THINKING
Over the past few months, I’ve had fun doing a couple of Q&A’s on Snapchat (find me at ppfgirl) – but I know not everyone uses the app, so I’ve been thinking about bringing that content here to the blog & creating a monthly post where I answer questions. You can email them to me or leave them in the comments below and, once I have enough, I will answer them all together in a post. These can be anything from styling tips, skincare & beauty, budgeting, meal planning, etc. I think it will be a great way to include content you really want to see, so please don’t hesitate to ask!
LOVING
I’ve been blown away by every single product I’ve tried from It Cosmetics, so it should come as no surprise that this brush is, hands down, the best I’ve ever used. Not only is it luxuriously soft, but the bristles are infused with silk, peptides, niacin & collagen to help promote your best skin ever. I have been using it to apply my makeup for the last two weeks and I’ve been so impressed with the flawless finish it’s given me each & every time. I think it’s safe to say I’m never going back to my old brushes after this! My other favorites from their line are this CC Cream & this under-eye concealer (my assistant, Abbey, also raves about their makeup remover).
READING
As much as I would love to say that I’ve perfected the art of juggling my job, parenting, marriage, serving in the community & friendships…the truth is that balls are dropping all around me. I’ve fallen into the trap of allowing work to become my #1 priority and neglecting the things that I value most (spending time with my kids, working out, getting together with girlfriends). So I’m beginning to make some changes in an effort to create a better work/life balance, which is why you may see me taking some “mental health” days off from the blog here & there. I love the way it’s explained in this article & I completely agree that it’s okay for there to be seasons where your focus shifts in a different way. I’m just as committed as ever to my work and I hope that by building back in some of the things that deeply matter to me, I will feel recharged & reinspired to continue to do my best.
WEARING
As soon as our kids started back to school, my husband & I made it a point to start working out together more often. Three times a week, we drop them off at school in the morning and then head straight to the gym to run for an hour before we start our work day at home. It’s felt great to get back into a regular routine, but I quickly realized that my running shoes were needing an upgrade. I’ve been a Nike fan for years, but their footwear prices can be a bit steep. So, I was happy to discover these sneakers seriously marked down – they come in 7 different colors/patterns, but I’m loving this cool snake print. I also recently picked up these compression leggings (which don’t slip down when I run) and this long-sleeve top (love the thumb holes!).
MAKING
This is the time of year when I tend to spend the most time in the kitchen – I love baking fall treats & I’m always looking for new recipes to try that are both healthy & delicious. These mini raw caramel apple cheesecakes combine some of my favorite flavors of the season & they’re vegan and gluten-free. You can make them larger, but I personally prefer them bite-sized, so you only need one or two to satisfy your sweet tooth (they’re also perfectly portioned for kids). They store really well in the freezer so you can double the batch & pull them out whenever a craving hits.
CRAVING
Nothing beats a classic tailored blazer and I’ve got my eye on this gorgeous burgundy style that would be perfect for fall (bonus: it’s currently on sale!). To give it a casual feel, I’d pair this with a striped top, kick flare jeans & pointed flats (like these or these). For a dressier look, it would be pretty layered over a lace top with a flared skirt. It gets really great reviews & also comes in camel, blush, black & white.
Gift Guide for Him
The Best Fall Outerwear
Weekly Top Finds
Weekly Top Finds