{Friday Favorites} This and That

Happy Friday! I'm taking a break from weight loss chatter to share some of my favorite things this week.

Might as well start off with something non-weight loss-y:  the most popular online lasagna recipe.  I heard this news clip on Good Morning America this morning and had to check it out.  I may even actually make it.

I've tried nearly every brand and consistency of concealer and bought this Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer on a whim while at Sephora. {The whim happens for me a lot at Sephora.} This is, hands down, the best I've used.  And I've got some serious dark circles.  

The Rema by Franco Sarto is my new go-to pump for work, church, and other functions calling for dress-up.  The heel height is great, the toe is not too pointy and not too round, and the price is right.  I bought one for now and one for later in black and I also bought chestnut last summer and it was a perfect, versatile color.

I love so many of the candles from Bath and Bodyworks.  This is what I'm currently burning.  

I used this dietary supplement for about a year after I had my son and my hair had fallen out and then grown back in.  It worked wonders on my hair, my skin, and my nails.  I ran out at some point and it sorta fell off my radar and recently I remembered it and ordered a big bottle.  

Happy weekend, y'all!  

{Friday Favorites}: Free People

Well, my blogging re-entry has not been stellar.  Honestly, I'm not really feelin' it, plus there was the 2,000+ Asian spam comments clogging up my inbox in a matter of minutes a couple weeks ago.  Anywho, I do get the blogging urge every once in awhile so I thought I'd share something superficial and fashionable today.

My A/C bill dipped below $250 this month, which must mean fall is peeking around the corner here in Georgia!  Though I won't be busting out my sweaters for another couple of months, I have been purchasing a few things for my fall weekend wardrobe.  

I spend the majority of my waking hours every weekday dressed in heels, skirts, dresses, pearls, and all manner of conservative office attire.  However, I am a bit of a boho chic at heart.  Give me a pair of flare jeans, a well-cut tshirt or poncho, a pair of cowboy boots, some simple hoop earrings, and a sterling silver cuff bracelet and I'm golden.

There's no better place to get some boho than Free People. My love of FP clothing began about 5 years ago when I stumbled upon this crop shirt for $9 at Bloomies.   At the time I bought it because I liked it, and only later did I learn about the Brand .

My love of crops continues all these years later.  They are perfect for layering over a longer skinny tee or cami and then topping off with a jacket or cardigan.  This one would look great under a dark brown leather jacket, too.

I'm almost 5'10" so I love that most of Free People's pants are long enough for me right off the rack.  {They do also carry short lengths for those who do not tower above their peers.}  

  

Tunic and jeans {Free People}  
Boots {Old Gringo}  
Watch {Michael Kors}  
Earrings {Stella and Dot)  
Photo by the fabulous Paige.

Their five-pocket skinny flares are my favorite jeans, hands down.  Again, because I am tall, I'll pay some dollars for a good-fitting pair of jeans. I own Hudson, Joe's, Paige, and Sevens and they are all good in certain styles and for certain occasions.  But, for $78, these jeans take the trophy for most likely to succeed. 

For a little something different this fall I got these Devil Knit Pants.  Again, perfect with boots and some layers on top, especially denim or chambray.  

This is my favorite purchase this fall.  Perfect color and weight to throw on for a night out and you don't have to add a lot of accessories because the beading accessorizes for you!  {If I was brave (and thin) enough for leather skinnies I'd do cartwheels and a Rockette kick or twenty before I went out on a hot date.  Alas, I'm not and I won't.}  

The Beatnick Tunic is great for all people, places and things.

When I do feel like tucking in a fitted t-shirt I love throwing on a long sweater tunic.  This one has a hood which makes it a little more casual and fun.

And this belt would be a perfect addition---- in fact, it will go with most anything.

 And I couldn't pass up this jacket with it's military buttons + ruffle goodness. 

I'm a cautious member of the dress-as-tunic fan club.  For the most part I think it works best for cooler weather styles when you can wear the dress as a tunic over heavier bottoms like skinny cords or riding pants (don't get me started on leggings worn in public) and boots or booties.  I purchased this one for the rich fall colors and the pockets!  

And finally, because fashion should look good both coming.....

....and going.... 

I added these booties to the fall rotation (along with a pair of stud toe Sam Edelmans).  Suede and leather is so much better than a black leather pump.  

Happy Friday y'all!

Friday Favorites {The Hair Edition}

It's been great reconnecting with so many blog friends that I "met" years ago when I started my blog.  Happy to see so many still blogging!  Also, thanks to the new readers who have stopped by this week!  

I've gotten a lot of emails and inbox comments from people who used to read my blog who said they liked my favorite things and fashion posts the most.  I'd already planned on a Friday Favorites weekly spot, so I decided to dedicate today's post to a topic that is near and dear to my heart.....hair.  

I joke that my hair is like my second child because it takes up so much of my time and money.  Aside from all the cash I spend at the salon on color, highlights, keratin treatments and cuts -- there's the hair products. 

If I had a dollar for every hair product I've bought and used only once, I'd be able to afford my own personal stylist who could give me daily blowouts and save me most of my sanity.  Within the past couple years I've learned my lesson and I stick by my tried-and-true products.  If I find something I like I stick with it.  

With that, here's what  I use, from start to finish, to style my hair:

This actually is a fairly new find for me.  I used the Keratin Complex brand shampoo and conditioner. since I get salon Keratin treatments, and I just felt like I needed to switch things up.  I was given a sample of Bumble and Bumble Straight shampoo and loved it, so I bought the conditioner and really like it, too. It smells great and it's sulfate-free, important if you have Keratin treatments like I do.

After towel drying I put a generous amount of  Nexxus Frizz Defy,  in my hair.  This is also a fairly new find for me after a couple years of using Moroccan Oil Hydrating Cream.  I was still fairly happy with the Moroccan Oil cream but, at $35, I felt I could find something else that was more affordable.  The Frizz Defy is about 1/3 the price and can be found at almost all drug stores.    

I can't do a post on hair without mentioning my love for wide tooth combs.  They're so much better to use on your hair than a brush or traditional comb.  I keep one in my car, my purse, my desk drawer at work and in every bathroom and powder room in my house.  It's also easy to throw one in your workout and beach bags.  And, at around $2.50 each, they don't break the bank either. 

I am a fan of Super Solano hairdryers - I had one for 8 years and just purchased the one pictured below this summer when my first finally stopped working.  I like a high air volume dryer that warms up well and these have always worked for me.  On a side note:  I recently told someone I dry my hair about 80% dry before I even begin styling and she had no idea that would work.  She said she starts styling hers when it is wet just out of the shower.  So - in case you didn't know - you don't have to do that!  Styling only matters when you are drying the last bit of moisture out of your hair.  

The Bio Ionic round brush is probably my favorite styling find of all.  This is from their silver classic series line and I get the XL size.  The great thing about this brush is it's all one piece, so your hair doesn't snag and catch on the area where the handle and barrel come together. 

I love my Croc flat iron!  I've tried cheap flat irons from Target and I've tried tried Chi and none of them beat the results I get from Croc - namely smooth but not wire straight hair and no snagging and catching on the plates.

Finally, I give my hair a once-over with my tried and true Sebastian Shaper hairspray.  It's not too heavy and gives a little hold without being sticky.  I've used this brand for well over 7 years.  

From start to finish it takes me about 20 minutes to do my hair.  I'd love to hear about your favorite products and tips!  Happy hair styling and happy Friday!