Fall Embrace

Fall Embrace

by gemilbourne ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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[Outfit details: Mini Skirt: J.Crew; Loafer: Everlane; Shirt: LOFT (no longer available); Poncho: Asos (old)]

Feeling very full-on fall these days. Despite the bipolar weather dips, I’m finding a way to transition into my fall look. For me, that means using more brown, burgundy, and navy, even though I’m a navy enthusiast pretty much year round.

Not pictured: a perfect navy silk Calvin Klein scarf I’ve been sitting on for years. I added that, and changed out the poncho with a military style jacket, later on in the day.

Is anyone else out there falling hard for the neckerchief look? I’ve always been a collector of silk scarves for head wraps, but now it seems like the final touch for many outfits is a scarf tied around the neck. I purchased these bandanas from Levis which add a little western flair. For under $10, this is the easiest wardrobe update!

How are you all embracing fall? We didn’t even get to talk about my new loafers … be forewarned, they will be gracing this site again.

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Summer called

Summer called

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… and oh boy did I answer. The past three months have been filled with lots of weekend getaways, time with new friends and old, and so many pink colored drinks (rose, and the newly found, affectionately loved, watermelon juice).

I hope this summer has been quite something for you too. Maybe you’ve gone to dinner with salt water still dried in your hair. Or finally let yourself relax, and spend a whole afternoon on the back porch. Whatever you did, I hope it was something special, and made you feel like you could finally, just breath.

One evening on a recent beach vacation we found ourselves on a bay inlet for dinner and a sunset. The sunset was really the main event. It only felt appropriate to take my shoes off, and wear my most quintessential summer things.

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[Dress:  Banana Republic (old); Earrings: J.Crew; Makeup: Luminizer: Benefit]

Now on to live the last few weeks of summer, and bottle up that feeling.

Easy eye-opening trick

Easy eye-opening trick

by gemilbourne ♥ 3 Comments

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Nothing jolts you from a blog writing slumber quite like a beauty tip that needs to be shared. Today we’re talking about eyelashes, eye lash curlers and how to use these peepers and ill-regarded torture devices in our favor.

I’m an avid, daily lash curler, so I thought I really had my eye game on. Not so the case. I recently learned a new trick that I had not been privy to, and obviously now I need to share with all of you!

It’s simple. Lets call it the 3 by 3 rule. Basically 3 pumps in 3 different places.

Lets begin. As usual start with your eyelash curler as close as possible to the base of your lashes, without crimping your eyelid. Pump 3 times. Move the curler up slightly to the middle of the lashes. Repeat with 3 pumps here. Again, move the curler to the tip of your lashes and pump 3 times.

Behold glorious lashes, with, or without mascara.

I will say, this does get easier with practice, and without removing the curler from the lash area in between pumps. Just commit to it; you’ll be a eyelash curler goddess in no time (for your novice nellies out there).

If you’re not loving your current makeup bag rotation, I use this lash curler, and mascara.

 

 

Trick for your tresses

Trick for your tresses

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{Got a secret, can I keep it … }

Blame it on the winter. Bleach. Dry air. Empty jar of leave-in conditioner. For whatever reason, your hair is getting dull, and a little lackluster. I feel you.

After coloring my hair a few months ago, I’ve noticed that my tendrils need a little more TLC than usual. Thankfully, we can use a handy kitchen item to do the trick: baking soda.

I’ve been doing this treatment 2x a week and have noticed my hair seems more lively, soft, and the roots just feel cleaner. This is coming from a girl who LOVES her dry dry shampoo routine. Product buildup be gone!

The steps:

  1. Pour shampoo into palm as usual. Sprinkle about a tablespoon of baking soda on top and mix the elements root to mid-shaft.
  2. Rub! Massage it in, like you’re at the hair salon.
  3. Condition as normal, mid-shaft to tip.

There are a lot of other homeopathic treatments with baking soda, have any of you tested them out? I’d love to hear.

The Turtleneck (#Streetstyle)

The Turtleneck (#Streetstyle)

by gemilbourne ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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OH the turtleneck. It’s a frequent conversation topic for my work friends, and I. The girls revere turtlenecks as the ultimate winter layering piece, or classic sweater staple. The men? Well they joke about a grandma vibe, but let them chatter … we’ll be sitting all toasty warm in the corner.

Let’s count the different styling options:

  1. Over a flowy or fit and flare skirt with a killer pair of heels. We can’t go totally elderly.
  2. Keep your hair tucked in for a faux-bob.
  3. A thick knit with light-wash boyfriend jeans, and slingbacks.
  4. Thin turtleneck underneath a thicker turtleneck. Feel free to push up those shirt sleeves and show the pairing.
  5. Underneath a blazer, nubby house coat, or really anything else.
  6. A neutral look head-to-toe.

If you have any great ideas for how you wear your turtleneck feel free to share. I’m always up for some new inspo.

And if you wanna follow along with more Steeped in Style posts, you can follow the blog via RSS/email (on the right column of the site) or through bloglovin’.

 

The one thing your winter wardrobe needs

The one thing your winter wardrobe needs

by gemilbourne ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

shave your sweater

I get it. Shopping out of boredom is one of the easiest ways to keep your outfits interesting for winter. Been there, so guilty of it.

But, there is a way to take a month off of shopping, and take care of the things you already called yours. Sweaters, no matter how quality, eventually start to pill. Some people swear by the “dull razor” trick to remove pesky balls, but that makes me nervous, and I also swore off cheap razors.

This $10 dollar fabric shaver has been breathing life into some wool coats, cardigans, and pullovers of mine that have been close to the “donate” pile.

Does anyone else have any tricks for keeping their items fresh?

Fur Sure (Beating the fashion blues)

Fur Sure (Beating the fashion blues)

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fur 6All images via Pinterest

“You cannot fake chic but you can be chic and fake fur.” – Karl Lagerfeld

If your winter wardrobe is beginning to drag like the days until April … perhaps fur could do the trick. Whether faux or real, fur can take your outfit to a different level.

If your inner dialogue with fur is:

I can dip my toe into the pool: start with a stole.

You’re pretty sure you can pull it off: so slip on a vest for a solid daytime to night statement.

All eyes on me in the center of the room (just like a circus): a coat obviously, and maybe multicolored.

I couldn’t leave your shopping carts empty either, so see below for some great outfit starters.

 

Fur Sure

Fur Sure by grace-milbourne

Lost Ink imitation fur coat/ Mango coat / Jack wills coat / ASOS fake fur scarve/ Jack Wills faux fur scarve

From the feet up (Sock stylin’)

From the feet up (Sock stylin’)

by gemilbourne ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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One of the best fashion abilities presented in winter is layering. For some, the  lack of thoughtful layering brings a unique deep chill to their bones until the frosty ground is again broken in April. But some, are always up for the challenge of layering. Today we’ll cover the basics with a trusty accessory: a pair of socks.

As a lifelong (sans college) resident of the great northeast, I consider myself pretty creative in the art of using socks, basic as it sounds, to keep things cozy, even when you’re out in the elements.

Steeped Tips:

  1. ALWAYS, and I mean without fail, layer tights with socks on top. This is a non-negotiable. At least start with an ankle sock, but playing with the proportion of sock shown is encouraged too.
  2. Quality counts. Those last minute checkout grabs at F21 will only get you so far. Look for socks with more body, and perhaps some wool content for a real winner. No one likes a pair that only last one meager season.
  3. Engage in optical illusions. If you didn’t join the over the knee boot trend, you can fake the illusion with an over the knee pair of socks in a similar color. Or, if you don’t want cold ankles with your favorite pair of oxfords, or boots, a funky ankle pair can keep you warm.

A few of my favorite options are below! Be smart about staying warm, friends.

Perfect Pairing

Free People cuff socks / Smartwool merino wool blend socks / Nordstrom black hosiery / P.J. Salvage brown socks / Knee hi socks / Star socks / Forever 21 knee hi socks

New year, new site

New year, new site

by gemilbourne ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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Image via Pinterest

Hello and happy new year! Wanted to pop in, and share that Steeped in Style got a little site design refresh for the new year. The changes are quite simple, so you should still be able to find the social content, and archived posts on the right. News posts, as always, are front and center.

Wanted to get a pulse check from you readers. What content are you wanting to read in 2016? I’m open to any or all suggestions, and while this site will mostly remain my place to share any style, beauty, or lifestyle ideas I’m excited about, I want them to inspire and excite you all too.

Thanks for following along, and if you’re new to Steeped, why don’t you subscribe via email/bloglovin/RSS feed?

Saving Face//Skin Care

Saving Face//Skin Care

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Saving Face//Skin Care

 Saving Face//Skin Care by grace-milbourne

 

Despite the El Nino weather situation happening outdoors, I’ve still transitioned my skin care to a ‘weather buffering’ routine. That means being more careful with touching my face with towels, using less hot water, and always patting (versus scrubbing) dry!

 

 But, product junkie me, leans heavily on a few old, and newer tools to really amp up the skincare arsenal. I can’t wait to share these!

 

1. Caudalie Vinoperfect Serum This product is fairly new to my routine. Serums help bind moisture to your skin (morning and night) after you cleanse, and improve the effectiveness of any other products you put on afterwards.  This serums also improves appearance of dark spots, promotes even skin tone, and boosts radiance. I’m sold.

 

2. Embryolisee Lait Creme Concentre is a French pharmacy classic. Worthy of a check-your-bag vs. carry on, if you catch my drift. This moisturizer smells super fresh, and I’ve been using as a night cream, that can layer on top of any other serums, or topicals I’m using.

 

3. Laneige Water Sleeping Mask has been a skin savior since this summer. If I’m ever out way too late, or my skin is flaky/weird, this is a great K-town find that you can slip on before bed, and wake up with hydrated and soothed skin.

 

4. Fresh Sugar Lip Polish This one is goodie. This gentle sugar scrub buffs off that pesky dead skin from your lips. I also wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to taste it …. it smells that heavenly. That red lipstick won’t cake over that pout now!

 

5. Ending with the classic Vaseline. The product really does it all; I love waking up feeling how moisturized my lips are from one swipe, 8+ hours later. Some other ways to use Vaseline are on dry skin patches, or eyelids for a ethereal and fresh glow.

 

What winter beauty tricks do you have up you (turtleneck) sleeves? Let me know if you’ve tried any of my favorites too.