Welcome to our weekly “walk and talk,” where we bring our weekly walks to you. Our walks are a time to catch up on family life, share online shopping hits and misses, exchange recipes, discuss our newest Netflix binge — all the stuff that friends share with each other. And now we’re sharing with you!
Don’t miss a single link! Click here for previous editions of our “Walk and Talk.”
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WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
CHRISTA : It took a few episodes to grow on me, but then I found myself completely loving this unlikely trio of crime fighters in Only Murders in the Building (Hulu). Selena Gomez, Steve Martin and Martin Short are residents of the same apartment building, brought together by their love of true crime podcasts. When a crime happens in their own building, they set out to solve it – and do their own true crime podcast, too. It’s humorous and suspenseful – I think you’ll enjoy it! (Plus, it has a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and received a bunch of Emmy nominations this year!)
MEGAN : Who remembers the book, Flowers In the Attic? I loved it and the subsequent movies. Now Lifetime has a new limited series out based on the book. This is a gothic horror prequel and it’s a good one!
WHAT WE BOUGHT AND KEPT FROM THE NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE
A friendly reminder…there are only a few days left to shop the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, now through July 31. Here’s a look at what we bought a kept – many of our favs are still in stock. You can see all our NSale recommendations in this post.
OUR NSALE KEEPERS
CHRISTA : My NSale purchases focused on some basics (jackets and sweaters) – some to replace a few older items I already had. I was more thoughtful this year about my shopping and checked my closet before I checked out on line. (Funny how you forget what you have from last season!)
one // two (full price version) // three // four (size down) // five (size down) // six (size down; similar one) // seven
- one // This Zella jacket is perfect for our fall walk and talks! All sizes available.
- two // LOVE THIS! My favorite NSale purchase was the Blanc Noir jacket – perfect for walks or everyday wear. It has a little stretch to it making it extra comfy, the waist cinches for a more flattering shape, and I love the thumbholes. This is a new brand for me and one I’ll certainly look for more items. Unfortunately this jacket is sold out, but the full-priced version is available on the Blanc Noir site.
- three // I love the faux suede jacket (my daughter also grabbed one in burgundy for work). Sizing is limited in black, but burgundy and chocolate have all sizes available.
- four and five // Treasure & Bond is a Nordstrom brand that I love and recommend. These two sweaters are still available in most sizes and also available in black.
- six // This sweater is available in a few sizes in the rust and grey colors. The olive green is sold out, but here is a similar one.
- seven // Megan’s taught me that a basic black cashmere sweater is something every closet needs. Black is running low in many sizes, but there are a lot of other colors available.
MEGAN : I was all over the place shopping the Nsale this year. Truth be told I ordered and returned a lot. (Maybe that’s just part of online shopping?) Anywho, this is what I ended up adding for my fall wardrobe. And I’m very excited about it.
one // two // three // four // five // six // seven
- one // You can never go wrong with a Barbour jacket and this one checks a lot of boxes for me. I’ll wear it to workout and walk the dog and run casual errands when I don’t need my heavy coat.
- two // I’m trying to work more lavender/purple into my wardrobe and the price was perfect on this little cardi as an “experimental” piece.
- three // I’ve got this hand soap hidden away in my bathroom for my own personal use.
- four // My friend Lynne has a pair of black waxed denim that she got years ago at WHBM. Every time she wears them I think she looks so elegant. Giving these a try.
- five // These are the illusive 3/4 sneakers that I’ve been on a quest for. Will be perfect to keep my ankles warm when it gets cold and sloshy out. Bonus, they don’t come looking “distressed” or dirty.
- six // My splurge item, waterproof boots for everyday. Can’t wait to wear them with boot cut jeans this fall.
- seven // 3 x repurchased. These ON sneakers will replace my pair from last year that I’ve worn out.
WHAT MEGAN’S COOKING
French Roasted Chicken w/ potatoes
www.StyleAmongFriends.com
Equipment
- 1 cast iron skillet
- 1 meat thermometer
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts I did both bone in and boneless - will do just boneless next time bcuz that's what my family prefers. Would also be great with bone in thighs.
- 3 tbsp oil
- 3 tbsp French mustard like gray poupon
- 1 tbsp white wine drinkable
- dash paprika
- 1 lb sliced (1/4 inch) Yukon gold potatoes skin on
- 1 sliced (1/4 inch) zucchini because I had it, you could skip
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley
- 2 garlic cloves minced
Instructions
- preheat oven to 350 while you prep the chicken breasts.
- coat bottom of iron skillet with oil, then roll your chicken breasts in the oil
- salt and pepper breasts
- mix mustard and wine and coat the tops of the breasts
- sprinkle paprika and thyme on top
- BAKE 350 for 30 min.
- while that bakes use a mandolin or knife and slice the potatoes and zucchini
- remove pan from oven, put chicken on a plate, dump potatoes in iron skillet with garlic and toss around to coat in pan juices. Put chicken back on top of potatoes.
- put back in the oven and bake for 30 more min at 350
- remove from oven, put chicken on a clean plate and check temp with thermometer (should be over 165)
- dump zucchini on top of potatoes, toss in juices and back in oven for 15 min at 350.
- raise oven to broil for last 3-5 min.
Notes
HAPPY NATIONAL LIPSTICK DAY!
Pucker up – it’s National Lipstick Day! We recommend you celebrate with a visit to your nearest makeup counter to test some new colors…bring your bestie and grab lunch, too!
We’re sharing our current favs below, but if you’re struggling to find your best color, check out this masterclass in choosing the best lip color for your skin tone.
OUR LIPSTICK PICKS
CHRISTA : My favorite everyday lipstick is the Tarte Maracuja juicy lip balm in Hibiscus (only $21) – long lasting color, creamy smooth and moisturizing – perfect year round option. I also like the Pillow Lips lip gloss solid serum (in Marvelous and Gaze) and lipstick (in Like a Dream) from IT Cosmetics. The Pillow Lips formulas are hydrating, long lasting, and (best of all) don’t settle into fine lines. Pro tip: To celebrate, IT Cosmetics is offering a free Pillow Lips solid serum lip gloss ($24 value) with your $75 purchase (expires today).
MEGAN : New lipstick is my love language. I have a drawer full in my bathroom and a variety in every purse (finding an old fav in a bag that hasn’t been used in a while is like running into an old friend). I consider myself a true connoisseur. Current rotation in no particular order:
- Merit Lip Oil in color “Cool Pink”. Not sticky and long lasting, also layers well over another lipstick. Can be found at Kohl’s or Sephora ($24)
- Mac lipstick in color “Please Me”, Nordstrom ($19)
- Nars pigmented liquid lipstick in color “American Woman”, this stuff stays on forever! Nordstrom ($28) pro tip: A make up artist I follow on IG was asked what is the most universally flattering lipstick and she named this one. I added to cart immediately.
- Rouge Dior Forever Liquid Transfer Proof lipstick in color “Forever Nude”. Nordstrom ($28) This is a matte finish light pinkish nude. Works well for cool/summer complexion. Also great under the Merit lip oil.
SOMETHING YOU NEED TO DO
CHRISTA : While we’re talking about beauty, when was the last time you cleaned your makeup brushes? A quick Google search tells me I don’t do it nearly as often as I should – experts say every 1-2 weeks! (Don’t feel bad, mine are LONG overdue!). Here’s how I clean my brushes (thanks, Emily, for enlightening your mom again!).
- I start with a bar of Purpose soap in an inexpensive plastic travel soap holder. Add a little water to the soap and a little water on the brush (be careful to only wet the bristles).
- Swirl the brush around on the soap to remove any makeup, until you get a lather that is makeup free – this may require that you rinse the brush and soap several times.
- Use a washcloth to blot the excess water from your makeup brush. Use a makeup brush drying rack to dry the brushes overnight.
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AND, HERE’S WHERE WE WALKED
It was hot and humid today but we got our walk in. It sprinkled on us and we were not mad about it.
CHRISTA’S WALK AND TALK LINKS
- Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)
- What I purchased from the NSale: jacket // jacket (full price version) // moto jacket // beige sweater (size down) // burgundy sweater (size down) // olive green sweater (size down; similar one) // black cashmere sweater
- National Lipstick Day
- Maracuja juicy lip balm (in Hibiscus)
- Pillow Lips lip gloss solid serum (in Marvelous and Gaze)
- Pillow Lips lipstick (in Like a Dream)
- Makeup brush drying rack
MEGAN’S WALK AND TALK LINKS
- Flowers In the Attic new limited series
- Nsale keepers: one Barbour jacket // two cardigan // three hand soap // four coated denim // five P448 3/4 sneakers // six camel suede boots// seven ON sneakers
- Merit Lip Oil
- Mac lipstick
- Nars pigmented liquid lipstick
- Rouge Dior Forever Liquid Transfer Proof
RECENT POSTS
This week we shared a roundup of our Save vs Splurge finds. Is there something you’re looking for? We love the challenge of finding a good dupe!
Check out our recent Walk and Talks for tips from a professional hair dresser and our guest walker that started her own non profit!
Walking is always so much better when you go with a friend! We hope you’ll share our blog with your walking bestie. And let us know in the comments what you’re watching, wearing, eating, planning or shopping for.
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