Thursday, April 9, 2026

Lately

A crisp lunchtime DC with lots of citrus. I am a reformed DC drinker. I used to drink it so often when I was in college and early post-grad, but I gave it up almost entirely. I enjoy one here or there and always with lime! 

Randomly picked up this glass and wood storage container (on sale under $10), and it was the perfect size for my BonBon candy

I hope you all had a great Easter if you celebrate! We went to my parents' house for dinner with family and friends. It's always a nice time and a wonderful reason to be together.

We started off the weekend with a date night at a new Pittsburgh restaurant, which I'll talk more about down below! We randomly went to TopGolf after our dinner, and it was fun! We often went when it first opened. It felt like a novelty. I think we went too often at one point, and I kind of got sick of it. I hadn't been in a while and forgot how fun it can be! 

I received the saddest news from my aunt, uncle, and cousins. On Saturday, their dog, Stuart, died. I feel so deeply sad for them, as it is a pain I wish on no one. I loved Stu. He was just the sweetest boy. I would bring Henry over to their house because he and Henry were best friends. Henry doesn't care for other dogs; he prefers hanging around humans, but Stuart was truly his one and only best friend. When I say Stuart's name to Henry, he cocks his head and gets so excited to see him. He met Henry just a few days after I adopted him, and they ran and ran and ran in Stu's yard, becoming best friends immediately. Dogs are the best, and I so wish they could live longer lives. 

We are off to San Francisco to visit my sister and brother-in-law for the first time! I am excited to be in SF, as it has been many years since my last visit. Though the weather looks a bit questionable, oh well! My birthday is on Tuesday, so we are celebrating this weekend! 

Cashmere Sweater (wearing a small)// Colorful Necklace// Flats (I'm normally a 39, but sized down to 38.5)

Seersucker Tank// Shorts (wearing a small tank, medium shorts) use code SYDNEY20

Seersucker pieces were gifted from RH!



Linen Pants in this color back in stock! I'm wearing a small. They run generously. 
Wearing: The most comfortable linen pants are back in stock in this punchy coral-red color! I wear them all of the time in the warmer months. It is a fun, but very wearable color! Do you all remember the polish color OPI Cajun Shrimp? That is what this color reminds me of! 

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: I love canned tuna, but I only ever use it to make traditional tuna salad. I saw a recipe a while ago using canned tuna and cannellini beans together, and have been thinking about that combo ever since. I didn't follow a recipe, but knew I would use tuna and canellini beans to make a tuna salad... kind of like Italian tuna salad! It turned out even better than I expected. It tasted like summer- very light and fresh with lots of flavor, and it was so filling. Here is the very loose recipe...

For the base, I used arugula, artichoke hearts, roasted tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, olive oil, a splash of white wine vinegar, salt, and pepper. 

For the tuna and bean mixture, I added roasted red pepper, finely chopped onion, chopped green olives, Seggiano pesto, lots of pepper, garlic powder, salt, Italian seasoning, and juice from half a lemon. 
Drinking: You all know I am not a white wine gal. Last year, we had to open a bottle of white wine for a recipe, and we opened a Duckhorn Chardonnay. I wasn't even going to try it, but my husband took a sip and said it was good, so I tried it and ended up really enjoying it. I've been buying it ever since. I only like it at room temperature, though, not chilled. I've tried to broaden my horizons by trying other chardonnays, but I have really only liked Duckhorn. I tried Frank Family Chardonnay and actually enjoyed it. I would have to try it side by side with Duckhorn to give a better comparison, but I think they are somewhat similar in flavor and mouthfeel. I *think* I still prefer Duckhorn, but I'm definitely open to trying this again. I'm excited to go to Napa to try some more chardonnays! 

Loving: I love the look of marbled paper, so when I saw this case, I had to get it. It's well-made, and thankfully, it's MagSafe, so I can attach a ring stand/holder to the back! The green is from Velvet Caviar, and it matches better in person! 

The cutest print! Vera Bradley collaborated with Target and Redo]uce on several drinkware pieces and prints, and they are as cute as can be. They sent me this one, and I was so excited to use it to bring my hot tea with me in the car! 

Wanting:
A blue-and-white striped sweater I love... shocking!!! The back of this dress is so fun! This skirt reminds me of the Colony Hotel in PB! My code SYDNEY20 should work on this! There is a dress version, too! Found this swimsuit (which I have and love) back in stock! The most gorgeous wedding guest dress! I love orange shoes and these flats are classic but fun! Easy summer shorts with an elastic waist are always nice to have on hand. Love these earrings, especially with the silver detail. This beaded clutch is pretty and a great price point. A standout sundress that can be dressed up or down. Itching to try this new scent. The perfect golf cardigan for Masters week! A classic and elegant pink midi dress that could be cute for the Derby! This print is so nostalgic, and after all of these years, I'm still a fan! This is a cute cover-up

Pittsburgh: Lucatino, a new Italian restaurant that opened earlier this year in Carnegie, is wonderful. I hesitate to hype it up so much because it's already a popular spot! But truly, the space is small but charming, the staff was so lovely and attentive, and the food was truly some of the best in Pittsburgh. It' is a gem. We tried the arancini, margherita pizza, vodka sauce cutlet sandwich, and Sunday sauce pasta. Everything was incredible. My favorite was the pizza. My least favorite was the Sunday sauce (but it was still delish). You can't make a reservation, but you can join the waitlist! We were able to walk right in at about 8:30 on a Friday night! 
Amazon Rec: Just got another tube of this lip balm! I am not sure how many tubes I have gone through over the years, but it is my favorite. The texture is so creamy and smooth. It reminds me of Fresh Sugar Advanced lip balm, but this has a more emollient texture and glides on so smoothly. 

So curious about the look and quality of this Ring Doorbell cover! It's such a random thing, but everyone in our neighborhood has a video doorbell, and I think a cover would look so nice in certain situations! 

My girlfriend created Little Leaf Kids and sells on Amazon! She has worked SO hard to have this all come to fruition. Her latest launch is these shorts for children. These shorts stand out not only for their high quality but also for their shorter inseam, which is apparently hard to find in boys' shorts! She has two adorable boys of her own and has the best taste, so check them out if you or someone you know has little boys! 

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!

Traveling: After SF, we are not traveling for a while. I love to travel, create new memories, and enjoy new experiences, but I am ready for a longer stretch at home. When I'm extra busy, at first, I feel really on the ball and fired up. But if I am busy for long stretches, I find it hard to be fully present because I am always thinking about the next thing and running over checklists in my head, making sure I didn't miss something. I notice that when I have a slower schedule, I'm so much better at being present and more intentional with my time! 

Quoting: 'We suffer more often in imagination than in reality.' - Seneca // 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, April 7, 2026

Colorful Outfits for Spring + Summer

I'm 'borrowing' the Chanel bag from Vivrelle. My code is SYDNEYCSNYDER for your 1st month free! 



While I’m no stranger to bold hues, it feels especially fun and fresh this time of year after a long, gray winter. Over the last month, I’ve been reaching for as much vibrancy as I can. Luckily, for me and anyone else with a more playful palette, there are so many bright pieces out right now! 

I'm sharing two outfits I wore recently in Naples, Florida, on a fun trip with a family friend and my mom!

I wore this Linen Tunic Dresss out to lunch at The Turtle Club, which was the prettiest restaurant right on the beach. We went there for a long and relaxing lunch and if you are ever in Naples, I would highly recommend this spot! The views of the beach were lovely and the cocktails and food were wonderful. I particularly love this dress for travel because you can wear it as a dress early in your trip, then wear it as a swimsuit coverup later in the trip! 





For this outfit, we went to happy hour at Aqua, gelato at Banto Bakery, and then a nighcap at the Vine Room! It was such a fun night. The Vine Room was a very cool cocktail/speakeasy type lounge with inventive cocktails. I was such a big fan of the truffle chips they give you at your table when you sit down! 

I wore this Shift Dress for my birthday last year. It's one of my favorite dresses of all time. I love the mix of colors. I can never resist a classic shift dress and this one is cut perfectly. 

SHOP MORE COLORFUL FINDS BELOW! 

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).

Monday, April 6, 2026

March Favorites

I round up my favorite things each month for a monthly favorites list. At the end of the year, I pull from each monthly list to create an annual favorites list. In 2025, I broke down my list into three parts: BeautyFashion, and Home and Misc. It's my way of keeping track of the very best things. The lists work because when I look back on the past few years, most things on each list are still my favorites. My only rule is that I don't repeat items from month to month or year to year, so there is no overlap. 

Flats// I love these flats because they feel on trend but still lean classic. I'm not going to partake in the mesh shoe trend, but I feel like this is a more classic take on that look. Not only do I love how they look, but they are incredibly comfortable and beautifully made. The sole bends so much that they feel like they are a part of my feet when walking. 

Sweatshirt// This brand is new to me, and I'm a fan of their 100% cotton lounge pieces. They are so comfortable and well-made. I am particularly fond of this sweatshirt, which is the perfect amount of oversized without looking sloppy. I love the high neck- it's almost a mockneck but not quite. 

Rain Jacket// This cheery yellow color makes me so happy. It comes in more neutral shades, but there is just something so fun about a brightly colored slicker. It's a spring staple. The swing shape is simple and classic. 

Foot Cream// I'm getting my feet in summer shape with this foot cream. Could you use your regular moisturizer on your feet? Absolutely. I was curious about this cream, and it delivered. I have been loving products with urea, which hydrate while gently exfoliating. It has made my feet so soft and smooth! 

Blow Dry Mist// This is SO good. This will definitely be making the end of the year favorites list. The mist is so light- like hairspray, almost. I spray it on my damp hair before I blow-dry. It has a very light, pleasant scent. I used it the entire time I was in Florida, and it never made my hair frizz in the southern humidity. It's truly amazing. It makes my hair so soft! I use this with the Wella Spray, but I think you could use either one. 

Lip Plump in Pink Poppy// I love this lip product and have collected it in many colors over the years. Poppy has always been my favorite color. This is *pink* poppy, which is just that. It's more of a pink coral than poppy, which is a true coral hue. It's so pretty, and dare I say, I prefer it to poppy. My new top favorite! 

Beach Tote// This is such a cute beach tote that comes in many colors and styles. You can wipe it down, and it comes with a pouch you can stash your phone or things like lip gloss, sunscreen, etc. It's well-made and large, so you can fit a towel and anything else you may need at the pool or beach. 

Swimsuit// I absolutely love this print. It comes in many different pieces, but I was drawn to the swimsuit. It's such a simple silhouette, but it is flattering and well-made. It's fully lined, and the booty coverage is perfect- it's modest without feeling too covered up. 

Swimsuit// This swimsuit is like the Spanx of swimwear. When you pull it on, it feels tight- almost like it may be a little snug, and you feel like you maybe ordered the wrong size. But, once it's on, it sculpts and shapes like nothing I've ever worn before. When I wear this, I feel so secure and held in. You can jump in and out of water, swim, play games like beach volleyball without a care in the world- this swimsuit is not budging! This really gives me a confidence boost. The booty is full coverage, and that's where I would make the only edit, I wish it were cut with a touch less coverage- truly just a touch. I fully understand why the bum is very full coverage because it really lifts and sculpts the bum, so it's not losing points for this, but just my two cents. 

Necklace// This necklace is just FUN! I love how it adds lots of color to even the simplest of outfits. It's a fun piece to have for spring and summer. This is the 22mm. 

Fish Earrings// This is another fun piece! They are so unique and come in many colors. They are lightweight and very comfortable to wear. They really make a statement and are so fun for a vacation by the water. 

Disinfecting Wipes// These just launched, and I've been wiping down my kitchen and bathrooms with them when I need to do a quick clean! We typically use the Force of Nature spray and a microfiber cloth, but these are best for quick messes or a quick tidy. I love the pretty dispenser. I have one in my car, the bathrooms, and in the kitchen! I love this brand. I wish they would create a small keychain dispenser with a few I could hook on Henry's leash. A bird pooped on me during my walk with Henry the other day (lol, but also ew), and I really wish I had a wipe on hand to get it off quickly! 

Hat// This hat has become my entire warm-weather personality. I feel so chic in it, and not only that, but it's so functional as the brim is wide and really covers my face and chest. I'm all about sunscreen, but a hat is often necessary in the summer months. I really love this brand. It's pricey, but the styles are so simple and fabulous. 

Pullover// This is a classic and something I've been reaching for nonstop. I love the ribbed texture and, of course, the blue-and-white stripes. The shawl-style collar elevates it from a typical sweatshirt. I got a small, it runs very roomy! 

2026 Monthly Favorites:


Check out my yearly favorites... 


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).

Friday, April 3, 2026

Weekend Wish List

Some items of note... 

- I love the raffia version of this Handbag, but the leather version is maybe even more stunning! 

- I haven't tried this brand yet, but it's on my radar as I am seeing it everywhere. This Deodorant is intriguing because it has skincare properties. 

- So interested in this new scent from S+S. There is a Deodorant + Body Wash + Body Spray Trio, which is perfect for travel. My code is SYDNEY15. 

- Added these Eye Patches to my cart as they are my go-to brand, and this is a new formulation! I can't wait to try. My code SUMMERWIND should work on these! 

Some items of note... 

- This Blue Linen Dress is stunning. I love applique, and it can be nearly impossible to find at this price point. 

- This Blow Dry Mist is one of the best hair products I've ever used. It smooths my hair and adds so much shine. I love how it smells, too! 

- I saw these Cream Croc Sandals in person, and they are even better than online photos.  

- I recently got a sample of this silver mountain Fragrance  and wore it while I was in Florida. I love it! It's very fresh, citrusy, and clean. 


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).
 

© Summer Wind Blog 2017 / site design by kiki and co. / disclosure