Friday Favorites

It’s Friday, so y’all know what that means! It’s time to link up with Erika and Andrea to let everybody know what some of my favorite things are right now.

*********************

SOME NEW FINDS

I saw this animal print layered sweater in store, and it immediately stopped me in my tracks. First of all, animal print is HUGE right now. But secondly (and the reason for my instant obsession), is that I absolutely LOVE the layered look of a tee under a sweater, but I can never achieve it on my own. When I try to do it by myself, the proportions are off AND it often looks bulky. But I’m a big ol’ fan when it’s done for me. The tee is attached to the sweater vest so it creates a clean look, but it can be taken apart by just unbuttoning it, so you can if you wish. When attached, just slip them on at the same time and you’re ready to rock n’ roll. For size reference, I’m wearing a medium. I would say that the vest is definitely fitted, so size up if you want a more oversized look.

These boot cut cords are 100% fabulous. I’m wearing the “camel” here, but they come in 9 colors, so of course I’m tempted to grab a 2nd color. They’re super soft, they have a great amount of stretch in them so they’re both comfy and flattering, and I love having a non-denim option in my closet for fall. (I’m also in love with these flare ankle cords and will be highlighting them next week!) And please pay attention to how long my legs look. I’m only 5’4″, so it’s definitely an illusion. #magiccords True to size, I’m wearing a 4.

And I have to say, these suede booties are pretty much a perfect match. If you pair these booties with these cords your legs will go on for dayzzzzzzz.

animal print layered sweater / corduroy boot cut / suede booties / chunky hoop earrings / coin toggle necklace / matte gold bracelet stack

I LOVE THIS TOP WITH REGULAR OL’ DENIM.

These crop bootcut jeans are still pretty new to me. I first showed them a couple of weeks ago, and I’ve been wearing the heck out of them. I grabbed them because of the cropped fit and because I thought the detailing at the bottom was so cute. This is my first time buying (or even trying) Good American jeans, and I will definitely be buying more in the future. This pair is a very soft denim with great stretch, so these babies hug your curves in all the right places. The seams on each side of the bottom of each leg are my favorite part. It’s such a nice detail, and they really modernize the whole look. True to size, I’m wearing a 4. And they come in plus sizes too!

animal print layered sweater / crop bootcut jeans / suede booties / chunky hoop earrings / coin toggle necklace / matte gold bracelet stack

These washed black boot cut jeans are new (to me at least), and I think they’re great. Y’all know I’ve been a lover of the Wit and Wisdom bootcut jeans for years and years, so grabbing this washed black pair was pretty much a no brainer for me. I like how they’re not shiny black like some black denim is, and they have a bit of a “lived in” look in person. They are insanely flattering and comfy (with the stretch), which is the perfect combination. They do have the brand’s Contour Shape Technology, which makes for a smooth and tailor made fit! For size reference, I’m wearing my regular size 4.

animal print layered sweater / washed black boot cut jeans / suede booties / chunky hoop earrings / coin toggle necklace / matte gold bracelet stack

Just in case you’re not an animal print fan, I wanted you to have another option for the layered look. This layered zig zag sweater is super cute too! It also comes in a neutral color with an orange zig zag that’s great. Just like the leopard version, the tee is attached to the sweater vest so it creates a clean look, but it can be taken apart by just unbuttoning it. For size reference, I’m wearing a medium. I would say that the vest is definitely fitted, so size up if you want a more oversized look.

layered zig zag sweater / crop bootcut jeans / suede booties / chunky hoop earrings / coin toggle necklace / matte gold bracelet stack

I actually didn’t know if I was going to like it with these cords, BUT I LOVE THIS LOOK. I feel like the outfit is like effortlessly stylish and chic.

layered zig zag sweater / corduroy boot cut / suede booties / chunky hoop earrings / coin toggle necklace / matte gold bracelet stack

So I know this looks like a dress, but it’s separates!

The floral smocked blouse is GORGEOUS. It is sheer throughout the body and sleeves, so I suggest wearing a cami under it. The colors and the details (the smocking, the ruffle cuffs) are absolutely stunning. Head to the website for an up-close look at the details. For size reference, I’m wearing a small in the blouse. (I originally ordered a medium, but there was way too much fabric, so I suggest sizing down).

The skirt is obviously a perfect match. It has a smocked back waist which make it forgiving and insanely comfortable. The horizontal pintuck pleats across the front of the waist are beautiful, and I’m in love with the ruffly layered skirt. Again, head to the site for an up-close look at the pintuck pleated waistband and the light layers of the skirt. For size reference, I’m wearing a small.

floral smocked blouse / skirt / knee high boots / chunky hoop earrings / matte gold bracelet stack

In addition to loving the pieces paired together, look how great the blouse is worn on its own too!

floral smocked blouse / washed black boot cut jeans / suede booties / chunky hoop earrings / coin toggle necklace / matte gold bracelet stack

The top really is a beautiful piece.

And I just realized I need to try the skirt on its own too with just a solid black sweater.

floral smocked blouse / corduroy boot cut / suede booties / chunky hoop earrings / coin toggle necklace / matte gold bracelet stack

 

**********************

NEW TO SALE 

There’s a pretty epic Shopbop Sale going down right now. Click HERE to check it out! We’re talking AGOLDE denim, Citizens of Humanity, Madewell, Pistola, and more!

***

Nordstrom has some NEW TO SALE items as well! I think this rhinestone embellished cardigan is GORGEOUS and would be perfect for a holiday party paired either with jeans or something fancy. The classic Birkenstock’s are on sale HERE. And there’s lots of BEAUTY DEALS too!

***

So how fun is this… the scary good 1 day deals that Colleen has been running all week… all of them are available today! Click HERE to see ALL 7 Days of Deals that are still active!

Be sure to stock up on all of your favorites that are included, but I’m begging you, if you’ve never tried the Dual Enzyme Polish let today be the day! It is such an incredible treat, and you will seriously be amazed at the softness of your skin and how it truly combats dullness.

Another incredible deal right now is the Quench and Shine Restorative Hair Mask.

A couple of times a week I use this mask instead of my conditioner. When I have some extra time (like when shaving my legs), I’ll put the mask in and leave it a bit before washing it out. I like to leave it in for a minimum of 5 minutes, but when my hair is feeling a little lackluster, I’ve been known to get out of the shower and vacuum the house or something with it in before rinsing it out. You will see and feel an immediate difference. Truly.

Quench and Shine Restorative Hair Mask

Here’s my mom’s story with the hair products….

A couple of years ago she started noticing that her hair was “getting old” – her words, not mine. 😉 My mom has always had great hair, but she said it had all of a sudden started to become dry and brittle. WELL. She swears that the mask and the serum completely revitalized her hair.

When I asked her “So you really think these products changed your hair?” And she was all “I KNOW they changed my hair.” 🙂

She told me how before using the products she had noticed a while ago that “a chunk of hair on the left side of her head” had become “extra dull and dry”. She said that she started applying small amounts of the mask to her dry hair at night (specifically just to the patch that was giving her trouble), and when she would wake up in the morning the patch would be more hydrated and more manageable!

She also said that she when she first got the mask that she was using it every single time she washed her hair, but now she doesn’t have to use it nearly as often because her hair is in so much better shape now! She truly feels it has REPAIRED her hair. It doesn’t just LOOK better, but it IS better. It’s healthier!

Just look how thick, rich, and creamy the mask is.

Quench and Shine Restorative Hair Mask

Click HERE for everything included in the sale!

 

**********************

FACTOR MEALS

Okay, y’all! I talked about Factor meals back in the summer, and I’m talking about them again because we are now officially fans. For awhile I was only ordering meals like 1 week a month, but we are now ordering every single week. Both Chris and I have found tons of meals that we both love, so we end up ordering either 6 or 8 meals per week. Enough for each of us to have 3 or 4 lunches per week.

The convenience is top notch (2 to 2 1/2 minutes in the microwave), and I’m not kidding when I say we actually look forward to the meals. A HUGE Bonus is that we’ve also been sticking pretty much to low calorie and high protein choices, so these meals are making it easier for us to make healthy choices (and lose weight).

Here’s the deal, they are expensive, but they really are soooooo good. I’ve found that the convenience and my actual love for the food makes the $ worth it to me.

Below you will see the Shredded Chicken and Spinach Pesto Tortellini, one of my favorites. The tortellini, sauce, and chicken are all really yummy. I also love the roasted tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, and onions on the side. Those sugar snap peas are some leftovers from dinner the night before. I was really hungry, so I added those to my plate as well.

Below you will see some of my other favorites. I put them in the microwave for 2 – 2 1/2 minutes, and THAT’S IT.

The app I order from is super easy to use, and if I want to skip a week, I just hit skip! If I want meals that week, I go in and personally choose my favorites. They arrive cold, but not frozen. It’s FRESH food!

This is not sponsored (wish it was!), but you can click HERE if you are thinking about ordering and want to look around for yourself. If you use this link you can get an INCREDIBLE discount on your first box.

 

***********************

ARMRA Colostrum^®

I’ve been hearing about ARMRA Colostrum^® for a couple of years now. And in reality I haven’t been just hearing about it, I’ve been actually learning about the benefits from influencers that I trust and respect.

Several influencers I follow wholeheartedly sing this product’s praises, so when ARMRA^® reached out and asked if they could gift me some to try, I absolutely jumped at the chance. It was just the nudge I needed. I checked out the website and decided on the Vine Watermelon flavor. If you’re not a watermelon girly, other flavors include blood orange, peach persimmon, and wild lime. It also comes in an unflavored option that can even be dry-scooped right into your mouth.

Since I’ve only been taking it a couple of weeks now, I can’t speak to any long-term changes that I’ve seen yet, but I definitely have some thoughts to share about my time taking it so far.

First of all, I look forward to drinking my ARMRA^® each day. It’s like a mid-afternoon treat! And not only do I enjoy drinking it, I have found that when I drink it that I don’t feel as “snacky” in the late afternoon hours as I used to. So, not only am I getting all the benefits of the colostrum, I’m also getting more water intake AND I don’t feel the need to snack before dinner. Those are all huge wins for me!

If I’m on the go, I simply use a little funnel to scoop 3 scoops into my water bottle before heading out the door. (The daily serving is actually 4 scoops, but I find that 4 is too strong for the amount of water in 1 bottle. So if I’m drinking it out of a water bottle, I do 3 scoops and finish the bottle, and then I’ll add some additional water for my 4th scoop.)

If I’m drinking it at home, I can mix it with more water in a tall glass, then I can mix it with all 4 scoops at once.

So what are the benefits? I’m just going to hit on a handful:

Even after using it a short time I do feel like that it’s reduced my mid-section bloating that I sometimes deal with. I also feel like that I have fewer sugar cravings after drinking it.

There are also lots of benefits that I’m hoping to see after extended use.

Ex. Data shows that colostrum reignites hair follicle stem cells, optimizes a healthy scalp, and combats shedding! I’ve started to notice thinning on my hairline that I’m just not okay with, so I’m really hoping to see progress here!

Ex. Data shows that colostrum strengthens the skin barrier and activates stem cell collagen production to improve skin elasticity, enhance skin hydration, and combat age-related changes for a clear, radiant, and glowing complexion.

So yes, I’m hoping to see changes not just with my digestion, but also with my hair and skin!

Consistency is the CATALYST, so I’m committing to being consistent for 3 months.

And in addition to all of the benefits I listed above, there’s also data I’ve read (and personal testimonies I’ve heard) saying that it strengthens immune health!

 

It’s sustainably sourced, backed by science, and physician founded.

Personally, I’ve just found it not only easy to incorporate into my life, BUT ACTUALLY ENJOYABLE. I truly look forward to it.

So anyway, if you’re interested in trying it out for yourself, click HERE and look around on the site. Check out the different flavors and products (jars or on the go packs) and see what ARMRA Colostrum^® product you think you will like best!

 

***********************

WEEK IN REVIEW

On Monday, the post was titled When Denim Won’t Do, Cords For The Win! Click HERE to see lots more outfits with these ankle flare cords and the boot cut cords. You’ll also get my full reviews of everything.

leopard sweater / ankle flare cords / suede booties / hoops / coin toggle necklace / bracelet stack

sweatshirt / ankle flare cords / suede booties / hoops / coin toggle necklace / matte gold bracelet stack

raglan sleeve sweater / boot cut cords / suede booties / hoops / coin toggle necklace / bracelet stack

boatneck sweater / boot cut cords / suede booties / hoops / coin toggle necklace / bracelet stack

And if you missed What’s Up Wednesday, you need to go check it out now. I share some of the favorite things I’ve been eating, the show I binged in 3 days, and some fun new clothes!

 

************************

That’s all for today, y’all! Have a wonderful weekend with your people!

Filed Under: Fashion 2 Comments