Lately

Henry bathing in the October sunshine. 

A moment of 'me' time. And the photographic evidence of why you shouldn't buy Halloween candy in early October. Whoops. I really love reading magazines and flipping through catalogs before bed. It's light and enjoyable. 

Touches of the season around our house!

Dried out some of my hydrangeas for the winter!

It has been a busy work week around here! I've spent a lot of it on the computer, so I don't have too many photos to share from this week. I guess the first week in October is when seemingly every brand decides to launch their holiday collections, gift guides, and more. My inbox has been flooded with holiday things. I've been slowly sifting through the volume of stuff to find the best things, which has been overwhelming but FUN! I love the holiday season. It's such a warm and generally happy time. It's also my busiest season for work, so I do sometimes feel a little crazed. My goal this year is to be calmer... easier said than done!!! Honestly, my eternal goal is to be calmer, but it always seems out of reach. One day! 

With all that holiday talk, I also feel a bit desperate to try to stay in the moment. October is the BEST here in Pittsburgh. The weather is crisp; we are often blessed with stunningly sunny days; the leaves start to change (and this year they are supposed to really put on a show), and everything just feels really cozy. 

This weekend, I have a whole list of fun things going on. My sister comes to town this evening because we are going to a wedding this weekend. So Friday, I'll hang with her, and we are going to go out to dinner with my parents; Saturday is the wedding, and then Sunday, my husband and I are going to a concert! 

This past weekend, we took Henry to his annual vet appointment. The older he gets, the more nervous I am leading up to the appointment. He is my precious little pup, and I truly cannot bear the reality of him aging. If I dwell on it for too long, I become so anxious that I get physically nauseous. In December, we estimate he will be 11 years old. Thankfully (and that's an understatement), the appointment went well, and I have nothing crazy to report. I pray daily that he is well! He still loves to play, loves his walks, loves treats, his people, snuggles, and just loves life. He is my daily joy, and the love I have for him cannot be put into words. Anyway, all that to say, I am so deeply grateful for him and his health (knock on wood!!!). 

Speaking of dogs, my aunt and uncle just adopted a sweet new pup, Bowie. I cannot wait to meet him; he looks adorable, and I am thrilled for him. Their dog, Stuart, passed away earlier this year. It shook me. I loved Stuart so much. Henry doesn't love many dogs. I'm pretty sure he thinks he is a human and above other dogs, especially with his judging glares, but Henry genuinely *loved* Stuart. They were best friends. Henry would get so excited when I even mentioned Stuart's name. All that said, I'm thrilled to have a new pup added to our family's crew!

Oh, I also meant to tell you, guys, how much I enjoyed Mahjong! I know many of you play! It was my first time, and while it was a lot to take in, I really enjoyed being with my girlfriends and learning something new. I already can't wait to play again. My grammie gave me her Mahjong set, so it was great that we didn't have to purchase anything. I think once I play more, I'd love to get a cute mat. When my sister and I were in school, my mom used to play at our club, so she knows how to play, too. I want to get my dad and husband to learn so we can play when we go to Florida this winter. 

Sweater// Mug// Leggings

Fleece// Leggings// Sneakers (some colors on sale)

Rugby shirt on sale! The brand gifted us matching rugby shirts, which is kind of funny! This is the women's version. The quality is great. 

Outfit Details

Black Jeans (on sale) styled 3 ways// Outfits here

Sweater

Wearing: HH sent me two of their new holiday arrivals. This Sweater is incredible. I thought it was cute in the online photo, but it looks even better in person. It's 100% wool, and the actual knit gauge is chunkier in person. It looks white in the product photo, but it's actually a beautiful shade of cream. The button details are icing on the cake. This is really a special sweater. I am wearing a small; it runs very generous! They also sent me these pants, which I will style for you all soon. They're also even better in person. I was never a HH fan until the last 2ish years. They have been varying their offerings more and more, which I really appreciate. 

You can find me on ShopMy, where I link all of my outfits, favorite finds, home decor, beauty, and more. I’m always updating it with my latest finds! You can also follow me on the LTK app and browse all of my posts here on my website.

Sale: There are quite a few sales going on right now. First, Spanx is doing an extra 30% off sale with code EXTRA30. I always shop Spanx the most when they do these extra sales because the prices are so good. The half-zip pullover and these leggings are my favorites! I get a medium in the pullover and a small in the leggings. 

Vera Bradley is having their friends and family sale. I've had this curling iron cover since high school and do not travel without it. It's on sale under $20. Could make a very cute gift idea! For me, VB is nostalgic, so I love this 'remix' collection that looks 'vintage'. And you can't go wrong with the iconic, huge duffel, and in this print, it is under $70 and looks like it came straight from 2004... love. I actually thought things were looking bad for VB over the last however many years, but in the past 4 or 5ish years, they have started to sell some really cute things. My interest has been reignited. 

J.Crew is also having their friends-and-family sale. I love these leather boots so much! They have the on-trend western influence (subtly) but a classic silhouette. 

Watching: Have you all watched anything good lately? My sister recommended Widow's Bay. I started the first episode, but wasn't feeling it. Maybe I will give it another try. 

I also started Toy Story 5, but just didn't have the time to finish it. I like it so far- cute! Around this time of year, I get so busy with work that I really like a show that I can kind of just zone out and watch. Before bed, I like to watch something light- Toy Story is the perfect example. 

Have you all seen Verity in the theaters? I want to go see it because I loved the book, but I'm seeing some pretty bad reviews! 

End grain butcher block cutting board

Loving:  My mom got my husband this amazing butcher block cutting board a few years ago for Christmas. The quality is beautiful, and it's end grain, so it should hold up for many years to come. So far, so good. It was out of stock for a long time, but they just released a new version, and it looks nearly the same! Over the span of a year or two, we got rid of our plastic cutting boards entirely. I also bought the Epicurean boards, which are made of composite materials and are thinner and lighter, better for daily use. Well, they now make an inexpensive composite set. My mom is going to order them since I rave about our Epicurean ones! I'll report back on how she likes them, but they look identical to the brand-name ones that we have. I would have bought the less costly version, but when we were switching, Epicurean seemed to be the only option. 

Wanting: The number of tabs that I have open right now is nutty. SO many good things from all of my favorite brands. How cute is this plaid pet bed? These green flats are perfection, and the price is right under $110! This velvet clutch is perfect for the holiday season. Love this colorful take on the bandana scarf trend. This yellow jacket is calling my name! I love the stitched trim and the beautiful gold buttons. These tassel earrings are incredible and under $100. My code SYD20 may work on them! This belt is a statement maker. This is the tartan skirt of my dreams, and I swear my mom had one just like it when we were growing up! Now this is a party top! This belt looks designer but is under $100. A new arrival, this peacoat is timeless. This jacket is a major splurge but spectacular. A cashmere bandana scarf under $100! The most fun velvet shoes. My sister ordered them. I am debating whether to order them in red! These earrings are a fun pop of color and under $50. The leopard toe on these flats is a fun and unexpected design. Years ago, I was in love with an Ulla Johnson coat that was thousands of dollars out of my budget. I still think about it from time to time. I stumbled upon this coat, and it looks so similar to the UJ one and, thankfully, is under $500! This is a cute shirtdress that would be great for a more casual Thanksgiving! I'm not a big purple fan. I know it is a very on-trend color right now, but it's a no for me personally. I do, however, love this aubergine shade of deep purple, almost burgundy! The new football collection from Tuckernuck is so well done! My Christmas tree is back in stock this year. Last year it sold out so quickly. This jacket is a stunner. Love this handbag that looks like it was plucked straight from Samantha Stevens' closet. Found the bag I love to carry when I travel on The Real Real! The most beautiful chunky bracelet. These are my dream winter boots. This thin fleece quarter-zip is back this year. My aunt got me one years ago for Christmas, and I still wear it today. It's the perfect thin but cozy layer to wear to and from workouts, skiing, or just around the house if you are chilly. You just toss it in the wash; it holds up perfectly. So many colors, and it goes on sale often, sometimes for just $ 20-ish! A lovely gold necklace you could wear day or night. These earrings are reversible, so it's like a 2-in-1! I can't decide whether I like this bag better in red or green, but it's the perfect shape and size for casual daily wear. A beautiful, classic fair isle crewneck sweater. 

Pittsburgh: We had the loveliest dinner at Pizzaiolo Primo in the South Hills this weekend. We went on a fun little double date with our friends. I love their food and have been many times, but this was my first time trying the amatriciana. It was delicious. Gave me a little taste of Rome in Pittsburgh! 

Firming serum stick for neck and chest

Amazon Rec: I already love the Remedy face wash, so I was excited to get a PR package from the brand with some of their most popular items, including this serum stick! It's supposed to firm the skin on your neck and chest. I hope it works! I will report back, but I love a skincare stick because it makes application so easy. My favorite neck/chest product has been this serum, but it unfortunately comes with a steep price tag. This stick is under $30, so my fingers and toes are crossed that this is a good one! 

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!

Candle

Smelling: This candle smells amazing, and the label is very seasonally 'whimsical'. The notes are saffron, hazelnut, cedarwood, and smoked amber. It smells cozy and warm, not at all a cheesy Halloween scent. 

Quoting: 'Joy is not a place you arrive but a garden you tend to daily.' // 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). 

Amazon Sale Picks

Steelers Rugby Shirt

Happy Prime Day! Well, I guess since this is the October one, it's called Big Deals, but it's a similar concept... things are on sale! It feels like it was just summer (it was). I can't believe it's October, and the next Amazon sale has rolled around. 

I'll share my Amazon roundup below, but I also want to flag that Tuckernuck launches its collection with Fanatics today. It's a football collection with clothing featuring team names and emblems. They gifted me a Steelers piece, obviously!! It's a Steelers Rugby from the collection as a sneak peek, and it's SO nice. The quality, the fit, everything about the rugby is perfect. I got a size medium because I wanted it oversized. I wore it last week to cheer on my Steelers (they played Thursday). I'm all about team spirit, but I prefer to do it in small doses, and more so, wear my team's colors rather than something like a jersey; but in true Tuckernuck fashion, they created NFL gear that is so beautifully done! If it sells out on Tuckernuck, you may want to check the Fanatics website, as I think the pieces are available there, too. I plan to wear this layered over a turtleneck and with black jeans once it gets cooler. 

OK, now back to Amazon sales. You know the drill by now. I'm rounding up my favorite finds from the sale. With so many options, I was very intentional about what I included in this roundup. Almost everything on this list is something I personally love or have my eye on, and I added mini-reviews to help you decide what’s worth it to you! 

The sale runs through tomorrow, October 7th, but some deals end today, while others are introduced tomorrow. 

Blow Dry Mist// Hair Repair Spray// Lip Balm// Differin Gel// Hair ties// Face Mist

Tinted Eye Cream// Deodorant// Lip Balm/Gloss// Fleece Lined Leggings

Blow Dry Mist// This spray comes out like a mist, similar to hairspray. You can spray it on wet hair, and it acts as a heat protectant, making my hair much less frizzy once dry. It has been such a game-changer for me. The Wella spray is not a heat protectant. It is a bond repair serum, so these products are doing two completely separate things. There is a mini size on sale as well, so you can try it for under $10. It's pricey, but my goodness, it WORKS! This will be on my best of 2026 list, no doubt! 

Hair Repair Spray// You've heard me wax poetic about this for years now. It is a spray you spritz on damp hair after a shower. This is designed to repair hair damaged by things like color, heat, etc. It smells lovely (not too strong) and sprays evenly. It makes my hair so soft, shiny, and voluminous. It also helps my hair look fresher longer between washes. It's pricey, but it's a must-have for me, and I've purchased it many times. I most recently ordered the jumbo size. While it's a better value per ounce, I *loathe* its spray nozzle, which is different than the other bottles. You can always swap out the nozzle, but I wanted to note that! I use the Wella first, then follow up with the blow dry mist on my damp hair right out of the shower. I generally think the less hair products, the better, but these two are non-negotiables for me. 

Lip Balm// I hate that I love this so much because it is so pricey, but it's a constant order for me. I've been using it for years. I only use it before bed. It's very thick and takes some getting used to, but it plumps and hydrates my lips like no other product I have ever used. Because it is so sticky, it stays on all night, most nights. I may order the tinted version for daytime. It is truly the best! 

Differin Gel// This is a new-to-me product, and I'm sure it's marketed more to teenagers than a 36-year-old. I have acne-prone skin, and whenever I see a zit popping up, I put this on at night, and it works so well at getting rid of any acne quickly! I love Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, too. I think Differin works best if you catch the zit very early, whereas Mario Badescu works better on a later-stage zit. 

Hair ties// The only hair ties I use! I love the small and large sizes. I mostly wear the large size for workouts, and the smaller size for daily wear. They greatly lessen kinks from ponytails and are so comfortable in my hair. I've used them for many years, and none have ever broken. 

Face Mist// I love this face mist whenever my skin is feeling tight or uncomfortable. I also love it after a workout to clean and refresh my skin until I can get home and wash my face. My husband loves this, too. Overall, I love the Prequel brand. I think their products are very effective, and you cannot beat the price. My husband has very sensitive skin, and he uses many of the Prequel products and loves them. My favorite isn't available on Amazon right now; it's their skin ointment. I first ordered it this winter when my skin was impossibly dry. It was a lifesaver for me and still is to this day! 

Tinted Eye Cream// I've tried so many tinted eye creams, and this is overall, my favorite. It's not as creamy/hydrating as some others I've tried. Though don't let that put you off, it's still hydrating and easy to apply, it's just not heavy, which is what I prefer. It has such good coverage without feeling like makeup. It brightens my under-eyes like no other. You only need to use a tiny bit, so the small bottle lasts for months. 

Deodorant// The only deodorant I wear. My favorite was Neroli and Basil, but they just released a Lily and Yuzu scent, and that's competing for the top spot for me. You can't go wrong. As someone who never thought they'd wear more 'natural' deodorant, this truly works! 

Lip Balm/Gloss// I am a lip gloss junkie. I absolutely love collecting lip colors and trying new things. However, I always go back to this, and it's one of the few I finish. I've ordered so many over the years. Poppy and Pink Poppy are my two favorite shades, but they have so many beautiful shades. It has the color payoff of a lipstick, the shine of a gloss, and the feel of a balm. 

Fleece Lined Leggings// I wear these under my ski pants as my base layer. I love them. Overall, I've never been disappointed in anything I've ever ordered from the CRZ brand. 

Immersion Blender// Pet Air Purifier// Cleaning Spray Set

Echo Show// Checked Roller Bag// Candle (that smells like a fireplace)

Frame TV// Vacuum Cleaner

Immersion Blender// My husband loves to cook, so we ordered this last Prime Day, and he loves to make his pizza sauce, soups, mayo, and more. I'm definitely the beneficiary here! 

Pet Air Purifier// A very unglamorous item, but this works and has been well worth the eyesore (OK, it's really not that bad). My husband has bad allergies, and I have 'regular' allergies, and this really helps the air in our home, especially with Henry! It's amazing what it picks up. I just ordered a new filter (sadly not on sale!!). 

Cleaning Spray Set// We switched to Force of Nature many years ago, and it's still the all-purpose surface spray we use throughout our home. It is an EPA-registered disinfectant and sanitizer that kills 99.9% of germs when used as directed, making it both our everyday cleaner and disinfectant. The starter kit is an upfront investment, but because you reuse the bottle and make new batches with refill capsules, it can be more economical over time than continually buying disposable spray cleaners. The upfront cost is high because you have to buy the small machine that converts the capsule and water into the active spray. It's a non-toxic cleaner made from water, salt, vinegar, and electricity, with no added fragrances or harsh chemicals. I am honestly surprised I don't see more people talking about this one! 

Echo Show// We've had this in our kitchen for years, and it's amazing. Think of it like a high-quality speaker and an iPad in one, plus voice command. We have ours on our kitchen windowsill, and I have photos scrolling across it while we are not using it. My husband loves to stream shows on it while he washes the dishes. We often use it for the weather, and we love to play Jeopardy on it while cooking dinner. The sound quality is great for playing music. You can stream services like Spotify, but you can also stream SiriusXM, which I love for its jazz and Watercolor stations when I don't feel like thinking about picking a song or playlist. It hooks up to all our security cameras, so we can use the screen as a monitor. When someone comes to the door, or there is motion on a camera, we are notified, and the video pops right up! We have smart plugs for all our lamps, so it's nice to be able to voice-control the lights, too. 

Checked Roller Bag// If you need a large suitcase, this is such a good one. I once bought a Delsey brand suitcase from TJMaxx, and the quality was terrible, but this one is SO much nicer. It has held up perfectly over the years and holds so much. The only downside, and this is not just this particular suitcase's issue, is that most larger suitcases have enough room that it is easy to fill it to over 50 pounds. Most airlines in the US have that as their weight limit on a checked bag, and if it's over, you have to pay. I am an overpacker, so I have had to pay for overweight bags many times, and I know that going in, but if you want to stay under 50 lbs, you may want to get a medium suitcase instead, which is harder to fill past 50 lbs. 

Candle// This is one of my favorite candle brands. This particular one smells like a cozy fireplace. It's not really a holiday candle, but a winter candle. I love it and usually burn it from October through February. 

Frame TV// 

Vacuum Cleaner// We have the Shark stick vac, and I like it just OK. We have a Dyson stick vac (which is old at this point), and it is OK. The only vacuum I've ever loved is the Shark Navigator. I got mine in 2016; it's still kicking 10 years later. With Henry, he sheds so much, and this picks up his hair so well. I think it does best on carpets, but it works well on hard floors, too. It's a bit heavy, obviously compared to a stick vac, and the cord can be annoying, but it totally outperforms a stick vacuum by a mile. 

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). All sales and deals are subject to change. 

5 Essentials I Can't Go Without

XL Checked Bag// Medium Checked Bag (love that this one expands)

Backpack// Carry-on roller bag

Pullover// Tee (runs very small, I sized up to a large)// Pants// Sneakers

I told you all that my luggage was lost somewhere on our route from Rome back to Pittsburgh. This is definitely just one of those risks you take when you travel by air. It's happened before, but my suitcase was reunited with me within about 10 hours, not days... so this was kind of new for me. 

It was also new for me because it wasn't one of my original checked bags that was lost, but rather my carry-on roller bag that the airline made me check, so it had all my necessities inside. 

My lesson learned from all of this is to put an AirTag in all of your luggage. I had AirTags in my checked bags but not in my carry-on. In the future, I plan to put AirTags in every single bag that I travel with. I also plan to take a photo of my luggage when it's packed so I can recount everything inside if it ever gets lost again. I try not to travel with items that would be very pricey to replace. I felt like I really held back on bringing my nicest items on our Italy trip, but I did have some designer shoes, bags, and just a few pieces of fine jewelry. Luckily, the fine jewelry stays on me at all times, but the shoes and bags go in my carry-on. This was definitely a reminder to be stricter about not traveling with some of my nicer things, no matter how much I really want to... it is just not worth it sometimes! 

At the end of the day, they are all just things, so while it's a bummer to lose luggage, it's certainly not the end of the world. Though we do extend our trust to the airline to keep track of our items! I was grateful that this happened on the way home and not the way there! 

I was so happy to have received my luggage back within 5 days! Truly, it felt like Christmas morning. Since it was my carry-on, it had my toiletries, makeup, and other essentials you'd want with you if the airline lost your checked bag... 

It got me thinking about what I missed most in those 5 days that was inside the suitcase. I actually wish they had lost my big bag with all of my worn clothes, ha!!! 

I think the number one item would have to be my makeup bag. I have extras of a few items at home and some old and/or reject products, but I have so carefully curated my makeup bag! I just did a blog post chronicling my entire makeup routine. I was so glad I had that blog post, so I knew exactly what I'd replace if my luggage was never returned. 

The second is my microcurrent device (my code is WINDZIIP for 10% off). I use this multiple times per week, and it is one of my favorite skincare products/devices ever. I wrote an in-depth review blog post about the device since it's a bit more technical than something like a cream or serum. It depuffs and sculpts my face like nothing else. It's truly incredible. By day 3 without my luggage, I was on the Ziip website adding it to my cart. I was trying to wait the full 5 days before replacing things, and I am glad I did. 5 days is when the airline would have considered it 'lost'. Technically, my bag was considered 'delayed'. I think this varies by airline. 

This is a small one, but one I am not sure I have ever even shared with you all: my tweezers! I've had them since high school! The quality is incredible. I use them to touch up my eyebrows. I have never had my eyebrows done by anyone; I have always just slightly plucked them to keep them neat. I have thinner eyebrows, so I am very conservative in my plucking. But when I got back to my magnified mirror, I realized how badly my brows needed cleaning up!

I wear these round earrings 3-5 times per week. They're 20% off right now. My favorite is the 10 mm round with the gold bezel. They're so simple and classic. They work with every outfit and are a great alternative to studs. I was so bummed not to have these! So many of the women in my life have also ordered these or I have gifted them- my mom, sister, cousin, aunt, family friends, and more. They make a good travel pair because they're well under $100, so if I lost them, it would be a bummer but wouldn't break my wallet. 

And lastly, my curling iron! Thankfully, I have a thermal brush and the T3 version of the Airwrap, so I was less desperate in the hair department, but I default to my curling iron because it is the quickest to use of all my hair tools. I also love my curling iron because it has an extended barrel, which works so well when my hair is very long! 

You can find me on ShopMy, where I link all of my outfits, favorite finds, home decor, beauty, and more. I’m always updating it with my latest finds! You can also follow me on the LTK app and browse 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).

Weekend Wish List

Beautiful Tablecloths// Quilted Jacket// Velvet Printed Pants

Porcelain Pumpkin

Embroidered Jacket// Collared Pullover// Fair Isle Sweater

Pumpkin Candle// Croc Clutch// Duck Embroidered Tote

Some items of note... 

- So glad to see so many beautiful Tablecloth options out right now. I think they are all beautiful, but the forest toile is calling my name as it seems versatile for both Christmastime and Thanksgiving. 

- Collared pullovers are everywhere, and I cannot get enough. I love this simple Collared Pullover. My code SUMMERWIND20 may still work! 

- This Duck Embroidered Tote is darling and so perfect for year-round use! 

- My favorite Pumpkin Candle (and really only favorite) is on sale right now. 

- This Fair Isle Sweater is timeless. I picture it styled so simply with jeans or black pants with boots. My code SYD20 may still work on this! 

Fringe Scarf (left and right)// Fringe Scarf (in the middle)// Cowboy Boots

Tassel Necklace// Bandana Socks// Tall Black Boots

Pajamas// Plaid Waxed Trench Coat// Skincare Advent Calendar

Some items of note... 

- This Fringe Scarf is such a good LDJ look for much less! 

- Dermstore brought back their Skincare Advent Calendar this year with a new mix of items and dare I say, it's even better than last year! My code SUMMERWIND is still active, but it doesn't seem to be working on this particular item. Though this is $1147 worth of products for just $200! 

- I just ordered this Plaid Waxed Trench Coat. How classic! It looks so much like Barbour! 

See last week's Weekend Wish List, here!

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

- Everywhere We Ate and Drank in Charleston

- Christmas Card Photo Options

- Lately

You can find me on ShopMy, where I link all of my outfits, favorite finds, home decor, beauty, and more. I’m always updating it with my latest finds! You can also follow me on the LTK app and browse 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).