I am busy this week (so forgive the widget template) but I didn't want the extra 20% off sale items at Madewell to slip by unnoticed. There's lots of good stuff available for summer! Here's what I like:
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Monday, May 16, 2022
Beauty Review: A Few Recent Purchases.
It's been a little while since I talked about makeup and stuff, so here are a few recent purchases that I'm pretty into:
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat High Cover Radiant Under-Eye Concealer
This was an in-store impulse purchase and I expected it to disappoint because I've tried the original Touche Éclat a few times (yes, I bought it more than once expecting a different result) and it never did much for me. But now they have a version that's actually a concealer but it also has brightening qualities and y'all, this stuff is GOOD. Its stupidly priced for what you get, but a little goes a long way and it brightens and conceals beautifully. I like to use a light hand and especially hit all those spots that need a bit of light - the corners of my eyes, the top of my cheekbone, under my bottom lip and my cupid's bow. On days when I don't care about looking made up, I just use this and some mascara and call it done. It works WAY better than the original formula and the finish is lovely.
Jones Road What The Foundation
I posted about ordering this recently and it arrived and I'm...medium on it. It's feels very comforting on the skin but it's thick and you really need a light hand or it starts to feel cakey and heavy. When applied correctly, it disappears and feels quite moisturizing. It's a nice non-foundation foundation if you have dry skin (I do) and I've been using it daily to see how it wears. One surprise - it has a strong (but not unpleasant) scent that I wasn't expecting and it takes a while to dissipate. Not a dealbreaker but it seems unnecessary.
Method Aluminum Gel Hand Soap - Vetiver + Amber
Friday, May 13, 2022
Weekend Window Shopping: Comfy Chic at Pact.
Do y'all know about Pact? I've have a pair of Pact shorts following me around the internet so I took look at the website and was pleasantly surprised. When they first came on the scene it was simple organic cotton tees and underwear. Sustainable and ethical, but pretty basic. A lot has changed and I am INTO it. So much cute stuff and you can feel good about your purchase. If you've never tried Pact, you can get get 20% off your first purchase through my link. (Full disclosure: I get a credit as well.) Here's what I love:

Thursday, May 12, 2022
Review: Madewell Spring Tops (and Outfits!)
Hello! I recently purchased a couple of Madewell tops that I tried on in store (see this post here) and then waited for them to go on sale (which they still are!) before I bought them because there's no point in ever paying full price, right? Right. Obviously I knew what I was getting but sometimes you don't know if something actually works until you can try it on with your own stuff. So, even though it's currently dark, raining and 45 degrees out (weeping), here are a couple of spring outfits with my new tops:
Tuesday, May 10, 2022
BUY THIS (So We Don't Have To): New Arrivals.
I really enjoy checking out the new arrivals on websites I like, sometimes to be pleasantly surprised, sometimes quite disappointed. But, even through a sea of ruffles and tiers and puffy sleeves, I can still usually find something I love:
Friday, May 6, 2022
Weekend Window Shopping: BR Factory For (mostly) Work.
Thursday, May 5, 2022
Outfit of the Day: Rainy Day Cozy Chic
Okay, cozy chic is definitely (most definitely) pushing it but I bought this weird Scandinavia fleece tunic on vacation and I basically wear it every chance I get. It's not typically flattering but it is delightfully odd and so so so soft and fun to wear:
Oh, and my boots are Blundstone classic Chelsea (reviewed here) which I'd love to retire for the season but it won't stop raining. GREAT.
Wednesday, May 4, 2022
BUY THIS: A Few Stress-Purchases.
It's been a rough week so far and when things get tough, I donate to Planned Parenthood first and then I fall down a shopping hole because anxiety can be tamped down by things, right?
First: A person in a beauty products group I belong to (who should be in marketing) sang the praises of this tinted moisture balm product by Jones Road:
Apparently it just melts into your skin and it's especially great for dry skin AND it's called What the Foundation (WTF!) which pleases me. It gets rave reviews all around so I ordered it and will report back. (Also, code THANKS15 worked for 15% off!)
In other news, Madewell is offering 20% off "Summer Faves" with code WARMUP so I bought the two tops I tried on here. The Tie-Neck Tunic Top, which I went back to the store to try on again in my actual size, was a perfect fit - airy and loose but not over-sized:
And the Banded Muscle Tee which I bought in a size up because it's pretty cropped and I wanted a bit more length:
Yes, this is basically a sweatshirt but the banded hem makes it feel a bit more dressed up and is so great with high-waisted jeans. Yay for spring tops! I also tried on these jeans which are great (size down) but I can wait until they're on sale. I just love the demi-boot style.
Finally, a few weeks ago I was in Bluemercury and the sales assistant made me a sample of R+Co Cactus Texturizing Shampoo, telling me that it's really popular:
So popular in fact, that when I decided I loved it and wanted to buy it, I could not. It was sold out EVERYWHERE, including the store where I got the sample. So rude. However, yesterday R+Co sent me an email that it was finally back in stock and I ordered it! I don't know what kind of magic they put in this stuff but it makes my hair feel....more. I don't even know how to describe it. Like, my fine hair feels thicker and fuller and looks even better the second day. Magic.
Now, ignore all this stuff and go smash the patriarchy instead. (And donate!)
Friday, April 29, 2022
Weekend Window Shopping: Digging Around At Nordstrom Rack.
I much prefer digital digging when it comes to Nordstrom Rack. So much more organized! I'm always looking to see what's new and good and here are my latest finds:
Thursday, April 28, 2022
BUY THIS (So We Don't Have To): More Red Shoes.
As promised, I've rounded up a bunch of red shoes that I would personally love to have in my closet. (A few are currently hanging out in online shopping carts, perhaps to be purchased, we shall see.) Here's what I found:
Tuesday, April 26, 2022
Outfit of the Day: You Need Red Shoes.
Y'all, I haven't bought a pair of pumps in...years. Literal years. But, I'm also starting to interview for jobs and apparently you can't wear sweatpants and Birks to a job interview, even in Portland. So, when I spotted this cool pair of low heeled red suede pumps in Seattle, they had to be mine. I mean:
They just make everything better, right? These are the Naturalizer 27 Edit Florence square toe pump and they are kind of amazing in the red suede. (Comfortable? That remains to be seen, but so far, so good.) They have an architectural heel shape and the toe is a bit squared off:
Friday, April 22, 2022
Weekend Window Shopping: Hiiiiii Nordstrom.
Y'all, in the last week I've been to two giant Nordstrom stores, one for fun, the other for interview-appropriate clothing (less fun) and both times I managed to accidentally find the thing that was over $1,000 and touch it. Like, this Vince leather jacket and holy shit, these Gucci clogs. Can you even. I also saw a very elegant older lady trying on this St. John coat and I truly hope she bought it because it was SO GOOD. I've also managed to find some really great things (call it yet another spring wishlist if you must) that I personally desire, all of it well under $1,000 because this is not that kind of blog. Here you go:
Thursday, April 21, 2022
Stuff We Like: Hey, it's April Already.
Hello! It's been nearly a month since our last Stuff We Like, so here's some more stuff for you to watch, listen to and buy (and by "buy" I mean, "enrich your life" obviously. Sheesh.) Here we go:
This Podcast Marianne Highly Recommends.
When Marianne first told me about the Normal Gossip podcast I was like, why would I want to hear gossip about people I don't know? Turns out, I TOTALLY WANT TO HEAR GOSSIP ABOUT PEOPLE I DON'T KNOW. Normal Gossip presents a juicy friend-of-a-friend story every episode and it's so ridiculously entertaining and fun. It's one of those podcasts where I talk out loud while listening like, "GIRL. THAT IS A RED FLAG." Also, the guests are great! So far my favorites have been Sam Sanders (It's Been A Minute) and Laci Mosley (Scam Goddess.)
This Blanket That You Need For Yourself.
We are getting a new sofa so I used that as an excuse to retire our truly sad sofa throw blankets. After searching around for something more elegant, I bought this faux fur ombre throw from West Elm with, I'll be honest, fairly low expectations. It arrived earlier this week and now I basically have to fight everyone, including the cats, to wrap its soft softness around me. It's looks luxurious and expensive and feels like you're surrounded by baby bunnies. It's on sale right now! Go get one and hide it for your own personal use.
This Scrub That Will Make You Glow
I swear I'd mentioned Saturday Skin Rub-A-Dub Refining Peel Gel (on sale at Anthro!) on the blog but I can't find it so maybe I just imagined it. Anyway, I got this this scrub (peel, whatever) in an Allure box ages ago and it's freaking amazing. It's not harsh or gritty, instead the product kind of balls up into soft little bits and takes your flakes with it while you (gently!) rub it around your face. I use it once a week and it really helps a with the flakiness caused by tretinoin and leaves me with smooth, glowing skin without irritation. (Other reviews will claim the balls of stuff are dead skin but it's just the product. People are so dramatic.)
This Show You Really Should Watch
Have you watched Life & Beth yet? Y'all, it's a slow burn (I wasn't sure I liked it at first) but it's the kind of show you'll think about for weeks after you watch it. Amy Schumer pulls from her own life to make a show that's both tragic and funny and full of amazing talent. Michael Rapaport is outstanding as her father and there are some bit parts (MRI DJ) that still make me laugh just to think about. Even if you're not a huge Amy Schumer fan, this one is not to be missed.
This Kindle Hack Marianne Discovered
Y'all. Y'ALL. If you have a Kindle with ads, this is going to change your life. Are you super tired of getting creepy ads for Bossy Billionaire Grump or whatever? Did you know you can just pay $20 to Amazon and they will switch you over to an ad-free Kindle? This way, when you open your Kindle case your book is just THERE WAITING FOR YOU. It's magical. And, if you're considering buying a Kindle, just go for the ad-free version. Pay the extra money now because, trust me, you'll end up doing it later. (Your Account > Content and Devices > Devices > Kindle > Special Offers > Click Remove Offers button)
Tuesday, April 19, 2022
What I Bought: Weird Vacation Purchases.
Hello! I am back from a weekend trip to Seattle with Kate, my bestie from back home. We had a great time and, as is our tradition, we went shopping. We were near the Nordstrom flagship store which is straight ridiculous: magical and huge and a little terrifying. At one point the Westman Atelier lady put a lot of makeup on my face and then explained that Gucci Westman thinks you should buy two colors of the foundation stick. I mean, I'm sure she does. That's how she's a rich lady and I'm not. (The products were gorgeous but I got overwhelmed and fled without buying anything.)
We looked at the clothes but it was all either crop tops or couture, so we tried on nothing. Then we wandered into the shoe department and I saw these and gasped:
Trust me, they are better in person and they're Naturalizer. I KNOW. They're part of the 27 Edit line which I like quite a bit. Anyway, I need a pair of professional but not soul-crushing shoes for job interviews (more on that soon) so why not red suede pumps? I was wearing my new Madewell jeans when I tried them on and they gave me such a cool French girl vibe that I immediately bought them. And there were Birkenstocks everywhere! Lots of them! And I didn't even try them on!
Later, after a tidge of day-drinking we went to a Finnish boutique called Pirkko that I'd seen on a previous trip to Seattle, but it was after hours and closed. Not this time! We tried on all manner of kooky Scandinavian things and then we found the Henriette Steffensen fleece. You guys, this is not fleece like you would think. These are beautifully cut fashion pieces that feel like a hug. I loved this long cardigan but in the end, we both bought this odd and wonderful pullover that is basically all I want to wear. It's oversized but cut interestingly and I've already worn it twice. Here's a terrible hotel lighting shot:
Should I have spent that money on interview-appropriate clothing? Probably. Do I have any regrets? Not even remotely. I firmly believe that vacation purchases should be fun and we had FUN.