Year: 2015

Best of the Web

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1. Sweater Love // I’ve been looking to stock up on extra-warm sweaters lately, and H&M was my first stop (as always). This one is unbelievably soft, substantial and not itchy, and the pattern works all season long.

2. Pep Talk Generator // This website is just the thing if you’re feeling down, or stressed out, or if you just need a little reassurance. It’s exactly what it says it is: a pep talk generator.

3. French Pop // I saw this music video a while ago – and while the song is catchy (despite the fact that it’s about a cheating girlfriend), it’s the video that I really love. It’s such a creative interpretation of the lyrics, and it’s just beautiful to watch.

4. Sweden Dreaming // Motherhood Around the World is easily my favorite feature on Cup of Jo, and this is the installment I was waiting for: parenting in Sweden. I fully intend to live there one day, and this post reconfirmed my love for the country (like this sentiment: “It’s cold and rainy, so let’s go to IKEA!”)

5. IKEA // Little known fact (haha): I’m sort of obsessed with IKEA. I was just there the other day, and aside from a bunch of magical Christmas decorations, they have new stuffed animals that were designed by children across the world. And naturally, they’re all perfectly quirky – like this neon unicorn.

6. Funny Stuff // I saw this link on Cup of Jo a while back, and I think it’s just too funny – these are the three universal New Yorker cartoon captions.

7. Short Stories // Like the (very weird) stories, love the cover.

8. Must-Read // In case you don’t watch Orange is the New Black, or if you don’t remember Piper’s rant on this subject, please read this article. It’s about everyone’s favorite poem, “The Road Not Taken,” and how everyone completely misinterprets it. 

9. For Food Lovers // I haven’t watched this whole series yet, but it’s very cool – and guaranteed to make you hungry.

10. Cream Scones // I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve made these scones in the last month – they’re quick to make and without a doubt the best scones I’ve ever had. Make them at your own risk.

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Coconut Curry Soup

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Do you ever have those days when you’re craving hot soup? For me, that’s pretty much my constant state of being. This weekend, I felt a serious need to make something new and deliciously savory, and I was aimlessly browsing Thug Kitchen’s website when I came across this recipe – and I knew what I was having for dinner before I even read the ingredients list.

Luckily, it came together pretty easily. Like most vegan food, there is a lot of chopping and vegetable washing to do, but once you do that, it all cooks up in one pot. And the end product is well worth the knife work – the broth is intensely flavorful with just the right amounts of spiciness and acid, and the vegetables cook just enough. (I served it with some vegetable spring rolls to round it out.) It’s definitely going to be one of my go-to comforting dinners this season.

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Art Love

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I’m pretty much always on the hunt for affordable art. I’ve posted roundups of pretty prints on here before (exhibit A), but my tastes have changed in the last year or so. Just like my preference when it comes to clothes, my aesthetic when it comes to interiors has become more minimalistic and pared down. I still have a soft spot for pops of color, though – I’m especially fond of the digital pineapple above. Here are 10 prints I love, ranging from bright to black and white, abstract to chart-like.

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Olive Jeans

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H&M shirt, Gap jeans, Baublebar earrings, Birkenstock sandals, vintage clutch

Unfortunately, the weather is getting a bit too chilly for me to wear this, one of my go-to fall looks, anymore (without a jacket, at least). Recently, I’ve found that I’m starting to pare down a little bit when it comes to accessories and patterns – instead of the really overworked outfits I used to go for, I’m gravitating toward simple colors and silhouettes, with the occasional graphic pattern, statement piece (like shiny gold loafers), or, more recently, cluster of cheeky pins (I am indeed a disciple of Jen Gotch). And these pants have been in heavy rotation lately – they’re just as versatile and comfortable as regular jeans, but they feel a little fresher thanks to their cool but still subdued hue. (And, I promise I’ll have some more seasonally appropriate outfits up soon – but I can’t promise that I won’t be wearing these pants in them.)

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Fall Beauty Picks

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Almay Liquid Eyeliner in Precise Black // My number one new beauty essential: this liquid eyeliner. I haven’t had liquid eyeliner on hand for a few years, instead preferring pencils that don’t run or fade – but I thought it was time to mix it up, and I read a glowing review of one on Cupcakes and Cashmere, so I grabbed it the next time I was at Target. It’s absolutely fantastic – the felt tip is just the right size, the color is really dark, it’s easy to use, and it doesn’t budge.

NYX Cosmetics Butter Lipstick in Candy Buttons // Over the summer, I went on a crazy cleaning spree, and realized that almost all of the lipsticks I’d been holding on to were, sadly, past their prime (read: rancid). I’ve been working on rebuilding a more streamlined collection of colors I know I’ll actually wear, and this was my first pick. I’m still getting into the habit of wearing lipstick, but this color is just the right soft pinkish-coral to make that transition easier – plus, it really does have a smooth, butter-soft consistency.

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OPI Classic Nail Lacquer in Black Onyx // I’m a big fan of dark nail polishes for fall – burgundy, forest green and gray are all in heavy rotation for me. But I just realized a while ago that I was neglecting classic black lacquer, and grabbed one shortly thereafter. It feels so classic, simple and glamorous, but it’s just edgy enough to make a statement.

Boots Botanics Shine Away Ionic Clay Mask // One habit I decided to get in the last months of summer was using a face mask once a week. I haven’t done a terrific job sticking to that schedule, but this thick mask always makes my skin feel fresher and softer after using it. It’s the perfect luxurious treat – I’ll sit with it on for 20 minutes and read or listen to music.

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