My Monthly Edit

READING
Being sick for almost two months straight has truly forced me to slow down, prioritize rest over working and almost completely eliminate exercise, among other things.  Needless to say, I’ve made more than a few trips to the store in yoga pants, sans makeup with a messy ponytail…and each time I had an internal dialogue of “get in & get out fast, avoid eye contact, pray you don’t see someone you know”.  This article really struck a chord with me & challenged my thinking about always needing to look good.  In my opinion, it’s a must-read for all women (warning: there are two expletives, but the message is so important that it’s worth looking past a couple bad words).  My favorite excerpt: Through this lens, all the times I’d stressed about what to wear, avoided run-ins with people I knew or let my low self-esteem sit on my feet like bricks took on a more ominous tone than simple insecurity might necessitate. They were founded on the idea that how I presented myself was an important component of how worthy I was of anyone’s time, admiration or attention.

CRAVING
In addition to overhauling my wardrobe, I’m also attempting to streamline my jewelry collection.  Again, I asked myself the question: is this something I can see myself still loving in 10 years?  After sorting through my baubles, I ended up with far less colorful statement pieces & more sleek & sophisticated styles.  Now that I know what I will wear the most, I can make sure any new purchases fit within that aesthetic.  I love the modern simplicity of these tortoise hoops – they’re a season-less style that aren’t too oversized or too heavy and will go with just about everything.  Other pieces worth pulling the trigger on: these crystal earrings (in clear), this signet ring, this necklace set, these dainty shaker huggies & this modern cuff.

USING
I’ve just begun the task of replacing some of our glassware & dishes that we’ve had since we first got married – 18 years ago!  I noticed that lately I’ve been using bowls more often than plates because I tend to have salads for lunch almost every day and my dinners usually involve zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.  So, on my last trip to Target, I picked up a bunch of these square bowls, which are the perfect size for all my meals & coordinate well with our other white dishes.  I also bought these wooden utensils (more here & here), which are such amazing quality for the price – use this link to get $6 off your first order of $39+!

TRYING
I was recently sent a box full of Charlotte Tilbury beauty goodies to test out and this product was by far the best of the bunch.  I love the lit-from-within look that it gives to my skin without being too greasy or shimmery.  I’ve been experimenting with it several different ways and it works great under my usual CC cream but I also like mixing it with this on days when I don’t need a full face of makeup.  It provides sheer coverage with a pretty luminosity that lasts all day.  For those looking for a more affordable similar option, this creates the same effect & gets great reviews!  Another recent makeup purchase of mine was this translucent powder, which is so amazing I will probably never buy another brand.

WEARING
I’ve always been a fan of tying a scarf into my hair because it’s such a fun way to accessorize & add interest.  So, I was excited to see all the hair accessories come out recently that combine a rubber band & scarf all in one piece!  I recently picked up this striped style and have been wearing it in a low ponytail or messy bun – there aren’t a lot of different hairstyles I can create now that my hair is shorter, so this is the perfect solution for those bad hair days!  More options to try here, here, here & here.

LOVING
Polka dots have been popping up everywhere lately & this is one trend that I’m fully on board with (probably because it’s not a trend per se – it’s really just a timeless print that we’re seeing a resurgence of).  This button-front blouse would be so cute with jeans or an a-line skirt (and this rust hue is a color that I predict will be huge for fall).  More polka dot pieces to love: this wrap dress  See more of my top picks below!