Hip hip hooray today is FRIDAY! How many ways do you think I’ll be able to say TGIF going forward? Probs not many 😉 I feel like absolutely nothing happened this week (lots of late nights, sleeping in and general exhaustion) but then again, a lot also happened this week. I’m extremely busy at work, we learned we are staying home for Thanksgiving (and made a plan that includes a grazing board), Beautycounter launched an early Black Friday sale and I fell in love with this dress (that price tag tho, woof). Also my favorite cardigan was re-stocked (seen here) and if I hadn’t waited to write this intro last I definitely would have given it it’s own bullet point!
Anywho, after a complicated week of feelings I’m looking forward to a combination of rest and catch up time, and hopefully a first stab at The Queen’s Gambit. Whether you feel exhausted or energized, sad or elated, overworked or eager to work, I hope you know that your feelings are valid. Take the next few days and make the weekend whatever you need it to be! I know I plan to do the same 🙂
Last weekend I polled my community and it turns out only 18% of you know what a THEC is. My Jersey peeps are losing their noodles right now (I see you, Elsa). Now, let me just say that the Midwesterner in me GETS THAT because at one point in time, I too had no idea what a heck a THEC was. That all changed when went to college with mainly East Coasters and spent most of my breaks and some holidays in the fine state of New Jersey. SO, let’s break it down: the THEC is the state sandwich of New Jersey. The key ingredient in this fine delicacy? Taylor Ham.
Some people might call it pork roll, but if you are from Northern New Jersey… you call it Taylor Ham. And you can actually only get the real Taylor ham in New Jersey and a few surrounding states. In the garden state though, Taylor Ham (TH) is best served on a roll, with a fried egg (E) and American cheese (C). Hence, THEC. It’s the kinda greasy, oh so delicious breakfast delicacy that everyone needs in their life – trust. Also, after reading this paragraph, C – a fourth generation New Jerseyan — quite literally stated: I fall more in love with you everyday. And people ask us if we’d ever live in Connecticut 😉
Have you guys shopped L.L.Bean lately? I went on to buy some more camp socks (as one does) and ended up browsing for a bit. I sent this quilted crewneck and this half snap to my mom for C’s birthday and may or may not snag this version for myself. L.L.Bean is a brand you can definitely expect to see on C’s gift guide. Anywho, here are some things we have, love and are wishing for from L.L.Bean right now:
Also, dare I purchase this buffalo plaid fleece for Bruce?! The former-momager in me says absolutely. In case you don’t catch the reference, Bruce was a child star but dog accounts are exhausting so as he grew older, we kinda put it on the back burner. About once a month I try to convince C to take it over – he does the best Bruce voice!
YOU NEED TO WATCH TED LASSO. I have said it before and I’ll say it again: if you only take one thing away from me, let it be Ted Lasso. And if you can’t take it from me, take it from C. And if you can’t take it from him, take it from BRENE BROWN who is the self proclaimed leader of the Ted Lasso Fan Club. Which is why I pretty much jumped for joy when she brought Ted and Coach Beard (aka Jason Sudekis and Brendan Hunt) on her podcast, Unlocking Us. One of my favorite quotes from the episode, said by Jason:
Ted is ignorant and curious and I think curiosity comes from a power of being able to ask questions and truly empathize, see what someone else is dealing with and there’s people much more clever than myself that came up with all those great kind of quote “You never know what battle someone else is dealing with, everybody’s life is a comedy and a tragedy and a drama.” I think it was Mark Twain, and I just think Ted and our intention was for him to embody those things but to do it in a sincere and genuine way but yeah, I think we have forgotten it a little bit and it breaks down a discourse and an opportunity for dialogue and loving someone for who they are versus hating them for what they’re not.
I’ll let you process that for a second because you guys. YOU GUYS. It just makes me love Ted (and Jason, tbh) so much more. And it totally helped me realize why: Ted is curious. Ted is kind. Ted loves others for who they are. And in the end, isn’t that what matters most?
Did you watch my latest IGTV tutorial about a base face? If you haven’t, I hope you check it out! This video is one my favorites, largely because it showcases so many tips and tricks that I’ve learned to work with my temperamental complexion. I haven’t shared my full skin story on the blog yet (it’s an emotional topic to write about, but I promise I’ll do it eventually) but I’ve had acne since I was 11 and my skin healing journy is a big reason why I’m so passionate about clean living, makeup and skincare. I’ll tag the products I used below and will make sure to update the video with links, too!
Skin Twin Creamy Concealer in Light One and Medium One / Better Blender / Skin Twin Featherweight Foundation in Medium 310 / Mattifying Powder / Color Pinch Cream Blusher in Caramel / Color Define Brow Pencil in Medium / Brilliant Brow Gel in Medium
DON’T FORGET that Beautycounter‘s site wide sale is happening right now which means you can get 15% off your entire purchase!
CLICK HERE TO SHOP
This weekend I’m positively giddy because I’m going back to Trader Joe’s for the first time since MARCH. If you’ve been following for awhile, you know that C and I LOVE Trader Joe’s and used to walk across Central Park to the TJ’s at Broadway and 72nd every. single. week. Welp, I just got a little bit sad. On a more comedic note, I believe it truly my calling to convince Claire to love Trader Joe’s as much as I do (but I sure as heck have my work cut out for me).
I’m an interesting Trader Joe’s shopper because I don’t actually get a lot of the boxed mixes or baked goods but do manage to find a lot of organic, gluten and dairy free fare there. If I get back into a good routine of going, I promise to do a post on all of my faves! A few come to mind: green goddess dressing, vegan pesto, cauliflower and kale gnocchi, melodious blend, herbal teas, all of the spice blends, organic honey, rice pasta, fruit leather and more!
Okay that’s all for now, friends!