“Wendy’s Weekly Picks,” is a feature in which I’ll highlight stuff I like or recommend in the worlds of fashion, gift ideas, home decor, makeup, websites, entertainment, and recipes. Of course, many of the stuff I link to will be affiliate products, which means I’ll receive a commission on any click-throughs or purchases you make through the affiliate links.
Speaking of that, this is right about the time of year I would do a donation drive to help pay some the the bills of running this site, but because of your past generosity, reader’s automatic monthly donations, and a small increase in ad revenue lately (thanks to growing traffic), I’m going to try to get by with just one donation drive later in the year (of course, you are welcome to donate any time and your donations will help cover: hosting fees; special features like spam filtering; comment rating, etc.; tech help and web development; marketing and advertising; stock photos; and an editorial budget. [I use ad revenue to cover child care costs and occasional breakfast sandwiches and #cinnamonrolls]). Just as a reminder: any time you make a purchase through the Amazon or ModCloth links/widgets in the sidebar or through any in-text affiliate links, like the ones I’ll include below, I get a commission. The commissions I make on your affiliate clicks and purchases really add up and help cover some of the costs I mentioned above, so thank you so much for your support! Now, here are my picks this week:
I started using this moisturizer a couple weeks ago on the recommendation of my friend who has similar skin as mine (not problem skin, but a little thin around the neck and décolletage, and especially dry this time of year). She RAVED about it when we had dinner together (and after I complimented her on how nice her complexion was looking), and said it’s like a miracle worker. Of course, I had to get some right away, and now I can say: she’s right! This cream is actually meant for older skin, but I’ve found that, when I apply it pretty liberally before bed, my skin soaks it all up by morning, leaving everything feeling really soft and supple. I’ve noticed the fine lines in my neck to be improving, and, though I haven’t seen evidence of this yet, many Amazon reviewers say that, after continued use, they’ve noticed their age spots have lightened significantly, too. All this for less that $14? Yes, please!
Another thing I’ve been doing for my dry skin this winter is steaming it once or twice a week with this facial steamer I bought a few years ago. I add a couple drops of eucalyptus or lavender essential oils in the water, too, and it’s like going to the spa for a fraction of the price and my skin always glows for a few hours afterward.
After three months here, we’re mostly settled into our new apartment with the exception of transitioning Jackson’s room into Jackson’s and Baby’s room, and adding little decorative touches here and there as I might find them. Our most recent purchase was one I wasn’t positive we needed, but, after installing it, I have to say, it was the missing piece in making our living room really homey and cozy, and I love it.
A few weeks ago, I bought some layering tanks and cardigans from Modcloth to wear during this awkward pregnancy stage where I’m still too small for maternity clothes but too big to comfortably wear most of my regular clothes. I got this tank in several colors and it’s really perfect for right now and I highly recommend for anyone else who is in early/mid pregnancy (or late pregnancy or just a little bloated with some winter weight) as it drapes in a flattering way and comes in lots of pretty colors. I’ve also been wearing the shit out of this sweater, too (it’s very roomy around the midsection), with some skinny maternity jeans. Like, I wear that outfit three times a week. Side note: I cannot wait ’til it’s warmer and I can ditch the jeans and just wear comfy sundresses (maternity or not).
Sales, Sales, Sales! ‘Tis the season for deep savings, and here are some of my picks for end-of-season sale items:
Here are some things at Nordstrom that are marked way down: these get-you-noticed skinny jeans; these boots that I own and adore; this sexy jacket; and this skirt love, and foldable flats for spring, yay, spring!
All sale items at Anthropologie are an additional 25% off with code EXTRAEXTRA. I love these skinny jeans, and, omg, this color so pretty, oh, and for the spring this in teal (or, really, all the colors), and these beauties are so unique.
So, I just started buying some baby clothes for this girl we’re expecting come July, and OMG, baby girl clothes are too cute, too cute. Gap and Old Navy are constantly having sales, and I spent maybe $125 total last week and between the various sales and promo codes, I got, like, 15 items for that price, including these, this, this, and I didn’t get this but I might need to because come on.
Use code MAJOR for 30% off everything at Gap, and code LUCKY for 20% off everything at Old Navy (or use code CHOOSE for 25% off your order of $75 or more). Happy shopping!
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MsMisery February 19, 2015, 1:09 pm
I have a facial steamer, too! I got mine from Sharper Image. It has a face sized attachment (for skin) or I can just steam my nose area (for sinuses). I like it but it only holds like 9 minutes worth of water. Prolly so you don’t sizzle your face off, I guess. Ugh, safety.
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I also need some kind of recommendation for my skin. Ever since I hit 30-ish it has turned to garbage. I have worse acne now than I did during puberty. I used to just get one or two pimples right around period time. Now it’s just a zit party. My skin is not oily, I don’t wear foundation, just a moisturizer, spot concealer, and powder. And I get them in weeeeeird places, like the middle of my cheek. SO painful.
RedroverRedrover February 19, 2015, 2:42 pm
MsMisery, my skin has started getting weird in my 30s too. I always had acne, but they would easily come to whiteheads. Now they are always non-whitehead red ones that last for like, a week or more. And some of them are these bumps that look like whiteheads but they’re not; they’re a calcium deposit or something and they last for like 6 months!
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Anyway, I talked to my doctor and she gave me a prescription. It’s probably just hormonal changes. My skin got slowly better through my 20s and early 30s, then it was amazing when I was pregnant/breastfeeding, and now it’s this weird crap that I hate that doesn’t respond to normal acne wash like Clearisil. Mention it to your doctor next time you see her, she can start trying things with you. The one I’m trying now is a topical cream. There are other options that come as pills, as well.
MsMisery February 20, 2015, 12:05 pm
Yes, that’s what mine are like. Painful, red, and sometimes they never DO anything. Often last a long time, too. I have an appointment next week for something else and I figured I’d mention this, too.
Vathena February 20, 2015, 12:22 pm
I get this sometimes, too (and back-ne! Gross!) I find a tiny dab of tea tree oil helps clear things up a bit faster.
coconot February 19, 2015, 1:32 pm
@MsMisery I have the same skin issues you mention. Have you tried peels? I have doing a salicylic acid peel once every 4-6 weeks for the last few months and it is helping. My dermatologist of course wanted me to do this through her at $200 out of pocket each time, but instead I bought a “Dr. Song” peel kit on amazon for about $20 that probably will last for 10 peels. You have to be careful not to leave on the peel too long or you will get burns, but there are lots of youtube tutorials to help DIY.
Another tip that is helping me is to wash my face with all natural raw honey in the mornings. Most of the acne washes make my skin too dry, but honey is moisturizing and antibiotic. I use “Y.S. Eco Bee Farms Raw Honey“. Of course it doesn’t wash off makeup, so I use something more soapy in the night. Finally I would definitely recommend something like a Clairisonic if you don’t use one yet. I have some off brand called “Sirius Sonic Skin Care System” that I got for $35, and I am amazed by how much more makeup is cleaned off when I use that instead of a washcloth.
booknerd February 20, 2015, 1:05 am
I think you should do the peels or a mask (bentonite clay at whole foods) about a week before you normally break out in your cycle. Drink tons of water, too. Those two things really help me. Also…this is weird, I put a dot of lavender oil on a zit when I get it, and it heals it super fast.
honeybeenicki February 19, 2015, 1:48 pm
I love those tank tops! We just decided we’re going to get super serious about paying off our debt and that we’re going to stop spending money we don’t need to spend…. but I really like that tank. And the tunic that is similar to it but has sleeves so I’d be able to wear it work. Right now my shirts are getting too “short” (boobs and belly are getting too big) and I keep having to put clothes up so I remember what not to wear again.
Dear Wendy February 19, 2015, 2:31 pm
I am trying not to spend too much on new maternity clothes, but unless you have a lot of seasonal-apporpriate maternity clothes from a previous pregnancy or you have been the beneficiary of lots of hand-me-downs, it’s nearly impossible not to buy any new clothes to wear while you’re pregnant (especially in the last trimester). These tanks are great because although they aren’t maternity, they are nice and long and loose and can be layered under cardigans in the cooler months or worn by themselves in the summer months, and are great transition pieces post-pregnancy, too. When it gets warm, I will probably buy a few cheap maternity sundresses from Target and Old Navy. I’m also liking what I see in the maternity section of ASOS, which either wasn’t around when I was pregnant before or I wasn’t aware of it. Anyway, those are my suggestions for maternity shopping on a budget!
Dear Wendy February 19, 2015, 2:35 pm
Oh! And also maternity leggings from Old Navy are the bomb. I live in these at home:
http://www.shopstyle.com/action/loadRetailerProductPage?id=272474916&pid=uid7024-24991532-18
They’re on sale for 10 bucks plus you can use the promo code(s) I listed above and get an additional 20-25% off.
booknerd February 20, 2015, 1:08 am
I lived in asos, target and old navy when I was pregnant. Some of their stuff is so cute (and cheap!) , I wish I could wear it now and not look weird.
RedroverRedrover February 19, 2015, 2:44 pm
I was pregnant mostly through the winter and bought hardly any maternity clothes. A bunch of tank tops, and then non-maternity cardigans – either ones I already had, or new ones. You can really stretch a wardrobe that way. I just hate spending money on clothes I won’t wear often. I work from home so I was mostly in jammies anyway. 🙂
Dear Wendy February 19, 2015, 3:08 pm
Yeah, working from home helps a ton in that regard. I’m very grateful I don’t have to dress for work right now or I’d be spending money I don’t want to spend on temporary clothing. And some women have an easier time stretching their non-maternity wardrobes than other women, depending in their size, etc. My belly hasn’t gotten much bigger at this point, but my boobs are so insanely huge that most of my tops just don’t fit (or, at least, not in a flattering way), and I literally do not have one pair of pants that are currently comfortable (regular jeans are too tight and the few pair of maternity jeans I have are still too loose). Once it’s warm enough to wear sundresses (even with a cardigan), I’ll have a lot more options. For now, it’s umcomfy pants when I’m out and maternity leggings when I’m at home.
Dear Wendy February 19, 2015, 3:10 pm
Oh, and I’ve tried a belly band, which works well for a lot of people, but it just bunches up in a weird way on me and makes things worse.
honeybeenicki February 19, 2015, 3:33 pm
The belly band didn’t work for me. It just folded down and got in the way and I was adjusting every time I moved. I LOVE the Motherhood Maternity jeans, but I don’t want to spend a ton on clothing that I’ll wear for a few months. I do like a lot of the maternity tunics though because I’ll be able to wear them later.
booknerd February 20, 2015, 1:09 am
Oh god. I hated everything I got there.
RedroverRedrover February 19, 2015, 3:45 pm
Oh, I did buy pants, I had to. My belly was very low and all in front. I couldn’t even wear my own pants at three months it was so big already. I didn’t even attempt the belly band, figuring that it wouldn’t last me through anyway, given the size I was so early on. But tops I saved a ton on.
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Oh, and another trick – if you have to buy maternity tops, buy ribbed ones with a deep rib. The ones that count on the ribbing stretching to fit over your tummy. You’ll be able to wear them as normal shirts after you have the baby! I’m still wearing some of mine 2 years later, and you can’t tell at all. They look like normal tops.
honeybeenicki February 19, 2015, 2:52 pm
My mom has been taking me to resale stores (Goodwill, St. Vinnie’s, etc) and I’ve been mostly striking out, but I did find 2 tops and one pair of pants that have the stretchy only partly up (maybe 3 inches worth) and then she bought me a new pair of the full cover jeans (with the stretchy all the way up) from Motherhood. So far I’ve gotten away with the shirts I already had (the pants ship has mostly sailed) but I’m starting to need more coverage.
booknerd February 20, 2015, 1:14 am
All my motherhood maternity pants….dyed my legs no matter how many times I washed them, straight the stretchy belly ripped while I was pulling them on. And they had/have horrible customer service policies and wouldn’t take anything back. I stuck with the above and got a ton of clothes super cheap.
I gained probably 40-45 lbs. and I’m tiny! But my baby was huge. His dad’s really tall.
booknerd February 20, 2015, 1:14 am
I can’t edit the errors above. Sorry guys.
booknerd February 20, 2015, 1:16 am
Wendy, I love your picks! That dress from anthropologie, dang!
Vathena February 20, 2015, 12:30 pm
For baby girls, Tea Collection has really adorable stuff. It’s expensive but they often have great sales. My husband scored a bunch of outfits during the holidays (he pretty much buys all of our daughter’s clothing – she is daddy’s girl!) Side note, I am so excited for all of you expecting little ones soon. 🙂