January, 2020 | A Lovely Living

January 31, 2020

Everyday Make-Up Favorites

Hi guys! When it comes to the makeup department, I’m not one that’s constantly changing up my routine, but I am always curious as to what others are using in their day to day routines. Obviously shades and colors will vary for everyone, but below you will find my tried and true products, most of which I’ve been using for years. I’d love to know what some of your go-to’s are. Feel free to share in the comments!

1.MAC Eyebrow Pencil: My go-to for a quick fill in for my ever-thin eyebrows. Lingering is the shade I use.

2. Bronzing Powder: I always like to add a little bit of color to my face. I dust this powder along my cheek bones, nose and forehead after I’ve applied my tinted moisturizer.

3. Finishing Powder: I love dusting this lightly on top of my make-up. It gives my make-up a soft look and helps to lock everything in place.

4. Eyeshadow Palette: I’ve purchased this same palette a few times now because I can’t stop with it. I never use all the colors in the larger palettes (which is a waste of money) but I’ve found that I wear most of these pretty evenly and it has just enough options to vary my looks.

5. Stila All Day Lipstick: When I need a lipstick to stay in place for a long period of time, this is my go-to. It lasts for hours on end (through eating and drinking) and comes in some beautiful colors. Portofino and Baci are two of my favorites.

6. Makeup Setting Spray: If you’re spending the time (and money) on your makeup, you may as well have it last, even on an ordinary day. I notice a huge difference when I use this spray to set my makeup.

7. Under Eye Corrector: I think I’ve mentioned my love for this product before, but it’s been a game changer for my dark under eyes. The pink undertones have a way of combating the darkness in a way that I haven’t found in regular concealers alone. I apply it first thing, directly on top of my moisturizer.

8. Under Eye Concealer: I apply this as a final defense to tackling those genetic, dark circles on top of my other makeup.

9. Mascara: The wand is what I mainly adore about this mascara. It grabs, separates and lengthens my lashes giving them a life of their own. Even if I skip eye shadow and liner, I’ll typically always throw on a few swipes of mascara so I can feel alive!

10. Blush: This loose powder blush has been a long time favorite. I love that it goes on light yet creamy and gives a beautiful soft color. Beauty is the shade I use.

11. NARS Tinted Moisturizer: Another long time favorite, this tinted moisturizer is what I use basically everyday. I love the light-weight feel of it that gives me just enough coverage without looking like I’m caked in make up. When I’m looking for a little more coverage, I jump over to this CC Cream.

12. Stila Eye Liner: I used to wear a liquid liner, but now prefer the softer look that this smudge stick gives. I also love the fact that it doesn’t require a sharpener!

13. Brow Gel: I’ve found this gel to be a great way to add some volume to my otherwise thin eyebrows. It applies quickly and stays in place. I bounce between this and one by Glossier which both give similar results.

14. Becca Lipstick: I love this lipstick because of how moisturizing it is and how well it wears. My favorite color is Orchid.

January 29, 2020

A Sweater to Brighten up these Gloomy Days

This sweater was the front runner from my Loft try-on that I shared Monday. It was such a fresh find that adds some cheer to the gloomy weather we’ve been having. The sleeves have just enough volume to give it some additional interest but they aren’t over powering and don’t get in the way with coats/jackets. Also, these boots were a Christmas present and I just love them. The detail on the heel is so unique and the shoe is very comfortable. They’ve been such a great addition to my shoe closet (like I have a separate shoe closet or something ;))

Details: Sweater / Jeans (similar) / Hat / Boots

January 27, 2020

Love Loft Sale

Hey guys! Hope you had a great weekend. We had a low key couple of days getting to hang out and re-coop. Madelyn and I spent a girl afternoon out and about shopping and enjoying a little Starbucks date. Her new-found love is a chocolate frappuccino ;) She loves being my little helper in the dressing room and I was thankful to have her, it can get lonely in there!

With their sale continuing, I wanted to share what I tried on at Loft. Be warned, there’s a lot! All the details of what I loved and others that I didn’t are below. I also note the size I had on as reference for you guys, since that’s the question I’m often asked. I’m 5’7″, typically an XS or S in their tops and 0 in their bottoms (which is a size down from my normal 2).

How adorable is this fringe sweater?! The colors work now but are soft enough to lead you into Spring as well.

This sweater was adorable. I loved the shape and fit. The cropped length keeps it from feeling too overwhelming of a sweater.

For those looking for a great cropped pant (think booties now and loafers/slides come Spring), you should try these! You’ll see them again in blue below.

The top is super cute. Cropped with an elastic waist and a v-back. Work appropriate but could switch to night with some skinny jeans.

Another great work look. There are mini hearts on the top that aren’t overwhelmingly Valentines Day.

How cute are those sleeves?! Wear it with jeans, a pencil skirt or any number of trousers. Oh, or black overalls! Oh my gosh, that would be adorable!

This blazer is perfect for Spring, but would wear well under your winter coat for now as it’s very light weight and not bulky at all.

Sweet and festive, this sweater easily goes from week to weekend. I tried on the S here and grey below in the XS, which I preferred.

sweater (size xs) / jeans (I can’t remember if I was in the 25 or 26, I’m sorry!)

The grey would have much more longevity in my closet!

These jeans were much cuter than I was expecting. The fit was so flattering and although I love the belt for certain outfits, I also appreciate that it’s removable.

I wasn’t very fond of the fit of either of these pieces. I would have needed to size up to a M in the sweater to get more sleeve length (they felt short in a way that made them look very off), but overall wasn’t really impressed.

You know when jeans feel good and when they don’t, and these just didn’t feel good. They weren’t flattering on my shape and I felt that the high-rise could have used another button so they didn’t look unproportional?

Another cute sweater. It wasn’t my favorite, but the color was very vibrant and beautiful in person.

Moving on to slightly more Spring-y pieces, these are the same pants as the black pair I’m wearing above. The blue is such a pretty shade and will pair well with so . many colors.

I love them paired with this pretty white top, the details add so much personality.

Here it is layered under the blazer. I love this color combo!

You know me and good basics, I loved this simple mock neck top. I love how simply chic it looks tucked into trousers, but you know I’ll throw it on with joggers and sneakers just as much!

I had seen this sweater online but when it caught my eye in store it was much more striking than I had expected. The colors are just beautiful and different from most of my more muted sweaters.

A great basic sweater, nice for work or weekend. Light weight which will easily take you through Spring.

On to some lounge because they do it so well! I love that Lou & Grey added these wide leg cozy pants to the mix. The same amazing material as their other joggers, but a nice style alternative.

This light weight sweatshirt is adorable, perfect for Valentine’s Day and beyond!

top (size xs) / bottoms (size S but needed a xs)

In all honesty, the color of this rich emerald green is what drew me to this set. The pieces can easily be worn separate, but what a great combo!

And speaking of great combos, how awesome is this rich yellow and green?! The sweater is so soft and has a slight high/low fit.

Cute, loose fitting v-neck sweatshirt that also comes in a few other colors. Great lounge piece with length for leggings.

One final basic, great alone to lounge around in on the weekends or to layer with as needed. Longer tunic length which is again great for leggings.

January 24, 2020

Insta Lately

Hey guys, happy Friday! Playing a little catch up on some Instagram shares from the past month or so. Hopefully you’ll find a little inspiration! Have a fantastic weekend!

sweater (beautiful color, great length for leggings)

sweater (very cozy, wearing a S for reference)

coat (reversible, lightweight, stylish and packed with down, wearing a S)

sweater (adorable puff sleeves, wearing XS for reference)

sweater jacket / tee / jeans (fun graphic tee and the sweater jacket you probably need in multiple colors)

sweater (wearing the S but it was a very oversized fit)

planter (simple yet substantial and very versatile wooden planter)

tank / pants / sweater is sold out (great tank you may want in multiple colors for $8 and comfy and stylish wide leg pants)

January 22, 2020

Loving Lately: This and That

This post may be a little all over the place, but that can be fun, right? I started brainstorming some of the things I’ve been really loving lately and you can see what all resulted in the image below. For those that follow along on Instagram, chances are you’ve seen me chat a bit about most of these. Most of everything is used daily or at least weekly and all of which I’d hate to be without. The images below are all click-able and will take you directly to the source.

Billie Razor: I refer to this as the razor I didn’t know I needed. I decided to order one after having it fill my feed on Instagram knowing at the very least I’d have a reminder to change my razor head as they send them to you (based on your preference) automatically. I was impressed from the first time I used it. If this makes sense, it doesn’t even feel like you’re shaving when you use this thing! And in some magical way, I don’t need to shave as often as I did. Plus, they let you pick your razor color, and that’s important too ;)

Lip Scrub: This was a random stocking stuffer from my husband over Christmas and I can’t tell you how much I needed it! This scrub (which was actually paired with the lip balm below) has been exactly what my lips needed. It gently exfoliates my lips leaving them feeling soft and smooth.

Under-eye Corrector: I actually think this one has been shared before because I’ve been using it the longest, but it’s worth sharing again. For anyone blessed with those dark under eye genetics, this color corrector is for you. The pink tones in the creme help to balance out dark circles and brighten the under eye. I don’t go a day without it.

Nut Pods: The only creamer I’ve been using for months on end. I love the flavor and creaminess it adds to my coffee and love the options in this particular variety pack. Plus it’s nice to have a selection on hand for guests.

Water Bottle: Since I started tracking and setting a goal for my water intake last year, it’s water bottles like this one that make hitting those goals a breeze. This water bottle has the tracker (only requiring one refill during the day), a filter which allows you to infuse your water with whatever you’d like and a spout that makes drinking and cleaning simple.

Align Leggings: My husband gifted these to me and now I know why everyone raves about these Lululemon leggings, holy cow! They literally feel like another layer of skin and flatter your figure in a way I haven’t seen any other legging do. A hefty price tag for leggings, but gosh, they are good!

Tinted Lip Balm: During this time of year when I need to keep my lips well hydrated but still could use a touch of color, I’ve been loving these tinted lip balms!

Sneakers: These have been my go-to athleisure sneaker. Not only do they look great, but they come in a bunch of color options and are very comfortable. I don’t use them for running distances, but I do wear them for my gym classes and running around town.

January 20, 2020

Mint Green + Puff Sleeves

We had a snowy/icy weekend topped off with an extra day off of school today for MLK day. We all managed to keep ourselves busy while we were trapped home, painting some new trim (some of you may have seen the saga on my Instagram stories) in our dining room while the kids had fun outside. I should have straight up bundled when we went out to church yesterday, but we also had a retirement party for my dad to attend, so I wanted to dress it up a bit. It was frigid but we did our best to snap a few images for you guys before my nose turned completely red!

This puff sleeve sweater is adorable and quite a steal. I’ve been wearing it mainly with jeans, but it’s easy to dress up as well. The coat is one I’ve had for many years, from JCrew. The mint is an out of the ordinary color, for sure, and I always receive multiple compliments on it. This one of course is no longer available, but I found two great options you can look at here and here if you love this hue as much as I do!

Details: Top / Pants (similar here) / Shoes (similar here and here) / Coat (similar here and here) / Hat

January 17, 2020

Hello Anthro Sale!

Anthropologie has been my go-to for years and years for both splurge worthy pieces as well as quality basics. I love finding unique pieces that I know I’ll have for years to come and love reaching for time and again. At the same time, I’m one to spend a little more on good basics, whether it’s a great pair of jeans or a really good white tank. Anthro (yes, we are on a nickname basis) always fills in those gaps for me.

When I saw their sale pop up today (because, I always wait for a sale), I wanted to share some of my favorites with you guys. Right now you can get 20% off clothing, shoes and accessories as well as an extra 40% off sale. You saw the shirt dress and sweatshirt jacket I wore here, both of which are included. Here’s what else I’ve been checking out…

January 15, 2020

Morning Glory Muffins

When I find a recipe that I can’t make often enough, it’s safe to assume it’s a good one to share with you all. My SIL shared this particular Morning Glory recipe with me early last year and we’ve been making them regularly ever since. Packed with fruits and veggies and full of flavor, it’s no wonder they disappear almost instantly. These muffins are great for breakfast, perfect to toss in the kid’s lunches and we’ve all been known to have one for a quick snack.

These muffins can also be made as mini muffins which I often do, making them perfect bite-sized snacks. And if you end up with extra (which has yet to happen in our house), I hear they freeze well. Think about tossing a batch into a basket for a neighbor or include some with a meal you make for a friend or new parents. Just be prepared for them to ask for the recipe in return;)

Morning Glory Muffins via House of Nash Eats

INGREDIENTS

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup grated zucchini
1 cup grated carrot
1 granny smith apple, peeled and grated
3/4 cup raisins (optional)
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup chopped pecans
3 eggs
1/2 cup applesauce
1/2 cup oil
2 teaspoons vanilla

INSTRUCTIONS

. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare muffin tins with liners or by spraying each cup with cooking spray.
. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, soda, cinnamon and salt.
. Stir the grated zucchini, carrot, apple, raisins if using, pecans, and coconut into the flour mixture, just until combined.
. In a separate bowl, mix the eggs, applesauce, oil and vanilla, then pour into the larger mixing bowl with all the other ingredients and mix just until combined.
. Fill each muffin cup with muffin batter almost all the way to the top.
. Bake for 30-35 minutes for regular-sized muffins or 16-18 minutes for mini-muffins.

January 13, 2020

Great Combos

I realize that the weather varies depending on where you are in the country, but we enjoyed some unseasonably warm temps this past weekend! I broke out this shirt dress for the first time and decided to skip the leggings and pair it with some over-the-knee boots. The nice thing about shirt-dresses is that they give you the flexibility of wearing them with sandals or slides in the warmer months and leggings or tights in the cooler months. I’ve gathered a handful of options for you to check out below.

You know I love playing around with pretty color combinations and this pink/green/brown combo is a favorite of mine. You saw me wear this jacket with my overalls last here, and I can’t tell you how much wear it’s getting already. If pink isn’t your thing, it comes in a great neutral as well. Regardless of the color, it’s a great layer to have in your closet!

Details: Dress / Jacket / Boots (similar here and here) / Necklace

Shop the Look:

January 10, 2020

Lots of Love

I know that we are still a month out from Valentine’s Day but I’ve already been eyeing up and grabbing a few goodies in anticipation. I’m not necessarily a huge fan of Valentine’s Day per se (paying for over-priced flowers, fighting the crowds for dinner reservations etc), but celebrating love is a good idea, always, isn’t it? So I’ll be wearing my heart sweaters and t-shirts on any given day from here on out and figured I’d share some of the things I’ve had my eye on. This sweater arrived yesterday and I couldn’t love it more. I included some goodies for the kiddos as well, because we know they love being festive and sizes always sell out so quickly!

a lovely living

Monthly Archives for January 2020