Things I Tried and Loved This Month

Welcome to a brand new type of post on the blog - Stuff I tried this month and loved! A place for you see all the things I’ve loved this month, probably mentioned on Instagram, or have been gatekeeping. A fun little glimpse into stuff I highly recommend. This idea came to me after seeing others cataloging their recommendations in Amazon shops, blog posts, and even Reels. I figured why not toss my hat into the ring and improve lives in the process. Okay, not so sure about that last bit, but since this site/blog is named after yours truly, I might as well get a little more real with it.

April feels like it flew by but also at times moved slower than molasses. I can’t believe May is just a few days away, and uh, my birthday? Ah. Here is a collection of beauty products, clothes, and even a recipe I tried this month that got me through and that I think you should know about.

Summer Fridays Light Aura Vitamin C + Peptide Eye Cream

$42

I think I’ve seen this eye cream on Instagram more than I’ve seen most things. I absolutely love Summer Fridays so I took the plunge on this cream during the Sephora sale. I was not at all disappointed. As someone who struggles with dark, under-eye bags, this cream brightens and makes my eyes look awake. It’s definitely a product I’ll continue using for a while.

PEPPERONCINI ITALIAN DRESSING

Sir Kensington’s, $5

When looking for a new dressing for my lunches this one caught my eye and as a pepperoncini lover, I couldn’t resist it. I was a bit skeptical like how can you get a dressing to be as delicious as one of my favorite salad ingredients? But I am obsessed with it and even after a month I’m not sick of it. I wish there was a bigger container of it so I didn’t have to buy it so often I use it that much. It also goes great with veggies and meat. It’s not heavy like many bottled Italian dressings can be. It doesn’t overly dose the salad in oil.

CROCHET SWEATER

Zara, $40

You’ve probably seen this sweater on my Instagram already. It’s been one I love to toss on for relaxing and it looks great with denim shorts. It ended up being a little shorter/cropped than I was expecting but that is probably my only “complaint.” It’s light and warm weather ready.

Seed Daily Synbiotic

$50/month

For years I’ve been an active probiotic user because of my stomach and digestion issues. I was recommended this brand because of its properties. The capsules are made of a prebiotic outer layer and probiotic inner capsule meant to survive all the way through the digestive system - a problem many capsules have and why they don’t work. Seed however does as promised. It reduces bloat and gastrointestinal distress among other things. I also love that it is shipped in a glass container for refilling and in eco-friendly seaweed packaging.

FAUX FUR SLIPPERS

Stars Above, $20

I won’t lie. When I found these at Target, I was actually looking for a completely different pair of sandals which they ended up no longer having in my size (get things when you see them, kids!!). I remember writing this blog that mentions faux fur shoes and thinking, “ya sure, great in theory,” but I will admit I just couldn’t resist them. These are incredibly comfortable and have barely left my feet since I got them. They are also more like slide sandals rather than slippers so can easily be worn outside as regular footwear.

HOT STRAWBERRY NAIL POLISH

Olive & June, $8

This was an impulse buy on the same shopping trip as the slippers. If I’m gonna have comfy, chic slippers, I better have a good pedicure to match. I took the plunge with a hot pink manicure, and this pink was the perfect compliment for my toes. Hot pink, and pink in general, is having a serious moment. Even if you’re not daring enough to rock it in your wardrobe, nail colors like this are good enough. I’ve never tried Olive & June until this polish, but I highly recommend it. It is clean, applies easily, dries quickly between coats, and has lasted longer than some other polishes.

YSL Lash Clash Mascara

$29

This was another one of my Instagram-influenced Sephora sale buys. I think I’ve tried just about every mascara known to man, but I loved this one. It gives me the volume I love but also need to look awake. It doesn’t smudge and even with a couple of coats doesn’t crumble into my eye - something many other mascaras do.

The Modern Proper Italian Chopped Salad

I made this for dinner with some nice rustic Italian bread the other night. It was a perfect spring dinner - not too heavy but still really filling. This is one of the first chopped salads where I felt the ratio of all the ingredients was right on point. I used whatever ingredients my local store currently had as well as some wine infused salami I’ve had my eye on for a few weeks. I also really liked the dressing that went along with this particular salad and would probably use it on others.