How I Thrift: Tips & Tricks

I told you this post was coming! haha I have truly fallen in love with thrifting and I am so excited to finally talk more about it with you. I know initially I was going to have my friend Margaret (@margaretellenhess) write this post, but she opened a thrifted/antiqued/new shop (@edgewoodplaceoccasions) within an antique store, and her plate became very full. Instead I’m going to have her talk a little bit about her shop on here soon, so those of you who are local to the Jackson/ surrounding areas, can go visit her shop if you’d like!

Majority of my inspiration and love for thrifting has come from Margaret and also my friend Mercedes (@mercedesrichelle). Thank you ladies for bringing this fun hobby into my life that allows me to re-purpose items that are still good (aka reduce my waste) and tap into a whole new way to express my creativity!

Get a cart the second you walk in the door.

The first time I thrifted with my best friend Margaret, she insisted I get a cart when we walked in. I remember thinking like ‘WTF Margs, we’ve been here for 2 seconds, I haven’t even found anything”. BUT GUYS. It makes perfect sense! If you don’t get a cart, you have to carry things in your hands as you find them. This means you don’t have both hands free for searching through racks and that you’re more likely to get tired and overwhelmed because it will feel like a lot of work. If you have a cart, you can throw in whatever you want and don’t have to hold anything! For this reason I also suggest a cross-body purse so that you don’t have to hold that.

If you are drawn to the fabric, fit, whatever, PUT it in the cart.

This is the other MAJOR tip my friend Margaret taught me. If you gravitate towards a piece for a certain reason, just throw it in the cart. It’s impossible to know exactly how it’s going to fit until you try it on and you might be pleasantly surprised by items you never thought would work. Plus sometimes you can figure out a way to style something a certain way that makes it better than what it looks like on the hanger…but more on this in a little bit.

Go with plenty of time to move slowly. It’s not a race.

One of the worst things you can do is go in a rush. I find myself feeling more anxious and overwhelmed when I am rushing myself through racks. Thrifting is not always quick and there’s no guarantee that you will find anything, so it’s important to give yourself plenty of time to treasure hunt.

Bring a friend.

I love thrifting on my own, but it’s always easier and more fun when I bring a friend. I love weird prints and sometimes it’s hard to tell whether something is cute or too dated. Having a friend to give you a quick yes or no can move the process a long faster. Also it may help you to say yes to certain things and step out of your comfort zone!

Keep a running list of items you are looking for on your phone.

Since you don’t always know what you’re going to find at the thrift store I like to always have a list of the general types of pieces I am looking for, for my wardrobe. This helps me keep ideas in the back of my head so that I’m not trying to search every inch of the store every time I go in. Sometimes I really want graphic tees so I’ll head to that area first. This makes me feel like I have a plan in an environment that can sometimes feel a little unorganized and chaotic.

Don’t expect to find everything in one day. Go often.

Thrifting is definitely a marathon hobby. You cannot expect to walk in every time and find 20 new items for super inexpensive prices. If you have the right mindset and work to appreciate the process. It makes the thrill that much better when you find amazing items. I like to go often but only for about 30-60 minutes so that I’m never reaching the point of getting sick of it, any time I go. Also, depending on your thrift store, they might put new items out frequently. So it’s always in your best interest to go often.

Ignore sizes.

This one is so important because sizing is not a universal thing between clothing lines. The standard of sizing within a brand has also changed over the decades, so it’s impossible to know exactly what your size would be. There will most likely be a mix of vintage and current pieces so don’t only go for racks in your size. Some stores are organized by size and some are by color, so it’s important to make sure that you’re looking at everything! I just found a blouse that I am obsessed with and guess what… it’s a size 22W! While I knew it was going to be too big, I had to try it on because I was obsessed with the pattern of the fabric. Fast forward to the fitting room, and after a tie in the front and slight tuck into my high-waisted, tight Levi’s, it became the most ADORABLE over-sized top for super hot days this summer.

Try things on.

Some people get weirded out by trying things on, but I cannot tell you how crucial it is. There are so many pieces that I probably would have bought had I not tried them on because I thought they’d look great when on the hanger. There’s also so many pieces I would have never bought (i.e. that floral size 22W top) had I not been able to put it on and style or tuck it exactly how I’d want to wear it. I obviously wash everything when I bring it home on a deep wash or sterilize washing machine setting, but I think the trying on process is so key to making sure things fit right and you aren’t wasting money. Remember, just because things are inexpensive DOESN’T mean we want to waste our money. A shirt you never wear is still a waste of money, no matter how much you paid for it.

Some of my favorite pieces to get at the Thrift Store:

  1. Blazers

  2. Denim

  3. Button-Down Blouses

  4. Workout Tops

  5. Basics

  6. Skirts

  7. Jackets/Coats

  8. Accessories (Belts, bags, scarves, etc.)

I think this is all I’m going to talk about for now because I want to talk about thrifting on a more regular basis on my blog. I have truly fallen in love with every part of it, so I’m excited to share my finds with you all. I asked on Instagram if you’d like to see monthly thrifting hauls and how I style the items with those I already have and got a very postive response. More than half of you wanted to see them as IGTV episodes, but a good amount of you wanted them as blog posts, so I think I’ll still post on here every time I make a video that corresponds for those of you who just want to read!

If you have any additional tricks for thrifting leave them below! Also tell me your favorite thing you’ve EVER thrifted below.

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea

11 Things With Andrea #3

I can’t believe it’s been since March that I’ve done one of these posts! It just shows how time gets away from me during the start of wedding season. I’m happy to say that I’m getting back on track and bringing more consistent content to you now! So let’s get to it!

  1. I have fallen in love with thrifting. That is no secret if you follow my Instagram and you probably aren’t surprised that I’m talking about it first. I have learned so much from my best friend Margaret. Originally I was going to have her write a post about all of her thrifting tips and tricks, but her plate has gotten a little more full recently due to opening her own shop within a shop in Jackson, MI. Therefore, I am going to be compiling the tips and writing the post about thrifting and have her guest post soon about all the fun stuff shes doing with her new shop, so stay tuned!

  2. I keep chopping my hair and I’m obsessed. I feel like I’ve finally found the haircut that feels like the most me. It’s easy for most days when I want to shower and let it air dry, yet can still be pulled back when I need it out of my face (i.e. when I’m doing makeup). If you’re local to me, I go to Jenn Mina at Mirabella Salon in Okemos and she’s AWESOME! I finally have bed head that is voluminous, easy and not crazy flat… so basically Jenn has made me the happiest woman EVER!

  3. Cookbook is chugging along. I’m just testing recipes and fine tuning things so there’s not much to announce. I’m not sure if it’ll be out by my original goal of my 30th birthday (May 2020) but I’m telling myself that is perfectly fine. It will be ready when it’s ready.

  4. If you’re in the Lansing/Jackson or surrounding areas you should join me and a bunch of my favorite business babes in Jackson on Tues. July 16th from 7-8:30 pm at the Lean Rocket Lab, for a Michigan Tribe event called ‘No Such Thing as Balance: Finding your flow between work & play’. It’s going to be a panel based presentation and I’m really excited to hear about how other women balance all of the many roles we have while running a business. There are only a few tickets left so CLICK HERE ASAP, if you want one! If it’s sold out by the time you click on it, make sure you follow the IG account @michigantribe for information on the next event!

  5. Debt-Free update! I only have a little more than 8 grand left, and I feel like I am finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel! I’m so excited to be done with this huge milestone!

  6. Am I the only one who feels like they need ice cream every day in the summer? I can’t stop, but that’s ok. I love it.

  7. I’m so excited for a new clothing boutique to open in Jackson soon. Apricot Lane is the new store that I did makeup for last month for a photo shoot and I’m so excited to go check it out this weekend. They are having their big grand opening this weekend from Friday to Sunday and I cannot wait to visit. The owner, Jenny, and all the ladies who work there are so kind and friendly so I know it’s going to be one of those places I just love to visit. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date and check out all of their cute items!

  8. I am currently booked for the next 16 weeks of bridal season and I couldn’t be happier. I know this means that the rest of summer and fall are probably going to fly by but every weekend I look forward to another special day with YOU; my Andrea Fontana Beauty Brides! I am currently booking for the 2020 bridal season, so be sure to click that ‘About Andrea & Contact’ page in the Menu bar and email me if you want to chat about your special day!

  9. I’m doing my best to cross local Michigan businesses off my bucket list this summer and talk about them either on here or my Instagram! Do you have any favorites that I should add to my list? Make sure to comment below and let me know!

  10. I spent the fourth of July in the UP in airplane mode for 48 hours and it was HEAVEN! I forgot how nice it is to be away from my phone except to take a million pictures of my niece Lily at her first cottage experience because….duh! The slowing down felt so good for my mental health and I loved getting up and reading on the front porch with the sound of the lake in the background.

  11. If you don’t already own at least one of these pairs of block heels from Target, do yourself a favor and get one, or all of the colors! The style is the Michaela Pump by A New Day and they are the perfect shoe! Great height and comfortable enough to wear for long periods or as a wedding guest who won’t leave the dance floor! I started with the nude and loved them so much that I bought the black and red too! I also have the Ema which is really easy to walk in as well, but not good for as long of a period of time as the Michaela. Although this is understandable since it is much taller. So many of you were obsessed when I shared the photo below on my Instagram, so I wanted to be sure to include them in this post!

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Those 11 things were really hard to come up with this time. haha I guess I don’t have a lot going on right now, which is fine with me. I love being able to work part time in the summer and relax a little more during the weekdays.

Has anything special or fun been going on with you? Comment below and let me know!

Have a great day,

Andrea

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.

The Glow Lounge at Kenneth Brandt Salon & Spa

When my good friend Daelynn asked me to come into Kenneth Brandt and play with some ‘new to the spa’ Dermalogica products and tools, you KNOW it was one of the quickest yeses to come out of my mouth. Kenneth Brandt Salon & Spa was first an Aveda based salon/spa but has since been adding other lines to it.

My only experience with Dermalogica was from my days as a Benefit Cosmetics Arch Expert years ago. It’s the line that Ulta’s use for their skin therapy treatments, but I never managed to get in the chair and try them out. So I was really excited to meet Georgia (@kb.georgiaolson) and have a fun skin date!

In order to get the full experience you’ll have to visit Kenneth Brandt (@kennethbrandtsalon yourself, but in this post I wanted to share some of my favorite parts of my treatment that I think make a great spa experience. If you’re new here, I used to be the spa director of a spa and have done hundreds of facials. I’m all about details and think every bit matters.

First off, I loved that I was offered a drink when I arrived. I chose the Aveda tea which is heaven and I was so excited to have it since it had been years since I had drank some. I love that the Glow Lounge is in the basement because it feels separate from the hustle of the salon and cozy.

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The first thing I noticed was that the chair was super comfortable. It wasn’t quite a bed, so it wasn’t completely flat and uncomfortable. I have back issues so comfort is a big thing for me if I’m going to be laying down for a little while.

Georgia was so sweet and easy to talk to. Even though we had tons of things in common, I can tell she enjoys all the conversations she gets to have with her guests based on how easy she was to talk to. I personally like to talk during services so it was nice that I was able to connect with her and have fun!

She started the treatment with a cleanser but I was super excited for her to add the Dermalogica Daily Superfoliant to the mix because it’s an amped up version of a product I already know and love from Dermalogica (the daily Microfoliant). This one has charcoal added to the rice starch powder so it’s great to detox and exfoliate the skin. (Spoiler: this is the product I bought at the end of my treatment because I couldn’t leave without it)!

After a really great mask, we got into the tools, which you can probably guess I am ALL about. First, she added a serum to my face then used the Conture Toning System on my face to stimulate and tone my skin. The tool has a little head that created waves of suction on my face, kind of like a fish sucking. That’s the analogy that Georgia used, and I totally agree that that is what it felt like! haha I was shocked at how calming and good it felt.

After the Conture toning, Georgia did some blue light therapy on me (the also offer red light for Anti-Aging) to help with my post-birthday breakout situation that was still dealing with. Your girl couldn’t stop celebrating with cake and Oreos and that’s fine! The blue light helps to kill bacteria that leads to breakouts so I was happy to enjoy that.

After some other products like moisturizer, eye scream, SPF and more, I was all finished and I felt great. My skin was GLOWING so smart move on Daelynn’s part for naming this the Glow Lounge because that’s what it did to me. I felt relaxed and refreshed and cannot wait to go back and see Georgia again!

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Look for a future post on my thoughts on the Dermalogica Daily Superfoliant, once I use it a little longer. In the mean time, feel free to reach out to me, Georgia, or Kenneth Brandt Salon and Spa directly, to get more information about the beautiful new Glow Lounge.

Thank you again to Daelynn and Georgia for letting me come in and have some fun last week!

GO GET YOUR GLOW ON,

Andrea

Disclaimer: While the spa treatment was gifted to me, the product was purchased with my own money. All opinions are my own and I was not paid to write this review. Kenneth Brandt is just really GREAT!

28 Things I Learned at 28

In three days I turn 29 and start my 30th trip around the sun. While it’s crazy to think about the fact that I’m entering the last year of my 20’s, I’m so grateful for the lessons I’ve started or continued to learn in the last year of my life. So today I wanted to share some of them with you. Some are serious, some are funny, but all helped me have the best year ever.

  1. One of the greatest gift you can give yourself, is learning how to create healthy boundaries. It is possible to say no kindly and put yourself first.

  2. Not all mashed potatoes are gross. When you whip them with a hand mixer they can actually be quite tasty.

  3. You can be the happiest you’ve ever been in life and still struggle with anxiety. For me this was the turning point in knowing that I needed to talk to my doctor about medications.

  4. Harry Potter is really as great as they said it was. Scratch that, it was better and it changed my life.

  5. Writing a cookbook is hard, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. If you have a goal that you’ve always wanted to go after, start.

  6. Speaking of starting, it’s never too early or too late to start something.

  7. Game of Thrones is also as great as they said it was. Thank you Mikey for this and Harry Potter.

  8. While I thought being an aunt to two nieces was the best feeling in the world, being an aunt to three is in fact EVEN BETTER!

  9. The proper anxiety medication for you will not change your personality. You will feel more you and it is great.

  10. Friendships are sometimes meant for a season of life and that’s ok.

  11. While you may think it’s impossible love your significant other any more than you already do, every day will continue to surprise you and you will find ways you didn’t even know existed (i.e. when he becomes an uncle, your heart will swell each and every time he looks at that baby).

  12. You can survive without caffeine…but you don’t have to. haha I did it for 6 months but am happy to have it back.

  13. You can weigh the most you’ve ever weighed in your life and feel the most beautiful you’ve ever felt. Caring for your body and being active is a privilege and we should treat every opportunity to move as a gift. Shifting my focus from how much I was working out to just being and moving, changed my life.

  14. Injuring your tailbone is really painful and you will cry a lot and feel defeated, but you are stronger than you realize.

  15. It’s ok to ask for help.

  16. It’s really fun to go to bed at 9 pm on a Friday and wake up refreshed for the weekend.

  17. Relaxing without feeling guilty is possible.

  18. Buying less and from smaller woman-owned businesses is a phenomenal way to add more joy to your life. Surrounding yourself with carefully crafted items from strong and smart women is amazing.

  19. Support your friends and never stop expressing the gratitude you have for those around you who support you. We all need each other.

  20. Oreos can fix pretty much any kitchen mishap. They make a great appetizer, main course, or side dish when life throws you for a loop.

  21. Social media doesn’t have to be a negative black hole of comparison. You are in control of who is in your feed, so CHOOSE WISELY.

  22. You don’t have to make a lot of money to pay off your student loan debt, save money, etc. It’s not about how much you make, but how you spend what you make. Budget and make great choices and you can become debt free. This WILL be my last birthday with student loan debt. I am almost FREE!

  23. Cancel the plans. If your mind and body are telling you to rest and say no, say no. Again boundaries. Those who matter won’t mind.

  24. Being vulnerable can be really scary, especially when you’re sharing on the internet and you don’t know who’s reading. However, by being vulnerable, you have the ability to connect with others and help them by seeing they aren’t alone. This is so worth it!

  25. Mikey is still the greatest human and I am the most grateful person ever to get to call him mine. Not a day goes by that I do not thank God for his patience, strength, support, & love.

  26. Your business will have seasons, just like life does. It’s ok to be extremely productive one week and unfocused & slower the next. You are human and as long as you are still moving in the right direction, you are moving. Rest is ok.

  27. You don’t need one hundred friends.  Just a couple of REALLY great ones who will always have your back, and tell you which bathroom is best to poop in....

  28. Aging is the real greatest gift.  I love myself more at 28 than I did at 27 and I am so happy to be living this beautiful life that was given to me. I can’t wait to see how I love myself at 29.

Thanks for being so great to me 28. See you on the other side at 29  friends.

I love ya,

Andrea

What Did You Think of That? #1

Welcome to my newest series here on Andrea Fontana Beauty; What did you think of that?

I often get asked this question regarding items I haul on my IG stories, so I figured instead of spotlighting each one in a separate post, it'd be fun to share a post like this every so often with my thoughts on what I’ve tried recently.

It’s not necessarily a favorites or empties post, but just catching you up on my thoughts on what my thoughts are. I try so much stuff some months and hardly anything others, so I figured this would be a great as needed post for those interested. If you want more in depth information of specific products, never hesitate to reach out and ask. Now let’s get to it (click the product titles for links)!

Drunk Elephant Products:

I recently tried a couple kits from Drunk Elephant because I hadn’t tried anything from them before and I thought this was a great way to get a good feel for the brand and try a few things out that I’d been wanting to try. So here are my thoughts.

  • B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum: If you’re looking for a clean hydration serum this is a good option. I personally didn’t find it that special compared to others I’ve tried, so I’d base your decision on budget.

  • C-Firma Day Serum: While I love a great Vitamin C serum for during the day to amplify my SPF effects and for the antioxidant protection, I can’t stand the smell of this one, so I doubt I’d ever buy it. Rosehip oil people. Way cheaper too!

  • T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum: You can probably guess that I loved this one because I pretty much love all Glycolic products. haha I am an addict and liked this one a lot. It’s probably my favorite thing that I tried from all of the products from Drunk Elephant.

  • Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil: Everyone raves about this oil so I was honestly a little surprised when I first tried it because I didn’t think it was anything special. However, if you’re looking for a hydrating but not super greasy facial oil, test this one out. I liked how quickly it absorbed. I have learned to love it more than I initially did.

  • Lippe Balm: This is my favorite item I tried from Drunk Elephant and would consider buying it over and over. It’s a clean, petroleum-free lip balm that can double as an eye balm! I love the texture and how well it hydrates my lips. I also love the size and shape of it for application.

  • D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops: These have been amazing this spring while wanting to add a little extra glow to my face coming out of the winter paleness. I love adding a few drops to my moisturizer to wake my color up a bit. I just love all of the good ingredients too that protect you from environmental damage throughout the day. This is a product that I would definitely purchase the full size for because it looks natural and healthy.

What’s your favorite Drunk Elephant product that you’ve tried? Let me know in a comment below.

L'Oreal Glotion:

I normally mix a liquid illuminator in with my foundation, so when I started hearing about this Glotion, I knew it had my name written all over it. It’s easily my favorite liquid highlighter I’ve ever tried and if you only try one thing from this post, let it be this one!

Herbivore Botanticals Natural PRISM Exfoliating Glow Potion:

I’m obsessed with this night serum because it’s so clean and all of the chemical exfoliants come from natural fruit sources! There’s Lactic Acid (from Bilberry), Glycolic (from sugar cane), Citric acic (from orange peel), Malic acid (from apples), and so many other great ingredients. I know this one is expensive, but a little really goes a long way and I love what it has been doing to my skin.

Herbivore Botanicals Jasmine Green Tea Balancing Toner:

Shocker, I tried another Herbivore product and fell in love with it. I just really love this brand, especially for those of you looking for clean skincare. I love this one because it is soothing (aloe), protective (antioxidants from green tea), fights my blemishes (willow bark), and more! It smells so good too so it’s calming and enjoyable to spray on your face. I think this will be one that I will keep on hand in my gym bag because it’s so nice in the mornings after a run!

Mad Hippie Cream Cleanser:

I am normally not a cream cleanser girl, but I was super curious about this one so I decided to pick it up from Whole Foods a little while ago. If you’re looking for a clean option and you have normal to dry skin, I would check this out. I prefer it on days when I’m washing and don’t have any makeup on, because it’s a pretty thick cleanser. I’m always amazed by it because it feels like it would leave an oily residue behind when your face is dried, but it’s always surprisingly clean and happy!

So there are some of the products I’ve tried recently. Have you tried any of them? What are your thoughts? Let me know in a comment below and 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.

So You're Getting Married (Part 2): 7 Tips for Future Brides

Now that it’s May, bridal season is upon us and I wanted to take the time to bring you a second part to my really popular post from a few years ago (So You’re Getting Married). Click here to check that one out if you haven’t! That post is centered mostly around makeup and getting ready, but today’s tips are just reminders that I think every bride should read before their big day.

Reminder that while I have never been married or planned my own wedding, I have witnessed great planning, poor planning, and everything in between. This advice comes from my experience working in the wedding industry for 5 years now, but ultimately you know what’s best for you and your future spouse.

  1. You’re the only one who knows exactly what’s supposed to happen.

    Guess what. No guest at your wedding will know what your exact thoughts for your cake table are. So if details don’t go exactly according to plan, don’t sweat it! Chances are everyone will still think your day was absolutely spectacular, so don’t get stressed.

  2. The people bring the joy.

    Last fall I had the pleasure of doing the makeup for one of my first friends of life, and at her reception, her mother gave one of the best speeches I have ever heard at a wedding. She mentioned that a friend gave her the advice to focus on the fact that while the details can be really special, the people truly bring the joy to the wedding. This may be the only time in your life that all of your favorite people from both sides of your lives will be in one room. That in and of itself is special, so don’t forget it.

  3. Choose bridal looks that make you feel like you.

    I can’t recommend enough choosing a bridal look that looks and feels like you. You want your groom to feel like it’s you walking down the aisle, after all he’s marrying you, not some fantasy bridal version of you. You will look at these photos forever, so stick with classic looks that represent the true you. If you don’t like how your hair looks up and never wear it up, don’t choose an updo for your bridal hairstyle. You obviously want to feel special on your wedding day, but in a moment that can feel very surreal, it’s important to love what you see when you look in the mirror. We’ve all had those days when we don’t like our outfit for example, and feel less confident. Don’t let this happen on your wedding day!

  4. Stay organized and do a little each week to prevent stress.

    The brides who seem to be the least stressed to me are those who stay organized and do a little bit of wedding planning each week. Obviously if you have a short engagement this might not work for you, but I find that most brides tell me that by making a couple decisions a little at a time, they don’t feel that overwhelmed. I think a lot of wedding planning comes down to what kind of decision maker you are, so lean on those you trust, who are good at it.

  5. Stop caring about what other people think or making decisions to please others.

    It’s YOUR wedding day. The day is about you and your partner joining lives together. If you don’t want to do some traditional aspect of a wedding, don’t do it. Your day gets to be as unique as the two of you, so who cares what the people think! If you don’t like the look of a veil, don’t wear one!

  6. People just want to have a good time and celebrate you.

    While the details may be really important to you, don’t forget that most people just want to have fun. I say this not to sound like no one cares about the cake topper you chose, but in 20 years, most people will remember whether or not they had a great time at your nuptials.

  7. Find a moment while you’re getting ready to just sit and think about the day.

    Most brides tell me that it doesn’t feel like their wedding day, in the mornings when we’re getting ready. I personally love when the bride can find even just 5 minutes to sit and close her eyes and just soak in the moment. It’s a big day and from what I’ve heard, it flies by in the blink of an eye. At the end of the day, you will be marrying the love of your life and I think it’s really important to find a few minutes and sit and reflect on what that feels like. Often times, brides are bombarded with a million questions as they are getting ready so I think this time is sacred and special.

Overall, the most important thing is that you have fun and marry your husband or wife. Try your best to take extra time for self care and remember not to sweat the small stuff. Fill your day with gratitude and I can almost guarantee that you will have the best wedding day EVER!

If you’re a past bride of mine reading this, I hope your marriage has been better than you ever could have imagined so far. Thank you for letting me be a part of your day!

If you’re a future bride of mine reading this, I am so excited to have the honor to do your makeup on your wedding day. You will occupy a special place in my heart forever.

Have fun planning,

Andrea

Photo above is by Ben Ramos Photography.

Pixi Skin Treats

I was lucky enough to be sent the most beautiful skincare package from Pixi Beauty. I am extremely grateful when companies send me products to try because it allows me to review and share my thoughts with you! However, always remember that I would never recommend something solely because someone sent it to me. While I technically didn’t pay for these products, the opinions below are completely my own.

This ‘Skin Treats’ package from Pixi was filled with amazing masks and treatments for the skin. Pixi products are available at Target if you want to check them out in person.

Depuff:

I love a good eye gel mask for under the eyes, in fact I carry them in my kit to give to most brides, especially those who haven’t slept well leading up to the wedding! My go to brand though is Peter Thomas Roth’s De-Toc Cucumber Hydra-Gel Eye Patches, because they work the best out of all the ones I’ve tried (Click here to see my previous post about how well they work). However, I have to say these Detoxif-EYE Facial Treatment Eye Patches gave the PTR one’s a run for their money. I have used them on a couple brides now and myself and I think they do just as great of a job! I used them this past weekend on a bride who was puffy from allergies and they did such a great job of smoothing out any puffiness and fine lines before applying her makeup.

Detox:

The product I was most excited to see in this goodie box was the Glow Mud Mask, because I had heard other bloggers/youtubers RAVE about it (cough*@whatkatefinds*cough). I have to say, I was really impressed with it! I love how when it’s try you can see it working in your trouble areas. This is great if you are congested or oily and new to the skincare world and don’t quite know what to look for on your skin. It paints a clear picture as to where your trouble spots are when it comes to impurities. I love it. I love that it’s pretty quick drying too so you only have to wear it for about 15 minutes.

Peel:

This Peel & Polish mask is a fun way to prep your skin and exfoliate it before a treatment mask. I love how quick and effective it is. Simply apply it for 2 minutes and it will chemically exfoliate your face, then if you want a little extra exfoliation you can scrub it with wet finger tips and gently buff the skin a little more. As you probably know, I am not the greatest fan of mechanical exfoliation, but I like how gentle the grit is of this product. As expected though, I use it more so for the chemical portion and barely move it around before removing with a gentle damp cloth (which they so kindly provided in the goodie box! You really thought of everything Pixi Beauty)!

Glow:

You know I was excited to see the GLOW Glycolic Boost Sheet Masks come in this box because I love a good Glycolic Acid product. It really helps give a glow to your skin when used regularly! I loved this sheet mask. I am excited that I received more than one and this is a product I will definitely buy in the future. I try to use a low level glycolic acid serum every night, but love a slightly more intense treatment every so often. I like that with sheet masks you don’t rinse the product off afterwards, which is important with glycolic acid because when it’s at a lower level, you want it to sit on the skin to do it’s magic. I love this mask for nights when I’m in a rush but my skin is breaking out and needs some help. Aka, last night on day 2 of my period. haha

Purify:

I should have read more carefully with the T-Zone Peel Off Mask, but for some reason I didn’t realize that it was basically going to mimic a Biore Pore Strip. So you might be able to guess, but I’m not a big fan of these types of products and I tell you to generally stay away from them. Here’s why; the stuff in your pores is called sebaceous filaments and it’s simply a sign of healthy oil production which is a good thing! I understand that sometimes it can be too much and you can feel self conscious about it, so my suggestion is to skip the pore strips or peel off masks and go straight for the mud or charcoal masks (like the GLOW MUD one above!) and dissolve the excess oil instead of ripping it out. This is too rough on your pores, leaves them wide open and susceptible to acne infections and such. Plus, if you remove this oil too often, your body will simply up your oil production and try to refill your pores with even more oil!

Overall, I’m really loving most of the products Pixi Beauty sent me. I highly recommend checking some of them out if they sound like they could work for some of your skin issues. As always, let me know if you have questions about any of them!

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.

Pixi Beauty did send me these products to try for free, but all opinions are my own and I was not asked to review them.

Tips for Creating a Solid Skincare Routine

I know that skincare routines can seem tedious and like a waste of time to some people, but the reality is that we only have one face. It’s important to take care of our skin, but your skincare routine should be specific to you. How do you find the motivation to actually develop a routine that works for you? Follow some of these tips and I think they will help you.

Do your routine when you get home for the night.

This is my number one tip. For some reason, we think we have to do it right before we get in bed. If you struggle with feeling too tired to do your skincare at the end of the day, do it when you get home from work and change into your comfy clothes. This will also give you extra time to do treatments; say a face mask while cooking dinner…Doesn’t that sound nice? As long as you won’t be sweating or going out into the sun again, you can do that skincare as soon as you are in for the night.

Create a soothing environment in your bathroom while doing a skincare routine.

If you look at your skincare as an opportunity for self care, your attitude can change about it. It will no longer feel like a chore, but a fun experience. Create an environment that is relaxing and inviting so that you look forward to taking care of your skin. Soothing music, aromatherapy, lighting a nice candle; all of these things can add to the ambiance and make your skincare routine the best 10 minutes of your night.

Organize a special area of your bathroom as your skincare corner.

If your products are organized and easy to access, you’ll be much more likely to use them. I like to keep mine on a special shelf that is only for skincare so that I see them every time I walk into my bathroom, but they still look clean and neat. This way I am always reminded that I need to spend time on my skin.

Do your research, learn to understand your skin, & meet with an esthetician.

I find that we are less likely to do something when we don’t know why we would be doing it. We know we should be cleansing our faces but do we know why and how to properly do it? Take some time to meet with a licensed esthetician who can help you understand what your skin needs. The reality is that our skin can change day to day and the best thing we can do is learn to understand what our skin needs so we can properly treat it at home. Your esthetician is a great resource for this. I offer beauty therapy appointments to help you discover your skin specifically, so email me if you would like more info on this.

Only try one new product at a time.

This one may surprise you, but this is one of my big beliefs that I am always talking about. I firmly believe that we should only introduce one product at a time into our skincare routines. Here’s why…if you have an allergic reaction, you know exactly what caused it. If you don’t like the effects or oppositely, LOVE the effects, you know exactly what caused them. It also helps keep the cost of amping up your skincare routine spread out over a course of time, instead of having to drop a bunch of money at once. I am all about helping you create a great routine for yourself, but I also want it to be realistic and I don’t want you to feel overwhelmed.

Let me know what you do to make your skincare a part of your daily life! Comment your tips below.

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea

11 Things With Andrea #2

Let’s just jump right into it!

  1. I recently tried Fabletics for the first time and overall I loved my first purchase. I got two pairs of cropped leggings, one full length pair, and a sports bra that zipped up the front. I was really hoping to find a sport’s bra that was thick and good quality (the zipper ones usually are for higher impact sports), but unfortunately the fabric is just too thin to be super supportive. I LOVED the leggings though. The trinity high-waisted leggings are amazing. I highly recommend them. I asked you guys on IG your thoughts on Fabletics and most of you said that it’s not really great for sports bra, but the leggings and tops are awesome! While it is a monthly subscription I don’t think I’ll be purchasing every month (you can skip months), because I’m pretty set with leggings for now!

  2. I have been reading a lot recently (I’m on my 6th book for the month if that tells you anything). I did a book post recently (click here to check it out) and I’m excited to have some extra time next week to relax and read because the families I nanny for are on spring break! I picked up ‘The Shape of Water’, ‘Big Little Lies’ and ‘The Devil in the White City’ from the library and you all voted for me to start with ‘Big Little Lies’! I’m excited to read all three of these so make sure to check back in a little while to see my review on them.

  3. I currently have a GIVEAWAY going for a $100 Gift Certificate to JORD watches! If you haven’t entered it yet, CLICK HERE to check out the watch I was gifted for Mikey (my sweet watch obsessed other half). You don’t want to miss out on this awesome chance to win! You also get a 10% off code for entering so what do you have to lose?

  4. Wedding season begins this Saturday. While I had one wedding in January, this weekend starts the doing something almost every weekend for weddings and I AM SO EXCITED! I love my brides! I only have 2 Saturdays left and many Fridays and Sundays available so if you’re a 2019 bride who still needs a makeup artist, please contact me ASAP! (Click the CONTACT tab in the menu on the left).

  5. I’m really excited to be on track to be under $10,000 in debt by my 29th birthday this May (my goal is to be debt free by 30, which I am also on track for)! I know I don’t talk about it a lot on here, but for all of you working your butts off to become debt free, I AM WITH YOU! It’s probably my biggest goal that I’m working towards every day and if you’re also going through it, I know the struggles and tough work it takes. WE CAN DO IT!

  6. Please send all Netflix/Hulu/Prime recommendations my way. Like I mentioned before I have spring break coming up and am going to attempt to watch something since I suck at it. Working on learning how to be comfortable being relaxed and lazy, but it’s a process.

  7. I’m happy to report my anxiety is much lower than it was in January and February. I know I talked about it a lot on my IG and a little here, but if you don’t see me talking about it as much as I was, just know it is always something I am dealing with and working with. You are not alone. Always message me if you want to talk to someone.

  8. I’ve been trying a lot of new to me products from Drunk Elephant, Herbivore Botanicals, Tarte, Mad Hippie, etc and I’m excited to put together a post devoted to what I liked/ didn’t like.

  9. Cookbook writing is still coming along well! Every week I feel like I see the vision of my final cookbook becoming a little stronger which is really exciting. To all of you who consistently ask me how it’s going and are as excited as I am…you will NEVER know how much I truly appreciate your support and love. I am writing this cookbook for you and I think you’re going to love it! If you haven’t already signed up for cookbook updates, please click here to be added to my email list!

  10. If you’re in the Midwest, you’ve been experiencing some lovely SUN the last few weeks and it’s been AMAZING! Am I the only one who’s always constantly amazed at how much it affects our mood. We are different people when the sun is out and I love it! Spring is my favorite season so I’m excited to return to running outdoors and stopping to check up on all the blooms.

  11. If you caught Samin Nosrat’s phenomenal Netflix series, ‘Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat’ you might have checked out her cookbook of the same name. If you checked out her cookbook you probably oo’ed and aaah’ed at the beautiful artwork in it. I preordered these TO DIE FOR prints from the cookbook and if you need some extra kitchen art (I’m planning a beautiful kitchen gallery wall) you NEED to order these prints. They are so inexpensive for what beauty they really are!

  12. BONUS: This last one isn’t about me. It’s about you. You’re great. And I hope you’ll keep coming around to read what I write. I still get such amazing messages from you all about how my content is inspiring you and lifting you up and all I can say is, YOU are the one inspiring and lifting me up when you say these things. You are great! Thank you

Have the best weekend you tootie cutie patootie people,

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.

Unique Wood Watches: A Distinguished Gift For Him

I love a good men’s gift guide to bring me ideas on what to get my boyfriend, friends, dad, etc for birthdays and holidays. Except, I find that the only time I see people sharing them is for the holidays. All of the great men in our lives have birthdays too, so I thought I’d bring you an off-holiday season gift guide to bring you some inspiration for those non-Christmas occasions.

1. Decorative Chess Set:

It can be hard to find decor for men to put in their homes because they don’t usually have the same obsession with boxes, vases, and organization that we do. Haha I love a beautiful chess set because it can be both decorative and functional. Men don’t always seem to want to buy things because they look pretty like we do. This glass chess set is neutral which I love and takes up a good amount of room on a shelf, which can be helpful when trying to fill some spaces in with decor in a new place.

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My boyfriend is obsessed with watches. As you’ll see in a minute, he has quite the collection and really does wear different ones depending on the day and outfit. When the watch company JORD (pronounced Yode) reached out to me to send me a watch, I knew that I wanted to receive one to gift to him. I wear my Apple Watch everyday, so I don’t swap out watches (while they do have really beautiful Apple Watch bands as well, I knew I wanted to center this post around him).

JORD sent us this stunning Frankie Ebony & Gold watch. JORD watches are made with natural wood from around the world. While it is pretty neutral, it is unlike any of the other watches Mikey has. I love the simplistic nature of the design because many of the other watches Mikey has are very detailed. I think this watch will be a classic watch that he reaches for time and time again and can honestly go with almost any outfit.

Some fun facts about JORD watches:

  • Most of the watch backplates can be engraved, which is really special if you want to give a unique and meaningful gift (Hello to all of my brides still needing a wedding day gift for their fiance)!

  • The watches are sized to each recipient.

  • Each watch comes with a one year warranty.

  • You can work with JORD to further customize the watch you are buying!

  • Free worldwide shipping

Read until the end to Enter the AMAZING giveaway I will be offering with JORD watches!!

3. Watch Storage Box:

A watch storage box is a must for any man in your life who loves and collects watches. Not only do they keep things organized, but they protect the watches. Once again they provide great style while sitting on a dresser or in a closet. I like the one Mikey has because it has a glass window that allows you to view your watches while they are being stored.  

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4. Crystal Liquor Decanter:

Mikey has two whiskey decanters of a similar style that again make great decorative pieces, but are still functional (are you sensing a theme here? haha). I love the look of these decanters on a bar car with some beautiful whiskey glasses.

5. Knife Set:

If your guy likes to cook, maybe it’s time you upgraded his knife set. Mikey received this Cuisinart Knife Set for Christmas this past year and I’m amazed by the quality. Each knife is heavy and sharpens so well, that I love cooking at his house!

6. Ice Mold for Cocktails:

If you need a small gift to add on to another present, this is a great gift for any guy, even if they don’t drink alcohol. Ice cube molds are fun regardless of what you’re drinking them with!

7. Codenames:

In case you haven’t heard about Codenames, now you have. This game has been the center of so many friend gatherings in the last year. I highly recommend keeping it on hand because you can play with only 4 people or a huge group. Warning: it can get pretty heated and competitive, but get it ASAP!

8. Dutch Oven:

A dutch oven is a great gift for any man who likes to cook, but especially for those who don’t want 100 gadgets and instruments laying around their kitchen. A dutch oven is great for sauteing, roasting, making soups, searing meat and then finishing it in the oven, etc. You can even bake bread in them. The options are endless. I really like the brand Lodge for my cast iron products, so this one is a great size and option.

9. Book Shelf:

If your guy is a reader, a beautiful bookshelf is a great gift because it allows him to store his important collection. Mikey and I picked out this shelf from IKEA and so far I love how it has really transformed his office into a library.

10. Industrial Style Lamp:

I personally love anything for my house that can be a conversation starter and this lamp is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Mikey has it in his living room and it is so unique. I think a new lamp is a great gift for any guy who loves reading!


Do you have any great gift ideas for the men in your life? Comment below and add them to this list!

Now for the fun part…..the JORD Giveaway!

One of my lovely readers is going to win a $100 giftcard to JORD off any watch!! Everyone who enters will receive 10% off just for trying!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!

Entering will still get you something special, even if you don’t win so what do you have to lose?

Good luck to everyone who enters! I will announce the winner when the giveaway is finished.

Have a beautiful day,

Andrea


DISCLAIMER: JORD sent over the Frankie Ebony & Gold watch as a gift to review and give to my boyfriend. However, all opinions are my own.


Books I've Recently Read #4

I’m back again with my last 10 reads! I love how much you guys love these posts. Reading a lot is one of the many gains I have added to my life since quitting my job and owning my own business. As always, be sure to leave me good recommendations in the comments!

CLICK EACH BOOK TITLE TO BUY ON AMAZON***

HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE, HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS (by J.K. Rowling): I started my year off with finishing the Harry Potter series for the first time. In case you missed me talking about it on my Instagram, it truly changed my life. I totally understand why people are so obsessed with it. I cannot recommend enough for you to read the series if you haven’t. I also watched the movies which I obviously loved but not as much as the books. At first I was upset with myself for waiting until 28 to read them, but I really think I was meant to read them at this age. I am excited read them every few years and relive the magic again.

ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE (by Anthony Doerr): I have a fascination for the WWII time period (Shout out to everyone else who had Molly the American Girl Doll. I think this is where my fascination started)! When it came time for me to pick the monthly book club book I picked this one because it was rated really well and I love this era. I absolutely adored this book, but everyone else in the group while still liking it, wasn’t quite as obsessed as I was. I will say it does take a good 150 or more pages to get really into it. I was just in awe of how well Doerr was able to write from the perspective of a blind girl in France during WWII. I’m super excited that it is being turned into a Netflix Miniseries, but you know I’m going to tell you to read it first if you want to watch that! The book is ALWAYS better….haha

BREAD AND WINE: A LOVE LETTER TO LIFE AROUND THE TABLE (by Shauna Niequist): One of my best friends put this in my hands and said READ THIS, so I did! I absolutely loved the stories and the format of this book. Every chapter is a story and a recipe that relates to it. I think this book is a must for anyone who treasures a meal around the table with the ones they love, but also any woman from late 20’s to 30’s. It has a lot of great quotes and meaningful stories that hit home. I also picked up Cold Tangerines, by the same author, so read soon.

INTO THE DARKEST CORNER (by Elizabeth Haynes): This was my February Book Club read. This is not a typical genre of book for me to read, but I was really excited to read something that I normally wouldn’t. It’s a thriller and if you like intense page-turners, this book is great. It’s intense until the last page. If you like thrillers this is a must. If you don’t normally read this type, I think it’s a good one to switch it up with.

THE LIBRARY BOOK (by Susan Orlean): If you are a book and library lover, you HAVE to read this one. I was excited to receive it as a gift for Christmas, and was in love with how Orlean formatted and wrote the book. It’s a great mix of history of the LA Public Library, information of the mystery of the LA Public Library Fire of 1986, and look at how the library operates today. My only complaint is that some of the chapters on the history of establishing the library were a little too detailed and long. I preferred the chapters on the fire mystery and what libraries do for us today, more! If you love libraries and want to learn more about the magical buildings they are, pick this one up!

COMMONWEALTH (by Ann Patchett): I stumbled upon this one at my library and since it seemed like I was the only one who hadn’t read it yet, I checked it out. I was really excited to read it, since I’d heard so many people rave about it, but I honestly wasn’t a fan. I felt like many of the chapters went in circles and nothing really happened. I normally love when books cross into different decades, but this one just felt too spaced out and like I wanted to know more. If you’ve read this one, I’m curious to know what you thought of it.

THE CROWNS OF CROSWALD (D. E. Night): I was sent this book by the Publisher for free to review on Goodreads (Let’s be friends on it if we’re not already), but sadly I didn’t love it. I think if I hadn’t just recently finished Harry Potter with details fresh in my head, I would have enjoyed it more. I couldn’t help but compare every character/location/detail, to a Harry Potter equivalent. It felt like the exact same story as Sorcerer’s Stone and that made me sad. I will say the author did a great job describing some magical details that helped them come alive, but I just couldn’t get past the Harry Potter similarities unfortunately.

AM I THERE YET? THE LOOP-DE-LOOP, ZIGZAGGING JOURNEY TO ADULTHOOD (by Mari Andrew): Stop righ there, click the link and go buy this book. It is A MUST. It’s a super quick read (I read it in a day). I think every woman should own a copy and re-read it once a year. The watercolors are beautiful and the content is just so freaking relatable. I think it would be the perfect gift for someone in college or just after graduating, because it talks about the topics of moving to a new city, finding your home, finding yourself, dating, loss, and so much more. It will definitely be a book I leave out on my coffee table for friends to peruse when they are over. Thank you to my best friend Emily for giving this to me for my birthday last year. She just knows me so well.

GO SET A WATCHMAN (by Harper Lee): I reread ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ in my book club in December and loved it so much more than I ever remembered. I was really excited to read this sequel because my good friend Sammy said I needed to read it. I am so grateful that she told me to because so many people HATED it. haha Don’t read the reviews on Goodreads. On it’s own, I don’t think the book is that great, but as a sequel it is awesome. I think it does such a great job of following up with Jean Louis ‘Scout’ Finch after all of those years. I learned that this title is what Harper Lee wanted to originally name ‘TKAM’ so I found that really interesting. If you haven’t read TKAM since high school days, please do yourself a favor and reread it & then read this one just to see how it ends.

Have you read any good books recently that I should add to my Want To Read section of Goodreads? Comment below and let me know!

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.