The Opposite of No-Spend 2023
Every other email in my inbox right now is an order confirmation and I have zero regrets!
Happy Friday shoppers!
How is everyone’s February going? I understand that a lot of folks are doing no-spend 2023, or no-spend February etc. but I am simply… not that girl. I commend anyone with that level of self control but after having a relatively minor health scare this month, followed by a last minute removal of my IUD (they really do just count down from three and yank!) I have been shopping like my life depends on it. And so this edition of Material Girl is going to be one of those chaotic lists of a little bit of this, a little bit of that — just some things I’ve bought recently that have really made me happy, or worked really well, or been really comfy, you get the idea. My hope is there will be a little something in here for everyone who is looking for a little late winter pick me up, at all price points :)
Bayou With Love Earrings: I have been eyeing these earrings for probably about a year now. I absolutely love the aesthetic of their jewelry; the Tennessee Williams lover in me has such a soft spot for anything rattan and I’ve been looking for a pair of earrings that’s halfway between a hoop and a stud. These came last week and I have worn them every single day since. They’re sturdy but delicate and the diamonds are sparkly and look sizable, especially for the price. I also love that the brand uses sustainable practices and recycled gold.
Eberjey Romper: I’ve talked about Eberjey on here before and there’s a reason why I keep coming back — their products are soft and feminine and most importantly for me, so SO endo pain friendly. This romper was my most recent purchase — I love their Elon line and the romper is the perfect piece to throw on at the end of the day to curl up with a book, or when I simply cannot tolerate any waistband around my pelvis. (I wear a M or L in the Elon line, it’s super stretchy so it’s easy to size up or down.)
My Melody & My Sweet Piano Plushie: Full disclosure my sister bought these for me as a gift but they now live on my bed sitting side by side like two best friends swapping secrets and I love them so much. Apparently there are all different versions of the Sanrio plushies and she picked these because the little bows in their hair (ears?) go with the sort of English cottage vibe I have in my room.
Empreinte Bras: Another brand you’ll have seen on here before — I live and die by Empreinte bras. The price tag is steep but when I tell you they are worth every penny I mean it. If you have a fuller bust and have a hard time finding bras that hold you all day without any spillage, this is the brand for you. The cups run “deep” which means, for me at least, there’s really nowhere for my boobs to go because the cup offers such complete coverage — all without feeling heavy or constricting. I bought the Verity Spacer which is the *perfect* t-shirt bra, and the Erin full cup, which it looks like they’re discontinuing because it’s a little tricky to find your size, but I found a good size run at this small business! (I wear a 34G, true to size.)
J. Crew Wide Leg Pull-on Pant: These are another perfect endo pain find, but I also think they’re pretty universally appealing, especially for summer. They’re just lightweight enough to be comfortable, but heavy enough to hold their shape after wearing them all day. The waist-band is wide and stretchy and the fabric has just enough give. I bought them in navy and cream, and I actually purchased them in a M for days when my pain is low and I want a more slim leg look, and a L for days when I want a little extra comfort and a more relaxed fit.
Fuzzy Sanrio Socks: I always wear a chenille sock around the house but it’s hard to find a pair that doesn’t stretch out over the course of the day or make my feet sweat and these silly little ones from Sanrio are literally perfect, and for $5 I treated myself to a few pairs so I can always have a few clean pairs while my others are in the wash!
Djerf Avenue Sweater: As someone with a wool allergy I take cotton knitwear very seriously and this quickly became one of my all time favs. It’s simple, lightweight and beautifully constructed and the little details, like a split hem on the sleeve, elevate it just enough to feel special. I have it in the oat and the grey and I bought a L for a relaxed fit.
Erin Condren Hello Kitty Checklist: I am a hardcore stationary lover and a good to-do list truly feeds my soul. I love that this one has a spot for each day of the week as well as a little section for misc. tasks. I personalized mine to just say “This Week” up at the top.
Dior Lip Gloss: I usually am not someone who enjoys a plumping lip gloss and if I’m being completely honest I could do without that feature in this one, but once the slight tingling sensation calms down, you’re left with a very comfortable and long lasting sheen that feels natural on your lips and not sticky or gloopy at all. I wear shade Rosewood which is a perfect, your lips but better shade for my lip color!
Warby Parker Readers: Do I need to get to the eye doctor to have my prescription updated? Yes. But do these look cute and help me see in the meantime. Also yes.
Material Girl Eats: I’m trying to eat a more low inflammation diet to (maybe?) help with my pelvic pain and this easy mac n’ cheese recipe is one of my comfort food go to’s. If you grew up eating the mac at the Outback, this is an almost perfect dupe.
You’ll need: a pasta of your choice, I like penne or rigatoni, heavy cream, unsalted butter, shredded cheeze (moz, fontina, and swiss all work, I just use whatever I have!), cream cheese, s&p to taste, onion powder, and pasta water.
Cook your pasta — when the pasta is almost done, reserve about a cup of starchy pasta water.
In a separate pan bring about 2-3 tablespoons of unsalted butter and heavy cream to a simmer until combined; add salt, pepper, and onion powder to taste. Remember you can always add seasoning but you can’t take it out!
When that’s all simmered together, add a few handfuls (we get real specific here at Material Girl!) of the cheese of your choice. Stir until the cheese is melted.
Now for the secret ingredient — cream cheese. I add about two tablespoons but measure with your heart. This will add a perfect tanginess to the sauce.
Let that all come together and thicken and then use the pasta water in small amounts to thin the sauce until you get the texture you like. I don’t like mine too sticky, sort of between a fettuccine and a boxed mac. Add your pasta and that’s it!
Material Girl Watches: I continue to spend most of my free time reading my Nordic Noir crime books because apparently I’m a reader now, but I’m about halfway through Deadwater Fell which is available on Amazon Prime. It’s a drama/thriller starring David Tenant and Cush Jumbo about the death of a local mother and her children in a small Scottish village. It’s a miniseries — 4 episodes — so an easy binge. The writing is sharp, the scenery is beautiful, and it builds suspense really masterfully.