Hi from Philadelphia! There were a few items in October that I found myself reaching for over and over again. I’ve been wearing these Vuori joggers with the C’est La Vie white hoodie as my official preschool drop-off uniform. Initially I wasn’t sure about ordering from Shein but for $14, I went for it and it’s become an item I reach for often. Size up for a looser fit because it runs on the smaller side. These are my everyday boots that I purchased last year and will be wearing throughout the fall and winter. I usually wear them with yoga pants or cropped jeans. If you’re like me and often air dry your hair, this hair oil from Ouidad is great for curly hair. I use it after every shower and love how it smooths out my hair as it air dries. There’s one part of my skincare routine that I never skip and that’s using a really great cleanser. I’ve written about this oat cleanser before ($10!) and love that I rarely break out when I use it consistently. We took family photos at Rittenhouse Square Park a few weeks ago and I wore light blue jeans that had a looser fit and looked great with heels. It was especially nice not being in tight jeans as I ran after my three children all over the park. 🙂

I’ve been playing Nina Revisited, a collection of Nina Simone covers from artists including Lauryn Hill, Mary J. Blige and Alice Smith. I personally love Track 1, My Mama Could Sing and Track 12, I Want a Little Sugar in my Bowl, both by Nina Simone’s daughter, Lisa Simone. Alice Smith’s rendition of I Put a Spell On You (Track 12) is dark and hauntingly beautiful. I’ve been lighting the Hotel Lobby Candle (New York) after the kids go to bed, immediately getting into pajamas and playing the album from start to finish for some relaxation. It just puts me in a different frame of mind. What has been your version of self-care lately?

Here are my top 12 items for October.