What I’m Loving Now // 3.23.18

Hey everyone! I hope you all had a great week!

This week had one or two days that FINALLY felt like spring, and I’m so ready. I only see 40s on the horizon and I’m so excited about it (never thought I’d say that!). I haven’t done a What I’m Loving Now post in a few weeks, so I have a lot to share, if you’re interested.

Window Shopping at Target

Does anyone follow Target-centric accounts on Instagram, like @targetdoesitagain and @targetstyle ?? I just discovered these and they are probably not healthy because they fuel my desire for everything at Target, but I really enjoy being able to see all the new Target products without actually going!

Recently I discovered this great trench dress, and I love all the ways to layer it!

Over a tunic sweater and leggings.

Over dress pants and a tshirt like they did in the A New Day lookbook.

Or over a simple striped dress.

This is a piece that would get a lot of mileage in my closet!

And then, I saw these.

Target copied these very popular (and pricey) Free People shoes, and they look amazing! Another thing on my wishlist.

Good Books

I’m trying to pare down my bookshelves because I haven’t even read 50% of the books we own (and honestly, I want more room to actually style the bookshelves in our living room). I had this book — First Family by David Baldacci — because a lady at our local library book sale recommended I try it. And I really enjoyed it! It was a mass market mystery/thriller that wasn’t corny or gory, without much superfluous romance stuff thrown in. I love a good mystery, and I couldn’t guess the twist at the end, so that’s a big plus that kept me reading. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes mysteries, but I probably won’t read it again, so I’ll pass it on to make room.

Loved this book! I don’t actually watch her show, but as a writer, I found Kaling hilarious! She’s got this nonchalant, self-deprecating, matter-of-fact kind of humor that really resonates with me. I loved the tidbits of funny information about show business and celebrities behind the scenes, and she also gave some really sound advice. Here are two quotes I loved:

Health, etc.

I was going to name this section Health and Beauty, but it sounded too pretentious considering that I literally use CC Cream, a little blush, lip balm and mascara most of the time and still don’t understand what a primer is.

Okay, so this is where the “beauty” section came in. My sister is a makeup-aholic and when she cleaned out her (ridiculous) lipstick collection she gave me a bunch that were barely used. (I am not a germaphobe. She’s my sister! We have the same germs, guys, it’s science.) One of them was this lip balm, CoverGirl Lipslicks Smoochies Lip Balm (why do makeup products have the most embarrassing names?). It’s the perfect moisturizing, light color that doesn’t need to be reapplied because it’s relatively sheer. I am in love with it in the Luv U shade (lol), and I will probably try some others this summer. Maybe this one or this one.

I’ve started doing the unthinkable — waking up at 5 a.m.! Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a morning person. I’ve been known to stay up until 2 a.m. working on projects or reading a book — many, many times. And I hate waking up in the morning! But I have noticed that I am often not getting enough sleep because my sleep schedule has been so different from the kids’ schedules (bed around 8-9, up at 7). In other words, I would stay up late, and they would get me up at 7 like clockwork, and then I’d be exhausted.

I got the idea to do this from Katie Blythe (@life.with.katieblythe on Instagram), who stressed that waking up at 5 gave her time to work out and accomplish other goals. I was into the idea but it took me about 6 months to actually implement. And wow! I actually love it. I usually fall asleep around 9 or 10 — either with the kids or I will clean up the house a bit after they fall asleep. Then I wake up at 5, work out for 30 min to an hour, shower uninterrupted (luxury right there), and I have another whole hour to do whatever I need to do — clean the house, write a blog post, work on a project, or just scroll through Instagram! I hate how overused this phrase is, but it has truly been life-changing for me. I feel more well rested, I am on top of my game because I have time to mentally prepare for the day, I feel less stressed out. For anyone feeling like they don’t have enough hours in the day, I would highly recommend just starting your day earlier!

Kid’s Stuff

I always buy Converse for the boys, and I’ve found so many reasons why they’re the best for toddlers. I love that they tie instead of Velcro (it keeps little ones from being able to remove their shoes as easily in the car, plus they are generally just more secure that way). I love the thick rubber sole because it is so easy to clean. And the canvas uppers look like new after a trip through the washing machine (and they never fall apart in the machine!). Plus, I love that they are just a solid block of bright color, because colorblocking is an easy way to dress the kids.

We recently watched Coco with the kids and it is adorable. It has sweet messages, funny antics, a bit of (the tamest) “spookiness,” which Graham is really into these days. Plus, it’s beautiful. All bright colors and glowing underworld cities. And, of course, the music is amazing! I love Un Poco Loco and Remember Me. I mean, I would even enjoy it without the kids (although, I probably wouldn’t have watched it 15 times).