I’m off to unplug (and of course do the pre-guest arrival mad dash to clean all the things) but still wanted to take a moment to share this week’s roundup of favorites with all of you. Keep on scrolling to see a short list of the simple things making me smile this week. Have a great weekend, my friends!!
Things I’m Loving Friday
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Jewelry Organization
When we lived in our previous home, I had all of my jewelry hanging up in an over-the-door hanging Vera Bradley jewelry organizer from my college days. It had a bunch of pockets and worked well for rings and bracelets but necklaces were a hot mess. I donated it when we moved and for the past 2+ years, my jewelry has been a cluster of chains and tangles in two shallow drawers. No more!!!
I finally took the time last weekend to organize my jewelry — one drawer for necklaces and one for everything else — and it’s like a breath of fresh air every time I open these drawers. I used a few things to help with the organization, including this velvet jewelry roll for my necklaces (especially amazing for keeping everything untangled during travels), these individual velvet jewelry pouches (another thing I love for organized jewelry while traveling) and these jewelry drawer organizer trays. I love a simple organization project and this was all the more enjoyable when the boys joined me to “play kings” with some of my old costume jewelry.
Aaand just in case you like a before/after like me, here’s a glimpse into my “before” when I was already halfway through sorting and organizing the madness:
I’ve been on a little bit of a creatine journey since the beginning of the summer. I was increasingly interested in incorporating creatine into my daily routine based on everything I read surrounding the benefits of creatine for brain health (the studies about this are fascinating!), improved strength and performance, recovery after workouts and lean muscle mass.
I initially tried the powder form of creatine (what Ryan takes daily) back in June and didn’t last too long with it. I felt really bloated (which I know is to be expected) and was already adding powder to my coffee (collagen) and my water (electrolytes) and was just kind of over a powder. Arrae Tone Creatine Gummies popped out at me because I admittedly love a gummy vitamin and know they help me with consistency. I’ve taken 3 a day since they arrived and haven’t experienced ANY bloating. They are sweet and fruity but I do want to temper your expectations on texture if you give them a try as they have a bit of a gritty/grainy texture. It doesn’t really bother me, but just know they don’t feel like you’re biting into a fruit snack! I’ve been really happy with these gummies as an easy way to incorporate creatine into my daily wellness routine.
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Tower 28 Eyelash Curler + Curling Eyelashes in the Car
This is a beauty hack I discovered myself because I was always forgetting to curl my eyelashes in the morning, something that definitely helps me look more awake! I recently ordered a second eyelash curler to keep in my car and decided to try the Make Waves Eyelash Curler by Tower 28 after reading positive reviews… and also because I was already re-ordering my favorite tinted SPF. The eyelash curler is gentle but effective at curling my otherwise very straight lashes, but here’s the key: I’ve been using it on my lashes after my mascara has had a chance to completely dry (we’re talking 20+ minutes) in the car in the morning. I swear this makes the biggest difference! I am someone who waits to put on her makeup until right before leaving the house and never wanted to curl sticky, wet lashes, so this car eyelash curler hack has been a great little discovery for me.
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It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan
Genre: Romance / My rating: C
I absolutely LOVED Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan so I was really looking forward to diving into It’s A Love Story, her latest novel. I wish I could say this one was a slam dunk but I was completely uninvested in this book from start to finish. I swear I could’ve walked away from this one at any point and not really cared. I only made it to the end because the audiobook version became available through my Libby app when I was halfway through it and I put it on as background entertainment during household chores and walks with Pepper. If you haven’t read Nora Goes Off Script, skip this one and go for that one because it’s still one of my favorite breezy beach reads! I actually gave that book to two of the boys’ teachers I knew loved to read and both reported back to me this year that the book was a huge hit that they passed around to friends and family as well! I say all that to say, It’s a Love Story is definitely NOT Nora Goes Off Script.
From Amazon: Jane Jackson spent her adolescence as “Poor Janey Jakes,” the barbecue-sauce-in-her-braces punch line on America’s fifth-favorite sitcom. Now she’s trying to be taken seriously as a Hollywood studio executive by embracing a new mantra: Fake it till you make it.
Except she might have faked it too far. Desperate to get her first project greenlit and riled up by pompous cinematographer and one-time crush Dan Finnegan, she claimed that she could get mega popstar Jack Quinlan to write a song for the movie. Jack may have been her first kiss—and greatest source of shame—but she hasn’t spoken to him in twenty years.
Now Jane must turn to the last man she’d ever want to owe: Dan Finnegan. Because Jack is playing a festival in Dan’s hometown, and Dan has an in. A week in close quarters with Dan as she faces down her past is Jane’s idea of hell, but he just might surprise her. While covering up her lie, can they find something true?
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Around the Internet
FOOD
Easy Apple Pie (we made this last weekend and it was delicious!) / 10 Fall Crockpot Recipes / Greek Chicken Orzo Casserole / Perfect Air Fryer Green Beans
FITNESS
Functional Workouts You Can Do at Home / Full Body Dumbbell Workout
WEEKEND SALES
15% off Beauty at Nordstrom: Includes so many of my favorites!!! Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray — hugely helpful for adding volume + life + texture to my otherwise super-fine/soft hair / Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder — the best for making makeup last! / Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads — the pads I use every single morning right after I wake up / Salt & Stone Deodorant + Body Wash — santal & vetiver is my fav scent / Living Proof Dry Shampoo — I’ve used this for years and it’s the only way I can extend the time between hair washing days
20% off demi-fine jewelry at Baublebar: I haven’t taken these earrings off since I got them / This tennis necklace is gorgeous on its own but also perfect for layering
Extra 30% off everything at aerie or 35% off if you shop aerie and AE with code MEMBERLOVE: Some recent purchases I’m loving: Crewneck Sweatshirt (so soft and cozy) / Street Trouser (I have the leopard print and they’re as comfy as sweats but don’t look sloppy) / Waffle Tee (I have it in white and red and it’s a great little tee to wear under sweatshirts and sweaters) / Soft Landing Trouser (aka jeans that feel like sweats — yessss)
Buy a Hatch Restore (my favorite gentle wakeup alarm clock) + get a free Bed Head hat
30% off Madewell (you just have to sign in to their site): I have and love this bag, this gorgeous handwoven mini tote in the kiwi color, and this flowy scalloped tank (You can see all of these styled here)
25% off FRAME friends & family sale: My favorite jeans ever, ever. A super splurge for sure but I wear their Bubble jeans every single week. A dream for anyone with thighs, a booty and hips and they make the butt look GOOD.
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Friday Flashbacks
Crockpot Chicken Corn Chili (This was on our dinner menu this week! Forever a favorite!)
Easy BBQ Meatloaf (This recipe will forever remind me of the early days of marriage with Ryan when we made it constantly! It’s still a winner we absolutely love in our house.)
Question of the Day
What is one thing making you smile this week?
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