The One Where We Met Antoni

If you don’t follow me on Instagram, you might not know that last week I traveled to Chicago with one of my very best friends to attend a book signing for Antoni from Queer Eye and….MEET HIM.

YES! I got to meet him, hug him, say hello, sit front row for the event, receive an amazing goodie bag from Williams Sonoma, and got a signed copy of his new cookbook “Antoni In the Kitchen'“. It was an amazing experience and he was exactly as I hoped he’d be in person; funny, passionate, excited, and kind.

I created a little IGTV video that summed up the whole trip here but if you’d like to read a quick summary of our trip, keep on reading!

Day One:

• Took the Amtrak to Union Station. Finished up reading Middlesex, ate yummy banana bread, did my makeup and made friends with a cute little 8 month old and her momma.

• First stop, the Chicago French Market, where we shared a yummy proscuitto sandwich, and then we headed to the Doughnut Vault, where I ate a chocolate glazed doughnut as big as my face.

• Next, up we dropped off our bags at our hotel (Inn of Chicago) and headed out for a little bit of shopping. (Inn of Chicago was a great location, super comfy bed, but that’s about it. The actual room was kind of dirty and I doubt I’d stay there again unless I got a stupidly cheap deal).

• At Gap, Margaret and I both scored some awesome clearance finds, including a leopard print skirt, stripped button-down dress, and tank for me!

• Headed to Eataly to show Margaret my little slice of heaven. Picked up some items for a pre-Antoni charcuterie in bed!

• The ‘Antoni In the Kitchen’ event was next. Amazing. Speechless. I’d do it again in a heartbeat for his next cookbook so GET WRITING Antoni!

• We then headed to the rooftop terrace for a little moment to slow down before bed. We were tired and knew the next day would be busy so we chose to head to bed at 10:30 instead of going out like we had planned.

Day Two:

• We both woke up early at 6 am so we decided to stay in our PJ’s and head to get some donuts and coffee at Stan’s Donuts (one of my faves in Chi).

• Headed back to bed for some reading which was nice.

• Slowly got ready for a day of shopping in Wicker Park/Ukrainian Village.

• Visited Credo Beauty, Aesop, Deciem, Buffalo Exchange, Paperish Mess, Dark Matter Coffee, Peach Fuzz, and Humboldt House. I may have missed a shop or two that we stopped at, but we sure crammed a lot into a short amount of time!

• Next we headed back to the hotel for a quick nap and then I got ready to meet one of my college bestie’s Nick for a yummy dinner at Luxbar to celebrate his 30th birthday.

• After dinner, Margaret and I headed to The Darling, an old Speak Easy, for a drink with her friend Olivia, and then we headed over to the Sparrow which felt like we time traveled back to Havana in the past.

• What better way to finish off the day then to spend the night dancing away until 2 in the morning.

• Our alarms woke us at 6 am promptly the next morning to head back on the Amtrack to Michigan, but it was worth the few hours of sleep!

Overall our trip was amazing! We packed so many amazing memories into such a short amount of time! I put together a mini capsule closet for the trip with only 5 clothing items and I’ll be sharing that post soon so stay on the lookout.

Where do you like to visit when you go to Chicago? Tell me below.

Have a beautiful day!

Update: New Studio Reveal

I am so excited to finally be sharing my new studio with you. After almost three years in my apartment, it was time to move out and create a new space. I am so grateful that my boyfriend Mikey welcomed me into this space in his home. I am so in love with it and I can’t wait to welcome my clients into this new space for makeup and consultations. It will also serve as an office for me. This means I will be filming more blog content in this space as well. If you’re interested in seeing how I created the DIY clothing rack to use for my thrifting content, be sure to comment below.

I am so in love with this doormat that I had custom made by a sweet soul named Meredith from Tiny Bits of Happiness. This is one of the few things I purchased for the new space.

I know you might be thinking, did Andrea move in with Mikey? The answer is no. Haha I am excited to share that I will be moving in with one of my favorite families ever. I was the nanny for an amazing family for the past 5 years and now that the boys will both be in school full time, I am no longer going to be watching the boys day to day. However, I will moving into their basement guest room. They have some amazing travel plans of their own for the next school year and needed someone to watch over their home when they are away. This lead to the perfect opportunity for me to move in with them for the next school year and still see the boys.

This gallery wall was really important for me to nail because I wanted to have inspiration to look at while working at my desk. It’s also what clients face when I’m doing their makeup, so I wanted them to have fun things to look at. It includes an old photo of my favorite Italian singer Louis Prima, a vintage postcard of the hospital I was born at, a map of Brazil, an homage to my favorite foods bagels and pasta, the only framed picture I have of Mikey and I (lol), and so much more.

Having a cozy seating area was really important for me because I wanted my clients to feel welcome to sit for a moment and chat with me. This studio will be used mostly for makeup consultations so I wanted my brides and their entourage to feel comfortable. Since I no longer need all of my furniture to complete an entire home, I was excited to just bring my favorite pieces into this studio space. I feel so productive in the two weeks I’ve been here because I’m just happy to be surrounded by so many pieces that bring me such joy.

The most important part about this studio is that it has reminded me how much I love my business and my clients. The support I receive on a daily basis never goes unnoticed and I am grateful to welcome you all to this new space.

What is your favorite part of the new studio? Let me know in the comments below!

Have a beautiful 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

July Thrift Haul & Style

I’m really excited to start sharing monthly thrift hauls with you all. I’ve created the video below to show you how the pieces I’ve thrifted look on and how I would style them. I thrifted so many items in July that I actually decided to go on a ‘No Buy’ for August. Therefore, since I won’t be thrifting this month, I have split my July items into two videos. The first one, you will see below and tailored more towards summer outfits, while the August video will start to look a little more like Fall.

I know that it can be frustrating sometimes to fall in love with a piece that someone has thrifted because they can’t send you a link to purchase the item, but remember… I’m creating these posts and videos to inspire you. I hope they can encourage you to try thrifting if you never have. I also hope to share some ideas on how to style certain pieces that don’t fit quite right.

If you’d like to read more about my tips and tricks for thrifting, click here to read my post on the topic. I hope you feel inspired and enjoy the video!

Welcome to my new monthly series! I'm excited to share 'Thrift Haul & Style' videos, showcasing the treasures I've found that month and how I'd style the different pieces.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ My goal with these videos is to inspire you by sharing how you can take something off the rack so inexpensively and turn it into a fun outfit.

Let me know in the comments below which outfit is your favorite and if you like this style of video!

Have a great day,

Andrea

The Grand Opening of Apricot Lane Jackson!

*All photos in this post were taken by ‘Photography by Sarah Trumble’. You can find her on Instagram (@photosbysarahtrumble) and Facebook (Photography by Sarah Trumble).

I am so excited to share this project because I love all of the women that I met through this opportunity. I originally met Jenny (the owner) at a Michigan Tribe meeting a few months ago. I was thrilled when she reached out and asked me to do makeup for their first big photo shoot to coincide with the Grand Opening of their store in Jackson, Michigan.

Apricot Lane Jackson is a beautifully curated store that offers mostly clothing items, but also some great accessories and gift items too. I picked up some awesome hair accessories and a graphic tee when I went to the Grand Opening sale. I also love that they are supporting local small businesses, such as my friend Alison of a. rose designs! They have some of her mugs and signs for sale too!

I had such a great time and I’m so excited to share some of the photos from the shoot below. To see more, head to their Instagram or Facebook pages. Be sure to like their content and if you’re ever near Jackson, go check out the beautiful store in the Westwood Mall.

I was originally going to share the items I got from the Grand Opening sale within this post, but have decided to use them in a future thrifted style post, because they pair so well with some of the items I’ve thrifted recently. Be on the look out for that!

Congrats to Jenny and her awesome team of ladies on the opening of a really fun and beautiful store that is very welcoming and enjoyable to visit.

*If you are a local small business owner and are looking for a makeup artist for future photo shoots, please email me at andreafontanabeauty@gmail.com for more information.

Have a great 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.

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!

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.

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!

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.