Le List

I’ve said it before, if shopping was an Olympic sport, well let’s just say, I would win. On top of that, we women of a certain age are being marketed to very heavily with every type of skincare, supplement and miracle cure. I’ve tried them all, well almost, so you don’t have to. Welcome to my monthly round-up of everything I am currently obsessed with.

For those of you following along with me, you are well acquainted with my pedicure toe trauma drama which has taken my open-toed shoes out of circulation. And then there is my back and knee (and sometimes ankle issues…wtf aging), which have taken out the heels and *sob* my beloved platforms. Good thing the ballet flat isn’t going anywhere. The silhouette this fall is elongated and square-toed, or a softly rounded almond-shaped with a higher last, sometimes called a high-vamp. This is a departure from the ‘toe-cleavage’ ballet flats of the last couple seasons. It gives the shoe a glove-like fit à la the Roaring 20’s and I’m here for it. In true gemini form, I bought one luxury, this delicious studded Khaite pair and one more accessible, this supple Vince Camuto pair. Here are all my favorites.

Thankfully my trusty mesh ballet flats are still in style. My go-to budget and splurge choices are here.

Lastly, the 80’s staple loafer is back and honestly, I wasn’t crazy about it then and not so sure about it now, but I’m trying to work it in. With a lug sole, I can achieve a bit of the platform effect. Prada does a gorgeous one that doesn’t weigh a ton. If you just want a little bit of the trend without the price tag, all my favorites are here.

The older I get, the less interested I am in perfection and the more interested I am in looking like a well-rested version of myself. What I’ve learned is that the right complexion products don’t make you look like someone else, they make you look like you on your best day. Here are the formulas I keep reaching for:

Concealer: I’ve tested enough concealers to know the difference between “looks good for five minutes” and “still looks good at dinner.” Victoria Beckham is beautifully moisturizing and practically impossible to mess up. RMS is still my holy grail. IT Cosmetics gives luxury-level performance without the luxury price. Dibs Beauty has a great brightener + concealer combo and you know I love efficiency. L’Oreal is high coverage, but crease resistant and my craggles love that.

Under-Eye Setting Powder: A great setting powder should disappear, the goal is to not highlight your under-eyes. Pat McGrath is my forever favorite (yes, I bought three when it came back). Laura Mercier is brilliant for brightening dark circles, and NYX Wonder Snatch (I know!) is a workhorse. You can sleep in your make-up with this stuff (but please don’t). Morphe has a nice, more subtle texture, and Charlotte Tilbury is the OG for a flawless finish.

Foundation: Confession: I never thought I’d love a pressed foundation... and now I’m eating my words. L’Oréal Infallible is shockingly good, IT Cosmetics CC Cream is my SPF go-to and Armani Beauty is the one I reach for when my makeup needs to look as polished as the outfit. Laura Geller, besides being a truly wonderful human, makes a great brightening version.

I’m pillow obsessed, not because I want to be, but because my body is rebelling against me and now every little joint needs its own pillow! When did this happen? I have an ankle pillow, a wrist pillow, a knee pillow, and a special neck pillow, and honestly they are life-savers.

On top of that, as a life-long insomniac, I will try anything to make my sleep more frequent and more restful. The key for me is a bedroom the temperature of a meat locker, a bed layered with sheet-blanket-sheet-blanket like an onion, the coziest pajamas, and of course, feet slathered in magnesium and then covered with socks. My sleep survival kit.

The sling bag is back, baby! I’m relishing a moment of pride here. I created this bag when my kids were little, from my own need to have a bag that is not only functional, but truly fashionable, and you know I refused to carry a diaper bag. I launched this bag two years ago on my own website and now it's being launched on QVC. It has an adjustable strap, a detachable wristlet and yes, you can fit your life and the kitchen sink inside…and still look amazing. Shop the sling and my August Collection here.

Ok, it’s weird but what can I say, I may be a bit weird. For our 26th anniversary, I got Michael a custom bobble head. It was absolutely worth it and now I want to get one for everybody! Extra bonus, you are supporting an artist on Etsy, which I love to do. And btw, Etsy is an amazing place for baubles and bangles, more on that later.

xo

Carla