LINKS I LOVE: 2.21.22

Hi! If you’re new here - welcome to my little corner of the internet. Very happy to have you here! My name is Mindy and I am a full-time mom and full-time freelancer. I specialize in Social Media Management as well as content creation. I run this blog as a way to curate everything I find - a place I can store it while also sharing it with you. I am also a military wife which means lots of moving and lots of change constantly and this blog has been my sanity outside of family and close friends. It gives me a place to keep consistent and know it’s not going anywhere even if I’m moving across the country, which, will be happening very soon. We’re waiting on our next orders and I have a feeling our next destination won’t be as - tropical, haha but that’s ok! Nothing will compare to Hawaii and I’m so grateful for the time I have spent here.

Bringing back my favorite ‘Links I love’ post because I haven’t done one in a while and it’s a fun post for me to write. Basically my notes app in a blog post!

A quick little round-up of links (and things) I’ve loved recently…

1. As I said, our move is coming up and we’ve waited to purchase lots of home items because it’s hard to ship things here. Once we get our orders, our home things will be packed up and shipped back across the ocean which stresses me out! So I didn’t want to buy anything that could potentially break during the big move. But we will most likely be stateside so my list of home things is growing rapidly. I stumbled across this lamp on Pinterest which I immediately loved (wouldn’t it have looked beautiful in an office?). After a few clicks, I was down a rabbit hole on this Vintage website, VNTG.com, sorry in advance for the amount of time you’ll be spending on here. I’m just knee-deep in scrolling through all these gorgeous vintage pieces. Chairs, lamps, tables, so many insanely good pieces and I’m learning so much in terms of design and designers. Take a look if you dare, but I promise - it will be worth it.

2. I purchased the iconic Mansur Gavriel bucket bag (shop Mansur Gavriel Bucket bags here) years ago. I have the mini bucket bag but I need the big bucket bag! It’s incredibly well-loved now but has kept its shape nicely throughout the years. I’m not sure what it is about bucket bags but they feel like Mary Poppin’s carpetbag. I can put everything in it and still feel like I have room for more. The Mansur bucket is incredibly light too so no added weight which is ideal. I’ve been thinking of purchasing another bucket-style bag now that I don’t have to carry loads of diapers and bottles with me. This Paco Robanne bag is on my list as a casual everyday bag to switch out my Mansur. (shop more bucket bags here)

3. I would move to Los Angeles in a heartbeat to be able to get Flamingo Estate Farm boxes. I discovered Flamingo Estate on Instagram (worth the follow) and can’t get enough of their aesthetic and recipes. They don’t deliver to me unfortunately so I haven’t tried any of their products but I’m dying to place a big order once I can! I have, however, made some of their recipes including this delicious Cara Cara Gin and Tonic this weekend. I meant to take pictures of the process but was so enthralled with it all that I forget. Definitely will be making it again and documenting it. Cara Cara oranges are in season so now is the perfect time to make this delicious cocktail. Find more of their recipes here. Let me know if you make it!

4. I was sent Saie’s latest product launch. A loose setting powder - Airset and the fluffy brush. I am so in love with the formula, it takes away unwanting shine while leaving a delicate glow. My skin felt soft and smooth and it has a very satin finish. It’s 100% a staple in my routine now. I mostly use it on my forehead and under my eyes where I get shiny and I feel like it holds very well. I promise I was not paid to say this! It’s just that good I had to share. I’ll make a review or video about it on my Instagram next month so stay tuned. I will say, however, that I was sent (per my request) the light to medium shade and I should have gone with the fair to light tone. The medium shade doesn’t look bad but it definitely is a smidge too dark. You can shop Airset here at Sephora or through Saie’s website and don’t forget to bundle with the fluffy brush, it’s ideal for application.

5. Like I mentioned above, I’m deep into home decor and design as we wait for our next move. My dream is to be able to purchase a house and fix it up a little. I don’t think a gut renovation is ideal right now as the price of materials is insane. Something small like a bedroom makeover or maybe a guest bathroom renovation. Nothing too serious as we most likely will only be there for a couple of years but I want to change just enough to make it feel like home. I saw this beautiful 18th-Century New York Farmhouse on Architectural Digest and found a lot of elements I loved. The use of colors and cozy but beautifully designed furniture, I love! Imagine getting ready in that window-filled bathroom - wow. I’ve bookmarked and will be taking a lot of inspiration from this space. (Linked here)

Hope everyone had a nice long weekend! Xx

Don't forget to follow me on my other channels: 

INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TUMBLR

SHOPGUIDE: Shopbop Black Friday Sale

This is such a good sale, I wanted to create an entire post about it. Shopbop has been my go-to for shopping lately. They have some amazing selections and brands and I love how quickly they ship to me! I have a huge running wishlist on their site so I’m excited that almost everything is included in their sale.

These are some brands that I love in general that I always can get quality pieces from. Great wardrobe staples and fall/winter essentials are discounted which is amazing. I’ve actually already started collecting pieces from a fall/winter wardrobe since the next place we move to will most likely have seasons.

BRANDS I LOVE ON SALE:

RE/DONE (Shop Re/Done here): Great denim and t-shirts. Their denim is sustainable and so well cut, they make some of my all-time favorite jeans.

KHAITE (shop Khaite here): Another amazing brand, Shopbop carries their denim and I have a pair from them I absolutely love. Classic styles and they fit like a glove/

VINCE (shop Vince here): Vince is one of my top brands for staple pieces. They make so many classic silhouettes and I’ve never been disappointed in their material. I have a lot of their tops, tees, and trousers. You can’t go wrong and most of the pieces are on sale which is amazing

ISABEL MARANT (shop Isabel Marant here): The epitome of chic French girl for sure. I’ve purchased some amazing Isabel pieces over the years that have worn beautifully. Love her sweaters and jackets mostly which are great to purchase now that we’re heading into Winter.

Here are some of my picks from the sale! Let me know if you’re getting anything. I can always add more to my list haha :)

SHOP SHOPBOP BLACK FRIDAY SALE:

Xx

Don't forget to follow me on my other channels: 

INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TUMBLR

LINKS I Love: 4.11.21

A quick little round-up of links I’ve loved recently…

1. I was recently gifted a new product by the clean beauty brand, Saie - it’s called Dew Blush and I’m obsessed! If you didn’t know, blush is probably my favorite makeup product. I love the ‘flushed’ look because I think it makes me look awake and youthful! Like my baby’s rosy cheeks when she wakes up in the morning. Although it comes naturally to Sofía, I have to find products that mimic it and Dew Blush has quickly risen to the top of my beauty bag. I got the color Rosy and it’s just this perfectly ‘flushed’ color that I love putting on every morning. I know a lot of us are still not leaving the house like we did pre-pandemic but it’s nice to wake up and get ready to make our day and ourselves feel better. Highly recommend Dew Blush and I think i’ll be adding a couple more colors to my beauty bag soon. You can purchase Dew Blush at Sephora, here!

2. My mom decided to subscribe to Discovery+ for the new Magnolia Network and she was so excited about all the great shows they are offering I decided to also signup. It has not disappointed! I quickly dove into the shows and just finished watching The Lost Kitchen. The journey of chef Erin French whose restaurant in Freedom Maine was so drastically affected by Covid last year. Her story is one of thousands and it made me really take a step back and realize how important it was to support our local restaurants. So many have closed because of the pandemic in Hawaii alone, let alone the rest of the world. Ben and I have actively been ordering take out from local places when we felt it was safe and dine out when it’s appropriate to help keep these businesses afloat. I highly recommend watching. The whole season is on the network already so if you’re not sure about another streaming service, you could binge watch through the 7 day trial - haha but don’t tell them I told you that!

3. Ok this one is a little wild so bare with me. Skincare is very very important to me so of course I’ve tried my best to find the best products for Sofia as well. I’ve read countless descriptions on products and after some trial (and error, sorry Sofia for the bum rash from a weird lotion!) I found the brand Tubby Todd. Now I could do on and on raving about how great it is for her skin but I wanted to point out one product in particular. The All Over Ointment. This help clear up Sofias baby acne as well as her cradle cap but after countless sleepless nights and falling asleep without washing my face several times, I found myself with an eczema flair up. I reached for a bunch of calming products in my cabinet and nothing was working. Just kept spreading and feeling more irritated. I was slathering Sofia with it and just decided to try it, I mean the ingredients are great and I thought if it helped my daughter, it could help me? Within 24 hours my flair up was already calming and in 48 hours it was gone. I was SHOCKED. So needless to say, this is a winner in my book for both baby and momma. You can purchase it, HERE.

4. The weather is getting warmer and Summer is so close which means it’s time to make great cocktails for those hot afternoons. Love a good cocktail that is light and bright using fresh ingredients. I have this beautiful cocktail saved, the Spring Garden Margarita. Not only does it look beautiful but it sounds delicious! Can’t wait to make it. Recipe HERE.

5. Living in Hawaii has given me such an appreciation of nature. It’s wild that I’m just now realizing it since I grew up in Colorado where we’re surrounded by gorgeous mountains but it’s one of those things you don’t really appreciate until you leave! With Covid, the sunshine and ocean have been so healing and wonderful to me and our new place has a beautiful view of the ocean from our front porch! It’s just a smidge but to open my door and see that vast blue in the distance makes my day. I’ve been adding bits and pieces to this new patio we have so i’ve gone down a rabbit hole of inspirational images. One that immediately popped into my mind is the Cecconi’s at Soho Beach House in Miami! I posted pictures on my instagram from when I was there last and I’m just obsessed with the feel. It’s warm and inviting while still being light and airy. The colors are gorgeous with a colorful play in patterns which for me is rare to love as I normally am not huge on patterns and prints but they are definitely growing on me. Check out the images over on my instagram HERE!

Hope everyone is doing ok, staying safe, wearing a mask, and enjoying their Spring!

xx

M

Don't forget to follow me on my other channels: 

INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TUMBLR

Links I Love: 4.2.20

A quick little round-up of links I’ve loved recently…

1. Found this beautiful picture above recently on Pinterest and traced it back to Jenni Kayne’s blog, Rip and Tide. The home of Interior Designer Brigette Romanek in sunny Los Angeles. She’s careful curated her home while leaving a lot of it’s historic charm. I loved the pictures and reading her interview on how she created her beautiful space. Check it out here! “Inside Brigette Romanek's Rocker Estate Turned Breathtaking Abode.”

2. There are a lot of sales going on and I know not everyone can be shopping and I find myself very privileged to be able to support businesses I love during this time. I’ve tried to shop local as much as I can while also checking out some bigger sites. Need Supply is one site I love and they are running a 25% off sale for the time being. If you haven’t checked it out yet, it’s definitely worth it! Found some cute clothes and little gadgets to update my kitchen, here.

3. Sadly with my pregnancy right now, the one thing I can’t enjoy during this quarantine is alcohol. Ughhhh. I know, it shouldn’t be a big deal, but with the stress this all has brought me, I wish I could just sip on a glass of red wine right about now. Welp, still have a little bit to go but I’m already saving recipes for drinks I want to make when I can drink again! This beautiful Savory Sangria looks absolutely delicious and I can’t wait to sip on it come August. Check out the recipe, here. (Savoury Sangria)

4. I’m sure you all have been washing your hands like crazy, and if you haven’t been - where have you been this past month! Anyways, my hands have been insanely dry and I feel like they are cracking from washing and all the lysol wipes! This article from Into The Gloss was super helpful on The Best Hand Creams, I highly recommend the read. It’s also an interesting look into the lives of ceramicists which is a craft I have always admired from a distance. Glad to get a little insight! You can read the article, here. (THE HAND CREAMS THAT CERAMICISTS LOVE)

5. Nothing like baking during this time and comfort food is at the top of my list. I’ve been making a ton of banana muffins because, well they are just delicious. A great breakfast food and snack. Warmed up with a little slice of butter…yummmm. I finally found a recipe that has not let me down so I figured I would share the wealth since so many of us our baking our little hearts away. I love these and will continue to make them even long after this is all over. Check out the Banana Muffin Recipe I love, here!

Hope everyone is doing ok, staying safe, and staying home!

xx

M

Don't forget to follow me on my other channels: 

INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | PINTEREST | TUMBLR

THE EDIT: Cozy Collection

We’re 10 days into December and cozy season is in full swing! This has been my comfort while living so far away from family. Finding ways to make myself and my home feel the most cozy and warm until we make it out to Colorado for the holidays. I made an Edit of some of my favorite items that truly make you want to lounge all day with a cup of coffee or a glass of red wine. Take a look below!

1. Skims Mesh Triangle Bralette in Onyx.

I love a good Bralette. So much more comfortable that and underwire especially during the winter when the last thing you want is metal rubbing under your chest all day! I just purchased this Skims Bralette (the Mesh Triangle Bralette in Onyx) a couple weeks ago and I never want to take it off. It’s so comfortable and soft! I work from home most of the time so I just slip this little bralette on with a loose tank top or an oversized sweatshirt and I’m good for the day. Really love Skims so far and I’m excited to purchase more of their pieces. Next on my list from Skims? More bralettes in different colors! When I love something, I need multiples!

2. Osea Rest Linen Spray for Parachute Home.

This Rest Linen Spray is a dream! Spritz a couple times on your pillow before bed and you’ll fall asleep to the soothing scent of natural lavender, geranium, peppermint, sage and essential oils. I just finished my bottle and need to order another! Sweet dreams.

3. Lunya Washable Silk Tee Set.

This Silk Tee Set has been on my wishlist for a while and the second my size comes back in stock, I’m getting it! It looks so cozy and can easily be worn from Summer to Winter, especially here in Hawaii. Honestly, sleeping in silk is truly one of life’s little luxuries and if you get the chance to snuggle under your comforter in silk pajamas - I highly recommend it.

4. Nacked Cashmere Puff Slippers.

These are a beautiful pair of Slippers by Nacked Cashmere. So comfy to slip on after a long day and very cute too! You’ll want to wear these all day long.

5. Slip Silk Sleep Mask.

A sleep mask has quickly become a necessity for me. I notice such a huge difference in my sleep when I wear one to bed. I don’t wake up in the middle of the night by my phone lighting up or my husband going into the bathroom at 4 am to get ready for work. I’m definitely wanting to upgrade to the Slip Silk Sleep Mask because I do notice with my normal eye mask, my hair gets tangled in the back which I’m sure in the long run will cause breakage and split ends while a silk one would be very good for my hair. So, yes this is on my wishlist!

6. Vetiver 46 by Le Labo.

With Notes of sandalwood, vetiver, clove, black pepper, amber, and incense, Vetiver 46 is definitely one of Le Labo’s most masculine scents but I think it’s really beautiful. I love a deep scent and vetiver is one of my favorite notes. My dad loves Vetiver too and wears it all the time so maybe that’s why it’s special to me. It’s a familiar scent! Also a good unisex scent so you can buy a bottle to share with your significant other.

7. Susanne Kaufmann Essential Bath Oil for the Senses.

Another product I love that I recently ran out of and need to repurchase. I love taking baths. Truly one of the best ‘me’ times. This oil smells heavenly and is so relaxing while also being aesthetically pleasing. It’s a beautiful bottle that will sit perfectly near your bath. You need it!

8. Parachute Home Marled Cashmere Throw.

This Cashmere Throw is truly a luxury piece. I had to put it on this list even though I don’t own it *sigh*. I have blankets in baskets around my house and draped over my couch as it’s my favorite home accessory and I find it to be the most useful! Would love to have this cashmere throw in my house. I felt it in real life when I was visiting their store in California and wow, it is truly a dream.

9. Cire Trudon Candle in Madeleine.

This is my husband and my favorite candle. The scent opens with sweet floral notes such as lavender, iris, jasmine, and rose, and finishes on the scent of leather, moss, patchouli, and tobacco for a deep, masculine aroma. It fills my home with it’s beautiful scent instantly even when it’s not burning. Truly a beautiful candle that burns perfectly. I’m a huge fan of Cire Trudon candles and would love to have a lifetime supply of the Madeleine candle.

10. True Botanicals Renew Nutrient Mist.

My absolute favorite Face Mist. I’m going to just copy and paste the description from the True Botanicals website because they describe it so perfectly…

“Like a daily multi-vitamin for your skin, this ultra-hydrating face mist quenches and refreshes skin with a burst of antioxidants. And as an added bonus, it also sets makeup. Naturally scented with jasmine, neroli, and rose—as subtle and luxurious as nature itself.” Trust me. If you are going to buy anything from this list, this would be my number one beauty product. It smells divine and is so refreshing. I try and carry it wherever I go and use it as described, as a makeup setter. It's definitely one of my top ten favorite beauty products I’ve ever received.

11. Vitruvi Essential Oil Diffuser.

Vitruvi gifted me their Essential Oil Diffuser a couple months ago and I use it every single day. I tried buying one off of amazon last year and it ended up breaking in a couple months and wasn’t as aesthetically pleasing. The Vitruvi is truly a favorite of mine as it looks beautiful and works so well. Their essential oil mixes are so amazing and I’ve gone through so many bottles already! My favorite blends of theirs are Pacific, Dusk, and Boost!

What are your go-to cozy products? Do you prefer reading a book bundled up on the couch or watching a new Netflix series? Comment below!

Don't forget to follow me on my other channels: 

INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | PINTEREST | TUMBLR