The Weekly, 06.07.21
I have been completely MIA from Pretty Busy for the last few weeks; I was just in a funk, with a major lack of creative energy and time outside of work that I normally (enjoy) dedicating to this site with the start of summer travel season. But here we are, back and ready for action with today’s Weekly, which is an accumulation of things I have been loving over the last few weeks. Are you ready?
As a side note, today’s post isn’t featuring any books, as it usually does. This is not for a lack of reading, but because I have, in fact, read so much, that I am going to be putting together a full post on my Spring reads so you can get your beach stack ready for vacation season. So hang tight!
01 ⁑ First up is my new Spring bag that I have been toting all around the city over the last few weeks since it came in. I really wanted a pastel or white bag that would just be something cute and light that could be my go-to bag for daytime or nighttime during the warmer months, and this color just spoke to me. I absolutely love Polene Paris – their bags are beautiful leather made with quality, but without the super steep price tag of a designer bag. I get so many compliments on the bags I have from them, and this cutie has been no exception to that. I wasn’t sure a color like this would go with everything, but I have had zero regrets about going for something different.
02 ⁑ I have spent the last few months testing nighttime eye creams to find one that I felt stood up to my tried and true, but the truth is, while I have a close-ish second with a more palatable price tag, there is nothing that stands up to this anti-aging eye cream from Beautycounter. From the thicker consistency that doesn’t leave with little white bumps under my eyes, to the anti-aging benefits, it is just my favorite and very much worth the price tag. I have yet to find something I like more, and am so glad it’s back in my rotation. I can absolutely feel the difference in my fine lines and just overall hydration around my eyes.
03 ⁑ Let me just say, I am bitter that Madewell opted not to have a start-of-summer sale last weekend, but it didn’t stop me from purchasing this adorable summer staple romper from them after letting it sit in my cart all weekend. Once I saw it on Sarah from @sassyredlipstick, I was a done deal. So cute on a curvier figure, made in a gorgeous light-spun cotton, and inclusive sizing? Sign me up. I know I am going to be wearing this little number all summer long. It also comes in a great olive green color, but I had just bought something in that color so I opted for black, which will go with everything.
04 ⁑ I have been on the hunt for affordable and comfortable pajamas, and finally decided it was time to get myself set up with some lighter-weight options for the warmer months in lieu of sweatpants. I just can’t justify spending tons of money on pajamas, but I really wanted something similar to the buttery-soft fabric of higher end options. I saw @kathleenjenningsbeauty share about this Target option from the line Stars Above, and I love that they are sold in some super affordable sets. I ended up with four or five sets, and once they came in, I am hooked! They are so soft, and the sizing is perfect (I took a Large). Would highly recommend for the price tag!
05 ⁑ Although bath life is a bit more like sauna life in the summer, I will never quit, especially since I won’t be able to take baths at the shore. I’ve been hitting up OrangeTheory more over the last few weeks, and that means lots of muscle aches. I already loved Equilibrium’s CBD products, but I decided to splurge on these bath bombs. I have to say, I like these more than the bath salts, I think? The smell is the same, but they leave a little shimmer in the water and take a bit longer to dissolve but have more bang for your buck. These are great for relaxing the tension post-workout, and have a subtle spa-like scent that I find perfectly calming for a before-bed treat. Another plus? They are a women-owned brand who just committed to lowering their prices for greater access to their products. YES.
06 ⁑ Chris and I decided to take the plunge and book tickets to Italy to finally enjoy a honeymoon vacation that we never took after our wedding almost three years ago. Our plan had always been to go to Europe last summer, and we prayed after realizing it wasn’t going to happen that we would be able to go summer 2021. Here we are, fully vaccinated and Europe is opening, so we are taking all of the precautions (6 tests in two weeks) to take the trip. And you can now understand that literally every purchase I make will be for that trip now. It’s going to be so hot, so I found these adorable shorts from the extended size collection I never knew Mango had – Violeta (thank you, Maxey Greene). They feel very easy, breezy, and European vacation to me! Already planning outfits in my head…I took a size Medium.
07 ⁑ If you missed my full review on the Necessaire line, then it’s a must read if you have clicked on/swiped up on these cult-favorite but rather indulgent bath and body products. The truth is, I keep going back for more, and when they released a body oil a few weeks ago, I clicked “order” ASAP! I love a body oil, especially after a post-beach shower for the most hydration. Layered with a lotion, an oil is going to leave that subtle glow without being too sticky. Unscented, full of good ingredients, I am so ready for this to come my way.
08 ⁑ I have cooled down on my Sephora orders since their Spring savings sale, but the one item that was a re-purchase for me is this mascara from Lancome that I am so in love with. I am quite picky with my mascaras, and this one is in close competition with my favorite from Ilia. The wand gives really great volume, and it really just elongates the lashes without any clumping or stickiness. If you’re looking for a versatile mascara, this is it.
09 ⁑ The number one thing everyone should have in their daytime skincare routine? SPF. Regardless of whether you go outside or not, you should be wearing SPF every day to protect your skin from just about everything and to give your products a chance to work effectively. I purchased this GlowScreen from Supergoop during the Sephora sale, and I was testing it to see how it compared to my usual favorite. I really really enjoy this product, and the subtle glow it gives as a base under any foundation. You can use the appropriate amount without feeling goopy or sticky, and it just really protects throughout the day. I love it paired with Ilia’s SuperSerum foundation, or the Saie Slip Tint, both with some added SPF. This is even great for a day without makeup at the beach, leaving you with fresh skin that’s protected. Bonus? It’s on sale at the Supergoop sitewide sale (20% with code Summer20) right now.
10 ⁑ If you’re looking for a healthy summer glow without the sun damage, then I have found this summer’s self-tanner of choice from Isle of Paradise. It’s a foam that applies so easily, and even comes with a mitt to apply (never apply self-tanner without a mitt, please) that makes it easy for beginners. I love this brand, and their products, and this set is no exception. It’s already on repeat every few days for a great, non-orange glow.
11 ⁑ I am really trying to be better about shoe purchases, and invest in less shoes, at a better quality, that have better payoff in terms of their wearability across my wardrobe. So when I started looking for a summer heeled sandal, I wanted something that isn’t too high, but neutral enough to match with most of my outfits. I found this pair of sandals from Schutz, and I love that they quite literally match with everything with those clear straps. They are trendy, without the squared toe trend of the 90s I can honestly live without. These will definitely be in the vacation rotation with some white jeans or a cute maxi.
12 ⁑ Friday’s massive rain and thunderstorm really caught me off guard as I came out of OrangeTheory. I was wearing a not so supportive built-in-bra top that is not great for running or really any HIIT workouts, and ended up having to hold down my chest as I jogged to my car while getting soaked. I was already thinking I needed some new workout tops that were a longer length than a sports bra, but don’t force me to wear a second layer. In an effort to shop more inclusively and sustainably when/where I can, I decided to go for these cropped bra-tanks from the girlfriend collective after seeing them on Olivia Muenter. Their products are size inclusive (I love the diversity in their models), and they are made from recycled materials. They even offer you a site credit when you send them old products. I grabbed two of these, and one of their swimsuits which I will have to report back on. Such simple, but cute colors (orange!) and cuts! Definitely check them out.
Three more weeks of school, and then school is out for summer! I think every teacher, student and staff member at school deserves a break this summer, away from screens and all of the emotional hardship that has come with the last year and a half. I’m signing off staring at the $30 peonies I splurged on at the supermarket (actually, I didn’t know their price tag until after I paid for them), so I had better enjoy them and the sunshine we have before the week-long rain ahead. Stay pretty busy, and hang in there folks!
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