Monthly Favorites | March 2024

Hello and welcome to ASB Favorite Finds, where I reflect on the past month and share what has been particularly noteworthy, from enlightening reads to standout beauty products and everything in between.

Monthly Musings

As we enter the fourth month of 2024, my intention to prioritize creativity over mindless consumption has resonated deeply with me. Throughout the last four months, I’ve found joy and satisfaction in assessing and innovating with my existing wardrobe. I’ve been embracing the challenge of discovering fresh ways to style the garments I already possess, and the realization that I have plenty of amazing pieces curbs my urge to acquire new ones. Through this process, it has become clear to me that there are pieces in my wardrobe that I wear all the time, and others not so much or not at all. Time for a closet purge. We will be talking more about how to edit your closet to create an enjoyable space that really works for you next month. In the meantime, you may want to pick up Allison Bornstein’s latest book, “Wear it Well,” as it parallels beautifully with what we have been exploring here: having an intentional approach to your wardrobe and shopping your closet. In this guide:

• Read about Allison’s viral three-word method to discover and define your style
• How to curate your closet using her AB Closet-Editing System
• How to use fashion as a wellness tool
• Learn how to create new, sustainable looks by shopping your closet and mixing and matching with the Nine Universal Pieces.

I read and referenced Allison Bornstein’s book as I edited my closet this past month, and I have never been happier with the end results. My closet is now edited, organized, curated, and workable. I have a short list of items to add to my wardrobe and a bigger list of items NOT to buy for my wardrobe. The most helpful style handbook I’ve read; you can check it out, here.

Blog Highlights

• Carry-on travel using the 333 Packing Method + a video, here
• My City Guide to New Orleans, here
• How I styled my carry-on for 6 days in New Orleans, here
• How to brighten your neutral wardrobe using Metallics + outfit ideas, here
• All archived Shop My Closet videos + What I Wore posts, from my What’s On My Rail series, can be viewed here.
• Did you know the “Shop Pages” on ASB are where you will find links to mentioned or favorites from the blog? Updated this week, the “Shop” tab can be found at the top right of my home page, or click here for beauty favorites, here for shoes and accessories, and here for everything else.

Favorite Finds

1. For a truly luxurious Japanese Beauty facial cleansing experience – yes, it’s that good- I love the creamy Rice Wash from Tatsha. (fair warning, the scent is addicting!). I have tried the Dewy Skin Cream, which is amazing as well.  A little pricier than your drugstore face wash, but a little goes a long way. Sold at multiple retailers, I found the offerings on Tatsha.com, to be the best for price, bundles, and they offer free shipping.
2. For an after-shower indulgence, I love the scent and hydration of Lollia’s Dry Body Oil. Available in a variety of scents, ” Elegance” is fragranced with an essence of White Amber, Mirabelle, and fresh greens – an  Oprah Favorite – and has become one of my favorites as well. I purchased this in a set over the holidays with the bath gel. But if I were to just pick one product, I would recommend the Body Oil – it’s so good. Amazon offers 8 scents, including “Elegance”, HERE | Lollia products are also available at Anthropologie, HERE.
3. With “Crisp fresh green bamboo combined with flowering citrus blossom with notes of hyacinth, lilac & jasmine, and hints of musky rose” (BsKnees.com), the Fresh Bamboo Candle Collection from B’s Knees is everything springtime.
4. Did you know the Côte d’Azur scent used in Oribie hairspray is so good, that they makes a fragrance? This spray size is perfect for travel or in your handbag. AMAZON | Bloomingdales
5. I never knew doing laundry could be so enjoyable, until I listened to Patric Richardson (The Laundry Evangelist), a guest on one of my favorite Podcasts talk about everything we are doing wrong in the laundry room. From simple DIY solutions for getting out tough stains to why our clothes are not coming out clean (detergent build-up!), his book Laundry Love, offers tricks, hacks, and tips for saving time, money, and our clothing. His videos are also available to watch on YouTube, and on his website, laundryevangelist.com.
6. Book lovers might enjoy Reese’s Book Club (Reese Witherspoon), where each month Reese and team, choose a book with a woman at the center of the story.
7. Mindful of wanting to cut down on random scrolling, I’ve picked up crocheting again. My daughter showed me these amazing patterns by Janie Crow, and I’m enjoying working on the “Magic Lanterns Blanket” right now.
8. I am always on the hunt for a good chicken recipe, and this Tuscan-style chicken with tomatoes, olives and balsamic is not only easy (one skillet!) but delicious as well. Served over rice or risotto or with a Ceaser salad bag – done!
9.  New Orleans native, Alexa Pulitzer, creates quirky, elegant, and oh-so-fun (and funny) notecards and gifts – inspired by her travels and hometown of New Orleans.  While visiting the city, I thoroughly enjoyed reading her “insider guide” to New Orleans, HERE.
10. The iconic Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans is a must-visit for anyone looking to try their famous Beignets and Chicory Coffee, but thanks to the internet,  if you can’t make it to NOLA, you can order the Beignet mix and canned coffee, straight to your door!
11. I recently came across Ettika, an affordable, on-trend jewelry line, at Nordstrom. I’ve been looking for a set of Cobra stretch bracelets and found this set of 3, currently on promotion, along with this dome ring, and this wrap ring. I like that they are adjustable and am hoping that they mix well with the stack rings in my jewelry box.

New Balance 327 Sneaker Update

A favorite of mine, according to March analytics, the New Balance 327 is also a reader favorite. The Nordstrom link I provided throughout March, is currently sold out. Here are a few other spots that currently have stock available.