Lately

Henry enjoying his snow day! 

Skiing with my dad!

Love these new leather boots! 

The sweetest gift from Framebridge! Love this silver frame!

Hen and I going into the pet shop on his gotcha day! We got him treats and toys, but I think he was most excited about all of the smells! 

New fave lipstick in shade plum 1

Our wonderful Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. 

The gorgeous Heinz Hall tree!

I just love Heinz Hall's architecture!

I hope you are all having a great week! I cannot believe we are just one week away from Christmas, and there are fewer than 2 weeks left of the year! Wild. This is the last lately post of 2025!

This past weekend, I had a fun white elephant party with girlfriends! I was honored because the gift I brought was stolen until it couldn't be stolen anymore! We also enjoyed a night at the symphony for the annual holiday pops concert! We had a nice dinner beforehand at Barcelona Wine Bar, which is always delicious. My husband and I posted up on Saturday, made a big charcuterie board, popped a bottle of bubbly, and cozied up to enjoy a slow snowday. It was the best day. We have been so go, go, go that it was so nice to have a slow and lazy, but still indulgent day! 

This week, we celebrated Henry's 8th Gotcha day with a trip to thepet store to pick out a toy and some treats, and a trip to Bruster's for some ice cream. Henry was loving it. I also went skiing with my dad! We got so much snow this last weekend, it was gorgeous. The skiing was good, and it was the first time in recent memory that I had gone skiing in December. We usually don't have enough snow in December for skiing! 

My aunt and uncle just got to town this week. My sister gets home this weekend, which is always so exciting, and we have fun plans together before Christmas, which will be nice. I'm also trying to get her to go to Cheesecake Factory with me, ha!!! My favorite day of the year is always Christmas Eve, as my parents host the best party with so many dear family and friends. 

I’m starting to feel ready to check out for the holidays. What about you? Will you be taking some time off, too?

My final blog post of the year will go live on Monday, and I’ll be back on Monday, January 5th. While I’m my own boss, I rarely give myself a true break. I’m wired to work, and it helps that I genuinely love what I do, but I’m also very disciplined and routine-driven, which makes stepping away harder than it should be.

During the pandemic, I started a tradition of taking time off from my website between Christmas and New Year’s, and I’ve come to cherish it. Disconnecting is healthy, and quite frankly, needed for me, and it always gives me space to brainstorm, reflect, and get ahead. I’m very much looking forward to the break. I plan to sleep in, watch some good shows, hang out with my husband, organize some things, eat some good food, do some good workouts, and get together with family and friends. 

Ski Jacket

Fleece (my code is SYDNEY20)

Faux Fur Coat// Faux Fur Hat

Dress

Shirt// Jeans// Boots

Fleece (use code YOUROCK or YOURULE)

Wearing: From sequins to a Canadian tuxedo to a ski jacket, I've had a wide range of outfits in the last 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! 

Eating: My husband made this pot roast recipe for a snowy Sunday supper, and it was absolutely delicious! 

Drinking: One of my favorite treats is a double espresso with a dollop of whipped cream. You get all of the best espresso flavor with an added richness from the whipped cream. It's mildly sweet! 

Watching: My husband and I have been watching The Beast in Me on Netflix. It stars Claire Danes who's character is a writer who becomes intrigued by her mysterious new neighbor. I'll leave it at that, but it gets so tense as the episodes progress and has kept me guessing. Do you all have any other good TV/Movie recs?! I know I will be spending a lot of time between Christmas and New Years indulging in some bingewatching! 

Listening: In case you need a good Christmas playlist, here is mine! 

Earrings (on sale)

Loving: These are the cutest earrings! They are supposed to be birthstone earrings, but I just really loved the yellow color. A fun and subtle way to add some color to any outfit. 

Wanting: I love La Ligne sweaters, and this colorway is so good. My code SUMMERWIND10 may still work for 10% off. This is the most perfect ski sweater! I just got these simple little earrings and love them. They are 20% off! I just got these jeans, and they are the best I've ever worn. I cannot get over how well they fit. This entire Tuckernuck ski-inspired collection is gorgeous. It's getting me excited for the Winter Olympics. I love watching all of the skiing in the Olympics. The prettiest trio of bracelets. A new lipstick I'm loving in Pink 1 and Plum 1. These gingham athletic shorts are just adorable! This cardigan is adorable with the bright red flowers. This boucle set is TOO good! This black dress is classic but fun! This cardigan is so unique and a real statement! This wicker elephant clutch deserves a night out in Palm Beach! 

Amazon Rec: I'm not someone who drinks electrolytes often. I just drink water and usually get plenty of water daily. However, I like to have electrolytes on hand in the summer when it's very hot or if I miss a day of good water intake. Plus, with cold and flu season, I like to have them on hand just in case! I'm curious about these tablets. Has anyone tried them? Seems like the reviews are glowing. They've been sitting in my cart for a few days, and I'm torn on what flavor to order! 

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: 'I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.'- Charles Dickens // 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). 

Henry's 8th Gotcha Day

'No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich.' - Louis Sabin

Henry’s gotcha day was yesterday! Eight years. Eight whole years with my sweet Henry, which somehow feels impossible and also like he’s always been part of my life. We celebrated with a new toy, opening his Advent calendar, a car ride to the pet store to pick out another toy, and then to finish off his special evening, a trip to Bruster's, his favorite, for some ice cream. 

I love chronicling Henry’s life with these posts. I know I’ll look back on them years from now and be so grateful I wrote everything down, even if it’s a little all over the place. I tear up when I read the first blog post, 'Meet Henry'. It was before Mac had passed away, before I bought a house, before I was engaged, before the pandemic, before I got married, before my sister got married. Henry has been there for it all. 

If you’ve been here for a while, you might remember this story, but I want to retell it. 

When Henry was adopted, I was actually away at a wedding on Martha’s Vineyard, which meant my boyfriend (now husband) had to go pick him up. We had only been dating for a year, and it wasn't a 'let's get a dog as a couple' thing. I was so sad to miss his actual gotcha day. Tracy’s Dogs, now called Tracy's Paws, the rescue organization I adopted Henry from, live streams all of their gotcha days on Facebook, and I remember standing at the wedding during cocktail hour, watching the live stream on my phone. All of a sudden, my husband appeared on screen… and then he was handed Henry. I immediately teared up.

I always joke with my friends who were getting married that weekend that I will never forget their anniversary, because it's also Henry's Gotcha Day. So, a big happy anniversary shoutout to my wonderful friends, A+W! I love you guys! 

That entire weekend, my husband sent me so many photos and videos, and I am so thankful for them because we both look back on them so fondly. I was obsessively checking my phone, replaying them over and over, counting down the hours until I could finally get home to meet him. I’ll truly never forget that weekend. The anticipation, the videos, and then being picked up from the airport, and finally seeing Henry in person for the first time.

Fast-forward to now, and Henry has been with me for eight years. Last year, we did a dog DNA age test and learned that he’s likely around ten years old now, which was in line with the estimate from Tracy's Paws and our vet. Ten years old is no surprise to me, but it stops me in my tracks a bit. He doesn’t feel ten to me. He still follows me everywhere, still insists on his walks, still needs to be touching me at all times, and he destroys a toy in mere seconds.  But there is definitely a calmness to him now. A confidence that only comes with time.

It’s funny to think back to how timid and unsure he was at first, because now he’s so settled and secure. He knows his people. He knows his routine. He knows he belongs. He knows he is loved. He’s still the ultimate velcro dog, always at my side, always curled up against me, always keeping tabs on where I am. My husband jokingly and lovingly refers to Henry and me as the 'goofy pair'. And honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

I say this every year, and I know it’s cheesy, but Henry truly makes every single day better solely because he is in it. I love him so much, I can't even write this blog post without tearing up. In fact, words fail me when I try to describe how much I love him and how much he means to me. So I'll just leave it at that. 

Happy gotcha day to my Henry. I’m so darn grateful for every year, every memory, and every ordinary day we’ve shared. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to have you! Here's to many more. 

In honor of Henry's gotcha day, I have donated to Tracy's Paws. Please consider an animal organization the next time you choose to donate. Here are some local to Pittsburgh. Thank you, thank you, thank you. 

Local Pittsburgh Pet Non-Profits:

- Washington Area Humane Society 

- Furkid rescue 

- Animal Friends

- Animal Advocates

- Paws Across Pittsburgh 

- Humane Animal Rescue

Skincare Gift Edit

Best of Dermstore Set

Thank you to Dermstore for sponsoring this post! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

You saw my top 10 Dermstore recommendations last month, and today, we are chatting about gifts that appeal to most people and will arrive in time for Christmas! Tomorrow, December 17th, is Dermstore's shipping cutoff for gifts to arrive by Christmas!

You can use my code SUMMERWIND at checkout to save up to 15% on all of these products!

These recommendations need no shade matching, no fragrance preferences; they are very giftable, universally appealing, and all things I use and love! 

Dermstore has long been one of my go-to destinations for beauty because it carries such a wide range of brands and products in one place. From dermatologist-recommended skincare to haircare, makeup, tools, and everyday basics, Dermstore has it all!

Best of Dermstore Set

I *love* the limited edition 'Best of Dermstore' kits. They come out with different ones throughout the year, and it's how I discover incredible products and get great deals on the ones I already use and love. It's always an incredible value. This particular set is $75 when you use my code SUMMERWIND, but has a retail value of $345. This has a mix of both beauty products and skincare. It's particularly impressive to me because it contains my favorite Obagi Vitamin C serum that I already use daily. It also includes my mom's all-time favorite skincare product, the Paula's Choice collagen peptide booster. I just got this set, and I love it. I plan to gift my mom the serum as a part of her Christmas gift! That's another thing, I love to break up a set like this to give as individual gifts! There are 7 products in this set, so if you added one to 7 different stockings, it would cost just under $11/stocking! This set costs LESS than the Vitamin C serum alone. This is perfect for the beauty lover who enjoys discovering new products or for someone who wants a little bit of everything without having to choose.

U Beauty Resurfacing Flash Peel

This is one of those products that makes your skin look noticeably better almost immediately. It helps smooth texture, brighten, and give that fresh, polished glow. I love it for nights when my skin feels dull, and I want results fast. This is best for the seasoned skincare lover who appreciates a hardworking, results-driven product, and isn’t afraid of actives.

Bioderma Shower Oil

This is one of my favorite things to keep in the shower, especially during colder months. It cleanses without stripping and leaves skin soft, hydrated, and never tight. It lathers, but less than a typical body wash. The texture feels soooo good in the wintertime. The large bottle lasts forever, and the product itself is unscented. This is one that my husband also uses and loves. They also make a smaller size if you want something that would fit into a stocking! This is great for anyone with dry or sensitive skin, or really anyone who loves practical self-care, or prefers unscented products. 

Supergoop! Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50

I love this sunscreen, and it's my husband's favorite. I just ordered this large bottle to give to him as a gift. We keep it near the door in the summer months as an easy reminder to apply before going out! He particularly loves to have this on hand before he runs out the door to go golfing in the warmer months. It’s lightweight, hydrating, and doesn’t leave that greasy feeling that makes people skip sunscreen. I love that you can use this on both your face and your body. This is perfect for anyone who wants good, no-frills sunscreen.

Patchology FlashPatch Rejuvenating Eye Gels

I don't even want to know how many times I've ordered these over the years. I LOVE them. In fact, if you only get one thing on this list, it should be these, and luckily, they are one of the least costly items in this roundup! These eye patches are perfect for mornings, travel days, or before a night out when you want to look a little more refreshed. They feel instantly cooling and hydrating, and really help when the under-eyes look puffy or dull. I always keep a pack on hand to give as a gift, and I keep the tub in my fridge for myself for an added cooling effect. This is ideal for someone who loves to pamper themselves. 

Marvis Travel Toothpaste

This is such a fun little luxury to travel with- the 'fancy' toothpaste! The mint flavor is fresh without being overpowering, and the packaging just feels chic sitting on a bathroom counter. The travel size is especially convenient. This is the perfect stocking stuffer for anyone, but especially great for someone who travels often. 

DWB Tri-Lipid Peptide Lip Treatment

This is the kind of lip product that actually does something rather than just sitting on your lips. It feels hydrating and really helps keep lips soft, especially in cold weather. I like using it during the day. I keep one on both levels of our home so I can reapply throughout the day. So many lip balms are scented these days, but this one is unscented, and I love that! This is great for someone who always has dry or chapped lips and looks for science-backed skincare.

RevitaLash Lash Conditioner

This lash serum helps create longer, fuller lashes. It’s easy to apply, lasts a long time, and with consistent use, you really do see a difference in how your lashes look. This is what I use on my lashes. This is perfect for someone interested in this kind of serum, as it's one of my go-to brands for brow and lash growth products because it truly works. 

Thank you to Dermstore for sponsoring this post! All thoughts and opinions are my own! 

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).

Gift Guide: My Wish List Part II

Fair Isle Sweater// Candy Dish// Earrings// Cashmere Sweater

Pewter Salt Cellar// Martini Glasses

 Earrings// Belt

Nutcracker// Leather Pouch Duo// Earrings

Second to the last gift guide of the year! The last one is last-minute gift ideas, which will be on Friday, and then that's a wrap! This is another 'my wish list' guide which can be a bit fanciful, but it's fun to dream! 

Fair Isle Sweater// I've been very into Fair Isle lately. It's such a classic winter pattern and always feels so fun to wear in the snowy weather. 

Candy Dish// This candy dish costs less than the candy I want to put it in it, ha! I love the Swedish candy craze. I'm a big gummy candy gal, and I think this little dish is so fun to store some sitting out. 

Earrings// I have these earrings in the larger size and wear them several times per week. My mom and sister also have them and wear them often. I love that they have come out with a few different sizes. I 

Cashmere Sweater// I have this sweater in the beautiful pink shade and love it. It's so cozy and well-made. I love this green color. It's so happy and bright! 

Pewter Salt Cellar// A little something to store the Maldon salt we love to sprinkle on so many dishes! 

Martini Glasses// I've been eyeing this glassware for years, but we don't have the cabinet space for much more, so that's why I've held off. But I just love the shapes and colors of this brand!

 Earrings// These earrings are simple and classic- the perfect everyday earrings. 

Belt// I don't actually like wearing belts as I find them annoying and uncomfortable. However, I love the look, and recently I've been drawn to them. I really love this one. It's the type of accessory that would add the perfect touch to a very simple outfit. 

Nutcracker// I collect a piece or two of holiday decor every year, and I've got my eye on a beautiful, quality Nutcracker in the coming years! 

Leather Pouch Duo// I have the leather heart pouch, and the quality is beautiful. This set is a duo of two different leather pouches, perfect for travel. 

Earrings// I've been browsing for dark earrings for months now. I keep coming back to these. I think they are beautiful and could work paired with both brown and black outfits. 

Paper Geranium Arrangement// Fish Bag// Walking Pad

Martini Hand Towel// Perfume Set

Hat// Coffee// Crossbody Bag

Paper Geranium Arrangement// I think these paper flower arrangements are beautiful works of art and make for such unique and interesting decor. 

Fish Bag// I'm a sucker for a novelty bag, and this one is just too fun and interesting. It looks like something someone would have carried in the '60s. 

Walking Pad// We've gotten quite a bit of snow already this winter, and it has me wanting a walking pad so that I can get my steps in indoors. I run at Orange Theory, but it's not really enough for me! We have a neighborhood gym, too, but there is something about the convenience of just rolling out of bed and onto the walking pad that is really tempting. This is the one I am eyeing because it is under $200, the reviews are decent, and it is slightly longer than some. 

Martini Hand Towel// I have the Christmas tree hand towels and the plain monogrammed hand towels, but I think it would be fun to put out the martinis whenever I am hosting! 

Perfume Set// Aventus for her is one of my favorite perfumes of all time, and I love this little trio, perfect for spritzing on at home or on the go. 

Hat// I love the simple and elegant shape of this hat! I love to collect hats for the summer months, and this one is so stylish. 

Coffee// I discovered this coffee during our stay at the Jefferson Hotel in DC. It was so good that I had to ask our waiter one morning what it was, and he took a photo of it in the kitchen to show me. It was Illy! I have had Illy before, but not anytime recently! We started to order tins of this, and it has made me so happy! This is exactly the type of thing I love to find in my stocking. 

Crossbody Bag// I've been eyeing this bag for over a year. I've been between this and the Toteme T-lock. I love the look of both, and they both come in many different colors and leathers. I still can't fully decide, but I'm leaning toward the Savette over the T-lock now! 

2025 Gift Guides:

- Host and Hostess

- My Wish List

- Gifts for Her Under $100

- For Him

- Curated by Mom

- For the Cool Girl

- Splurge-Worthy 

- Stocking Stuffers/Gifts Under $50

2024 Gift Guides:

- For the Host and Hostess

- My Wish List

- Under $100

- Men's shoes and clothing

- For the Men

- Under $50 Stocking Stuffers

- $100+ Splurge for Her

- Curated by my mom!

- My Wish List Part II

- Last Minute Gifts with Prime Delivery

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).