I thought it might be fun to start a new monthly blog post of things that I really enjoyed over the course of the month. I'll start with this past month of April, and share a number of items (books, cosmetics, recipes, tv shows, household things, sewing accessories etc) that you might appreciate as well.
Let's start with the jeans I want to wear every.single.day. These are the Boyfriend Jeans by NYDJ. I got mine at Nordstrom a few months ago and paid full price. But guess what? They seem to be on sale at the moment. You can also get them on Amazon. These are style 2028. They have a high rise, are not distressed at all, have a longer length (just above the ankle) and are not the baggy boyfriend style that a lot of brands seem to offer. The fit is slightly relaxed, but still slim. If you can't find this style in your size, just keep trying other NYDJ styles until you find one you like. Both Macy's and Nordstrom have a large selection of styles to try on. They are my favorite brand of jeans, bar none.
These little navy flats are by Born and are only available at Macy's. And they are on sale. Regularly $90, on sale for $63. Navy blue shoes in just the right shade are impossible to find, so if you've been wanting some, jump on it. Born is such a high quality, comfortable brand.
These cleansing wipes from Sephora are wonderful for the first step in removing your makeup. I love the Coconut Water variety, but they have at least six "flavors" to choose from. Each variety has different claims. The coconut is "soothing and relaxing", the rose is "moisturizing and brightening" etc. They are only $7.50 and I like them much better than the brands you can find at the drugstore.
After my first swipe with the coconut cleansing wipes I wash my face thoroughly. My favorite cleanser at the moment is the Bobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Oil, which not only cleans my face and removes all makeup, but leaves my skin feeling soft and moisturized. I have repurchased this many times. It is on sale right now too, at Macys. I have never seen this product on sale and it is 15% off currently. $39 instead of $46.
Last of the cosmetics I promise. I purchased two new Hourglass eyeshadow palettes at Nordstrom recently, and while pricey ($58), they may be the best eye shadows I have ever owned. Creamy, blendable, smooth, long lasting, great colors…I love these. The one at the top is "Ravine" (neutral browns) and the lower one is "Expose" (plum, mauve, grey).
This is the new pink "Splash" rotary cutter by Olfa. I got mine at Fat Quarter Shop for $16.48. It is the style that has the easy change blade. I found I could not resist this fun pink color, even though I have a bazillion rotary cutters.
This is a recipe for slow cooked Korean Beef, from the website Damn Delicious. I am always looking for great crock pot recipes and this one will be in regular rotation at my house. Basically, you buy a nice boneless chuck roast and cut it up and put it in the crock pot with some other seasonings for 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high. The only thing I did different from the recipe instructions was to brown the beef ahead of dumping it in the slow cooker. It made tons, the house smelled delicious all day and the family loved it.
The BBC tv series "Howards End" is absolutely outstanding. I believe there are four episodes total, and we have watched the first three. It is just so good. The acting is great, the costumes and set designs are incredible. You will just immerse yourself in the story and find the hour has sped by like lightning.
"The Observations" is a book by Jane Harris, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Set in 19th century Scotland, this book's main character Bessie Buckley, is not someone you will soon forget. The book is written from her point of view, which is totally hilarious at times. Bessie definitely has a checkered past, despite her young age. She finds employment as a maid with a very eccentric woman who wants her to write down her daily experience in a journal, as well as submit herself to some odd experiments. Darkly funny at times, some hint of the supernatural, and a bit of mystery. Think of the character Moll Flanders set in a Sarah Waters book. I liked it so much I read another book by the same author.
Set in turn of the century Glasgow, "Gillespie and I" tells the story of a well to do London woman who befriends a Scottish artist and his family and the saga of the situation that befalls them all. The narrator is unreliable, to say the least, and you will find yourself wondering at every turn of the page who might have been responsible for what. A great read.
Hope you enjoyed this list of current favorites! I am on vacation with the family right now, but will get back to regular posting next week.
33 responses to “April Favorites”
Wow! Thank you for these many and varied recommendations! Will make notes to self. 🙂
Hope you and the family are having a delightful time away.
Hugs!
Wow! Thank you for these many and varied recommendations! Will make notes to self. 🙂
Hope you and the family are having a delightful time away.
Hugs!
Wow! Thank you for these many and varied recommendations! Will make notes to self. 🙂
Hope you and the family are having a delightful time away.
Hugs!
Great info. Enjoy your time with your family.
Mary
Great info. Enjoy your time with your family.
Mary
Great info. Enjoy your time with your family.
Mary
that was fun! thank you – just ordered a Splash…been thinking about it and sent the 2 book recommendations to a friend who will love them! Have a wonderful vacation!
that was fun! thank you – just ordered a Splash…been thinking about it and sent the 2 book recommendations to a friend who will love them! Have a wonderful vacation!
that was fun! thank you – just ordered a Splash…been thinking about it and sent the 2 book recommendations to a friend who will love them! Have a wonderful vacation!
I love this post and look forward to what you share each month. Thanks!
I love this post and look forward to what you share each month. Thanks!
I love this post and look forward to what you share each month. Thanks!
What a great post, thanks so much. I happened to be in Phoenix when you posted about bras a while back and bought 2 of the ones with high sides, I love them. I’ve also selected 2 different books that you reviewed over the years as my choice when it’s been my turn to pick at book club. Thank you again. Karen
What a great post, thanks so much. I happened to be in Phoenix when you posted about bras a while back and bought 2 of the ones with high sides, I love them. I’ve also selected 2 different books that you reviewed over the years as my choice when it’s been my turn to pick at book club. Thank you again. Karen
What a great post, thanks so much. I happened to be in Phoenix when you posted about bras a while back and bought 2 of the ones with high sides, I love them. I’ve also selected 2 different books that you reviewed over the years as my choice when it’s been my turn to pick at book club. Thank you again. Karen
Will check out the books and the tv serie they sound great.
Have a great time with your family!
Will check out the books and the tv serie they sound great.
Have a great time with your family!
Will check out the books and the tv serie they sound great.
Have a great time with your family!
Great idea to do monthly reviews! Maybe your readers will chime in with recommendations in comments, too! I’ll start with my favorite heel/rough elbow cream CND SPA Cucumber Heel Therapy. I swear by it! It’s the best!
Great idea to do monthly reviews! Maybe your readers will chime in with recommendations in comments, too! I’ll start with my favorite heel/rough elbow cream CND SPA Cucumber Heel Therapy. I swear by it! It’s the best!
Great idea to do monthly reviews! Maybe your readers will chime in with recommendations in comments, too! I’ll start with my favorite heel/rough elbow cream CND SPA Cucumber Heel Therapy. I swear by it! It’s the best!
Howards End has made me swoon. It is one I will buy bc I will watch it over and over again. ;p
The jeans? I found a pair I really like at JJill. Expensive but they last AND they fit AND they look nice.
Howards End has made me swoon. It is one I will buy bc I will watch it over and over again. ;p
The jeans? I found a pair I really like at JJill. Expensive but they last AND they fit AND they look nice.
Howards End has made me swoon. It is one I will buy bc I will watch it over and over again. ;p
The jeans? I found a pair I really like at JJill. Expensive but they last AND they fit AND they look nice.
I too enjoyed your ‘variety’ post. Thanks for sharing.
I too enjoyed your ‘variety’ post. Thanks for sharing.
I too enjoyed your ‘variety’ post. Thanks for sharing.
This was a fun post – Great idea! 🙂
This was a fun post – Great idea! 🙂
This was a fun post – Great idea! 🙂
Love this list of favorites – I am in need of new jeans and new flats. Guess I should head over to Macy’s (haven’t been there in years!).
Love this list of favorites – I am in need of new jeans and new flats. Guess I should head over to Macy’s (haven’t been there in years!).
Love this list of favorites – I am in need of new jeans and new flats. Guess I should head over to Macy’s (haven’t been there in years!).