in love with this home tour - image via
1. Happy Friday, hello November, hope everyone had a great Halloween, and happy holidays I guess?!? Haha, this week has been kind of crazy! I am personally a fan of Halloween and loved watching the parade here in NYC on Tuesday night. I really tried to soak up as much as I could of October before waking up to holiday gift guides and holiday party ideas all on social media Wednesday morning.
2. Now that we are moving into the holiday season, I've begun my annual gift guides! I personally haven't even started to think about gift-giving, but I know a lot of people are far more proactive than I am, so I wanted to get the gift guides going. I started yesterday with "my wishlist" to give inspiration to anyone trying to think of something to ask for when their mom, aunt, grandmother, etc. inevitably asks!
3. Of course, I also published the November mood board this week! If you're new, I make these free desktop & iPhone wallpapers every single month!
image via pinterest
It's been a few months since my last installment of "This Week's Top 10," which is a Friday series of blog posts that I created years ago to share weekly favorites and discoveries. This week I found myself just loving and sharing so many things that I had to bring it back!
1. I think the highlight of the week is undoubtedly that I published my first vlog of 2023! I hadn't vlogged since December, and I know many of you missed the vlog content, so I did a mini "week in my life" last week. If you haven't watched it yet, you can find it here! Hope you love it!
2. In the vlog, I talked about some of my favorite skincare products, including this Vitamin C Serum, Retinol serum, and moisturizer. I did not, however, show you my new *obsession:* this Summer Fridays lip balm. Oh my gosh, it's so fabulous. The color (I have the vanilla beige) is surprisingly stunning and the product is soo juicy, shiny, and hydrating. Love it.
3. I received both the moisturizer & the lip balm in my Fab Fit Fun box, which I have a discount code for: FRANCESCA20 for 20% off! The price of the box ends up coming out around the price of one of the items in the box, making everything else an added bonus. Such a great deal and so much fun!
Happy Friday! It's been so long since I've done This Week's Top 10 but there are so many things I've been loving lately that I have to bring it back.
1. I've recently finished Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, and Happy Place. I liked both a lot, but both were pretty sad! Up next, I'm starting The Soulmate Equation from Grace Atwood's 15 Favorite Romance Books list! I've already read most of them and loved them, so I feel like I'd love the rest of the reads on the list as well.
2. I bought this NUXE Moisturizer in Italy when I was running low, and I've already gone through the entire tube - I love it! It's about half the price in Europe, so if you're not heading there this summer, you could skip it (although it does smell great!). I also recently tried a few samples of the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask and loved that as well - great gel consistency, perfect for summer. I'm planning to purchase it this weekend at Sephora when I'm in Dallas and inevitably in need of a moisturizer restock. Would highly recommend either of these if you're looking for a new moisturizer!
3. Speaking of skincare and beauty, Merit recently sent over their concealer and bronzer stick for me to try! I've been a longtime fan of their Brow Pomade, and I really, really love these two products now as well. The concealer is kind of a foundation/concealer in one so it's all I really need personally for a base, and then I love how the bronzer just melts into my skin. I went with the shade "ochre" in "the minimalist" (product name for the concealer) and "clay" in the bronze balm.
1. Good morning, Friday! I can't complain about this week at all because I spent the first half in Paris, and the remainder here in sunny, 80-degree NYC! This morning I grabbed coffee with my friend Emma, and tomorrow I head to Dallas to see Joe! It really feels like we've officially turned a corner with the seasons and I am absolutely loving it.
Hope you're all having a fabulous start to your weekend as well.
2. In case you missed it, I recapped my Paris trip in yesterday's blog post (broke down our entire 4-day itinerary!), and answered all of your questions in Wednesday's blog post here!
3. This warm weather has me switching over my wardrobe and wanting to stock up on tennis skirts and tanks for all of my HGWs on the West Side Highway. Loving this tennis skirt under $50, and this one + the matching top (both pieces add up to just around $50!)
1. Happy Friday and last day of March!! Q1 flew by this year. From Vermont to Dallas, Telluride to Palm Beach, both my mom and Joe visiting me in NYC, and shooting my apartment in NYC last week, it was a really fun few months full of time spent with my favorite people in some fabulous places!
2. Last week specifically was really busy for me; I had two influencer events + a birthday party for friends, and for some reason, it just felt like a lot. I took this week off of social activities (with the exception of going to book club, because I adore my book club) and it felt so nice to cook, watch Daisy Jones, lay on my couch, and relax every night. I didn't even read (I do need/want to get back into my reading, though)
1. Hello and happy Friday! What a week! I had two influencer events this week, tonight I have a joint birthday party for two of my fabulous friends, and tomorrow (drumroll please!) I am shooting my apartment with a fellow blogger. To say I've been a bit overwhelmed would be an understatement, but all good things!!!
2. The highlight of the week so far was undoubtedly the launch party on Tuesday night for the LAKE Pajamas X Atlantic Pacific collaboration. It was simply surreal to me that I was included in an event alongside so many of the bloggers I grew up following. Not to mention, the pajama collection could not be cuter!
I have this pair of PJ's and this robe from the collection and I can't stop wearing them. Also, love this set for the pool/beach!
I just... I'm really at a loss to describe how excited I am about this. I actually made three tik toks exclusively from Tuesday night, haha! Blair could not have been nicer, more beautiful, or more humble in person. I really do check her blog every single day (there are very few blogs I check anymore!), so it was overall such a pinch-me opportunity.
3. I was pretty proud of my outfit on Tuesday night; I linked everything here, including these perfectly pink slingbacks (fabulous for spring!), my favorite feather bag, and this striped top (on sale!) that I purposely wore to match the collection!
1. In the spirit of St. Patrick's Day, I have to share my new favorite seafoam green sweater that I can not get enough of!
2. RUN don't walk to get these sequined mini skirts on sale!!! I ordered both the silver and the navy because I couldn't choose. I plan to wear one in Paris in a few weeks and the other in Chicago next month for my bestie's birthday. They're going to be so much fun for going out looks in the summer, too, and the price is too good to pass up.
3. I wore this $25 sweater all week in Palm Beach - it's absolutely perfect for spring and summer! It comes in five cute colors; I have it in white. Size down, it runs large.
image via pinterest
Happy Friday from Dallas! I am here visiting Joe for the week and I'm so excited for today because we are taking the day off work to go get massages and tonight go to a wine bar he's been wanting to try!
1. This week I published quite a bit of content on the blog! In case you missed it, the gift guides have begun, and so far I've shared:
My personal wish list gift guide
Up next will be the in-laws/boyfriend's parents' gift guide! I will probably post it on Monday, followed by the Girl Who Has Everything gift guide, which is my annual favorite.
2. When I was in Kansas City a couple of months ago, I purchased this candle from a local boutique. It is the most incredible holiday scent, and the brand is equally wonderful; 5% of every purchase funds Anti-Trafficking efforts in the US. Would highly recommend the candle and supporting this small business!
You can also purchase the candle on Amazon here!
3. I finished reading The Paris Apartment this week and loved it!! Such a page-turner... it's a bit of a spooky thriller and I was so impressed with all of the twists & turns.
Up next I plan to read Nora Goes Off Script!
1. My favorite black boots are 30% off with code FRIENDS + an extra 20% off when you add to cart! Such a great deal; the sale ends on Sunday so snag them while you can!
2. Have you downloaded the November desktop and iPhone wallpapers yet? Find the mood boards & screensavers here!
3. ICYMI: yesterday I shared a big roundup of fabulous pieces for fall and Thanksgiving outfits, all under $100, in a blog post here.
1. Happy Friday!! I am so excited for this weekend because I flew into Chicago last night and I'm spending the weekend here with my best friends. This morning I've already seen the changing trees, had a pumpkin spice latte, and admired the cute, seasonal front porches of Lincoln Park. I'm not sure if I'd ever live in Chicago, but I do love to visit (fun fact, I lived just outside of Chicago for the first 9 years of my life!).
2. The girls (my best friends Elizabeth and Coco) just moved into this apartment at the beginning of the month with another one of our friends from Milwaukee. It's absolutely adorable and they are doing a great job of decorating! I especially love these sconces Ej put in her bedroom- pic on my stories now if you want all the behind-the-scenes!
3. On Monday my high scchool bestie Caroline who also lives in NYC invited me as her plus one to the annual gala for The Knot! We had so much fun. I wore this gorgeous dress for the black-tie affair- under $200 and was so comfortable and flattering!
1. Hellooo! What a week it's been! This week was quite a fun one because one of my favorite internet friends, Emily, was in NYC and we got to spend a fabulous 48 hours together. We had two events to attend on Tuesday and Wednesday, and then last night I also was lucky enough to be treated to dinner at Quality Bistro. Go check out the content if you missed it!
Earlier this afternoon I had a fun photoshoot for an upcoming campaign, and overall it's just been a whirlwind week in the micro-influencer world, lol!
2. I purchased this Ganni Top this week and I'm so glad I did - it is soo fab and going to be a new elevated basic in my wardrobe. See how I styled it on Tuesday here!
3. My favorite makeup product of the week is the Armani Fluid Sheer Glow Enhancer in shade 8; I apply my blush (this one in shade chilly - love this stuff) and then add the fluid sheer overtop to enhance the color and act as a highlighter. It's so magical, it makes me glow and makes my blush even prettier and more seamless with the rest of my face.
1. First things first, Rest in Peace to the Queen.
The past few weeks have been so busy for me and I feel like I have so much to catch up on here. I got back from Turkey two weeks ago, and last weekend I was in my hometown, Milwaukee, for one of my high school friend's weddings. This weekend Joe is in town in NYC for a concert, and then in two weeks I have my cousin's wedding!
2. Shoutout to my Delta Amex for getting me upgraded to first class last weekend! I've talked about this credit card before but I absolutely love it; the benefits have saved me hundreds of dollars on flights and luggage, and have made traveling so much easier and more comfortable (free flight changes, free first-class, and comfort+ upgrades...) I highly recommend it and wanted to share my link again because I got a few questions in my DM's about what credit card I use after I shared that I was sitting in first class. You can earn 40,000 bonus miles by using my link, which can be worth two domestic flights!!
3. I wore this dress to the wedding last weekend and absolutely loved it. It is now sold out but I love the mini version of it... probably one of the prettiest dresses I've ever worn, and the brand is so high quality.
Speaking of dresses - I bought this fun sequin dress yesterday (under $100); I have no occasion to wear it but I just love it. I got the black, and I will probably wear it around the holidays or on NYE, but I also love the white version for a bachelorette party if you're a bride-to-be!
Also under $100: this flattering printed satin mini (I love this style dress for dinners out or random events in the city) and this gorgeous midi dress that would be perfect for a wedding with the right accessories! + this ADORABLE tie-front top!
1. I'm so excited for this weekend because Joe is here in NYC!!!!! He hasn't been to the city to visit since April because of his move down to Dallas, so I'm very happy that he's here again. We don't have too many plans but I am excited to try a few new restaurants and of course, just spend time together!
2. Speaking of new-to-me spots, I discovered Sauced in Williamsburg last weekend. It's a wine bar with no menu- you tell them what you're in the mood for and what wines you usually like, and they surprise you with a perfect glass for you! I went on Saturday and was presented with some incredible new-to-me wines, and enjoyed a fabulous cheese board as well. Would highly recommend this cozy, cute spot in downtown Williamsburg!
3. Yesterday on the blog I shared a giant round-up of my favorites from July, across clothing, beauty, skincare, books, workouts, and more. I've been swearing by my 5-step summer makeup routine for the past couple of weeks and included everything I use in the post, along with some of my favorite recent reads, and so much more!
image via pinterest
Happy Friday! Yet another month has flown by and, as always, I can't believe it! This weekend I'm looking forward to heading to the Yankees game tonight, brunch plans tomorrow, and then hopefully just reading and relaxing. I've gotten into a really good routine lately with my kindle (more on that below) and pilates classes, and I feel so at peace. Read on for 10 things I loved this week!
1. Ok, so the Kindle - I am so happy with it. I'll write a full blog post on it soon, but it solves my previous problems of (1) poor lighting while reading, (2) difficulty finding a position on my side that works with both sides of a book (like when I'm laying in bed), and (3) not having immediate access to the books I want to read. I could go on and on about it but I'll say if you're on the fence, you have to at least order and try one! I really didn't think I was going to love it, at least not as much as I do now, but I was completely converted after my first book!
2. Last week I read Every Summer After and Girls with Bright Futures, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed and gave 5/5 stars. Ok well actually, both of them I give 4.75 stars because I thought they should have been longer!!!
Every Summer After is a pretty similar concept to The Summer I Turned Pretty, but with adults; a classic beach-read romance!
Girls with Bright Futures is about three moms whose daughters all want to get into Stanford, and all of the college admissions dramas and scandals that go on during their senior year after it's discovered there's only one spot! I feel like I'm always either reading a romance or a thriller, so I love it when I enjoy a book about something else. I absolutely loved this! So entertaining.
2. I found this gorgeous dress this week and can not believe it's barely $100! It's so comfortable and the colors & pattern are beautiful. I wore it the other night to happy hour and dinner in the city (it's been so hot here!) and it was perfect; I can't wait to wear it in Turkey in August, too!
3. Speaking of dinner, I have recently tried two spots in the city that I absolutely loved: Daddies, and Sel Rrose.
image via emili sindlev- love this outfit
1. This week has flown by; I flew back from Dallas on Tuesday morning and I am thrilled that it's already the weekend. It feels like a minute ago and a lifetime ago at the same time that I was flying down to Dallas for the Fourth of July weekend and now we are already halfway through the month! I'll likely do a full Dallas recap in the next few days because I have a handful of new-to-me Dallas spots to share.
2. I am back in the city for the next five weeks, and I'm thrilled to finally just be home for a while. I started a 30-day pass at my favorite pilates studio on Wednesday, and I am so, so happy so far. Before with ClassPass it was great because I could go whenever I was in town and then also go to other studios in other cities, but now that I'm just going to be home for a while I'm thrilled to be able to go everyday if I choose!
I kicked off the 30 days with a little trip to Bandier and bought this sports bra and these leggings, both of which I have already worn and couldn't be more in love with. The sports bra is surprisingly more supportive than it looks, and I absolutely love how easy it is to take on and off. Nothing drives me crazier than the frustration of pulling a sweaty sports bra over my head! The leggings are easily the most flattering I've ever worn. They're also buttery soft, and did I mention, on sale?
3. On a similar note, I am quaking over this hot pink, backless workout dress under $100!
photo by ethan galley
1. Hello and happy July!!!!! To be honest, I completely forgot about the mood board this month; I will work on that ASAP and hopefully get it up on Tuesday after the holiday! In the meantime, I have quite a busy weekend ahead as it's Fourth of July weekend and I am heading to Dallas tonight to celebrate.
My best friends, Coco, Elizabeth, and Caroline are coming down as well and we are staying at my dad's house for the weekend! We are seeing Brother's Osborne tomorrow and I just can't wait for all of the yee-haw vibes. Plus, Joe lives in Dallas now, so that will only add to the fun! I've been fully planning my BBQ menu for our pool days on Sunday/Monday and I just can't wait to enjoy some time by the pool, a weekend with my besties, and warm weather.
2. Last night I stayed up until 1 AM finishing The Love Hypothesis, which was truly the most enjoyable book for me! At first, I thought it was going to be cheesy and dumb, but literally, after 5 pages, I was hooked. Unlike most books that require some ramp-up time, or feel slow in the middle, this romance/beach read was so enjoyable the whole way through; I was laughing out loud (like actually, haha) at so many points. It's about a grad student, Olive, who fake dates one of the faculty in another department... it's just really enjoyable, light, and easy to read. Although it's a bit predictable, there were quite a few twists and turns I didn't see coming. I give it 5 stars!!
3. On a similar note, if you're looking for some book recs to carry you through the rest of the summer/year, I rated and reviewed the 15 books I've read so far this year in this blog post earlier this week!
4. I also published a huge round-up of dresses under $200 in this blog post this week - so many good ones for anything you have coming up this summer or early fall!
Happy Friday! Before I dive into this post I want to share that earlier this morning I shared an entire post dedicated to ways to support gun violence in light of the shooting in Uvalde, Texas this week. If you have not yet read that post, you can find it here.