A Fun Reading Nook Update, Beauty Favorites + More

Well we finally made it to Friday. High five guys!! It’s been a busy week over here, but also kind of a big one because my sweet baby girl officially hit the big 9 month mark on Monday. And I was on an emotional rollercoaster all day long. For some reason nine months always feels like a big deal to me–it’s like the last big milestone before their first birthday and it just makes me emotional. I can’t help but feel a tinge of sadness because I want to keep her little forever. I honestly feel like tearing up just thinking about the fact that she’ll be one year before I know it. It’s definitely bittersweet, but despite all the emotions, I really do love this age. She’s crawling, eating tons of food, and she even got her first tooth this past week. It’s so fun to see her personality start to shine and she’s just the sweetest thing. Plus we finally got past a lot of her eczema and sleep issues–thank you Lord–so she’s usually a happy, happy baby. I have to keep myself from kissing her face off every day. Maybe I’ll share an update on her and how it’s been adjusting to three kids if you guys want to see that–just let me know. But today is all about Friday Favorites. I made a fun change to our reading nook that I’m excited to share and as always I have a random mix of other things to chat about!

A Fun Update in the Reading Nook

Sooooooo a few days ago I was piddling around the house with the girls when I randomly decided to move our gather sign into the reading nook. It was sitting on the mantel in our front room and to be honest, that spot just never really felt like the right fit. So I grabbed it and hung it up in the nook and I am loooooving it here!

Farmhouse Style Reading Nook Update

Farmhouse Style Reading Nook Update

Farmhouse Style Reading Nook Update

I also wanted to add a bit more color to this nook, so I decided to wrap this striped lightweight throw blanket around the seat cushion. The cushion is a light cream color, so it wasn’t really adding much pizzazz to this spot and this little blanket trick was the perfect solution. It totally changed the look and it was a super simple fix!

Farmhouse Style Reading Nook Update

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A Few Beauty Favorites

I noticed IT Cosmetics is having their big Friends and Family Sale. Orders over $30 are marked down 25% + free shipping with the code FRIENDS2018. I’ve raved about my obsession with several of their products in the past, so I thought I’d share three of my favorites!

It Cosmetics CC+ Cream

Full Coverage CC+ Cream

I think I first shared my love of this product about a year ago, but it’s still one of my absolute favorites foundations. It’s technically a CC Cream, but it’s full coverage and it’s jam packed with tons of anti-aging goodness. Plus it has sunscreen, which is super important. I wear this stuff constantly and I LOOOOOOVE it.Bye Bye Pores Finishing Powder

Bye Bye Pores Finishing Powder

I picked up this Bye Bye Pores Finishing Powder about three weeks ago now (I actually shared it in IG stories) and now I am obsessed. It not only makes my makeup last longer, but it helps it looks so much more smooth. It definitely minimizes the appearance of pores too and it gives a very airbrushed look to the skin. This is a MUST HAVE.

Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer

This under eye concealer is a magic worker. It’s full coverage, but I feel like it still has a very glowy/dewy look to it, which I really love because it’s not drying at all. I raved about this product in my favorite makeup post a while back, but I still use it. One tube has lasted me months and months because a little goes a loooooong way.

Other tidbits from the week:

  • A few days ago I shared my picks from the new Opalhouse collection. Well I totally caved and picked up a few things for the house. I got a pair of these oversized pillows and I absolutely LOVE them. I got mine in cream, but they come in several different colors.

  • I also got these bowls. They’re SO darn cute and perfect for the kids because they’re plastic. I grabbed four of them and I also picked up several of these cups.
  • I started reading this book a few days ago and so far I’m really loving it. I’ve heard a lot of good things about it, so I’m excited to get into it more. I’ll be sure to share what I think when I finish it.
  • Did you hear about the big Hunter launch happening Saturday at Target? It’s gotten a TON of buzz and I hear it’s all supposed to sell out insanely fast. I’m just hoping I can snag a pair of these boots before they’re gone!
  • The weather has been warming up lately (hallelujah!) so we’ve already done a few BBQs with the kids. I found this burger recipe and I’ve made it several times now. It’s so darn good and SO easy.
  • I was browsing on Etsy the other day and I found this amazing little shop that makes custom framed quotes. I thought it was so unique and a great gift idea. You know, Mother’s day is ONE MONTH FROM TODAY. Eeeek! Check out this post if you need some really sweet and thoughtful gift ideas.

Thanks so much for stopping in and hanging out with me today. Now go have an awesome weekend and I’ll see you back here sooooon! xo

Leave a Comment

The Comments

  • Tammy Ganci
    April 13, 2018

    Good Morning from New Jersey!!!!!
    Love where you put the GATHER sign!!! It looks amazing!! And the blanket idea is one that I use when we have company. I tuck one around my couch cushions in a blanket that matches the decor in the room. The couch is mocha and I am always worried it will look soiled. I also have been looking at IT Cosmetics for awhile now on a cable station and I think after the summer I will look more into making a purchase. Your sweet baby girl is getting so big I can’t believe it’s been 9 months since we were introduced to her.
    Enjoy your weekend with your beautiful family!!

    Blessings and love from your blog friend,
    Tammy

    • Sarah
      > Tammy Ganci
      April 15, 2018

      Hi sweet Tammy!! That’s awesome you use the same trick on your couch–sounds like it works perfectly for you too. I can’t believe I’m so behind the curve in figuring out the magic of a blanket cover. HA! It’s the perfect fix and so darn easy!!

  • Donna Bergthold
    April 13, 2018

    Good Morning from California! Love the change you made to the reading nook. The gather sign looks perfect there! Thanks for sharing as always!

    • Sarah
      > Donna Bergthold
      April 15, 2018

      Ah thanks Donna!! How is the weather over there in California?!

  • Karen
    April 13, 2018

    Love, love, love what you did with the gather sign and the blanket! Perfection! I, too, love IT cosmetics. I really want to try these three products! Please don’t forget to let us know about the book. I am really interested in your take before I make a purchase…

    • Sarah
      > Karen
      April 15, 2018

      Definitely Karen, I will be sure to share what I think of the book when I’m done!

  • Jonelle
    April 13, 2018

    Love your blog and all your cute decorating ideas. IT cosmetics are great too! The GATHER sign is a nice addition to your reading nook. I am interested in the details for the light fixture in the area to the left of your nook. So cute! We would love to hear more about your sweet baby girl. Thanks and have a great weekend.

    • Sarah
      > Jonelle
      April 15, 2018

      Hi Joelle! I think you’re referring to the light fixture hanging in our foyer, which you can see to the left of the nook. It’s from a local shop, but I did find it online here: https://rstyle.me/n/c3eh4bb6hgf If that’s not the light you were talking about just let me know!

  • Patty
    April 13, 2018

    Oh my goodness…..I LOVE YOUR “GATHER SIGN” IN YOUR SWEET LITTLE NOOK ❤️ Absolutely perfect! KUDOS Sarah for a job well done!

    • Sarah
      > Patty
      April 15, 2018

      Thanks Patty!! Such a fun and easy change, I love it too!

  • Barbara Hastings
    April 13, 2018

    Sarah how can you keep yourself from kissing her little cheeks every 30 seconds. I love that age — from 6 mos. to 9 mos. my favorite. I am not a mother, but love babies in all forms — humans or animals.
    So, I for one, would love an update……thanks — Barbara

    • Sarah
      > Barbara Hastings
      April 15, 2018

      Well I don’t really!! That sweet little baby girl gets a lot of lovin’ around here!! 🙂

  • Marilyn S.
    April 13, 2018

    Yes Yes & Yes !!!
    Yes to the Gather Sign
    Yes to the blue stripped throw
    &
    Yes to sharing the news about Hunter at Target !

    You are a gem !!

    • Sarah
      > Marilyn S.
      April 15, 2018

      Aw thank you sweet Marilyn!! YOU are the gem. xo

  • Karen P
    April 13, 2018

    The link for the blanket says it’s not available 😭
    You have SO many pillows, do you guys throw them on the floor when you want to sit down or do you use them to lay on?

    • Sarah
      > Karen P
      April 15, 2018

      I know, I’m sorry Karen! I bought it last summer, so I was hoping Target might bring it back again but it doesn’t look promising. And you’re right, I have so many pillows!! The kids love laying on the floor with them, but they generally end up piled in the reading nook when we don’t want to sit with them on the chairs. #pillowproblems

      • Karen Pickett
        > Sarah
        April 16, 2018

        Haha!! Pillowproblems! I love your blog! Yours is the only one I read everytime a new one is posted. I look so forward to it. I love your style, your tips on makeup and books and the links to everything. I also love that you take the time to answer everyone that leaves a comment! Keep on being awesome!

        • Sarah
          > Karen Pickett
          April 17, 2018

          aw thank you Karen, I really appreciate that!! xoxo

  • Lynn
    April 14, 2018

    You nailed it! That reading nook is so inviting. Where did you purchase the GATHER sign? Thanks!

  • Lynn
    April 14, 2018

    Never mind! I see!

    • Sarah
      > Lynn
      April 15, 2018

      Good!! Definitely check out Feather and Birch, it’s an awesome shop!

  • Cheryl T.
    April 17, 2018

    Hello Sarah,
    So nice to meet you, as I am a “newbie,” to your lovely site/blog. Many blessings to you and yours.

    Been thinking of you and your darling baby (9 months). Time passes…as I find myself the “Grammie,” to two delightful grandchildren, ages two and 4 1/2 years. I share the rememberance of my baby growing up. I thought, 9 months, then one year, yikes! Just an FYI, as silly as it may sound, I told myself, the months birthdays continue to at least 24 months, and even 36 months. It was comforting to keep those birthdays in months, rather than years.

    Enjoy all the moments,
    Cheryl

  • Brooke Berry Kroeger
    April 19, 2018

    Hey there, high five back to ya. Love your nook and I need to up my makeup game. One thing to be on the lookout at thrift stores is crib sheets! They come in fun colors and prints, not all childish and they can easily be trimmed and pinned to cover a bench seat! xxx…Brooke