Hi, friends! I’m so excited to share with you all of my favorite things from the past month! From bright and beautiful spring-inspired outfits to blossom-hued makeup picks…to a couldn’t-be-easier dinner idea and my favorite books to read and Netflix shows to watch, I’m sharing it all in this version of The Monthly Edit.
As always, these posts are supposed to be a fun, informal way for us to catch up over a cup of coffee and talk about some of the things I’ve been loving lately, including the ways in which I’ve been spending my time. All this being said, I wanted to make a point of clarification since these posts can come across as contrary (even hypocritical!) to my journey of living more intentionally and with less “stuff”. Yes I have indeed started to cut back on my non-essential shopping so there won’t be as many new clothes or new beauty products in my future. But that doesn’t mean I don’t currently have and use things that bring me a lot of joy that I’d like to share with you. Or that I won’t occasionally come across an amazing product that I can’t wait to talk about with you! The moisturizer below, for instance, is one I have been using for years. I personally love it and wanted to highlight it this month. The yellow floral top, on the other hand, is brand new. But it’s one that I will wear and love for years to come (blog post coming soon btw). So instead of stopping to post about the things I’m loving each month (which is such a fun and creative outlet for me!), I decided to keep them going and to instead try to focus more on the lifestyle things I’m using, the beauty products I’ve been using for years or ones that I’ve talked about before but in new spring/summer colors, and a few fashion items that I can responsibly add to my wardrobe with intention. So long as we (you and I) are both aware of what we are doing and doing it with intention (not mindlessly shopping for things we don’t need), I think these posts can still be a happy and mindful way to converse throughout the month.
So with all of this said, I hope you enjoy a few of the favorite things I’ve been loving from this month! There are some really good ones I can’t wait for you to discover!
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Fashion
1.Ā Pink Floral Headband| I already gushed about my obsession with Liberty floral prints (see below), so I won’t subject you to any more of it here. š But I love this pink variation of the yellow ‘magical bouquet’ print and actually think it looks sublime when paired together with the floral top, or with just a basic tee on the weekend. It’s a little pop of floral fun to elevate any look! I will note that this runs a little small on my big head, but would fit most people’s noggins. š
2. White Woven Mules | Woven mules have been all the rage this spring. I love the idea of a classic shoe with a fun twist, and this one is quite literally just that! I originally had my eyes on this pair from Sam Edelman (now on sale!), but ended up going with this pair from Gap that is very similar in style. Backless mules are not the best for walking all around town in, so I would recommend this pair for more casual, laid back settings at home in the backyard with friends or other casual get-togethers this summer.
3.Ā Yellow Liberty Floral Top| The one thing I genuinely look forward to J.Crew releasing each year is their collection of Liberty floral pieces. If you didn’t know, Liberty London is a UK-based department store that got its start selling beautifully ornate floral and paisley fabrics. Fast forward to today and their world-famous fabrics are still at the center of their business. All this to say, this new gorgeous yellow and pink ‘magical bouquet’ Liberty print made into an easy, breezy cotton popover top is stunning and so happy and bright for spring and summer. The material is also light weight and breathable for the warmer days ahead, so you don’t have to worry about it being too hot to wear. It would be pretty paired with a dark pair or jeans or even a pink pair of shorts (coming to the blog soon!). I’m usually between a 4 or 6 in J. Crew tops and went with a size 6 since I like the loose fitting cut and longer sleeves of the bigger size.
4. On The Bright Side Tee | I’m slowly growing my collection of graphic tees. I love the subtle addition of character and personality and casualness that graphic tees can add to a look. Most of my graphic tees are neutral in color–blue on white, white on navy, or black on white–which I like because it means I can pair them with any color I’m feeling from my wardrobe. But when this super colorful red on pink graphic tee was released at J.Crew, I knew it would be joining my collection. Not only do I love the mantra of living on the bright side of any situation, but the color combination speaks to me on another level. I can see myself pairing it with jean shorts on the weekend or with yellow cropped pants (below) and a red cardigan during the week (this look coming to the blog soon too!). I usually wear a size Medium in J.Crew tees (so that they don’t shrink in the wash) and have this in a Medium.
5. Yellow Cropped Pants | I love Everlane’s wide leg crop pants. LOVE them! They are classic and timeless in shape, super flattering on, and bring the comfort of a worn-in pair jeans to an office-appropriate style. I cannot get enough of them, and have them in just about every color they come in. (Thinking about adding the brown ochre color for fall.) You can see how I styled the coral pink ones here and the white ones here. And I’ll be taking my navy ones to Maryland this summer for work. But these new lovely golden yellow ones are so pretty and perfect! I love the idea of pairing them with light blue tops in the summer and navy ones in the fall. I wear a size 6.
6. Straw Macrame Tote | I love a good straw tote as much as the next girl, but sometimes I wonder if bloggers who buy themĀ actually use them, or if they just pose with them for cute pictures. At any rate, purchasing a large straw tote isn’t super practical for me 1) because I don’t live close to a beach and 2) because I would always be afraid to ruin it or get it dirty haha. So when this straw macrame tote came out in a smaller purse version, I knew it would strike the perfect balance between having a cute straw bag and having one that is actually functional. I can’t seem to find the smaller version of the tote anywhere (it must’ve been popular!), but I have linked the larger tote version in case you have a fun beach trip coming up or like carrying larger totes!
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Beauty
7. CeraVe Moisturizer | This facial moisturizer came recommended to me by my dermatologist and I love it! I’ve been using it for a couple years now and have no complaints. This one doesn’t have a daily SPF mixed in with it, so I only use it at night after I’ve fully washed and cleansed my face. It provides a protective, hydrating layer for your skin overnight and is considered to be a good all-around moisturizer for just about any skin type. Beyond sharing new-to-me things I’m loving in these Monthly Edit posts, I also want to share with you my tried-and-true favorites. And this is definitely one of them!
8. Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Stain in Temptation | I love wearing a bright, bold pink lip in spring to mimic the budding flowers of the season. This Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Stain in the color Temptation is a beautiful bright color on and one that has serious lasting power. For reference on how it looks on, I am wearing it in this post, this post, and this post. It adds the most fun pop of color to any look you wear!
9. Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Stick in Orchid | I try not to post the same products in back-to-back post of my Monthly Edit series, but this Laura Mercier eye shadow stick is just too good! Last month I raved about the Rose Gold color, but this month I tried out a fun orchid purple color and love it for spring and summer!Ā For me, I just swipe a little across the edge of my eyelid, much like a very thick version of eyeliner, to give a subtle pop of color locally without covering the entire lid. I then layer on some RMS luminizer (see below) all over my eyelid to give a luminescent glow that compliments the shimmery purple color. It’s a fun take on my go-to routine, and one that is subtle enough for everyday wear.
10. Tarte Cheek Stain in True Love | It does not get any better than Tarte cheek stain in my book. I started with Fearless (a sheer pink), moved over to Glisten (a sun-kissed copper), and now am obsessed with True Love (a sheer watermelon). This new True Love color is so gorgeous on and it’s exactly the deep, bold shade of red berry color I have been looking for. The color goes on really dark, but massages and soaks into the skin effortlessly to give the perfect rosey red cheek color. I’m not finding it on Tarte’s website (or Sephora) at the moment, but if you can get your hands on this newly available color, you won’t regret it!
11. RMS Champagne Rose Luminizer | I’m loving this new RMS luminizer in a pretty pink-tinted pearly champagne color. It’s very similar to the Living Luminizer but with warmer iridescent undertones. I apply this the same way as other RMS luminizers–down the bridge of my nose, above my cheek bones, and all over my eyelids. It’s the easiest, prettiest, and healthiest way to add summer dewiness to your skin!
12. Summer Fridays ‘Jet Lag’ Mask | This super hydrating mask couldn’t be easier to use and leaves your skin feeling incredibly dewy and rejuvenated. It’s great after a long day of travel (hence the ‘jet lag’ name), or even just after a long day at work. You can apply the mask as you would any normal mask–liberally applying it all over the face, letting it set for 10-15 minutes, and then wiping off the excess. Or you can go the hassle-less route (like I do!) and apply the cream all over your face and allow it to soak in over night. It really doesn’t get any easier than that! Plus, this mask is free of artificial fragrances and other harmful ingredients, so you can rest easy knowing that what you are putting on your skin is safe and healthy!
13. Native Sensitive Deodorant in Coconut | You may remember from The March Edit that I officially made the switch over to natural, non-toxic deodorants. And while I loved using Schmidt’s Lavender + Sage deodorant, after about a month I noticed that my underarms suddenly became very red, lumpy, and irritated. I’m not sure what the exact cause of the rash was, but I came to believe it was at least in part irritated by the baking soda used in natural deodorants. So I quickly scoured the internet to find a sensitive formula that didn’t use baking soda as a primary ingredient. Of all the brands (and customer reviews) I found online, I decided to give Native deodorants a try. And I love them! I got a 3-pack of sensitive deodorants and have been using and loving the Coconut & Vanilla scent so far. I still use Schmidt deodorant during the day since I think it’s very effective at neutralizing odors (I’m currently using the Charcoal + Magnesium formula) but stick to this more moisturizing, less irritating Native formula after my shower in the evenings. Switching between the two brands/formulas has been what works best for me! This deodorant is a little pricey at $12 per stick (which is why I got the discounted 3-pack for $30), but I haven’t had any break out issues since I started using it at the end of April. So I’m considering this a successful find and one I would highly recommend!
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Lifestyle
14. Pink Doormat | If you remember from The March Edit, I was supposed to get a beautiful, giant pink rug for my living room a couple months ago. Long story short, it arrived damaged and I had to send it back. I’m currently waiting on its replacement to ship (backordered until July!). But no need to feel bad about it because I won’t even be in Boulder over the summer to enjoy it. So maybe it’s better this way because I wont’ have to worry about Allen spilling something on it while I’m gone! š (just kidding…kind of.) At any rate, I recently stumbled upon this gorgeous pink doormat that matches the colors in the larger rug almost perfectly. Needless to say, I couldn’t wait to get it as a useful and beautiful addition to my apartment entryway.
15. Silk Pillowcase | Last year for my birthday, I asked my grandma for a silk pillowcase. I had heard such great reviews about them not only for keeping your hair looking great throughout the week but also for keeping your skin looking healthy too. And while I can’t speak specifically to the skin glow effects, I can for sure attest to the hair claims. Silk pillowcases are where it’s at!! I have outrageously frizzy, curly, all-around unruly hair. And I don’t like washing it often if I don’t have to since there is just so much of it to deal with. Since trying out the silk pillowcase nearly a year ago, I can honestly say that it helps to keep my hair looking good for days between washings–without the weird creases and crinkles (and overall flatness) you can get from laying on it overnight. I’m a convert, truly. I haven’t tried out the specific brand linked here (remember, I got mine as a gift), but I’ve heard great things about it from others. Plus, I think it’s less about the brand and more about the silk material.
16. Handmade Speckled Pot | If you’ve been reading The Monthly Edits for long, you have probably picked up on the fact that I love having lots of plants in my home. Not only do they improve the quality of air, but they add color and life in a way no object or painting can. Needless to say, I think we are in the double digits of plants right now (#sorrynotsorry) and I love them (and have named them) all! Most of the plants we have are succulents and cacti but we have recently moved into the realm of “real” plants with leaves and stricter watering and lighting schedules. All this to say, I have a love of plants and picking out pots is an integral part of making them feel more a part of my home and aesthetic. This speckled purple pot is my latest find on Etsy. It’s the perfect little planter for a teeny purple cactus I picked up the other day. Luna Reece, the creator of this pot makes all kinds of things in her ceramics shop. I’d definitely recommend taking a look at her stuff–all of her creations are beautiful! And if purple isn’t your thing, this same teeny pot comes in a handful of other colors too! I’m also loving the coral colored one and the darker purple color too!
17. Moment App | I’ve been making a concerted effortĀ not to be on my phone as much. I love that the Moment App (free btw) is able to track your daily phone usage, down to what apps are eating up the majority of your time and how many times you pick up your phone to check for messages. The Moment App gives a daily record of your phone usage and even provides weekly insights into how you are using your phone. This is not the app that will force you off your phone if you start looking at too many pictures on social media (that comes from your own will power!). But it is the kind of app to make you more aware of exactly how much time you are spending on your phone each day. And awareness is the first step toward making any appreciable change!
18. Tomato Ravioli | In need of a quick dinner idea this month? Tomato pasta ravioli is the answer to all your prayers! This tomato ravioli by Buitoni is absolutely incredible. It can be found in the refrigerated pasta section at your local grocery store and only takes a few minute to heat up in water. When Allen and I first tried it, we made it with a simple marinara sauce. But honestly we love it even more on its own, tossed with a hint of olive oil, Italian herbs and spices, and maybe a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. It’s so good that we enjoy it better on its own than paired with any kind of sauce! I’d say that means is pretty darn good! I even eat it cold for leftovers on the next day. Is that weird? Haha. You just need to try this stuff, trust me!
19. Pacific Chai Spice Mix | I love making homemade chai lattes at home. But I don’t always love keepingĀ syrupy chai mixes around because they seem to always go bad before I have the chance to use them up. So I gave this Pacific Chai Spice powder mix a try and love it! It’s great to mix in with a shot of espresso and hot water on a Sunday morning with my pancakes and still equally good on its own (with just hot water) for a morning drink when we’re out camping in the woods. I’m even bringing some with me to Maryland this summer in case I can’t find any while I’m there!
20. BackJoy Pressure Point Massager | If you are like me and have chronic knots in your back from working a 9-5 desk job hunched over a computer (#thisis27?), this is the tool for you! Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing better than the verbally-assisted hands of a significant other to get deep into that one spot you can never seem to reach, but on days when said significant other is not around or you feel bad about asking him/her for the zillionth time (sorry, Allen!), this pressure point massager is your best friend. The problem I’ve found with traditional vibrating back massagers is that you have to hold them over your head to get to the spot you need. This in effect changes the shapes of your back muscles, and in my case, ends up covering the knots I’m trying to get to. The power of this pressure point massager is that you can hold it in front of you (thereby allowing your muscles to lay as they naturally are), and still reach those hard-to-get knots behind you that build up around your scapula. Trust me when I say you won’t regret this tool if you have lots of knots in your back! (P.S. Allen calls it my Klingon Bat’lethĀ for any Star Trek nerds out there lol.)
21. The Big Tiny Book | If you’ve ever wondered what kind of person would live in a tiny house on wheels, then this is the book for you! This story is written by Dee Williams and focuses on her journey in downsizing and building a tiny house herself from the ground up. It’s not only a story about the tiny home and living with less, but about how Dee personally came to terms with some of the bigger issues she was facing in life and how focusing her efforts on the building of her home (and metaphorically her life) helped to transform her into a more intentional and aware human being. It’s a great read for anyone interested in both minimalism and hearing about the character development and life of a real person.
22. Girl, Wash Your Face Book |Ā In her open-faced book, Rachel Hollis shares the societal lies that women tend to believe and talks about how we can overcome them to become the strong, confident, unstoppable women we are meant to be. The book is laid out with each chapter title being one of the lies that society tells us to believe and is followed by personal stories from Rachel’s life concerning how she overcame those lies and why it is so important (and imperative!) that each of us do so as well. I can’t recommend this book for women enough! It’s a great reminder that we are in control of our own lives, not society or our preconceived notions of who we think we should or ought to be.
23. Simple Matters Book | If you are looking for a minimalist/simple living book that focuses on the design and aesthetic of your home, this is the book for you. Erin Boyle’s style is so effortlessly beautiful and simply charming–the pictures in this book alone make me want to give up all possessions and live more like her. In this book she provides her tips and insights on how to create a simple home (in her case, a tiny one room apartment) that is free of stuff and instead full of life. Her words of wisdom are both enlightening and aspirational.
24. Avengers Infinity War Movie | If you’ve known me for long, you probably know that I LOVE Marvel movies. And so with the release of the newest Avengers movie Infinity War,Ā I was beside myself with excitement! This movie is about Thanos’s coming of power over the universe as he acquires all six infinity stones and includes nearly every Marvel character we know about up to this point. I won’t ruin the story line for you, but the ending was amazing–not because it ended beautifully or heroically, but because it was raw and real and largely left unfinished (to be continued in another movie). I actually like that it didn’t end perfectly with all loose ends tied up magically. To be honest, I don’t know how the Avenges are going to come back after the ending of this movie. But I think that it’s better this way because it’s more realistic and teaches us a greater lesson than if all the heroes had happened to pull out a win without an actual fight or struggle to overcome. All this to say, if you see one movie this month, let it be this one!
25. Rotten Docuseries | I love learning about food health, waste processes, and how the overall ecosystem is affected by our daily actions on the planet. So it probably comes as no surprise that I would be highly interested in the Netflix DocuseriesĀ Rotten. Each episode in this 6-part documentary series covers a different topic on food health, policy, or production, and overall it’s a great introduction into some of the un-publicized legal and medical issues surrounding food in our world today. Such an interesting and insightful watch!
26. Parks & Rec Series | Leslie Knope may be my favorite tv character of all time. She is smart and funny, confident and determined, a fierce friend and advocate, and stubbornly impatient when it comes to fulfilling her dreams. Oh and a little quirky and over the top too! Personally I think we could all use a little more Leslie Knope in our lives. For any Parks & Rec newbies out there, this show covers the life of Leslie Knope and her co-workers in the fictitious Pawnee, Indiana Parks and Recreations Department. It’s essentially a hilarious ‘political satire’ about life in a small town and one extremely-driven mid-level government employee (Leslie Knope) trying to make a difference there. It was produced by the same people that brought us The Office. So if you like the slow and awkward humor of that show, you will absolutely fall in love with this one too! And lucky for us all, it streams on Netflix, so it couldn’t be easier to try out! (Or in our case, watch multiple times through. :P)
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