I’ve been thinking about how I can get back into blogging lately, and I’ve been wanting to branch out with my content for awhile. (As soon as I figure out how to change my blog name/URL without wreaking havoc on this space, I’ll probably change the name to something less specific than “Beauty by Kelsey”) I love reading newsletters that some bloggers send out every month, noting what they loved wearing, reading, and listening to throughout the month, so why not start my own series of that here?
Big Life Changes
First things first, I’m about to go through a big life change this month: I’m leaving my job of almost 4 years and starting something new! I’ll be doing similar work, but it will be a whole new type of chemistry to learn, which I’m really excited about. My new job is also only a 20-minute drive from my house, while my current job is 45. I think I’m most excited for the shorter commute. Looking for a new job was something I’ve been thinking about doing but putting it off all year (I’m comfortable here! I have great friends here!), but it was time to put myself and my mental health first. I’m so excited for a fresh start.
Current Makeup Favorites
I couldn’t pull something like this together without any beauty favorites, right? I’m still completely obsessed with the Milk Makeup Flex Foundation Stick, but lately this month I’ve been reaching for the Surratt Dew Drop Foundation. I had it on my wishlist for all of September during my beauty no-buy, so I allowed myself to buy it as soon as it was October. It has a beautiful dewy finish that doesn’t look greasy, it smooths over imperfections and makes the skin look perfect, and it doesn’t feel or look heavy. It’s just the kind of product I reach for every day. I’ve also been really into a blurred lip look with a berry lipstick shade - my favorites have been the MAC Powder Kiss Lipstick in Burning Love, Kosas Weightless Lip Color in Royal, and ILIA Color Block High Impact Lipstick in Wild Aster. Smudging some lipstick into some lip balm makes a more bold shade more wearable for every day, so I’m actually getting use out of my non-nude lipsticks now.
Current Skincare Favorites
I’m working on really paring back my skincare this month - I want to stick to more consistent routines, both to use up products and also to better take care of my skin. I’ve noticed it does freak out when I change up my products too often. Lately I can’t stop using products from the Bioderma Hydrabio line. The Mist feels so soothing and contains minerals like zinc to help clear the skin, and it’s not an overly-aggressive mist. It comes in a huge bottle, so I don’t feel guilty spritzing it on in between each skincare step. I also absolutely adore the Serum - it’s a gel consistency that doesn’t get sticky and it REALLY delivers in the hydration department. I’ve also been really into doing my skincare routine earlier in the evening, piling on a hydrating mask, and leaving it on until bedtime, when I wash it off and complete the rest of my routine. I’ve been loving the Paula’s Choice Super Hydrate Overnight Mask, Institut Esthederm Intensive Hyaluronic Masque, Korres Hydra Biome Mask, and Caudalie Moisturizing Mask.
Cooking
Over the past couple months I’ve REALLY gotten into cooking. I have no idea where it came from - I used to hate cooking and pretty much only ate boxed mac & cheese every night. I’m fully embracing it though. I love both how it feels scientific to follow a recipe, but you can always put your own creative spin on it. I’ve been getting most recipes from Bon Appetit. The crowd-pleasers have been the All-American Cheeseburger Pasta, the Chicken Tinga Tostadas with Bacony Black Beans, Strawberry Shortcake, and Fudgy Brownies. I also have a whole Google Doc full of linked recipes I want to make for my husband and his friends on football Sundays. Is this the new me?
Watching
My husband’s work schedule rotates every month, and this month we’re on opposite shifts. It normally makes me really sad to not get to see him, but one thing I do to make myself feel better is find a show to watch that wouldn’t be something we’d watch together. This month I started The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and I’m obsessed. I knew I would like it, being a huge Gilmore Girls fan, but it just took me a while to get around to watching it. I love the costumes, the characters, and of course the dialogue. Amy Sherman Palladino can do no wrong. I’ve also been watching a lot of movies on Amazon or Netflix as they pop up - in the past few weeks I’ve watched and really liked First Wives’ Club and Book Club.
Listening
I’ve been SO into podcasts lately. Maybe it’s my long commute, so who knows if this will continue. I have a long list of new episodes I’m getting through now. Ones I listen to every week are My Favorite Murder, Bon Appetit Foodcast, This Might Get Weird, Do You Need a Ride?, Pia’s Pod, Seek Treatment with Cat & Pat, and My Dad Wrote a Porno. As for music, after seeing both Kacey Musgraves and Carly Rae Jepsen in concert last month, I can’t stop listening to their new albums. Golden Hour and Dedicated, respectively, are both perfect. I also am loving Titanic Rising by Weyes Blood - they were the opening act when I saw Kacey Musgraves, and they were so good. Her voice is amazing and unique and it gives me Karen Carpenter vibes.
Reading
….not much! I was going strong with reading a book each month, but I’ve really let that get away from me lately. I’m still only halfway through The Godfather. I don’t even read blogs much anymore, which is why I was having such a hard time getting back into writing again. Let me know any and all reading suggestions: books, blogs, magazines, anything!
What have your favorite things been lately?