Monthly Muse: September 2021 Favorites

I feel as though the month has gone by so slowly which is fine with me... the longer the fall season, the better! September was a solid month: I got a promotion & raise at work, I did a lot of work on myself and came to a lot of revelations and I relaxed a lot. 

I wrapped up the month with a bridal shower and on Thursday, will be headed to Charleston for a Bachelorette. October is my favorite month of the entire year and I can't wait for it to arrive! I have lots of plans for October and I'm really excited about it. 

As for September, I shopped till I dropped. I'm so happy that I was going to try a No Spend September. It was good for the first week or so but I went back to my old ways of impulse and emotional spending. I spent most of the month feeling really sick thanks to my allergies and that was definitely a catalyst for my spending, and for three out of four products on this list. I wanted to just feel better and I needed products to help me do that.

Clearly, it's working because these items are on my favorite lists! Let's get into it. 

Paula's Choice Omega+ Complex Eye Cream

I have written many times about my eye cream dilemma. Every eye cream I try always ends up giving me an allergic reaction. The skin under my eyes is super sensitive and when you combine that with intense seasonal allergies, you get eyes that are in desperate need of some care. Enter this Paula's Choice Omega Complex eye cream, formulated with chia and flaxseeds and other nourishing, fatty acids. I did some extensive research into which eye creams would help my dry under eyes and this seemed like my best bet. I just wanted an eye cream that was fragrance-free, safe for sensitive skin, and would simply hydrate my dry skin. I didn't need anything fancy and this seemed like the safest choice.

I've never tried anything from Paula's Choice but I know the brand is made with great ingredients, is safe for sensitive skin, and is made without all that junk other products are formulated with. Well, I've been using this for the entire month and it has really helped me. My eyes aren't as dry, feel more nourished and hydrated, and the skin is not as raw. I apply the cream morning and night and just feel better that I'm at least attempting to hydrate my skin. The best part? I haven't had an allergic reaction (yet...)  This definitely made me a fan of Paula's Choice and I might have to try some other products! 

Kate Spade Olive Drive Bridgette

I did an entire Youtube video about this bag but oh my, I haven't stopped using it all month long. I have to try my hardest to give the other bags in my collection some love. If you think the name Olive Drive Bridgette sounds familiar, it's because I previously had this bag and sold it. I had it in pink and it was my most coveted bag of 2017. Somewhere along the way, I got tired of it and sold it... but then as I slowly got back into my Kate Spade obsession this month, I looked on Poshmark for the bag.

I saw it in new condition, in this beautifully soft, smooth green leather and I had to have it. My other bag was pink and pebbled leather but this is so mature, sleek, and sophisticated. This is such a practical everyday tote because it has some character versus a plain, wide mouth tote like a Neverfull or Tory Burch tote. I love that it's smaller but can still fit so much without being overpowering. You can carry it with the shoulder strap or by the top handles and I would say I use both pretty interchangeably.

This bag is no longer available to buy new from Kate Spade but if you are looking for a perfect, every day, errand running tote, I would look on eBay and Poshmark. It's one of my favorite bags ever! 

Stoney Clover Lane Pencil Case

My love of Stoney Clover knows no bounds and I am constantly finding new ways to use the pouches I have. I had this pencil case that I got as a gift, sitting unpatched and not sure how to use it. That is until I realized I needed a place to keep all of my allergy products in one spot. I also realized that my Rainbow Gingham patches looked really pretty on the grape color. I decided to patch the pencil case and use it as an allergy kit. I keep it at my bedside (and take it with me when I go out or just have it by my side if I'm not in my room) and it's so handy. It's nice to have everything in one place versus constantly looking for my medicine in my draws and all over the house. The pencil case is the perfect size because it expands in all ways, to fit anything and everything you may need. It's a real versatile use for this size pouch! 

Too Faced Hangover Lip Treatment

I have raved about this lip balm for years and it remains one of my most repurchased beauty products ever. It is one of the only lip balms that make my lips feel normal, hydrating them from what feels like the inside out. It's minty, fresh, and feels really cooling on the lips. When I'm having an allergy attack from the pollen (or from dogs!), my lips feel so raw and itchy, nothing seems to help quite like the tingly, minty feeling of the Hangover Lip Treatment. It never causes an allergic reaction, isn't too sticky that it's uncomfortable, and you need the tiniest bit to feel relief. It's unlike anything I've ever tried! 

xoxo

B