Rachel Shoshanna

I’m going to start off this post with perhaps the most important favorite of The Blogger for this summer is YouTube - I’m finally following through with my desire to make videos, and so far I’m six for six on my goal of one video every Sunday! I’m really proud of myself, and even though the equipment I have available to me is limited, I’m having a lot of fun stretching a more technical part of my brain with the editing involved. Please go check out my most recent video and give me some views!

This consistent YouTubing also means I’m making some changes to the content on here - I’m going to make this blog solely a lifestyle blog. That means books, books, tv/movies, music, and such will be what you see here. Favorites will also probably be here as well, though I may do videos for that every once in a while. My YouTube will host exclusively beauty and fashion content, so if that’s what you’re looking for a highly recommend subscribing to stay updated! Now without further ado, here are my favorites from this past summer.

FASHION

If you watched the video, you should have figured out that chambray shirts, specifically this one from Old Navy, have been my jam this summer. I’ve also been living in these sandals from Old Navy. Maybe I should just say that Old Navy is one of my summer favorites.

I can probably count the number of times I’ve worn a real bra this summer on one hand. I’ve definitely been favoring bralettes in this hot weather, and this one from free people is by far my favorite one.

BEAUTY
I’ve been sticking with really minimal makeup this summer for the most part, so I’ve been using my bareMinerals Tinted Gel Complexion Rescue in the shade birch and the L’Oreal Lumi Glotion in the shade light religiously all summer. And when I feel like experimenting with my eye looks, I’ve pretty much exclusively used my Ace Beaute Paradise Collection palettes - I specifically have Classical Paradise and Paradise Fallen. Also, basically the only blushes I’ve used this summer are the bareMinerals Gen Nude Blush in That Peach Tho and the Burt’s Bees blush in Shy Pink.

I’ve also been loving a really bright pop of color - whether it’s in my clothing (similar to the one I have) or my lips. It elevates a look in two seconds and gives any outfit a bit of attitude.

BOOKS/TV/MOVIES

I read The Husband’s Secret, by Liane Moriarty, earlier this summer, and I loved it. The epilogue was one of the best things I’ve ever read in contemporary fiction. I also read the first book in the Darker Shade of Magic series, by V.E. Schwab, and it’s one of the coolest, most original fantasy series I’ve read in a while. It took me a second to get into it, just because it moved kind of slowly, but it picks up and the ending managed to completely surprise me.

All I’ve got to say as far as TV goes is Degrassi. I didn’t watch it back in the day when it originally aired, so I’ve been binging it for the last week and it’s honestly the best decision I’ve ever made.

A lot of great movies have come out this summer, but one of my favorites was Sorry To Bother You, the directorial debut of Boots Riley. I also had a blast at Ocean’s 8 and Mamma Mia 2: Here We Go Again.

LIFESTYLE

I started working out again this summer, and I’ve been feeling strong so that’s definitely a favorite. For days when I either don’t have the time or the energy to go to my gym, I’ve been loving the at-home, equipment-free workouts that are abundant on YouTube.

Some of my college friends and I do trivia basically every Wednesday, which is a great time and often the highlight of my week - we go to Amity Hall on the UWS, which in addition to having fun trivia nights, has great food and great drinks to enjoy with friends as well.

I’ve also been exploring New York City a lot more, and found some new neighborhoods that are really fun to walk around and find cool historical things - my favorites so far are Tribeca and the Lower East Side.

I’m going to end this favorites list here, before it gets too long. I hope you found some cool recommendations! Until next time 😁

As you may or may not be able to tell from the photos, my favorite beauty trend at the moment is big lashes and a bold lip, with really fresh and natural skin. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy drama in my makeup when the situation calls for it, but most days, I let my skin breathe by just using concealer where I need it and a light dusting of powder. I like my drama to be in the eyes and lips. Clearly.

Reviews.com kindly sent me an extremely thorough guide to share with you about picking the right mascara for you to achieve a statement lash look. My favorite on the list is the Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1, and, seeing as my current mascara fave is another Lancôme mascara (the Monsieur Big listed above), I’d say the Lancôme Definicils is another safe bet - Lancôme is kind of known for really taking care with their mascara formulas and wands, so everyone can find a mascara that works for them. If you’re looking for more budget friendly options, my favorite drugstore ones are the L’Oreal Lash Paradise and the L’Oreal Telescopic mascaras. The Lash Paradise is great for both lengthening and voluminizing, and the Telescopic is perfect for those of you looking for some extra length.

Moving on from the fashion/beauty side of things, I have quite a few TV favorites. Of the things that actually started streaming this fall, I would be remiss if I didn't mention Stranger Things 2. While I think that narratively, it wasn't quite as tight as the first season was, I still really enjoyed it and the new characters (minus Billy. Gag me.) (Justice for Bob!) Also, though it's not exactly a new show, the US Netflix recently added the Australian Zumbo's Just Desserts to their lineup, and it's a trippy, fun, very delicious baking competition show that's worth watching for the overdramatic cinematography alone.

I also know that I'm very late on this train, but I finally watched Big Little Lies about a month ago, and let me tell you. It was easily one of the best television shows I've ever seen in my life. I just started reading the book, too, so we'll see how the two compare.

Music I'm enjoying right now that's new, or at least new to me, is reputation, the new Taylor album, and Kacey Musgraves. I'm also having a good time listening to some old favorites, like The Lone Bellow and Fleetwood Mac.

As far as fun things to do goes, there are two truly incredible exhibits open at the Metropolitan Museum of Art right now that anyone who is in NYC should try to go see. One of them is a Michelangelo and contemporaries exhibition, and the other is a David Hockney exhibition. It would be well worth your time to go check those out. Here are a few postcards I got of my faves from the David Hockney gift shop, as well as some photos I took in the Michelangelo showing.







As a bonus, I just saw the new Thor movie and had a blast. 5/5, would see again, for sure.

I think I'll leave this post here, before it gets too long. Hopefully you found some wardrobe or beauty inspiration going into the winter, and if you haven't already seen the shows or exhibits I mentioned, then you should, uh. Get on that.

I hope everyone's fall has been treating them well! Until next time 😊