friday I’m in love {january}o

{image via Tabula Rosi}

Happy (almost end of) January! Can you even believe how quickly 2019 is already zooming by? Here are some of my favorite things, as of late.

{one}The Marvelous Mrs. Maizel.

We have completely jumped on the bandwagon of The Marvelous Mrs. Maizel and LOVE it! We’ve binged the entire thing (so much faster than I’d like to admit!) and just finished it this week. I had heard a lot about it when it released, and then again after it won at the Emmy’s, but was still a little skeptical. Sometimes when you have such high expectations for something, it disappoints. This was not the case. Highly recommend!

{two} Recyclable (or Compostable) Paper Sandwich Bags.

I have a love/hate relationship with plastic bags, like the Ziploc kind. They are super, super convenient for nearly everything. Especially with kids. But they are also super, super wasteful! I have been making a very conscious effort in the past year to minimize the amount of plastic bags we use and as an alternative use glass containers, Stasher bags, and beeswax paper. BUT I still have a need for plastic bags. And while they aren’t a complete substitute (since they aren’t completely sealable) these Lunchskin paper sandwich bags are awesome because they are either recyclable or compostable (based on what was in the bag) once you are finished. Plus the prints are super cute!

{three} Nordstrom alterations department.

As most of you know, I am pretty petite. And while generally speaking clothes off-the-rack fit me, I have been much more conscious about how my clothes fit me. Especially since I have been focusing the past few years on quality over quantity when it comes to clothes. All that’s to say that I frequently need to have things altered to fit me correctly, especially leg lengths. I have always had Nordstrom alter denim and dresses that I have purchased there, but just recently I have been taking in everything (denim, a jumpsuit, and a bridesmaids dress). And while you don’t get to use your alteration credit (if you have a Nordstrom card) to use on non-Nordstrom alterations, it’s still really reasonably priced for quality work.

{four} J. Crew Perfect Winter Parka.

In all of the years I have lived in Seattle (ahem, that would be 14 years – eek!) I have worn either had a winter (down) coat OR a rain jacket (a waterproof shell) that I would alternate depending on the day’s weather. It’s a fairly good system except for the fact that we have many winter days that are both cold AND wet. (Cold rain in Seattle, go figure!) In one of the many post-Christmas sales, I picked up this Parka for a steal and it is LOVE. I just got it but have worn it every day since! It’s got this great waxy outside and a quilted inside (that’s pink!), and a giant (GIANT) hood which goes over my head whether I have a hat on or my hair up in a bun (such a game-changer!). It’s still in stock and on sale!

{five} Bombas No-Show Socks.

Way, way back I shared my love for no-show socks from the Gap. Well, scratch that. My new favorite socks (EVER!) are the Bombas No-Show Socks that I got for Christmas. I have never been into “weather appropriate” footwear during the winter months and wear shoes that show my ankles basically rain or shine. So no-show socks are basically necessary for me every single day that I wear shoes. I have heard good (actually amazing) things about Bombas socks before from friends (and also am inundated with ads on Facebook and Instagram!) but always balked at the pretty high price point. But, I am here to tell you, they are so worth it! They don’t slide down (at all) because they are high enough to cover your heel and also have a little sticky patch to keep it up. Plus, they don’t dig into the top of your foot (which became my issue with the Gap ones). And, generally speaking, they don’t show above most of my sneakers and booties. I might even venture into regular socks too!

What are you loving?

M

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friday I’m in love {december}

♛ A wHiMSiCaL RomAnCe ♛

{image via}

Happy December! I cannot believe it is nearly Christmas – just three more sleeps! It’s been a fun and festive holiday season, but I really tried to scale back on the amount of things we committed to, partly because Aaron is still recovering and partly because I always regret being crazy busy this time of year (and then feeling exhausted come the 25th). I have a few fun things to share this month, and if you haven’t seen the post about the girls with Santa, you are missing out.

Continue reading “friday I’m in love {december}”

friday I’m in love {july}

FridayImInLove_July18

Hello Friday! And the last Friday of July already. How is this happening? Welp, here are my favs for this month!

{one} The Great British Baking Show.

Since we are on the summer TV hiatus and we’ve caught up on our usual shows, Aaron and I have started watching binging The Great British Baking Show after hearing a lot of hype about it. We generally like cooking shows and it has not disappointed! We love hearing all of the British vernacular (but put on subtitles so you don’t miss anything) and the hosts are AMAZING! There is so much camaraderie between the bakers which is a contrast to American cooking shows where there is always drama, drama, drama.

{two} Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Mist.

Going into this summer (but really starting last fall with our trip to Mexico) I have been on a mission to find a great mineral (physical) sunscreen. I am slightly neurotic about the sun and our skin (shocking, I know) but I actually really dislike sunscreen. It generally feels awful on your skin (unless you use chemical sunscreen which I won’t use because I don’t think it is as effective), it leaves a white-cast on everything (clothes, car seats, strollers), and you have to apply and re-apply SO often!

But, we are going to be out in the sun so sunscreen is non-negotiable. And the bonus is that the girls are so used to be slathered in sunscreen before we head out for the day/morning that neither of them mind it. And Eloise even reminds me to put sunscreen on her! Plus, they both wear hats which helps tremendously.

Okay, all of this to say that I ordered the new Beautycounter Countersun Mineral Sunscreen Mist and it is pretty close to love. It isn’t an aerosol so it isn’t just blowing all over the place (and not really covering well) and it isn’t greasy at all. If anything my complaint is that it is a bit drying. But, I am liking it and I love that I can use it on all four of us without worrying!

{three} Missha Mild Sun Milk.

And completely related, I finally found a sunscreen for my face that I actually like (well, LOVE) as well. I have super sensitive skin that tends to break out (in hives) with fragrance and other random things so I have to test everything. But, like regular sunscreen, most facial sunscreens are either super chemically or super greasy. I have been using Missha Essence Mild Sun Milk and it is AMAZING! I will probably never, ever use an American facial sunscreen again (especially since the US FDA is decades behind Asian and European sunscreen technologies)!

{four} Hi-Chews.

When I was on my girls weekend in Boise a few weeks ago my friend Beth introduced us to Hi-Chews candies and I am hooked! They were made by a Japanese fellow who liked chewy fruit candies but didn’t like the way they stuck to his teeth (I am looking at you Starbursts) so he invented Hi-Chews which taste great and don’t stick!

{five} Azaria diaper bag.

As you may remember, I have gone back and forth on diaper bags basically since I was pregnant with Eloise. I have used the Skip Hop Chelsea diaper bag, a Madewell tote and a Nordstrom tote with ToteSavvy insert, and many other iterations of a bag to carry all of the things. But once Daphne was born, I knew that once she started getting mobile I would need something super practical, especially for this summer since many of my days are spent on the playground, splash pad, or Zoo. So, I finally broke down and ordered a backpack diaper bag. This is only a big deal because I sort of loathe backpacks. Even as a kid I preferred a shoulder tote bag (even in law school!). But, practicality won out this time and I have been SO happy with my Azaria La Mere bag. Many of the other backpack diaper bags are similar (ahem, the Fawn bag) but I love my Azaria for the super wipeable inside and outside, inside pockets, extra large outside pockets (which can hold a Hydroflask!), the key ring, and the not insanely high price tag. I also love the Petite La Mere bag which I may get once Daphne is a little older and I don’t have to carry all of the things anymore.

What are you loving this month?

M

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