20 Cool Things You Need to Click On Today

Things have been crazy since we've been back from Hawaii! I've been slammed with all the work I didn't do while on vacation, and the biggest news...we got cats! Yep, we adopted two eight-week-old kittens from Beth Stern. I'll be doing a larger post on them (and on the whole process of adopting one of Beth's coveted Instagram cats) soon, but in the meantime, just know that Bobby and Lulu are pretty much the cutest things I have ever seen. 

And for proof of that, you can follow them on Instagram at @bobbyandlulu. If you've been watching my Instagram Stories, you know that I am actually incredibly jealous of their account. (And I wish I was kidding about that!) They have unbelievable engagement from their followers, and usually get 2,000 likes for their photos! I would say that I need to know their secrets, but I'm pretty sure it involves a furry coat and looking tiny and adorable. ;)

This weekend, we are going to be laying low. Next week is going to be even busier, so I'm hoping to squeeze in some relaxing time while I can. 

Whatever you're up to this weekend, I hope you make it a great one. Here's a few fun links to check out in the meantime.

• Love the exposed buttons on these high-waisted denim shorts! (FYI, you can get 20 percent off these or anything else at Madewell with code FOLLOWURCART)

• Such an easy, breezy, pretty summer dress. (Love those pom poms!)

• Since I'm into poms poms right now, I'm also really loving this cute straw pom pom fedora. It's also 40 percent off with code HAPPY, so it's actually under $20 at the moment!

• Beauty product I'm loving right now: Sunday Riley C.E.O Rapid Flash Brightening Serum. My skin has seemed extra blotchy lately, so I was looking for a good vitamin C serum, which is the best OTC thing for brightening--and for preventing new spots. I love that this one has a creamy texture, which makes it really easy to spread. It also smells fresh and lovely (very unusual for vitamin C products!) and really does seemed to have already brightened my skin noticeably in just a few weeks. 

• Speaking of vitamin C, I really liked this PureWow guide about why it's important--and how to find the best vitamin C product for you.

• How pretty would this dress be for a spring wedding?

• This roundup of beauty products that seem like scams was kind of great. (And I totally agree about lip scrubs. An old toothbrush is far superior--and less messy.)

• I wrote about great beauty products that contain jasmine for Refinery 29!

• Busy Phillips is my absolute favorite person to follow on Instagram Stories. She's so funny and so relatable. So I loved this behind-the-(Story)-scenes profile of Busy.

• There is pretty much nothing more important this year than the midterm elections in November. That's why I love this t-shirt from Rebecca Minkoff and Cosmo. It encourages women to vote twice (once in the primaries and then again in November) and even includes the primary dates on the back. But best of all, all proceeds go to Ignite, an organization that gets young women involved in the political process. (And that's something I think we can all agree is a good thing, right?)

• Keto, Paleo, low carb, low fat--there are zillions of diets out there these days but the basic facts about healthy eating remain. This fun Q&A cuts through all the B.S. out there in the food/diet world and tells you what you really need to focus on. Such a good read!

• Speaking of healthy, this vegan truffle potato bisque from my friend Hitha is so. damn. good. (And it does not taste vegan!)

• Flat shoes are officially back. Thank GOD.

• The New Yorker wrote this really snarky review picking on Girl Boss magazine, but you know what? I think it sounds pretty awesome. I love that there's actually a magazine for tween girls that focuses on business tips rather than boys and beauty. I would have loved it as a kid--and I totally want to get  copy for my daughter.

• Things to make you happy.

And in case you missed it, I...

• Went a little crazy in a big box store.

• Packed for a beach vacation.

• Had a sick kid...on a plane!

• Watched my other kid turn 8 years old.

• Fell in love with some beauty products.

Have a great weekend!

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My Holiday Wish List

If you need last-minute gifts for a friend, a sister, or yourself, I've got you covered. Here's what I'd personally love to find under the tree this year.

1. Halogen Wool & Cashmere Hi/Low Tunic Sweater: I already own this sweater in both black and navy, and I'd love another color like this soft pink. It's the perfect length (great with jeans or leggings), it's so soft, and best of all, it's on sale right now for $89!

2. Rebecca Minkoff Slouchy Beanie with Headphones: When I'm commuting or just walking around town, I'm always listening to podcasts. The headphones built in to this cute hat would make it so much easier--and so much warmer!

3. Coravin Wine System: When it comes to drinking wine, I have two problems: 1) I'm hit or miss with corkscrews, so I'm horrible at opening it, and 2) I rarely drink it at home, because I usually just want a single glass and don't want to open an entire bottle only to end up wasting it. But this cool gadget solves both of these problems. It inserts a tiny needle through the cork, so you can get only as much (or as little) wine as you want, and then the cork reseals itself, preserving the rest of the bottle!

4. Eberjey Gisele PJ Set: I was recently given the nightshirt version of this as a gift, and I love it; it is made from what is seriously the softest fabric I have ever felt. But in the winter I need some bottoms, so I'd love to add this pj set to my collection. (Because you know how much I like pjs that are comfy and cute these days, right?) 

5. Balenciaga Metallic Edge Nano City AJ Crossbody Bag: This is a definite splurge, but oh em gee, I love it! Here's why: I've always loved Balenciaga bags, and these days I live for a little crossbody bag, and this is both! A mini Balenciaga crossbody in dove gray leather with GOLD HARDWARE! Isn't it beautiful? [insert heart-eyes emoji here]

6. Mossimo Embellished Satin Sneakers: Ok, truth be told, these are the one thing on this list that I actually already own. (Or will own very soon. I fell in love with them while putting this post together and was really worried they'd sell out, so I ordered them for myself--and also a friend!--immediately. They're in transit!) Because, how great are they? They're comfy slip-on sneakers in blush pink embellished with crystals and pearls, and they cost (drumroll)...$27.99!  

7. Sandisk iXpand Base for iPhone: One of my biggest fears in life is losing my digital photos. Yes, I have the Cloud, but you never know with that! And yes I have them backed up, but I'd be lying if I said I consistently and regularly back them up. That's why I need this cool device. It makes backing up your photos as easy is plugging in your phone. That's because every time you plug it in to charge (so every night, or possibly even more often for me), it automatically backs up all of your photos onto the base. So awesome!

8. Belkin Lightning Audio + Charge Rockstar: I love my iPhone 7+, but I passionately hate that they combined the place where you plug in your headphone and charger. I often find myself on the train or in an Uber with a portable charger in one hand, my headphones in the other, and my phone sitting there between them with 20% juice. I usually end up charging the phone and sitting there in silence. It's the worst! This genius little gadget would save me. It has two little ports, so you can charge and listen with your headphones at the same time. Heaven!

9. Hermes Apple Watch: Another dream item, but...a girl can dream, right? I love my (regular, old) Apple Watch, but I can tell it's on its last legs. I love the buttery black leather band of this one--and it even comes in the signature orange box!

10. Madewell Simple Crossbody Bag: Just realized that I have two Madewell items on this list. And two crossbody bags. And, um...two pink sherpa items...! But it's so cute, no? And not super pricey. Bonus! You can get 20 percent off with code ADDTOCART.

11. Nike Air Zoom Fearless Flyknit Sneakers: I'm obsessed with my black Flyknit Nikes. (They are sooo comfortable!) I've been on the hunt for more colors, and obviously, I love the shade of these. And they're on sale!

12. Madewell Pink Sherpa Popover Top: (What can I say, I like pink, okay??) This looks like an old school Patagonia in a pretty rose shade. So perfect for super cold days. And once again, you can get 20 percent off with code ADDTOCART.

And if you want more ideas, here's what was on my holiday wish list last year, in 2015, and in 2014. And here are the best beauty gifts available right now!

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11 Great Buys For Fall

Dress, Anthropologie. Burgundy sweater, Boden (20% off with code 2F5Z). Bag, Rebecca Minkoff (on sale!). Yellow-and-beige sweater, Boden (20% off with code 2F5Z). Burgundy faux-leather skirt, J.Crew (use code SHOPMORE for 30% off a $200 purchase or 25% off $125). Sunglasses, Illesteva (on sale!). Sneakers, New Balance. Green-striped sweater, J.Crew (30% off with code SHOPMORE). Booties, Madewell (30% off with code DOUBLEUP). Necklace, Baublebar. Camel-and-black striped sweater, Banana Republic.

Not sure if it was the slightly chillier air this past weekend or all of the killer sales going on right now, but I'm suddenly totally inspired to do some fall shopping. Here, I've gathered a few things currently on my wishlist. (Bonus: Most of it is either on sale or can be bought with a discount code! But act fast, because some of the sales are only going on through today! Codes are listed in the caption above.)

A few standouts: 

• This yellow dress! I love it with bare legs and booties now; it would be super cute with tights and a cardigan once the weather gets colder. 

• Sweaters. I live in them in the fall and winter. Right now, I've got my eye on this cute button sweater, this cool colorblock, this camel-and-black striped sweater, and this green-striped one.

• Necklace. This one is so cool. It looks just like Lulu Frost--but costs under $50! 

• Fall-ready shoes. These Madewell booties kind of remind me of my all-time favorite Rag & Bone Newbury boots. But they a) are way less expensive, and b) have a much lower heel so they'll be much more comfy. And these sneakers are plaid! How cool, right? Need.

So, tell me: Have you guys started buying fall clothes? I definitely don't want summer to end, but I'm can't help admitting that I'm getting excited for sweaters and boots, too...

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On My Wish List

necklace; sweater; white-and-gold pouch; lavender bag; swimsuit; rain boots; lipstick; pillow; decorative books

I recently discovered artist Ashley Longshore's work and I just love it. There are so many pieces that speak to me, but the one above is a favorite. How gorgeous are those colors? They're inspiring some of my wants this week. There's a colorful sweater to break me out of my current gray rut, decorative books in supercool antique gold for styling spare shelves, a flattering lipstick in the cutest case, the sweetest little girl's bathing suit, and lots more. 

What's on your wish list right now?