I didn’t realise how quickly November had passed until I was scouring through my laptop to find photos for the “lately” section of this blog post but found the folder for this month virtually empty, except for the few iPhone photos I had already posted for my week-in-review blog posts. Life has been really, really good except for having to write my senior thesis. It’s exciting to think that when my December-in-review blog post goes up at the end of this month, I’ll be done with my fall semester, and more importantly, done with my frickin’ thesis!
Books
The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher | ★★★★☆
Around the Way Girl by Taraji P. Henson | ★★★★☆
Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia | ★★★☆☆
Currently reading: Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella
Movies & TV shows
On my movie to-watch list is Coco, The Greatest Showman, and The Man Who Invented Christmas. I’m always watching and rewatching various movies on Netflix or otherwise, but the one of note is Arthur Christmas, which unfortunately isn’t on Netflix.
As for TV shows, for the most part, I’ve quit them, but during the week of Thanksgiving break, I binged Zumbo’s Just Desserts in just over one day with my friends. It filled The-Great-British-Bakeoff-sized hole in me (which I had finished watching on Netflix months ago). And I’m still going strong with Empire.
Music
I’ve been listening to Bruno Major on repeat ever since buying his concert tickets ($13!). So psyched to see him with my friend Louise in March! (Listen to his White Christmas guitar cover on Instagram!)
And of course, I’ve been listening to a ton of Christmas music. Check out my Christmas playlist on Spotify!
Animals – Tamu Massif · Unknown (To You) – Jacob Banks · Restless Sea – Louis Futon
Cafes/Eats
United By Blue – bison sliders · Jim’s Steaks – Philly cheesesteak · Gryphon Cafe – early grey hot chocolate · Shake Shack – ‘shroom burger, chili cheese fries, frozen hot chocolate shake · Rothman Cabin – hot toddy, s’mores bread pudding
Shopping haul
1. I joined ShopStyle for the widget! I figured that since I share my haul and wishlist every month, why not use a proper widget instead of copy and pasting together my own low qual collages? Sooo disclaimer, I’m now using affiliate links, and now I gotta figure out how that works. I wish I could just get the widget without being an affiliate haha.
2. Madewell had an early Black Friday sale for Insiders so I went a little ham… Everyone who made a purchase also got a free French Girl rose lip polish. And for those who spent $150+ (not me), they also got “an exclusive Cosy Kit (including a travel candle, cute socks, and a bunch of other goodies).”
3. Black Friday man… I’m not allowed to buy anything for the rest of the year. Well, that’s not saying much because the year is almost over so… I’m not allowed to buy anything for the rest of the year and a half. For some reason, I’m a sucker for free shipping.
Madewell retro tee in stripe, antique cream | Been eyeing since September and it’s finally on sale! Unfortunately it wasn’t in store, so I bought it online without the Black Friday sale.
Madewell evening sparkle ribbed sweater top, metallic mahogany | Bought this on sale with the Black Friday sale on top of it! There was only a large left, but I actually like the looser fit. Love the rusty red/orange for autumn/winter.
Madewell open-side bobble pullover sweater, mystic yellow | Bought this on sale with the Black Friday sale on top of it as well! I couldn’t resist the yellow or the bobble or the open-side or the double sale.
Mejuri bold hoops, solid yellow gold | I’d been eyeing Mejuri earrings since September, so when I saw Mejuri advertise their only sale of the year (Black Friday), I freaked out!!
Mejuri sapphire hoops, gold vermeil and white sapphire | I’m not allowed to buy earrings for the rest of my life, or at least the next five years. I mean. Mejuri is affordable considering its high quality, right?
Glossier phase 1 set, rose | I’ve been wanting to try Glossier because everyone raves about it and usually I’m not one to fall for beauty products, but I like how Glossier puts more focus on skincare. I was gonna wait until I got through my current skincare set (not Glossier) before buying this, but when Black Friday came along, I couldn’t resist.
Barbour stratus hooded waterproof jacket, harvest gold | I was deliberating over this purchase, texted my mom, and she said it was a steal and that’s all the validation I need. (My parents love Barbour. Also Abercrombie LOL.)
United By Blue namesake beanie | Bought this over Black Friday. I have enough bauble hats, but I don’t have very many beanies.
SheIn contrast striped tee | CHRISTMAS. I somehow had 490 SheIn points (probably from a shopping episode during my freshman year of college), and 100 points = $1, so I applied 400 points to get this top for $3, and free shipping because of Black Friday!
4. Holy shiz I really can’t be allowed to buy anything ever again. Or at least until Black Friday 2018.
5. I blame all this shopping on end-of-term stress. This is terrible. Do I even like all of these things? Oh yes I do. But can’t I live without them? Yes I can. Will the quality of my life improve with these purchases? WHO KNOWS??
Wishlist
Madewell uptown zip mini skirt, dark palm | I could have bought this with the Black Friday sale, but it wasn’t already on sale previously, which meant it wasn’t a double sale, which meant I’m too cheap for it. But ahh I loved it with the evening sparkle ribbed sweater top in metallic mahogany when I tried it on in-store! Perfect semi-casual Christmas outfit.
Anthropologie Frenchie Pom Beret, mustard/jet | I keep wanting to be a beret person.
For Love & Lemons Beatrice strappy maxi dress | HA HA HA like I will ever be able to afford spending this much money on a dress.
Free People spliced velvet maxi dress, green | Green velvet. When would I have the occasion to wear it? Probably never.
Talbots Edison kid suede bow mules, cedar green | I’d love to throw this on with a casual outfit for an elevated outfit without having to wear heels. Also green.
Topshop hot toddy pointy boots | Definitely don’t need these, but they’re so fun!
Patagonia cotton quilt snap-t pullover sweatshirt, birch white | I can’t seem to figure out whether I want to go girly or tomboy, but this looks so cosy.
Lately
United By Blue tour + tasting preview event. Rothman Cabin, my new favourite festive location in the city. Cosy mornings, afternoons, and evenings in the apartment with warm quesadillas, chocolate nibbles, hot chocolate, and hot tea. Loving my John Muir enamel steel mug, gifted from the United by Blue preview event. Peep at the Halloween Reese’s I got 50% off after Halloween. Taking a nap at Kungfu tea because my friends kept me out but I’m a grandma. Wearing tights under jeans because I ran out of socks because I didn’t do laundry for extra warmth. Trying on clothes at Madewell’s in-store early Black Friday sale (purchased the top but not the skirt). Photoshoot with Nyasa (on the blog soon!). Thanksgiving in NYC with the squad.
How was your month?
PS: first week of november, second week of november, third week of november, fourth week of november, thanksgiving vlog
PPS: october, september, august, july, june, may, april, march, february, january