Stuff I like! I've been keeping a list of things to include in this entry and it's gotten kind of long, so I'm doing it in a condensed version. Here we go:
Wearing - This is not a surprise.
I’ve talked a lot recently about my AYR tees and now I have Marianne hooked. We both have and love this striped Sno Cone t-shirt because it’s the perfect not-too-short cropped tee to wear with higher waisted pants and shorts. Just so cute. (Note: I might have an AYR order out for delivery for today! Who wants a review?) Also, REI sent me a 20% off code a while back and I used it on this Vuori hoodie which is THE BEST THING EVERRRRR. I'm sorry, but it’s really the absolute best. It's light but warm and so so soft. It fits TTS but I sized up so I could be more of a slouchy slob around the house. I wear it every day. I’m wearing it right now. I should probably not write a blog about style because I’m an oversized hoodie girl now.
Watching - All the endings.
The series finales of The Marvelous Mrs Maisel and Ted Lasso (both of which I loved) left me feeling a bit bummed. Two of my favorite shows are over forever! But, there's so much good TV right now that I am recovering nicely. I recently finished and loved season two of Somebody Somewhere (I talked about season 1 here) and was so happy to hear they’ve been renewed for season three. Now I’m re-watching season 1 of The Bear so I can jump into season two fully stressed out. Ha. I’m also excited about the upcoming season of True Detective with Jodie Foster, and the third season of The Other Two on HBO (fine, on Max. Why.)
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Reading - Y’all. Ugh.
I have been so underwhelmed by everything I’ve read lately and I seem to be DNFing books left and right. Do you ever get stuck in a reading rut? I’ve DNFed three books and just forced myself to finish one that wasn’t that great. When this happens I tend to fall back on authors I know I love, like the very reliable Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine. If you’ve never read any of her books you’re in for a treat. I recently re-read The Blood Doctor which is excellent and also love Anna’s Book (both written under Barbara Vine.) But, I’m ready for something new. I do have The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry on hold at the library and it sounds right up my alley but I’m open to suggestions if you’ve read anything great lately!
Obsessing - This stylist on Instagram.
Marianne introduced me to Anna Cascarina on Instagram and she is just AMAZING. Just so chic and wears exactly what she loves. Her styling posts are incredibly helpful because she has this knack for putting normal items together in a really polished way. She also feels like One of Us - in her 40s with a relatable body and she talks a lot about age representation and size-inclusivity in fashion. Her tutorial reels are especially good. I really love watching her layer an outfit - this post in particular is what drew me in and I also really dig her capsule wardrobe reels (and her white Loewe bag! Woof, I love it.)
Buying - Cheap-ass beauty.
Today I’m not talking about the Westman Atelier foundation stick I love because, duh. Of course I bought them. So boring. I’m way more excited to tell you about the inexpensive beauty items I’ve purchased recently because who doesn’t love a bargain? The first is a Jones Road Miracle Balm knockoff that I think is quite good! I do want to try the Miracle Balm but the reviews are pretty uneven. Anyway, I stumbled across this dupe by Bayfree on Amazon and bought it with very low expectations but y’all, I love it. Unscented, very sheer and not super sticky. It just gives a bit of color and glow. The packaging feels cheap but it’s a $12 product, so I’m not complaining about that. I got Nude Gardenia and it’s just really pretty. I can’t say how it stacks up to Jones Road Miracle Balm but if any of you have tried it, let me know if it’s worth it!
I also I stopped by Target recently and bought some makeup because why not. My favorite thing by far is this NYX Butter Gloss in Rocky Road (a wine color.) It feels great on and is really nicely pigmented for a lipgloss. Plus, it’s only $5! I will definitely be trying some more colors.
Finally, I picked up a tube of Acure Seriously Soothing cleansing cream at the local fancy natural grocery store. It’s perfect for dry/sensitive skin - completely gentle and non-foaming - perfect for a second cleanse. I love that it’s unscented and only $11 for a nice sized tube! I’m happy with it and now want to try the matching moisturizer.
I have so curious about Jones Road BUT not worth risk/cost to figure out colors that work for me. Any chance you would do review? Also hope the brand is soon sold in a store so I can see it in person.
ReplyDeleteI will tell you that the What The Foundation was not for me - it feels heavy and is overly scented. The cream eyeshadow is decent and the Face Pencil is just okay, but not amazing. If I try the Miracle Balm, I'll do a review, but I'm pretty happy with my $12 dupe!
DeleteThanks I just ordered the dupe too. It arrived tonight, anxious to try. Thanks.
DeleteI can’t speak to how good The Secret Book of Flora Lea is bc I haven’t read it yet, but I’ve met Patti Callahan Henry multiple times and she is SO NICE. I’ve been in a reading rut lately too. Nothing appeals, but I will look into Ruth Rendell bc she sounds right up my alley.
ReplyDeleteRuth Rendell/Barbara Vine is great! Her books written under RR are thriller/mysteries and the BV books are more psychological/people focused. She wrote for YEARS so there's tons to pick from.
DeleteNot that you asked, but some books I’ve read and loved lately: Tomorrow and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow; Song of Achilles and Bad Summer People (Maybe not loved that one but perfect summer read).
ReplyDeleteI did ask! I've read TATAT but not the other two. Thanks!
DeleteI really liked The Latecomer by Jean Hanff Korelitz (family drama, some The Goldfinch vibes). If you like mystery / murder books, Other People's Clothes by Calla Henkel (murderino vibes in early 2000s Berlin), and I'm currently really enjoying I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai (did you read Girls On Fire by Robin Wasserman? It's like that. 90s flashback fever dreams, murderino style). Summer reading is the best thing about summer.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI will second The Latecomers and I Have Some Questions for You, those are two of my favorite books so far this year. I'll also recommend the new Martin Luther King biography, which is very engaging and thorough. He lived such a short life. I also recommend Stone Blind, if you read and enjoyed Circe or Song of Achilles. Stone Blind is the story of Medusa, told by multiple viewpoints, written by Natalie Haynes.
ReplyDeleteI just discovered that I had somehow missed two whole Arcady Renko novels by Martin Cruz Smith, so I am delightedly reading those right now.
All new to me, thanks!
DeleteIHSQFY is indeed super good, but I find you need a specific kind of book to remind you why you love reading and get you back in the rhythm—it needs to really grip you, go down easy, or both. Some fave slumpbusters:
ReplyDeleteNinth House by Leigh Bardugo (Yale secret societies, but magic! and evil! and mysteries!)
Nothing To See Here by Kevin Wilson (just wait, it takes a left turn and shit gets so real and fun)
Magic, Lies, and Deadly Pies by Misha Popp (cozy mystery with a little romance, and PTL there's a sequel)
I also love narrative nonfiction to bust a slump—two great ones are Three Women and Unbroken—or a memoir of someone whose life is super different from mine, like Stash: My Life in Hiding, This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor, or Arbitrary Stupid Goal.
good luck!!
PS: AYR shirt supremacy
DeleteThese all sound great, thank you!
DeleteI'm sorry to tell you but The Other Two was just cancelled.
ReplyDeleteBoooo
DeleteI haven't enjoyed reading lately but started on the Armand Gamache detective series that is now 18 books deep. It is pretty good. I just finished the 7th book a few days back. I cannot read them back to back but the writing and character development is very good. My spouse loved Joe Pickett on Paramount. It is a game warden in Wyoming and the small town antics. The scenery is really beautiful on the show. I am not watching anything and still haven't finished Daisy Jones and The Six on Amazon - I did like the book.
ReplyDeleteNot a fan of the Jones Road Miracle Balm, on me it goes on sticky and stays sticky. I have dry skin so it I was really hoping it would work for me. I'm going to try your dupe now!
ReplyDeleteI loved Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid, and FLAWLESS by Elise Hu is a fascinating / infuriating deep dive into Korean beauty. I’m using tretinoin (and hella sunscreen of course) and my skin is very happy with the GIANT BORING pump container of Vanicream I bought recently. Simple and soothing and no scent.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm also doing tretinoin and def will try the Vanicream.
DeleteI would love an AYR review of your order.
ReplyDeleteA couple of books I've liked recently: Last Resort by Andrew Lipstein and Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurian. I'm currently reading Reptile Memoirs by Silje Ulstein.
Thanks for continuing to post!
Thanks for the recs!
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