The Friday Five

Hi, all! Cheers to the weekend! Anyone else wake up from Christmas & New Year’s fog this week and realize it’s already mid-January? I feel like I was still blurry from the hustle & bustle of the holidays until now! I’m back today with The Friday Five, so come on over and sit down. Let’s chat & catch up!

A few random tidbits in this week’s post! Some style finds, a recipe on repeat over here and more!

To catch up on The Friday Five posts, click here!

THE FRIDAY FIVE

THE SEASON OF SHACKETS

shacket // leggings // boots // sunglasses // bag strap [on sale!]

It seems I’m reaching for a top, leggings or joggers and some sort of shacket almost everyday lately. Its a great layering piece and I love how many different style options there are. I have several plaid ones like the one I’m wearing here in gray & tan, but this quilted one is now in my Amazon cart! I shared it earlier this week in my Daily Finds and now I have to have it.

Shackets are definitely a Fall through Spring staple!

These lug boots are also a recent purchase and are so comfortable! I’m in a 7.5 and love the zipper and knit detail on the sides.

And my faux shearling reversible bag strap is now on sale for $14.99 [was $39]!

HIGH / LOW ART

I finally stopped into the Restoration Hardware Outlet last week and it was impossible to not drool over every single piece. Although the items are deeply discounted, most are still very prices and things I’d consider investment pieces. I fell in love with the art wall, but even at 50-70% off, couldn’t imagine pulling the trigger on a piece of art for $2,000!

So, after lots of inspiration photos were taken, I left and headed to my trusty mothership. HomeGoods, that is. I went straight to the art & mirrors and almost immediately spotted this piece.

It reminded me of several that I was eyeing at RH, but this one was only $79. I quickly grabbed it and hauled it up the register. I knew it was coming home with me and I’d figure out a spot for it later!

My point is, sometimes you need to browse and browse before you find the right piece. Online retailers, Pinterest or Instagram are all great places to simply scroll. Pick up a magazine or catalog and thumb through the pages. Even if you know you won’t be casually dropping $1,000 on something, it never hurts to channel those finds and see if you can find something similar at a lower price. And then when you do, you feel reallllly great about achieving the look for less!

Inspiration is all around us. Just open your eyes 😉

We’ll see where this framed art ends up, but I cant stop staring every time I walk by it 😉 Who knows…it might even end up in the new Dining Room.

SUPER SOFT LOUNGEWEAR SET – I WAS INFLUENCED!

I can’t take credit for this find, but I sure do trust when my girl, Carmel of Our Fifth House recommends anything leopard print. She and I are leopard-lovers through and through!

2018 Better Homes & Gardens StyleMaker Event in NYC

2019 Better Homes & Gardens Stylemaker Event in NYC

Our Fifth House // me // Southern State of Mind

I saw her stories wearing this comfy leopard top and bottoms the other day and instantly clicked “tap to shop”. In my cart it went! It arrived yesterday and it is so soft & cute! I ordered a small in both top and bottom. So looking forward to cozying up in this thing!!

$13 each piece!

THE SOUP RECIPE I CAN’T STOP MAKING

This stuff is SO delicious! I shared the recipe for this Creamy Tortellini Soup in my stories a few weeks ago and I just made it again on Wednesday night. It’s a crowd-pleaser every single time. I add extra heat to it with chili powder & zesty Italian seasoning from Trader Joe’s [sometimes even a pinch of red paper flakes] and always double the batch so we have leftovers!

Do yourself a favor and add this to your menu for next week. The kids don’t eat it [mainly because its spicy] but I always buy an extra package of cheese tortellini and just add pasta sauce for the boys when we have the soup.

So, so good!

NEW BEAUTY BRAND I’M REALLY LOVING

Have you heard of DIBS beauty yet?

Lifestyle Blogger & Influencer, Courtney Shields launched her own beauty brand last year, naming it DIBS, which stands for Desert Island Beauty Status. Her first few product launches included these gorgeous “Status Sticks”, essentially a highlighter stick. I ordered all 3 shades and was instantly in love. They give you the most gorgeous glow wherever you apply them. I use them as a highlighter on my face and a bronzer on my arms & shoulders. They go on like butter and blend effortlessly into your skin. Just use your fingers!

Seriously. Give me all the glow!

They just released a dual ended lip liner  and I can’t wait to try it.

I have a new beauty post to share some other products I’ve been loving lately, so be on the lookout if you’re wanting to refresh your makeup and step up your makeup routine in the new year!

Have a great weekend, friends! My MIL is in town visiting so I’ll be spending time with family and trying to sneak in some work on the Dining Room project, too!

To catch up on The Friday Five posts, click here!