Friday Faves #6

I’ve been suuuuper exhausted this week, so really my Friday Fave is that IT IS FRIDAY AND I CAN TAKE A NAP. God bless.

This week’s list is a teensy bit random, but hope you love it anyway.

1. NARS Lipstick in Dolce Vita

I’m 27 years old. At some point last year, I decided that I had reached the ambiguous age at which a woman should know how to wear lipstick. I resisted at first, since basically ALL of the stinking lipsticks I bought dried out my lips. But then I met NARS.

This lipstick is essentially lip balm to me, but with the coverage of a lipstick. I can’t get enough. It comes in 34 different shades and these types of style: satin, sheer, shimmering, semi-matte, and matte. So basically anything you could ever want.

2. Jessica Simpson Mandalaye Ballet Flat

These shoes are insanely comfortable. I actually walked 3 miles in them a few days ago. And I get lots of compliments on how cute they are. They come in five different colors, and when I pulled up the link for them I realized they now come in navy soooooo I might have to buy those.

3. CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser

I have VERY sensitive skin. This was recommended by my dermatologist and I love it. It’s the one cleanser that I’ve found cleans my skin without leaving it dry. I also love that I can buy it at Target or CVS.

4. Panera Iced Green Tea

Okay, let’s not kid ourselves and think that this is *healthy* green tea, but it is *delicious* green tea. So refreshing. Add some Bacardi Limon and you’ve got a party!

5. American Eagle’s Soft and Sexy Line

When I was in middle school, American Eagle was allllllll the rage. So much so that I made my parents take me to Bealls Outlet, where I found a men’s XL graphic tee and bought it (it was orange. i hate orange.) just so that I could have SOMETHING with an AE logo on it. Bless those days.

I haven’t stepped foot in an American Eagle in years, but I magically stumbled upon their soft and sexy line when I found two incredible shirts at a local store (Urban Thread–go, you’ll love it). In fact, I’m wearing one of them now! I cannot describe how actually soft these fabrics are. It’s silly. The best part? MACHINE WASHABLE. <All the praise hands>

Doesn’t that shirt look comfy? Even with the wrinkles at the bottom? Yes! I also just found out they make dresses that are soft & sexy, too.

xo, A

Friday Faves #5

You guyyyssss I totally missed last week’s Friday Faves! But that’s cause my sweet sister was in town and we were busy doing random things like watching Gator Gymnastics lose by *literally* the smallest amount a team could lose by. Bummer.

Regardless, I’m back! This is week five of Friday Faves, and this week is a special “online” edition! Here’s a list of my top things (in no particular order) that exist on the world wide web:

1. The Balanced Life FREE Online Pilates Workouts

I’ve been following Robin’s IG for a while now, and I think if I didn’t have her online workouts, I’d be in deep trouble. As someone who grew up in sports, doing video workouts has NEVER appealed to me. But when I found myself strapped for time and in serious need of moving my body, Robin’s workouts were a life saver. Most of them are 7-10 minutes long, which means I can totally do them in my office during lunch break.

BONUS! She just started a new 30-day Pilates Body Challenge FO FREE so there’s that.

Follow her on IG: @thebalancedlife

2. Jess Connolly’s Website & Instagram

This lady is SUCH a gem, you guys. She’s beautiful in the loveliest of ways, and her heart for Jesus is on fire. She’s about to launch a book she co-wrote, called Wild and Free, and she also posts super beautiful images with honest stories behind them. Enough of me talking about it–just go follow her.

IG: @jessaconnolly (where I snagged that photo from)

3. Espresso and Cream

I wish I could remember where I even stumbled upon Madison’s IG/blog, but it doesn’t matter cause I’m sure glad I did! I feel like if I have an online friend, it’s her. I followed her journey through infertility to her sweet daughter Ainsley being born a year ago. They’re the cutest family, she is a recipe developer, has stunning fashion sense that doesn’t cost a million dollars, she loves Jesus, and she loves the Gators! Wha-bam!

Sign up for her blog and follow her on IG: @madisonmhofmeyer (where I snagged that photo from–look at those beauties!)

4. The Everygirl

I can’t stop reading their content. It’s a blog for women, but not just about fashion or makeup or whatever. It’s for smart women. Women who are interesting and working their butts off and want to be wise and cute at the same time.

Some of my favorite posts? Here:
How I Coped With an Unexpected Pregnancy
Their “In the Know” series that keeps you (briefly) updated on current affairs
Why Do We Romanticize Stress?
401K vs. IRA: Which is Right for You?
Their Career Profiles on ah-mazing, badass women like this one on a neonatologist & clinical professor
How to Style a Desk 3 Ways: for the Student, the Post-grad & the Career Woman
5 Things to Do the Weekend Your Ex Gets Married (lol)

5. J.Crew Factory Sales

(Also, J.Crew sales in general)
I feel like I get more compliments on my J.Crew clothing/jewelry/shoes than I do on anything else (including my face/humor/general disposition). SO here is my tip: sign up for the stinking emails. They have KILLER sales and I feel like I rarely pay more than Target prices for these things.

Side note: J.Crew Factory is not the same quality as J.Crew, as much as I want it to be. So just know that going in. You get what you pay for!

xo, A.

Friday Faves #3

I’m getting such great feedback on this series, which is so fun! So let’s keep it going with Week #3: Valentine’s Edition!

Matt and I don’t celebrate VD (never have; except for sometimes I think Matt actually does get to celebrate VD considering one year we went to see Die Hard and another year we went to a high school baseball game…).

Here are five things I’m loving right now that you can totally get for the babe in your life (AKA YOU!). Pick one and treat yo’self!

1. LoLLIA BREATHE No. 19 Shea Butter Handcreme 4 oz

This is definitely a luxury. My sister bought this for me for my lingerie shower, and now I’m obsessed with it. The scent is a dream, and I’m a sucker for anything with shea butter.

2. CHANEL Chance Eau Tendre Perfume

This was my wedding perfume, and now I find myself wearing it every day. This is a scent I’ve always been able to recognize on other people, and now it’s my signature scent.

When I was trying to find a wedding perfume, I think I tried on over 50 perfumes at Sephora. One visit I was there for over two hours, and I knew it was time to leave when I had no idea what I was smelling, because I had just sprayed everything. Because of that, I basically consider myself a perfume connoisseur, so trust me on Chance.

PS: I’m pretty sure it’s cheaper at Sephora than on Amazon, which is crazy.

3. Eberjey Joey Cuff Robe

Again, a luxury. I wore this for my boudoir shoot and for my getting ready outfit on my wedding day. It is so soft that I don’t even know what it is made of (?) but I just want to leave it on (sorry Matt). All of Eberjey’s stuff is gorgeous and comfortable, so browse their site!

PS: Sign up for their email and get 10% off your first purchase!
PPS: Love this photo of my wedding morning in my Joey robe by Lizzie Randazzo Photography

4. My sister’s artwork

And she didn’t even pay me to say it! My sister is an incredible artist. She designed our wedding invitations and the sign we used at our ceremony. I am constantly amazed at her creativity and the things she makes.

I’m a big fan of filling your home with beautiful pieces, and Ashley can pretty much create anything you envision (or let her run with it and see what she creates!).

She has generously agreed to give B+B readers 15% (!!!) off a custom art piece. Just tell her I sent you! This would be also be a great gift for someone you love–a custom piece of art that represents something special to y’all! Normal prices range from $30-$50 (frames not included), with prices going up for larger pieces or pieces with more intricate detail. Just shoot her an email at ashleypurserdesign@gmail.com

And follow her on IG because she posts pretty things: @ashleypurser

PS: I think this piece would look so cute in a guest bath or little girl’s nursery!

5. Chik-fil-A Strawberry Milkshake

It’s pink, delicious, indulgent, and cheap. What more do you need on VD?

xo, Amanda

Friday Faves #1

About six months ago, I started listening to The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey podcast (you can find it on iTunes). It’s pretty much changed my life, and is my gospel on the way to and from work. Literally, I don’t even know what the radio is anymore.

Aside from HIGHLY recommending the show, which is like an actual happy hour with your girlfriends, I’m stealing something from Jamie that she does with each of her guests. Jamie asks about three things they’re loving right now. And I’m obsessed with this portion. I’ve found books, makeup, scripture, you name it from this.

So–I’m taking it! Each Friday I’ll post five things I’m loving right now (you know…five…Friday…faves…) and links to where you can get them.

Let’s get started: Winter Edition!

1. The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey Podcast (duh)