The Hit List – October/November 2014

It’s been a while since my last Hit List. So please excuse the larger-than-usual group of items. I have a lot to share – some new discoveries, some blasts from the past, and jumping on the bandwagon for one in particular.

• Serial – I’m officially on the bandwagon. HOOKED.
• Blinkist – as much I as love to curl up and read for hours, I have a hard time staying focused on the majority of non-fiction tomes. Blinkist changes all that – quick summaries of the most popular non-fiction books that take about 15 minutes to read. Reading a “blink” is my new favorite way to start the day. I find the product to be worth every penny of its $4.17/month (price for the annual subscription). If you’d like a 10-day free trial, leave a comment below and I’ll invite you.
• WQXR – h/t to Annie on this tip. I’ve been meaning watch less television and listen to more music, and the WQXR app has been my new go-to for classical music. The Operavore stream is my favorite.
• Current Elliott Perfect Shirt – I won’t lie. This is a ridiculous amount to pay for a chambray shirt (and truth be told, I scored mine at a major discount on The Outnet). BUT it’s one of my only shirts whose buttons aren’t strained by my larger bust and baby bump. It’s always flattering, immensely comfortable, and worn more often than I’d like to admit. We’re talking pennies with regards to cost-per-wear. If you invest in one item of clothing in the near future, make it this shirt. You won’t be sorry.
• Truffle Clarity clutch – no bag of mine is complete without this clutch. I use mine to carry my essentials (wallet, business cards, lip balm, pen, Mophie and charger, headphones), and it makes switching between bags a snap. Unlike my other pouches, I love that I can see everything inside – which is helpful as I’m prone to forgetting my own name these days. #pregnancybrain
• Old Navy wool coat – I couldn’t purchase this coat fast enough after spotting on my friend Katherine. It’s perfect for those high 30’s-low 40’s days (read – not suitable for the Polar Vortex), and it adds a much-needed boost of color from my increasingly monochromatic outfits of late.
• Sole Society Andie boots – I’m all about minimal effort for maximum style. The aforementioned coat has me covered on the outerwear front, and these boots set me up on footwear. They go with nearly every outfit (dresses and jeans alike) and are so comfortable. Bonus – they’re easy to zip on and off. Which is a quality I never appreciated in my footwear before.
• Glossier Skin Perfecting Tint – while I love the entire Glossier Phase I set, the tint is my favorite, hands down. Combined with concealer and powder, it provide a perfect amount of coverage that feels like I have nothing on. I do recommend pairing it with the Glossier Priming Moisturizer (I apply it over this serum and a layer of argan oil), before applying the perfecting tint.
• Yes Please – I had moderately high expectations for this book, but Poehler shattered them (in the best way). This book was raw, hilarious, poignant, and inspirational all in one. A perfect holiday read.
• The Woman I Wanted To Be – DVF is a badass. The woman is like a cat – she’s lived so many lives. What amazes me is that she doesn’t seem to slow down – at an age where many retire and ‘take it easy’, she’s busy conquering new frontiers and growing her business. You could choose to be intimidated by her after reading her memoir (I definitely was). Or you can be inspired and set some big goals for the new year (I definitely did).
• Gilmore Girls – I binge watched this series in record time once it was released on Netflix. There are so many things I love about this show, especially the early seasons. The rapid-fire banter, Lorelai’s inexplicable collection of Marc Jacobs bags and DVF dresses, excellent music…I could go on. I’ll spare you and suggest you rediscover the charm of Stars Hollow for yourself.