the proofs!
  • This soft turtleneck is perfect for the cooler weather we are enjoying in New York City. Since buying it a few weeks ago, I’ve worn it for both casual and professional occasions. This week in Arkansas I dressed it up with a necklace and crepe pants for work and today I paired it with tall boots and skinny jean. The golden burgundy is a rich red, perfect for the holidays, while the gray is a classic favorite. Word to the wise, order a size down as mine are already a bit too loose on me since I’ve lost another pound or two of baby weight!
  • This sweatshirt summarizes my morning workout struggle perfectly! I can’t wait to wear it tomorrow, after I workout, for a cozy afternoon on the couch.
  • Last night I squeezed in a manicure and pedicure right after Katie went to sleep and that hour of relaxation was exactly what I needed. I decided to switch both my toes and fingers to a festive, holiday red – OPI Dutch Tulips. Since I tend to wear this vibrant pink-red polish non-stop during the holiday season I ordered a bottle so I can do touch-ups at home in between appointments.
  • If you live in the New York City area and are looking for a maternity, newborn or family photographer, Michelle Rose is amazing! We had our first family shoot with her today and I was amazed at her attention to detail, easy going style and ability to capture some amazing shots even when Katie was starting to get tired.
  • My favorite pajamas are on sale for less than $50! These cotton knit pajamas are soft and cozy though I wish they made them in more colors. I’ve had my pair for two years and they are still the first pair I reach for in my pajama drawer.
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Friday Favorites – November 10th, 2017

Happy Friday! How could I not begin this post with a picture from last weekend’s baptism celebration? It was such a special day for everyone involved! I hope you guys have had a great week. It has been a chaotic but wonderful one around here.  I returned to work, full-time, last week but due to Katie’s baptism and visiting family, only worked one day. This week, it was full steam ahead as I spent the week on conference calls and transitioning into my new role. I’m thrilled to report that things have gone far better than expected. Katie is thriving in the nanny share! She is nothing but smiles each morning and evening but the two children in the share with her provide such stimulation and engagement that she’s exhausted by the time we head upstairs for bath time and the final bottle of the day. I’m exhausted from a busy week and looking forward to a relaxed weekend which will hopefully include a few workouts and at least one bubble bath. I was randomly craving one tonight but, alas, prioritized cooking dinner and writing this post.

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.

  • I’m wearing this face mask right now and continue to be amazed by how bright and vibrant my face feels after using it! I do my best to apply it three times per week as I swear it leaves my face glowing after each use!
  • I love reading all the New York City Marathon race recaps. It was such an amazing day not only for my friends who trained and worked so hard to achieve their goals but also for the American elites! While I loved watching the highlights from Shalane’s win, Allie Kieffer’s story left me SO inspired! It’s crazy to think that she took 26 minutes off her marathon time and placed 5th in the marathon and IS NOT SPONSORED! I especially enjoyed reading her story in Runner’s World along with some of her great advice – “If there’s anything I could pass along to younger runners: Love yourself, eat healthy through your college years, and you’ll be stronger on the other side.” What a rock star!
  • My mom and I baked this pumpkin bread for Katie’s baptism brunch last weekend and were elated that three different guests asked us for the recipe! A simple, no-fail recipe this best ever pumpkin bread recipe lives up to it’s name!
  • This emerald green dress was perfect for Katie’s baptism celebration last weekend.  The ruffle sleeves provided a dose of fun while the long, knee length allowed it to be church appropriate. I love that Boden many of their dresses in three sizes – petite, regular and tall.
  • As soon as the weather cools down, I start to gravitate towards a richer, more vibrant lip color to help bring some brightness and warmth to my face. This lipstick is free of parabens and hydrates my lips for hours. The vibrant red hue is forgiving and the color is perfect for fall!
  • After wearing this cozy sweatshirt I fell so in love with it that I ordered it in a second color! The cowl neck and longer length make it universally flattering while the thumb holes and pocket are perfect for keeping my hands warm on chilly mornings. The fit is more slim than most of my sweatshirts which provides a more flattering and tailored look.
  • When I was on L.L. Bean’s website ordering a second sweatshirt, I saw a model wearing this camel poncho. After reading the reviews and seeing that it is less than $50, it quickly found its way into my shopping bag!  While I’ve never worn a poncho, I love the idea of pairing this with dark jeans, tall boots and a blouse or turtleneck. I’ve seen a number of these on other sites for 4-5x the price so I figured it was worth giving it a try!
  • I’m only half way through this Pulitzer Prize winning novel but find myself reaching for it each night before going to bed. This memoir not only tells the story of Katharine Graham but also of the Washington Post and the many events in American political history that took place during her time.

Okay, now it’s your turn. What book are you loving right now?

 

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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Friday Favorites–October 20th, 2017

fall in new york

Happy Friday! I hope you all are ready for a wonderful weekend. This afternoon we have Katie’s four month pediatrician appointment which includes another round of shots. It’s been two months since we’ve been to the doctor so I’m looking forward to getting her updated weight and height!  How the heck is she already four months old! This month she came alive with SO much personality, energy and laughter. Spending each day with her has been such a joy, even during the few days when sleep didn’t go well.  The rest of this weekend should be pretty relaxed as we do not have any plans. Between Halloween, Katie’s Baptism and returning to work the next few weekends are going to be packed so I’m looking forward to soaking up some rest and relaxation before the chaos begins.

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.

  • After ordering 12 (!!?) different pair of booties over the past month, I finally found a pair that I loved so much that I already ordered them in a second color! These Treasure & Bond Winsor booties are under $100, feature a block heel which makes them more comfortable for walking, are the perfect height bootie to go with skinny jeans or stockings when paired with a skirt or dress. I am now the proud owner of the black suede and the sand suede colors! As an FYI, I found that they run pretty true to size!
  • I mentioned last week that I finally ordered my first pair of Zella leggings after hearing rave reviews from friends. The Zella Live In High Waist leggings are my new favorite pair of pants that can easily go from park workout to weekend errands thanks to their moisture wicking and flattering high rise. No wonder they have over 2,900 positive reviews on Nordstrom! I also love that they are $54 which is half the price of the other high-rise leggings I was considering.
  • Earlier this week I asked for your tips as I transition to a working mom in just two weeks. More than 20 people recommended the book The Fifth Trimester which is an honest and helpful guide to the challenges women face as they transition back to work after staying home with their child during the first few months. I’m so appreciative of Lauren Smith Brody’s poignant book that I reached out to her on Instagram which resulted in a two day conversation! Even though I’m only a quarter of the way through the book she has helped me change my anxiety and fear into excitement and also put a few things in place to hopefully make the transition smoother. 
  • For years, we always had a WoodWick candle burning in our home but when we lived abroad, it was difficult to find them and after having two break when trying to bring them back in checked luggage, we gave up our love and found local, European candle replacements. During last week’s shopping trip I saw a display of WoodWick candles and quickly bought my two favorite scents – Fireside and Pumpkin Butter. I am a sucker for the crackling sound that comes from the wood wick and love that the fragrant candle is able to spread the warm scent throughout our downstairs.
  • I have met some incredibly talented moms during my maternity leave including Siobahn O’Connor, one of the editorial directors at Time Magazine.  The piece she wrote, When You’re Pregnant, Everyone is Suddenly an Expert on Your Health resonated with me and so many other women. Unfortunately, it doesn’t end when you have the baby as pregnancy is when the judgement and opinions just begin. I am so intrigued by their cover article this week, The Goddess Myth – How a Vision of Perfect Motherhood Hurts Moms, that I bought the print copy yesterday!
  • Always a fan of roasting vegetables, I’m not sure why it took me so long to realize you can also roast green beans! These roasted parmesan green beans have become a regular in our kitchen recently as they are so easy and tasty! I especially love adding a dash of Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel seasoning mix!
  • In case you missed it, this Easy Baked Pasta recipe has already become one of my top posts in just a day! Clearly we all love cheesy goodness that is ready in minutes!
  • I’ve been searching for a few new pair of work pants since these hips are definitely wider than they were before baby. Flattering and forgiving were the two qualities I wanted and these Easy Pants from J.Crew fit the bill perfectly. I snagged them during one of their 30% off promotions a few weeks ago and can tell that these will be perfect for work travel and client meetings alike! I love that they come in petite, regular and tall – perfect regardless your height!
  • Thanks to your recommendations, I bought two of the GapFit Breathe tie-back tanks and am loving them! The adjustable back easily accomodates my hips and any pooch I want to hide while the top and neck line are more form fitting and flattering. Thanks to their 40% off sale you can snag this top for just $15 which is a STEAL considering the quality, fit and sweat-wicking material! Has anyone worn their long-sleeve version of this top as I’m thinking it could be great now that the weather is getting cooler?

Your turn – What are you loving this week?


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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