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Everyday Style & Recipes. Est. 2010

Fashion

Little Black Dress

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Lately I’ve been into 90’s inspired dresses, especially fit and flare styles with button down fronts. This “LBD” from Urban Outfitters is a perfect homage to 90’s style while keeping it modern and fresh. It works as a day-to-night option, perfect for every day wear that can be easily transitioned to an evening out–kind of hard to find in one black dress! In this case I paired it with more casual items, including my favorite pair of flats right now from Free People   and a few finds from Etsy: a vintage tooled bag and a few pretty little rings. How adorable is this mountain range ring? I must admit I am a little bit obsessed with VermeilSupplies’ rings and accessories–go check them out!

I wanted to also give a quick review of my two holy grail products for pale folks. As you can probably tell I am very pale and a lot of companies just don’t really have a great match for my skin tone. Most products are too yellow and look awful on me so after a lot of trial and error I wanted to talk about a few of my favorites. I’m not a foundation girl–it’s just too heavy for every day wear but I do have somewhat alarming dark circles. If I walked around without under eye concealer, you’d probably think I had a serious illness sooo I do have to rely on concealer to look normal. After I apply SPF (I like EltaMD’s physical sunscreens), I use NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly which is described as a “true ivory shade” which is 100% accurate. While it runs on the pricey side, its worth it for me since the benefits make up for the price. It’s a perfect tone match and as the name describes, it has a lovely creamy, matte texture and brightens everything up. While it’s a little thick, it does not settle into fine lines and dries perfectly matte almost immediately. I usually just apply this under the eyes and t-zone, or to calm down red areas. Another one of my favorite “pale folks products” (PFPs?) is this HD Finishing Powder from E.L.F. It has absolutely no pigment and goes on completely sheer. I can’t stand heavy powders and this one is completely transparent and gives a very natural matte look. And of course, leave it to E.L.F. to make it super affordable. So pale people, I highly recommend checking these two out if you are still looking for your holy grail products!

   

Outfit Set:

Outfit Details: Dress: Urban Outfitters, Shoes: Free People, Ring: VermeilSupplies, Bag: Vintage

Rust Romper

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It has really started to warm up here it’s crazy! It’s been in the mid to upper 80s all week so I’ve been brainstorming more Summery things to wear. After living on the California coast, where summers usually reached only the mid-60s, I am not used to wearing….fewer clothes I guess? I was out in a t-shirt one day and I felt so naked! Maybe I’m just used to layers and not wearing any just feel weird to me now. As for Summer ideas, I’ve been a lot more into rompers lately. They are so comfy to hang out in on a hot day, and they look great with sandals and Summery flats. I’m pretty much in love with this romper from Forever 21, mostly because of the color and material. It’s so soft and flowy, it feels like you’re not wearing anything at all–which is what I’m looking for on hotter days. I’m a big fan of the color too–it’s just gorgeous right? Love those rusty red tones.

Onto the accessories: this bag from Pendleton is one of my favorite recent additions. Love the design and size! The neutral colors make it super versatile and could easily become one of my everyday bags. I don’t like carrying around a lot of stuff in a huge bag so this is a good size for me. The necklace is…I guess you could call vintage? Because I actually got it as a gift when I was a kid years ago. Honestly, I have no idea who even made it. It’s a traditional medicine bag/amulet and I thought it would be fun to bring it out into the light. If you are looking for a comparable one, I looked around and found an Etsy store that makes very similar designs that you can check out. They are really cool looking necklaces!

 

 

Outfit Set:

Outfit Details: Cardigan: Bajee, Romper: Forever 21, bag: Pendleton, Necklace: vintage, Shoes: Free People

Mustard Dress & Circle Bag

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 Spring has officially Sprung here in Colorado! One moment the trees have tiny buds and the next they are in full bloom almost overnight. It’s nice being in a spot with real established seasons compared to California. In Cali, every tree, flowering plant or whatever had their own rhythm of blooming and dying off, with little regard to seasons. Here, the plants seem to all be operating along a similar pattern even though the weather here is all over the place all the time. I’ll take it though, I actually enjoy seasons and weather.  A good thunderstorm is one of my favorite things and that almost never happened in California.

Now back to some of my latest Spring finds–how about this dress from Forever 21? I love how much the color and style reminds me of Spring time. I can see this becoming a perfect dress for a Sunday brunch or just hanging out on a warm afternoon. Looking forward to the weather warming up a bit more so I can wear it more regularly!  Lately I’ve been getting more into wrap “fit and flare” style dresses, they seem like a perfect Spring addition to the closet.

I’ve also decided to share with you guys a review of some of my favorite hair products. My hair is a bit weird where it can straighten out really easily but can become fairly wavy if it air drys without heat. I’ve been trying to find a “holy grail” product that accentuates waves without using heat and I recently discovered Ouai Wave Spray. This product is a great way to get beachy, natural waves with minimal effort. All I really do is spray on dampened hair and run through with my fingers and voila–defined, natural waves. I am completely obsessed with this stuff and it smells so good too! A few other products, as shown below, are a couple of my tried and true favorites: on the left is my favorite anti-frizz product–one tiny little dab helps smooth out frizzies. On the right is Lush’s No Drought which is my favorite dry shampoo product. I’ve tried a bunch of other brands but I prefer the powder instead of aerosol sprays for one big reason–it lasts so much longer! You get way more for your money with this stuff. I apply just a few puffs to my roots and brush out with a boar’s hair brush and it soaks up access oil super well! I’m not really a hair product nut so these are pretty much the only three I use regularly over the years. Definitely recommend checking these three out!

Outfit Set:

Outfit Details: Dress: Forever 21, Bag: Alba Baskets and Shoes: Lucky Brand

Pendleton Shirt

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It’s been a minute but I was finally able to get around to updating the blog in the new locale in Colorado! Moving from California basically involved me staring at the butt of a budget van for 1,200 miles, but Colorado has been worth every minute of the stress of moving and general craziness. The weather here is a lot more finicky and finding time to shoot has been limited, but I’m really excited to get going on some new stuff! I recently popped into a Pendleton store in town and this button down shirt caught my attention.  Usually their stuff has a lot of bright colors (which I do love!) but I really like their current offering of pretty pastels for Spring. The material is really soft and flowy too so I can tell this shirt is going to come in handy when Summer rolls around.

Overall Colorado has been fantastic but, something that hasn’t been so great is how my skin has handled the high desert climate. Hoooly smokes, talk about dry, tight and dehydrated skin. My face felt like I had a tight mask over it all the time and was flaking like crazy! I was desperate so I started to experiment with products. My experiments wound up giving me a horrible allergic reaction to a night cream which was basically a disaster on top of a dumpster fire. The good news is I was finally able to perfect a routine that works great for me (combination skin with dehydration issues). So if you have a similar skin type and live in a high elevation, low humidity and/or desertish environment, I recommend trying out the below products. And as a PSA, all skin types need love in a climate like this , especially during the winter months!

This new routine has vastly improved my skin situation; I am actually kind of astonished at the improvement. As a nightly routine I start with the makeup remover/cleanser, followed by Paula’s Choice toner, then the Toleriane Fluide and finish with either the La Roche-Posay Baume moisturizer or Jojoba Oil. Then every week or so I will add in Sephora’s Night Mask to the routine. During the day I wear EltaMd’s tinted physical sunscreen that works great as a sunscreen and as a makeup base! For product information and where to buy, see below:


Product Details: La Roche-Posay Cicablast Baume b5, Neutrogena Naturals Cleanser, La Roche-Posay Toleriane Fluide, Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Pore Reducing Toner, Cliganic Jojoba Oil, Sephora Creamy Night Mask, EltaMD Tinted Physical Sunscreen

Outfit Set:

Outfit Details: Shirt: Pendleton, Jeans: Joe’s, Shoes: Lucky Brand, Hat: Brixton

Camel Jacket & Striped Midi

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Can you tell I’ve been kind of obsessed with midi skirts lately? I gotta say I am a big fan of them! Here’s why: maxi skirts are a bit too bulky while some above the knee skirts can be a little too short–but midis are just right. You can wear them comfortably in warmer Spring weather without leggings or tights.

Another thing I’ve been into lately is mixing splurge items with more affordable ones. For example, this Forever 21 skirt and tank top were very affordable but the shoes and jacket were slightly pricier. It’s really all about deciding what you want to splurge on and knowing when things are worth it. These shoes, for example, are 100% worth the splurge (though I did find them marked down a bit–score!). I had been eyeing them for a little over a year, waiting for them to go on sale, and when they finally did I pounced. These shoes, called the “Royale Flat,” are manufactured in Spain and the leather and overall workmanship is quality. I was pleasantly surprised since it’s hard to find shoes that are well made these days. I can tell I will be living in these this Spring and Summer–they have a lovely shape and look great paired with skirts! Included in this look are a few very inexpensive accessories–these Civion sunglasses and a lovely vintage Cameo necklace found at a thrift store. Gotta love those thrift store finds!

Outfit Details: Jacket: Lulu’s, Top: Forever 21, Skirt: Forever 21, Shoes: Free People, Sunglasses: Civion, Necklace: Vintage

Outfit Set:

Dusty Rose Midi

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Just when I think I have enough tank tops, a new one pops up that inspires brand new ideas and outfit inspiration and I have to snap it up. Dang it, they just keep pulling me back in with these pretty patterns! I am definitely a sucker for pretty dark florals–it’s a bit of an obsession. Thank goodness tanks can be easily stored and don’t pose too much of a storage problem (unlike shoes, but that’s another story). This is actually one of my favorite floral patterns and is the perfect length to pair with a cardigan, pants or a skirt. It’s just short enough to be tucked into a skirt without a lot of extra fabric floating around underneath (for some reason this really annoys me when this happens–I could be the only one).

Now that it’s mid-March, I have been craving a lot of warmer weather outfits that also won’t cause you to freeze your butt off if the weather goes south (or North might be more accurate). Midi skirts paired with layered tops like cardigans, tanks and jackets make for a good compromise for the the early Spring months. I have been into rose and tan color combos for Spring and darker florals that usually pop up in the Fall for a surprise Spring appearance as well. But really, when isn’t it a good time to wear pretty florals? All year sounds perfectly good to me!  To complete the look I added these great minimalist sunnies from Civion and an incredibly comfy pair of Steve Madden loafers that really can’t be beat.

Outfit Details: Cardigan: Bajee Collection, Skirt: Forever 21, Tank Top: American Eagle, Shoes: Steve Madden, Bag: Hustle & Hide, Sunglasses: Civion

Outfit Set:

Chiffon & Smoking Slippers

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It’s late February and I’m starting to feel the itch for Spring! I’ve also been anticipating more Spring outfits and brainstorming Winter to Spring transition looks. It can be kind of a wacky time in terms of how to dress. Early Spring can still be pretty cold so sweaters and knits are definitely still a thing. However, as the days slowly get warmer and longer the anticipation to wear flowy skirts and lighter layers grows! I paired this Springy midi skirt with a cozy, cable knit sweater–the perfect closet addition for cooler days. I never got super into crop tops but cropped sweaters do look nice when paired with a natural waisted skirt. The shorter length prevents the look from getting too bulky and oversized.

I was recently gifted this gorgeous perfume from Sonoma Scent Studio called “Forest Walk.” It’s quickly become one of my favorite Winter to Spring fragrances. The scent has strong cedar and sandalwood notes paired with lighter, powdery floral notes. I sometimes find flowery scents in perfume to be a bit overpowering but I loved it in this one. It is perfectly balanced with the deeper notes from the Cedarwood. I am absolutely obsessed with this fragrance and have taken to spraying it on my pillow at night as well as using it as an everyday fragrance. The best part is that it is very long lasting so a little goes a long way!

Outfit Details: Sweater: Forever 21, Skirt/belt: eBay, Shoes: Joie and Bag: etsy

Outfit Set:

Cozy Neutrals

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As you can probably tell I have been into clean and simple neutral looks lately. Neutral tans, beiges and charcoal greys look so good when paired with complementary textures like leather and velvet. This outfit has been one of my favorite travel outfits in the recent months. I’ve been kind of obsessed with menswear inspired looks and this windowpane button down has become a bit of a staple in my closet.

My favorite travel outfits usually involve layers. Layers are a smart idea, especially when flying, because temperatures in the airport can vary so widely. It’s always handy to have some wiggle room when you’re stuck somewhere. It can get a little complicated traveling from a cold area to a warmer one too. I wore this outfit when I traveled from Chicago to Los Angeles and it worked out nicely. To buffer from the cold while I traveled from Chicago, I added this cozy scarf as well as my new favorite leather jacket from Zara. I’ve only had it a month or two but it’s quickly become a prominent accessory in my closet! It’s surprisingly good for cold weather too. Then when I arrived in warm and sunny California, removing the layers was a cinch!

Outfit Details: Shirt: Banana Republic, Jacket: Zara, Jeans: Joe’s Jeans, Shoes: Asos, Scarf: H&M (Old) and Bracelet: Civion

Outfit Set:

Cognac & Cable Knit

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Lately I’ve been kind of obsessed with comfy, over-sized sweaters. They have definitely become a winter-time favorite of mine, especially this one from H&M! My preferred sweater material is a slightly lower percentage of wool so you don’t start sweating the moment you head indoors.  This one has just the right blend of materials and has a lovely cable knit pattern.

Over the holidays I received a couple amazing gifts, one of them being this gorgeous rucksack/book bag sold on Etsy. It has a roomy main compartment along with a smaller outer section that is big enough to fit a small laptop, tablet and books. I plan on making this one of my go-to travel bags in the future, especially since it’s made out of a very sturdy leather! Travel bags can take a beating but I think this one will be able to withstand the wear and tear. Also an Etsy find, this pretty necklace is made from a rough cut Citrine stone. I really love rough cut stones in necklaces –they’re just so pretty! Another recent find has been this great jewelry and accessories boutique, Civion. They have super cute and minimal designs. I am especially a fan of their bracelets. This one is a simple, pretty design which goes with so many outfits that I find myself wearing it all the time. This week I’ll be collaborating with Civion on Instagram, so make sure to check out my Instagram page for a 25% off promo code in the next few days!

Outfit Details: Sweater: H&M, Pants: Adriano Goldschmied, Shoes: Lucky Brand, Bag: Etsy, Necklace: Etsy, Bracelet: Civion, Hat: Outdoor Market

Outfit Set:

Leather & Leaf

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Sometimes black Friday can really come through with amazing steals! I had been on the hunt for a quality leather jacket for months and I was having pretty bad luck finding the right one at the right price. Real leather jackets can be super expensive but I didn’t want to give up on the search. On black Friday, I just happened to be poking around on Zara’s site and saw this fab leather jacket marked down for only one day. This jacket is a moto-style and made from sheepskin leather. I couldn’t pass it up! I was hoping this jacket would be as soft and flexible as it looked and I wasn’t disappointed. It turned out to exceed all expectations! I was really pleased with the softness and quality of the leather.

Zara also had this lovely 70’s inspired shift dress on sale and I instantly fell in love with the pattern. The colors of the falling leaf design is just too pretty. It reminded me of a late fall day in October. I pictured this being worn to a festival or concert, especially with the 70’s vibe of the dress. My favorite pair of Chelsea boots came in handy for this look again; they seem to always be popping up in my looks lately!  

Outfit Details: Jacket: Zara, Dress: Zara, Tights: ebay, Boots: Marc Fisher

Outfit Set: