Author: gemilbourne

Dressed for thanks (Part 1)

Dressed for thanks (Part 1)

by gemilbourne ♥ 0 Leave a Comment
Thanksgiving Baking

If you’re anything like me, you’ve already considered countless outfits for your Thanksgivings festivities. When the calendar turns to November, my heads starts to fill with festive combinations I’ve been wanting to put on. In honor of this anticipatory game I play, I’m going to share a few looks  over the next week for a multitude of Thanksgiving occasions.

Today we’re going to talk about what to wear while cooking/baking/prepping for your Thanksgiving holiday. Here are a few tips to stay chic, clean, and comfortable while working (cause that turkey won’t cook itself!)

  1. Roll up your sleeves. Stick with a blouse that allows you to push or fold the sleeves on. You want to ensure that you’ll be able to really dig into whatever creative dish, or decor you’re working on.
  2. Keep comfortable. Choose jeans that are easy to move in and will let you breath. Nothings worse that wearing too-tight pants when you actually have to be a million places at once.
  3. Stay focused. Keep your hair out of your eyes, and the food, with style. Try a beaded headband or stick with a classic pony or bun.
  4. Be grounded. This isn’t the time to break in your new party pumps. Wear shoes that are close-toed, and have good support for those long hours on your feet.

I hope these tips and ideas inspire your own look for holiday prep! Let me know what you’ll be wearing before turkey day … and what you’ll be cooking. I’ll be bringing these.

Fur Sure (Walking out the door)

Fur Sure (Walking out the door)

by gemilbourne ♥ 3 Comments

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blog 4[The Details: Peasant Blouse: Thrifted/Vintage; Faux Fur Vest: TJ Maxx; Coat: Thrifted; Jeans: Madewell; Boots: Dolce Vita; Nail polish: Essie “For the twill of it”]

It’s hard to get out the door on a rainy, snowy (whatever that slushy mix was!) morning. One thing I have learned is that any piece with a touch of fur gives a look that taste of glamour that instantly finishes it off. I also adore this flowy blousy top that I found on a thrifting trip; the pair of the two pieces gives almost a 70’s vibe – which I don’t mind in the least. Totally picturing this look with a middle part pony tail and some hope earrings ….

Other ways to style fur:

  • Fitted top + harem or pj-inspired pants
  • Baseball cap + boyfriend jeans
  • Maxi skirt/dress + felt hat

How about you, is fur still a sure thing in your closet? Let me know in the comments, I could talk about this for hours …

Layer up (Winter beauty essentials)

Layer up (Winter beauty essentials)

by gemilbourne ♥ 0 Leave a Comment
Layer up

The days are getting shorter, our hems are getting (considerably) longer, and we’re experiencing the first chapped lip/dry skin/snapped hair of the season. Oh the joys of winter. On the bright side, there always seems to be a new beauty product to fix the problem. Above are some of my old, and new, skin and hair fixes for the unique challenges this season presents.

1. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion – I’m a little late to the party as this moisturizer has been a standard for years, but on my recent discovery this proves to be a great daytime product that leaves me feeling quenched and never greasy.

2. Boots Facial Oil – After a semester abroad, anything Boots is alright in my book. This facial oil is great smelling (try to rosehip version) and a great way to speed up any healing marks on your body (scars, dark spots, healing acne).

3. Josie Maran Oil – Okay two oils may seems repetitive, but this cult favorite deserved a spot. It’s awesome for the ends of hairs, elbows, nails, basically anything that has the ability to be dry on your body …

4. Nivea A Kiss of Shine Gloss – I picked this up on a recent trip to Target and was super pleased with the results. With lasting shine, my lips felt refreshed and never sticky. Shines like a gloss but moisturizes like a balm.

5. Cerave Moisturizing Cream – Oh Cerave, my friends and I are obsessed with you. This brand was introduced to my by my dermatologists, and no wonder, it’s great for sensitive skin. This cream is super super hydrating and perfect to slather on your face after a great cleanse and before a 8-hour snooze.

Have any Winter beauty essentials? Spill please …
A week in review (fill your heart)

A week in review (fill your heart)

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Sometimes life gets hard. I think we all know, and feel that from time to time. I like to remember though, that without the variation and distinct highs and lows of life, we’d lose the appreciation and joy that comes from those solitary moments that leave us with a full and joyful heart. Take some time this weekend, or whenever you can, to remember those moments of full joy if you’re searching for the next, or find peace and gratitude with where you are if you count yourself blessed.

Here are a few articles, posts, and links that have brought me a smile or made me think this week:

A little video that will make all my fellow subway riders smile (and remember the other people riding the train every day like you are).

A reminder to let your soul grow, from a talented and practiced writer.

Be grateful for where you are, despite the challenges along the way (Taylor wrote a great personal post on this!)

Golden Delicious Day

Golden Delicious Day

by gemilbourne ♥ 3 Comments

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[Outfit Details: Sweater: Zara; Jeans: Paige Denim; Shoes: DSW; Scarf: Gifted; Sunglasses: Rayban]

Apple picking is one of those seasonally appropriate activities that I always (without fail my friends) have to do when the season rolls around. Wearing something warm, and easy to tromp around the orchard in, made this day seem extra cozy and special too.

Get out there and enjoy the weekend! If it’s not visiting the orchard, make sure to savor this season before it slips away.

Just give me sunshine (ok, and coffee too)

Just give me sunshine (ok, and coffee too)

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[Outfit Details: Top & Sweater: Banana Republic (old); Skirt: Old Navy (old), Tights: Random; Shoes: Anne Klein; Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target]

I spent an ideal Sunday morning with a best girlfriend, sunning in the Autumn weather on a bench, people, and cute dog, watching as we caught up. This outfit was perfect for letting those last rays of the season warm my legs, but also kept me reasonably cozy (because duh it’s getting cold, guys). All these pieces are pretty standard in the majority of our closets, no? Something about the more beat up shoes, and bright bag kept this look exciting for me. But overall, this formula is pretty close to perfection and easy for me.

Happy Monday guys, hope you’re spending about a half of your day staring into a coffee mug like I am … it only gets better from here!

Oops I did it again

Oops I did it again

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[Outfit Details: Sweater: Zara; Button Up: F21; Skirt: J.Crew; Boots: Unisa; Lipstick: NARS Jungle Red]

We all know the saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” (excuse my country dialect, I did live in VA for 4 years … ), but how often do we think about this pertaining to our style or closets? I’ve mentioned it before, but I think we should all have a few go to outfits, silhouettes, pattern plays, whatever it may be – but we should all (and deserve) to have some outfits we feel good and look good in.

Currently for me this is alotttt of navy, and pairing skirts with boots, and sweaters. Also, I can’t resist some sort of preppy undertone, it just feels right to me in the fall time.

What about you? What are some of your go-to looks?

While I wait for your answer, I’ll just be channeling my old school Britney Spears in this outfit, singing, “oh baby, baby …”

Miss match

Miss match

by gemilbourne ♥ 1 Comment

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[The Details: Shirt & Skirt: Gap; Jacket: Thrifted; Boots: Franco Sarto]

I have a thing for pairing different prints within the same color palate. This skirt and shirt called to me from my closet, saying “try this out?” (You know, not literally, but it the fashion version of a vision). I had to add my new fall booties that added a little cool factor.

Here are some unique pairings to try:

Start safe with animal prints + stripes

How about floral + windowpane print

Gingham + polka dots

Plaid + faire isle

I could go on, but I think you get the idea. So, please tell, what unique pairing are you going to try?!

Fall (in love)

Fall (in love)

by gemilbourne ♥ 1 Comment

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(DIY – I promise it’s easy)

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(More on these new pretties soon … )

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There’s something about the change in season that always stirs up a desire to nest in me. Honestly, I’m never more content than relaxing in my apartment once I’ve decidedly spruced it up for the fall months to come. With candy corn filling jars (seriously that stuff is sugar’s form of crack), and pumpkins donning every surface, I feel that I can say I’m adequately celebrating the season.

For a little DIY that is inspired by nature’s final sense of warmth, take decorative items that may have seen better days and give them a gilded coating. With a bottle of gold spray paint (you could try out various metallic tones) I chose to coat a wooden tray, a spar Mason jar, and some votive candle glasses. The result is both pretty and immediate. I’m still thinking about how to use the remaining 1/4 of my spray can I will add, but I guess I have November to think about that. Hope everyone’s having a inspired and creative week! One final thought to leave you with:

“Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons.”

– Jim Bishop