My September Favorites & A Long-Needed Pillow Upgrade

I have just a few favorites to share from September and among them I definitely have to sing the praises of these corduroy pants I ordered from Talbots. I love their cords because they don’t add inches/lbs to your body like some corduroy pants tend to do. They hug the body just right. I always buy their  “curvy” fit in pants or jeans–that just works best for my body shape. The curvy fit is super comfortable and I love how it fits my hips without big gaps in the waist.

All their pants (including their jeans) are currently on sale, $20 off. You’ll find the curvy fit in a bunch of different colors on sale here: Corduroy Pants–Curvy Fit. If you wear their regular fit, you’ll find those on sale in several colors here: Corduroy Pants–Regular Fit.

 

Had to share this super comfortable sports-type bra that I just discovered last month. I found it when I went in search of a bra that was mostly all cotton–I love cotton for comfort and breathability! I purchased a couple and liked them so much, I bought 4 more.

Update: To wash these, I wash them by hand using my favorite wash, The Laundress Delicate Wash available here: Laundress Delicate Wash. I remove the pad (which is one long piece) before I hand wash them, then just replace it after the bra is dry. I hang them to dry. I wouldn’t put them in the dryer since they are mostly cotton. They come in a variety of colors, I really like this pale pink color. It’s supportive and looks great underneath shirts. Definitely a favorite! You’ll find it for a really reasonable price here: Comfortable Cotton Bra.

 

These bras do not have to be dry cleaned, I wash mine out by hand and hang to dry. Read further down into the description…the dry cleaning part is obviously a misprint since they are mostly cotton. Note the care information in the last line below.

 

 

Have you ever noticed the yellow pillows in the chairs in this room when I’ve shared this room in the past?

Blue Painted Chest, Addition to Upstairs Living Room

 

These pillows are from Crate and Barrel and I’ve had them for at least 20 years, probably more like 25. I love the fabric from which they are made–it’s a soft, buttery-yellow, corduroy fabric. The only thing I’ve never cared for is how stiff/upright they are.

Upstairs Family Room with a Touch of Romance for Valentine's Day

 

I don’t know why it’s taken me this long to get around to replacing the insert inside. Funny how we walk by something every day and then one day it dawns on us that it could really use an upgrade. lol

 

Here’s the old insert that was inside. It doesn’t look that stiff here but it definitely made those yellow pillows stiff.

 

Here’s how they looked after I purchased down/feather inserts for them–much better!

 

I like the more relaxed vibe and it makes the pillows look/feel more expensive. I purchased the same insert for these pillows that I’ve purchased for other pillows in the past, and it works great. If you have some stiff, uncomfortable pillows lurking in your home, you’ll find the insert I’ve been buying for my pillows here: Down and Feather Pillow Insert.

 

Last month I purchased a bunch of beautiful, whimsical fashion books to decorate and fill the Hemnes bookcase I added to the guest room. The guest room has become a little respite/getaway/reading space since it’s rarely used for overnight guests. I won’t list all the delightful books I purchased in this post since I did that in a previous post, but if you love fashion and a bit of whimsy, you’ll find that post with the full list of books here: A New Bookcase and Picture/Bookcase Light for the Guest Room.

Styling Bookshelf with Fashion Books, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel

 

One last purchase last month that I really like and can recommend is this sleep mask. Occasionally, I will stay up quite late finishing a book, a puzzle, or sometimes a blog post. I tend to be a night owl. When that happens, I’ll sleep in a bit the next morning and a sleep mask really helps.

I’m super picky about sleep masks–they have to be completely adjustable. I really don’t like a mask that hugs the head too snuggly. I’m also picky about the kind of fabric from which they are made. I really like this one because the strap is adjustable so I can make it as loose as I like. Also, it’s made of cotton, at least the part that touches the face. I like how the nose part is adjustable so it doesn’t press down too firmly on the nose. Super comfortable!

 

After it arrived and I saw how much I liked it, I ordered a second one to keep in my travel suitcase for those rare times I travel. You’ll find this sleep mask available here: Cotton Sleep Mask.

 

 

I’m sure I’m leaving something off. If I think of another favorite from last month, I’ll come back to this post and add it here at the end.

Happy Wednesday to you! I hope your week is going great! Looking forward to sharing a table tomorrow for Tablescape Thursday!

XXX

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Comments

  1. franki Parde says

    You are so kind to give out these “tried & true” reviews!! Luv it!! franki

  2. I looked at the sports bra. It states dry clean only. Have you washed yours yet? I an highly allergic to latex and have been looking for a good cotton sports bra.

    • I never noticed that it said that. Yes, I’ve washed them several times. I just remove the padded insert which is one long piece (not two separate pieces) and I wash them by hand, which is what I always do for bras. I wash them with the Laundress Delicate Wash that I always use for things I handwash. You can see it here: https://amzn.to/3mvYLsM . I hang them to dry. Since they are mostly cotton, I don’t put them in the dryer. So far, they’ve been fine. No way I would have them dry cleaned. Maybe they are saying that because of the padded insert, but it’s easy to remove and replace.

    • Nancy, I just looked in the Q and A section and other people are saying they just hand wash them and hang them to dry. So I def wouldn’t worry with dry cleaning. Just don’t throw them in the dryer since they could shrink being mostly cotton. I know, I hate latex, too! I love these, they are almost like wearing nothing.

  3. The bras are dry clean only? Have you washed yours at home? Life is too short for dry clean only clothing!

    • Yes, I’ve washed them several times. I just remove the padded insert which is one long piece (not two separate pieces) and I washed them by hand (which is what I always do for bras.) I washed them with the Laundress Delicate Wash that I always use for things I handwash. You can see it here: https://amzn.to/3mvYLsM . I hang them to dry. Since it’s mostly cotton, I don’t put them in the dryer. So far, they’ve been fine. No way would I bother with having them dry cleaned. Maybe they are saying that because of the padded insert, but it’s easy to remove and replace after washing.

  4. DeeDee Clark says

    I was reading Metamorphosis Monday #661 and discovered Life at Bella Terra. She was showing how hydrogen peroxide, cream of tartar and baking soda paste takes out stains. This is what I posted on her site.
    I have a large, crocheted tablecloth which was given to me by a friend. It’s approximately 11 feet X 6 feet. She received it from a friend who hosted young men stationed at a location near here during War World II. She gave it to me because she said I was the only one with a table big enough to use it. Her children and grand children were not interested in it at all. There were some brown stains on it, and I have no idea how long they’ve been there. I have had it in the plastic bag she used to bring it to me for over a year.
    I used Oxyclean in a bath tub to soak it. The water was very dark yellow the first time I drained it. I soaked it several more times. I took it out and laid it out on towels, where I could still see the huge stain in the middle of it. I mixed up hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and cream of tartar and put on the spot a couple times. I then washed it on gentle with towels. (The tablecloth is amazingly strong. Whoever made it used a very sturdy crochet thread.) When I took it out, I could still see a few spots I had not treated. There are various other small stains I will need to treat, but I’m out of cream of tartar. Thank you so much for this idea. It’s amazing!

  5. Anita Owens says

    Oh those cotton bras look awesome. Just wish they made these for generous full busted women.

    • The first review is by someone who is more full-busted and she says in her review that it works for her, just not for exercising. You can see photos of her wearing it in case that helps.

  6. DeeDee Clark says

    I agree with Anita. I looked and there are none for full busted women.

    • DeeDee, The first review is by someone who is more full-busted and she says in the review that it works for her, just not for exercising. You can see photos of her wearing it in case that helps.

  7. lol I was looking at the bra and it does say dry clean but reading the rest of the info on the product it said clearly, “Do Not Dryclean”.

  8. I always enjoy seeing the items that are your favorites. I purchased some similar bras that pull on over your head, and have the removable inserts. I don’t have the patience to wash much of anything by hand so mine went straight into the washing machine. The inserts came out with every wash, and proved to be a pain to get them back into place. I now use them without the inserts.

    • Thanks, Maureen! I have some like that, too. These are easier because the insert is one long piece…so you only have one to remove and replace. I def like it better than those that have two inserts.

  9. Linda Nixon says

    Don’t think I have ever seen or bought a bra that had to be dry cleaned. I was considering making a purchase until I saw that it had to be dry cleaned.

    • That’s just a misprint. The care instructions in the ad say: CARE INFORMATION: Wash cold with like colors, hang dry; Do not tumble dry; Do not dry clean; Cool iron if needed. Read further down in the description and you’ll see that.

      I def don’t have mine dry cleaned. lol

  10. Cyndi Raines says

    Thanks Susan for these great tips. I would have ordered the bras, but the sizes are only showing small and medium. Bummer. Will keep an eye out to see if they get more in stock and large would then be offered.

    • I found the small a bit too tight but the medium was pretty generous. That’s what I’ve ended up wearing. I wish they had large also…just to see if it’s even looser. I don’t like it when they are snug.

  11. Cyndi Raines says

    Thanks Susan for these great tips. I would have ordered the bras, but the sizes are only showing small and medium. Bummer. Will keep an eye out to see if they get more in stock and large would then be offered, I’d order some then.

  12. Hi Susan,

    I always enjoy your recommendations, but every time you mention the joy of the heated seat I have wanted to say, try a bidet seat! Not only are they heated, they do a lovely job of cleansing & mine has a dryer function (though I prefer using a small towel.) Costco often has a coupon, making it an affordable luxury. I, too, am enamored of a towel warmer–I put my pjs & robe in as well, & on super chilly mornings, my underwear, socks, etc. Such a comfort! It was my holiday present to my siblings & adult children–they are all fans. Thank you for your lovely & always helpful blog.

    • I have wondered about those…that definitley sounds like a wonderful thing to have. Love that idea!
      I need to start doing that with my PJs. 🙂

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