My Favorite Things | April 2024

A cheery pink blush that instantly brightens your face, an absorbing historical fiction novel with vivid characters, and a toothpaste that makes your teeth feel clean all day. Let’s talk about a few of my favorite things in the month of April!

Super intimidating in the pan, but super gorgeous on your cheeks! I’ve been loving the Too Faced Cloud Crush Blurring Blush in Watermelon Rain. The color may be bold, but it blends effortlessly into my cheeks. All you need is a single swipe with a fluffy blush brush.

The natural, blurred finish is unique for a powder. I will say the packaging is a little hard to work with — instead of using the clasp to open, I have to slide my fingernail under the compact lid to open the blush. I could also do without the strong cologne-like scent, but I’m willing to look past that. If you’ve been looking to get out of your blush comfort zone, Watermelon Rain is the way to go.

The perfect complement to a bold cheek is a soft pink lip! The Maybelline Lifter Plump Gloss in Mauve Bite has been my go-to lately. Think of it as one of those “your lips but better” colors! Not too warm, not too cool — and so easy to swipe on.

Mauve Bite (and the rest of this range) claims to have plumping properties, but I don’t see much of a change in my lips. That being said, the texture and taste of this gloss feels very spicy. It may not be for you if you have sensitive lips. I love it though! The gloss itself is not sticky.

I am wearing both Watermelon Rain (blush) and Mauve Bite (gloss) in this photo. Great combo!

Lately, I’ve been searching for a creamy eyeshadow that I can wear every day. Not too flashy, but still flatters my eyes. The NYX Jumbo Multi-Use Stick in Flan is the prettiest bronzy-gold shade!

As you can see, Flan isn’t too shimmery or metallic. I like to use it as a base and then set it with a gold or other shimmery eyeshadow. If you have oily lids, it might be a good idea to prime them beforehand to ensure Flan stays in place all day. Otherwise, you can just swipe, blend and go! There are so many high-end eyeshadow sticks these days, but this $8 gem was just what I was looking for. Drugstore makeup is truly the new luxury.

You know you’re getting older when you get excited about having a new favorite toothpaste, lol. The Crest 3D White Advanced Deep Clean TRULY makes my teeth feel clean and polished all day long. I’m usually on the sensitive side when it comes to toothpaste, but this one doesn’t make my teeth or gums hurt at all. Plus, it’s not quite as expensive as other whitening toothpastes I’ve used in the past.

I recently included Becoming Madam Secretary in my 75 favorite books list!

Stephanie Dray is a lesser-known historical fiction author, but one of my absolute favorites. Becoming Madam Secretary is her latest, focusing on Frances Perkins. In the early 1900s, Frances was a pioneer who advocated for safer labor laws and eventually became one of FDR’s cabinet members when he was president. This novel is narrated by Frances herself; it feels like you are sitting with her having a cup of tea, while she tells you about her life. How can a woman who lived 100 years ago seem so real?

I did feel like Madam Secretary slightly dragged toward the end, but ended quickly at the same time. I would have loved to have read about how she and FDR navigated World War II. Even supporting characters added something to the story and jumped right off the page.

If you’d like to read another one of my favorites by Dray, I suggest The Women of Chateau Lafayette.

75 of my favorite books: a list

Heavy on the historical fiction with a little bit of romance and thriller sprinkled in, I’ve made a quick list of 75 of my favorite books of all time. Honestly, I still think of each of these books often. I hope you’ll enjoy them as much as I did. Happy reading!

1. Come Away With Me by Karma Brown
2. The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
3. Meant To Be by Emily Giffin
4. The German Wife by Kelly Rimmer 
5. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon 
6. Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
7. Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon
8. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
9. We Were The Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter
10. The Women by Kristin Hannah 
11. Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
12. The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
13. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
14. The Life Lucy Knew by Karma Brown
15. My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella
16. The Party Crasher by Sophie Kinsella
17. The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer
18. Home Work by Juie Andrews
19. Strangers In The Night by Heather Webb
20. The Next Ship Home by Heather Webb
21. The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins
22. Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica
23. The Good Girl by Mary Kubica
24. The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult
25. The Huntress by Kate Quinn
26. The Women of Chateau Lafayette by Stephanie Dray 
27. Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray
28. The Mark Of The Lion (Trilogy) by Francine Rivers 
29. The Golden Doves by Martha Hall Kelly
30. Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
31. Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelly
32. Sunflower Sisters by Martha Hall Kelly
33. The Mother-In-Law by Sally Hepworth
34. The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth
35. Can’t We Be Friends: A Novel of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe by Eliza Knight and Denny S. Bryce
36. Pretty Things by Janelle Brown
37. Watch Me Disappear by Janelle Brown
38. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
39. Diva: A Novel by Daisy Goodwin
40. Stolen Beauty by Laurie Albanese 
41. Hester by Laurie Albanese
42. The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins
43. Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins
44. The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins
45. The Villa by Rachel Hawkins
46. The Maid by Nita Prose
47. The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose
48. The Good Part by Sophie Cousens
49. A Beautiful Rival by Gil Paul
50. Jackie and Maria by Gil Paul
51. One of the Girls by Lucy Clarke
52. The Guest List by Lucy Foley
53. The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
54. The Siren by Katherine St. John
55. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
56. Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls
57. Hang The Moon by Jeannette Walls
58. Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan
59. Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau
60. The Farewell Tour by Stephanie Clifford 
61. Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton
62. The Cuban Heiress by Chanel Cleeton 
63. The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
64. The London Séance Society by Sarah Penner
65. The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
66. Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
67. The Blue Butterfly by Leslie Johansen Nack
68. The No-Show by Beth O’Leary
69. Woman on Fire by Lisa Barr
70. The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki
71. Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl by Renee Rosen 
72. Park Avenue Summer by Renee Rosen
73. One Night On The Island by Josie Silver
74. The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis
75. The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis

Three Amazon beauty finds you will LOVE

Getting an Amazon package in the mail brightens my day so much. I’ll just be honest! Recently I’ve purchased some beauty items from there that have quickly become staples in my routine. The best part? They cost under $30 for all three.

A lightweight gel-cream sunscreen that melts right into my skin and keeps breakouts at a minimum. Dreams do come true! I am loving the Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence. The texture is very cooling, and wears flawlessly under my makeup. I don’t even feel like I’m wearing sunscreen. There is zero whitecast, and it even makes my skin feel plump and fresh. Will repurchase again and again.

If you’re an avid TikTok watcher like me, you’ll notice that “sad beige blush” is trending right now! It’s so intriguing that something that looks “blah” in the pan can bring out your natural beauty. I bought this Wet N Wild Monday Feels Blush to try out the trend for myself.

Turns out, this $6 tawny beige shade is STUNNING! If you’re new to blush, this would be a great place to start. It is impossible to over-apply and brings out the natural flush of your cheeks. Bonus, this blush smells like coffee. Strange, but so fun. I honestly think Wet N Wild is one of my favorite drugstore beauty brands. They have so many hidden gems.

There is nothing more luxurious at the end of the day than using a cleansing oil that takes off your makeup effortlessly and smooths your skin. Even better if it’s $10 like the Palmer’s Skin Therapy Cleansing Oil! This oil feels sooo expensive. I’m usually not a fan of rose-scented products, but this one doesn’t bother me at all and is actually quite nice. I look forward to using it every night. My skin texture is softer and smoother. A treat!

My Favorite Things | February 2024

This month, I finished one of the best books I have EVER read…in a mere day and a half. I purchased an affordable cream blush set that melts into my skin. And, found a cereal that is blood sugar-friendly. Can’t wait to tell you about allll the good things!

Get ready to stay up past your bedtime, because once you read the first page of The Women by Kristin Hannah, you won’t put it down until you finish this fast-paced, historical fiction novel. It is TRULY one of the BEST, most powerful books I’ve ever read.

Frances “Frankie” McGrath longs to serve her country and make a difference during the Vietnam War. A new, naïve combat nurse, she is quickly dropped into war-torn Vietnam and witnesses the daily horrors of it all. As a reader, you truly feel like you are right there with Frankie and her nurse colleagues. You can practically hear bombs explode, sirens wailing, and see injured soldiers flood the hospital.

This novel is divided into two parts — Frankie working as a combat nurse, and the treacherous aftermath she endures upon returning home. There are times The Women is harrowing and depressing, yet Kristin Hannah has a way of lacing the story with hope, too. Her writing style is simple yet incredibly engaging. Highly recommend. I’ll be thinking about this story for a long time.

Whether you’re a blush enthusiast like me or a newbie, you need this limited edition Lys Beauty Cream Blush Trio in your life. This set is a perfect trifecta of blush shades: A rosy nude, hot peachy- pink and deep berry. All you need!

The best part about these cream blushes is they blend into your cheeks like an absolute dream. I barely have to touch my blush brush to my skin for the blushes to melt into my cheeks effortlessly. My favorite brush to apply these is the elf Flawless Face Brush.

I have used the deep berry shade on my lips and eyelids, too. Really! I love to use cream products as an eyeshadow base. Yay for multitasking makeup.

Who knew that a warm and spicy, yet citrusy scent could smell so DIVINE? The Dolce & Gabbana Devotion Travel Spray has become a daily staple for me! It is a soft balance of warmth, musk, and tart citrus notes. My favorite part: it lasts all day without being overpowering and smells like a sugar cookie. Yes please!

A filling and tasty cereal DOES exist! I am currently on my second bag of the Catalina Crunch Dark Chocolate Cereal. This rich, chocolatey cereal makes me look forward to breakfast every day. I also eat it as a snack! Instead of topping it with milk, I like to put it on top of fruit and almond butter. It is so exciting to find a sweet treat that is healthy. Can’t wait to try more flavors.

The five staples in my makeup collection are…

Holy grail. Creme de la creme. Most repurchased.

However you want to say it, these five items have been absolute staples in my makeup collection for YEARS. Chances are, you’ve seen me write about them multiple times on here. So, I compiled them into a handy list!

I cannot even begin to tell you how many times I have repurchased the Wet N Wild Tinted Hydrator in Medium Tan. It’s amazing how a skin tint can be so thin, but offer buildable, natural-looking coverage. All I need is a nickel-sized amount. The finish can look a little shiny, so I be sure to set with powder. Once it’s nice and set, the finish looks like an actual Instagram filter for your face, no lie! Perfection.

My favorite powder to set with for the last couple years has been the Laura Geller Balance N Glow Foundation in Medium. A light dusting of this baked powder gives me a natural, glowy finish. It is so lightweight, and doesn’t look cakey on top of the skin tint.

As for bronzer, I’ve been faithful to the Maybelline City Bronzer in Medium for the last 4+ years. It IS possible for a bronzer to be matte but not flat! Impossible to over-apply, this bronzer is great for beginners.

I absolutely love everything that I’ve ever purchased from Fenty Beauty. Rihanna just knows exactly what she’s doing! I’m usually a drugstore girl when it comes to lip products, but the Fenty Beauty Slip Shine Lipsticks are worth every penny. They make your lips look hydrated and naturally pretty, with the right amount of color. Cookies & Cocoa is the perfect pinky-nude. I have four different colors in this range, but Cookies & Cocoa is a perfect “your lips but better” shade.

Floral but fresh…feminine but sophisticated…the Chloe Eau de Parfum is one of my all-time favorite fragrances. I’ve purchased it three times in the last eight years. It is just so timeless, and smells SO good. Love the bottle, too. It’ll look so pretty on your vanity!

My Favorite Things | January 2024

It’s been nearly six months since my last traditional Favorite Things post! These are my favorite posts to write. Hope you enjoy these items as much as I do….

This very cute hot pink puffer vest from Old Navy is helping me beat the winter blues this season. As you can see, it adds a pop of color to any outfit. It’s light enough to wear it indoors, throughout the entire day. I’m a vest girly and love collecting different styles and colors! This one allows me to channel my inner Elle Woods. It’s on sale at the moment, too!

Fall may be behind us, but I am still enjoying the Cinnamon Apple Spice Herbal Tea from Celestial Seasonings. I’ve bought it in bulk twice on Amazon, if that tells you how much I love it! YUM. This herbal tea tastes exactly like warm apple cider, without any of the added sugar. I suggest adding two bags per cup for extra flavor. It also has a fruity pineapple-y undertone that reminds me of southern fruit tea.

This month, I rediscovered one of my favorite drugstore mascaras!

The Maybelline Lash Sensational Luscious Mascara has a pigmented, lightweight formula that doesn’t make your lashes “crunchy”, but still delivers length AND volume. Yes! You can apply 3-4 coats, and it still glides on smoothly. I feel like my lashes are even conditioned when I take it off at night. It doesn’t smudge or flake on me.

Favorite lip liner alert! Don’t sleep on the Sephora Collection — they have some really good products. I love their Rouge Gel Lip Liner in Wine-O. It’s the prettiest raspberry-wine color. I like to fill my entire lips in with it and top it off with the Milani Hydrating Lip Stain in Rose Rising. The texture of the lip liner feels like an ultra-concentrated lip balm, so it’s not the least bit drying. LOVE. It is retractable, so no need to sharpen!

Three MORE Books I Loved in 2023

We may be more than halfway through January, but I couldn’t let the month end without wrapping up discussing the top books I read last year. With snow on the ground and a chill in the air, grab a fuzzy blanket, a warm cup of tea and dive into these reads….

I have found that I am just as interested in reading about the history of the beauty industry as I am buying and trying products. A Beautiful Rival by Gill Paul is a fictional but gripping novel about the rivalry between makeup and skincare pioneers Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein.

Set in the early 20th century, Arden and Rubinstein share a passion of all things beauty, but both strive to be the best at their craft — and so begins a decades-long rivalry between two strong-willed women. While this novel is fictional, each character comes alive right on the page. I felt like I was watching a juicy soap opera and stayed up late at night reading this gossipy page-turner.

Another novel I thoroughly enjoyed last year about the early days of the beauty industry was Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl by Renee Rosen, detailing the life of Estée Lauder.

I read Jeannette Walls’s novel The Glass Castle in high school; yet, it is still one of my favorite books of all time. While Castle is based upon her unconventional childhood, Walls’s newest novel Hang The Moon is purely fictional. Still, these characters jump right off the page. Walls is so good at writing about family dynamics, and has a way of keeping you invested when reading about a character’s everyday life.

In the early 20th century, a teenage Sallie Kincaid returns to her childhood home after being sent away as a child. Her dad, “The Duke”, is a prominent businessman. While Sallie is expected to marry and have children, she prefers helping Duke with the family business instead. Hang The Moon doesn’t have an action-packed plot, but it has lots of good character development and meanders along nicely. By the end, I knew I would miss strong and determined Sallie.

Can a novel be lighthearted but moving at the same time? Yes! The Good Part by Sophie Cousens follows Lucy, a twenty-something living in London. Lucy longs for her life to be filled with accomplishments and status, but is currently down on her luck. She is eager to skip to…you guessed it…the “good part” of her life. After making a wish on a mysterious wish machine, she wakes up years later in her forties.

Confused and startled, Lucy has no memory of the past seventeen years or so of her life. She has everything a wife and mother could want, but misses the past. I think we could all relate to Lucy, no matter how old we are! The Good Part was a fun yet thoughtful read. I read it in just a couple days.

The Most Comfortable Lip Products at the Drugstore

Would you believe that some of my most favorite and most comfortable lip products I own are from the drugstore? You no longer have to spend a pretty penny on quality, pigmented lip products. In these dark and chilly months, I love to play with pops of color in my makeup routine — well okay, I love pops of color in every season! 😉 These three lip products deliver.

Lip Oils are definitely popular at the moment in the beauty space! My favorite at the moment are the Milani Fruit Fetish Lip Oils. I own the shades Cherry Lime and Blackberry Agave.

While pigmentation is on the sheer side, you can build these oils up to however bold you want. They have a smooth and glossy base, so they don’t feel the least bit greasy or sticky. Cherry Lime is a classic, sheer cherry red. Blackberry Agave looks less berry on me, and more like a terracotta nude. Still stunning! The chunky doe-foot applicator dispenses just the right amount of product. The packaging is chic and sturdy, and each flavor tastes yummy, too! I can’t wait to try more shades.

The word “plush” doesn’t seem like it would be used to describe a lip stain, but the Color Fetish Hydrating Lip Stains from Milani fit that bill! I cannot believe such an innovative lip product is at the drugstore. I am absolutely loving the shades Mahogany Mami, a red-berry shade; and Rose Rising, a darker but wearable plum-pink.

The texture is so unique — it’s inky but creamy, while delivering the perfect amount of pigment. No need to worry about making a mess with these; the applicator has a flat center with a pointed tip, making it easy to control! It stays on strong for a couple of hours, then leaves behind a pretty wash of color. Reapplying is no sweat — I barely have to use a mirror. Bonus: these lip stains taste like cake batter.

If you are a traditional lip gloss fan, you NEED to own the Maybelline Lifter Gloss in Rust. I remember buying this last winter, then it got lost in my makeup drawer. After finding it, I applied and realized just how stunning this rusty coral shade is. It’s the perfect balance of a traditional red with a drop of rust and coral, finishing with a pearly gold sheen. SWOON! It has enough pigment to be considered as a glossy liquid lipstick, in my opinion. The sweet vanilla flavor is the cherry on top.

Five Books I LOVED in 2023

Clear room on your bookshelf or get ready to stock up your Kindle, because today I’m talking about five of the best books I read in 2023. From chilling gothic thrillers to immersive historical fiction, these five books kept me entertained from start to finish.

Starting off strong with my top read of this past year — The Golden Doves by Martha Hall Kelly. Every book from this author is a MUST-READ if you love detailed, lush historical fiction. In Doves, we meet Josie and Arlette. In post-WWII Texas, Josie is tasked with traveling to Europe to track down a notorious Nazi doctor. Meanwhile, Arlette is in France, waiting tables and still reeling from having her son be taken from her in a concentration camp during the war.

Let me tell you — 500+ pages have never flown by so quickly for me! With two points of view alternating between two timelines, I flew through this book, wondering what was going to happen to Josie and Arlette. During the war, they joined the French Resistance and became known as the Golden Doves. The book is a roller coster ride through their lives during and after WWII; full of action, suspense and grief.

Will Arlette find her son — and will Josie locate Dr. Snow? You will be gripped from the very first page. I think Golden Doves would make a great TV series. Most every character (even the minor ones) has a significant role in the story. Set in the United States, Europe and South America, you are in for an adventure.

Elizabeth Taylor: The Grit and Glamour of an Icon by Kate Andersen Brower was the first full book I read in 2023. I love reading about the rich and famous of old Hollywood, so this was such an entertaining read. Taylor’s personal life was just as storied as her legendary film career. It was well-written, organized and informative.

The Only One Left by Riley Sager was the first book I read from this author – and definitely not my last! Set in the 1980s, Kit is desperate for a new job and a fresh start on life. She is hired to take care of Lenora Hope, an old woman who is unable to speak after having a stroke. Lenora has a mysterious (and murderous) past. Kit assists Lenora as she types out her life story — when all kinds of secrets and twists start bubbling to the surface. Did Lenora kill her family in the 1920s? What really happened in her now crumbling family mansion? I loved the gothic vibe of this thriller.

Continuing with the murder mystery theme — only this one is much lighter — The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose was such a delight to read. We once again meet Molly the Maid, who works in London’s Regency Grand Hotel. When a famous author suddenly drops dead before making an announcement at the hotel, Molly is tasked with helping find out who killed him. Meanwhile, the novel travels back in time to Molly’s childhood to discover how she, her Gran and the author are linked.

I hope the author continues to write “Molly the Maid” novels. I think Molly is one of the most likable book characters ever. You will smile the entire time while reading The Mystery Guest.

Fiona Davis has become one of my favorite authors during the past several years! Her novels are set around a famous building or landmark in New York City. The Spectacular focuses on Radio City Music Hall. In the 1950s, Marion comes from a sheltered home, but longs to be a Rockette and experience the hustle and bustle of New York City. She achieves her dream and is on top of the world — until tragedy strikes.

The novel alternates between the 1950s and the 1990s, when Marion is asked to return to Radio City Music Hall to be recognized. Marion is reluctant, and throughout the novel, you find out why. The Spectacular is another superb historical fiction novel with mystery, drama, and a little bit of romance.

***

What were your top reads of 2023? I would love to know!

My Current Beauty Favorites!

It’s been a minute since I’ve posted on here…I want to talk about a few beauty items I’ve been reaching for the most in my collection lately. The return of a couple tried-and-true favorites, along with the new. Let’s get started!

Is it 2016 again?! Does anyone else remember when the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette was all the rage a few years ago? I LOVED it, and even hit pan on several shades. When they released a mini version of this palette, I just had to pick it up. It is just as beautiful as I remember!

For the texture to be on the powdery side, each of these shadows are pigmented, but blend like a dream. My favorite shades are Love Letter, the dark pink in the lower right corner; and PrimaVera, the shimmery gold shade (top middle). That shade looks amazing as an inner corner highlight! I love playing with all of them.

If you’re a fan of creamy eyeshadow looks, I highly recommend the CoverGirl Exhibitionist by Kelsea Ballerini Liquid Glitter Eyeshadows. I’ve actually been using these as a base/primer, and then layering powder shadows on top. So gorgeous! I have the shades Forever (hot pink), Golden Magic (warm yellow gold) Nashville Dream (pinky-lilac). I recommend buying these online, as they are hard to find in-store.

Despite being really shimmery, they have good pigment and aren’t patchy. If you want to wear these without layering eyeshadow on top, I recommend priming your lids with a concealer or primer, and then setting it with powder before applying. This helps the creamy shimmer shine all day.

I’ve been really into wearing warm lip colors this holiday season! I’m not usually a fan of matte lipsticks, but the Juvia’s Place Nubian Earth Lipstick in Soil has the most comfortable, velvety matte finish. I would describe the shade Soil as terra cotta with a little bit of coral. It’s not the least bit drying, and the staying power is nice too. It glides on like butter! The packaging is sleek and sturdy; these lipsticks are currently on sale at Ulta, so now is the perfect time to buy.

Saving my most favorite beauty favorite for last! I first discovered the Nuxe Reve de Miel Ultra Nourishing Lip Balm about seven years ago after I heard someone talk about it on YouTube. The websites I used to purchase it from stopped carrying it, and so I had to find new favorites for a few years. However, I found it again last month. I was SO excited! If you like to collect lip treatments like me, add this one to your collection.

This emollient lip butter is unlike any lip treatment I’ve ever tried – while it doesn’t have a silky, hydrating texture, it is more of a thick, exfoliating paste with a matte finish. The formula is so nourishing, and makes my lips feel so soft! Truly a treat – with a light, citrusy scent. It stays on for such a long time.