I wanted to get in on the action and do a gift guide for this holiday season. This is a quick roundup of my favorite things right now and things I’m coveting.
Category: shopping guide
It’s been slow going at the Tudor House, but I’m finally back with an update. I have been mulling ideas over for our master bedroom and finally put together a mood board for inspiration. I decided that I want my room to function like a hotel room. It needs to pull double duty and be a place where I can rest and work. I don’t want the room to be cluttered, and I want everything in there to feel purposeful and peaceful. I came up with the concept of vibrant retreat.
I am very excited about where we will end up in just about a week’s time, but that doesn’t mean I can’t mourn for the homes I almost got but didn’t. I thought I’d walk you through some of the ideas I had about two different homes we made offers on to buy. Today I’ll be sharing my interior inspiration for a 1986 ranch style home. Here is a mood board I pulled together for a Rustic Modern Ranch House, and below the cut I’ll go into more detail room by room.
I am not Oprah, but here are a few of my favorite things. I have purchased many of these things for myself, received them as gifts, or plan to gift them this year. Everything on here is under $40, and I think I did a pretty good job of curating a guide to fit just about anyone on your list!
As I’ve shared previously, our house is currently on the market. I’m working on a tour of my home to share, but first I thought I’d post about how we got our place photo-ready and welcoming for potential homebuyers. At first when I scoured the internet for useful tips, I was scared off by intimidating DIY projects and the pervasive belief that only houses with granite counter tops and high-end appliances will sell. I decided then to approach the process of getting my house market-ready with a strict budget, quick timeline, and a lot of elbow grease.
This post is first in a series about how to do an easy and affordable refresh on any space in your house. You don’t need to spend a lot (or any money). You’ll see how I’ve repurposed many items I already had, borrowed some, and spent money carefully on things for a real visual impact. I believe it’s absolutely possible to make your house your dream home without a serious renovation or the help of HGTV experts.
Ten Kitchen Projects for an Easy & Affordable Kitchen Refresh
2 CommentsI’ve really pared down my daily beauty regimen, but there are a few things I’m really loving and using consistently right now. Here are my essential beauty products for summer.
Some of the following include Amazon affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, I’ll receive a percentage of that sale at no cost to you. All thoughts and opinions are my own. For a full disclosure statement see my About page.
Mineral Sunscreen: I’m really digging COOLA mineral sunscreen matte tint SPF 30. I use this on days when I know I’m going to be more active outside and really need sun protection and a good base for my makeup. It’s available through Amazon and other retailers in Cucumber scented and unscented for $30-36 for 1.7 fl oz. It’s not like other matte products that can leave skin feeling tight and dry, and unlike conventional chemical sunscreens that can leave skin feeling tacky or greasy, COOLA mineral sunscreen goes on very smooth and leaves a silky texture behind (similar to Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer). I have used COOLA mineral sunscreen on bare skin before and also for added protection over my daily moisturizer with SPF. My foundation applies easily over COOLA mineral sunscreen, I haven’t had any issues with streaking, and it keeps me shine-free. I can see myself using this on hot summer days when I don’t have time for makeup touchups. I’m definitely going to buy this again when it runs out.
What is mineral sunscreen anyway? Mineral sunscreen is a physical blocker that sits on top of the skin and deflects UV rays, whereas traditional chemical based sunscreens sink into the skin so that the chemical can absorb the UV rays. Practically speaking, there is a difference in texture and application for the user. You can read more about it here.
Tinted Moisturizer: I bought Laura Mercier tinted moisture oil free SPF 20 ($44 for 1.7 fl oz at Amazon) last year on a whim. I wanted an easy to wear product with light coverage. I wear this over my daily moisturizer with SPF. It has a creamy texture and applies easily with my fingertips. It does feel a bit tacky on the skin, but you can leave it as is for a dewey effect, or you can just wait a minute to let the product sink in before applying a translucent powder for a matte finish. Tinted moisturizer is perfect when you need minimal coverage for a low maintenance look. Other popular brands like Stila, The Balm, and Physicians Formula offer tinted moisturizers in a range of prices and colors, too.
Hydrating Mist: My friend gifted me Chanel Hydra Beauty Essence Mist ($90 for 1.7 fl oz, available wherever Chanel skincare is sold), and it feels truly decadent. I love to spritz this on after my makeup, especially when I’m already feeling hot and I haven’t even left the house yet. It has a cooling effect and smells great. I think this would be a great product to take on vacation and use after a long day in the sun before heading out to dinner. It feels refreshing with zero effort. You don’t have to spend a lot either–First Aid Beauty Vitamin Hydrating Mist is available through Amazon for just $16, and if you’re at all crafty, Fashionista compiled 5 DIY Face Mists.
Lip Balm: In the summer you need an ultra hydrating lip balm. Right now my favorite is Dr. Lipp Miracle Balm ($16.50 for 0.5 fl oz at Amazon). Its texture is thick and very moisturizing for my lips, which is perfect when I’m not wearing lipstick or a tinted lip product with SPF. Dr. Lipp Miracle Balm is made of lanolin, which is different than another favorite of mine, Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1 (price matched at Nordstrom for $6.30 for 0.5 fl oz), made of petroleum. While I find petroleum based products to be a thinner consistency and wear off quicker than lanolin based products, Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1 with SPF 4 is better for daytime use because of the sun protection. If you want to learn more about what makes Dr. Lipp Miracle Balm so great and other less pricey alternatives check out this fabulous review on YouTube.
Deodorant Antiperspirant: I’ve been using Fresh SUGAR roll-on deodorant antiperspirant ($19 for 2.3 oz at Sephora) for a couple of years. I can’t believe I spend so much for this, but I have yet to find another product that works so well for me. Traditional solid deodorant antiperspirants always cause discoloration and irritation on me, and that’s no fun in the summer months when you want your skin to look great. The Fresh SUGAR roll-on smells sweet, citrusy and refreshing. It just takes a few minutes to absorb, and I find I’m willing to wait since it’s the only product that hasn’t led my sensitive skin to an allergic reaction. I’ve also read great things about Kiehl’s Superbly Efficient Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant Cream (price matched at Nordstrom for $14.40-17.55 for 1.7-2.5 oz), and plan to check it out next time I’m at the store. It’s another product suitable for sensitive skin types.
Heel Balm: My mom and I bought Body Whip Flip Flop Heel Balm ($12 for 2.6 oz at bodywhip.net) at a street fair in Palm Springs back in November. It’s the best moisturizing product for my feet that I’ve ever used, and absolutely essential during sandal season. The packaging is great, a solid made primarily of bee’s wax and shea butter in a deodorant-style dispenser, which means there’s no mess. Just slough off dead skin using a pumice stone in the shower first, then follow up with Flip Flop Heel Balm after drying off, or apply it just before bed and wear overnight with socks. I love the mango papaya scent. Another alternative I’m interested in is The Naked Bee Restoration Foot Balm (~$10 for 2 oz at Amazon), which has similar ingredients and some great reviews.
Note: I received samples sizes of COOLA mineral sunscreen and Dr. Lipp balm through my Birchbox subscription. If you’re interested in joining, here is my referral link! I’ll earn $5 in points if anyone signs up.
What is Birchbox? Birchbox is a subscription service for beauty products tailored to your preferences. It is $10 monthly for five samples. Shipping is included in the cost of the subscription and each monthly delivery comes beautifully packaged in a box with a card full of details about the products. I got a three month subscription as a Christmas gift and really enjoyed it. I got to try a lot of stuff I wouldn’t have known about otherwise.
I’d love to hear about your go-to beauty essentials for the summer!
2 CommentsMay is a big month in my household. My partner and I have birthdays within ten days of each other and we’re both turning thirty-five! Holy crap! How did that happen? I used to have a lot more anxiety about age, but this year I’m too preoccupied with life transitions to worry about a number.
I don’t need a whole lot of stuff, so the best gift I could get is time. I miss adult interaction, I crave meaningful conversation with friends, I even look forward to bumping into acquaintances around town! I do understand, however, that time is more of a concept and can’t be wrapped up with a bow. Here are some of my favorite birthday presents that pair well with the gift of time:
Some of the following gift ideas contain Amazon affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, I’ll receive a percentage of that sale at no cost to you. All thoughts and opinions are my own. For a full disclosure statement see my About page.
I just got the Madewell Transport Tote and I love it. It’s roomy enough to throw in my necessities–laptop, several notebooks, my calendar, and a water bottle. It’s my go-to handbag for my once a week afternoon of errands and writing at a coffeeshop.
I use my favorite Rebecca Minkoff mini purse whenever I get a babysitter for the night. (So, like three times in the last year.) It can hold a surprising amount of stuff, but it’s still dainty and fun and decidedly not a diaper bag. Take this Mini Mac crossbody bag out for drinks, dinner, and a concert. Let loose for a night!
David Chang’s empire of cookbooks and magazines combine kitsch, art, and humor with food. I have Momofuku, Momofuku Milk Bar, 101 Easy Asian Recpies, and the quarterly food journal Lucky Peach in my collection. Give your foodie a few hours to play in the kitchen, and you might end up with a Crack Pie or two.
Why go out for drinks when you can stay in? It’s cozier and the conversation is way better! Get real copper mugs for Moscow Mules and spice them up with my new favorite ginger beer by Cock and Bull ($6.29 at BevMo for club members).
Body wash is my secret weapon to starting the day right. My daily shower may be the only time I get to unwind. Skip the generic bar soap, and go for one of the dozens of delicious Philosophy multi-use washes (shampoo, bubble bath, shower gel).
Save time and save money by creating a fun and easy way to pack lunches. How about the Bentgo All In One Stackable Lunchbox? I got this for my friend in her favorite shade of green.
Everyone’s schedules are jam packed. If you can’t pick a date to celebrate in person, send a card that’s also art so they can hang it on their wall and enjoy it for longer than just their birthday month.
What are some of your go-to gift ideas? Is there anything you’re coveting from afar?
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