September Favourites

September Favourites Angela McLean blog post

Farewell summer and hello fall! To kick off this new season, browse through my latest fashion faves, beauty must-haves and playlist additions, plus preview what’s next in my reading pile. There are so many options here for pandemic-approved entertainment!

Fashion

Jilly Jacket 2.0 try on

* Leopard Print (and the Jilly Jacket 2.0) *

Jilly Jacket 2.0, Joe Fresh, $89 (currently unavailable online; in stock in select Canadian stores) // SIMILAR: Go-H20 Water-Resistant Narrow-Channel Puffer Jacket in Olive Leopard Print, Old Navy, $60 (sale); VERO MODA Cana Puffer Jacket in Leopard, The Bay, $49.99 (sale)

Leopard print has returned as one of the hottest looks of the season and I’m seeing it pop up in all sorts of styles — jeans, sweaters, cardigans… but nothing is cozier than an oversized, fit-for-fall puffer jacket! Canadian retailer Joe Fresh, with the help of West Coast influencer Jillian Harris, launched the “it” jacket of the season with this trendy, longline leopard print puffer (pictured above), dubbed the Jilly Jacket 2.0. Needless to say, I was in love at first sight — and it was so worth the fight to snag one online! In fact, demand for the jacket broke Joe Fresh’s website, with many customers trying for 7+ hours to get one of the limited quantities available. I’m still hearing reports of restocks at physical stores, so keep an eye out (or check out one of the similar jackets linked above!).

Old Navy Face Masks

* Masks *

Assorted Styles, Old Navy, 5/$15 (great value!)

In case you’ve missed the headlines, the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is officially underway in many regions, including my home province of Ontario, Canada. To keep everyone safe, face masks will remain the must-have accessory for the fall/winter fashion season. Fortunately, there are now so many cute and comfortable styles that it’s tempting to buy one to match every look in my closet. I’m still a huge fan of Old Navy’s masks, which come in packs of 5 or 10 and are fit for the whole family with designs like tie dye, camo and plaid.

Beauty/Skincare

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez

* Rare Beauty *

Fave products: With Gratitude Dewy Lip Balm in Blessed, Rare Beauty at Sephora, $21; Always An Optimist Illuminating Primer, Rare Beauty at Sephora, $18 (mini) or $34 (full)

Singer, actress and business powerhouse Selena Gomez did not disappoint with her highly-anticipated Rare Beauty line, which received great praise from fans and beauty influencers alike upon its launch earlier this month. I’m looking forward to trying more products from the collection but already love the lip balm, which is highly pigmented and moisturizing (so hard to find!), and the illuminating primer, which masks your pores while giving you a beautiful, lit-from-within glow.

FAB Pharma BHA Acne Spot Treatment Gel 2% Salicylic Acid review

* FAB Pharma BHA Acne Spot Treatment Gel 2% Salicylic Acid | First Aid Beauty *

Sephora, $34

Maskne be gone! This product from First Aid Beauty (a FAB brand, if I do say so myself!) has been a holy grail to stopping breakouts in their tracks, especially around my chin. My skin has always responded well to salicylic acid, so I was super happy to find this. When applying, remember a little goes a long way!

Books

While I catch up on my growing book pile, here are the next two reads on my list!

My Own Words by Ruth Bader Ginsburg

* My Own Words by Ruth Bader Ginsburg with Mary Hartnett and Wendy W. Williams *

Available from Indigo for $24.62 (sale)

Earlier this month, we lost an iconic voice for women’s rights, social justice and a better world following the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a beloved Supreme Court Justice (the second female to hold the title) and co-founder of the Women’s Rights Project at the ACLU. I remember wanting to read this book when it came out in 2018 and have since picked it up to learn more about Ruth’s inspiring upbringing and journey. Rest in power, RBG!

Meaning of Mariah Carey book

* The Meaning of Mariah Carey by Mariah Carey with Michaela Angela Davis *

Available from Indigo for $25 (sale)

Fresh out on bookshelves, Mariah Carey’s long-awaited memoir is Mariah unfiltered. Mariah goes deep into her childhood and shares behind the scenes secrets about her songs, struggles and survival, giving readers an incredible inside look at one of the industry’s biggest stars. Bonus: the 11-hour Audible audiobook is narrated by Mimi herself, with musical moments weaved in throughout the memoir. This may finally get me on the audiobook train!

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September Playlist: Fun & Fresh

Love New Music

With the leaves falling to mark the start of fall, I’m also turning a new leaf — and highlighting all the new music filling my ears this month! From star-studded collaborations to the latest bops from rising artists, a new season is the perfect time to take your music library to the next level. Plus, why not impress your friends with your fresh finds? No thanks needed — everyone deserves a bangin’ playlist.

Plug in your headphones or turn up your speakers, and get amped up to enjoy some of my fave new songs and the new artists you need on your radar.

“Like This” — Sofi Tukker

I haven’t stopped raving about Sofi Tukker for the past two months, after finally having the chance to see the party duo live in Montreal (at one of their unforgettable Animal Talk club parties, nonetheless). Side note: They put on a MUST-see show — and it takes a lot for me to say that!

They premiered this song in Montreal and I was immediately counting down the days until their ‘Dancing On The People’ EP release to get the studio version for my playlist. It’s an irresistible jam and always puts me in the best mood! Take a listen and try to prove me wrong. ㋡

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Playlist: September finds & faves

September finds & faves playlist cover

Am I the only one that thinks September is one of the weirdest months? You fall back into a routine at school or work (and I’m a lady who likes routines), reconnect with friends you lost touch with in the summer and get to enjoy the last of the nice weather – all good things! But then things start getting real busy real fast, everyone’s trying to juggle all their responsibilities and, most annoyingly, you may need a jacket and shorts in the same day. (Seriously, this is the reason I get sick every fall.)

What I’m trying to say is that there is a reason this month’s ‘finds & faves’ playlist has several upbeat summer songs in addition to some colder tracks, both in tone and theme.

If you’re new to my blog, every month I share a playlist featuring my top new music finds and older releases that are back on repeat (or I’m just late to the party on discovering!). Clocking in at just under two hours, scroll down for September’s playlist and a few highlighted listens.

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