Sweater Weather

October 22, 2020 in Style

Fall is undeniably my favorite season to dress for, simply because I love sweaters. I just love how I instantly feel bundled up and cozy as soon as I put a sweater on. Since it’s finally feeling like fall in CT, I thought I’d show a few outfits I can’t wait to wear this season, featuring some of my favorite sweaters in my closet.

Look 1: The Mock-Neck

I love a good mock neck or turtleneck sweater. I find they do make my cheeks look extra round, but I don’t really mind that because of how put-together I feel when wearing them. I just recently got this burgundy mock-neck from J.Crew, and I absolutely love it. I think my neck is on the shorter side, and the collar doesn’t come up too high. It’s also super soft, cushion-y, and quite thick, so it feels a bit more structured than some of the other sweaters in my closet. I definitely will be wearing this every chance I get now that it’s cooler, and I’m eyeing a couple other colors (does anyone else buy multiple shades when you find a piece of clothing you love?). I paired it with some simple Slim Straight Jeans and my cognac Sam Edelman Lior Loafers.

Look 2: The Cardigan

I love a cardigan. I didn’t even realize they had gone out of style and then came back in this year - I’ve always been wearing them. They’re just so easy to throw on over a t-shirt to make an outfit a little more interesting! This one is made of the same material as the mock-neck, so again, it’s super soft and comfortable. And I love the olive green! I’ve been trying to bring a little more color back into my wardrobe, and deeper colors like burgundy and olive don’t feel too crazy to me. I paired this with the same pair of Slim Straight jeans as above and my black Sam Edelman Loraine Loafers. (Side note, would you like to see a comparison between these two loafer styles? I’m not sure yet which one I prefer!)

Look 3: The Ivory Henley

I realized when picking out sweaters for this post I have a lot of ivory sweaters. I thought I mostly wore gray, but I guess not! I love this one from Madewell. It’s not too thick or too thin, and it feels soft, not stiff. I really like the henley shape, and it’s perfectly oversized. I’m wearing my usual size, a small, here, but you could probably size down if you wanted it a little more fitted. It comes in a gray as well as a blue and coral, which I was tempted by, but I think that’s just a little too much color for me! I paired it here with a ripped pair of Slim Straight Jeans and my camo-cat Rothy’s Sneakers for a super casual look.

Similar Sweater, Similar Sweater, Corduroy pants, Clogs

Look 4: The Rainbow Striped Sweater

Ok first of all I’m sorry I can’t link this sweater! It’s only a couple months old, so I assumed it would still be available. It’s from LOFT’s Lou & Grey line, and it seems like they have two similar sweaters available here and here. But anyway I really loved the detail of this sweater - the stripes are little loose stitches of multi-colored yarn. I like the it’s a more subdued color palette, so it’s not too out of my comfort zone, but it’s still a unique piece in my wardrobe. I paired it here with some corduroy pants and my favorite clogs - I love wearing these clogs because I personally really like how they look (I think they take me back to my childhood when my mom and a lot of the other ballet moms wore them), they’re super comfortable, and my husband absolutely hates them!

Do you have a slightly-out-of-control sweater obsession like I do?

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All photos by my husband, Brett!

My Simple Everyday Makeup Routine | October

October 20, 2020 in Makeup

I just wrote up an everyday makeup routine last month, but a couple things have changed lately! I’ve been trying to wake up a little earlier and give myself a little more time for makeup. I also take my time drinking an iced coffee or matcha latte while I’m doing my makeup, so it’s nice to take this part of my routine a little slower to prepare myself for the day.

Last month I was strictly using the Elta MD UV Elements Tinted Sunscreen as my base, but this month I’ve been flip-flopping between a few products. Some mornings I still do the Elta MD, but depending on my mood I’ve also been switching it up with the ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint (review here) or the Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Weightless Foundation (review here). I always do a base of the Krave Beauty Beet Shield, so I’ve got proper UV protection no matter what! It pretty much depends on what kind of coverage I’m after. If I want something super sheer and slightly perfected, I go with the Elta MD. If I want a little more coverage and glow, I go with the ILIA. And if I want even more coverage (that’s still skinlike) with a natural finish, I go with the Rare Beauty. They’re all such lovely products for everyday. My one note is that the ILIA Skin Tint tends to rub off inside my mask more than the other two, but it doesn’t bother me - my mask is covering the parts of my face where it’s wearing off, and I wash my masks after every wear.

While I’ve been switching up my foundation/base, the concealer has been the same every day. I’m still loving the Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer. It’s versatile in that it works well on its own/with a low coverage product like the Elta MD sunscreen or paired with a foundation. It’s hydrating and never looks cakey or dry, and it lasts well on me.

For my eyebrows, I’ve been going back to my old favorites to just get it done quickly. This is the one part of my makeup routine I’ve sped up! I first go in with Glossier Boy Brow in Brown to shape my brows and fill them in a little, and then I use the MAC Eyebrows Styler in Stylized to continue filling in any gaps. I liked the ultra-feathery brow look from last month, but this month I haven’t felt like putting in the effort! The effect of the Boy Brow & MAC Eyebrow Pencil is still quite natural and fluffy, just not as bold.

My mascara routine is looking a little different this month, too. After reaching for the Laura Mercier Caviar Volume Mascara in a pinch and instantly falling in love, I’ve been using it every day. It actually gives quite a similar effect to the Roen Beauty Cake Mascara I was using all last month. It adds a good amount of volume without being clumpy or spidery, it makes my lashes super long, and it holds a curl well. It actually does a pretty impressive job at improving the curl of my lashes without having to use a lash curler first! That’s what really keeps bringing me back to it - I do still use a lash curler most days (the Surratt one is my favorite!), but this mascara just gives an amazing curl anyway. It does, however, smudge on me throughout the day a tiny bit, but I’ve been able to remedy that by combing through a thin coat of Glossier Lash Slick on top. I love adding this step to most mascaras I wear - it just adds a little more separation and definition, and it keeps whatever mascara I put on underneath from smudging.

I can’t stop reaching for a lot of the Rare Beauty products I got when they launched last month. Their Soft Pinch Liquid Blushes have been the only blushes I’ve used, and I’m still surprised at how much I prefer the matte formula to the dewy. I already spoke about my love of the shade Grace, but on an everyday basis, I’ve also been using Bliss a lot. It’s the perfect neutral peachy-pink that doesn’t make me look too orange or too flushed. I can also use a little more of this shade than I can of Grace without it looking like I’ve applied too much. When I wrote my Rare Beauty review, I said I was feeling rather neutral on the Liquid Luminizer. I’ve started using it every day though! The formula is really easy to apply and blend out, and it looks perfectly natural and glowy, not greasy. I love that it sets down and doesn’t feel tacky throughout the day. I have the shade Enchant, which is a lovely pink champagne shade.

I’m still knee-deep in my obsession with the Victoria Beckham Lip Tints, and this month I haven’t been reaching for any lip product besides the one in the shade Cherie. It’s the most perfect pink shade. It makes my lips look just a little rosier, and it makes me feel really pretty when I put it on. No one else can see it, but that doesn’t matter. I especially love this formula because there’s no transfer once it sets down, but it doesn’t feel drying.

What have your everyday makeup picks been?

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Fall Recipe Roundup

October 13, 2020 in Food

When I first moved out, I absolutely hated cooking. I’m not even sure why, but my husband luckily took it on when we moved to our first apartment together. I was perfectly happy making myself pasta with butter and cheese, mac and cheese, and frozen pierogies day in and day out. Maybe it was from starting to watch more cooking channels on YouTube and The Great British Bake-Off, or maybe it was having a house with a (slightly) bigger kitchen than in the apartment, but suddenly last year I got really into cooking and baking. Now I really look forward to it, and I find it really brings me a sense of calm and happiness. I especially love cooking meals in the fall and winter because I love how warming and cozy a nice, home-cooked meal feels. I’ve been looking around for some new recipe inspiration lately (last year I mostly just got all my recipes from Bon Appetit, but I’m really working on branching out!) and have found some that I just can’t wait to try my hand at making.

Ambitious Kitchen: Roasted Butternut Squash, Chicken, Cheddar, & Broccoli Couscous

This is one of my favorite recipes, and I've made it several times. The squash makes it a little time-consuming, but it’s still manageable for a weeknight dinner. It’s quite easy - a lot of “set it and forget it” steps that really come together in the end. It’s so good and lasts well as leftovers, too. I made it a few times over the summer without the butternut squash, but I can’t wait to make it again now that the squash is in season.

Damn Delicious: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes

I just recently made this recipe and I’m obsessed! I had a can of pumpkin puree sitting in the cabinet from the pumpkin pie I set out to make last Thanksgiving and never did. It came in handy here! The pancakes were great (I’ve actually never made pancakes from scratch before), and they had the perfect pumpkin and spice flavor that wasn’t too overpowering and that didn’t get overpowered by the chocolate chips. I didn’t have any buttermilk on hand so I just used sour cream and they came out fine! The batter was a little thick, but it still worked.

Food 52: Orecchiette with Roasted Butternut Squash, Kale, and Caramelized Red Onion

I haven’t made this one yet but I fully intend to. It sounds SO good. I love anything with pasta, I love butternut squash, and I’ve recently discovered my love for caramelized onions, so I think this will be a winner for me. My husband can’t eat onions, so I’m planning on just making some on the side to add to my bowl. I’ll definitely let you know how this one goes.

Half-Baked Harvest: Cranberry Brie Pastry Tarts

I know it’s a long shot, but if we’re able to celebrate Thanksgiving with our families this year, I’m bringing these. They sound super easy and really tasty! I don’t eat brie often, but when I do, it’s usually in a cozy fall recipe like this.

Barefoot Contessa: Butternut Squash & Apple Soup

I’ve weirdly always wanted to make butternut squash soup, and I never have. You know that episode of Gilmore Girls with the Bracebridge Dinner? They serve some kind of soup that I can’t remember if it’s butternut squash, but it looks like it, and I’ve wanted to make it ever since. I love Ina Garten’s recipes, and she’s never steered me wrong. I like the addition of the apples in this one, too. I’ve always avoided making soups because I thought you needed a blender, which we don’t have, but this recipe specifically calls out a food processor. Score!

Just So Tasty: Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

I’m ending this roundup with a bang! I’ve actually made these before (right after my friend made them and I ate half of them), but I don’t remember if this is the exact recipe I used. But it seems right! I like these kinds of desserts because they’re not overly sweet. The cake is like a warm spice cake, and the cinnamon cream cheese frosting is just perfect paired with it. I’m making a mental note to pick up the ingredients to make these this weekend as I’m writing this!

Do you like to cook or bake? What are your favorite fall recipes?