flats

In Undertow

June 19, 2020 by The Partial Ingredients

I still love festival fashion, even though all festivals are probably canceled for the foreseeable future. For me, festival looks aren’t about showing a ton of skin or getting flashy. I’m all about loose, breezy items that are comfortable to wear on hot days. Of course that means cotton tops, skirts and flats!

This top from Everlane is such a perfect tee for Summer. So lightweight! And I love the fact that it’s sleeveless. It’s been so hot lately (it set a record in Denver last week) that the least amount of fabric as possible is a must. Next up is this fab vintage 80’s skirt found on Etsy. I love Etsy for those vintage finds when you can’t venture into your local thrift store because a certain (ahem) virus has ruined pretty much everything, sigh. One thing great about fashion is that everything worth revisiting usually comes back around again (not you shoulder pads, you’re not allowed). While this pleated floral design is straight out of the 80’s, it seems so new right now!

Upslope’s Spiked Seltzer has been a must have drink for Summer!

Outfit Details: Top: Everlane; Skirt: Vintage (Etsy); Shoes: Free People; sunglasses: Ray Ban; hat: unbranded

September Blues & Fall Matte Lip Swatch Review

September 8, 2018 by The Partial Ingredients

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

Summer Stripes

August 12, 2018 by The Partial Ingredients

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:

Camel Jacket & Striped Midi

March 25, 2018 by The Partial Ingredients

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:

Chiffon & Smoking Slippers

February 18, 2018 by The Partial Ingredients

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:

Piece of My Heart

September 20, 2017 by The Partial Ingredients

I’ve been liking the resurgence of band tees paired with more feminine looks recently. Midi skirts paired with bright, graphic tees are a personal favorite of mine. The one issue is that I’m super picky about the material, what’s on my t-shirts–especially when it comes to band shirts. I feel like in order for me to feel comfortable to wear a band shirt I should be able to name off an album or a favorite song if someone happens to ask. That just seems fair to the artist, right? You gotta at least know and like the band’s stuff if you are endorsing them on your clothes. Well I guess that’s just my own personal standard. Another thing I’m super picky about is the material. Gotta have that soft, thin cotton. Hate that rough stuff! This shirt is 100% cotton but is also super soft.

I never really listened to Janis Joplin much when I was younger but in the last few years I’ve really come to regard her as one of my favorite rock stars. A few documentaries about her life and a few album downloads later I became a fan. After listening to her records I was amazed at her ability to express that amount of feeling through her voice. I wish I could time travel back to one of her concerts, but alas, I was born almost two decades too late.

Besides her music, she had a pretty great sense of style and developed her own unique look. I didn’t have any feathers on hand but I feel like she might have liked these leopard print flats (though she might have preferred low heels). I personally like the little bit of pattern mixing that works perfectly with the tee. This outfit is relaxed enough to wear out and about but also fits in well as a possible festival look. Probably not something Janis was concerned about but versatility is always a plus in my book!

Outfit Set:

Outfit Details: T-Shirt: Amazon, Skirt: eBay, Shoes: Joie, Bag: Etsy, Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters

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Loafers & Ivy

August 21, 2017 by The Partial Ingredients

I’ve always been ambivalent about the high rise/”mom jean” trend and I was never quite sure if they looked great or terrible. A bit of a tough call! But I recently made the plunge and picked up a pair of these classic Levi’s just to see what all the buzz was about. I was surprised by how flattering the fit was! The high waist line does accentuate the hips a bit but not in a bad way. And to be honest, I do remember my mom wearing a pair just like these back in the day–and I’m pretty sure she still does (hey mom!). I can’t fault her for it–these jeans are comfyyy! They feel sturdy like they will last a long time too. These jeans are technically made for working outdoors but I think they look nice a little more dressed up. I wore these with a light chiffon button down and black loafers. One of my favorite recent purchases is this great woven circle bag! The bag is made from woven straw and is a perfect size for toting your stuff at the beach or as a simple every day bag. In terms of whether I’m sold on high rise denim across the board I’m not so sure but I’m definitely a big fan of these!

Outfit Details: Chiffon top: eBay, Jeans: Levi’s, Shoes: Steve Madden, Bag: Etsy

Outfit Set:

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