My Monthly Edit

READING
Getting back into my regular schedule & adjusting to life at home after returning from India has been harder than I imagined.  I’ve even put off sharing in more detail with you here about my trip because the whole experience has been such an emotional journey for me (I promise a recap post is coming soon).  Rather than trying to power through, I’m learning to give myself grace, create better boundaries between work & life and establish a more sustainable balance.  This article talks in more detail about how to bounce back from burnout – whether you’re a stay-at-home mom, a business owner or in public service of some kind, I think there are some great tips worth considering.  What’s helped me lately is carving out time for other things in my life that bring joy – I’ve started baking again, playing the piano more regularly & reading the books that I’ve had sitting on my nightstand all summer.

CRAVING
I did a big clean of-out of my jewelry box recently and decided I want to take a more minimalist approach with my purchases moving forward.  While I normally preach about shopping on a budget, this is one of those areas where I’m starting to see the value in focusing on quality over quantity.  I had far too many pieces from Forever 21 that had tarnished and, as I head further into my 40’s, I’d like to focus on building a capsule of timeless baubles that will last for years to come.  Currently on my wish list are these stacking rings, which can be worn together or separately (comes in rose gold or yellow gold), these statement earrings, this freshwater pearl necklace (matching earrings here), this signet ring & this layered necklace.

SHOPPING
I just saw that J. Crew is offering up to 50% off on new arrivals & select fall styles with code FALLFAVES – today is the last day for the sale, so you’ll want to act quickly if you see something you love.  This classic rain jacket is a must-have for the season – it comes in 8 different colors & is over 50% off!  Other items I’m eyeing include this cable-knit sweater, this splurge-worthy camel blazer (another option here), this striped long sleeve tee (ideal for layering!), these high-rise jeans (lighter wash here), these matte rain boots & this leopard scarf.

LOVING
I’m a big fan of the snake-print trend that’s everywhere right now, so when I came across these mules, I quickly snatched them up & have been wearing them pretty much non-stop.  In addition to the neutral print & slip-on-and-go convenience of them, I love that they have a little bit of a heel, which makes them feel a bit sturdier than other slides I own.  If you prefer real leather options, check out these or these, which are very similar & under $90.  More snake-print styles worth checking out: these chic sneakers, this midi skirt (another option here), this crossbody bag, this flowy dress, these pointed pumps & this camisole (bought & love!)

ORGANIZING
Even though we haven’t transitioned to fall yet, I took some time over the weekend to pull all my warm clothes out of storage & organize my wardrobe for the new season.  We don’t have a large walk-in closet in our master bedroom so I have to be really smart with how I utilize the space.  This year, I decided to invest in some organization solutions that I hope will keep things more streamlined.  These shelf dividers are perfect for keeping knitwear neatly stacked – they also come in a shorter height, in a chrome finish & there’s a clear acrylic version here or here.  I think these would be great for keeping handbags upright & organized too.  I also picked up these expandable drawer dividers for my kids’ dressers & I loved them so much that I purchased more for myself!

USING
I’ve noticed such a difference in the health of my hair since I made this product combo part of my regular routine.  Using this shampoo & conditioner just once a week helps repair damage and makes my strands to soft & shiny.  Admittedly, these are a bit more than I would normally spend on hair care, but considering I only use them weekly, I know they will last me quite a while (note: you can also purchase the mini bottles to try first).  I’ve also heard great things about their hair oil, so I’m anxious to try that next!