Received the most beautiful gift from Urban Stems!
Treated myself to a Little Tokyo lunch the other day! A rarity. I should do it more often.
Gave my makeup brushes a much-needed scrub. I always share this as a reminder for everyone else!
Still snacking on a few errant bags of peanut M&Ms from Halloween.
Banana cream pie at my parent's this weekend!
Handsome men's sweater!
Happy almost weekend, friends! It was another gorgeous week here. We were once again so spoiled with sun. I think you all must think I'm crazy going on about sun in November, but truly, from November through March, Pittsburgh barely ever sees sun. Last winter was particularly abysmal. Pittsburgh was actually just ranked as the cloudiest city in America. Let me tell you, from first-hand experience, it's not something to brag about!! So when I see so much sun in a row, it's remarkable, and such a mood booster. It also makes my job so much easier, as I prefer to share things via photo and video with natural light.
We had a fun weekend as my aunt and uncle were in town. This week was pretty typical- lots of walks, work, and workouts! We have been good about cooking at home lately, which is always the goal, but we rarely meet it!
One thing that's been driving me nutty is that I tried a new moisturizer a few weeks ago. A brand sent it to me in a PR box. I randomly decided to try it. It was a very expensive moisturizer, and my face broke out so much after just a few uses! I stopped using it, and thankfully, nothing new has popped up since. I don't necessarily think the product is 'bad' as everyone's skin is different, but I try a lot and can't remember the last time I got breakouts from a specific skincare product! This is exactly why I rarely share anything skincare-related unless I've had plenty of time to use it and get really familiar with it. It is also a reminder that the price tag on any skincare product isn't always indicative of its efficacy or quality (and that goes for a lot more than just skincare).
This weekend, we have a black-tie event to attend, which I am looking forward to. I love any excuse to get gussied up! Though I ordered 5 dresses and, as of writing this, I have received none. Most are supposed to arrive today. I have an old backup, but I'm hoping one of the options that arrive today will work. It's a fat chance, since a gown usually requires some sort of tailoring, so we shall see.
It's hard to tell in this photo, but if you love the look of taffeta pants, you may want to try these. They're more of a satin jacquard but have the prettiest sheen!
Did a sponsored post for Tuckernuck on IG, and I styled this velvet jacket top and this tassel top as dressier outfits, then more casually with jeans! Love both tops, but if I had to choose, I'd pick the velvet peplum as it just feels so polished!
Fleece full-zip. I got one for my mom, too. Lightweight and good for layering. Very inexpensive and on sale!
Heavy Fleece with a soft jersey knit lining. This acts as more of a jacket than a sweatshirt.
Fleece Pullover that Talbots sent me, and I couldn't love it more. Very Patagonia-esque, with a sweater exterior, but the interior is the softest, coziest fleece! I sized up to a medium.
Wearing: I'm either styling dressed-up holiday outfits or wearing workout clothes; it seems there's been very little in between this week!
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.
Eating: My husband made these Korean beef bowls the other night, and it was incredible. It was so flavorful, and all of the veggies added such freshness. It made a huge portion; we are still eating it days later!
Sale: The brand that makes my microcurrent device that I use many times per week gave me a code ZPSYDNEY and WINDZIIP for 20% off. Not entirely sure why there are two, but it's worth trying one or the other, since things change so quickly during November! This was lost in my suitcase when I got back from Italy, and I was missing it SO much. I added one to my cart because it would've been the first thing I replaced if my luggage was truly lost!
I have a washable rug code SYDNEY10 for 10% off.
My go-to red light mask brand gave me a code for 20% off: SUMMERWIND. My goal each week is to use it 5x per week. I end up using it anywhere from 3-5 times per week. I love it!!
One of my favorite clothing/fashion brands for gorgeous, classic pieces gave me a code SYD20 for 20% off full-price items.
Hill House is 25% off everything! I love this quilted jacket, these pajamas (size up), and these pants.
Speaking of more early 2000s media, I loved Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld, and Netflix is turning it into a series!
My sister just recommended 'From' on Netflix for me to watch. She said it's very good. I still want to watch Phony, but just haven't had much time for TV lately!
Listening: I just stumbled upon this Chris Botti Christmas playlist, and it is so calming and peaceful!!
Loving: As a big gummy candy fan, I order BonBon for myself from time to time. I somehow landed on BonBon's PR list and get a box here and there as a surprise on my doorstep, and it's quite literally the definition of a treat!! If you like gummy candy and haven't tried this, you should because I really think it's the best. It's pricey for candy, no doubt, but it makes a really nice gift! A pound of sour mix is my usual order; it's enough for me to grab a piece here and there for probably 2 months-ish.
Wanting: If you are headed somewhere warm over the holidays, this under $50 pareo is the perfect swim cover-up. I love the colors. This red bandana sweater is fun and unique! This martini olive brooch is adorable and on sale for under $15! You can pin it onto a ribbon as a gift topper! If you have a golden retriever, do not walk, RUN! Love this white dress as a nightgown and/or cover-up! This is such a beautiful, classic fair isle cardigan. I love the blue shade of this fleece pullover. Someone in my DM's this week asked for a recommendation for champagne flutes, and I'd recommend these and anything from the Sensa line! This red cocktail dress is incredible, and how about this moiré pouch bag?! I really love this stunning suede jacket. Such a good button-down! The perfect stocking stuffer for the gal on the go! Well, this coat certainly looks warm! My code SYDNEY20 may work on the coat!
Pittsburgh: I went to Kabob G in Castle Shannon for the first time, and I truly cannot believe I had never been. HOW?! It's definitely some of the best food I've ever had in Pittsburgh, and I am annoyed I only have this salad photo to show for it, but even this salad, which doesn't look like much, was out-of-this-world delicious. My favorite thing was the babaghanoush. It comes with pita, but I could have just lapped it up with a spoon! It was so velvety, fresh, and flavorful. Easily the best I've ever had. It's BYOB and the interior is very barebones, but you could put me in a dark dungeon, and I wouldn't care; the food is truly that good!
Amazon Rec: I mentioned on Instagram that I want to start a junk journal. I love the idea of having a tangible place to put 'scraps'. I love branding and memories, and I think this will be a fun project to keep me off my phone! I just ordered this jounral to get started.
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!
Quoting: 'Discipline is the art of not betraying yourself.' - Marcus Aurelius// See more of my favorites here.
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