Layer up (Winter beauty essentials)

Layer up (Winter beauty essentials)

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 …
Golden Delicious Day

Golden Delicious Day

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

[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)

Image Image

Image

Image

[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

blog 1

blog 2

blog 4

blog 3

blog 5

[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

Image

blog 2

[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)

Image

Image

(DIY – I promise it’s easy)

Image

Image

(More on these new pretties soon … )

Image

Image

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

Aside

A little bit of school boy

Image

Image

Image

Image

[Outfit Details: Shirt: Banana Republic; Shorts: Vintage (bought in London); Shoes: Dolce Vita; Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target]

A perfect day basking in the river breezes, with a favorite pair of tweed shorts (a great piece for fall wouldn’t you say)? This outfit had a little bit of a school boy with a contemporary twist. With a longer pair of shorts, and a updated few accessories, getting dressed in the morning stays interesting.

Simple (Black & White)

Simple (Black & White)

Image

Image

Image

Image

[The Details: Blouse: F21; Pants: F21; Shoes: Steven by Steve Madden; Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target]

A few quick shots before running out the door for another busy day. I’m so happy to have these new black flats with a little luxe (see the gold heel). Sometimes it’s the small details that make a basic really work for you. In other news, this is one of the bags I picked up at the Phillip Lim for Target insanity. That’s right, I was one of those crazed fashion people breathing on the glass of the Target door at 8 AM on Sunday morning. Worth it.

Happy almost weekend!

It’s Easy

It’s Easy

Image

Image

Image

Image

[The Details: Dress: Gap (old); Shoes: Nine West; Necklace: BaubleBar]

A look that’s effortless, and can be thrown on in the haze that is waking up an hour late. That’s this outfit my friends. If you find yourself in a situation similar to me, start with a basic dress and then choose accessories that complement in hue. Plus if you’re feeling brave you can definitely choose a contrasting pattern to finish the look.

I promise you’ll get compliments.