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Everyday Style & Recipes. Est. 2010

fashion

Snow & Roses

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As the days get colder, my focus has turned to high quality boots and cozy knits.  This cardigan from Forever 21 has become one of my favorite over-sized pullovers in the closet.  The knit material is surprisingly good quality, and I love it in this “rose” color.  At first I thought it was more brown than rose when I first unwrapped, but in different lights the rosey tones come out.  I love in-between colors like that!

Something I’ve learned about Colorado winters: snow doesn’t stick around like Minnesota winters, and they come earlier too.  It’s already snowed twice here and it’s only mid-November! As I’m writing this, the snow from this shoot is all gone and the grass on neighborhood lawns is still mostly green.  It’s kind of weird, even after living in California for almost ten years, I still expect snow to hang around longer as a holdover from growing up in Minnesota, but I digress.

Another thing I have been loving are Frye boots–I mean who doesn’t love Frye?   I recently picked up these Frye Lindsay Ankle boots and I love how versatile and durable they are.  Comfortable, great quality and stylish–can’t ask for more than that!  They come “distressed” which everyone knows about with jeans, but I definitely haven’t heard of that with shoes.  Turns out I like the roughed up look, and it just gives the boots more character!

Outfit Details: Cardigan: Forever 21, Tee: Urban Outfitters, Skirt: Vintage/thrifted, Tights: Target,  Boots: Frye, Scarf: Forever 21 (old)

Outfit Set:

For Warmer Fall Days: Floral Midi Skirt & Layers

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Last weekend was incredibly nice: the leaves on the aspens were transitioning from yellow to brown, it was in the upper 60’s, with a mild breeze–you couldn’t ask for a better Fall day!  That said, I wanted to show what you can do on days like these in terms of what you can get away with wearing.  You never know with Colorado where the weather changes at the drop of a hat, but some days are just consistently perfect!

This skirt from Zara is great for this kind of weather since it’s a little bit heavier and longer than a typical midi skirt.  Plus it has some great Fall vibes.  I love this vintage floral pattern and the color!  The pattern really pops against neutral tones, so I chose a cozy, dark (taupe-ish?) Cardigan from American Eagle to complete this look.  This cardigan is super comfy, and goes great with skirts.  Whenever shirts or cardigans err on the longer and bulkier side (like this one), I like to just front tie to make them less bulky and more versatile.  For added layers, I like to throw on a loop scarf like this comfy olive toned one as well.


Outfit Set:Outfit Details: Cardigan: American Eagle, Skirt: Zara, Shoes: Free People, Scarf: Amazon

Halloween How-To: The 1920’s Flapper/Gatsby Costume for under $100

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How to create a costume that looks way more expensive than it is?  Getting creative; that’s how!  I live in a city with a lot of great historical bars and restaurants that used to be 1920’s speakeasies and illicit bars and gambling places.  You can probably guess where the inspiration for this costume came from.  I’m actually looking forward to rolling into these converted speakeasies in full Flapper attire on Halloween! It just makes sense right?  I know Flapper and Gatsby outfits became super trendy when the newest remake of The Great Gatsby was debuted but this costume is seriously a classic and never gets old.  I wanted to try creating the perfect 1920’s Flapper look and getting all 1920’s glamorous without spending beaucoup bucks.  I also wanted the look to be somewhat traditional, but I’m not sure I quite succeeded there, but no matter.  This dress came from Amazon, and I couldn’t pass it up.  The dress was about $39, and it really has that glamorous Art Deco flair.  Love the fringe, and the green and gold accents! It’s surprisingly heavy for a dress; probably due to all that sequins.  I’m hoping to somehow get away with wearing it again!  I personally like dresses that don’t require a lot of adjusting and this dress just goes on and you’re done and comfortable the rest of the night.  No bra strap issues, no awkward fit problems, nada!  Fits like a comfortable glove, and runs true to size.  I believe it comes in several different colors too. Oh, and one of the most important details that adds an extra bit of glamour to the costume is the faux fur shawl!  I found this one on Amazon for about $30, and since it’s getting colder I know I’m going to be relieved to have this on Halloween night.

Accessories are everything for a Flapper costume, and I found mine at a local costume and thrift shop for about $6 total.  The feather headpiece, the gloves, the pearls and the cigarette holder really pull the costume together with those extra details!  The most difficult thing, really, was my hair which is way too long for the period.  And nope, I wasn’t willing to chop it all off for one costume.  So, what to do? I’m not very talented in the hair department so I went with a simple bun fixed up with pins, and it stayed together very well, and it looks passable for the period.  Ideally, you should have a bob cut but oh well.  There are plenty of tutorials online for a fancier 1920’s style up-do if you’re better at that than I am. The final touch were the shoes, and I didn’t want to go with the more modern idea of the Flapper Costume: the T-strap.  Apparently T-straps weren’t really the thing back then, so I went with a heeled leather oxford.  I also like that these shoes can be worn with a modern outfit, but has just enough retro vibes for a costume.  You can find tons of great retro shoes from thrift stores and I found these, practically new, Franco Sartos at the local thrift store.  I plan on wearing these shoes with other everyday outfits so it was a win-win!  Here’s the expense break down for this costume:

Expense Breakdown:

-Dress: $39.99

-Faux Fur Shawl $28.66

-Shoes: $19.99

-Headpiece: $4.49

-Accessories (gloves, beads, cigarette holder): $6

Total: $99.13

 

 

Outfit Set:

Outfit Details: Dress: Amazon, Shawl: Amazon, Shoes: Franco Sarto (thrifted), Accessories: Costume Shop, Tights: Target (old), Headpiece: eBay

Fall Neutrals

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Some Fall days are warm enough for short sleeves, others not so much.  This post is about those warmer Fall days, where you want to wear Autumnal colors, but you can’t justify the layers.  I recently came across this great 70’s inspired button up top from Urban Outfitters and fell immediately in love with the color and pattern.  Really digging that retro menswear vibe–and it’s comfy AF too!  I went with my classic Joe’s skinny jeans because they look great as part of a neutral toned look.

Another recent shoe find I’m currently in love with: the Destino Flat from Free People. While I don’t typically go for black sandals, these were too perfect to pass up.  They come in a variety of colors besides black–all of which are equally tempting.  I especially loved the black for some reason which is totally not like me! These go so well with jeans and skirts alike, and the leather and overall construction seem to be of good quality.  I always need to remind myself to go against first inclination and try to branch out from what I’d normally gravitate towards.  It’s nice to do that, otherwise everything you buy winds up looking the same!  While they do run a bit pricey, you can find them on sale on eBay, Zappos, etc.

Outfit Set:

Outfit Details: Top: Urban Outfitters, Jeans: Joe’s, Shoes: Free People, Necklace: Etsy

Red Floral Dress & Fall Pullover

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The weather seems to be fighting onto Summer as long as it can, which is why this outfit has one foot in Fall and one in Summer.  The temperature difference between night and day has been pretty extreme too!  I’ve always liked pullover sweaters over dresses and this weather pretty much fits that game plan perfectly!  This floral wrap dress from Zaful is great for hot days and this chunky knit pullover is warm enough for cooler September nights.  This sweater has been much needed lately since it’s been in the upper 80s and then dips down to low 50s at night.  I guess this is life in a high desert/arid environment aye?  That was something that surprised me a lot when I first moved to Colorado; I really wasn’t expecting how dry it was.

Another thing I’ve been playing around with are layering necklaces.  I found this great store on Etsy that sells pretty gold and sterling silver charms.  You can buy them with the chain or individually.  I opted for individual charms and found the necklace chains for cheap on eBay! Plus it’s fun to mix and match chain lengths depending on what I’m in the mood for.  The one I’m highlighting in this outfit is the compass charm and the triangle choker is from Forever 21.

Outfit Set:

Outfit Details: Dress: Zaful, Sweater: Zaful, Shoes: Steve Madden, Layering Necklaces: Etsy and Forever 21

September Blues & Fall Matte Lip Swatch Review

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Happy post Labor Day weekend! Now that we are officially in September, I am super excited for the upcoming season and can’t wait to get started on more Fall related looks.  The nights and mornings have been getting cooler BUT the days have still been in the mid to upper 80s, so dress season is still a thing! Which is a good thing because this blue floral dress from Zaful has been one of my favorite recent additions.  I really don’t have a lot of anything in powder blue and it’s nice to branch out occasionally with something a little different. Its a color that I just don’t really gravitate towards for some reason, but I really love the color and pattern of this one!  As has been the case recently, this woven bag has made another appearance.  It seems to go super well with so many dresses so it’s hard not to include it in a bunch of looks!

Now to change gears a bit–over the years, I have tried a bunch of different matte lip colors and I wanted to showcase which ones have become my regular favorites.  Many of these I use daily, especially the ones with more of a nudey mauve tone that look great for casual everyday looks.  As a certified pale person, I can also vouch that all of these colors look great with fair skin. This post might get long and it’s all about makeup so just a warning!  If you’re a fellow pale person looking for the best lip colors for you, keep on reading! I would rate these lip colors on three different scales: affordability (1-5, 5 being most affordable), color tone (1-5, 5 being best color tone) and durability (1-5, 5 for most durable/longest lasting).  Scroll down for a full review!

Outfit Set:Outfit Details: Dress: Zaful, Bag: eBay, hat: eBay, shoes: Free People

NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams

I wear these ALL the time.  Zurich and Stockholm are similar, however Stockholm has a bit of an orangier tone.  Cannes has been one of my go-to dusty rose colors and is nearly a perfect dupe for the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dolce Vita. Rome on the far right is a bit of a darker berry color so I wear it more for nights and going out.  It looks darker on lips than on the swatch. Rome has a more vintage 90s look if you’re looking for that too.  As you can see in the final photo, these wash off the most easily but because they are so affordable and the colors are great I can let that one go.

Affordability: 5, Color: 5, Durability: 1

Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink

This one gets high marks because of it’s affordability, durability, and the color Poet is a perfect nude that isn’t super washed out.  I tend to like more pinky nudes and this one fits the bill.  The more beige it is, the more washed out I tend to look so this one is a great nude for pale folks.  It goes on a bit wet but dries fairly quickly.  It’s also one of the most durable and longest lasting ones that I’ve found.

Affordability: 5, Color: 5, Durability: 5

ColourPop Ultra Matte *WINNER*

This one is really impressive in terms of durability and just overall value.  Platform goes on fairly light but somehow turns into a darker dusty pink.  It’s probably the MOST matte above all of the others and is by far the most durable.  I can wear this all day, drink coffee, water, you name it.  It does not come off! The application is lightweight and dries the fastest.  As you can see in the below photo, this one outperformed the others after washing with soap and water.  It’s also one of the most affordable so this one is the winner in my book!

Affordability: 5, Color: 5, Durability: 5

MAC Liptensity

This color is absolutely gorgeous for Fall.  Smoked almond is a gorgeous deeper rust red that is slightly less matte than the others.  It goes on like a more traditional lipstick but you still get that overall matte look.  Since it’s MAC, affordability isn’t great and I was surprised by how much it washed off in my soap and water test.  However, it’s a beautiful, rich color so it gets an overall good rating from me!

Affordability: 2, Color: 5, Durability: 3

ColourPop Metallics

This one isn’t a true matte but it’s not really glossy as advertised.  It goes on very dry and has a matte feel, even though it does have a bit of shimmer.  Growing up in the early 2000s I think I’ve been traumatized by wet lip gloss so I really like this one being dry, while at the same time offering a little shine and shimmer.  Tight Fit is a beautiful metallic with slight orangey pink tones.  It reminds me a little bit of a pink grapefruit skin and looks beautiful on! Slightly less bold of a pigment but that’s okay for me. One of the top performers in durability and affordability.

Affordability: 5, Color: 5, Durability: 4.5

Sephora Luster Matte Lip Color

For all that rich pigment, it sure isn’t durable which is kind of surprising.  I would have thought it would have some staying power.  I wouldn’t call this an every day color for me, but it is beautiful.  It’s a very rich, pigmented orangey red, and looks great if you want a bold look for the evening.  I would call this a semi-matte since it’s not as quick drying as the others.  It is not long lasting at all and tends to smear so I’m careful not to use too much of it at once.  While it’s nice for specific looks, I probably wouldn’t purchase this one again.

Affordability: 3, Color: 4, Durability: 1

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

I really like this pencil.  It’s a true matte and goes on very smooth and dry.  The color Dolce Vita is fantastic and is a rich dusty rose, but if you’re looking for a cheaper option, try NYX’s lip cream in Cannes.  As you can see in the swatches, these colors are nearly identical.  However, it’s not very long lasting and its affordability is so so.

Affordability: 1, Color: 5, Durability: 1

Linen & Straw

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I’m all about comfortable looks that look put together at the same time.  I’ve personally never been a “wear sweatpants to the grocery store” kind of person, but if you are, more power to ya.  Stylishness is usually sacrificed for the sake of comfort, but these linen pants are a totally different story.

It’s not too often where I come across an item where I go “hey these could technically be pajama pants!” But these are waay better than  PJs; they look really fantastic dressed up with a nice boho style tunic and leather flats.  I’ve worn these out on hot days because of how lightweight and breezy they are.  Sometimes I’m just not in the mood for heavier material on really hot days.  Linen is pretty much the ideal Summer material for clothing in my opinion.  They are perfect for a Sunny day at the beach, poolside or a even a midday brunch.

Outfit Set:

Outfit Details: Pants: Caslon, Top: Forever 21, Sandals: Lucky Brand, Bag: eBay

Green Wrap Skirt & Summer to Fall Transition Pieces

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It’s unfortunate being so busy that I haven’t been able to post as quickly as I’d like.  I feel a bit of a time crunch since August has sped by and Fall is quickly approaching.  It’s not a good feeling when you feel like you’re running out of time.  It would be nice for everything to slow down so I have more time to post more Summer ideas!  In California, this wasn’t really an issue since the temperature swings were so mild in comparison.  I could post about Summer stuff all year long, but alas, Colorado has other ideas.  At the same time, I’m very excited for Fall to get in full swing so I’m feeling a bit ambivalent!

Here’s one of my late Summer looks featuring this lovely wrap skirt from Zaful.  I have been having a love affair with wrap skirts and dresses all Summer it seems like!  I am a huge fan of this color and floral pattern.  It’s a bit like a modern Ditsy pattern, and there’s so many different outfits you could wear with this one.  Since this skirt has a longer length, it could easily be worn as a Summer/Fall transition piece.  It would look fab with a suede or denim jacket, or even a chunky knit pullover!  Since it’s still in the 80s here, I went with a summery plain white tee and sandals, but as an affordable transition piece it is worth checking out.  This boyfriend style tee from Urban Outfitters is such a comfy and soft option for a white t-shirt.  I personally am super picky about t-shirts and this one has a nice loose cut and the fabric is very soft. Since the boyfriend style runs looser, I ordered a size smaller and the fit is perfect!

Outfit Set:

Outfit Details: Top: Urban Outfitters, Skirt: Zaful, Shoes: Nature Breeze, Bag: eBay

Summer Stripes

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Sometimes when you’re nowhere near the beach, you just gotta recreate it yourself right? That was the goal of this outfit.  Since I live in a landlocked state now, I was missing the beach a lot recently and I wanted to create the beachiest Summer outfit possible. Also, it’s back up to mid-90 degree temperatures so that might have had something to do with it!  I spied out this vertical stripe 60’s inspired mini dress on Urban Outfitters and had a big time nostalgia flashback–it reminded me so much of my favorite beach towel that I knew I had to snap it up.  The stripe pattern was almost exact, I couldn’t believe it! I also love the 60’s inspired silhouette and the light and breezey chiffon fabric.  The fabric has a double layer with a black slip underneath which really makes the stripes pop.  I love the muted retro colors of this dress and the fact it’s not SUPER bright.  I kind of avoid bright stripey patterns and this isn’t like that at all.

I’ve also been kind of obsessed with this woven circle bag.  They’ve definitely become more popular lately on social media which means that you can find them for much cheaper on sites like Etsy, Amazon and eBay.  This particular one I found off eBay brand new.  If you’re looking for a bag like this, I highly recommend going to more affordable sites first before you buy a branded bag for a big markup!  That said, you will be seeing a lot of this bag in the future because it goes with so many darn things–I can’t seem to get it out of my outfit ideas!  Same goes for these shoes, there are a lot of more expensive choices that are just like these, but I found these on Amazon and so far they have been way worth it.  The dress however, was slightly more expensive so sometimes you just have to pick your battles and know when to splurge or save!

Outfit Details: Dress: Urban Outfitters, Bag: Unbranded, Shoes: Nature Breeze

Outfit Set:

 

Raw Edge Denim

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Lately I’ve been having a love affair of sorts with everything Levi’s. I love their high wasted wedgie fits, and lately I’ve been interested in their raw edge offerings. These cropped jeans were pretty much exactly what I had been looking for since they go so well with so many Summer styles! These are the “straight leg raw hem cropped” jeans in the Rough Tide wash. You can wear them with shorter tops, cropped or tied up tees and you won’t be showing a mile of tummy due to the high rise waist.  They’re also really comfortable for all denim jeans and have a decent amount of give to them.  They’re still a little bit stiff since they’re new, but the great thing about Levi’s is that they will break in and soften over time.

I recently stumbled upon this graphic tee from Urban Outfitters and fell in love with the vintage floral design. I’ve been kind of obsessed with Audobon prints and old botanical designs for years, so this was a perfect addition to my closet.  It looks great with so many outfits, especially jeans and skirts! Another recent find was this Fossil bag in a bright mustard yellow–another totally random find. I love the size and color of this bag, and it is been a perfect small crossbody for Summer!

Outfit Details: Tee: Urban Outfitters, Jeans: Levi’s, Shoes: Birkenstock, Bag: Fossil

Outfit Set: