Hello friends and happy Sunday! Where did this week go? After Easter, it was a whirlwind of work, concessions shifts, and planning for my next adventure with my cutie Grace. I’m heading back across the pond to be with her on Tuesday. She gave me a Eurostar ticket for Christmas, and you know I just can’t save that for a rainy day! So we’re taking advantage of a bank holiday she has and we’re going to check out Paris. I haven’t been there in years and I just can’t imagine visiting the fashion capital of the world with anyone else. (Well, maybe my other daughter Annie but she can’t go this time around because she has finals! Darn school!)
As you can imagine, whenever you go out of town, there is always of flurry of things that have to get done before you leave. I think every weekend in May has been spoken for, from college pickups, my nephew’s graduation from law school, Mother’s Day, my Dad’s 80th birthday, prom…all of the May things! One of my girlfriends just told me that she has to think about life in 24-hour increments and I totally get that. If I think of all that’s coming up–even though it’s all so good–it’s a little hard to think straight. So one day at a time it is. And today, I have a Friday Favorites list for you on a Sunday. Here are some fun things I want to share with you this week.
Hair dryer: I recently had to retire my beloved Revlon hairdryer because I felt like it was too hot to be good to my hair. I asked my hair colorist what she would suggest and she seemed to like brands similar to this one from La Ligne. I bought it and really like it so far. It’s not nearly as hot and I feel like the built-in brush is gentler, too. If your hair is feeling a little brittle from too hot of a hair dryer, this one is worth giving a try.
Cattails & Cocktails: All of these pretty spring days have me back walking the Open Lands trails. I’m so grateful to Lake Forest Open Lands (LFOLA) who maintains and preserves them. They are having their signature Cattails & Cocktails event, on Friday, May 16 from 6 to 10 p.m. under the stars on Mellody Farm. It’s a casual night out with a summer camp theme that can’t be missed! Here is a link to more information. My friends are chairing it again this year and I know they would love to see all of you there!
Hyde Forty-Seven: Just in time for Mother’s Day and graduations, a new-to-me company–Hyde Forty-Seven–reached out about partnering. Hyde Forty-Seven is a luxury jewelry company known for their timeless and chic interchangeable leather designs. They gifted me this beautiful bracelet where you can switch out the background color with these leather straps they included. I will demo it on Instagram this week to show you how easy it is, but the pieces are so well made that I wanted to share the brand right away. I especially love this ring. It’s a wonderful price point for a special high school or college graduation gift. They also gave me a code to pass along to you. If you enter ANNMARIE at checkout, you get 15% off your order.
Quince pants: The weather in Paris next week looks AMAZING! I was on the hunt for some lightweight, flowy pants and I’m obsessed with these ones from Quince. I bought them in navy and black and they were under $40 each! (I bought the medium.)
Quince sweater: Speaking of Quince, I also picked up this sweater. I’m not sure I’m going to need it next week, but a navy sweater (also under $40!) is always a good idea. (I bought the medium, runs a little big.)
Faraja School: My sister-in-law is in Tanzania this week, visiting the Faraja School, a school dedicated to helping children with physical disabilities in this region of Africa. (She is sharing her trip on her Instagram page, SprucingupSpruce.) The school was founded by the parents of the Tolmie Family from Lake Forest. The Tolmies, along with many of their friends including my sister-in-law’s family, have supported Faraja School for the last 20 years. My SIL is visiting with her Dad and meeting the children that she is now sponsoring. In addition to an education, these children are receiving much-needed health care, all funded by the Faraja Foundation. In an upcoming issue of Sheridan Road Magazine, you’ll be able to read more about Faraja School in a story I wrote, but please do check out their website. Those involved with Faraja hope that if supporting the school doesn’t speak to you, that it will inspire you to help someone else in need. I can’t say enough about this incredible place.
Talk about a list that’s a little all over the place, but that is most definitely the state of my mind these days! Thanks for bearing with me.
Let’s all have a great week!
xo,
Disclosure: If you make a purchase through one of my links, I will make a small commission–almost as if I were your personal shopper. I appreciate your support!
