November was an eventful month for me! From my birthday to Thanksgiving, it was full of many new favorites and I am here to share every last one.
MOVIES/TV SHOWS
The Noel Diary
I kind of had a strong feeling I would like this film when I saw it pop up on my Netflix. I’m a sucker for rom-coms and Christmas Hallmark movies. The added bonus for this film is that it’s based on a book written by an author I admire greatly, Richard Paul Evans. Another double added bonus is the fact that Justin Hartley is the star of the movie alongside Barrett Doss.
Netflix describes the film as such: “When a best-selling author returns home at Christmas to settle his mother’s estate, he finds a diary that holds secrets to the past.”
It is the perfect movie to watch in front of the fireplace with some hot cocoa to ring in the holidays.
BEAUTY
Cerave Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Over Thanksgiving break, I ran out of my usual retinol and was in a crunch. I couldn’t find my usual retinol so I found this one and bought it instead. I am pleased with what it’s been doing so far and love the texture of the serum. It is lightweight and from what I can tell in the few weeks I’ve been using it, it has helped with my acne scars and dark spots greatly.
John Freida Blue Crush Conditioner
I have been a blonde for a majority of my life but recently, I noticed my roots were darker than normal and dyed my hair to match it. Turns out, I’m a brunette now! With this discovery, I had to retire my usual purple shampoo I was using and replace it with a blue conditioner that is more suitable for brunettes. I found this one at my local Walgreens and love the way it not only leaves my hair looking, but also the way it feels soft and moisturized.
Maybelline Superstay Long-Lasting Liquid Foundation
I needed a go-to foundation that matched my winter skin tone and had heard great things about the long-lasting nature of the Maybelline Super Stay Lipsticks. I figured the foundation had to also be long-lasting and I was correct! This foundation comes in 24 shades and although the longest I’ve worn it so far is 9 hours, it stays in place pretty well!
FOOD/DRINK
Talenti Gelato
I have seen pints of this gelato throughout stores for years but I have never thought about buying it because I would be cheating on my one true love: Italian gelato. I finally caved and bought it for my birthday dinner because I knew it was the closest I could get to the real deal. Although it isn’t better than the gelato I had in Italy, it was rather tasty! I loved the flavor of Double Dark Chocolate as it has little chunks of chocolate throughout it but I heard good things about other flavors as well.
CHICAGO
Avec
There are two locations of Avec, one in River North and one in the West Loop. I went to the West Loop location for lunch and it was quite a cozy place. It was tight and seating was limited so if you want some more room to roam, I recommend the River North location but I enjoyed the coziness of this location and I loved the food. It offers a more mediterranean cuisine and the focaccia and hummus was to die for. I also enjoyed the sweet potatoes and salad. Honestly, I couldn’t find something on the menu I wouldn’t like.
Il Porcellino
Found in River North, this Italian restaurant was the perfect location for my birthday dinner. The food was DELICIOUS and the staff was amazing. I ordered the ravioli for myself and the roasted artichoke and burrata for the table. All of it was divine. Our waiter made sure to make my night extra special and allowed me to choose any dessert on the house. Of course, the dessert came with a candle and it was the perfect ending to the dinner.
Aside from the mouth-watering food and caring staff, I absolutely loved the aesthetic and “vibe” of the place. It was just dark enough to set the mood and the walls were full of black and white photos of Italy, Vogue magazine covers and a nice display of their wine collection.
BOOK
The College Student’s Guide to Less Stress
This book written by Carol L. Rickard is the perfect book for the final exam season that is approaching. I got the book my freshman year of college and as a graduating Senior, it sure has come in handy plenty of times. It does state the obvious in some parts of dealing with stress but it’s great to get reassurance and to have a hand on it when you get extra stressed while navigating this crazy world of college.
FASHION
Tan Chunky Chelsea Booties
I got these boots for my birthday and I’m obsessed with them. I forgot I put them on my Amazon wishlist so it was a pleasant surprise when they were delivered to my apartment (thanks big brother, Daniel). These boots look like a Steve Madden dupe and are incredibly comfortable. I love pairing them with leggings for comfy outfits or with tights and skirts if I want to dress it up. The color is perfect and different than most of my shoes so it adds some diversity that I love.
December has already started and my new favorite list is already racking up. I can’t wait to enjoy all the winter goodies in Chicago and back home (and share them soon).