The Weekly, 04.26.21
Spring really spring this weekend, and by that, I mean my allergies are on fire. I felt like I was in a wheezing state yesterday, and it was officially not cute to have the windows open anymore. So we closed up, and put the AC on for the first time. Beyond my seasonal allergy despair, we had the most amazing day on Saturday celebrating two of our closest friends getting engaged, and we were part of the proposal. We have been to many weddings over the yers, with a pause in the last year, but there is something special about being able to celebrate this moment for two people who are so central in your life. Such wonderful vibes and so great to have a moment of positivity amidst the chaos of everything right now.
I want to work on making this Weekly posts less overwhelming and scattered, and more of a tailored and curated list of what I am shopping, using and loving. I’ll be keeping an emphasis on the things that make Pretty Busy a place you love, but trying to focus on a top twelve (for the sake of aesthetics) items of the week that I am excited about and want to share with all of you. Here’s my first go…
01. The real hero of the weekend was my Dyson Airwrap. Yes, the price tag is beyond ridiculous, and I want to tell you it’s not worth it, but it really and truly is such a hero tool. This was my Christmas gift this year, and while it has taken me a few months to get the hang of how to maximize its potential, it just gives you the most insane salon-blowout look at home, and becomes so user-friendly as you get the hang of it. I ended up doing my friend’s hair for her proposal in an emergency “pretend I went to the salon for my alibi” situation, and it truly looked like she got her hair done 20 minutes later. If you have ever questioned, “Do I need this?” The answer is no, but it sure is awesome to have.
02. I’m having a major moment for midi dresses right now. They make the perfect transitional season piece, easy to pair with a denim jacket, a sweater, some sandals or even sneakers. They just work with everything, making them a necessary wardrobe staple. I love this midi-dress I just got in from Amazon’s The Drop collection; it’s a black tencel material, and I took my usual size (L), but could have sized up for a looser fit. It’s going to be great for multiple seasons, and an easy go-to when you don’t know what to wear.
03. So the Sephora is over, and despite ordering tons of new products to try for you, one of my top products from my whole haul is something I got a free sample of – go figure. I am obsessed with this rose colored highlighter from one of my favorite beauty lines – Rare Beauty. I thought maybe this shade would maybe be too dark and too obvious on my skin tone, but honestly, it’s divine. I really love it and will absolutely be buying this. Shades I’ve sampled and love – Transcend and Mesmerize.
04. If you’re not following things.i.bought.and.liked on Instagram, good for your wallet. But she has some of the best and most random recommendations on a whole host of products, and I picked up this hyaluronic acid serum when she shared it a few months. An empty bottle and a re-order later, it’s one of the best baseline hyaluronic acid serums to incorporate into your AM or PM routine if you’re in need of some extra hydration. It’s light-weight and affordable, so it’s a must have skincare staple for me.
05. I’m going to try and put together a list of the books I am reading this season after finishing a few this week, but my favorite is a new release from one of my favorite rom-com authors, Abby Jimenez. I picked up, Life’s Too Short, and read it in less than a day. It was enjoyable, easy to read, and the main characters were quite likable. These are on the less sex-centered side of romance books with more plot and character development than most. The main character is Vanessa, a YouTube star thrown into motherhood after her unstable sister is unable to care for her newborn. Vanessa is in the weeds with all of it, and after listening to a screaming baby for hours in the middle of the night, her hot neighbor comes over and provides some temporary aid so Vanessa can shower. It’s a quick and enjoyable read if you’re looking for one.
06. I’m a lady who likes to get ready in a robe, but I also get the worst shower seats. I love my Skims robe, but now that the weather is getting warmer, I need something lighter to get ready in the morning. I picked up this cotton tie-dye robe from Urban Outfitters. I am a teensy-bit nervous that it’s a one-size situation, but I am hoping it will be enough just for getting ready in the morning. It would also be super cute kimono style over a tee-shirt and jeans with some sandals.
07. I know Birkenstocks are very much a love or hate for most people, but I am on the side for love even when Chris is not. Now that I’m back at work every day, I really forgot how tired my legs and feet are at the end of the day. Enter, comfortable shoes. I decided to splurge a bit on this pair of white Birks, because I love the big buckle detail. I love the white footbed, and they will go with just about everything. If white is not your thing, they are also so cute in black – very on trend for summer. The perfect Spring and summer shoe.
08. I’m working on a post about the serums that I think everyone needs in their skincare routines for (hopefully) this week, but I finished up my first two-month supply of this subscription I started and have been testing. And now that I am one supply down, and onto my second bottles, I am ready to tell you that this is such a clutch product set from a dermatologist created skincare brand, BeautyRx from Dr. Schultz. This duo comes as a two month supply that you subscribe and save for, and is such a good bargain and easy solution for those of you scared to start skincare serums in your routine. It includes an AHA/BHA acid serum that you apply at night after cleansing, followed by a Vitamin C serum you can use at night and/or during the day. I highly recommend this product, and the results have been super excellent so far in working on skin texture and dark spots.
09. Up next we have the star of my weekly shoe rotation right now – a pair of high-top Converse sneakers. I just grabbed a pair in bright white, but also love this parchment color. They are the shoe to have right now, paired with more classic styles for an updated and fresh look. I shared how I saw a few bloggers styling in my last Weekly, and now that I have mine, I’ve been wearing this pretty much exclusively, with jeans, dresses, sweats- whatever. You have to look around a bit for sizes – found a few in stock at DSW, Revolve, and through Converse. I size a full size down from an 8 to a 7.
10. I’ve always been a big fan of jumpsuits, and have had a pair of coveralls on my list for wants for so long. I finally took a chance on this option from Everlane, because I love all of of their basics. It won’t ship until this week, but I think it’s going to be great when it gets here. While I don’t think they will be the easiest outfit for someone with a small bladder, I just love the look for Spring and summer, especially in this off-white color. Add a cardigan and some sandals, and you’ve got yourself an outfit made – one piece, full outfit, that’s my jam.
11. These are the jeans I can’t stop talking about and have now forced upon others to buy. I am obsessed with this line of Curve Love jeans from Abercrombie, and I really wanted some distressed light-wash denim that are similar to the AGOLDE pairs everyone is posting that I doubt one of my thighs could squeeze into for a $200 price tag. This is their “mom jean” style, which is really just code for high-waisted, stiff cotton jeans, and so I grabbed my usual size to let them stretch with wear. You need a pair of these jeans if you’re tempted to try.
12. My last pick is a touch random, but one of my favorite fridge staples for Spring. I don’t know what it is about the weather getting warmer, but it makes me want Starbucks beverages all of the time. My favorite order? An iced dirty chai tea latte made with coconut milk. To save some money, I buy the chai tea concentrate they use on Amazon, and I get this skinny version to skip out on all of the sugar, which upsets my stomach. Pour it over ice (about a 1/4 of the cup), brew a shot of espresso for a boost, add in some frothed milk, and some honey if you want a little sweetener. It is divine, and you will be hooked.
I hope you guys like this approach to the Weekly, and that it makes it easier to view and shop. I’m about to dive into some meal-prep with this Peruvian chicken and some French onion soup for the week. I’m exhausted from two nights out on the town in a post-pandemic world, and I am looking forward to lounging on the couch on this rainy day, away from the pollen outside. Stay pretty busy!
