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Friday Favorites – June 7th, 2019

Brooklyn Running Picture

Happy Friday! Since I was exhausted from the work week, I decided to blog during last night’s late flight back to New York. It’s been a while since I’ve had the opportunity to share with you all my favorite things so, since this type of post is popular, I figured I’d share a few things I’ve been loving recently. In addition, if you’re a parent or preparing for maternity leave I highly recommend clicking to the post I shared earlier this week with tips for returning to work after maternity leave. I really enjoyed writing the post as it forced me to reflect on how much things have changed in the past 18 months.

This weekend I’m happy to be staying local and catching up on cuddles and relaxing. I’ve traveled 10 of the past 30 days for work which is far more than normal and more than I prefer to be away. Luckily I don’t travel for the next two weeks and look forward to spending extra time with Katie. In fact, I was supposed to run the NYRR Mini 10k in Central Park tomorrow but since I’ve been traveling I’m choosing to think of my registration as a donation and, instead, we are heading to the beach bright and early tomorrow morning for some sand and wave fun before Katie’s nap.

Now, let’s dive into this week’s edition of Friday Favorites. Also, if you want to learn more about my favorite things on a regular basis, follow me on Instagram and check out the Favorite Things and Beauty Favorites section on my Instagram highlights.

  • After reading a few heavier books such as Educated, Hillbilly Elegy, Bad Blood and Where the Crawdads Sing I have been enjoying a few lighter books recently. It’s fun to quickly read these Summer beach reads in the evening and work my way through multiple different books in just a week. Over the past few weeks I’ve read Normal People (3 stars), Daisy Jones & The Six (4 stars), The Unhoneymooners (4 stars) and All We Ever Wanted (4 stars).  After a few light reads, I’m starting We Were The Lucky Ones which is a highly recommended World War II book.
  • Recently my face has had some unruly breakouts along my chin due in part to stress and travel. During my facial last week, it was recommended that I start using a toner in that area as well as ensuring that I remove all my makeup each night before bed. But, the exciting part of my facial was that outside of that trouble zone, my fine lines and discoloration has improved greatly over the past few months.  The biggest change I’ve made is the use of Beautycounter’s Overnight Resurfacing peel. I use it every other night and love the glow that I see the next morning. After washing my face in the evening I apply it under my moisturizer and eye cream. Make sure to apply it to a dry face and let it absorb fully before applying any moisturizer or facial oils. I know the name is confusing but this is not a mask or peel that is rinsed off or peeled off after applying. Just go to bed and let the formula work magic.
  • I finally ordered a pair of Rothy’s after having multiple co-workers and friends rave about them. While I still love my M.Gemi and JCrew flats for work, my Rothy sneakers are an evening playground and weekend favorite. The white color can easily be bleached or washed and the insoles and support make the shoes comfortable enough for long walks or park adventures. I ordered my true size for this style and then in the pointed style, which I just ordered, I went up a 1/2 size based on reviews.
  • I love wearing Birkenstocks all Summer as they provide support when I’m walking through Brooklyn or playing with Katie. However now that Katie is obsessed with playing outside and splashing in the water I quickly realized I needed something that could survive mud and water. Luckily Birkenstock’s new Arizona EVA Essentials sandals are the perfect option. They have the same, great support that my rose gold Arizona style has but now is a water-friendly EVA material and only $39.95! I bought the white color as I knew I could wear it with anything AND use a Mr Clean eraser to spot clean.  I wore them this morning to walk Katie to nanny share and was amazed how comfortable they were and that they didn’t need to be broken in at all!
  • Summer running has arrived and that means that I’m running in shorts and tanks 99% of the time. Once again, this summer my favorite running tank is the Brooks Hot Shot Tank which is lightweight and quick-drying which makes it a perfect fit for my sweaty nature. I wore the blue one this morning and received compliments from four different people including the guy who prepared my bagel sandwich!
  • Driving in Arkansas this week, I was able to listen to a podcast during my commute each day which was a fun treat. Right now, I am primarily listening to NEWS or PARENTING podcasts. My favorite parenting podcasts are UNRUFFLED and LIFE KIT. My favorite news podcasts that Bo and I both listen to daily are NPR News Now, Up First, and The Daily.

Have a great Friday!

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored and instead is a list of the things of my favorite things this week. As normal, it includes lots of beauty and fashion items which means there are a few affiliate links via ShopStyle. It takes time and money to maintain a blog so I thank you for the support and few cents that come from clicking through the links!

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Friday Favorites – November 2nd, 2018

Happy Friday! It was a fun, festivity filled week due to Halloween. This weekend isn’t going to be as relaxing as most but for good reason – it’s the NYC Marathon weekend! Each day this weekend I have at least one marathon related event. On Saturday I get to catch up with Charlie and Zoe while we attend the Lindsey Hein and Paula Radcliffe podcast recording together and then on Sunday I’ll be cheering at mile 7.  But, before the NYC Marathon events, Bo and I are enjoying another date night together. This time we’re going to dinner in Manhattan before seeing the new Broadway play, To Kill A Mockingbird. It’s the first time it’s been produced for Broadway and the play was adaptation was written by Aaron Sorkin and the star is Jeff Daniels!  We’ve been waiting to see this for a few months as the tickets were Bo’s birthday gift this year.

Now, let’s dive into this week’s edition of Friday Favorites,. This week’s Friday Favorites is different than most as I’m dedicating this one to the J.Crew 40% off sale. When I asked you guys on Instagram if you wanted a round-up, a resounding 93% of you said YES!

Favorite jeans & pants

  • Classic Wash High Rise Jeans and True Black High Rise Jeans –  These fit me better than any other jean I’ve found and they tend to be half the price of the designer brands carried in most department stores.  After loving my classic, dark pair I just bought a pair of jet black jeans in the same high-rise style,
  • Martie Slim Crop –  This is my new favorite work pant. In fact, I loved my black pair so much that I ordered another pair in navy just a few weeks later. High-waist, slim fit and machine wash make these pants a no-brainer in my book!
  • Edie Full Length Trouser – When I want to wear a more classic, full length pant for work, this is my choice. The cut is very flattering, the material is forgiving and they travel well since they don’t seem to wrinkle easily. When I wore my black pair in Cincinnati last week for meetings, three different people asked me for details!

Dresses/Others

  • Jumpsuit – I wore this non-stop this summer and, rumor has it, if I put a turtleneck or blouse under it, I can easily wear it year-round. While I admittedly haven’t tried this look yet, I’ve seen numerous people wearing jumpsuits this fall!

Favorite Outerwear

  • Cocoon Jacket – Since buying this three years ago, it’s been one of my favorite items. I have a navy and white boucle style, that makes it a bit unique, but the coat is the same cozy, over-sized, warm version available again this year. The pockets are larger than normal, pefect for holding winter gloves or a scarf, and the oversized fit allows it to easily be worn over sweaters and winter layers. I wear a size 6, which is smaller than my normal J.Crew size so I definitely recommend sizing down.
  • Puffed Vest – This is a perfect transitional item this time of year and I wore my off white one yesterday over a cotton turtleneck. Many of my friends have these vests in different colors as they can be worn all winter long in the south and up here they are perfect for fall and spring.
  • Ribbed Beanie with Faux Fur Pom-Pom – I wore this hat non-stop last winter! The poof makes it extra fun and the longer length allows me to cover my ears. Last year this sold out quickly so if you’re thinking about it or want to give it as a gift this holiday season, buy it now!

Favorite Shirts

  • Everyday Chambray shirt – I love wearing this shirt with my leopard skirt or black dress pants for a fun weekday outfit.
  • Drapey Faux-Wrap Top – This top is a perfect day to night piece that I’ve worn both for date nights and meetings alike. I have it in navy but love the deep burgundy and black as well.
  • Slim Fit Perfect Shirt – I have this blouse in two different colors – the essential white and blue and white stripe. According to the label, I’ve had the white one for four years and the blue and white stripe for three years. Each sas It’s been a closet staple since I bought the white one back in 2012, according to th

Sweaters

  • Tippi Sweater – I’ve been adding a new color of this sweater to my closet each year since 2010 as it’s a classic, flattering sweater that comes in new colors every season. This year I added emerald green and burgundy to my wardrobe.
  • Sophie Open Front Sweater Blazer – This relaxed blazer can be worn for work and weekend alike, but my favorite aspect is that it’s long enough to wear with leggings! In fact, I threw it on over a turtleneck earlier this week for a video conference call with the customer.
  • Textured Long Cardigan – As soon as I saw this online I ordered it. The texture and colors make it a bit different than anything I own and I know I’ll wear it throughout the year. I’ll most likely pair it first with a black tissue turtleneck since this will make a perfect professional work-from-home look that is comfortable and chic!

Accessories

  • Layered Pearls – I bought these nine years ago to wear with my rehearsal dinner dress.  When I worked in an office, I wore this an average of once a week but these days I only wear it once a month or so. Regardless, it’s a classic piece of jewelry that has held up well and paid out years ago!

Have a great Friday!

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored and instead is a list of the things of my favorite things this week. As normal, it includes lots of beauty and fashion items which means there are a few affiliate links via ShopStyle. It takes time and money to maintain a blog so I thank you for the support and few cents that come from clicking through the links!

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Friday Favorites – October 19th, 2018

Happy Friday!  I’m thrilled to report that unlike last week, this week everyone is healthy and has had a great week. While it’s been a healthy week in our home, it’s been a really long work week. There are a lot of changes and things in motion with my team but it’s all good. Today, I will be joining a team meeting virtually for eight hours via FaceTime. Our team is experimenting with different remote conferencing options and this week I’ve had a few great one on one meetings leveraging FaceTime instead of our other computer conferencing capabilities.  While I usually do my best to join these full-day meetings in person, between Bo’s work travel and my half marathon tomorrow morning, a trip to Arkansas wasn’t in the cards this week.  In between this week’s non-stop meetings and conference calls, I’ve had the opportunity to get really excited for tomorrow’s half marathon. Picking up my bib at the expo made it all feel very real. The last time I ran a half marathon I was seven weeks pregnant with Katie and tomorrow, she’ll be sixteen months old! A lot has happened during those 23 months in between, but luckily, my love of running is still alive and well. I have a lot of things I want to share with you guys today, including the thing lots of you have asked me for – more fashion.

Now, let’s dive into this week’s edition of Friday Favorites, including recipes, articles, posts and of course, clothing items, that I’m loving this week.

  • Today Brooks launched their special NYC Marathon Pop Art Ghost 11 shoes. I was able to get a sneak peek earlier this week when Brooks sent me a pair to take for a test run. The vibrant pop art highlights some of NYC most iconic images including Statue of Liberty, an apple and skyscrapers. I have a feeling these are going to sell out quickly so head over to their website today to snag a pair for yourself!
  • I used to “runmute” or run commute home on an almost daily basis when we lived in Manhattan and Geneva. Charlie’s running backpack blog post highlighting the best backpacks for run commuters is a terrific resource for anyone who wants to do this but needs a trusted backpack that won’t chafe and will hold their gear!
  • Not only do I think this Fall Spiced Pumpkin Chili sounds and looks delicious, but I also love that Brittney’s recipe uses pantry staples versus hard-to-find spices or rare ingredients. I’m hoping to make this on Sunday so we can enjoy it next week as well as have a stash in the freezer. Did you know that when Bo and I cook on Sunday we typically double whichever recipe we are making so we can have leftovers in the freezer?
  • I love reading Cup of Jo not only because she’s the coolest mom around, who I tend to see on a daily basis since she lives a few blocks away, but also because I find myself inspired by her posts. Her Ode to Potluck has inspired me to send out an email/text to a few of my girlfriends in hopes of hosting a few potlucks here in the future. Having a potluck here means I don’t have to find a babysitter AND we don’t have to be rushed out of a restaurant or deal with reservations or over-priced wine.
  • I still haven’t baked pumpkin muffins this season and this morning I realized that I not only have multiple cans of pumpkin in the pantry but also two over-ripe bananas on the counter. After some searching I found this delicious Pumpkin Banana Muffin recipe that brings together moist banana bread with the warm, fall flavors of cinnamon and pumpkin.
  • When I shared a picture of our dinner Tuesday night, everyone asked for the chili recipe. This White Chicken Chili recipe has been a favorite of ours for years and I swear the leftovers are even better. The recipe isn’t what we consider a weeknight recipe since the chopping, but if you make a large batch during the weekend you can enjoy it throughout the week by quickly reheating it and pairing it with a simple side salad.
  • Okay, now it’s time for a fall Fashion round-up including these J.Crew items that I’ve been wearing non-stop since fall weather arrived in New York.
    • Since buying the Cocoon Coat (40% off) three years ago, it’s been one of my favorite items. I have a navy and white boucle style, that makes it a bit unique, but the coat is the same cozy, over-sized, warm version available again this year. The pockets are larger than normal, pefect for holding winter gloves or a scarf, and the oversized fit allows it to easily be worn over sweaters and winter layers. I wear a size 6, which is smaller than my normal J.Crew size so I definitely recommend sizing down.
    • The quilted vest (25% off) is a perfect transitional item this time of year and I wore my off white one yesterday over a cotton turtleneck. Many of my friends have these vests in different colors as they can be worn all winter long in the south and up here they are perfect for fall and spring.
    • JCrew’s tall high-rise jeans fit (25% off) me better than any other jean I’ve found and they tend to be half the price of the designer brands carried in most department stores.  After loving my classic, dark pair I just bought a pair of jet black jeans in the same high-rise style,
    • I love wearing this chambray shirt (25% off) with black dress pants or my leopard skirt for a fun weekday outfit.
    • The tissue turtleneck (25% off) if a great base layer beginning now, when worn alone or with a light vest or jacket, and can be worn throughout the winter under sweaters. I own six of them in different colors but my black and white stripe one is definitely my favorite.
    • This relaxed sweater blazer (25% off) can be worn for work and weekend alike, but my favorite aspect is that it’s long enough to wear with leggings! In fact, I think i’ll wear it for today’s conference call with a tissue turtleneck and leggings!
    • I’ve been adding a new color of the tippi sweater (25% off) to my closet each year since 2010 as it’s a classic, flattering sweater that comes in new colors every season. This year I added emerald green and burgundy to my wardrobe.
    • The martie slim pant (25% off) is my new favorite work pant. In fact, I loved my black pair so much that I ordered another pair in navy just a few weeks later. High-waist, slim fit and machine wash make these pants a no-brainer in my book!

Okay, I know this was a long post but I hope it’s a fun way to kick off your Friday! Have a great weekend friends!

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