outfit

Linen & Slate

December 21, 2020 by The Partial Ingredients

I had been hearing about the joggers trend for a while, but never found a pair that could be easily incorporated into my wardrobe. I try to keep my closet versatile, yet as minimal as possible so I just didn’t see any room for this trend or what I would even wear joggers with. How do you dress up joggers and make them not look like you’re wearing pajamas? It seemed like the options to make them look actually nice were limited, but I recently found a pair from Anthropologie that actually look…classy? I think it has something to do with the front pleats which gives it a bit of a dress pants vibe. Whatever the reason, these certainly don’t resemble pajamas, but they are so comfortable they might as well be. The material is Modal, which is seriously such a soft and luxurious fabric. I absolutely love these and have been pretty much living in them!

Pairing these pants with a linen cami from Abercrombie, and a cozy oversized cardigan dresses up the ‘fit while also keeping it pretty laid back. Completed the look with this great little bee pendant and some classic Vans kicks. Overall, I’m really happy with the addition of these joggers to my closet and I hope they will inspire a lot of other future looks!

**Outfit Details:** Cardigan: American Eagle; Pants: Saturday/Sunday Abroad by Anthropologie; Shoes: Old Skool sneakers by Vans; Necklace: Etsy; Cami: Abercrombie & Fitch

Touch of Grunge

December 10, 2020 by The Partial Ingredients

I usually don’t get sick of Winter until at least January after all the holidays have passed, but this year seems to have sped that up a bit. In any event, I am in the mood for a Spring outfit! This look is one part Spring and two parts Fall, featuring this pretty Boho top from Abercrombie. I love blouses like these because they are timeless and versatile. Pair them with a skirt, cardigan, jeans — whatever! It’s one of those items that should belong in every minimalist capsule wardrobe IMO.

Adding to this look are a couple more Fall inspired items made for your capsule wardrobe, like these Chelsea boots by Sutro which have been my fav for a couple months now. They’re so comfy and look good with just about everything! Since we are still in the dead of winter, this look would be perfect paired with a trench coat or cozy cardigan to keep yourself warm! I also went with a touch of grunge with these high-rise distressed jeans from Levi’s which have been featured in a lot of my previous blog posts. A simple pair of black jeans is another closet staple of mine, distressed or not — though I like to have both options in the closet!

**Outfit Details:** Top: Abercrombie & Fitch; Pants: Levi’s; Boots: Sutro; Bag: Teddi Joelle; Necklace: Urban Outfitters

Cozy Pointelle Sweater & Face Mask Review

November 27, 2020 by The Partial Ingredients

Now that we are almost 10 months into this pandemic, it’s needless to say that I have tried a fair amount of masks in all shapes and sizes. After trying out a bunch I decided to post my thoughts and rank the masks/face coverings that I experimented with over the last few months. For the most part, there’s not a lot of information on the comfort, quality and breathability before buying. My goal was to find an easy to wear, comfortable, breathable and affordable mask. So after a few trial and error moments, here are the masks that I’ve tried along with their pros and cons (FYI this is not medical advice). If you want to skip the long description, check out the handy chart below for the rankings. Featured in this outfit are not only a few of the masks ranked today, but some cozy items from American Eagle. This pointelle sweater and hat are a perfect match for November. Also featured are these fantastic boots from Solovair, which I have reviewed in the past here. The Astronaut style is still one of my favorites that they offer and one of my favorite boots of all time.

Where to find from top to bottom: N95 Surgical Mask; American Eagle Cloth Mask; Disposable Mask; KITSCH Cloth Mask; 32 Degrees Cool Face Mask

Now for the long form review so I’ll be starting off with the 95 Surgical Mask. Obviously this one is the most effective at blocking particulates, bacteria and viruses. Since COVID-19, this mask has been hard to come by and the prices of these have increased astronomically. I happened to get lucky by already having a couple of these for various projects around the house before the pandemic hit. In terms of comfort, this one is probably the least comfortable of the bunch. It pretty much crushes your nose and cheeks — and you’re left with lovely red indents across your face. Nooot great. However, in terms of safety and effectiveness, this one is the cream of the crop. I like to use the N95 for a riskier situation indoors where I am unable to effectively socially distance.

Next up is the reusable cloth mask from American Eagle. This was an early version when they just starting manufacturing these. This one is comfortable to wear, is made with several layers of cotton and comes with adjustable ear straps. These usually come in a three pack for like 8 bucks so the price is super affordable. They wash very well and seem pretty sturdy. They also have an adjustable metal nose piece on top which helps tighten up the mask. The biggest drawback was the breathability on this one. It felt very claustrophobic and the interior layers kept getting sucked into my mouth whenever I inhaled more deeply.

Next is the unbranded disposable non-woven Face Mask. These are pretty much the standard for medical professionals and those who work with the public. I love this mask and wear them all the time. They are comfortable, breathable and safe since they come with several layers of non-woven material. These also have an adjustable metal nose piece. Even with the layers, the mask does not feel claustrophobic or difficult to breathe in. It’s so lightweight that I hardly notice I’m even wearing one. The only downside is while they are affordable, they are disposable — which isn’t great for the environment and you will need to keep buying more as you go through your supply. On the upside, they come in packs of 50+ so that can take a while!

Next up, I recently bought one of the 3-packs from KITSCH face masks. These are similar to the American Eagle masks in terms of price and material (retails about $12 and made from 100% cotton). I prefer the design of these with the expandable layers of fabric, which creates a nice “cupping” feeling around your face. They are very soft, comfortable and breathable but I do notice these on my face more than the disposables. They also wash and dry very well so reusability is a big plus. However, I should note that they don’t come with a metal nose piece unlike the others so it’s slightly looser on top. I don’t know whether this affects the utility of the mask or not, but it’s something to consider. Overall with the amount of fabric layers, your nose can easily fit within the mask and won’t slide down at all. From an aesthetics perspective, these are clearly the prettiest masks of the bunch. I like to wear these as part of a nice outfit or somewhere that requires more dressing up than usual.

Last up are the reusable 32 Degrees Cool mask, which I originally bought from Costco for cheap, but you can find these on Amazon and elsewhere for a couple bucks more. These are made with athletes in mind as they are clearly built to be used outdoors. They are made from an extremely thin, stretchy material (a blend of polyester and spandex) and come with ATB-UV+ sun protection which is a perk. Very comfortable and breathable, you can easily jog, hike and bike in these. Now the downsides: they have no adjustability so I find the mask slipping down a fair amount which gets annoying. It seems to always want to perch at the tip of my nose and I find myself pushing it up a lot. It also doesn’t have a metal nose piece to help keep it in place. I’m also pretty skeptical about the effectiveness of these since the single layer material is sooo thin. The manufacturers claim to have three layers built in, but I just don’t feel comfortable wearing these for indoor situations. I will happily wear these outdoors though, partly due to COVID but also for the bonus sun protection!

So there you have it. I hope this helps you decide which mask to buy when the time comes. One last thought to consider: if you hate the mask you use or you find it difficult to breathe in, shop around more and try several types out! There are tons of masks out there that will suit your needs and there’s really no reason to stay uncomfortable. I know masks aren’t the greatest thing ever but if they help stop the spread of COVID-19 let’s get to work and mask up comfortably!

**Outfit Details:** Sweater and Hat: American Eagle; Shoes: Solovair: Pants: Adriano Goldschmied

High-Low Summer // Demeter Fragrance Review

August 29, 2020 by The Partial Ingredients

It’s almost September and I’m feeling a bit ambivalent since I still have a bunch of Summer looks in the pipeline that I haven’t posted yet, waah. It seems to be always the way where Fall kind of catches up with me. That said, I am so excited to get going on all the Fall things which are just around the corner! It has thankfully cooled down a bit lately but the days still reach well into the mid-upper 80’s. For now, I’m still all about the Summer vibes with this vintage high-low asymmetrical midi dress. Also love the classic t-shirt and skirt combo — there’s just something timeless about it and will always look fresh. This combo is a must have for the toasty weather we’ve had all Summer, especially when you add a pair of comfy sandals to the mix, like these flats from Abercrombie. I also like to add a small belt with skirts to tie everything together. While I am looking forward to Fall looks, I want to try to make Summer last as long as possible!

In other news, I recently tried out a bunch of different Demeter Fragrances. I have to hand it to Demeter, they do a great job at recreating some of the more unique scents in life. They have a dizzying amount of varieties but I selected a few of the ones that I was most curious about. Another cool thing about Demeter are all the formats you can choose from. You can buy each fragrance in a variety of sizes, or as a body wash, diffuser oil, roll-on or even lotion! That’s pretty cool. An overall impression of these fragrances are that they simply don’t linger very long on the skin, but they will stay longer on fabrics. A quick rundown of the ones I tried, from left to right:

Laundromat: This one is spooky accurate. If you’ve ever been inside a commercial laundromat, there’s a heady, humid feeling of wet clothes, detergent and dryer smells that fill the air. I would say this scent captures the atmosphere of the laundromat, rather than fresh laundry if that makes sense. It has quickly turned into one of my favorites and I often use this one to freshen up clothing and bedding. 5/5

Tomato: I grew tomatoes in the garden this year and I love their unique, almost spicy smell. This perfume comes really, really close to mimicking that scent but I wish there was just a little bit more green and peppery vibes. I feel like this perfume evokes the leaves of the plant, rather than the fruit itself which is what I had hoped for. Unfortunately this one has the worst staying power out of the five which is a bummer. Overall, this perfume does convey that essential tomatoey-ness so I definitely recommend if you are also a Tomato fan. 4/5

Fuzzy Navel: This fragrance is one of their more popular scents and they threw this into my order for free which was thoughtful! It’s pretty hard to rate this one since I’m not really into gourmand or fruity fragrances, but it has a very fresh, watery peachy orange scent. I guess this one is meant to capture the alcoholic drink, but I don’t get much of the vodka thing from it. Leaving this unrated since fruity fragrances just aren’t my thing but I wouldn’t knock it either.

Linden: This one is also one of their more popular varieties and there’s good reason for it. Boy, do I love this one. I spray it on my pillow/PJs like every night so yep definitely a fanboy. This fragrance is hard to describe but it’s a little bit greenery, a little bit Summer sunshine with hints of Lily of the Valley. I honestly have no idea what actual Linden blossoms smell like, but this fragrance is absolutely gorgeous. I feel like this one sums up the height of Summer, and I bet I will love this one even more in January to remind myself of warmer and greener times. 5/5

Paperback: I had high hopes for this one and really wondered if they could nail the smell of a fresh paperback book. I pictured this to smell like dust and aged paper (think old book shop) but unfortunately all I got from this was ‘vanilla candle.’ Such a bummer! Maybe I’m missing something, but this fragrance bears no resemblance to a paperback for me. Argh, I am so bummed out by this. I don’t mind the vanilla scent per se, it was just not what I was expecting at all. 2/5

**Outfit Details:** Shirt: American Eagle; Skirt: Vintage Blue Brand/Thrifted; Shoes: Abercrombie; Bag: LeatherStrata

Green Gingham

July 12, 2020 by The Partial Ingredients

It has been an abnormally hot Summer in Northern Colorado thanks to a “Heat Dome” (thanks 2020!) so this post and probably all the ones in the near future will be featuring the most Summeriest of Summer outfits. Give me all the lightweight dresses, tank tops and skirts please — like this gingham patterned dress from Abercrombie & Fitch. Like usual, the quality is up to their standard: it’s made from double-lined 100% cotton and comes with pockets! I am pretty much a loyal Abercrombie customer after they revamped their whole image and brand a few years ago. They have sales so frequently that you can get their items for a very reasonable price. The quality being much better than your average fast-fashion retailer gives you the most bang for your buck. It’s not as cheap as say H&M or Forever21 (this dress was on sale for $39.99), but I’m all about spending a couple bucks extra for better quality. Oh and this genuine leather shoulder bag was also from there and was on sale for like 15 bucks! It’s hard to find faux leather bags for that price, much less real leather.

Sandals and flats are also a must for this freaking hot Summer (I think we have had mid-to upper 90s for a solid week and a half now ughh). These woven flats from LaMar Lifestyle are a perfect lightweight and breathable shoe for your hot feets. Add a sunhat and you’re good to go for the weather, just don’t forget the SPF!

**Outfit Details:** Dress: Abercrombie; Shoes: LaMar Lifestyle; Bag: Abercrombie; hat: unbranded; necklace: Forever21

Spring Violets

April 14, 2020 by The Partial Ingredients

Spring is always a weird time–65 degrees one day, snowing the next. This outfit brought to you by the fickle nature of Spring, when you really want to wear a dress and sneakers, but you also gotta wear tights and a cozy sweater because we’re not quite there yet. It’s close though! I can feel it. The rhubarb plant in our garden sure knows it’s Spring, snow and freezing temperatures be damned! I’m always amazed at the early Spring plants that can tough out a freeze.

This sweater, from American Eagle, is a perfect pullover and so soft! I feel like these types of ultra soft sweaters don’t really hold up during the washer/dryer — they get kind of dry and scratchy but this one has held together quite well! The skirt is actually a full length chiffon wrap dress from Abercrombie and I absolutely love the pattern and the quality of this one. It has become a closet staple since you can easily dress it up or down.

Since warm weather is right around the corner, we recently splurged a bit on these incredible linen sheets from Cultiver (which were on sale but still pricey for sheets). I hate being hot at night (I mean, who does) but waking up at 3AM sweaty is the actual worst. These sheets are made from a 100% natural flax fiber that is breathable and helps regulate temperature. I was a bit unsure about Linen as a material to sleep in. Kind of scratchy right? But nope, I was pleasantly surprised that these come soft right out of the box. They are seriously the most comfortable sheets ever and worth the splurge. They come in a variety of colors that are all so gorgeous, I kind of want them all!

**Outfit Details:** Dress: Abercrombie & Fitch; Sweater: American Eagle; Tights: Target; Necklace: Etsy; shoes: Vans

Linen & Silk

March 30, 2020 by The Partial Ingredients

All dressed up and nowhere to go = the current theme of the month(s) due to COVID-19. But that’s alright, sometimes when you’re #socialdistancing it’s important to put on something nice to feel normal again. The latest Spring look features a few of the best quality materials to go for — linen and silk! Don’t buy full price though since these can get pricey! You can find great deals online for well made clothing, like this top from Everlane which was on clearance for a big discount. Gotta love when clearance items are still available in your size! This top is light and breezy and so perfect for Summer that I’m almost looking forward to hotter weather to try it out. I sized down on this top and I’m glad I did since it’s meant to fit fairly loose.

The skirt and shoes were found at Roolee, a boutique online store, which has tons of great items for reasonable prices. I was overall happy with the quality of the skirt and shoes — especially the skirt which is made from a linen blend and comes with pockets. I am aaalways a fan of skirts/dresses that have decent pockets. The material is super breathable and perfect for Summertime, the beach…picnics–you name it!

**Outfit Details:** Top: Everlane; Skirt: Roolee; Shoes; Roolee; Watch: Stock Watches

Pointelle Sweater

February 9, 2020 by The Partial Ingredients

It’s been a very mild January/February so my thoughts have been turning more toward Winter-to-Spring transition looks. This pointelle sweater from Asos fits the bill as it’s very cozy but also has a bit of a Spring vibe going on. The length is pretty average and not overly cropped which is gives it some versatility. It looks great with high-waisted jeans but works well as a pullover with dresses and skirts. It’s always a treat to order something online and surprise–the thing is majorly cropped! And nowhere does it say on the listing that it is of course. This seems to be one of the casualties of online clothes shopping, especially with fast fashion brands (looking at you Forever 21). Luckily, Asos just made a normal sweater of normal length –incredible, I know! I paired this sweater with some comfy jeans from Levi’s–I’m a big fan of their stretchier jeans. They are ridiculously comfy and feel like you are wearing leggings!

Lately, I’ve been slowly putting together some minimalist capsule wardrobe ideas and a cozy reading corner in the new place! Still works in progress but I’ve chosen a few neutral and minimal looks suitable for everyday, work or travel. Shown below are a few tops that fit perfectly into a more minimalist wardrobe. Simplification will be the key word for me in 2020!

**Outfit Details**: Sweater: Asos; Jeans: Levi’s; Bag: LeatherStrata- Etsy; Shoes: Anthropologie; Jewelry: Etsy

Duck Hunter

December 8, 2019 by The Partial Ingredients

Sometimes it’s fun to dig up old clothes you’ve hung on to for a while and re-discover them. I recently moved to a new place and was going through my old clothes and found this quirky sweater in storage. I got this duck hunt themed sweater from a thrift store like ten years ago. You can see the cute design of a duck hunter and ducks flying in the upper left-hand corner. It’s a quirky thing that I couldn’t help but find charming then and I still do now! I’ve considered donating it a handful of times but just can’t seem to have the heart to get rid of it. Plus the colors are perfect for Fall and Winter.

If you’re feeling stuck on an old, hardly worn item, try mixing it up with something new. In this outfit I gave this old sweater a refresh by pairing it with my favorite pair of Levi’s high-rise distressed denim and this gorgeous rucksack from Etsy. It made the sweater feel a lot more new again! So before you donate your old, unworn clothing I recommend mixing it up a bit with something new to see if you still have a use for it. It cuts down on textile waste and is way more environmentally friendly than just throwing your clothes out.

**Outfit Details:** Sweater vintage/thrifted; Jeans: Levi’s; Boots: Born, Bag: Etsy

Heart of Glass – Blondie Halloween Costume

October 27, 2019 by The Partial Ingredients

This Halloween I decided to go full glam and do a Blondie/Debbie Harry costume! I absolutely love Halloween and everything Fall so I wanted to make it a fun costume this year. I’ve always been a big fan of her music and fashion too so it made a lot of sense to give it a go. She is such a great performer and I gotta admit I am a total fan girl!

One goal I had this year–I wanted this year’s costume to be super cheap so this costume wound up being less than $30 bucks all in. I did already have the leather jacket, skirt and shoes so that helped a lot! One thing I lacked was the signature “Camp Funtime” T-shirt that Blondie wore in 1977 so I paid about 20 bucks for that. I also kind of just like the T-shirt and plan on wearing it out anyways so that was a bit of a win. Then of course this $10 wig I found at a costume store had to bring the whole thing together. I know, I know–only the best wigs will do for me. I wanted to go for the 70’s-era Blondie more than the 80’s; think more CBGB punk style than 80’s glam was kind of the goal. This costume was comprised of a lot of classic basics: the leather jacket was originally from Zara and is just a great staple piece to have around. Another was this A-line black skirt from Forever 21, plus bonus pockets in the front. I gotta say I am excited for Halloween this season–as long as it doesn’t get too cold!