• Favorites,  Lifestyle

    Things I Love #31 – Fall Edition

    Below are some of my favorite fall purchases. Click on the photos or blue words below for more details and shopping links.

    I am a huge fan of Sweetwater Decor and I’m thrilled their line is now available on Amazon. I have their relaxation room scent and candle in my bedroom, I have the spa day scent in my bathroom and front porch. I recently purchased Pumpkin Spice, Hello Pumpkin and Sweater Weather which are scattered throughout my house. The candles are a soy wax blend that is hand poured in Pittsburg, PA. Most candles are available in glass (clear or amber) or stoneware jars (cream or black.) I have a stash of Sweetwater Decor candles in my cupboard for emergency gifts – because everyone loves a great candle!

    Campfire Coffee Mug

    And, how cute is this sweater weather mug?! It’s available in 3 different styles, but I love using this campfire coffee style.

    Outdoor Lights

    Since the days are getting shorter, I love looking outside and seeing these outdoor lights on my arbor and fence. They really brighten up the backyard. Don’t forget to order a box of replacement bulbs.

    Animated Pumpkin

    This animated pumpkin is a riot. If you have kids or like to have something fun to set out for your trick-or-treaters, pick up one of these before they sell out.

    Stretchy gloves

    These stretchy gloves are great for walking the dog or running errands during chilly fall mornings. I have pairs stashed in my car, my purse and several coat pockets.

    Don’t forget to stock up on popcorn bowls, seasonings and cozy blankets for fall movie nights.

    Comment below with some of your favorite fall things.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn money from qualifying purchases.

    Click on the three lines to the left of the word “lifestyle” at the top of this page and enter your email address to receive notifications by email when I post something new on this blog. Also, follow me on Instagram at cocktailsandgratitude for photos of cocktails, food, flowers, my pets and travel.

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  • Favorites,  Lifestyle

    Things I Love – #22

    Every January there are a few items I find myself purchasing, usually related to refreshing or organizing my home for the remaining winter months. Click on the photos below or any blue words for more information.

    Nest Bamboo Candle

    Candles – To replace the Christmas scents I’ve been burning since Thanksgiving, two of the scents I purchase every January are Orange Blossom and Bamboo from Nest Home Fragrances.

    Brother Label Maker

    Brother Label Maker – I asked for a label maker for Christmas and I’ve really enjoyed making labels for all of my storage containers. Next Christmas, I’ll know exactly what’s in each storage container.

    Nesco Food Dehydrator

    Food Dehydrator & Jerky Maker – Citrus is in season. So, for all my cocktail making friends, this is the time to dehydrate commonly used citrus like oranges, lemons and limes. Look at your grocery store for unusual citrus like pink lemons and blood oranges.

    Glass Jars

    Glass Storage Jars – I love these borosilicate glass jars with airtight locking bamboo lids. They seal tight so your dehydrated citrus, coffee beans or whatever else you are storing will stay fresh. And, they look great on your counter.

    Dog and Cat Collars with bowtie

    Dog Collars – The dogs needed fresh non-Christmas collars. I love the price point and the removable bows on these collars.

    Cool Mist Humidifier

    Humidifier – I have this countertop humidifier in my kitchen. Our house is really dry in the winter and when I fill this in the morning, it will run the entire day.

    Porcelain Ramekins

    Ramekin cups – We’ve been making a lot of charcuterie boards lately, and while I love using these silicone baking cups for nuts, fig jams, cornichons, etc., I decided to pick up a set of these white porcelain ramekins to switch it up.

    What household items do you like to refresh in January?

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn money from qualifying purchases.

    Click on the three lines to the left of the word “lifestyle” at the top of this page and enter your email address to receive notifications by email when I post something new on this blog. Also, follow me on Instagram at cocktailsandgratitude for photos of cocktails, flowers, my pets and, eventually, more travel.

  • Favorites,  Lifestyle

    Things I Love – #21

    Winter Coats

    Last year I bought a long faux shearling coat (aka Teddy coat because it looks like a teddy bear) from Lou & Gray. It’s cozy and soft, but casual enough to wear with leggings or jeans. Almost every time I venture out with this coat, I get a compliment. Unfortunately, the coat I own is no longer available but here are a few options. If you’re interested, order quick as these coats are selling fast; some sizes sold out since I started writing this blog post. (Click photos below or blue text for more information or to purchase.)

    Lou & Grey

    This Lou & Grey shirt coat is adorable, but it’s almost sold out.

    Abercrombie & Fitch Sherpa Coat

    This Sherpa Coat from Abercrombie & Fitch comes in both brown and grey and is selling fast.

    ASOS Monki Teddy shearling coat

    This cream faux shearling coat at ASOS for only $135 will sell out fast.

    Teddy Coat from Nordstrom

    This VERO MODA Lynn Teddy Coat from Nordstrom comes in cream and fir green. Comments indicate it runs large, so size down.

    Teddy coat from J Crew

    This Teddy coat from J Crew is available in several colors.

    Cupcakes and Cashmere Faux Fur

    This Faux Fur coat is available at Bloomingdales. Bloomingdales has several faux fur / shearling options so search on their website to find the style and color you like the best.

    Max Mara Teddy Icon Coat

    If you’re ready for an investment piece, you can’t go wrong with a Max Mara Icon coat. I purchased the Max Mara 101801 in Ultramarine in 2018 (Things I Love – #8) and I hope to have it for many years. Although, I do tend to save this coat for dressing up, not walking the dog. This coat fits amazing and it’s made out of wool and cashmere so it’s really warm. When we were able to visit Chicago last winter, I stayed nice and warm while walking miles to and from dinner.

    Wearing my Max Mara coat on a very cold winter night in Chicago. (We found an old friend on our walk home from dinner.)

    Comment with your favorite winter coat below. Do you prefer classic investment coats or trendy, less expensive coats? Or both?

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  • Favorites,  Lifestyle

    Things I Love – #12

    We’re still spending a lot of time at home, so this Things I Love post has comfortable clothes and household items. (Click on the photos below or any blue words for more information about each product.)

    Jenni Kayne Cocoon Gray Cardigan

    I love this Cashmere Cocoon Cardigan from Jenni Kayne. It feels like a soft, cozy hug. Great for cool summer nights or an office with air conditioning.

    Lululemon Align Wide Leg Crop 23″

    I listed the Lululemon Align Crop pant in Things I Love – #6 but they now offer a wide leg version. Just as comfortable as the traditional legging, but it can almost pass as a real pair of pants.

    J Jill Perfect Reversible Tank

    This J Jill tank makes a great layering piece under sweaters or sheer tops. It’s reversible – a scoop neck on one side and a v-neck on the other side. I buy several in white every spring and fall.

    Keds by Kate Spade calf hair sneaker

    Every time I wear these comfortable leopard Keds I get compliments from strangers. They are perfect for all of the walking in Chicago and they look as good with a pair of dress pants as they do with a skirt or leggings. They run a little small though, so size up.

    Three glass cylinder vase set

    This trio of vases is a great deal on Amazon. They’re the perfect size for grocery store bouquets or for candles. When using them for flowers, I like to put glass beads or rocks in the bottom to give them additional weight so they are less likely to tip.

    Two piece cotton rope basket set

    I bought this basket set on Amazon and used them as a “gift bag” for a baby shower. I filled the smaller basket with baby shampoo, body wash, diaper cream, etc. and placed it inside the large basket with more baby goodies and lots of bright tissue paper. They’re a great size for organizing on shelves or counters. I bought this large rope basket to store extra pillows and blankets in our Chicago apartment.

    Phone Soap phone sanitizer

    I bought these Phone Soap phone sanitizers for Christmas gifts last year. Little did I know how important they would be with Covid-19. Did you know a cell phone reportedly has 18 times more bacteria than a public restroom? Yuck! The Phone Soap will sanitize your phone (and anything else that can fit inside the sanitizer, like keys or credit cards) in ten minutes.

    Parachute Classic Towels

    It was time to refresh our bath towels and Parachute had a sale on towels and linens over Memorial Day weekend, so I restocked both bathrooms. The classic bath towel is large and plush.

    Let me know your thoughts on the items I’ve included or comment below with your favorite stay-at-home items.

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying Amazon purchases.

    Click on the three lines to the left of the word “lifestyle” at the top of this page and enter your email address to receive notifications by email when I post something new on this blog. Also, follow me on Instagram at cocktailsandgratitude for photos of cocktails, flowers, my pets and, in a week, more travel.

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  • Favorites,  Lifestyle

    Things I Love – #11

    Like many of you, I’m spending most of my time at home right now. I’m not wearing make-up very often which means it’s a great time to focus on beauty products and treatments that make my skin look its best sans make-up. I’ve also included a favorite candle and perfume – because when the space you’re working and living in smells good, it improves your mood. (Click on the photos below or any blue words for more information about each product.)

    Goop Glow Superpowder

    At this point, I think everyone has heard of Goop. I use a couple of products from the Goop Glow line. The first is the Superpowder. Every morning, I dissolve one packet into a cup of room temp water. Mix it well until dissolved and then add ice. After a few weeks, your skin will start to glow from the Collagen and vitamins! 

    Goop Glow Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator

    Massage this microderm scrub onto your skin and leave on for three minutes to benefit from both the physical and chemical exfoliation components. When you rinse it off, your skin will look smoother and brighter. I use this a few times every week; but if your skin is looking dull from winter, use it nightly to uncover your spring glow. If you have a big night out, try using this before doing your make-up; your make-up will apply easier and you’ll have a beautiful natural glow.

    Goop Glow Glycolic Acid Wipe

    The third Goop Glow product I use at least twice a month is the 15% glycolic acid overnight peel. (They also have a 5% glycolic acid peel if you have sensitive skin.) After you wash and dry your face at night, wipe all over your face, neck, chest and even back of hands. It will tingle, but I find it really helps when I fan my face for the minute or two while it’s drying. Do not wash off. After 15 minutes you can put on moisturizer, but I prefer to leave it alone for the night so it can do its magic at full strength. Wash your face in the morning and moisturize like usual. 

    Caudalíe Vinoperfect Brightening Essence

    Caudalie is a French skincare line and the Vinoperfect products are specifically focused on anti-aging. After I wash my face, I’ll use a cotton round to wipe my face with the Brightening Essence. If I’m not wearing any make-up, I’ll skip the full face wash and use this to clean my face at night.

    Caudalie Beauty Elixir

    The second Caudalie product I like to use is the Beauty Elixir. This is a light toning spray that hydrates your skin while smoothing fine lines and it has a nice scent.

    Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum

    After the Beauty Elixir, I apply the Vinoperfect Radiance Serum. This is an oil-free serum that combats dark spots, evens skin tone and boosts radiance. If I was only using one Caudalie product, this would be the one.

    Augustinus Bader Rich Cream

    Now that your skin is clean and prepped, the most important thing you can do is apply a lotion that will help your skin repair and regenerate, especially at night. I’m on my second bottle of Augustinus Bader Rich Cream and I’ll say my skin has never looked healthier.

    L’Occitane Hand Cream

    If you’ve been washing your hands as much as I have, you need a good hand cream to keep your skin from drying out. This L’Occitane shea butter hand cream is thick and moisturizing. They also sell one ounce tubes for your purse and car.

    Simpatico – No. 92 Honeysuckle Hobnail Glass Candle

    Not only are these Simpatico Hobnail glass candles beautiful, the candles smell great and burn clean. And, bonus, the empty glass makes a pretty storage container for everything from make-up brushes to pencils.

    Tocca – Florence

    Tocca produces eau de parfum in several scents; but Florence has scents of bergamot, pear and gardenia. I had gardenias in my wedding bouquet so I’m often drawn to that scent.

    What special products are you using during this time at home?

    Click on the three lines to the left of the word “lifestyle” at the top of this page and enter your email address to receive notifications by email when I post something new on this blog. Also, follow me on Instagram at cocktailsandgratitude for photos of cocktails, flowers, my pets and, someday soon, more travel.

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  • Favorites,  Lifestyle

    Things I Love – #9

    Below are my favorite hair products. I do not use all of these products on my hair every day, but they’re all in my regular product rotation right now. Leave a comment below with your favorite hair product.

    Click on the photos below for the product website and more details.

    Oribe Shampoo for Magnificent Volume

    This shampoo plumps up the roots of my fine hair. I use this every time I wash my hair.

    Oribe Bright Blonde Conditioner

    My hair color has a tendency to turn yellow in the sun. I use this purple conditioner to keep my blonde more ashy than golden. I’ve been told to only use it once a week, but I use it several times a week and my hair color hasn’t turned silver / blue yet.

    Kerastase Hair Mask

    This deep conditioning hair mask is great for fine, colored hair. Unless you have super damaged / dry hair, I wouldn’t use this more than once a month or it might weigh down your hair.

    Garnier Hair Mask

    This is a less expensive mask, but it still does a great job of deep conditioning damaged hair.

    Aveda Thickening Tonic

    I spray this tonic on my roots and the middle section of my hair to help thicken up my hair before styling.

    Ouai Leave In Conditioner

    Ouai is pronounce way. Since I have fine hair, most other leave in conditioners weigh it down. I spray this near the ends of my hair and it helps detangle and protect my hair during styling. It leaves my styled hair super soft.

    Ouai Finishing Créme

    This Finishing Créme is great if I need a little more smoothing at the ends. It can also give you that piecey, second-day-hair look and it makes your hair shiny. I’ve liked every Ouai product I’ve tried including the Texturizing Spray and Wave Spray. Look around on their website for sample kits to find the products right for your hair before committing to a full size.

    Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

    My colorist refers to this as the “gateway” product for Oribe. If you’ve never used Oribe, this is a great first product. I’ll spray this on my roots especially in the crown to bump up the volume and texture in my hair.

    Aveda control force Hair Spray

    I’ve been using this hair spray for years. Aveda’s website says it’s their “firmest hold hair spray” but I find my hair is still manageable and not stiff or sticky.

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