Partial Ingredients

Everyday Style & Recipes. Est. 2010

OOTD

Snake Print Dress

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I have no idea how I fell in love with this dress. There are two factors here that would make this so improbable that I can hardly believe it. First off: I HATE snake skin print. To me it’s the heavy hitter of trashiness, second only to leopard print. Hate it. I probably don’t need to explain my reasons, you probably already know and are on the same page. Moving on.

Second: the brand is Abercrombie & Fitch. I actually worked at Abercrombie Kids briefly while I was in high school and let’s just say the brand has come along way since then. They have some awesome, well made clothes for reasonable prices that don’t look like kid-wear. No longer do I see the gaudy “AnF” writing on everything nor do I see the oversized moose insignia stitched on everything. Gotta take my hat off to them for getting me to buy something snake skin, seriously. I mean come on, the pattern is gorgeous though right? Also, another awesome thing with their sizing on this dress: they offer this in tall which they recommend for anyone over 5’8. I’m not over 5’8 but I bought it anyways to get an extra few inches in the length, which paid off. I don’t like mini dresses and having the option to add some inches was great. Another smart touch to this wrap dress was the little snap enclosure. While I love wrap dresses it can be annoying to keep the front always secure so that little snap was a perfect touch. I love all the little details of this dress and it’s great to branch out into something I don’t normally wear!

Dress: Abercrombie & Fitch; Bag: unbranded; shoes: Birkenstock; necklace: Urban Outfitters

Next up is a bit of a makeup experiment. I was curious whether my favorite — but pricey — concealer by NARS (the Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly) could be duped by a more affordable brand. It’s hard to find a perfect tone for fair skinned folks so I thought it would be tough to beat since NARS’ offering is a perfect skin tone match. NYX’s HD Studio Concealer in Porcelain (retails $6) gives a pretty good run for its money though and I was overall very happy with it. The coverage is pretty much the same but maybe slightly less creamy. The tone is a very good match but has a bit more of a pinky tone than NARS. For 1/5 of the price, their dupe is a pretty amazing option. I have tried both as an undereye concealer and am happy with both of them. If you’re a pale person like me and have been on the hunt for a perfect fair skin concealer, try both of these out!

Buy here: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer and NYX HD Studio Photogenic Concealer
The best drought tolerant potted herbs: sage, rosemary and thyme. Great to have around for cooking!

Sky Blue Sky

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Midi skirts and graphic tees have been my jam like all Summer. I think I’ve come to embrace midi and maxi length skirts more than shorter skirts lately. It could be a product of getting older but I just find longer length skirts to be way more flexible in terms of every day wear. I can wear them to work and then go out later and there’s no self-consciousness about the length. To me it’s all about comfort and not feeling self-conscious wherever I am. Skirts that run a bit too short just make me worried about strong gusts (lol) or whether or not I’m dressed appropriately. And ain’t nobody got time for that!

This skirt from Adored Vintage isn’t a color I would normally wear but I’ve come to love the robin’s egg hue. It just happens to be a perfect match with this awesome NASA Tee from Urban Outfitters! Gotta love the old NASA designs. A cool graphic tee works great with most outfits but I love them when paired with more feminine pieces. They’ve become a Summertime staple for me and below are a few of my favorites. Don’t forget the sneakers too!

Outfit Details: Tee: Urban Outfitters; Skirt: Adored Vintage; Shoes: Converse Allstars; bag: Vintage, Gap

Summer Whites & Linen

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The Colorado sun is burning hot this time of year and that calls for lightweight skirts, cold drinks and shady porches. This flowing midi skirt from Adored Vintage is a perfect option for hot Summer days. It’s a bit longer than the typical midi skirt and fits more like a 3/4 maxi. It’s lightweight and flowy–the perfect Summer option! Why wear light colored clothing in the Summer? From what I’ve read, they doesn’t absorb the sun’s rays like black or dark colored clothes. Another Summery material I’ve been a big fan of lately has been linen. Linen is a breathable fabric and great for hotter days. This shirt was a lucky find from Etsy and looks great tied in the front.

Speaking of Etsy, this post is going to be pretty much all about the latest Etsy finds (stores linked at the end of this post). Another recent score was this leather cross-body bag. I’ve been on the hunt for a medium size cross-body/saddle bag and this one has everything I was looking for. It’s also affordable and goes with just about everything, so big win there! I recently upgraded my sun hat from the Etsy shop, LaMar Lifestyle, and it’s a great wide brimmed hat that offers a good amount of sun protection. It’s a must have for pale folks when sun screen just won’t cut it alone. This shop also has the best accessories for your day at the beach, including handwoven mules and beach blankets. It’s worth checking out!

The best affordable peachy rose Summer blush from ELF for the chronically pale. Don’t forget the SPF underneath! Purchase here.
La Mar Lifestyle Etsy shop for beach and sun lovers!
Outfit Details: Top: Vintage, Etsy – PerennialVintage; Skirt: Adored Vintage; Shoes: Lucky Brand; Bag: Etsy – Leather Strata; Hat: Etsy – LaMar Lifestyle

Lavender Vintage

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It has been such an odd Spring season that even the folks who were born and raised here in town are weirded out.  You know it’s abnormal when even the locals are remaking on it!  On the days I have been able to wear Springy stuff, I always jump at the chance to wear pretty skirts and sandals.  This one from Adored Vintage has been one of my go-to midi skirts this Spring!  I am loving the pastel floral vibes, and the button front look.  It gives a bit of a vintage feel without looking dated or costumey.  Adored Vintage has been one of my favorite recent vintage shops lately, they really have some lovely offerings.

Recently I’ve been into oversized linen blouses with tie-front waists.  This one from Perennial Vintage on Etsy came a bit too oversized to wear as-is (I think it might actually be a men’s shirt, but oh well.)  I loved the sage color so I didn’t want to return it.  All was not lost though, there is a trick to taking in too large blouses.  I just roll up the sleeves and tie up the front ends and behold–a much more fitted, wearable shirt!  Beats having to learn how to sew and tailor right?  Tie front shirts look fab with skirts, shorts, and jeans….soooo pretty much everything!

Outfit Set: Outfit Details: Top: Etsy/vintage Skirt: Adored Vintage Shoes: Amazon Bag: Etsy/vintage

Prairie Dress & Spring Cuts

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Spring is always a wacky time in Colorado, it’s never clear when you can wear Spring attire or bundle up in layers again.  Lately I’ve been into longer “prairie” inspired dresses and when it finally warmed up I jumped at the chance to wear this one from Adored Vintage! Adored Vintage has been a recent favorite online boutique–they have so many gorgeous options for Spring!  It was hard to limit myself to just a few pieces since they’re all amazing.  Love the ditsy floral pattern and the color of this one.  While I salivate over Christy Dawn dresses, the price point is a little much for me, and this one is way more affordable.  And just as beautiful might I add!  Since I’m on a dress and sneakers kick (no pun intended) these converse All-Stars add a perfect casual vibe to make it a more every day or “out to brunch” outfit.

Oh, and as you’ve probably noticed already, I lopped off a good 8 inches of my hair a few weeks ago.  Does anyone else grow out their hair and cut it all off for Summer?  It feels amazing getting rid of the unhealthy ends and the excess weight!  Since I’ve gone with longer hair styles for several years, I had to relearn how to style short hair, and that required an addition of several products into my routine.  I’ve always loved natural waves but it was so easy to throw wet hair in a braid and be good to go in the morning.  Now that’s not really possible so I’ve started using Bumble and Bumble’s BB Texture Cream and Ouai Wave Spray on damp hair in the morning.  I just scrunch with my fingers and voila–laid back beach waves!

Outfit Set:Outfit Details: Dress: Adored Vintage; Shoes: Converse; Bag: Unbranded; Necklace: Forever 21

Vintage Florals

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Lately I’ve been enjoying the warmer weather and getting into more vintage items for Spring.  Being able to wear dresses and skirts without tights or boots has been amazing!  Instead of going to the local thrift store, I’ve been finding some really awesome boutiques online that have great vintage finds.  I recently discovered a couple Etsy shops that sell dresses and other items from all different eras.  This floral dress is from FoundPretty and looks to be from around the late 80’s/early 90’s.  I was drawn to the pretty pattern and flowy shape of the dress.  It’s a perfect dress to layer up for Spring!

While this is easier said than done, I always try to keep vintage pieces looking modern.  My general rule of thumb is one or two vintage items max per outfit.  Anything more can, but not always, start to look a little costumey.   I personally love pairing dresses with laid back sneakers like these “Old Skool” Vans for a fresh, updated look.  And you get to avoid wearing heels which is always a plus!

Vintage Florals - The Partial Ingredients blog

Outfit Set:

Outfit Details: Dress: FoundPretty, Bag: Vintage/Etsy, Shoes: Vans, Cardigan: Bajee Collection

Spring Blazer

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When Spring has officially sprung, the weather can get a little funky. It’s almost, barely but not quite t-shirt weather! So close but not quite. So what to do? Throw on a blazer over a t-shirt of course! I’ve been loving casual looks with oversized blazers lately. I usually associate blazers with work outfits, but they look great dressed down too. Who would have guessed they work great with jeans and sneakers? This one from Zara is oversized and inspired by menswear suits. Love the pattern on this one and it’s a perfect outer layer since the material is a wool blend.

Another recent obsession has been anything Levi’s (though you probably got that impression by the t-shirt already). Love these super skinny 720 high-rise jeans in Azurite–I feel like they’re the perfect lighter wash jean without looking too mom-ish. They have a more modern look with a perfect amount of stretch. Oh, and did I mention their jeans are super affordable? It’s a win-win! To complete this casual look I added a pair of comfy sneakers that also look great with blazers–these Van’s “Old Skool” sneakers have been my go-to shoes for a while now. They’re surprisingly versatile, and look great with both jeans, dresses, and skirts!

Outfit Set:

Outfit Details: Blazer: Zara, Jeans: Levi’s, Tee: Levi’s, Shoes: Vans

Spring Thaw

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Who else lives in oversized knit sweaters and boots during the winter months? I do! Since the “Bomb Cyclone” blizzard hit northern Colorado last week, it has warmed up quite a bit so I’m hoping this will be the last Wintery outfit for the blog *crosses fingers.* Since Winter weather can hit as late as May in Colorado there’s no guarantees.

It’s hard to find a quality pair of Winter boots for trekking around in the snow, and even harder to find ones that actually keep your feet warm. These classic ones from L.L. Bean have been my go-to this season. They continue to make their products in the U.S. and their quality hasn’t gone down over the years, which is kind of amazing! You can get this style in several different types, and I chose the eight inch with gore-tex/thinsulate lining. It costs slightly more but I definitely noticed a difference in warmth compared to other boots. I ordered my usual size but they do run a bit large to make room for thicker socks. I like a little roominess since tighter ones can actually make your feet colder — and nobody wants that. Another recent favorite has been this messenger bag from Karlen Swiss. These bags are made from recycled Swiss military blankets and made from heavy-duty wool. It’s been a perfect Winter tote this season!

Outfit Set:

Outfit Details: Sweater: Zaful, Leggings: Felina, Boots: L.L. Bean, Scarf: Amazon, Bag: Karlen Swiss

 

 

Black & Tan

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I’ve always loved more monochrome looks–you can play around more with texture and patterns that way.  A variety of patterns look great when they all fall within a similar color scheme.  I recently stumbled across this vintage men’s cardigan on Etsy and fell instantly in love!  Sometimes you just wanna slouch around in huge, cozy cardigans amiright? This one is the epitome of that.  It’s a really well made and super warm as it’s made from 70% wool.  Gotta love well made items like that, and Etsy has tons of vintage options from so many awesome sellers.  Speaking of which, this bag from Etsy is a great little vintage saddlebag that’s perfect for everyday wear, and there’s a lot just like it being sold out there!

I recently splurged a bit on some classic high-rise jeans from Levi’s, and I couldn’t be happier with the purchase.  These are the 720’s in Black Chaos and they are seriously awesome.  I love the material blend–they’re mostly cotton but with enough stretch to not make them stiff or thick feeling.  It’s super high-waisted so just a warning if that’s not what you’re looking for.  The distressed parts of them are natural and don’t look strange at all.  I’m not a fan of super high up torn up jeans so these are perfect for me!  These aren’t a true black, they have a bit of charcoal grey tones going on but that’s cool with me.

Outfit Set:

Outfit Details: Cardigan: Etsy – PerennialVintage,  Jeans: Levi’s 720’s, Shoes: Marc Fisher, Top: MaiTai, Bag: Etsy, PurpleHeather

Victorian Dreams

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Over the holidays, my Fiance received an amazing gift for a one night stay at the Nagle-Warren Mansion Bed & Breakfast in Cheyenne, Wyoming.  We decided that spending the weekend before Valentine’s Day would be a perfect way to use this gift, and also check out the local sites!  Last year we toured this historic house with family, and were amazed by the beautiful decor and history of the place.  The Nagle-Warren mansion was built in 1888 on the “Cattle Baron Row” in downtown Cheyenne.  This mansion is one of the few standing historic buildings as most were torn down due to faulty soil and foundation problems.  This place was fully restored to as close to original condition as possible, and it is a simply beautiful place to stay!  Not only was the place gorgeous and full of history, the owners were friendly and provided the best hospitality.  Even the ghosts were friendly!  Just kidding, we did not detect a single ghost.  The only visitor we got was a very friendly house cat who came to hang out with us in our room for a while.

We stayed in the the Francis E. Warren room, which was named after the U.S. Senator, and it was so beautiful!  I thought this comfy, chiffon dress by Sage would suit the decor of the room and I think it fits!  I think it evokes some Victorian style vibes, don’t you?  As always, Etsy has the best vintage stuff and this leather saddle bag is perfect for the occasion.  I chose some pretty gold layering charm necklaces from Etsy to complete the look as well.  Prior to the Nagle-Warren Mansion, we also did a little hike at Curt Gowdy State Park, and it was great checking out the local parks in Cheyenne!



Outfit Set:

Outfit Details: Dress: Sage Boutique, Bag: Vintage-Etsy, Necklaces: Etsy, Shoes: Free People Royale Flat