outfit

Cathay Spice Sweater & Denim

December 10, 2017 by The Partial Ingredients

It’s that time of year for cozy sweaters and traveling for the holidays-oh joy! The former is definitely a better thing than the latter. I have been into pretty colored sweaters a lot this year. This one is from Banana Republic and has a cute tie back design. I almost never get clothes with cut outs but this one spoke to me for some reason. It might have something to do with the lovely golden mustard-ish color. I paired it with my favorite go tos: Levi’s high waisted jeans and ankle boots. Chillier weather is the best because you can cozy yourself up in sweaters like these!

In a week or so I will be doing a lot less cozying and a lot more traveling. I will also be flying “basic” economy which should be interesting. It’s really just a couple steps above hanging onto the wing outside of the plane. Basic economy doesn’t allow you to bring any carry ons with you, except for a small backpack. I am going hard on the minimalism and there is no room to over-pack one extra ounce! That’s why I was super happy to receive this little minimalist travel/makeup bag from Aifaifa. It’s made from an eco-friendly paper material and is even recyclable and biodegradable. The paper material actually feels quite durable and thick. It’s a good, compact size for traveling light which is imperative for me in a few weeks! I plan on bringing just the essentials in this bag–details on products are at the end of the post.

Outfit Set:

Outfit Details: Jeans: Levi’s, Shoes: Lucky Brand, Bag: Vintage, Sweater: Banana Republic

Makeup bag: c/o Aifaifa, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly, ColoreScience SPF Mineral Powder, ELF blush in Cabo Cabana, MAC Liptensity lipstick in Smoked Almond, NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Zurich

Midnight Rainshower

November 27, 2017 by The Partial Ingredients

As I’m typing this it is lightly raining outside. After moving to California I still miss rain and of course a good thunderstorm. While this is just barely a shower, it is lovely to listen to the rain and smell the wet pavement and grass coming in through the window. Since this is a rare treat I decided to look into something that reminded me of a rain storm. I started looking for a perfume that could help recreate it. It seemed like a difficult thing to recreate–how to get that smell of clean water, pavement and grass in a bottle? I then found the perfume company, Demeter and found exactly what I was looking for. I had heard of them for a long time but only recently tried out the scent, “thunderstorm.” They have several different options for watery scents but I wanted something more like an actual summer storm. The brand is super affordable but the perfume is not very long lasting. The scent is a perfect recreation of a rain storm. There was the rain, wet grass and soil all in a bottle. I was amazed! It was the answer to my “rain cravings” as it were.

The latest addition to my ever growing cardigan collection has been this one from American Eagle. I’m kind of obsessed with the in-between brownish purple tones. It’s one of those cardigans that you can wrap yourself up in it’s so soft. The cami is also by American Eagle and I love the darker daisy/floral pattern on this one. To complete the look I went with my tried and true chelsea boots. They go with so many things it’s hard not to reach for them for every look!

Outfit Details: Cardigan: American Eagle, Cami: American Eagle, Jeans: American Eagle, Hat: Brixton, Shoes: Marc Fisher

Outfit Set:

Blazer Weather

November 13, 2017 by The Partial Ingredients

Fall in California is definitely not like other places–especially this year. It has been way too warm for my liking and I’ve been missing crisp Fall weather. Finally, a colder front has been coming through and I’m pretty excited about it! Now that it’s finally gotten cool enough it’s time to break out the snuggly blankets, tea, and blazers. Love when the nights start getting cooler and layers are officially a thing. As for outerwear, this H&M tweed blazer is one of my favorites. I’m a big fan of vintage styled menswear and it’s been a perfect addition to the wardrobe. It even has a silk inner lining and suede elbow patches which I absolutely adore! I’ve been liking the rusty orange/mustard tone trends that have been making the rounds lately. This silk cami is a perfect layering piece for Fall and goes with soo many things. To complete the look I picked up this vintage Liz Claiborne bag in this fabulous kelly green color.

Lately I’ve been getting more interested in perfume and trying out different scents. Tabac Aurea by Sonoma Scent Studios is one of my current favorites. For me it’s more of a Fall/Winter scent as it reminds me of a vanilla bean pod wrapped in leather. It has a lovely warm scent with a hint of tobacco and woodiness. It smells amazing when first applied and the dry down enhances the tobacco notes over time. Since the scent changes over time, it’s also very long lasting which is great. If you like rich, autumnal scents this one is perfect for you!

Outfit Details: Blazer: H&M, Cami: H&M, Pants: Adriano Goldschmied, Shoes: Lucky Brand and Bag: thrifted – Vintage Liz Claiborne

Outfit Set:

Autumn Dress & Oxfords

October 29, 2017 by The Partial Ingredients

Happy Halloween everyone! It has been an extra busy last few weeks. October is my favorite month of fall festivities. Apple picking, haunted houses, corn mazes, apple cider, horror movies–love it all! The only bummer is that it has been sooo hot here and only now has it been cooling down. Pumpkin picking in 85 degree weather just makes no sense! We went to a local patch and picked out a few and it was still fun even in the heat. Really glad that the weather is behaving better for Halloween though!

When the weather can’t decide if it wants to be hot or cold I figure a post about transitional outfits makes sense. I love oversize cardigans and comfy slip dresses. This dress from H&M is perfect for the out of season hot weather we’ve been having lately but the cardigan provides some Fall coziness. If the temperature drops, leggings would be good as an extra layer for this outfit as well. I’m also a huge fan of these heeled oxfords! They’re surprisingly comfy for heels. To complete the look I added my favorite big leather bag. It’s big enough to carry home a pumpkin and you never know when you’ll need that!

Outfit Details: Dress: H&M, Cardigan: American Eagle, Bag: Live Fashionable, Shoes: Lucky Brand, Watch: Stock Watches

Outfit Set:

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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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Holding Horses

September 2, 2017 by The Partial Ingredients

Even though there is a September heat wave going on, my eyes have been on fall weather outfits. I love the usual Fall fashion trends so I’m excited for the upcoming months! Layers, scarves, deep reds and olive tones are definitely some things I’m looking forward to. Velvet as a Fall texture is a lovely material to explore this season. I recently came across this Anthropologie ‘Holding Horses’ velvet button down on sale and snapped it up. Isn’t the color just gorgeous? I love the combination of velvet and silk (on the inside layer) and wearing it is a dream. Another fabric I’ve been loving is denim so combining them was pretty much perfect. I’ve been kind of obsessed with these Levi’s high rise 721s. They are so comfy and give this shirt an everyday vibe instead of creating an over-dressed situation. I like the slightly western/country flavor this outfit evokes without being too over the top.

I recently traveled back to Minneapolis, my hometown, to sort through some old clothes and items to keep or donate. I found my old Gap suede backpack and fell in love with it all over again. Don’t you love finding old things in the back of your closet and rediscovering them all over again? It’s like finding $20 in the pocket of your old winter coat. This bag is made out of a nice sturdy suede and has lasted a lifetime. I guess you could say it’s a “buy it for life” bag! It works nicely as a small hiking bag or as an everyday small back pack. It’s nice to bring old things back into circulation!

Outfit Set:Outfit Details: Shirt: Holding Horses/Anthropologie, Jeans: Levi’s, Shoes: Lucky Brand, Bag: Gap (old)

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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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High Summer

July 30, 2017 by The Partial Ingredients

I came across this Zara A-line skirt recently and totally fell in love with it. I like little injections of Boho style here and there and this skirt does the trick. How cute is that embroidery? I feel like you could dress it up or down, either way works. I went with a more summery night out type of look. I paired it with a basic white t-shirt, suede ankle boots and a comfy moto jacket for cooler evenings. This jacket is made out of a faux suede material and crazy enough I actually prefer it to real suede. It’s a lot more flexible and lightweight than the real stuff. This skirt tends to run small so order a full size up than your usual size.

Outfit Set:

Outfit Details: Jacket: Lulu’s, Skirt: Zara, Tee: Levi’s, Shoes: BP, Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters

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By the Flower Fields

July 23, 2017 by The Partial Ingredients

I’ve had quite a busy summer with hardly any time to write but I’m finally taking advantage of some time I had today to update. The flower fields are in full force nearby and are totally stunning right now. I’m not even sure what they are exactly but they are quite impressive when you’re surrounded by whole fields of them! Sadly, they will only last a few more weeks before they’re gone.

Lately I’ve been into clean, minimal summer looks and this one fits the bill. When it’s too hot to think it’s time to whip out the lightweight tops and sandals. These suede sandals are super comfy and add a nice pop of color. They are totally affordable too and come in a bunch of colors. They run a bit small so I would recommend ordering a half size up. In my opinion, everyone needs a classic button down in their closet and this one is perfect for hot weather. Lightweight rayon for the win! Not every button down will do; I sometimes get annoyed by how constricting they feel–especially in the arms. This shirt is not like that at all–so floaty and comfortable! The jeans I’m wearing are an old pair of trusty Joe’s which I had tailored a while back (seriously, you gotta do this at least once). Customizing the fit was 100% worth it and not inordinately expensive. I like to roll up my jeans just above the ankle to get a more laid back “boyfriend” style look and it’s a nice way to add variety to your denim. It’s also an excellent way to prepare for potential flash floods because you never know! Heh.

Outfit Set:

Outfit Details: Top: Bajee Collection, Jeans: Joe’s Jeans, Shoes: Sam Edelman, sunglasses: Urban Outfitters

Under the Roses

June 23, 2017 by The Partial Ingredients

I’ll be flying in a few weeks and wanted to showcase an outfit I plan to wear while I’m traveling. Flights are never a fun time and finding the right thing to wear can reduce the hassle of flying in general. I like to wear comfy layers and pretty neutral colors. It still looks nice without looking too overdressed for the airport. For whatever reason, airports are almost always freezing so taking a cardigan with you is a great idea even if it’s hot outside. I selected some comfy legging jeans in a neutral charcoal color and some ankle boots that I have broken in already. Shoe selection for the airport is pretty important: they should be well worn (do NOT wear brand new shoes to the airport, you will get blisters!) and easy to slip on and off to get through security fast. These boots from Lucky meet all of that criteria and they go great with almost anything.

Next up is your bag. I recently picked up this gorgeous tote from Live Fashionable. I chose the chocolate color and I’m really impressed with the quality and design. The leather has some natural looking imperfections but that doesn’t detract at all. The leather is a rich dark brown and has a sizable interior–perfect for your stuff as you travel. There’s a smaller pouch inside for a phone or wallet and it can fit a small laptop/iPad which is a great feature. It’s an all round perfect travel tote! Having the right stuff to wear will definitely make your travel day a better one.

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