(A Valentine’s window display in downtown Smithville.)
This was the first week this year that I didn’t have appointments or meetings on the days when both boys are in school. I got some things done around the house, ran a bunch of errands, and enjoyed a bit of quiet time, too. This weekend, Ryan is brewing for the first time in months and we’re looking forward to a relaxing weekend. Here are a few things that caught my eye this week.
Gorgeous photos of underwater pole dancing.
An interesting fashion slideshow from “Downton Abbey’s” most recent episode.
A Texas theater teacher’s adorable music video with all of his classes. This brought tears to my eyes.
The search for the Great American Perfume. An interesting read on how Americans view scents.
Photos of Auschwitz survivors, 70 years later.
“Sweatshop: Deadly Fashion,” a short series about Cambodian garment workers.
One Texas school’s approach to students with sports-related concussions. I found this piece quite shocking. And one young athlete’s thoughts on the subject.
And the moral case against football.
(If you’re concerned about the (in)actions of the NFL, ignore the Super Bowl on Sunday night. Take advantage of the quiet and go see a movie or enjoy a nice dinner at an empty restaurant. You can catch the commercials on YouTube the next day.)
Have a great weekend!
I’ve told you before that I don’t like to wear a coat unless it’s absolutely frigid, which, in Texas, is just about never. Instead, I prefer to rotate between a small collection of cardigans that keep me warm and toasty during the colder months. Right now, we’re enjoying unseasonably warm temperatures (it was almost 80 degrees yesterday), but we are expecting a cold front again this weekend. I have three favorite cardigans this year, and all are great pieces for layering.
First, and probably my very favorite of the three, is the Ryder Cardigan from Curator. I had my eye on this gorgeous cotton sweater coat for months before finally purchasing it, and it’s been a staple in my wardrobe ever since. I love the spaced-dyed fabric and the shape is very comfortable and relaxed. I’ve also washed it several times, and the sweater has held up well without shrinking. Curator is a great San Francisco-based clothing line and I definitely recommend them for unique and flattering pieces.
Next, this Chunky Knit Cardigan from Everlane is a wonderful heavier option for those cold Texas days that don’t require an actual coat. I love Everlane, but their sizing is all over the place depending on the item, and when I bought this sweater in a large, it was enormous on me. It’s wool, but I took a chance and washed it on the delicate cycle, which shrunk it just enough to provide a flattering fit. I don’t often wear wool, so I was surprised by how much the sweater pilled, and I spent a portion of one afternoon literally combing my new sweater. While I love the look and the warmth it provides, I think it might be easier to have it dry cleaned in the future. Still, it’s the perfect grandpa-style cardigan that I was looking for.
(Velvet’s Tabitha Cardigan, now sold out. This one is similar.)
My third and final favorite was an after-Christmas sale purchase from Velvet, and I’m so glad I decided to buy it. This sweater is light and comfortable, and the metallic thread adds a bit of dressiness, too. This cardigan is more fragile than the others, so I’m careful when and where I decide to wear it. But it’s really pretty and feminine, and paired with a silk tank, it’s perfect for when I want to look pulled-together.
Overall, I’m really happy with my cardigan purchases for the year, and I think these will see me through until next year. Do you wear cardigans for extra warmth in the winter?
(My new favorite beauty products for winter.)
It’s been a while since I did a beauty post, and I am sticking to the same products these days. But I did find two new favorites over the holidays, and they were a happy surprise.
The first is Hourglass’ Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light, which I bought on a whim after reading great reviews. I don’t normally use illuminating powder these days, since I have oily skin, but this specific color is designed to reduce redness and oiliness, so I gave it a try. I put it on after my regular pressed powder, using the Hourglass brush to highlight certain areas of my face. The result is light and subtle, and a great way to add a bit of freshness during the winter. I found some great YouTube videos that explain how to use the product best, and I watched a few for inspiration.
The second, Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Express for Brows and Eyes, was a Christmas gift from my sister and I absolutely love it! In fact, I can’t believe I’ve gone this long without it. I like to draw attention to my eyes when I do my makeup, but I’ve always ignored my eyebrows. They are pretty average and low-maintenance, but since I stopped coloring my hair, I’ve felt the need to darken them just a little. This kit has everything I need to create slightly darker, but still refined brows, and I’m a huge convert to the Anastasia brand, which I’ve heard about for years.
The little box comes with eyebrow wax and color, as well as illuminating eye shadow and brow stencils. I don’t use the stencils or the shadow, at least not yet, but the wax and lighter brow color are my new favorite products, hands down. The kit’s brush makes the wax and color application so easy, and it’s a quick step that I’ve added to my beauty routine each morning. I’m really thrilled with how well everything lasts all day long, and I will never be without this kit again, it’s that good.
Did you try any new products over the holidays or find something that you can’t live without?
