September Favorites

I feel like I just wrote my August Favorites the other day - it’s crazy how quickly the second half of the year is flying by after the first half dragged on forever. This month I saw an extreme improvement in my mental health after going off my birth control pills for the first time in nine years, and I think it showed in how I started putting more effort into how I presented myself - I started really finding my true personal style in terms of fashion, and I also started wearing more makeup again. It seems like this month I’ve really started to feel confident in myself.

Indie Lee Clearing Mask

I bought this mask at the end of July to hopefully help the breakouts I was expecting from stopping birth control pills. Fingers crossed, but they haven’t actually been too bad. I’ve still been loving this mask as a once-a-week treat to get my skin feeling super clean and fresh. It’s a thick cream texture that uses salicylic and glycolic acids to remove dead skin cells, bentonite clay and colloidal sulfur to draw out impurities, and chamomile and red seaweed extracts to keep the skin soothed and hydrated. I normally avoid using clay masks too often because they leave my skin feeling dry and tight even days later, but this one doesn’t. It never totally dries down on my face before I wash it off, which I think is the key. On the occasion I have had some blemishes pop up on my chin, I’ve noticed this mask literally flattens them by the next day. I’ve been so impressed, and I even squeezed out a bit into a small sample pot to have my sister try it out, too.

Neocutis Lumiere Illuminating Eye Cream

I didn’t really need a new eye cream, but I ended up grabbing this much-raved-about one during the Dermstore sale when I ordered the Indie Lee mask. This has blown all my other daily eye creams out of the water. I’ve been sleeping quite terribly lately (the dogs have started waking me up every half hour from 3am-5am almost every night), but this is keeping me looking wide awake and healthy. It uses an advanced complex of PSP growth factors to help cells’ ability to rejuvenate the skin, aiding with wrinkle reduction and firmness. I’m only 28, but I was noticing some fine lines under my eyes at the beginning of the summer (which my concealer kept creasing into), but now they’re totally gone after about a month and a half of consistent use. It also contains hyaluronic acid to help plump the skin and antioxidants for protection against environmental stressors. It’s just a simple-feeling, hydrating eye cream that sits well under makeup and has been really making a subtle but noticeable (to me) difference. Worth the price tag for sure!

Allies of Skin Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment

This is another pricey product that I think is 100% worth the money (It’s worth noting that this was sent to me by the brand, but I will without a doubt repurchase with my own money when it runs out!). Formerly their “All-Day Pollution Repair Mask,” I simply use this as my daily moisturizer, and it’s become my favorite one to reach for. The texture is absolutely beautiful - a perfect midpoint between rich and lightweight as well as between velvety and glossy. It contains peptides, brighteners, antioxidants, and repairing ingredients to heal damage, tighten, hydrate, and brighten the skin. I’ve noticed a difference in how “bouncy” and smooth my skin feels lately, and I’m attributing it to this. Despite containing such a powerhouse group of ingredients, it feels incredibly gentle and soothing - I’ve had another bout of eczema on my eyelids this month, and this is one of the only products that hasn’t caused any stinging. It’s helped with irritation and redness that comes along with the changing seasons for me, so it’s something I always want to have in my rotation from now on!

Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation

I had a whole review of the products I tried from Rare Beauty, and I’m still continually impressed with the foundation. It’s incredibly lightweight, like the name suggests, and it has a beautiful natural finish on the skin. My skin just looks totally perfected when I wear this, but it never looks like I’m wearing makeup. It also lasts on me really well, and I’ve noticed it doesn’t rub off into my mask much. I stopped wearing foundation in the spring because I was breaking out from wearing foundation under my mask, but I haven’t had that problem with this foundation. If I had to choose one favorite from the line, it would probably be this!

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in ‘Grace’

But if I could choose just one more favorite from the line, it would be the Liquid Blush in ‘Grace.’ I mentioned in my Rare Beauty review that when I was trying the dewy and matte blushes, I assumed the dewy ones would be my preference, but the matte formula as well as the shade ‘Grace’ really captured my heart. It sets down to a powder finish, but it doesn’t look dry whatsoever. Like the foundation, if you have something glowy underneath, that glow will show through, so it doesn’t have to be a true matte finish if you don’t want it to be. These blushes blend effortlessly, though they’re extremely pigmented, so you have to be careful how much you dot on your cheeks before blending. The shade ‘Grace’ is a cool bright pink that seems to be quite similar to my natural flush. It gives me a true “I’ve been frolicking in the snow” look that I really, really love. I could honestly throw out all of my other blushes and only use this one forever.

Victoria Beckham Beauty Bitten Lip Tint

A few months ago, I was skipping lip products and opting for clear lip balms on the daily, simply because I was sick of them all rubbing off inside my masks. But one weekend when I was cleaning out my closet and emptying out my handbags, I found my Victoria Beckham Lip Tint that I had fallen in love with last fall and then promptly forgotten about. I tried it on (I had the original shade, ‘Bisou,’ although there’s now a new shade I love as well!) and instantly fell back in love. It has a thin, gel-like formula that feels cooling on the lips and coats them with a sheer, watercolor-like flush. The shade ‘Bisou’ is described as a nude-berry, which makes it perfect for fall and winter. It’s a really natural-looking berry flush - more “my lips have a natural berry hue,” and less “I’ve just gorged myself on blackberries.” I love that it actually seems to sink into the lips and truly tint them, so the color lasts for hours and never comes off inside my mask. It also never feels drying, it simply feels like I have nothing on my lips. The new shade, ‘Cherie,’ is a warm pink that’s a true “my lips but better” color on me, so I’ve been wearing it every day since I got it and using Bisou when I want something a little more noticeable. It’s truly an incredible formula that I highly recommend!

Madewell Oversized Trucker Jean Jacket

I haven’t even had a chance to wear this jean jacket on more than a couple occasions yet, but I’m already positive it’s going to be a staple in my closet for years. I love a good jean jacket, and when I decided this year that my old (we’re talking over 10 years old) jean jacket was too cropped and fitted, I fell for this oversized version instead. I ordered it online, a little wary of how it would actually look on me (would it look like too much on my 5’3” frame?), and when I tried it on I was so glad that it fit exactly the way I was picturing. it’s perfectly oversized and not too baggy, and I’ll still have room to fit long-sleeve shirts and sweaters underneath when the weather cools down. It’s a really nice, sturdy denim that has good structure but still feels comfortable. Catch me wearing this with every outfit this fall.

Allbirds Wool Runners in ‘Natural White’

I just did a whole post that was pretty much an ode to my new Allbirds, so obviously they’re a favorite for the month. They’re comfortable, versatile, and they’ve been the shoes I’ve worn the most all month. I’m so glad I filled the “sleek white sneaker” gap in my closet with these, and I’m even eyeing the gray shade now.

Target ‘A New Day’ Tank Tops

I’ve been getting more into upgrading my wardrobe with higher-quality pieces lately, but I got a few of these basic tank tops from Target recently, and they’ve become such a staple! I wear them all the time. I love how it has the slight halter-ish neckline (if you’re wearing a normal bra the straps will show), and they’re really soft and comfortable. I already stained one of mine with bacon grease while cooking last week, but since they’re so cheap I don’t mind just picking up another one next time I’m at Target.

J.Crew Striped V-Neck Cardigan

I got this cardigan during the same J.Crew sale as my slip skirt, and I can’t believe I haven’t mentioned it yet! I’m all about a cardigan in the fall. This one is a great medium weight and has a boxy cut that I love. I find it looks good both worn open and buttoned up, and the cream and navy stripe is such a good combination I know I’ll get a lot of wear out of. I instantly feel more pulled-together when I throw this on over a t-shirt and jeans, and I can’t wait to wear it with a pair of corduroys for an even more “fall-y” vibe.

What were your favorites in September?

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Allbirds Wool Runners | A Review & How I Style Them

I’ve come to a sudden realization with the arrival of fall: my closet doesn’t feel like “me.” Or rather, it doesn’t feel like me now - it’s full of years-old pieces that I wore to death 5-10 years ago. My style hasn’t changed much, but being on the cusp of turning 30 (in spring 2022) has had me really examining my closet and trying to figure out what kind of pieces I always want to wear nowadays and maybe elevating it a bit. I’ve been looking for higher quality pieces that feel good to invest in and will hopefully last me until I inevitably go through this same cycle again in 5-10 years.

On one scrutinization of my closet about a month ago, I realized I was missing a good pair of lightweight white sneakers. I had some chunkier Hoka Cliftons that I always wear to walk the dogs, as well as the white Keds I wore almost every day in college, and I wanted something in between. After a lot of comparing and contrasting, I went for the Allbirds Wool Runners in Natural White. I liked their slim profile and that they were more of a cream color rather than a true white. I had heard people call these “the most comfortable sneakers ever,” but I waited to see for myself. The wool on these is so soft and comfortable, and the insoles are cushion-y and supportive. They actually are the most comfortable sneakers I own! They’re also incredibly lightweight and basically feel like slippers. The one downside is that they only come in whole sizes. This wasn’t a problem for me because I’m normally a size 7, but just something to keep in mind. My usual size fit perfectly. I have quite narrow feet and these don’t feel too wide, although there definitely is some room if your feet are on the wider side. Allbirds suggests that if you’re between sizes to size up.

Allbirds makes a lot of claims about these shoes: they’re soft enough to go sockless, the wool wicks away sweat and odors, and they’re machine washable are a few examples. I’ve worn these a little bit without socks and didn’t have any issues with blisters or excessive sweating - despite being made of merino wool, I didn’t notice them feeling any warmer than other sneakers I’ve worn. I haven’t had to wash mine yet, but I’ve read other reviews saying it’s easy and freshens them right up. They also sell insoles separately, since you’re supposed to remove those when you wash the sneakers and they can hold odors more than the shoes themselves.

When I wrote my Style Resolutions at the beginning of the year, I mentioned I wanted to try to find more sustainable clothing options. I’m not sure how well I followed through on that this year, but I do appreciate the efforts Allbirds makes to be environmentally-friendly. The merino wool uppers are ethically sourced and made, the soles are made from Brazilian sugarcane and the world’s first carbon-negative green EVA, the insoles are made with castor bean oil instead of the usual petroleum, and the shoelaces are recycled polyester. (All info from Allbirds website.)

I really like how minimalist they look, without excessive branding, and I feel like it makes them more versatile and able to go with just about any outfit. To demonstrate, I shot some photos of two outfits I'd wear them with.

The first outfit I paired them with was a J.Crew slip skirt and graphic tee. I just recently got this skirt and I’m in love - I know it was quite a trendy piece a few years ago (with everyone clamoring to get the pricier version from Realisation Par), but I think it’s a great “neutral” piece. You can dress it down like I did here with a t-shirt and sneakers, or you could make it a little fancier with a blouse and flats. I can’t wait to try it with a baggy sweater once it cools down more - I have a black mock-neck cable knit sweater that I think will be perfect. I’m not usually one to pair sneakers with dresses or skirts (except for when I was in my aforementioned Keds phase), but the Allbirds are minimalist enough to not clash, in my opinion.

The second outfit is something I’d pair the shoes with much more often: some black Mom jeans, a basic tank, and an oversized jean jacket. Can we talk about this jean jacket for a second? I’m in love with it. Perfectly baggy and oversized without going overboard. It looks easy and casual and chic all at once. The sneakers just add to the casual look. I’d wear this for lots of occasions: just going out to run errands, lunch with friends, or visiting my mom at the brewery she manages!

I’m super happy with my Allbirds Wool Runners so far, and I can’t wait to pair them with lots of things this fall.

Do you opt for sneakers even when not working out? What are your go-tos?

Outfit links:

Allbirds Wool Runners

J.Crew Leopard Dot Slip Skirt

J.Crew Waverly Place Tee

Mejuri Moon Necklace

Deluna Interlocking Circles Bracelet

American Eagle Stretch Mom Jeans

Target A New Day Tank

Madewell Oversized Trucker Jean Jacket

Lifetime Jewelry Rope Chain

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All photos by my husband, Brett!

A Home Chat & Wishlist

We’ve been in our house for over three years, and I feel like I’m only just now really getting into making it truly feel like home. Maybe it was a matter of money (buying a house and then having a wedding 8 months later totally drained our bank account!), or maybe it’s because of an improvement in my mental health, but it’s been so nice to dedicate some time to think about what the house is missing and what would make it feel even more home-y. I thought I’d share some of our plans for the house as well as some specific items we’ve had our eyes on.

When people walk into our house (whenever that will be allowed again), I want it to feel calming, warm, and welcoming. I’ve been scouring Pinterest as well as taking notes on friends’ homes for ideas on how to curate that feeling.

Big Plans

The biggest thing we’re saving for, and we’ve been thinking about doing this since we first bought the house, is to completely redo the kitchen. Right now our kitchen is quite small and doesn’t get much light, and it’s separated by a wall from a small dining room we don’t use. We’re planning on taking out the wall and creating one big kitchen/dining space. I’ve always dreamed of having a kitchen island, and opening this space up will make it possible. The door we usually use to enter and exit our house leads into the kitchen, but it’s very close to the oven - you can’t have the door and the oven open at the same time. So when we knock out the wall, we’re also considering moving the door down the wall a few feet to give the oven some room. We’ll also get new cabinets and countertops since ours are outdated. I’d love to replace the oven with one of those stacked double ovens (my meal-prepping time on Sundays would be cut in half!) and our split sink with a deep farmhouse sink, but we’ll see how much the rest of the kitchen adds up. We’re hoping we’ll have enough saved in the next year or two for all this!

Kitchen

I’ve already started updating some things here and there, and I’m really happy with how much more comfortable the house feels already. The biggest improvement was getting some shelves for the kitchen. As I said, our kitchen is on the smaller side, and we didn’t have much counter space. We started using a folding table to keep some appliances on, like the toaster and coffee maker, but I wanted something that looked like it actually belonged in the space. I found this baking rack and matching shelf on Amazon and knew they’d be perfect. They’re actually really good quality too - super sturdy, and they look nice despite not being real wood. I love that we now have extra storage space for pots and pans, which freed up some space under our cabinets. And now I have somewhere to display cookbooks! I want the kitchen to feel as warm and comforting as possible since it’s the first room you enter in the house. I think a small area rug like this in front of the door or in front of the shelves would be nice! We’ve also been saying for months that we need a new set of plates and bowls - we bought the set we have now when we moved into our first place together almost five years ago, and as it was just the cheapest set we could find at the time, they haven’t really aged well. Almost every single piece has a big chip in it. I’ve been swooning over the tableware from Our Place - you’ve probably seen how obsessed I am with the Always Pan by now, and I can’t get over how chic the rest of their products look.

We have one wall in the kitchen where I don’t really know what I should hang there - right now we have a small 8”x8” painting I made in an art class in college. It’s just of a green apple with a red and blue background (the class was on painting materials, and we all had to paint the apple when we were learning how to mix colors), and although my husband says it’s his favorite painting (he’s too sweet to me), I’d like something 1) bigger in size and 2) done with perhaps a little more skill. I like the idea of keeping it food/drink-related. I like this cocktails print and this set of herb prints.

Living Room

We’ve also made a lot of progress in the living room this year - we spent a few months having no couch in there (my husband moved our old couch to the basement and put it on a platform he built with his dad behind the other basement couch to make “stadium seating”), and at the beginning of the year we finally got this one from Bob’s. It, obviously, made such a huge difference to be able to actually use the room. More recently, we switched out our small bookshelf to a larger IKEA one so our books can actually be displayed neatly. I’m really happy with the living room and don’t think we need to add much - maybe another area rug under the couch like this, and a smaller coffee table like this one (I’d prefer a smaller round one now that our couch has the attached chaise lounge).

Bedroom

I think our bedroom needs the most help - right now, it almost feels like a dorm room with things kind of thrown together. I hope to be able to make it a really relaxing space. We’re considering upgrading to a king-sized bed since the dogs take up so much room on the bed at night, but the measurements seem like it’ll be a little tight. Either way, I’m dying to get a real headboard or at least a nice bedframe instead of the metal one the mattress came with. And some nice bedding! Right now our bedding is just three throw blankets stacked up with mismatching sheets and pillowcases. It’s comfortable and gets the job done, but I think a matching set would just pull the room together. I’ve had Brooklinen bedding on my wishlist since we moved into the house, but I’m not sure I want to spend a lot when the dogs will be rolling all over it. I’m sure I sound like a broken record to my husband about the furniture in our bedroom - it’s been bothering me for years that doesn’t match! I have a black dresser from IKEA that we only got because I needed one when we first moved in together, and the black one was the only color our IKEA had in stock. His dresser is an old one he took from home when we first moved. I love this set. The last thing the bedroom really needs is new paint - it’s a yellowy beige color right now that isn’t bad, but I think something like a soft light gray or blue would make the room feel more relaxing!

I love our house and the memories we’ve already created there, but I’m looking forward to doing more to really make it feel like our home! We’re planning on it being our forever home, so we have lots of time to make it perfect.

Is the extra time at home making you want to redecorate? Where are your favorite places to look for home decor inspiration?

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