20 Lessons from my 30th Year

I love a good self reflection. With my 31st birthday approaching next week, I wanted to share some reflections of lessons I really ‘practiced’ this past year. haha These are in no particular order and have to do with all areas of life.

1. Saying no does not make you a bad person. I’ve really exercised my ability to say no and honor my best interests.

2. Being one of the last of your friend group to get married is amazing. Having so many bridesmaids who have already planned weddings (or been in multiple) is a blessing and so helpful.

3. Being engaged is one of the most magical times of life. Prepare to giggle a lot.

4. Joining a challenge that seems really hard (i.e. the BIPOC author only reading challenge for a year), is a great sign that it’s something you need to try. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done.

5. I am so grateful for my body’s ability to move. I cannot imagine my mental health story without the ability to use cycling and running as a means of therapy.

6. Talk less and listen more.

7. I feel my best when I get to bed early and read before falling asleep. Same goes for waking up early to spend time alone reading.

8. Planning a wedding is harder than it looks and can bring up a lot of past emotions you didn’t know you needed to work through. It’s also the most fun I’ve ever had planning the day I get to marry my best friend. (aka SO WORTH IT).

9. The more nieces and nephews I am blessed with, the better life gets. If my heart can grow this much from nieces and nephews, I can’t imagine what having children feels like.

10. You don’t have to physically give birth to be a mother. You can mother your friends, your family, others’ children.

11. I love wearing a mask at the grocery store so I can be sly and get and out quickly without seeing anyone I know.

12. I also love wearing a mask for moments when I’m doing makeup and don’t have to worry if people can smell my coffee breath.

13. Sourdough bread making isn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be.

14. Writing a cookbook is still hard, but we’re almost there!

15. Life is truly lived in the little moments. With each year I appreciate the tiny details more, as they are responsible for so much of life’s daily joy.

16. Being the bride after all of these years of working in the bridal industry, is a weird feeling. It’s ok if you don’t feel super bridal. Doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to be a bride, or won’t enjoy it. It just might take longer for you to have it sink in. Plus, it’s about the marriage, not just the wedding day!

17. Turning 30 was absolutely amazing. If you are nearing it, embrace it. It’s exponentially better than your 20’s haha (and my 20’s were awesome)!

18. While I never would have wished the pandemic on anyone, I am grateful that it confirmed what I already knew…I can spend every second with only Mikey and still miss him the minute he walks out that front door.

19. Setting a realistic wedding budget is CRUCIAL. I cannot imagine this process without my budget.

20. You do not have to work every second of every day, to have a successful small business. Burnout is real and resting is great. Also work life balance is something you are continually striving for, so don’t be so hard on yourself if it feels like you haven’t mastered it. Life and businesses have seasons.

See you on the other side when I’m 31!!!

Andrea

Books I've Recently Read #8

I’m finally back with an updated Book Review post! Reading is probably my favorite hobby after cooking, and I love sharing what I’ve been discovering with you. As usual if you want to support a small local bookstore near you and purchase one of these books, you can click the link below and the entire list of books mentioned in this post will be available to shop at Bookshop.org.

My shop with Bookshop.org

Otherwise, you can click the title of each book and shop it on Amazon. (Warning, I do receive a small commission if you choose to use my links, but it does not change the price of the books for you, and helps me keep creating more content for you)!

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

I wish I had read this book before I read The Great Alone and The Nightingale both by Kristin Hannah. I think I would have enjoyed it more because it was just not what I was expecting. I love Kristin Hannah because her writing in those two books truly makes you escape to another time and place. Firefly Lane is more a more modern and typical setting than I’m used to for her, so I think that is what threw me. This is the first in a trilogy I believe, but I haven’t decided if I’m going to continue reading. Not because I didn’t like it, but because there is just so much on my To Be Read list that I’d rather read first. As usual with Kristin Hannah, it was still a page turner and consuming story, just not my favorite from her. With that being said, The Nightingale was hands down the best book I read in 2019, so there’s obviously big shoes to fill and this was written before that.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

I think everybody read this book this year…haha. It was super popular! It was definitely a quick thriller read that you can’t put down, perfect for a vacation. I really liked it. I can see what all the hype was about. I did feel like I could predict some moments, but it still kept me entertained.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

Another super popular book that I really enjoyed. If you’ve been following my reading recommendations you know that I love a good WWII era story. This one was very sad but there were moments that were so powerful. I definitely want to read the sequel as well.

The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon

At this point am I a broken record when I talk about how obsessed with Outlander I am? haha This was the 5th book in the series and again, the longest I’ve read so far. I haven’t picked it back up since I started my reading challenge in June, but I’m excited to get back into it. This is my one exception to the rule of reading only BIPOC authors because if I go too long without reading Outlander, you start forgetting the details. So much happens within these books that they aren’t something you can pick up every now and then and still remember it. I still think Outlander and Voyager are my favorite two so far, but The Fiery Cross was still AMAZING!

So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

If you haven’t read this one yet and you are white, you need to because BLACK LIVES MATTER. It’s a great book with a lot of easy to understand information that is so important. Ijeoma touches on some really important topics that should be basic knowledge at this point. It was very eye opening to read. Highly recommend.

Verity by Colleen Hoover

This was probably the most recommended book I’ve seen this year. haha EVERYONE is reading Verity. Again, another fast paced thriller (those seem to be the most popular these days). It definitely had an OMG moment at the end that left you hanging and debating what side you believe of the story.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

When it came time to start my BIPOC reading challenge (you can read more about that in this blog post), I wanted to start with a Maya Angelou classic because I couldn’t believe I had made it through my 30 years without reading it! I had always heard some amazing things about this book and now I know why. Maya has such a gift at evoking such emotion with her words and while at times it was so sad to get through, it really makes you appreciate what you have and the blessings life has given you. I try really hard to incorporate more classics into my ‘Want to Read’ list, and I’m happy I read this one.

How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi

This is such a phenomenal book. It is written SO well and has so much important information. I love how Ibram starts more general with the topics, and as the book progresses he gets more and more detailed. This is another must read for anyone wanting to do the work and start learning more about systemic racism and white fragility.

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

One of my big goals with my year long reading challenge, was to read Toni Morrison’s classics. I purchased a special set that included her 3 most popular novels and started with the Bluest Eye. I liked it a lot, however it wasn’t my favorite book. I think this was partly because I had recently read I Know why the Caged Bird Sings and that one really struck me. Of course I think the message is very important and I would still recommend checking it out because Toni Morrison is a phenomenal story teller.

The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander

With my new BIPOC reading challenge, I’ve been getting into more historical books that teach me about various topics. One topic I really wanted to learn about was the prison system,; it’s history and how it’s currently affecting the country now. I cannot recommend this book enough. It is one of my favorite books I’ve read in a long time because I learned so much. Sometimes these very dense books can be hard to get through because there’s so much to digest, so I was surprised how quickly I got through this one. Michelle Alexander does such a great job of teaching you and keeping you engaged and wanting to know more. If you are wanting to support the Black Lives Matter movement more and understand how the prison system is hurting the black community (WHICH YOU SHOULD) this book has to be on your To Be Read list.

He Said, She Said by Kwame Alexander

I was not expecting this to be a young adult book, which was probably my fault. It was one that I just picked up in one of my book buying sprees. It was a great quick read after such a heavy topic in The New Jim Crow so I’m happy I read it when I did. Kwame Alexander does a great job of writing a modern story line on teens standing up for what they believe in and creating a protest. I think this would be really great for a high schooler to read and discover a perspective other than their own experience.

From Scratch by Tembi Locke

I bought this one in an out of town trip to a small bookstore (one of my favorite things to do). It was sad, but honestly with everything going on in 2020 I feel like this was perfect timing to read. Tembi Locke is an amazing writer. In this book she tells you the story of meeting her Italian husband, his death due to cancer, and the grief that follows. She does a great job of bouncing through different time periods within their relationship which I always love, when it’s done well. She shares her experience of being a black woman marrying an Italian man, which was very important for me to hear; not because I’m black, but because my own Italian family has it’s issues. Reading her experience with the problems of his family not accepting her and the history of Italian families doing things a certain way because that’s the tradition, really hit home for me when reflecting on some of my own family members. The other part that I really loved about this book is how well she describes her grief when her husband dies. I was sobbing when I was reading it because Tembi really puts into words what I would imagine many can’t. While I haven’t experienced this grief that she has, I felt like I was right there with her in it. I wouldn’t recommend this one to someone who has recently been through significant grieving, but maybe down the road this could be healing for them.

The Truths We Hold: An American Journey by Kamala Harris

I wanted to learn more about Kamala Harris, so I read this one pretty quickly. I liked the format of how the book was written. Sometimes autobiographies can be slow, when you’re working through the beginning parts (i.e. I know Becoming is sometimes a challenge for some to get through in the beginning). However, I found this one particularly easy to get through because the timeline of her stories wasn’t necessarily always sequential. At times it did feel fluffy and obvious that it was written before she wanted to run for president, but I think this just comes with the territory of being a politician. I do feel like I got to know her better and I’m happy she is Biden’s VP running mate for this election!

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson

Add this to your list now. I haven’t watched the movie yet (I am a very strict book before movie gal) but I’m super excited for it because this book is amazing. I will say, I’m happy I read The New Jim Crow before I read this one, because I understood the prison system on a deeper level which helped me connect to this book even more. All I can say is the the world needs more people like Bryan Stevenson. It is the perfect mix of storytelling that actually teaches you important lessons.

Beloved by Toni Morrison

I knew this one was going to be a heavy hitter and it did not disappoint. Toni Morrison is such an exceptional writer. Her ability to tell a story and make you feel it, is amazing. This one was really sad, but also really beautiful and important. It was eye opening and there were many times I had to pause and read specific sentences over and over to feel the impact of the words. While Song of Solomon is still on my list (the third book in that trio I purchased), I highly recommend this one to start if you haven’t read any Toni Morrison.

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

It took me a second to get into the style of writing for this book, but boy! I see why everyone is obsessing over Elizabeth Acevedo. She can pack a punch with such few words and this story was so powerful. This book is another must read to learn about a perspective different than your own. I cannot wait to buy these books for my future teenage children and I will be buying them for my personal library.

With the Fire On High by Elizabeth Acevedo

This was another stellar hit from Acevedo. While this was another Young Adult story, it still had such a powerful message and I think it’s really important that these perspectives are being shared with our young adults today. I loved that this story involved cooking and again Acevedo is really great at creating a powerful story in a short word count. I can’t wait to read more from her.

Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson

I was really excited for this one to arrive from my online library account (I use Libby) because I had heard such great things about it! However, I didn’t realize how short it was. It’s a multigenerational family story, that is told from multiple perspectives. In the beginning I felt like I wasn’t sure where the story was going and how anything meaningful that didn’t feel rushed could happen, but then the story flipped and you hear a perspective that changes everything. It all then makes sense and looking back I’m glad that it wasn’t any longer. It was insightful and leaves you realizing how without multiple people’s perspectives, it’s impossible to know the entire truth of a situation. We do not know the battles others could be fighting, and it’s important to remember this.

There you have it! 18 of my latest reads. Have you read any of the books I mentioned? What did you think of them? Tell me below in a comment and as always, leave me all of your book recommendations!

PREVIOUS Books I’ve Read Posts:

Books #7

Books #6

Books #5

Books #4

Books #3

Books #2

Books #1

Happy reading,

Andrea

Disclosure: Some of the above links are Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. This does not affect the price of the product on your end. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty

11 Things with Andrea #6

I can’t believe how long it has been since I’ve written one of these update posts! I’ve noticed that due to Quarantine, I have a weird relationship with time. It’s moving very slowly, yet I still am very confused how it’s not April still. If you are new around here, these are random update posts that help me share bits and pieces of my life and what I’m up to. They seem to be a favorite around here so I hope you’ll enjoy.

1. I still haven’t gotten used to the fact that I am debt free, even though it has been almost 9 months. Some of that is probably due to the fact that I’m still being mindful with the pandemic of how I’m spending my money, and also that I am not a super spendy person. I look at my budget sometimes and I’m like “I can’t believe I used to have to give away this huge chunk of my income to student loans every month!” It’s pretty great to get to use ALL of my income on my savings goals.

2. I thought I had found planner peace when I discovered the Passion Planner. I do absolutely LOVE the layout and think it’s great for keeping track of my crazy inconsistent schedule. However, I felt like I was overwhelmed with keeping both my home/life tasks and my work tasks in the same space. I had been wanting to try a Happy Planner, so I purchased one and it’s changed my life. I LOVE the disc bound system. I bought the punch and ended up doing some surgery on my Passion Planner to add it into the Happy Planner. I plan on doing a dedicated post to this once I have used it for a little longer and know exactly what I’m doing with it.

3. Mikey and I have been watching the Sopranos for the past couple of months and omg. How was I sleeping on this show, especially being ITALIAN?! Mikey loves a good TV series and over the course of our dating history, has made sure that we watch some of his favorites. Now I understand why he bought me that Sopranos cookbook for my birthday a few years ago. You do get very hungry watching it. haha We’ve had many pasta and Soprano’s nights. We are in the last season and I am going to be so sad when it’s over.

4. I’ve recently started a new morning routine and I am obsessed with it. First, I start the coffee brewing and tidy up the living room. It’s usually a little disorganized from the night before and I love getting it super tidy and clean feeling for the day. Then, I light some incense and turn on some meditation music and plan my day while I’m drinking my coffee. Sometimes I read a little too, depending on what I have doing on that morning. There is something about the calm music and incense with my coffee that gets my day started off on such a positive note.

5. Hamilton, Hamilton, Hamilton. I probably don’t need to elaborate but Hamilton Mania has reached our household and we can’t get enough. We listen to it all the time, we sing bits of the songs to each other and I am not ashamed. We love it. If you haven’t watched it yet, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! It’s amazing.

6. I’m still obsessed with the Essie Expressie Nail Polish line. I have many colors now and they are the only thing I’ve used to paint my nails since quarantine began. My current favorite shade that I keep reapplying every time I am painting my nails, is the shade Saffr-on the Move. It dries super quickly and lasts SO long which is huge for me!

7. I feel like I can’t write one of these 11 Things posts without sharing a cookbook update! It’s coming along. I am still recipe testing which simply takes a long time! I am hoping to be done with the book this winter,, with hopefully a Spring launch so wish me luck!

8. In case you missed the update on Instagram, I am back to nannying part time. Pre-COVID, my plan was to be done nannying this past June and jump 100% into everything I do for Andrea Fontana Beauty. However, with COVID and virtual school, both of the families I used to nanny for (and adore) asked if I could help out for a little bit during this weird pandemic transition time. I love my boys so much, so it is good to be back, but it’s weird having an actual schedule to stick to for work after having nothing for so long.

9. I finally bought my Schwinn iC4 bike and started using the Peleton app with it and I’m obsessed. I am going to be doing a full blog post dedicated to the bike soon, because I love it and I think it’s a much better option than paying over $2,000 for the Peleton bike.

10. My mental health is tricky these days, which probably comes as no surprise. The COVID pandemic has been really hard for everyone in so many ways and I find that while I have mostly good days, sometimes the days are REALLY difficult. It’s ok to not be ok. 2020 has been a very weird and difficult year so know you are not alone if you have been struggling. I’m always here to chat if you need it.

11. I know that I probably sound like a broken record, but I can’t stress how important it is to support your local small businesses always, but especially during this weird time. Some of the things I’ve done is buy gift cards (I even gave one to my best friend and asked her to go shopping for me with it which was so fun!), started my holiday shopping, shared about them on social media, recommended them to friends, etc. Intentional shopping is key in supporting our communities during this difficult time. Shop less, but from more meaningful sources.

How have you been? How’s your mental health? What have you been up to? Leave me a comment down below and let me know!

Sending you love,

Andrea

8 Positive Impacts from Starting My Day at the Gym

In January, I decided to hop back into my steady working out routine. I missed running consistently and with the added 2020 goals of running a half marathon and buying myself a Peleton bike for my 30th birthday, I knew that I needed to get my routine together.

While I started working out 5 days a week, I completely forgot the amazing effects that a consistent workout routine has on you that don’t involve your physical body.

Today I’m sharing the EIGHT positive effects that implementing a consistent workout routine back in my life, has created. Let’s not forget to take a moment to remember that I also work very hard on listening to my body, resting when needed, and not letting guilt creep in when I want to take a day off. I believe that this is the true way to create a sustainable workout routine that you don’t quit.

1. More likely to do my AM skincare routine:

   When I go to the gym at 5:30 in the morning, I usually bring my gym bag and shower there. This means that I have a change of clothes, towel, and toiletries. I am really good at doing my evening skincare routine, but sometimes it’s hard for me to get out of bed and do it before heading out for the day, especially on days where I don’t wear makeup. I find that having my skincare ready to go in my skincare and makeup bag, makes it a step that I don’t ever skip because it’s right there with me.

2. Not late because I have no choice but to plan in the AM:

   When you have to be somewhere in the morning and decide to workout before, you have no choice but to plan accordingly. I pack my gym bag the night before usually and lay out my gym clothes so that I have as little steps to do before I get out the door in the morning as possible. If you know that you have to be somewhere at a certain time, aka nannying for me some days, I am never late because I know that I can’t be. I find on days when I sleep in and don’t go to the gym, I always sneak an extra 5 minutes or more in bed and find myself more likely to be running behind.

3. I feel more energized throughout the day:

   This one is no secret. I absolutely love how energized I feel all day when I get my workout in early. I love the endorphins! Once you get to a regular schedule, you will love it too!

4. I am more productive throughout the day:

   For me, there is no greater productivity booster than starting off at the gym. Going along with that energizing feeling, there is something about crossing off ‘Gym’ in my planner first thing when I get to planning my day. It sets the tone for my day and helps me stay focused on my goals.

5. I make healthier food choices:

   This one is also another common effect of morning workouts. I find that I crave healthier foods and make better choices because I like to eat specific meals after a good workout, i.e. I usually start with a yummy protein shake and that sets the tone for my food choices all day!

6. Eat a breakfast:

   Going along with #5, when I workout I always have a post workout meal. However, if I don’t run or cycle early in the morning, it’s really easy for me to skip breakfast. I’m not very hungry in the mornings and can easily survive off just coffee in the morning. Working out first thing, forces me to eat that post-workout protein dense meal and start my day off the right way.

7. Able to relax better at night because I can instantly get into relaxation mode when I get home from work. i.e. PJ’s:

   This might be my favorite effect from working out in the morning. I love that by the time I am getting work I have already finished my workout and don’t have to think about it in the evening. My evenings are sacred to me and I love being able to relax or do other things in the evening.

8. Start my day off hydrated:

   The last positive effect is really important for everyone! While I am a really good water drinker thanks to my Hydroflask that goes EVERYWHERE with me, I find that I start drinking my water earlier when I work out. I have no choice but to get 40 oz in with my workout, which again, sets the tone for the day. On rest days, it’s easy for me to go straight to coffee and not get to drinking any water until midday.

As you can see, I love working out first thing in the morning because it really sets the tone to have a productive and healthy day. When do you work out? I realize that not everyone is a morning person, but I hope some of these effects can inspire you to move your body more!

Have a great day,

Andrea

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty. 

Sustainable Swap Goals for 2020

I mentioned in my IG stories, that this year one of my 2020 goals was to make sustainable swaps for everyday items throughout the year. (Click here for the list of my 2020 goals) In order to make this a goal that was easier tracked, I decided to make one swap each month in order to make it easier on my budget and more realistic. Enter my IG story that asked you guys for ideas on what swaps I should do!

You were so helpful and interested in this topic that I decided to make a blog post about it, sharing which items I’ve decided to tackle each. Stay tuned throughout the year because I will most likely share the items that I’ve purchased in order to make these swaps.

January: Last month, I ordered bamboo cotton rounds to replace the disposable cotton rounds I was constantly buying. I ordered them here and love them! They are much larger than a traditional disposable cotton round and great for removing makeup or using toner. I also love that this set of 20 came with a little bag to put them all in so it’s easier to keep track of them when you wash them in the washing machine!

February: This month, I focused on my gym bag since I shower there more during than week than I do at home and travel products can often involve A LOT of plastic. I purchased shampoo/conditioner and soap bars from a local small business that don’t come with any plastic packaging. When trying to come up with a way to carry them, I knew I didn’t want to purchase a travel soap container and wanted to get creative. I decided to use a Stasher bag that I already owned that I accidentally cut with a knife. haha yeah, DON’T do that. Don’t cut on your Stasher bag because you will get mad. However, I’m glad I kept it and was able to re-purpose it for this reason. This month, I also swapped the plastic bottle of hand soap in the bathroom at Mikey’s house for bar soap because it’s one less thing that will require re-purchasing product with plastic packaging.

The rest of the months goals look like the following:

March: Reusable produce bags for grocery shopping

April: Beeswax wraps to replace saran wrap

May: Bar mops/rags for cleaning counter tops to replace paper towel use

June: Trying to incorporate more bulk foods shopping so I am buying less products that normally come in plastic packaging for convenience’s sake

July: Dryer balls to replace dryer sheets.

August: A silicone straw for my keys so that I can use it when out of the house (I already have glass straws for home use)

September: Toothpaste tabs to replace traditional plastic tubes of toothpaste

October: Purchasing silicone bowl covers in place of saran wrap for items that need a tight seal.

November: Purchasing more stasher bags because they are expensive.

December: Still deciding on this one. It’s most likely going to be wrapping all holiday presents using only recycled materials unless I find a sustainable swap that I need to add. Most likely in that case however, it would be in addition to wrapping presents sustainably!

Have you made any of these swaps yourself? What am I missing? Comment below if you have anything to add or any ideas for me to try! Thank you to all of you who shared tips and ideas on Instagram!

Have a wonderful day,

Andrea

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty. 

Recent Amazon Favorites

I don’t know about you but I love to see the random things people purchase on Amazon and what their favorites are. Here is my list of items I have been very happy with recently.

1. Bamboo ‘Cotton Rounds"‘:

   As I mentioned on IG, as a way to track one of my 2020 goals of making more sustainable swaps in my everyday life, I am switching up something every month. In January I bought these reusable and machine washable natural bamboo cotton rounds and I love them! They are bigger than disposable cotton rounds which makes them great for removing makeup and applying toner!

2. Glo Minerals Pencil Sharpener:

   If you love jumbo pencil-type lipsticks, i.e. Nars, Glo Minerals, etc, you need to have one of these pencil sharpeners. It’s the perfect size and works so well!

3. Glo Minerals Suede Matte Lip Crayons:

   These are my favorite lip products for brides because they look so special, but are never too intense. The formula is perfect for a wedding day because they are comfortable but stay on really well. I love the shades “Monogram” and “Trademark” for my brides.

4. Conair Fabric Defuzzer:

   This is another ‘gadget’ that every woman needs to own, especially if you are a thrifter! It’s a great way to clean up and bring some loved and pre-worn pieces back to life. Let’s also not forget how satisfying it is to shave your clothes and watch them appear neater. My people who love power washing and vacuuming will get this! haha

5. Popsocket:

   I have been a faithful popsocket lover for a couple of years now and I have noticed how much more comfortable using my phone is when I have one. It SAVES your pinky. Now that I have the iPhone 11 Pro Max too it’s especially helpful because this phone is huge and heavy.

6. Book Dart Bookmarks:

   I technically bought these for Mikey for his birthday to go with a book I got him but since the set came with 18, I asked if I could steal one and I am obsessed. If I ever lose mine I will buy my own set, because they are amazing. They are so thin and sleek in your book, but hold your exact line where you leave off…if you are one of those crazy people who can stop reading in the middle of a chapter!!! I am not…haha

7. Washi Tape:

   There is something about washi tape that makes me super happy. I use it in MANY things. In my planner, to wrap presents, to decorate cards, etc. I just love having a diverse supply of colors so I can always have something that works on hand.

8. Gold Necklace:

   I bought this necklace to test out the quality and see if I like this trend of many layered gold necklaces and I’m pleasantly surprised with how much I love the quality of it. I was expecting my neck to turn green but thankfully it hasn’t! I never take it off along with my other gold necklace and it still looks beautiful.

9. Stasher Bags:

   Stasher bags have changed my life and I have several now. I love how I can throw them into the dishwasher to clean them which not all reusable bags can do. They are great quality and I also love that they come in many different colors and shapes. Adding more to my collection is also on my list of sustainable swaps this year!

10. LED Book Light:

    I have only had this book light for about a week but I’m already obsessed. It grips onto your book easily, is rechargeable with an included USB charger, and it has 3 light settings which are awesome! If you need a book light, I highly recommend this one!

Have you purchased anything from Amazon recently that you love? Tell me in a comment below! I am always curious!

Happy Valentine’s Day,

Andrea

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty. 

January 20x20 Fashion Challenge

When Katie over at @whatkatefinds, first mentioned that she was going to do a 20 x 20 for the first 20 days of January, I was instantly intrigued. After doing my mini capsule for Chicago in September (Click here to read about that), I knew that a true capsule closet was never going to work for me. However, I still love the principal of it and that it forces you to be more creative when putting your outfits together. As Katie encouraged others to join her, I knew that I wanted to try it out and see what happened. So today I’m sharing just that. My thoughts on choosing 20 clothing items only to wear for 20 days.

I am quite the planner, so you better believe I started a list in December, categorizing tops, bottoms, jackets, etc and even going as far to assigning each clothing piece a number. I knew that I wanted to choose some versatile classic pieces like a graphic tee and high waisted denim Levi’s, but I also knew I wanted to have some fun. I didn’t want to just wear a top and a bottom and call it good (although as you’ll see below, sometimes that’s all I had the energy for haha).

Here is the list of 20 items I chose to work with for the 20 days:

1. Sleeveless leopard blouse

2. Mustard cardigan

3. Cream crew neck sweater

4. Tan/Beige crew neck sweater

5. Orchid Redefining Beauty Graphic Tee

6. Gray embroidered floral sweatshirt

7. Black & White striped tee shirt

8. Long sleeved White Redefining Beauty Graphic Tee

9. Light Wash Denim Button Down Shirt

10. Camel Brown Turtleneck

11. Olive Green Short Sleeved Maxi Dress

12. Gold Pleated Velvet Skirt

13. Leopard Skirt

14. Black Paperbag Waist Pants

15. Burgundy Leggings

16. Medium Wash High Waisted Levi’s

17. Black Levi’s

18. Black Adidas Leggings with White stripes

19. Black & White Hounds-tooth Blazer

20. Olive Green Blazer

One thing that I wanted to be really conscience of with this 20 x 20 challenge, was to choose a lot of thrifted items since that’s all I’m purchasing this year and to show you guys how versatile and on trend thrifted pieces can truly be! 11 of the 20 items ended up being thrifted.

There were some exceptions that I wanted to share before I get into the outfits and what I thought about this whole experience…

• Shoes were not included in this because I live in Michigan and during this 20 days we experienced rain, sun, lots of snow, and more.

• While I did include two pairs of workout leggings, I did not wear them to workout and didn’t include my workout clothing. I knew I would need clean workout clothes for most of these days and that would make for a LOT of laundry, so I wore other items to workout in.

• Accessories for me were also not included because this is what I think truly helps you change up a look and style a few items many different ways.

Below are the 20 outfits I created with the 20 pieces of clothing (Scroll to the right):

Overall, I loved this challenge. I created some outfits that I probably NEVER would have put together had it not been for the limited choices I had for the 20 days. I definitely think that if you plan this challenge properly, i.e. plan in advance and think through your items and how you could potentially style them, it makes for a much more successful 20 days. Here are some other pros to this challenge:

• Getting dressed was so much quicker in the morning because I only had a certain amount of clothing laid before me to work with. If I knew I wanted to wear a particular item, I would start with that and quickly build around it.

• I purposely planned this challenge to coincide with a No-Spend month, which was perfect timing because I wasn’t tempted to go thrifting since I knew I couldn’t wear any potential finds until the 20 days were up.

• I can tend to wear a lot of easy outfits like sweaters and leggings in the winters so I like that this challenge forced me to wear more dresses, skirts, pants, etc, during the week.

• I definitely felt a sense of gratitude for the items I have in my closet and really thought about how excessive we can be when it comes to fashion. You don’t need hundreds of items to create a bunch of unique outfits. I love that I did this challenge during January because I think it set a good tone for the rest of the year.

However, I will say that by days 18, 19, & 20 I was starting to be over the challenge. I have to admit that while I did technically style a 20th outfit for day 20, I didn’t wear it because I only left the house to go workout and ended up putting PJ’s on after my workout so that I could be comfortable for the rest of my snowy, work from home day.

I am really happy to be back to creating outfits from my entire closet now, but I will definitely do another 20 x 20 this spring or summer! I am really happy that I chose this as one of my 2020 goals (click here to read the other 19 goals), and I encourage you to try something similar if you want to test out a capsule wardrobe, but don’t know if it’s realistic for you!

Have you ever done a challenge like this? What are your thoughts on the matter? Comment below and let me know!

Have a great day,

Andrea

Advice for My Pre-Entrepreneurship Self:

I love supporting other small businesses, but especially those that are women owned. I wanted to write a post to encourage those of you who either own their own or are thinking of starting their own business. It can be a challenging and lonely area to navigate, but I do know one thing. We are all better off supporting one another.

I reached out to a few of my favorite women entrepreneurs and asked them to give me a piece of advice that they would give themselves if they could go back in time before their entrepreneurship journey began. I’ve linked their businesses so please do me a favor and support as many as you can. Check out their websites, follow them on social media, and send them love.

Amanda - Leader of Michigan Tribe

If you’re starting a business because you want more freedom, go get a job instead.

Meredith - Owner of Tiny Bits Of Happiness

Embrace being a beginner. Everything will feel new. A lot of stuff is going to feel hard or difficult and you will most likely question yourself at least a million times. You may feel like you are not enough of something, and friend, you are so so enough. Have so much grace with your heart and remember grit makes us tougher. Persist and embrace this exciting new beginning of a chapter. You will probably feel like you are lost at sea a few times, and I'm a true believer in that means you are growing. You've swam away from the shore and you are allowing yourself to get lost and you are allowing yourself to grow. Remember, growing doesn't always feel good. Seek out community. Talk about what's on your heart. And reach out and gather insights from people who are farther along. So many people have been turning around giving out advice, insight and help for free. So while this beginning is a whole lot of things, just remember you are beginning and growing and you are made to do this.

Margaret - Owner of Edgewood Place Occasions & Fortress Coffee Co.

You don’t have to have it all together and it’s okay for your business to evolve. When I started out I thought I had to have everything in place before I “officially started” and I think it hindered me in a way, because I kept pushing off just starting. I was very consumed with getting everything right the first time. Since then my business has changed about four different times and I often feel like I have no idea what I’m doing! But it’s evolved naturally and is now something that feels like the perfect fit. It’s okay to learn as you go and to start before you think you’re ready!

Liz - Owner & Creator of The Lemon Bowl

Don’t let subconscious thought loops from your childhood dictate your reality as an adult.

Kherington - Creator & Owner of Currently Kherington

There's power in saying "no" + that being told "no" is a good thing! I feel like saying "no" + being told "no" actually frees you up to focus on what's important and ultimately means you're honing in on your overall mission/vision. I can honestly say anytime I've put myself out there + have been told "no" it wasn't definite. I ended up working with those same businesses down the line or they referred me for other work that I was a better fit for along the way. + when you can confidently say "no" to a project that may come your way, never feel regret - especially if it isn't in harmony with the bottom line and future of your business. While being a busy mom, wife, + business owner - let's just say my time + sanity are valuable + have thanked me wholeheartedly for this!

Julie Wardi - Owner of 325BLVD Boutique & Blog

I started my online boutique a few years ago. I was pretty young and didn't have much knowledge going in. I think my biggest mistake then, was rushing. I was in such a rush to finish everything that I didn't take the time I needed to make sure everything was the quality that I had envisioned. I closed the site for a while and I recently re-opened it. I think that when starting a business, you'll never truly have all the answers and knowledge - those things come with time and experience. But I do think that my advice to myself would be to slow down! Make sure that things are done the correct way. If something goes wrong, that's okay, just make sure to fix it, even if it puts a bump in your timeline. In the end, you'll be way happier that your finished product is exactly how you wanted it - instead of having a half-ass product, that was finished quickly.

Thank you to all of the amazing women entrepreneurs who contributed to this post!

If you own a business and have some advice, please be sure to comment below and leave it for my readers!

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea

Current Favorites

Beauty

1. Bobble Hair ties: I have been so curious about the Invisi-bobble hair ties that I have been seeing everywhere. People swear by them, but for some reason I just didn’t understand the hype. This past Sunday I went to the Grand Opening Sale for Apricot Lane Jackson and I noticed that they sold them indiviually for $1 so I knew it was a great time to try them! I am so obsessed now. They even pass the test for when I’m running. I think it’s some kind of sorcery because they hold my hair back so well and tightly, yet you cannot feel them. They are SO comfortable on my head. The only thing that I notice is that they do crease my hair a little, which they claim not to do, but I don’t really care about that because I’m so obsessed with the comfort.

2. Milani Baked Blushes: If you do not own at least one of these baked blushes you are seriously missing out on one of my favorite drugstore makeup products EVER. Luminoso is a cult favorite because it’s a stunning peach glow but I’ve recently fallen in love with Rose D’Oro because of the slightly deeper color and gold shimmer. They are long wearing and have SO many colors. Plus who can go wrong with that price?!

3. Physician’s Formula Murumuru Butter Highlighters: Another standout find from the drugstore are these butter highlighters. The texture is a cross between a mousse and powder. They blend so easily on the skin, last so long, and are the perfect amount of glow. If you don’t like glittery highlighters, you should definitely check one of these out. I’ve been loving ‘Champagne’ which is a gold shade, but the other shades are pretty too.

Fashion

1. Chiringuitas Sandals: I have been so obsessed with these sandals that my dad bought me back from Brasil for my birthday. They are the most comfortable flats I’ve ever owned. They don’t rub and I don’t get blisters from them if I walk a long distance in them. They feel like one of those shoes that get more comfortable the longer you wear them. I’m not sure if you can get them in the US, but I do know that they are similar to the Pons Shoes and you can get those easier here. You can see the pair I’m obsessed with in the photo above!

2. Acrylic Earrings: I don’t have a link for the pair I have specifically because I bought them in Grand Rapids at Rebel GR. I wanted to share them though because I love how light they are for summer. I have one ripped earlobe, so I can only wear stud earrings that are big enough to cover the hole/rip but light enough to not pull on the rip. Sorry if this is TMI. haha It’s a serious struggle though! If you can get to Grand Rapids check out all of the lovely earrings they sell. If you are not able to get to GR, I highly suggest looking into a pair of acrylic earrings if you like funky statement earrings that are light and comfortable to wear!

3. Levi’s: I can’t get enough of them! I own three pairs now that all have been thrifted for under $7 each! I love the higher waist and relaxed fit. They are so much more comfortable than the jeans I have been wearing. I also love that they aren’t crazy stretchy and tight so I feel like they breathe a little bit better in the summer. I have been obsessed with my black pair especially that I cut to ankle length and frayed because they are slightly wider legged at the bottom. I highly recommend checking out your local thriftstores if you want to score some already broken in, comfortable, yet stylish Levi’s.

4. Sun Jellies bag: I am absolutely obsessed with my large white bag that I got again at Rebel GR. It’s the perfect summer bag. I’ve used it as a pool bag, a produce bag at the grocery store, a regular purse, and more! It’s so versatile. As you can see in the photo above, I jazzed mine up with a little vintage thrifted scarf. I use a Glossier pouch to put all of my small important things like medications, my wallet, etc. This way I have a little privacy if someone were to look into my bag (since it doesn’t close and is see-through haha).

Lifestyle

1. Silk Sleep Eye Mask: I used to sleep with an eye mask every night but that was probably over 10 years ago. In June, with all of the rain and thunderstorms we saw here in Michigan, I was struggling with really bad tension headaches and migraines. I happened to stumble upon this mask and it has changed my sleep at night and helped with headaches. It looks like a simple black silk eye mask, but the insert comes out so you can freeze it. When I get a bad headache or migraine, I need darkness, pressure and something cool over my eyes. I used to use a wet washcloth, but I hated how it always moved around and got stuff wet. Enter this eye mask and it exerts just the right amount of pressure on my orbital bones to help with the headaches. I also have been loving it for warm summer nights, to cool me off so I can get to sleep easier.

2. Welly Bandages: I discovered these on IG and due to an unfortunate finger injury, I picked up a few different ones on a Target trip and I love them for multiple reasons. First the patterns are fun. I don’t know about you, but plain beige band-aids are gross and boring to me. Second, I love the tins that they come in. They are definitely perfect to be reused later to hold small items in your purse. Lastly, I love that you can buy different kinds for different uses. They have a set for fingers and toes, a waterproof set, ones just for blisters, hydro-colloid blemish bandages. Plus they are called Bravery Badges, which I think is a really great name if you’re buying them for your kids.

What have you been loving recently? Have you tried anything that I mentioned above? As always, I look forward to your comments on this post!

Have a great weekend,

Andrea

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty.

Books I've Read Recently #5

I’m not going to lie. This book post is kind of sad. Not because of the books, I loved the books! More so because I just haven’t been reading like I normally do the past few months. I’ll explain more later as you read because I’m 100% blaming it on a book I was reading… (Click the book titles for links to the books)

BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S (By Truman Capote):

I can’t believe I had never read this one yet. I watched the movie years ago, but couldn’t really remember the story. I spotted it at the library one morning and decided now was the time. It’s a quick read and an interesting one. I feel like it’s one of those that everyone just has to read because it’s such a classic. Now I want to watch the movie again.

CALL THE MIDWIFE: A TRUE STORY OF THE EAST END IN THE 1950’S (By Jennifer Worth):

I absolutely adored this book. Apparently the PBS show that is based on these books (this is the first of a few) is really great too, so I’m excited to add that to my list. I loved hearing all the different stories about being a midwife in the Post-War East End of England. I was actually surprised how advanced they were with childbirth and everything they did at people’s homes. I will probably end up reading the rest of the series later on. If you are interested in childbirth, science, or just love this time period (I’m all of the above haha) I would definitely recommend this one.

BIG LITTLE LIES (By Liane Moriarty):

This was another one that I couldn’t believe I hadn’t read yet. I will say it was a little predictable. I totally called what was going to happen, I just didn’t know it was going to go down the way it did. I’m a big believer in reading the book before the movies/tv shows so you bet I haven’t seen the HBO series yet. I am also terrible at watching TV shows unless Mikey is encouraging it, so I want to get to this one eventually too. I really loved the book and it was a quick read. Great if you need a vacation read this summer!

THEN SHE WAS GONE (By Lisa Jewell):

This is another that would make for a great vacation read. I think I read it in two days because I was so sucked into it. This was a book chosen for my book club and I loved it. I don’t know if I would have ever come across it otherwise, because I’d never heard of it. It’s another thriller that will keep you guessing. I love when a book surprises me with a story line and this was definitely one of those!

THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY: MURDER, MAGIC AND MADNESS AT THE FAIR THE CHANGED AMERICA (By Erik Larson):

One of my best friends (Thanks Margie!) recommended I read this one when I met up with her last summer in Chicago and I was happy to finally snag a copy from the library to read. I absolutely LOVED this one. It’s kind of hard to get through at some parts, but keep going. It’s definitely one of those that you have to read frequently so that the names and facts stay fresh in your mind, but I learned so much about the history of Chicago, the Ferris Wheel and the huge fair. It was written really well. I have another Erik Larson book on my shelf that I’m excited to read now because I love his writing. The only thing that made me sad was that I wished that the two main stories (one about the fair and the other about the murderer), intertwined a little more. It felt like a lot of buildup, but then the stories didn’t mix as much as I assumed they would. If you like history and love Chicago, this is a must read.

WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING (By Delia Owens):

Another one that I read super quickly because I was so sucked into it. This one reminded me so much of ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’. Not because of the story line, but the way it’s written and some of the characters and such made me think of it. I was so excited to hear that it will be becoming a movie because I think it’s going to be great.

THE SHAPE OF WATER (By Guillermo del Toro):

This is the book that ruined me the last few months. I renewed it from the library three times before finally giving up. I just couldn’t get through it. I HATE not finishing books because I’m always hopeful they will turn around, but I was so uninterested in this one that it made me not want to read. I finally told myself to return it and move on to something I was excited to dive into. It probably didn’t help that I had a lot of people telling me that they hated the movie, so it didn’t give me much hope that things would turn around. I doubt I’ll ever watch the movie or pick the book back up at a later time.

ANIMALS (By Emma Jane Unsworth):

This was another book club book and I have to say it was my least favorite that we’ve read so far. The summary on GoodReads seemed so good, so I’m surprised that I didn’t enjoy it that much. The book wasn’t that long and it took forever for anything to start happening which frustrated me. I will say though, it ended better than I thought it would and I didn’t predict it, which is a huge determining factor in if I love a book. However, I’d say this one is a skip.

What have you been reading so far this summer? Let me know in the comments below and happy summer reading!!

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty.

Five Ways To Use a Facial Roller

Tools are a great way to give your skincare routine a boost. If you have any interest in skincare you most likely have seen the recent trend of facial rollers. They are usually green (jade) or pink (rose quartz) and can be a really great way to jazz up your skincare routine for multiple reasons. (The rollers I am talking about are not to be confused with the larger ice rollers, that are not quite as multi-use as facial rollers). If you’re curious which facial roller I have, click here to shop it on Amazon.

Facial rollers can be a great addition for a few reasons. They can:
-increase circulation
-de-puff and soothe
-help with lymph drainage
-increase product penetration
-create a relaxing ritual into your routine

If you haven’t hopped on the band wagon yet, hopefully this post will help you decide if it is worth it for you to get one for yourself.

Regardless of how you are specifically using the facial roller, ALWAYS remember to move in upward and outward motions only. I know it can be tempting to roll it back and forth but you never want to move down and inward on your face, especially when applying the pressure of a tool.

I give you five ways to incorporate a facial roller into your life:

1. With a hydrating mask:

   When doing an at home facial, I recommend doing a exfoliating mask first (called a refinement mask in spa world) and following up with a treatment mask to target your specific skin needs that day. If you are using a hydration mask for your treatment mask that follows the pretty standard, apply and let sit for a bit and then wash off (i.e. not a peel off mask) then I would recommend using a facial roller to help your mask penetrate deeper into your skin.

2. Over a sheet mask:

   This one can be a great way to help the serums of the sheet mask, really penetrate into the skin. I know it’s pretty self explanatory, but I added it to the list because I don’t know how many of us would actually think to use it in this situation.

3. While I’m watching a movie to relax and unwind:

   My FAVORITE thing about a facial roller is how it adds such a relaxing element to my skincare. I love to use it during a movie because first off, it helps me stay awake…haha. Secondly, it gives me a larger chunk of time to actually focus on my skin.

4. To depuff my eyes from allergies:

   I recommend getting one the facial rollers that is double ended because the smaller end is perfect for around the eyes. I love putting my roller in the freezer or fridge to get super cold. Then if you wake up with allergy eyes one morning, you can use the little sit to roll and depuff that eye area.

5. To help my moisturizer penetrate better:

   This is probably the most obvious one, but it’s always a good idea to use your facial roller at night at the end of your skincare routine, once you’ve applied your night moisturizer or facial oil. It will help boost circulation and increase product penetration.

Do you use a facial roller in your skincare routine? What is your favorite way to use it? Leave me a comment below and let me know! Are there any other beauty tools you want me to test out?

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea

Disclosure: Amazon links are Amazon Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty.

Andrea's Pantry Staples

I have wanted to share this list for along time because I believe a well stocked pantry is VERY important to minimize the overwhelm of cooking meals at home. When I say well stocked I don’t mean that you need to have everything under the sun in there either. I simply mean that you have the basic building blocks to create a really great meal at any time. These are the items that can usually be found in my cupboards. What does your pantry look like? Comment below and let me know!

1. Jasmine or Basmati Rice: These are my favorite two and I always have them on hand because they are a great staple gluten-free item.

2. Brown Rice: I am not a huge fan of brown rice, but I do like it Chicken Tikka Masala because it’s texture holds up nicely to the sauce, so I keep a little of this on hand.

3. Almond Flour: I make my own almond flour from the process of making my own almond milk. If you want to see how I do that, CLICK HERE!

4. Oat Flour: This is another common gluten-free flour that you find in a lot of recipes, so I like to keep it on hand.

5. Oats: I always have either GF regular oats or quick cooking steel cut oats on hand because I eat oatmeal so often for breakfast. It will always be my go-to breakfast because I love it so much.

6. Diced Tomatoes: These can be used in so many different styles of cuisines so I always keep them on hand. They are perfect for a super quick tomato sauce too.

7. Tomato Paste: I love keeping tubes of tomato paste on hand (usually from Trader Joe’s) because they can add an extra dimension of flavor to so many meals. I also need it for homemade tomato sauce, so….duh!

8. Tubes of Ginger Paste: I love the Trader Joe’s tubes of minced ginger because then you don’t have a knob of ginger going bad in your fridge when you only need a tiny piece for a recipe. I love to season soups, bowls, chicken, etc, with a ginger/garlic combo.

9. Broths (Veg and Chicken): I loooove to make soups, so these are an obvious must have. I only use chicken and veggie broth in my home so that’s all I stock. I always buy low sodium broths so I can control the salt level.

10. Great Northern Beans: These are one of my favorite soup beans.

11. Black Beans: A necessary for any Chipotle inspired burrito bowl or mexican inspired dish.

12. Kidney Beans: I love how big kidney beans are so they really bulk up a meal.

13. Nori Sheets: Great for sushi bowls and for making homemade miso soup.

14. Almond Butter/Peanut Butter: I like to freshly grind mine at my grocery store and choose whatever I’m in the mood for.

15. Coconut Sugar: I use coconut sugar in place of regular granulated or brown sugar whenever I can. I use it as my sweetener for my oatmeal too.

16. Chia Seeds: I put chia seeds in my smoothies and in my oatmeal.

17. Flax Seeds: I put flax in every smoothie I make (technically I store these in the fridge).

18. Hemp Seeds: These also go in my oatmeal.

19. Chocolate Chips: I keep them for obvious reasons, but I love to snack on 5-10 when I have a sweet tooth at night.

20. Arrowroot Powder: I use this in place of cornstarch as a thickening agent, but it’s also found in a lot of GF recipes.

21. Almonds: I make my own almond milk so I always have a big Costco bag of these on hand.

22. Salsa Verde (specifically from Trader Joe’s): I love to keep salsa on hand for an easy snack, but I also love pouring a jar over chicken breasts in the crockpot for an easy dinner.

23. Tomato Sauce (canned): I only keep the little cans of this on hand for when I make Chicken Tikka Masala.

24. Dry Red Wine: This is my preference when it comes to drinking wine, but I also like to have it on hand to add to the base of my tomato sauces. It adds such a richness to your tomato sauce.

25. Rice Paper Sheets: These are a quick easy dinner or lunch if you have lots of veggies on hand to use up. You can simply wet them and make spring rolls in no time at all.

26. Konjac Noodles: These are a new favorite of mine. They are almost calorie-less, gluten-free and I really like the texture. They are not as sticky as a rice noodle and have a little bit more of a bite, so I prefer them to rice noodles.

27. Red Lentil/ Other Gluten Free Pastas: Pasta will always be my go-to easiest meal to make for dinner, so I like to keep some good GF options on hand. I love red lentil pasta the most, but chickpea is also tasty!

28. Lentils: These are an easy way to bulk up a soup, so I love having a big jar of them to throw in vegetarian soup.

29. Polenta: Another GF alternative to eating a wheat product with your meal. The Italian in me wishes I could easy cheesy polenta every night.

If you made it to the end of this, GREAT JOB! I hope you enjoyed getting a peak into my pantry. What are your staples? If it’s not on my list, tell me what it is!

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea