MODA Blog Favorites: October 2020
Welcome to MODA Blog Favorites! This is our monthly series where MODA Bloggers, photographers and editors let you know what we’re loving this month! From binge-worthy series, to our favorite books to some Holy Grail skincare products, the team wishes you all a safe, and healthy fall quarter. Here’s what the team is loving, hopefully bringing you a monthly dosage of inspiration!
Andrew
Boomerang Fu
I think quarantine has forced me to find ways to make the best use of my now reduced immediate circle of friends. Cue the introduction to the most adorable family game of the season. My roommates and I were introduced to this adorable dodgeball-esque game by a mutual friend and it’s recently become my biggest obsession. From accessible game mechanics to ADORABLE graphics, Boomerang Fu is a game that amateurs or seasoned gamers will all love, and it’s the perfect antidote to those dreary days indoors. Highly recommend.
Pyer Moss x Reebok
Earlier this year, I managed to snag a highly coveted fave item in this season’s wardrobe: a twelve-foot-long Pyer Moss x Reebok Scarf. For anyone who isn’t familiar with the brand, Pyer Moss is an amazing Black owned brand run by designer-activist Kerby Jean-Raymond. Mixing in streetwear and tailoring elements with the overall intention of creating dialogue about Black narratives, Pyer Moss merges fashion with activism, storytelling and theatre in such an incredibly modern way. I absolutely recommend making the effort to invest in such a powerful family, and now that Jean-Raymond has ascended to a creative director role within Reebok, you can risk splurging without hurting your wallet too much. I absolutely can’t wait to see what Pyer Moss comes up with for future collections and I absolutely urge you all to pick up some pieces if you’re interested in sportswear.
Converse Run Star Hike
In my first year at college, I set the arbitrary and slightly unreasonable goal of reaching 5”10’ by the time I turned 21. And now that I’ve reached my adulthood, I’m saddened at my humble 5”9.5’…Thankfully, I managed to get a hold of Converse’s most recent Run Star Hike drop and can safely reach my dream height at the drop of a shoe (literally). Originally a collab with English designer J.W. Anderson, the Run Star Hike merges a Classic Chuck Taylor with the sole of a hiking boot. The platform converse are both cool and classic AND comfortable, though I’ll admit, they scraped my ankles up at the start. For anyone looking to buy a staple sneaker with a little bit of an edge, I absolutely recommend a pair of RSH’s, especially if you’re also looking for a little bit of extra height to reach those unattainable cups in the top shelf!
Trader Joe’s Maple Leaf Cookies
Cookie sandwich but ~make it fall~. I eat these pretty much everyday. They’re like vitamins to me now. I also recently discovered you can buy them on Amazon and avoid the line outside of Trader Joe’s so…
Hot Tools Dryer Volumizer
A hairdryer, brush, & straightener in one. I normally just sleep with wet hair and it’s fine when I wake up, but if I let it air-dry during the day when people might actually see me, for some reason it dries extremely frizzy. So this is what I use for those days. A+
Weekly Planner
Very, very necessary. I mean, I probably spend more time scheduling things on this than actually doing them, so in that sense maybe it doesn’t add too much to my productivity. But at least it keeps me aware of what I should be doing.
Autumn Decor
I took a trip to the Dollar Tree and made my room look like a autumn mood-board
Sufjan Stevens
A new Sufjan album to make me feel everything all at once
todoist
I’m always swtiching productivity apps, and todoist is my latest attemp to stay on top of everything.
Fleece-lined joggers
It’s cold and heating is expensive. Also, I didn’t buy my first pair of sweatpants (they always seem to pop up as hand-me-downs or random sports memorabilia) until the day before lockdown in France. With the way things are going, I figured I’d add another pair to my collection.
Retinol
I’ve had the same wrinkle on my forehead since I was 13 years old and the magic of retinol for all skin ailments kept popping up on my feeds. Wrinkle’s still there, but I have managed to get rid of sunspots and am generally glowing—as they say.
Boujee bougie!
I’ve always wanted to treat myself to an expensive candle, and have taken COVID restrictions as the perfect excuse to do so. I chose one that’s locally-crafted, vegan, and oddly reminiscent of that one week where we all decided we love folklore.
LED Orbs
I’ve been obsessed with these light up orbs for a while and recently bought a few from Loftek to decorate my apartment with! They are amazing and hypnotic I heavily recommend these to light up your apartment / dorm with!
Granny Square Crochet Hats
My crochet obsession has been recently centered on making granny square hats. I accept commissions :)
Long-sleeve Fingerless Gloves
Here is a picture of me crocheting with my favorite fingerless sleeve gloves.
Images are blogger’s own
Ashley
Tote Bags
Since coming back to Chicago and living off campus for the first time, I’ve developed a deep love for tote bags. My go-to has been my Outdoor Voices tote (free with every in-store purchase), but I have my credit card ready for when a certain cow patterned canvas duck bag comes back in stock. It’s one of those accessories that can be both casual and convenient. You’ll never run out of room and they’re almost always affordable, if not free! Whether you are lounging, apple picking, or grocery shopping, a tote bag is your new best friend.
Byredo Rinse-Free Hand Wash
I think we can all agree that washing your hands right now, and really always, is a must! So, if you’re willing to splurge a little (actually a lot) on a nice smelling hand sanitizer I cannot recommend Byredo enough. Once you find your scent you won’t go back.
Gilmore Girls
What better way to welcome fall than to watch Lorelai and Lorelai, excuse me *Rory, take on Stars Hollow. It’s kind of embarrassing that this is my first time watching the notorious 7 season TV show that claimed the 2000’s, but better late than never right?! All I can say is if you’re looking for a mid-week pick-me-up Gilmore Girls will never fail.
Nadaya
Sputnik Coffee
I recently acquired a new coffee machine and a grinder to grind my owns beans. Exciting! It’s been so fun having a little calming process to do in the morning before Zoom class. I found a bag of Sputnik coffee at Hyde Park Produce, and it’s both cheap and tasty.
Slasher Films
My favorite subgenre of horror, personally. A go-to October favorite for me. Time to binge all the Scream movies (even the bad ones) as Halloween approaches!
Vagabond Loafers
The Kenova’s, specifically. They’re so, so good.
Images linked via clickthrough
Matthew
Miyoko’s Organic Vegan Mozzarella
Honestly, I can’t get enough. It is great option if you’re looking to cut back on your dairy consumption. Miyoko’s, in general, is one of the best cheese replacements, that’s readily available, on the market right now.
Open Produce
Stumbled upon while drunk searching for snack; returned sober. This place has the best stuff: vegan cheese, passion fruit juice, and FREE bread (occasionally).
Neon Nail Polish
I have been slightly unhinged lately; the color has just been very suiting to my attitude.
Alessandra
Trader Joe’s Chicken Gyoza
Learned about these bad boys from my roommate, and thus my obsession began. For the past few days, I have eaten these for lunch or dinner (sometimes both) and I am officially obsessed with them. These have brought me so much joy and have saved me from having to do more than one dish that would come from cooking something like mac and cheese.
Black Nail Polish
Since it’s officially spooky season, I’ve been wearing more black (sometimes gray) nail polish, taking me back to my freshman year of high school. I personally love Essie’s Licorice, since I tend to favor Essie nail polish, but OPI and Sally Hansen also have some nice black nail polish.
Sex and the City
After having it recommended to me by everyone and their mother, I finally started watching it. I’m only a few episodes in, but I’ve really enjoyed the show, both for the fashion and for the progressive approach to women freely expressing their sexuality and having their own careers, which I think is great since a lot of times I feel like there’s an either/or rather than a both/and approach in certain media (or maybe that’s just what I’ve been watching).
