Favorites
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Nordstrom Sale
Even if you don’t typically shop at Nordstrom, this sale is worth checking out. Shipping is always free with Nordstrom and I love that you can create a wish list so on the first day of the sale, you can quickly pop items into your cart and check out before items are sold out. Nordstrom has a lot of exclusive packaged sets during the sale which are great for gifts or to try a new item in a line you already like. Below are a few of my favorite things from the sale and a few of these have already been featured on a Things I Love list. (Click on the photos below or any blue words for more information.)
Nest Candles – you can never go wrong buying candles. Buy scents you like and keep them in the box until you use them. Candles make a great emergency hostess or birthday gift. I listed Nest candles in Things I Love – #8 and Things I Love – #2.
Voluspa candles – I really love these metal tins for when I travel.
Throws / blankets – Cooler days will be here before you know it, so it’s a great time to stock up on new cozy blankets and throws.
Nécessaire – This body wash was on my Things I Love – #14. I love the eucalyptus scent and this is a great way to try the lotion.
Ouai Leave-in conditioner – This leave-in conditioner was on my Things I Love – #9. I use this every time I wash my hair and my daughter used it as a detangler for her long hair when she visited. I imagine the hair oil would be great in the winter or for hair damaged by sun or color.
L’Occitane Shower Oil – This was on my Things I Love List – #3. I love this body wash. It has a runny oil texture right out of the bottle. Put some in your hands, add a little water and rub together to make a luxurious, moisturizing foam.
Booties – If you’re planning to invest in a high quality pair of leather booties this year, check out the ones on sale. Granted paying $300 for a pair of booties is a lot, but I own booties from LaCanadienne and I can tell you they are super comfortable and they last for years.
Patagonia – there are several winter coats included in the sale. The Nano jackets are great because they take up a very small amount of space when you travel.
Cashmere Sweaters – click on sweaters and then refine your search by clicking “material” then check “100% cashmere” and “cashmere blend” to quickly see all the cashmere sweaters included in the sale.
Handbags – There are many cute handbags included in the sale. These are two of my favorites.
Share below what’s on your Wish List from the Nordstrom sale.
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.
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Things I Love – #14
This list includes some of my favorite “clean” beauty products and some of the jewelry I wear when I actually put together an outfit that doesn’t consist of leggings and a t-shirt. (Click on the photos or blue text below for additional information.)
by / rosie jane – All of the scents are very light and fresh. Madie is my favorite scent – it smells like the beach. I purchased the sample collection before purchasing a full size bottle. It’s nice to try perfumes at home before buying; I use the left-over samples when traveling and there’s a discount on your full size purchase when you buy the sample collection.
Beauty Counter – Dew tinted moisturizer with sunscreen, it’s sheer but adds just a touch of coverage and I love that it has spf 20 mineral sunscreen. If I’m walking or exercising outside in the morning, this is the only thing I put on my face. Who am I kidding, most days this is the only thing I put on my face.
Beauty Counter – Touchup Skin Concealer Pen I’ve always been a huge fan of YSL Touche Éclat but I think this has better coverage and I like that it’s a clean product.
Nécessaire – A clean deodorant that actually works. Yes, please! I have this in the Eucalyptus Scent.
Nécessaire – This is a clean, thick body wash that lathers nicely. The bottles aren’t huge, but you don’t need a lot. I have both the Eucalyptus and Sandalwood scents, but the Eucalyptus is my favorite.
Elisabeth Bell Diamond Thorn Necklace – I saw this on Mary Lawless Lee of Happily Grey and I admired it for weeks before finally pulling the plug. I’ve been wearing mostly white gold jewelry for the last twenty years, but I bought this in 14k yellow gold and I’m really enjoying the gold with tan skin.
Uncommon James – Since I bought the necklace above in yellow gold, I decided I should get a few more earrings in gold. I bought these Hold Me Close Hoops for a simple everyday look. The 2nd Avenue pink lucite hoop was on clearance and I just couldn’t resist.
Tiffany – If you’re looking for new fine jewelry as a gift for yourself or someone else. I keep both of these in the small jewelry dish on my dresser and wear them regularly. John bought me the diamond T-bangle for our 30th wedding anniversary and I bought the small Metro diamond hoops as a gift to myself.
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.
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Things I Love – #13
Well, we finally made a trip back to Chicago. This was our first trip in four months. We were a little nervous but with a few precautions it almost felt normal. (Click on any blue text or the photos below for more information.)
Mask – I don’t want to get into a debate about wearing masks; but since it’s a requirement to wear one when flying, I’d prefer to wear one that has a chance at decreasing transmission. For traveling, I like a cloth mask with at least two layers and a filter pocket. The Tory Burch masks above are a pre-order item so I haven’t received these yet. However, I found several masks on Etsy, just search for “face mask with filter pocket.” Even if you don’t use a filter, this will ensure you have at least two layers of fabric.
Filter – These filters are available on Amazon. You can wash and reuse these a few times but after a few washes you should replace the filter.
Hand Sanitizer – I washed my hands every chance I had at the airports and every time we got back to our apartment in Chicago. However, for those times when I didn’t have access to soap and water this Intelligent Nutrients hand sanitizer is my favorite. They are out of stock online, but look for a local salon that sells Intelligent Nutrients to see if they have it in the store.
Delta Airlines – We flew Delta to and from Chicago and we were very impressed with the cleanliness of the planes; the individual packages with snacks, water and Purell; the designated empty seats on the plane and the loading and unloading procedures. From everything I’ve read and everyone I’ve talked to, this is the airline to fly on right now if you’re concerned about traveling.
Grocery Store flowers – Almost every week I buy a bunch or two of grocery store flowers and combine them to make my own floral arrangement. If you follow me on Instagram @cocktailsandgratitude you’ve already seen my flower posts. Having fresh flowers in our house or apartment makes me happy.
Desk Coaster – This wonderful wood coaster on my desk not only has my blog name on it but it reminds me of our daughter and her new business. Visit AlexawineDesigns to order your own wood designed items. They are always adding new designs to their inventory and you can request a custom design.
Skort – I’ve been wearing these Jude Connally Sonia skorts when walking with neighbors and friends. These skorts pull on, have front pockets and built in shorts. If you machine wash them on delicate and hang to dry, they will last for years.
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.
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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.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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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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.)
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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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Book (and Cocktail) Recommendations
While everyone’s travel has come to a halt, consider ordering or downloading a book set in a beautiful, fun destination – maybe some place you’ve always wanted to visit. And, since almost everyone is looking forward to happy hour right now, I’ve suggested a cocktail to go with each location!
Nantucket / Martha’s Vineyard: read with a Nantucket Spritz (1 oz tequila, 1 oz Cointreau, 2 oz blood orange juice, 2 oz champagne – chill ingredients, combine and serve in a champagne glass)
The Nantucket Inn by Pamela Kelly (the first of four books in the Nantucket Beach Plum series) – In the first book Lisa Hodges decides to turn her large, waterfront home into a bed and breakfast.
Winter in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand (the first of two books in the Paradise series) – All of Elin’s books are based in Nantucket and I’ve enjoyed them all.
A Beautiful Place to Die: Martha’s Vineyard Mystery #1 by Philip R. Craig – If you’re more of a mystery book reader, this is a nineteen-book series.
Italy: read with a glass of Italian red wine, or an Aperol Spritz (recipe here)
Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes – If you enjoyed the movie, you’ll love the book.
A Vineyard in Tuscany by Ferenc Máté – A very entertaining read about Ferenc and his wife, Candace, restoring a thirteenth-century friary, planting a vineyard and building a winery.
Living in a Foreign Language by Michael Tucker – Remember “L.A. Law” stars Michael Tucker and Jill Eikenberry? This book details their ups and downs buying and renovating a 350-year-old house while trying to learn Italian.
France: read with a glass of well-chilled French rosé, or a French 75 (recipe here)
A Riviera Retreat by Jennifer Bohnet – Jennifer has numerous books based in the French Riviera, all quick easy reads that will have you pulling up a map to see exactly how close Cannes, Antibes, Nice and Monaco are located. I’m definitely adding The French Riviera to my list of future travels.
A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle – Peter recounts the highlights of living in a 200-year-old farmhouse at the base of the Lubéron Mountains. If you enjoy Peter’s writing style, he has numerous books based in Provence.
Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald – If you’re looking to read a classic set in The French Riviera this book is often seen as a follow-up to The Great Gatsby.
Leave a comment with the books you’re reading now. I’m always looking for more suggestions.
Cheers and happy reading!
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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Beauty Products
Is anyone else a sucker for celebrity endorsements of beauty products? This article about Jennifer Lopez’s favorite day cream just popped up and I promptly clicked the link and purchased myself a tube of the Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream. I mean they said it rivals La Mer (I’ve used La Mer!), it has a five star rating (amazing!) and it’s on sale for $33.75 (no way!) I think we can all agree that J Lo looks amazing for just turning 50 – of course, they don’t mention her rigorous workouts and diet – but if I can capture a little of her youth in a tube of lotion for less than dinner in a restaurant, who am I to turn away?
I selected the free shipping option, so I’ll receive my lotion between July 11 – 14. I will post an update on how I like this day cream after I’ve used it for a few weeks. (My first concern is there is no SPF, so I’ll need to add a SPF cream on top of this which might get too heavy, especially in the summer. But, maybe it will work for a night cream.)
What are some of your favorite beauty products? I’m actually influenced by all beauty product endorsements and reviews, not just those from celebrities. 🙂
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Things I Love – #10
All of these items are in our Chicago high-rise apartment, which I chose to furnish in a Mid-Century modern style. This is a very different style from the more traditional furniture in our 100+ year old house in Saint Paul, but I really love it. Since I was setting up this apartment quickly, you’ll see a majority of the furniture is from West Elm. Our company works with West Elm on the commercial furniture side so I was familiar and comfortable with the quality of their furniture. (Click on the photos below for more information.)
I have several Safavieh shag rugs in our Saint Paul home. I love the feel and quality… and the price! This 9′ x 12′ neutral rug helped to define the living room space and really pulls the room together. (Don’t forget a quality rug pad will make even the most inexpensive rug feel luxurious.)
This is the first time I’ve selected a couch with color, but the ink blue really comes off as a neutral in the space without being boring. The back of the couch is low so it doesn’t block the view and if you remove the two back cushions, it’s wide enough for a make-shift guest bed.
The Lucas is a classic chair. After I ordered these chairs I noticed them everywhere, including the shared game room space at our Chicago apartment building and in several building lobbies. You can order it with stationary legs, but we love the swivel because we can easily swing around to view the Chicago skyline.
This is a beautiful table with both wood and marble. It’s also practical because a portion of the table lifts up for hidden storage and for working on a laptop while sitting on the couch. (see below)
A simple modern lamp that adds light but doesn’t distract from the rest of the room.
Two great tables that I actually separated in the living room. They’re just the perfect size for a beverage and appetizer plate.
Our TV is mounted over this storage piece. It’s perfect for storing miscellaneous items like our laptops, extra blankets and paperwork.
What do you think of the Chicago apartment? Would you like to see the bedrooms? Comment below.
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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.
This shampoo plumps up the roots of my fine hair. I use this every time I wash my hair.
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.
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.
This is a less expensive mask, but it still does a great job of deep conditioning damaged hair.
I spray this tonic on my roots and the middle section of my hair to help thicken up my hair before styling.
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.
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.
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.
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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Things I Love – #8
It’s definitely Fall in the Midwest, here are a few of my favorite things for the cooler weather.
Click on the photos below for more details.