Weekend Wish List

Pink Striped Button Down// Fair Isle Mittens// Floral Pajamas

Ballet Flats

Tweed Dress// Belted Cardigan// Diamond Heart Necklace

Some items of note... 

- My J.McLaughlin code SYDNEY20 works on this classic Pink Striped Button Down. I just got it and will do a styling session with it ASAP!

- Hot off the press, I got a discount code for this gorgeous Diamond Heart Necklace and everything else on Zoe Chicco's site! SYDNEY15 for 15% off! 

- Love this Belted Cardigan. It's giving Ralph Lauren for a fraction of the cost. 

Striped Dress// Cableknit Sweater// Hoop Earrings

 Pink Suede Loafers// Jacket Cardigan

Bra// Earrings

Skincare Set// Tunic Cardigan

Some items of note... 

- This Skincare Set is probably the best thing on today's wish list. My favorite Vitamin C is the Obagi 20%. I try different brands but always come back to the Obagi 20% because I notice the biggest difference. It's $150 full price. The price keeps going up and up which is so annoying. I always get asked if I like it more than Skinceuticals and yes, I do. I think Skinceuticals is right behind the Obagi. I prefer the Obagi texture and there is no weird scent. Anyway, I only buy it on sale and it's usually never in one of these 'kits'. This kit just launched and it comes with a full size of the exact Obagi vitamin C that I love plus 6 other full size products, a pouch, and a few other mini products and it's $150. I plugged in my code SUMMERWIND thinking there would be no way it would work on this set, but it does! So you can get a full size Obagi vitamin C serum for $127 and it comes with all of those other products, too. 

- I want to try this Bra. I have and love other bras from this brand and this is supposed to be the one they are known for. My code SYDNEYCFS15 is for 15% off and free shipping. I'll do a new discount code list very soon as I am getting many codes from brands in the last week or so! 

- This Striped Dress looks like Brooks Brothers but is actually Amazon! 

- Boat shoes are apparently making a comeback this year. Though I would consider them a timeless shoe choice for anyone at any age and they never come in or go out, you know how it goes nowadays with social media... everything becomes a 'trend'. Anyway, I'm all for boat shoes rising in popularity again. These Pink Suede Loafers are a fun twist on the classic boat shoe style.  

See last week's Weekend Wish List, here!

For your weekend reading, here are blog posts you may have missed from this week:

- Shows I've Recently Watched and What I'm Excited To Watch

- Bean Boots Are Not Snow Boots

- Quince Finds

- Lately

Are you following me on the LikeToKnowIt app?! You can shop all of my outfits, favorite finds, and more in the app. I am constantly updating it with the latest! You can also access all of my posts, here, if you don't use LTK! You can also find me on ShopMy, another shopping platform! 

This content may contain affiliate links; when you click the link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission (at no cost to you). 

Lately

Faux Fur Coat

It's been popping in and out of stock, so keep an eye out if you are interested. It's FABULOUS!

Pizza takeout from Harry's! 

Plates

The 'mini' brown butter cookies from Whole Foods are the best! 

We are over halfway through January, and even though I would consider January pretty dull and one of my least favorite months, it's flying by! This year, I've been making it a point to create lots of fun little things to look forward to and enjoy. We added a few date night dinner reservations to the calendar, plans with friends, and even small moments at home, like popping a nice bottle of bubbly one Saturday evening when we had no plans. I make it a point to leave my house, even in the evenings, even if just to browse somewhere like Homegoods. I've also been trying to get dressed almost daily and not stay in my lounge or workout clothes. I tend to get in a rut this time of year since it is so cold, and I stay in my lounge clothes and don't go out. It's basically hibernation, ha! But getting dressed and actually getting out and about has been so refreshing. 

I'm speaking on a panel at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Business tomorrow. They put on an influencer conference that brings together marketers in the region, and it's a day of education. I was on the panel last year, and the entire day was insightful. Being in person with some of the people I typically work with over email was great, so I'm looking forward to it. I enjoy public speaking. It's something I've been doing for many years, but I still get nervous! I'm excited to re-wear this dress, which is currently on sale!

Thank you to the person who commented last week about the Pasadena Humane Society in southern California near the wildfires. I had asked for a reputable source to donate to an animal charity, which was a great suggestion, and I ended up donating. This is a registered 501c3, so if your employer matches any donations, this is reputable and tax deductible. I love following the Dogist on Instagram for a daily dose of adorable pets and wholesome content. He went to LA to help out and chronicled his time. I see on their posts that they are asking for fosters to care for some of the pets. I know I don't have many LA followers, but it's worth mentioning that if you are local and can adopt a pet, check out the local shelters. When you adopt, you give that animal a wonderful life and open up more room for other animals to be cared for in the shelters.

Similar Cashmere Turtleneck// Jeans// Similar Boots

Belt// Velvet Headband

Cable Cashmere Sweater// Belt

Jeans// Necklace/ Boots

Wearing: Whenever it becomes frigid, I get really caught up in how to dress. I have found that simpler outfits are always better and so I've really been leaning into that lately! 

Are you following me on the LikeToKnowIt app?! You can shop all of my outfits, favorite finds, and more in the app. I am constantly updating it with the latest! You can also access all of my posts, here, if you don't use LTK! You can also find me on ShopMy, another shopping platform! 

Tillamook Ice Cream

Eating: Over Christmas,  my sister told me that Tillamook French vanilla ice cream was the best store-bought ice cream she had ever had. I found some at Target, and though they did not have the French vanilla, I got the old-fashioned vanilla, which was SO good. She was not wrong! I can't wait to try the other flavors. Many of you have suggested I try the strawberry. I love strawberry ice cream! I am not sure I can ever buy any other brand of ice cream again. I've tried all the 'fancy' brands like Van Leeuwen, Jeni's, etc. too! 

White Wine glasses

Drinking: I shared this photo on Instagram, and many of you asked about these glasses! I love this style and the fact that they are crystal. They are simple and elegant. While they are for white wine, I often use them for champagne as they recommend using a glass like this for bubbly. I have red wine glasses in this style and love them, too! 

Red Berry Tree

Hand Painted Vases, a new arrival I thought was pretty!

Sale: I found these red berry trees 50% off at my local PB and snagged one! I admired them leading up to the holidays, but the small one alone was $100, which felt overpriced! So excited to use these next year! They had so many great ornaments for around $3-8ish! I snagged a few of those, too! I love being things like this post-Christmas because I forget about them by the time November rolls around, and it's so fun to rediscover them then! 

Sale II: I received an EBY discount code, SYDNEYCFS15, for 15% off and free shipping. They make the BEST bras. 

Also, a reminder of my J. McLaughlin discount code, SYDNEY20 for 20% off full-price items, is good through the end of the month! 

Watching: Monday's blog post was all about what I've watched recently and what I am looking forward to watching!

Hand Soap// Brow Gel// Face Wash// Face Cream// Lip Oil

Loving: My Dermstore code, SUMMERWIND was renewed! I placed a big order of things I needed that I had run out of. These are all tried and true products.

Wanting: Lake has adorable new arrivals! These tennis shoes are too cute! Just got two of these $26 100% cotton sweaters to try out! This herringbone jacket is timeless! I want to try this 'calm down the red' cream! This cashmere snood is an extra 40% off making it under $50... such a chic ski accessory. These pants are so fun! Cutest little heart stoneware plate for just $3!

Pittsburgh: It's Pittsburgh Restaurant Week! The selections have been a little weak in past years, but it looks like more restaurants participated this time around than in some of the past weeks, and there are some great options. 

The photo above is actually from Mitchell's Fish Market, which is a chain restaurant. The photo includes mushroom pot stickers, fish tacos, crispy shrimp, and calamari. I went there the other night with my parents as we were browsing in the Galleria, and it was around dinner time, so we randomly stopped in. My husband was at the Pens game, so I had the night to myself! It was during their happy hour. They had so many great drink and food options. I was surprised to see the entire bar area was full of people! I now know why. My martini was excellent, and we loved everything we ate. I will definitely go back, especially because my husband saw the photos and now wants to try it! I hadn't been to Mitchell's in 15+ years. It used to be one of my favorite lunch/dinner spots when I was in high school, and girlfriends would get together and go shopping at the Galleria and then eat at Mitchell's. 

Amazon Rec: Just re-ordered this conditioner because I can never finish a shampoo and conditioner at the same time! 

You can find more of my Amazon favorites, here on my Amazon page where I am constantly updating it with all of my finds and top picks from home, beauty, fashion, and more!

Deodorant

Smelling: I just finished my first tube of Native deodorant. First of all, a tube lasts a long time, which is great considering it's a bit pricey compared to other drugstore deodorants. I ended up loving this and am shocked by that because I never thought I would be a 'natural' deodorant user, and here I am loving it! Anyway, I was using the cucumber scent, which was nice, and switched it up this time to the bergamot and pine. I also like this. Bergamot is one of my favorite scent notes. 

Quoting: 'If you can't feed 100 people, then just feed one.' -Mother Theresa // See more of my favorites, here.

This content may contain affiliate links; when you click the link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission (at no cost to you). 

Quince Finds

Cutting Board

For Christmas, my husband wanted a high-quality end grain cutting board. I automatically thought of the Boos Block brand as a brand known for its quality. The one he wanted had sold out. So my mom found one on Quince with almost identical specifications to the one he had wanted. 

I knew of the brand because they're known for their crazy low cashmere prices. This sweater is just $50. So my mom ordered my husband the cutting board and got my dad, brother-in-law, and husband all cashmere sweaters. 

The Cutting Board is incredible. We were all blown away at the quality, considering it was about half the price of the Boos Block brand. The cutting board is often shown as out of stock. Put your email in, and they will email you once it is back in stock. It comes back quickly but also sells out quickly, so you have to snag one quickly. This is how my mom was able to get one. 

The cashmere is beautiful. While it does not have the same luxurious feel as some of my favorite cashmere brands, the price for the quality is unbeatable and worth ordering if you want to add some affordable cashmere pieces to your closet. 

I haven't ordered anything since the Christmas gifts that my husband received, but now I am so intrigued by their website. My first question was, how is everything so inexpensive? They are a direct-to-consumer brand, so that's one way, and they apparently source their materials straight from factories, which I guess is another way. I'm also assuming it's a volume thing, kind of like Costco. 

The most intriguing thing is that they have a comparison chart on most product pages that names other brands and what they would charge for something similar. 

When I tell you they have everything, they really do. Housewares, linens, down jackets, jewelry, rugs, and more. Even gold bars and caviar, ha! 

This post is *not* sponsored by Quince. I'm just interested in the brand and wanted to hear your feedback on whether you have ever ordered from the brand. What have you ordered and been pleased with? Have you ordered anything and would not recommend it?!

The site has thousands of products, so I figured I would go through and pull the items that intrigue me the most! 

Real Shearling Coat// Diamond Tennis Necklace// Lounge Set

Down Puffer Jacket// Cashmere Socks// Luggage

Traditional Rug// Leather Travel Case

Leather Belt

Leather Boots// Stainless Fry Pan// Cashmere Puffer

Honorable mentions:

- .25 ct diamond bezel necklace crazy good price

- Linen Dress looks so much like my fave Reformation dress

- Backpack that looks just like my fave Dagne Dover travel backpack

- Alpaca Coat giving me major Theory vibes

- Adorable linen napkins that come in a set of 8!

- A French press that looks like you are having coffee at a luxury hotel

Bean Boots Are Not Snow Boots

Bean Boots

Revisiting this brief conversation I had with you all last week on Instagram! Someone asked what snow boots I like, and without hesitation, I said my Bean Boots. I put that response on my stories and got flooded with messages from people saying that their bean boots don't keep their feet warm in the snow. Some even asked for specific sock recommendations to help warm their bean boots further. 

It's not you, it's the Bean boots. 

I then shared this with you all: the traditional, 'regular' Bean boots are NOT snow boots. 

Did this spark a lightbulb moment for you? I didn't realize how many people did not know this! 

So, what better time to share than now, as snow is on the ground! 

Bean boots are generally for wet and/or muddy conditions. Think fall and spring! They have no insulation. The foot portion of the boot has a rubber exterior, and the reason your feet get so cold in the winter is that the rubber acts almost as refrigeration once the rubber absorbs the cold from the snow. A thick wool sock can help, but they're still not boots you want to rely on for snowy weather.

So then, what bean boots am I talking about that I wear in the snow? These particular bean boots are 8". The higher shaft gives you more ankle protection. The interior of the boots is lined with Goretex/Thinsulate insulation, which is the key. This insulation will keep your feet warm and dry. 

These are WARM, so if you live in a warmer climate, like the south or out west, like in Arizona, where you don't see much snow, these are likely too warm for you. If I wear these too early in the season, my feet get too warm. 

However, these are PERFECT for frigid, snowy winters. Right now, if I go outside to take Henry on a walk, this is what is on my feet. If you want even more warmth, they make shearling insoles to add to your boots. I have them but rarely add them as I find the Goretex/Thinsulate plenty warm. 

I've had these boots for over 10 years and are still in perfect shape. The quality is unmatched, and the design is timeless. This is a vintage photo from 12 years ago! They run big, and they only run in whole sizes. Size down one size from your usual size. 

You can also get them resoled for a fee. My dad has done this with him a few times, as he has had his since the 80s. I still do not need to do this. The soles on my boots are in pretty good shape. 

Another option is these tumbled leather boots lined with shearling. I like this look better than the smooth leather. However, I did not go with these because they are less waterproof in the tumbled leather, though you can waterproof them yourself. Also, the shearling is so soft and cozy, but it's easy for shearling to get matted down over the years and hard to fix. Think about any shearling footwear you own (Ugg comes to mind). It deteriorates quicker, so the boots would not hold up as long as the ones I have!

They make these boots for men, women, and children, so there is a good fit for everyone in most climates. I grew up wearing bean boots. My whole family wears them. They are part of growing up in snow, skiing, etc. Anyway, get yourself a pair of these boots; you will not regret it!