Friday, November 14, 2025

Weekend Wish List

Some items of note... 

- I love the color of this Green Cashmere Sweater.

- I love the look of a concho belt, but they can be so expensive! This Belt is a gorgeous and more affordable option! 

- This handbag brand has so many gorgeous bags, and I love this Navy Croc Handbag.

- This Navy Dress looks like Self Portrait but is less costly! It's also great because you can wear it during the holiday season and beyond. 

Some items of note... 

- These Ballet Flats have a cozy lining! 

- I love a shawl cardigan, and this Cardigan is perfect for cozy winter weekends. 

- Holiday party ready with this Plaid Skirt. I'd pair it with a simple black top or crisp white button-down. 

- I recently got these Winter Boots, and they are so incredibly comfortable and well-made. 

- I want this Sports Bra in every color. So comfortable! 


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



You can find me on ShopMy, where I link all of my outfits, favorite finds, home decor, beauty, and more! I am constantly updating it with the latest! You can also follow me on the LTK app. Plus, you are able to access all of my posts, here, on my website! 

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).

Thursday, November 13, 2025

Lately

Saw these potted herbs and rosemary trees at Whole Foods and thought they'd make a great host/hostess gift! They were on sale for just $10!


It was COLD on Monday and Tuesday... like winter cold. I had to break out my gear. I love this fleece gaiter and these down gloves. 

'Tis the season for absolute craziness, and I am taking it in stride. With so many fun work projects and social events on the calendar, I have to be hyper-organized, and I've done just that. We'll see how long I can keep it going,  ha! 

I've shared four gift guides so far: 

Next week, I will share three more on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday! Then, there will be four more, spread out over the weeks leading up to Christmas, for a total of 11 guides. 

I have a full weekend schedule starting this evening. Tomorrow night is what I am most excited (and nervous) about. A non-Pittsburgh brand is hosting an event here IN Pittsburgh for influencers/content creators. I will share more afterward. But the reason I am so excited is that things like this don't often happen in Pittsburgh! I'm honored to have been invited, but even if I weren't, I'm delighted to see things happening here! 

We put up the Christmas tree this week, and I love how it turned out. I am glad I got a new tree and hope it lasts many years. 


White Top (use code SYDNEY15)// Black Corduroys// Green Bag


Wearing: I've been wearing a lot of black this week. No idea why, but that seems to be the theme! 

You can find me on ShopMy, where I link all of my outfits, favorite finds, home decor, beauty, and more! I am constantly updating it with the latest! You can also follow me on the LTK app. Plus, you are able to access all of my posts, here, on my website! 


Eating:
Drinking: I placed a large wine order ahead of the holidays, and I selected these four bottles because I think they would make a great gift for anyone who enjoys red wine. These are all solid and pretty recognizable. They are all under $75. Price is descending from left to right. 

Sale: One of my favorite holiday candles of all time is on sale. 

Currentbody, the brand that makes my red light mask, has increased my discount code from 10% to 20% off! My code is SUMMERWIND. It's the best discount available. 

Up to 20% off at Smathers and Branson. The best gifts for the men in your life! 


Watching:
 Have you all seen the trailer for Toy Story 5? I was always such a big fan of Toy Story. I vividly remember my aunt and grandma taking us to see Toy Story 2 in theaters, and afterward, we got to pick out a Toy Story 2 toy at the store. I picked out Jessie! It's one of the rare movie series where they are all good! Even as an adult, I think they are cute. The movie is set to release this summer, and although I probably won't see it in theaters, I look forward to watching it. The storyline revolves around screens/technology, and as someone who uses screens way too much for her job, I'm eager to see how it's portrayed. I'm guessing the 'screen' will be the bad guy?! I hope so! 

Loving: I'm very much an advocate of wool rugs. I was skeptical about Ruggables, but once I got one for our guest bathroom, I became a fan. This runner is soft underfoot and machine washable. It's perfect for areas like an entryway, bathroom, or kitchen, or for use throughout the home if you have pets. I think of Mac in his last year or two and how some of the rugs in my parents' house were just ruined. This kind of thing would have made everything less stressful. 

Loving: This is a cleaner version of an Oxy-type laundry booster. I used it for the first time this weekend on our duvet cover after my parents' pup, Buddy, spent the weekend with us. The duvet cover came out cleaner than ever. I was shocked! I expected it to work, but wow, consider me majorly impressed. 

Loving: Love this little knit bandana scarf. It's under $50 and scratches the trendy bandana print itch without breaking the bank on a trend. I like that this is a knit because I think it will be a cute pop of color with a ski jacket! This comes in many colors and would be a cute gift. 


Wanting:
The D. Porthault collaboration with PM is beautiful! Martini pajamas? Say less! This navy dress is the perfect thing to wear around the holidays, but is great because it doesn't scream 'holiday' and therefore, you could wear it for any occasion year-round! There's a matching jacket that is giving Emily Gilmore, in the best way! The most beautiful shade of green cashmere. I got these sneakers not too long ago, and they are on sale. They're a very slim profile, which makes me feel chic and 'current'. They're inexpensive, but the quality is great. I've been searching for a beautiful silver frame since I broke ours while I was dusting... oops! I saw this one in the store the other day, and it caught my eye! Love a good velvet dressUnder $50 needlepoint personalized stockings! My husband has this as his stocking and it's adorable! Thinking of ordering this faux fur coat. Love love love this cocktail dress! So unique. Everything from that brand is so good right now. This plaid jacket is timeless. Another navy cocktail dress that is perfection. A beautiful, cozy red cardigan. Adding this tonal fair isle sweater to cart. Speaking of Fair Isle, this is another gorgeous tonal number. These holiday pajamas are restocked! Can't decide if I prefer the black or the white in this dress because the black is so chic and straightforward, but the bows really pop on the white! These blue and white pajamas look like Delft tiles. Wow, love. This tab has been sitting open in my browser for weeks. I love it so much! Anyone need a black tie gown? A coat even better than MaxMara. The most perfect flag sweater I've ever seen. A dainty eyelet lace top. I ordered these on a whim. I am doubting they will work on my hair, but I've got the itch to switch it up! My sister got two cats this year, and they are SO cute. I am going to surprise her with these pajamas! A cardigan fit for a ski chalet. This turtleneck would also fit right in your ski chalet wardrobe! I really hope this jacket comes back in stock! A dress I'm considering for Christmas Eve.
Pittsburgh: My husband picked up these sandwiches this weekend for lunch from Pane e Pronto, Dianoia's outpost, and they were SO good! People sleep on this place, but it's so worth popping in! 

Amazon Rec: I can't remember if I showed you our flatware. I just bought another set. I've had the other set for 5 years, and we love it. 


I got these ornaments a few years ago and love them. I found this set that looks very similar

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!

Smelling: I have been using and loving this all-purpose wipe brand for months. I use the smaller tub in my car, and it has saved me so many times with spills, messes, and just general wiping down my hands after workouts, at gas stations, etc. Big fan. Anyway, they sent me a holiday package this week, which was fun. Inside, they had holiday-scented wipe options, which I thought was interesting, as the ones I have in my car are unscented. Well, the Fraser Fir wipes smell just like Thymes Fraser Fir, if you are familiar with that glorious scent! So fun for the holidays. Though they come in a large package, it'll be Valentine's Day, and I'll still be whipping things down with Fraser Fir, ha! 

Traveling: We have a fun little trip planned soon! I am so excited! We always try to take a family trip around the holidays, but we couldn't get all six of us to align, so just my husband and I are going to take our own little pre-holiday trip. 

Quoting: Kindness often echoes longer than words. //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). 

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

Gift Guide: For Him


Today is for the men in our lives! I find it hard to shop for men! As always, this guide is inspired by my dad and husband. Both love golf, skiing, traveling, dogs, a stiff cocktail, live music, classic/preppy clothing and accessories, and sports. So, if this sounds like any guy in your life, this gift guide will help. If you need more ideas, check out my Father's Day guide from this year, and the 2024 Men's shoes and clothing and For the Men guide!

Here are the current guides so far, and I've also linked the 2024 guides at the bottom of this post, which remain relevant this year.

2025 Gift Guides:

Cashmere Quarter Zip// My husband has this in a few colors, and they are his go-to during the color months. The cashmere is soft, the fit is polished, and it's very comfortable. 

Cologne// Each time my husband wears this one, I ask him what it is, and it's always Dior! It's my favorite on him! Scent notes are: Calabrian bergamot and Pepper, Sichuan Pepper, Lavender, Pink Pepper, Vetiver, Patchouli, and Geranium. Of course, it has bergamot and vetiver. If I see a scent with those notes, I just know I will like it. 

Custom Pet Golf Head Cover// This is such a cool gift and one I have yet to give. Someone on Etsy creates golf head covers that resemble the recipient's pet. They're pretty darn accurate and so cute. It combines my husband's two favorite things: Henry and golf into one gift! 

Performance Golf Shirt// This is currently my husband's favorite golf shirt brand. They fit him the best and are not sloppy-looking. 

Personalized Travel Pouch// We both have these travel pouches and love them. They are made of lightweight neoprene fabric and are the perfect size for items like chargers and sunglasses. Now, through 11/16, they are 25% off. 

Down Parka// This is my husband's go-to winter parka when it is frigid. It's significantly less costly than a brand like Canada Goose, and this coat is quite comparable to my Canada Goose parka. It keeps him nice and warm and is very comfortable and thoughtfully designed. It comes in several colors and is currently on sale as of the posting date (November 12th). 

Redness Serum// My husband and I both love this brand, but he uses more of their products than I do. This is his newest addition, and he loves it for his very sensitive, redness-prone skin. We both love this 'skin solution' spray because it's so refreshing and truly helps the skin to calm down. This brand's products are all gentle and high-quality. 

Hand and Body Lotion// This is pricey hand and body lotion, but this is my husband's favorite. I like i,t but it's a little thin compared to others that I prefer. He likes that it's on the thinner side and dries down quickly. He puts it on his hands every single night and says it works so well. I usually use it on my legs if anything. But the smell is DIVINE. 

Needlepoint Belt// My husband and dad both have quite the belt collections, and S+B is their go-to brand. They offer a wide range of colors and prints that cater to various interests. You can even make a life belt with custom-designed icons. The quality is great. My husband's latest addition was the Grateful Dead dancing bears belt he bought last year. 

Shearling Leather Slippers//. My husband needed new slippers and just ordered these a few weeks ago. They're beautiful, which is really saying something regarding men's slippers. 

Portable Speaker// I think this is one of those universally appealing gifts. Give anyone the gift of music, and you cannot go wrong. There are many different models available at varying price points, but the one I've included in this guide is the one we currently have. It's portable, but it's pretty large and heavy! The sound is so crisp. 

Rain Boots// My husband got a targeted ad for these boots and ordered them, and has been so impressed. They offer a variety of colors to choose from, and the boots are warm and comfortable. They run true to size. 

Quilted Pullover// This is another universally appealing item. It's a soft and comfortable sweatshirt that comes in a few nice colors. 

Travel Bar// There are so many incredible travel bars out there- some priced into the thousands, but this one is a great price and has everything you need to tailgate in style. My parents gave us something similar years ago, and it's come in handy many times! 

Flag Rope Hat// My husband has WAY too many hats, so I definitely will not be getting him this, but I do love rope hats on guys! 

Cotton Cashmere Button Down// A classic wardrobe staple for the cooler months! 

Belgian Loafers// I love J.McLaughlin men's shoes. They are well-made and feature numerous timeless designs each season. 

Weekender Travel Bag// This travel bag is priced right and keeps things organized and streamlined. It has a longer shoulder strap and a trolley sleeve for easy travels! 


You can find me on ShopMy, where I link all of my outfits, favorite finds, home decor, beauty, and more! I am constantly updating it with the latest! You can also follow me on the LTK app. Plus, you are able to access all of my posts, here, on my website! 

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).

Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Gift Guide: For Her Under $100


Another gift guide for today, and this one’s all about gifts under $100 for her! Personally, I think this $55-100ish range is getting tougher and tougher every year. There are many great options under $50 and over $100, but I did my best! These picks are perfect for your girlfriends, mother-in-law, sister, aunt, and more.

When I put together my gift guides, I always try to be mindful about choosing items that don’t require knowing someone’s exact size. Pajamas are sometimes an exception since you can usually guess, but things like jeans or fitted clothing can be tricky unless you know their sizing really well.

And I’d love to hear your take on this, but I think the best gifts are the “little luxuries.” Things like cozy pajamas, fancy olive oil, or a beautiful travel pouch. They’re not essentials, but they’re such fun surprises to receive. They're the kinds of things you might not splurge on for yourself. I know some people think candles are overdone, but I’m firmly on team candle: they’re one-size-fits-all, universally appreciated, and such a nice little indulgence.

Here are the current guides so far, and I've also linked the 2024 guides at the bottom of this post, which remain relevant this year.

2025 Gift Guides:

Leather Heart Pouch// A small leather good is always a nice gift. Think wallets, pouches, luggage tags, valet trays, gloves, etc. This little pouch is darling and comes in many colors. It's the perfect size to stash things like lip gloss, mints, and more in a big tote! 

Needlepoint Pillow// I love these cheeky needlepoint pillows. They are so fun. There are many creative designs and saying,s so there is something for everyone. 

Earrings// I wear these earrings at least once a week. They pair well with everything and make a fun alternative to traditional diamond studs. My mom and sister also have these, and I will be giving someone these as a gift this holiday season! 

Slippers// You can't go wrong with slippers because they are something that needs to be replaced every few years. They are very comfortable and machine washable. What sets them apart from something like my Ugg slippers is that they have a wonderfully cushioned and supportive footbed! 

Travel Mirror// This is the coolest mirror. It folds flatter than an iPad. When you unfold it, you can adjust it in different positions. It also lights up and is rechargeable. This is truly the best for travel. There is nothing worse than applying makeup in a hotel room with bad lighting.

Faux Fur Scarf// I love faux fur because the texture is so rich. Faux fur accessories are a great way to add a touch of elegance to any coat. 

Hair Towel// I give this towel a 10/10. I use it each time I wash my hair. It's something I never knew I needed until I was gifted one several months ago. I always put my hair up on my head in my bath towel. This towel is much lighter and the right shape to get the hair bundled, and then you can tuck the tail of the towel into the elastic strap. It's thoughtfully designed. It feels so much lighter and more comfortable on my head. This is one of the best gift ideas on this under $100 list! 

Clear Travel Pouches// I've loved traveling with these clear 'parcels'. The tops of them are magnetic, so they stay shut, but they are also able to attach to each other. I have the two smallest sizes, which work perfectly for toiletries for a week or less of travel. 

Wood Cutting Board// This is the most beautiful cutting board. It's also the perfect size for daily use. We have several wood cutting boards, and I particularly love this one because it's not overly heavy, so it's very easy to hand-wash and move around the kitchen. It's not huge, making it perfect for someone with limited storage space. This is a great gift idea, as many people are ditching their plastic cutting boards in search of healthier alternatives. 

Down Mittens// I love these down mittens, and I never see them on other gift guides. I don't understand why, because these are so warm and cozy, and you cannot beat the price for real down mittens. I wear these all of the time in the winter (aka right now). My dad got my mom these a few years ago, and she is also a big fan. 

Hair Mask// This is the best hair mask I've ever used. It's so hydrating, and the tub is huge. I use this in place of conditioner. Although this mask is very hydrating and repairing, it's not heavy, so it won't weigh down the hair. I think most hair types could benefit from this mask! 


Hand Soap// This hand soap is a big splurge. I was sent this originally, and immediately hooked. Even my husband is obsessed. To start, the heavy, large glass bottle is beautiful. It's so pretty that it's something you'd want to refill over and over. The scent notes are maritime pine, sea salt, and cypress. Although the scent is 'Miami', it doesn't smell beachy but rather very clean and crisp with an undertone of warmth. It's intoxicating. My husband loves it so much that he uses the body lotion daily. The soap follows European standards for safe ingredients. They also contain active ingredients for anti-aging and hydration. It's the fanciest soap I've ever used. This is definitely not a gift for everyone, but rather for someone who would truly appreciate something like this. 

Personalized Canvas Tote// I have this tote and absolutely love it. There are many different spots on the tote where you can add embroidered emblems. They have different icons and letters, so you can make it all your own. Not to mention, the tote itself is high quality. There is a nice, big interior zip pocket and an adjustable shoulder strap. 

Striped Crewneck Sweatshirt// This sweatshirt is currently on sale for a song. My sister and I both have it. It runs roomy. I got a small. It's the perfect athleisure piece to throw on before and after workouts. The fabric is somewhat similar to the Varley fabric that many people know and love. It's lightweight but still decently warm. It's slightly cropped, but not overly so. 

Lounge/Pajama Set// This set is the perfect warm-weather duo. It's lightweight, soft, and nice quality, but the fit is what sets it apart from other similar sets. The crewneck tee has the perfect length sleeves- not too long, not too short. The shorts are also the perfect length, modest yet still short. I wear a size medium, which is the same size I wear in Lake Pajamas and Roller Rabbit. 

Portable Speaker// My dad has always been a Bose fan. Growing up, we always had Bose products, and he always traveled with a mini Bose speaker, so music was playing wherever we were. For Father's Day this year, I upgraded his 10-year-old speaker with the newest model, and the sound is unbelievable. It's so crisp and clear. Then, when I went on the Nantucket trip with the PR agency, they gifted me a speaker. We use it all of the time. This is one of their smallest options, which would be perfect for frequent travelers or college students. 

Wipeable Placemats// We use these placemats all the time because they are wipeable. They're double-sided, too, so you get two looks in one. They take everyday meals and elevate them a touch. 

Collared Sweatshirt// I wear this collared sweatshirt at least once a week. It's soft, oversized, and adorable. I wear this mostly with athletic and lounge outfits, but it's cute enough that you could wear it with jeans. It runs roomy. I got a size small, and it fits perfectly oversized. 

Pool Tote Bag// This line of pool bags is adorable. The inside and outside are wipeable, and it comes with a small pouch to store your phone and more. 

Sunglasses// I just tried on a bunch of sunglasses in Warby Parker and landed on these. They are so fun. They have seemingly endless options for sunglasses and glasses, but the nice part about their sunglasses is that you can buy them without a prescription. You can just order sunglasses like you would on a regular fashion website! 


Cashmere Wrap// A cashmere wrap makes a good gift for anyone. Quince is a great spot for affordable yet high-quality pieces. Their cashmere isn't the best ever, but it's nice, and you cannot beat their price points!

Printed Scarf// I love these printed scarves that come in many different colors and patterns. They are a great designer look for less!

Ruffled Vase// I have this little vase and am always looking for an excuse to use it. It's adorable. Bonus points if you give the vase with flowers in it! 

Cushioned Stackable Mat// This is a yoga/workout mat, but it's padded.  You can fold it, and it acts as a riser!

Rollneck Sweater// This is such a timeless design made from 100% cotton. This design is suitable for both men and women of any age. 

Cocktail Picks// I love collecting cocktail picks. I particularly love the ones that come with a cute little vessel! You can gift cocktail picks with a jar of olives! These Martini Olives are the best jarred olives I have ever had. They are so meaty and always stay crisp!

Slim Aarons Coffee Table Book// A coffee table book is always a nice idea. You can select a book that appeals to the recipient's interests!

Personalized Phone Case// This is a pricey phone case. Luckily, it's on sale right now, 25% off! It's such a fun case. There are many color options to choose from. 

Cableknit Knit Set// This is like a chenille sweater knit material that is so cozy and warm. It's *very* warm, so this is the perfect thing for someone who lives in a colder climate or likes to spend their weekends at the ski cabin. 


You can find me on ShopMy, where I link all of my outfits, favorite finds, home decor, beauty, and more! I am constantly updating it with the latest! You can also follow me on the LTK app. Plus, you are able to access all of my posts, here, on my website! 

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).
 

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