Thursday, October 15, 2026

Lately





I hope you are all having a great week! Did you all have an abbreviated week? I took Monday off from blog posting, as you all could tell, but my mom came over and helped me so much with work. This is my busy season, and she always lends me her time, and I am so incredibly grateful for it! 

We had a great, packed weekend. My sister got into town late Thursday night, so we got dinner Friday with my parents and sister; we went to a wedding on Saturday, and then to a concert on Sunday. 

I love many things about weddings, but nothing beats a Pittsburgh cookie table. Taking a box home with an assortment of homemade cookies is the biggest treat! This wedding, in particular, had the most variety I've ever seen. I'm also always so touched by a cookie table because guests take time out of their busy schedules to bake *a lot* of cookies. It's such a labor of love. 

This week and weekend are pretty standard, which I am happy about. I am looking forward to spending time at home with my husband and Henry this weekend, sleeping in, and hopefully checking out a newly opened restaurant. We are hosting my mom and cousin's birthday dinner next weekend, so I'll probably prep a few things ahead of time for that, too. I really just want to be present and soak in this season that I love so much. 


Remember I had said J.Crew Factory had sent my husband and me matching rugby shirts. I showed my husband's, but here is the women's version! It's shorter and boxier than the men's version and has a slight dropped shoulder. I sized up to a medium for a casual, roomy fit. The quality is top-notch. 


I was sent this trench from the brand, and wow, is it nice. It was pouring down rain yesterday, so I took it for a quick spin. The lining is gorgeous; I love the corduroy details and the longer length. It's stylish but timeless. 

Wearing: This week was a mix of casual walks outside and a concert, so it's kind of all over the place. 

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 mom and I grabbed lunch at Anthos this week, which is the cutest Greek bakery and cafĂ© in Castle Shannon. I hadn't been in such a long time. I always forget about it, which is backward because it is SO good. It does *not* have forgettable food! We loved the chicken salad and tuna salad. The tomato tart was decadent and spicy. I already can't wait to go back. 

Shirt// Pants (on sale!)
Sale: These Pants  are on sale right now for 20% off! I'm wearing a size 4. 

Watching:
 A new season of 90 Day FiancĂ©: The Other Way just started. Out of pure boredom during the pandemic, I got hooked on this show. A new season of Southern Charm is coming up, and I'm looking forward to it! Other than that, I haven't really watched much of anything lately! My husband and I aren't all that busy this weekend, so I would love to start a new show that we both get hooked on! 

Loving: My sister has a black-tie wedding coming up soon, and she asked if I had any dress recommendations to send her. I put together this folder of dresses for her and decided to add some more to share with you all. There are already 80 options, and I'll keep adding more as I come across good ones! There are many price points, ranging from casual cocktail to black tie.  

Wanting: These pants were the most-clicked item
last week. I ordered two pairs to see which color I prefer. I'm not fully convinced they are my style, so I will play around with styling them and report back. This dress is a stunning wedding-guest option! J.Crew new arrivals this week! Hot tip: they usually launch on Tuesdays. I've been a little underwhelmed with the brand this year. Still, this launch seems to be better than some past ones! I love this coat, this plaid coat, this calf hair clutch in burgundy, this fair isle rollneck, these plaid pajamas, this studded barn jacket, I think this sweater is one of my faves because it looks so cozy, this black dress, these skier pajamas (though the photo kind of makes them look potentially see-through, which I don't like), and this fair isle cardigan. This beaded bag is so fun for the festive season and is under $100! This is a cute handbag with just the right touch of bandana print. This cable knit is timeless and the perfect shade of yellow. So many brands have started to roll out their holiday pajamas, and I am eyeing this pair as a potential option for our Christmas morning PJs! This jacket is incredible- the cording, brocade, ribbon-tipped details; it's all so good. If you have a Dalmatian, this is the cutest sweater for you! This is the cutest little gift set with a brush, hair ties, and a claw clip. These pajamas look so comfortable; I just ordered them! My favorite Christmas hand towels are back in stock!! This faux fur coat looks stunning. A fabulous black coat that will dress up any outfit. I can't decide whether I like this red fleece or the black version better. Both are so good. 


Pittsburgh: My husband and I went to see Chance the Rapper at the new Wylie Center, which is across from PPG Paints. It just opened a week or two ago. The show was great, and we really enjoyed ourselves. The concert was centered around the 10th anniversary of one of his albums, Coloring Book. My husband and I met on New Year's Eve 10 years ago. In our first year of dating, we listened to that album on repeat, so it was really fun to see it live. The venue is beautiful. I had no expectations, but I was impressed. There were never long drink or bathroom lines; everything was clean, and lots of staff members were around to help guide people to their sections. They even had a cute, free photo booth. The bar drink options were good. They were pricey but less costly than at PPG Paints.

Before the concert, we ended up at Eddie V's bar. I've always loved a good steakhouse, and Eddie V's is one I hadn't been to in a hot minute. I didn't realize this, but they have happy hour every single day from 4-6:30pm. We sat in the bar area and ended up ordering from the HH menu. Martinis were $10! They had a decent-sized menu of discounted options, and the food was all delicious. The service was also notably great. At 6 p.m., a jazz trio came out. We had such a nice time. I had no idea about this happy hour before this weekend, so hopefully you all can take advantage of it someday too! 

Amazon Rec: I'm not a big clothing/shoe shopper on Amazon, as I am generally underwhelmed by the quality of what I order. However, these slingback flats are not only so cute but so incredibly comfortable. I could not recommend them more. I wanted to order both pairs to see which pair I prefer, and I like the black better, but the gold ones are beautiful, too. My mom was over when these arrived, and she ordered a pair for herself right then and there! 

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: 'When we understand that each day isn't one more day, but one less, we'll start giving more value to the things that truly matter.' // 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). 

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Quince Finds

I recommend spraying the bag with a suede protectant, like this! 

Thank you, Quince, for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own!

Quince has some really great things right now. There is so much to choose from, so I browsed their site to pull some of the best items for men, women, and home! Their prices are generally great, and I've always been pleased with anything I've ever ordered.

Navy Puffer (comes in over 15 colors)// Studded Belt// Grip Socks (perfect for Pilates!)



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).

Thank you, Quince, for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own!

Friday, October 9, 2026

Weekend Wish List


Some items of note... 

- I love that so many classic elements are in right now, like tassels. These Tassel Earrings are so fun. My code SYD20 may work on this. 

- This Black Handbag looks like it was plucked straight from Samantha Stevens' closet. 

- Thanksigivng is around the corner. I popped into a few stores yesterday that were all set up for Thanksgiving and beyond! I think this Turkey Serving Platter is so charming. 

- These Green Block Heel Ballet Flats are just over $100 and so cute. They come in many colors. 

- *The* taffeta pants are everywhere. I love the look but cannot bring myself to spend $500ish on a pair of casual pants that need to be dry cleaned. These Taffeta Pants are affordable and can be machine washed!

Some items of note... 

- This Navy Peacoat paired with this Wool Fair Isle Scarf is about as timeless as it comes! 

- This Suede Bag is gorgeous and the perfect size for daily wear. 

- This Velvet Jacket is a winter wardrobe staple. You could wear this to the office, out to dinner, an event, and more. 

- This Belt studded is a good designer look for less! 


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’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).

Thursday, October 8, 2026

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. 


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. 

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

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! 
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! 


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!

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). 
 

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