The Small Things Blog

My 3 Most Used Cream Eyeshadows

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 11:00:58 GMT

I love the ease and simplicity of cream eyeshadow. You can wear it alone, you can wear it as a base for other eyeshadows to build on top of, you can blend with a brush, or with your fingers. . . it’s just an easy makeup product to work with and the results are long-lasting and rich!

I’ve used a handful of different cream eyeshadows over the years, and these 3 are the ones I tend to reach for the most as of late. I still love the MAC Paint Pots, which were a makeup essential for me many years ago, but I’m preferring the application of a stick instead of a pot these days.

I prefer to use a brush to blend out the cream shadow, but your fingers would work just fine too. A flat brush like this one from Sephora would be a great option if you are looking for something.

From the left: Bare Minerals Gen Nude in “Turned Up”, Laura Mercier in “Caramel”, and Laura Mercier in “Au Natural”

Laura Mercier Au Natural makes my blue eyes pop. It’s a beautiful cool taupe shade that would work on a lot of different skin tones. Laura Mercier in Caramel is a classic warm brown, which is another easy to wear shade that can be work alone or as a base with a darker chocolate brown in the crease.

And Bare Minerals in “Turned Up” is pretty similar to Mac’s Paint Pot in Painterly, it’s just a little thinner consistency and blends a little easier as well. I’ve worn this on its own plenty of times or treated it as a “base” for other eyeshadows to wear on top.

If you’ve read this post and still have zero interest in cream eyeshadow, a powder eyeshadow palette I’ve been loving lately is the Natasha Denona Mini Glam Palette.

links + loves

Fri, 23 Oct 2020 16:18:02 GMT

How was your week? We’ve had sunshine ALL WEEK which makes me so happy. While it’s a bit warmer than my heart desires right now, this is still such a lovely place to live.

My kids are very excited about Halloween as they have been counting down the days since last week. We also picked out a time to go to a corn maze and do all the fall activities with the boys soon, so we’re all looking forward to that!

This week would have been the NC State Fair week. I’m sad that it was canceled, though I understand why. I cannot imagine the stress from the hundreds of people who rely on the state fair for the bulk of their income. This is a hard time in the world.

A few other links and loves. . .

A great podcast about how to become an informed voter. Jasmine is easy to listen to and full of helpful information that she delivers from a very heartfelt place.

I used this tool this morning when I went to vote early. It shares the wait times for the different voting locations in my county, Wake County.

Such a beautiful Fall outfit on Amy!

Sarah shared a round-up of the best fake Christmas trees.

Did you catch my round-up of favorite movies?!

I listened to one of my favorite podcasts, “How I Built This” and they shared a fascinating episode about the McBride Sisters Wine. I haven’t listened to part 2 yet but if you want to hear a crazy story and be inspired, give it a listen!

Beautiful rooms inspired by Serena & Lily.

Cute Halloween crafts for kids.

I love these long-chain dangle earrings.

This is a much-adored sweater from Amazon at a great price. I have it in black and love wearing it with leggings!

I hope you have a nice, restful weekend!

My Favorite Movies

Mon, 19 Oct 2020 17:19:58 GMT

After talking about my favorite movies for years, I thought it was time to share an updated “Favorite Movies” list here on the blog. I will fully admit I have a unique taste in movies and have been the recipient of MUCH feedback regarding my choices over the years, but I stand behind the 5-star films I’m sharing on this list.

What can I say, I like what I like!

Great Movies

Cast Away – Honestly, it’s been a long time since I’ve watched this movie but I remember when I saw it being profoundly moved by Tom Hanks being the sole character in the vast majority of the movie. And the Wilson scene? I was a mess.

Titanic – Another long one like Cast Away, but one of the most iconic movies from my youth.

The Infiltrator – The drama of this movie had me on the edge of my seat! It involves drug content and stars one of my favorites, Bryan Cranston.

Whiplash – Not as many people are familiar with this movie but I’m telling you it is very intense to watch and there is a pretty crazy twist in it as well.

Adrift – This is one of those movies that goes a completely different direction than you imagined it would. It’s easy to watch, and great for a girls night in.

La La Land – I love Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling together and the musical nature of this movie made it fun and unique!

Lion – Deeply moving and emotional depiction of a man finding himself.

Only The Brave – I’m not sure a movie elicited a more emotional response from me than this one did.

Hotel Rwanda – It’s been a long time since I’ve watched this movie but I remember appreciating the fact that it was inspired by true events and I really love Paul Rusesabagina as an actor.

Good Will Hunting – “Do you like apples?” (watch this movie and you’ll get it)

The Count of Monte Cristo – This movie highlights so many emotions of a human caught betrayal and revenge.

Forrest Gump – To me, this is just a feel-good movie with characters who you remember for a lifetime.

Shutter Island – This is twisty and a bit of a thriller, and it went a direction that totally shocked me!

Catch Me If You Can – I loved the time period this was shot in and was blown away that this was based on a true story!

Amanda’s Picks:

The Shawshank Redemption – This is my all-time favorite movie. From the acting to the writing to the overall story this is my big winner.

When Harry Met Sally – I will stop at this movie ANY time it’s on TV and it still makes me laugh, even though I’ve seen it a ton of times!

The Usual Suspects – I love a twisty psychological flick and this one really got me the first time I saw it.

The Princess Bride – Classic, smart, sweet, and timeless…tell me you’ve seen this one!?

Forrest Gump – I can’t believe I agree with Kate! Just kidding, we all know she’s got good taste. I remember being fascinated by this movie and its timeline. It was so fun to watch how the characters developed as the years went on.

The Hangover – This movie makes me giggle-happy and is wildly inappropriate…I love it! My favorite part will always be “Stu’s Tiger Song”.

The Breakfast Club – The characters and dialog in this film are just so well done. And the fact that it was filmed in such a limited location really impresses me. It also reminds me of all of the rest of the great movies of that time period (Sixteen Candles + Pretty in Pink to name a few).

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – For years every Christmas Eve my husband and I will put out Christmas presents, sit down and open a nice bottle of wine, and laugh hysterically at this crazy movie. Pure comedy gold!

Amelie – The music, imagery, colors, and the sweet story really stole my heart the first time I saw Amelie. It is a French movie with subtitles which only adds to the uniqueness of this flick.

Goodwill Hunting – I was so in love with all of these actors when this movie came out. Plus it made me want to visit Boston!

Love Actually – This is my guilty pleasure movie. It’s quite sweet and the way the story moves and intertwines all of the characters together is my kind of thing.

Rain Man – Confession: I actually didn’t watch this movie until I was in my 30s. Another confession: I’m not a huge fan of Tom Cruise (please don’t tell him) so I avoided watching Rain Man for a long time. But once I did I was so impressed! The toothpick scene is pretty cool.

Titanic – I guess epic is the word I’d use to describe Titanic. It may be cliche but I think it definitely belongs on my best-of list. I’ll never let go.

Scent of a Woman – Oh what can I say about Al Pacino in Scent of a Woman? His performance was stellar. I also grew up around blind people so it was great to see a pretty accurate portrayal of a blind man as the lead in a movie.

The Goonies – I may be aging myself but if you too were a kid in the ’80s then you know.

Thanks to Amanda’s list I have a few more movies that I need to add to my “Must Watch” note on my phone. Have you seen any of these that we suggested?

A few hair products (and a blow-dry tool!) I’m enjoying from Sephora

Sat, 17 Oct 2020 11:00:58 GMT

I picked up a few fantastic products at Sephora recently, and my hair is so smooth and shiny because of them!

First of all, I finally used the “reserve in-store and pick up” feature on Sephora’s website and it was a breeze to get the exact products I was shopping for. While I typically just order online, the Sephora near me is open and I just love browsing their newest releases in the store. I reserved the Amika New York Minute Blow Dryer Brush Set as well as the Briogeo Detox + Restore Kit, but you can be sure that when I went to pick them up I added a few extra things to my order at the counter.

And listen, if you are planning on doing any shopping for anything at Sephora, sign up to be a Beauty Insider! It’s totally free and a way for you to earn points to use on a bunch of things, and learn about promotions and discounts. I’m sure it wouldn’t surprise you to learn that I’m a “Rouge” member, and I’m always amazed at how great the perks are for being a part of the Beauty Insider Program!

The Briogeo Detox + Restore Scalp Revival exfoliating shampoo and Don’t Despair, Repair! deep conditioning mask are two great products to incorporate into your routine in the cooler months. Drier, cooler hair means drier skin which can cause flaking on the scalp. And while it’s relatively easy to exfoliate your face or body, exfoliating your scalp is a bit harder. This exfoliating shampoo not only cleans your scalp, but it helps detox your hair from any leftover product or buildup.

Combining that with the deep conditioning mask is a perfect duo to reset your hair!

I’ve shared on Instagram Stories a bit that I’ve been searching for a blow-dry brush tool that doesn’t burn my hair dry like some of the other brands that I’ve tried. I love this tool in theory, but until the Amika version that I’ve started using recently, I didn’t feel comfortable because I found other blow-dry tools to be extremely hot and loud. The New York Minute Blow Dryer Brush kit is such a great deal for the blow-dry brush as well as two of Amika’s top products. I’ve been using the Anti-Humidity Spray for years and find that it makes a huge difference in the longevity of my style, and the Perk Up Dry Shampoo is another great product to use on day two and make your hair smell great.

When I wear my hair straight, I always focus a lot of attention on the ends. I hate dry looking ends, so the Virtue Healing Oil has become a product that is a part of my regular rotation these days. It’s light, hydrating, and helps seal my ends so they look a bit more nourished than they are. And the healing oil goes deeper than just making my ends *look* nicer, it contains Virtue’s proprietary hair-healing Alpha Keratin 60ku which helps strengthen and “fill in the holes” in damaged hair.

If you are looking for products to help soften, smooth, and nourish your hair, I’m sure that you’d enjoy any of the ones I’ve mentioned in this post! You can find them, and so much more, at Sephora and Sephora.com

This post was sponsored by Sephora.

links + loves

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 13:41:16 GMT

Happy Friday! This was yet another marathon week (I think that is just going to be how they are now…) but we got a lot done! I cleaned out a few corners of the house that I’ve been neglecting and we took our family photos for Christmas cards!

The boys have soccer tomorrow morning and it’s supposed to be QUITE CHILLY! Justin picked up some pretty sweet sideline chairs for us (they rock!). Follow along on Instagram to see them in action.

Here are a few links + loves for the week:

I found the perfect long sleeve tee at Target last week, I’m wearing it above and I’ve linked it right here! I also got this cozy waffle hoodie from Aerie (size down!) and cannot wait for the temps to drop enough for me to actually wear it!

Redken has a shampoo and conditioner called “Brownlights” which is formulated to keep brunette hair from turning orange/brassy. It can darken light hair so it’s only recommended for brunettes!

Kelly shared a really cute Halloween printable for kids!

This pasta looks AMAZING. I’ve recently added Brussels sprouts into my diet and this looks absolutely fantastic.

My absolute favorite jean jacket is marked down to under $65 today! It runs true to size and I wear my typical medium.

I use this blow-dry tip every single time I blow dry my hair, do you?

Have you made Apple Fritters yet? They are really easy and so delicious.

I love seeing color trends when it comes to home decor. Next years’ palette looks very peaceful and calming!

I shared this on Instagram as well but my perfect fall drink from Starbucks is this: Iced grande latte with 1 pump of Pumpkin Syrup. It has just a hint of pumpkin without being too sweet, and when it gets colder here I’m going to try it hot.

I hope you have a nice weekend!

Ask Kate: What color lipstick do you wear with a red dress?

Thu, 15 Oct 2020 01:30:27 GMT

It’s hard to know what color lipstick to choose when you are wearing a red dress. Do you try to match it? Do you skip lipstick altogether?

My suggestion is to go for something in the “nude” family, or perhaps something with a touch of brown in it. In general you want to avoid anything with a purple hue to it, or anything that competes with the color of the dress.

In some cases I think it can look really great to wear a bold lip with a red dress, but if you want a fool-proof option, look for a soft, flattering nude with some shine in the finish.

The quickest and easiest lip color option would be lining your lips in a color that matches your lip color closely, and topping that with a sheer gloss.

Here are some pretty barely there, pale shades:

Fenty Beauty Slip Shine in Makeout Break – I’m wearing this in these photos and it’s very comfortable to wear.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Honey – honestly, any of these colors are so easy to wear. I love these!

NYX Butter Gloss in Creme Brulee – I used this gloss for these images as well, it’s very understated.

Revlon Lip Plumping Creme in Nude Honey – This looks like a really easy to wear honey shade.

I used Charlotte Tilbury Lipliner in Pillow Talk for my lip liner, and applied Fenty Beauty Makeout Break all over my lips. I topped it with a bit of the NYX Butter Gloss in Creme Brûlée just for some extra shine.

My dress is from GoodThreads by Amazon, and I styled the rest of this look with these Sam Edelman sneakers and this blue Tory Burch bag.

My Most Used Home Items

Tue, 13 Oct 2020 19:20:12 GMT

This photo is from the kitchen tour post + video, you can click here to check it out!

There are certain things that I use over and over again in the home and I’m sharing my top 6 with you today! I’m sure there are some that I have forgotten but these six were the very first to come to mind when I thought about the tools or items that I really feel are high quality and very useful.

Click on any of the images below, or use the links next to the descriptions.

Dyson Cyclone V10 Motorhead Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum – this cordless vacuum gets used multiple times a day and it’s, perhaps, the most useful tool that we use with the kids. We do a lot of bare feet around here, and stepping on crumbs is the worst. We use this vacuum often and on both floors of the house as well. We’ve had ours for a few years and did have to replace the battery, but ever since then it’s been working perfectly.

De’Longhi Dinamica Automatic Coffee + Espresso Machine – this was a thoughtful purchase that was, admittedly, a bit of a stress buy toward the beginning of quarantine, but man I love this machine. I had been using two separate machines for the few different drinks I like to make, but now I’m pleased that it’s all in one!

Outlet timers – One of the things we noticed about our house after we moved in was the lack of lighting! I rely on lamps with timers to keep the house well lit, and I love that I don’t have to go around and turn them all off at night.

Aera Smart Home Diffuser (they are offering 20% off diffusers through Nov 30 using code KATE20) – I’ve shared this with you and I honestly cannot tell you how much I love this. I’m currently “playing” a Pumpkin Spice scent and it’s an actual dream. It makes my home smell delightful! I also love that I can set it up on a schedule so I’m not wasting any of the scent when no one is home.

Ring Doorbell Video Camera – We have a few of these around our house and in our garage. Not only is it helpful to chat with the neighbor kids who may be asking to play with my kids when we aren’t home, but I love that I can see exactly who is at my door at all times.

Handheld Steamer – This falls more in the “personal” category than the “home” category but I use it so much I wanted to throw it in here. It’s a cheap and portable handheld steamer and it works better than any of the other larger, bulkier steamers that I’ve tried.

While there are certainly more items that I’m sure I’ll think of after I hit publish, I wanted to share these few with you because they are things that we truly use every day (well, maybe not the steamer but I use it at least twice a week!) that help our home operate at it’s best!

links + loves

Fri, 09 Oct 2020 14:56:58 GMT

In the photo above I used the Natasha Denona Mini Glam palette and I would recommend it if you are looking for a small eyeshadow palette! It has everything you need and nothing you don’t.

After a marathon two weeks, things are slowing down around here and I’m grateful. We have very little on the calendar for this weekend, and it looks like it’s going to be kind of rainy and overcast so I’m hoping to knock out a few house projects and watch a movie at least one of the evenings with Justin.

Speaking of movies, I’m working on a blog post featuring my favorite movies so that will be coming soon!

A few other links + loves:

Interesting article on social media influencers driving retails sales during the pandemic!

Such a beautiful and delicate knot necklace.

I love wearing a vest in the Fall and the cut of this one looks really flattering! It also comes in a handful of colors too.

A round up of 12 blazers.

Absolutely love this look on Kendi! The jacket, the stripes, the sunglasses…it’s all perfect together.

Charlotte Tilbury launched a “mini” version of my FAVORITE highlight/contour palette. I wear light/medium and find it to be such a beautiful palette that looks natural and radiant on the skin!

Such a pretty white sweater.

I love the distressed look of these sneakers, and they are under $100!

If I worked in an office, these would be added directly to my online cart!

I hope you have a great weekend!

Links + Loves

Fri, 02 Oct 2020 16:09:08 GMT

We did it! We made it to Friday again.

This week was extra special because I got to be a part of a digital event put on by Sephora for the #SephoraSquad. It’s been truly an incredible experience being a part of this team already, and I’m so excited to see what the rest of the year will hold. I so wish these events could have been in person, but it’s clear that the team is trying their hardest to still make them as involved as possible while everyone is at home tuning in from their computers. It was informative and inspiring, and I always leave feeling deep gratitude for being on the Squad this year.

Last week the boys’ first soccer game was canceled due to extreme rain, but it looks like we are set up for a beautiful first game tomorrow. I hope they enjoy it!

Do you have any plans for the weekend? Have you added pumpkins to your porch yet?!

A few other links + loves. . .

Merrick launched her Fall Style Guide and it has so many fit and style tips in it!

Caralyn shared her September favorites, and on it was the pretty blue sweater that opened my eyes to how beautiful that blue is in the fall!

So Ole Henricksen discontinued their Power Peel system and I’ve been looking for a replacement. I’m excited to try the cult-favorite Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel! I just learned so much from him during a digital Sephora event this week and I cannot wait to try the peel!

These are the most comfortable, lightweight, nearly invisible underwear I’ve ever worn.

A cute delicate tassel bracelet.

Fancy yet still understated earrings.

I shared this really cute mock neck sweater on Instagram earlier on in the week, and it’s available in black + grey!

I shared a quick demo of how I layer my lasagna ingredients on Instagram Stories this week. The recipe is here and the dish I used for it can be found at World Market.

I broke down my experience with the DIY Lash Extensions I had been trying out temporarily on this post!

Neutral Nail Polishes for Fall

Thu, 01 Oct 2020 11:00:33 GMT

One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine.

In the fall and spring, I’m all about soft + neutral shades on my nails. I had fun wearing really bright pink polish in the summertime this year, but as soon as September hit I shifted gears back towards my personal favorite: Lisbon Wants Moor. I usually get dip powder nails when I go to the nail salon, and this shade is always a hit. It’s a nice cream with a touch of pink. This would also be beautiful on a wedding day!

You can find more details about how to have success with a home manicure on this post!

DIY Lash Extensions : my thoughts and experience!

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 11:00:00 GMT

(wearing Lashify lashes in “A” Amplify)

The same moment I started wearing makeup, I also became obsessed with trying to create the longest, softest eyelashes with every and any possible combination of products under the sun.

I don’t have the biggest eyes and curled lashes that were opened up and layered with mascara helped my eyes look bigger and more awake! My lashes in their most natural, organic state are naturally very straight, thin, short, and weak.

My sister, somehow, got all the good eyelash genes and she has the prettiest, longest most fanned out lashes I’ve ever seen.

Really makes me hate her guts, but she’s family so I had to work through it.

(these are my natural lashes with a few coats of mascara)

Given my years of eyelash focus, you would think that I’d be the first one to jump at the chance to get eyelash extensions. I’ve seen them done really well where it simply looks like a step up from your natural lashes but they stay dark, curled, and look thicker than your natural lashes. I’ve also seen it done terribly where they are way too heavy and end up making the eyes look smaller because your eyelids are holding up way too many lashes for their size or shape.

Overall, I generally love to experiment with mascara and once I discovered how well lash lifts work on me, I was set!

I’ve written about my lash lifts here, and would highly recommend finding a professional in your area to do it who comes with great reviews or is personally referred. It can be done WRONG so you want to be sure you go to someone who will do your lash lift perfectly and safely.

Since I’m a professional, I decided to live on the edge and do my own lash lift. It works perfectly 99% of the time. But about 2 months ago I used a rod that was too small and ran into the lashes being too curled so I needed to let them fully grow out, shed, and start with a new set.

In the meantime, I decided to try Lashify to buy me some time while I gave my natural lashes a break. I had purchased and tried Lashify lashes a long time ago and liked them, but I don’t think I got to experience much of the longevity that you can achieve with these lashes. So, when I tried it again, I prepped by watching several of the application videos from their Instagram so I could have the most success.

Lashify are DIY lash extensions that are applied to the bottom of your upper lashes, glued directly onto your lashes (instead of your eyelid, for example), and can last several days if applied correctly and well maintained. I’d recommend reading this if you have more questions about Lashify.

(wearing Lashify lashes in “C” Curl size 12)

Overall I found Lashify extremely easy to apply, and profoundly comfortable to wear. They were more comfortable on my eyes than mascara. They are truly lightweight, and since they are attached to the bottom of the lashes, it is not obvious where the lashes start. If you are looking for a natural, comfortable lash option, I would highly recommend these.

The longest wear I got out of them was 4 days. I found that I could gently clean them and reapply them for the second round of wear but that was about their max. They weren’t terribly fussy to deal with, but I did make sure not to put my face directly into the water spray from the showerhead, and I also didn’t soak my face when I washed my face at the sink. I used washcloths and makeup remover wipes to clean my skin when necessary.

I wore Lashify when I worked out, slept, applied makeup, etc. They really are kind of amazing.

Ultimately, while I really loved having them and they made my daily makeup application so much faster, I found them to be something I’d wear for a special event or a time when I didn’t want to wear much makeup and just wanted to have lashes “on”. I didn’t feel like I needed them for every single day, but I’m certainly glad to have this option in my back pocket for when I want more dramatic but still comfortable lashes.

Whenever I discussed Lashify online, many people told me to try FlutterHabit. This is a similar concept to Lashify but the lash segments are larger and heavier than the lighter-than-air Gossamers from Lashify. FlutterHabit also doesn’t come with some of the helpful tools that Lashify has as well.

I bought FlutterHabit, to try and compare, and couldn’t get a single lash segment to stick to my lashes. I have no idea what was happening, but it was kind of frustrating. There are many people who love FlutterHabit but it just didn’t work for me for the first few attempts!

(Natural lashes after using lash conditioner for about 4 weeks!)

At this point, my lashes are in a healthy place and I’ve done an updated lash lift. The medium rods are a better fit for my lash length and thickness, and it makes such an impact to have a fresh curl in the lashes that lasts over a month. I’ve been using GrandeRepair Leave-in Lash Conditioner and it has made my lashes NOTICEABLY stronger and thicker-looking. I’m truly impressed. I’ve just added in Neulash to my nightly routine as well.

While I’m at it, below are a few of my very favorite mascaras at the moment. These are constantly changing except for the Benefit one!

Benefit Roller Lash: such a great clean mascara that adds thickness in one swipe. A few layers and you’ve got length and definition. Doesn’t flake, doesn’t smudge. Truly a great classic mascara.

Urban Decay Lash Freak: If you want serious drama, this mascara is for you! The applicator is really cool too and the product is dark black so your lashes will certainly be the star of the show.

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes: don’t think I’ve used a mascara that fans my lashes out as well as this one does. It adds thickness, is slightly on the clumpy side so you must work quickly, but also adds a nice fullness to the lashes as well!

Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara: This is a tubing mascara and wears like a dream. I’m blown away by how dark, inky, and long my lashes look when I use this.

And of course, the primer that makes a big impact on the final result of any mascara, the GrandePRIMER Pre-Mascara Thickener and Lengthener.

links + loves

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 14:18:33 GMT

Did this week feel like a marathon to you too? It was a very full week and I could not be happier that it is Friday! My parents are here visiting and the boys have their first soccer game tomorrow morning!

Lauren rounded up her favorite kitchen things in this post!

I’ve already found myself reaching for my utility jacket from Amazon Essentials so much, and now I’m considering adding this water-resistant puffer jacket into the mix as well!

I have a new underwear love! You can read more about my some of my favorite intimates on this post, but I have to tell you that the underwear I find myself grabbing out of my drawer more often than not is one of these paper thin high rise briefs by Chantelle. They are extremely lightweight, and as someone who does not like wearing thongs, these are a great option for a no-show thin layer.

I love my true and co bra’s for when I want a really comfortable, “feels like nothing” bra, and their new true body “lift” bra with convertible straps is wonderful. I’ve only had it a few days but the lift/support is noticeably better than their other styles, and I love that there is a little hook on the back to convert the bra into a racerback!

Speaking of bras, I bought this bra from Amazon and love it! It’s a built in shelf bra with a crop tank and it’s great for anything from riding the bike to yoga to weight lifting! And the price is fantastic as well!

I got a new heart rate monitor to use when I run as well as when I ride my bike. It’s the Scosche Rhythm+. It came highly recommended from the facebook group that I’m in for the Peloton and it works perfectly! I love that it is worn on my forearm instead of around my ribcage and the pink strap is fun too.

If you are transitioning your clothes from Summer to Fall, this post may help!

I hope you have a great weekend!

3 Products I am Loving from Sephora

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 16:34:54 GMT

A new season is upon us, and I love transitioning my makeup from summer to fall with a few of my favorites from Sephora.

I’m no stranger to bright pink lipstick. A few of my favorites are Charlotte Tilbury Liv It Up, or Bobbi Brown Pink Cloud. But in the fall, I like to shift into more of a rosy shade for my everyday lipstick. I was browsing Sephora’s website recently, which is one of my favorite ways to kill time, and I found myself adding a handful of new items to my cart.

Make Up For Ever recently launched the Rouge Artist Lipstick and I ordered Brazen Pink and Brave Punch. They are similar but one is a little bit more on the cool side. I find myself switching off between the two pretty regularly, and the longevity of wear without it feeling dry on my lips is fantastic. If you are looking for a comfortable lipstick, I would definitely look into these!

I rely heavily on my Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray to keep my makeup in place during the exceptionally humid summers in North Carolina, but when the humidity goes down I find myself wanting a slightly more glowy setting spray. You can imagine how thrilled I was when I saw that Urban Decay launched a GLOWY finish to their cult-favorite All Nighter Setting Spray. I recently purchased it as well as the Ultra Glow All Nighter Primer. These two together are what glowy, long-lasting makeup dreams are made of.

There is a fine line between looking shiny or oily, and looking dewy and hydrated and the Urban Decay Ultra Glow All Nighter Setting Spray gives the prettiest finish to the skin while keeping your makeup intact.

If you like a setting powder, but also want a glow, I would highly recommend the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder Glow. It sets your makeup while adding a slight glow and warmth to the skin.

The last product that I keep reaching for is the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara. I don’t think I’ve ever used a mascara that fans out my lashes this well. It takes a few coats to build a bit of volume, but it applies very clean and leaves you with the prettiest, flirtiest lashes.

Whether you are restocking some of your favorites or looking for some new additions to your makeup bag for the new season, sign up to be a Beauty Insider first! You earn points that you can use on samples, are let in on details about promotions (and more!). It’s totally free to sign up, and it’s the easiest way to get the biggest bang for your buck when you’re already shopping at Sephora!

This post was sponsored by Sephora.

My Weekly Personal Microderm Routine (and why I love it)

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 14:18:05 GMT

I love getting into routines with certain beauty processes and my Saturday Personal Microderm routine is something I genuinely look forward to every week. I always feel like I have brand new skin, in the best way possible, after I use it. It’s also a nice kick-off to a weekend when I usually go lighter on my makeup anyway.

I’ve been using The Personal Microderm every week for several months now and I can notice an improvement in my skin’s texture and I believe a few dark spots are fading as well! On top of the long term benefits of this microdermabrasion tool, the short term benefit of getting a weekly deep exfoliation for skincare products to sink deeper, and dry skin to be removed is so nice.

In case you are brand new to this device, the Personal Microderm is a vacuum suction + exfoliation tool that you use on your face (or body!) in order to reduce the appearance of fine lines, large pores, and blemishes. Regular exfoliation encourages dark spots to fade as well, and generally takes off the top layer of dead skin so your skincare products can work to their best ability!

PMD includes a diagram of how to use the device in their product package, and it’s really important to follow the map as closely as possible. It’s never good to pull down or out on your skin, so following the guidelines of moving the tool upwards while pressing just enough for the vacuum to create suction will give you the best results.

Like I said earlier, the immediate results are glowing and radiant skin. I took a quick before and after in front of a mirror so you can see how much more vibrant my skin looks after using the Personal Microderm last Saturday.

Before:

After:

It looks brighter and more radiant, doesn’t it?

PMD recently launched a cordless device, The Personal Microderm Elite Pro, which is what I’ve been using most recently, and I’m so impressed with the quality. The battery life also lasts for months when you only use it once a week.

Each device comes with multiple exfoliation discs so you can work your way up to a stronger and deeper microdermabrasion process. As you feel more comfortable, you can adjust your tool based on your skin’s needs.

While I share a lot of “DIY” beauty through my website and social channels, I’m also pretty candid about what I think should be left to the professionals. If you follow the directions with the Personal Microderm, I think you can get a really great exfoliation and deep clean!

This post is sponsored by PMD.

August/September Beauty Favorites

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 11:00:50 GMT

Rounding up some long time loves + new favorites in this beauty favorites video!

Products Featured in Video:

Marc Jacobs Beauty O!Mega Bronzer Coconut Perfect Tan in Tan-Tastic!

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder

Patrick Ta Major Beauty Headlines -Double Take Creme and Powder Blush in She’s That Girl

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Match Stix Matte Contour Skinstick in Amber

Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Lengthening Mascara

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Volumizing and Lengthening Mascara

Grande Cosmetics GrandPRIMER Pre-Mascara Lengethener & Thickener

ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starrr Go Off Makeup Remover Wipes

Fresh Sake Eau de Parfum

Bumble and Bumble Glow Blow Dry Accelerator

Bumble and Bumble Pret-a-Powder Post Workout Dry Shampoo Mist

Becca Under Eye Corrector in Light/Medium

Virtue Healing Oil

Virtue Create Lifting Powder

Laneige Lip Glowy Balm

Also mentioned:

Flora by Gucci – Gorgeous Gardenia

Amika Hair Blow Dryer Brush

My Favorite Shoes + Booties Right Now

Fri, 11 Sep 2020 16:30:58 GMT

I would never call myself a “shoe” person. They don’t excite me like, say, lipstick or a new handbag does, so I look for comfort, classic style, and something that will look good through lots of wear. I’m hard on my shoes so I need them to hold up against excessive use!

Some of my best shoe purchases are pictured above, and I’m breaking down why I love them below!

J.Crew Laney Pumps. Unfortunately these are sold out ( but I’m hoping they bring them back AND IN GREY ::J.Crew are you listening?::) For times that I need or want to be a little dressed up, these suede pumps are what I always grab. They are flattering as heck on my legs, and the neutral taupe shade goes with everything. Here is a similar pair that is currently on sale.

Vince Janna Low Top Sneaker. Unfortunately these are sold out, but I found a similar style here! These are my go to for any casual outfit when I’m going to be out all day. They are super comfortable and I like the design of the sneaker with leather and suede.

Vince Blair Slip-on Sneaker. I got these in white via Trunk Club several years ago and wore the junk out of them. I actually got an identical replacement pair because I wore my original ones so much! This is a grey shade that I’m certain I’ll get a ton of wear out of.

Vince Camuto Femils Flat. I’m not a huge fan of flats, but these were too good to pass up. I love that they have the black toe detail and that they are MACHINE WASHABLE!

Vince Havana Notch Bootie. I was totally focused on getting these booties last year and I’m so glad I did! They are my ideal heel height, the notch detail at the front is very flattering by elongating my legs, and the color is perfect for what I typically wear in the fall and winter. Here is a similar pair!

links + loves

Fri, 11 Sep 2020 14:22:40 GMT

I love these pretty tassel earrings from Elisabeth Ashlie. These are my 3rd pair! I have a soft purple, blue, and now this black.

Peloton announced details about their newest bike and tread.

I’ve shared a few posts about my experience with the Peloton bike here on the blog (You can read my first impression of the bike here, and my post about deciding to keep the bike here!). I talk about it plenty on IG Stories but wanted to share a little bit more here about my favorite instructors and other non-cycling classes.

The instructors I’ve taken the most classes with is Cody. I feed off of his energy, love that I’m often laughing during the class, and often find myself being pushed hard to do my best. He’s fun, can be challenging, and generally has great energy.

If I need my butt kicked I’ll take an Alex Toussaint class, or something with Ally Love. Alex is gritty and tough, but still has a really inviting vibe and infectious joy. He seems like a fun guy to be around, and he pushes me really hard in his classes. Ally is unsuspectingly hard. She’s small but mighty, and her Tabata classes will kill you dead.

Robin Arzon is one of my favorites for a hard ride, motivational talking, and overall happiness. I’ve taken a few outdoor runs with her as well and really enjoy those.

When it comes to strength, I really enjoy Jess Sims and Adrian. Both instructors will push you and I like that they don’t waste time with too many breaks.

Denis is an instructor that I didn’t love at first, but his vibe is growing on me. He’s consistent, strong, and really encourages you to try your hardest on your own.

And now for some other links + loves:

Merrick broke down her weekly haircare routine on this post!

If you have freshly picked apples near you, make some apple fritters!

This looks like a beautiful eyeshadow palette for fall/winter.

#5 on this roundup of cute clothes from Walmart by Lauren has caught my eye as well!

This long sweater looks perfect for pairing with leggings.

A really really cute leopard dress!

I surprised myself and bought this blue bag for fall! I thought the color looked beautiful against camel or grey, and I wear a lot of those colors in the fall and winter!

I hope you have a lovely weekend!

Button-less Pants for Fall

Thu, 10 Sep 2020 11:00:33 GMT

I lived in pull-on shorts in the summer, and I plan to continue that trend right into the fall.

One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten. Eleven. Twelve (similar).

Since many of us are working from home now, when we were otherwise heading into an office, it’s safe to say that getting dressed for the day has taken a sharp turn into the “casual” category. And beyond that, a zoom call really only shows the top half of your outfit, so *really* most of us only need to get half dressed up to be seen by coworkers.

And that is why I present to you the best pants options for sitting at your desk at home for work: pull-on pants.

There is not a button in sight.

The key to balancing an outfit like this is if the pants are wide-leg or drapey, go with a more fitted top. Conversely, if the pants are more tailored (like a jogger), you can get away with a looser top.

I included a few easy shoe options just for kicks (pun intended), but I won’t tell anyone if you just wear slippers all day.

What is Your Personal Style?

Wed, 09 Sep 2020 00:11:17 GMT

Would you be able to answer this question?

Without a doubt, different seasons of our life mandate a different wardrobe. When I worked behind the chair in the salon, I dressed up every day. I dressed professionally, and stylish, wearing some kind of heel or boot with every outfit.

When I started the blog, I was still working full time so I often would do a lot of my writing and computer work in my robe, either late at night or very early in the morning.

I stopped working in the salon shortly before I had my first son, and dove headfirst into developing The Small Things Blog into what it is today! So for nearly 7 years, this site and the social channels have been my sole career. The wardrobe has fluctuated a bit, but in the last year or so, I’ve really developed my personal style to be something that effortlessly moves from work to play, since so much of my day requires that I wear more than one hat.

If I had to describe my style in a few words I would say: Comfortable, classic, and simple pieces that can mix and match effortlessly.

Sources: Fashion Jackson Blog, Diary of a Toronto Girl Blog, Cella Jane Blog, EVEREVE Dahlia Jacket, lululemon Align Pant, GAP Ribbed Henley, Thread and Supply Long Sleeve Top, Tory Burch Bag, Gorjana Parker Necklace, My Vouguish Diaries Blog, Sole Society Andorra Pump, Nike Acalme Sneakers

I love filling my wardrobe with neutrals because they are classic and timeless. I usually wear the same shoes over and over as well, so I always stick with neutrals in that category as well. I prefer simple outfits that are lightweight since it doesn’t get terribly cold where I live. More often than not, I reach for jeans and a tee for my daily outfit. Since I know that I feel most comfortable in that style of outfit, I’ve found a few great quality jeans and classic tees to fill my wardrobe with.

I love that lightweight delicate gold jewelry is on-trend right now because it’s easy to just layer up a few necklaces and bracelets and feel pulled together. And I have a few jumpsuits that I reach for when the mood strikes, and love how comfortable yet chic they look.

In the process of figuring out what I like to wear, I’ve also narrowed down a list of clothes I tend *not* to wear. Personally, I don’t love wearing cardigans, scoop neck tops, and anything with too voluminous of a sleeve. I always am drawn to pictures of sweaters with balloons sleeves but when I try them on I hate how they look on me.

As much as I try, I also am not a huge black denim kind of gal. Again, it’s one of those looks that I’m always drawn to, but I rarely feel comfortable wearing them myself.

My color palette in the cooler months is neutrals: black, grey, army green, cream, and white. If I’m feeling like I want a colorful “moment” in an outfit, I may switch up my bag to something a little brighter. Or I’ll grab a bright red lipstick!

In figuring out my personal style, I’ve been able to make smarter choices about what I add into my closet, and what I don’t buy as well. I’m excited to pull out some of my favorite pieces from last fall and winter because then still fit in perfectly with this mood board of my wardrobe inspiration! Getting dressed for the day is easy because I’m pulling from pieces that I feel totally like myself in.

If you enjoyed this post, you may like a few of these other posts I’ve written about style and clothes.

You can watch a video and read all about my major closet overhaul from last winter here!

The foundations of any great wardrobe are the right fitting bra and comfortable underwear.

I have a very organized laundry routine that helps keep my clothes in the best shape possible.

links + loves

Fri, 04 Sep 2020 16:25:45 GMT

I threw it back to the half french twist tutorial for this hairstyle! You can watch the original video here (FROM 8 YEARS AGO!) or check out a photo step by step on this post.

Did you catch my post yesterday about the book I read this summer? I shared my favorite quote from it on this post! And speaking of reading, I love my Kindle for reading books, and it works especially great outside in sunlight.

Lauren McBride influenced this purchase and I’m glad she did! These flats are machine washable and they look so chic and sophisticated.

Madewell is running a Labor Day weekend promo as well (code is HIFALL) , and here are a few of my personal favorites that I can’t stop wearing:

Westville Tank Top – I have it in black and white. I ordered the large so it wasn’t SKIN tight and that was a good choice.

Hollie Ankle-Strap Sandal – A classic, comfortable sandal. I love a block heel because they are so much more supportive and comfortable than classic pumps.

Whisper Cotton Rib-Crewneck Tee – I have this in white and grey. It’s a great rounded hem basic tee!

Tips on how to look your best for a zoom call.

If humidity is still at an all time high where you live, and you want bouncy curls without frizz, try this new Gel Oil from Bumble & Bumble.

A classic white v-neck tee.

I’ve tried to purchase this bra twice and each time my order has gotten cancelled! I’m not sure what is going on, but it looks like such a comfortable racerback bra with a touch of support but plenty of stretch. I have other True and Co. bras that I really love, and hope they restock this version soon.

Do you have any Labor Day Weekend plans? It’s still in the 90’s here so we’ll be swimming and enjoying the great outdoors!