My Summertime Everyday Face Favorites

July 17, 2019 / Health & Beauty / 0 comment

Summertime, and the livin’s easy. And your makeup routine should be too. Every year when the seasons change, I try to shake up my makeup a bit too. And this year, I feel like I’ve got a handle on what’s working for me now, an edited-down makeup bag of products that are my go-to, get ready quick essentials. My all-star products? Look no further than that killer BB Cream and my most favorite under-eye concealer.

And for a full face, here are my thoughts on the rest. (Note: If I want to include eye makeup as well, I’ll use this Tarte palette for both my eyeshadow and eyeliner.)

1. The Treatment Glycolic Gel Pads – After cleansing in the morning, these are my favorite next step to remove the rest of the gunk. Called a “10-minute at-home peel”, I usually swipe one of these pads all over my face and neck and then spend a few minutes taming my mane. These feel tingly on my skin and have seriously helped with acne breakouts, enlarged pores, and dead skin cells. I’ve almost made it through my first jar and will definitely be snagging these again.

2. Dermalogica Age Bright Clearing Serum – If I’m being honest, serum is usually the first skincare step I skip when I’m feeling lazy, but this one with salicylic acid was super appealing when I was dealing with hormonal breakout after breakout recently. I’m now using it twice a day and am about halfway through the bottle. I swear my skin is smoother and brighter, and I feel like I’ve finally gotten a handle on the breakouts, knock on wood.

3. The Treatment On the Daily SPF 45 – I spend a lot of time outside in the summertime, whether I’m walking the dogs, getting in a workout, or heading to the beach on the weekend, so I don’t mess around with SPF. I wear it every single day, and this one is super protective. It’s also really lightweight, doesn’t leave me greasy, and won’t flake off under my makeup.

4. Tarte Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer – I heard a couple of girls recommend this and figured I’d give it a try a few months ago, and now, it’s my everyday, go-to foundation. Since it’s technically a BB cream, it’s lighter than most foundations, but it’s still plenty enough coverage for me in the summertime. It feels lightweight in the heat and not cake-y like other foundations can be in the summer. I also absolutely love this brush for applying it.

5. Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer – Hands-down, my favorite concealer I’ve ever tried or used, period. There’s a reason it’s America’s number one concealer brand – one is sold every 12 seconds. It’s a super blend-able formula that gives the best illuminating glow under my eyes that won’t crease, smudge, or run throughout the day. It’s also great for covering blemishes. I apply in an upside-down triangle shape under my eyes and use this brush to blend it in.

6. Urban Decay Pressed Powder – I always like to set my foundation with a little powder, and this one is simple, to-the-point, just makes sense. I love the easy, lightweight coverage.

7. Glowy Palette from Pixi – When it comes to a glowy, bronze-y highlight, I can’t get enough of this palette from Pixi (that I sadly dropped on the bathroom floor immediately after taking the photo above). Unfortunately, my exact palette is sold out, but I love this Summer Glow Palette and would totally use these allover face kits.

8. Ashley Sievert Mineral Guilded Bronzing Powder in Trophy Wife – I’ve been using this bronzer for about a year now. It’s not shimmery or shiny but just a nice bronze-y peach for my skin tone, and since getting pretty tan this summer, I can go a bit heavier with it. I use this brush and focus on my cheeks, nose, and forehead.

9. MAC Veluxe Brow Liner – Can we all take a minute for the over-plucked eyebrow situation of the 2000s? Yikes! I pretty much never leave home without filling in my brows these days, and while I’m not typically a MAC girl, I needed a new liner in Palm Springs and was closest to a MAC store. I find this one pretty idiot-proof, and it stays put throughout the day.

10. Mascara – Don’t be confused by the photo above – I’m not layering three mascaras everyday, but I am grabbing one of these three:

Too Faced Better Than Sex – While I hate the cheesy name of this one, I do love the formula. One coat is great for a simple, running around town look, but for something a little more dramatic, it’s totally buildable without becoming clumpy. There’s a reason why this one is so popular.

IT Cosmetics Superhero – This one is a tried and true favorite that I’ve had in my makeup bag for years. It gives a pretty dramatic look with one or two coats, so I grab for this one when I want to look a bit more pulled-together.

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes – This is also just a really great, everyday formula that gives me my best lashes without feeling heavy or clumpy – because I don’t need that kind of negativity in my life.

xoxo

Everyday Basics and Two Favorite Faux Fur Jackets

January 28, 2019 / Style Files / 0 comment

Madewell jeans (available in petite, tall, curvy, and maternity sizes here); cabi thermal tee (c/o); Shaci lavender and black faux fur jacket (also love this version; Plus sized style here); Dylan grey faux fur jacket; Steve Madden sneakers; Henri Bendel wallet clutch (similar here); Quay sunglasses

I’m not trying to kill my cold weather based readers or anything, but this weekend in SoCal we basically got a little taste of spring. Saturday was 82 degrees in Huntington Beach, and I had to double-check my phone to make sure it was still January. I legit thought I had time traveled or something, but nope. Still January. While I have no complaints about a little sunshine and warm weather, I was thinking for a minute that MAYBE I overdid it on the faux fur purchases for this year. But then I saw a low of 52 for later this week and thought, nahh, I’m good. (SoCal reasoning, you know?)

Also, I really can’t regret these two faux fur jackets because they are just so cozy and lovely and warm. The two-toned purple and black bomber (that comes in two additional colors and a plus-sized version) was just too fun to pass up. It’s plush and luxe and has the best hood for those ultra chilly days. And the grey and taupe one is a bit sleeker (slimmer) with a super soft knit lining. I scored it as a little souvenir from Jackson Hole, but you can skip the trip and Amazon Prime one right to your door. You really can’t go wrong with either, and they’re both under $100.

And then there’s the rest of the look – the jeans, easy black tee, and comfy metallic sneakers – that I just so happen to be wearing as I type this. It’s come to my attention lately that I definitely have a “uniform” these days, and for good reason. These jeans have become my ultimate go-to pair. They’re high-waisted, comfortable, and hold me in perfectly, and by now, I’ve worn them on the blog about 100 times. If you are looking for a good pair, I can’t recommend these more.

I’ve got an arsenal of black tees these days – short sleeves, long sleeves, and everything in between. Doing laundry lately looks like lots and lots of the same thing, and I’m not mad about it. I like super soft, slightly thicker fabric and a longer length and recently found these for under $15 that are SO good. (I bought 3 of them – no regrets.) And these sneakers are seriously the best. I bought them in camo a few months ago and wore them so much I decided I needed a second color. (I blame Amazon Prime for that one.) . It’s legit the everyday uniform that keeps on giving, and it just works for me.

I get so many questions from readers and friends about the pieces that every closet needs, and I think I’ve decided on this: find what really works for you, something you feel comfortable and confident in (without looking like a slob kabob), and embrace it. Currently, I’m loving that jeans, black tee, and sneakers life (with a fun faux fur every now and then) and invest in pieces like a handbag or piece of jewelry that I’ll have for years and years. (And then I keep said investment pieces away from the wild puppies around here because my mama didn’t raise a fool.)

What are the pieces that you’d consider part of your “uniform” right now?

xoxo

Photos thanks to Felicia Lasala

Visit Here: St. Regis Resort in Aspen, Colorado

January 9, 2019 / Style Files, Travel / 0 comment

BB Dakota skirt; thermal top; similar faux fur jacket; fleece-lined tights; Marc Fisher OTK boots (on major sale); Zac Zac Posen handbag and fur strap; Amazon scarf; Quay sunglasses St. Regis Midnight Supper Spanx leggings; Hunter boots and boot socks; Red Dress Boutique sweater; Apparis red coat (so many colors available here and here); Amazon beanie; Kat’s pink coat Apparis red coat; similar plaid scarf; Amazon beanie; Zac Zac Posen handbag and fur strap; Spanx leggings Tula face masks Lunch at White House Tavern Carve Designs sweater; Spanx leggings; Hunter boots and boot socks; Amazon scarf and beanie set; Quay sunglasses Hanging with the hilarious Hallie behind Hallie Daily (Snag a similar Yeti mug here) Miraclesuit swimsuit Madewell jeans; SheIn sweater (20% off with code Nik20); similar jacket (exact jacket in other colors here, size down); Marc Fisher OTK boots; Amazon beanie; Chanel handbag (look for less here); Quay sunglasses Pearl sweater dress sold out – love this cardigan style; Marc Fisher OTK boots; Chanel handbag (look for less here); similar faux fur coat (also love this one); Ray-Ban sunglasses Lou & Grey sweater; Madewell jeans; Marc Fisher OTK boots; Apparis red coat; Amazon beanie and scarf set; Zac Zac Posen handbag and fur strap Spanx leggings; Red Dress Boutique chenille sweater; Apparis red coat (so many more colors available here); Amazon beanie

Remember way back in this post I mentioned I had done a little traveling during the holiday months? Well today I’m finally sharing one last trip from 2018, and it was a good one for sure. Immediately after this trip to Jackson Hole (about 12 hours after, to be exact), I hopped on a plane to tag along with Kat at the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championships in Aspen, Colorado.

It was my first time in Aspen and hopefully won’t be my last. The town is beautiful and (to my surprise) pretty laidback, the people we met there could not have been nicer, and the St. Regis Aspen Resort was like a glorious holiday home away from home. Scroll down for a few of my favorite, must-see / eat / do spots in Aspen.

The St. Regis Aspen Resort – This was actually my first time staying at a St. Regis property, and oh man was this a good place to start. (And at Christmas time, no less.) The hotel itself was so beautiful with a plush lounge area for warming up by the fire, a quaint little library area, an outdoor heated pool and jacuzzi with serious views, the most delicious cocoa that I’m still dreaming about, and a beyond adorable and lovable hotel pup named Kitty.

The rooms were ultra plush with big, comfy bedding, tons of closet space, views of snowy Aspen, and a bathroom that was straight out of a design magazine. (I somehow didn’t snap photos of the room, but you can see a couple over on Kat’s recap.) The staff and service were phenomenal, and the location is ideal: ski-in / ski-out for those living their best sporty life and easily walkable to town sights, restaurants, and shops. It was also a super quick shuttle ride from the airport.

Drinks and apps at Mountain Social – After arriving to the hotel, we roamed around getting the lay of the land, snapped a couple of photos, and then settled in on a plush velvet couch at Mountain Social in the hotel lobby for some late afternoon nosh. We split a Caesar salad and the truffle fries because, you know, balance.

Dinner at 7908 Aspen – The welcome dinner on the first evening was just a couple of blocks’ walk from the hotel, and wouldn’t you know I find myself staring at a Southern-influenced menu? The chef at 7908 is whipping up New Orleans favorites like shrimp and grits, gumbo, and gulf red snapper, and everything I tried was delicious. As a table, we decided to split ALL of the vegetable sides with our meals, and I would highly recommend any of them. The carrot soufflé and crispy brussels were killer, and everyone who ordered the fried chicken raved about it.

Remède Spa at St. Regis Aspen – While others on the trip woke up and hit the slopes, Kat and I woke up and hit the spa for what was hands-down one of the best facials of my life. I’m pretty sure if I could make facials from Paige at the St. Regis a regular occurrence, I might just start Benjamin Button-ing. The spa itself is so pretty with ALL the things to accompany your treatment: sauna, steam room, plunge pool, waterfall room, and an oxygen room to help kick any fatigue from the altitude.

Lunch at White House Tavern – I believe someone recommended this place to Kat, and as soon as we walked in I was like, yep – this is the spot. It’s tiny but cozy, and while the salad we shared was meh, the fried chicken sandwich (which is served like sliders) was maybe the best I’ve ever had. So crispy and delicious, and that bread! I’m pretty sure I was telling random strangers that they should hit up White House Tavern after this lunch.

Shopping in Downtown Aspen – After a “light lunch” of fried chicken and a beer (oops), we decided to walk it off and pop into a few shops. The downtown area of Aspen is pretty small, but though she be but little, she is fierce in the shopping department. High end brands like Prada, Gucci, and Ralph Lauren mingle perfectly with smaller favorites like The Little Bird (packed with killer consignments), Forty Five Ten, and Olive LA.

St. Regis Midnight Supper – The Midnight Supper is an exclusive St. Regis dinner ritual that’s been around since the start of the hotel, and I’m so lucky that I got to experience one firsthand. It’s a super swank affair with several courses, wine pairings, beautiful decor, and (in my case) dinner convo with some new friends. Besides my girl Kathleen, I spent the evening chatting with Hallie (check out her blog Hallie Daily) and the fun team from Blade and Bow Whiskey.

Breakfast at The Velvet Buck – This cute little spot is also located inside the St. Regis, and after having their breakfast on our last morning, I was wishing we could’ve stuck around for a few more meals. The Breakfast BLT is seriously where it’s at, and the fresh squeezed Detoxify juice was just what we needed after Midnight Supper-ing and experiencing a bit of Aspen nightlife.

St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship – And now for the main event. The World Snow Polo Championship hosted by the St. Regis was the whole reason for the trip. I’ll be honest. I wasn’t familiar with snow polo before this trip, but now that I know, I’m thinking I’ve been missing out on my new favorite sport for all these years. The match itself is exciting, and watching it from a fully catered, heated tent with the bellowing voice of a polo announcer who’s just as enthused as one would think? It’s the blissfully bougie (and surprisingly un-uptight) event to see…and be seen.

Yurt Village / EMP Winter House – The St. Regis currently has a pop-up yurt village right outside that features the most beautifully decorated (and heated) yurts. It’s exclusive to AmEx card holders and currently taking reservations for dinners. On our last night, Kat and I joined the Blade and Bow Whiskey team (you can find it here) for Blade and Bow hot ciders, pastas, apps, and the MOST amazing Alpine Fondue that I’ll likely never forget. We’re talking the cold weather, cheese-lover’s dream served up in a yurt…with Baked Alaska for desert.

xoxo

Always Going Back: Jackson Hole, Wyoming

January 4, 2019 / Travel / 2 Comments

Red chenille sweater; Apparis coat; Spanx leggings; Free People scarf and hat; Hunter boots and boot socks; Zac Zac Posen handbag; Ray-Ban sunglasses SheIn sweater (c/o – 20% off with code Nik20); Spanx leggings; Hunter boots and boot socks; Free People scarf; Zara hat (similar here); Carve Designs coat; Ray-Ban sunglasses Spanx leggings; Hunter boots and boot socks; Carve Designs coat; Free People scarf and hat; Ray-Ban sunglasses – view from the deck at The Bird Sleigh ride through the National Elk Reserve Flights at Snake River Brewing The Wort Hotel Madewell jeans; SheIn sweater and teddy coat (20% off with code Nik20); Marc Fisher OTK boots (on major sale); similar plaid scarves; Zac Zac Posen handbag; Amazon hat; Ray-Ban sunglasses – shot at the Wort Hotel A couple of weeks ago, Eric and I and a few friends headed back to one of our favorite spots on the planet: Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Eric had been to this magical place before, but I first experienced it with him and a couple of friends last December. We had so much fun that we decided to make it an annual thing, head there every December with whatever friends wanted to go. Buuut, then we couldn’t wait that long and decided to check out Jackson in the summertime too. Both seasons were amazing, both worth seeing.

This year we once again found ourselves in the penthouse at the White Buffalo Club. (I highlighted that in this post, and while it sounds and is way bougie, it’s so ideal and actually affordable for a group.) When people ask why we love Jackson so much, it’s really hard to pin it down. This trip, we roamed, we listened to live music, some skied or snowboarded, I once again met up with Erin to snap a few photos, we ate ALL the food, and mostly, had all the laughs. Below are a few tried and true favorites and a couple of new spots that we loved.

Breakfast at Persephone Bakery – The last couple of times that we visited Jackson, we picked up a few delicious pastries from Persephone, but this time, Erin suggested trying the full-on breakfast menu there after we shot a few photos around town. And OH MAN. It’s pretty much a full menu of everything I want to eat for breakfast. I was seriously tempted by the bread pudding French toast, thought hard about the shakshuka, and eventually landed on the Scone Skillet (a gussied-up version of biscuits and gravy) and had no regrets.

Dinner at The Silver Dollar Bar at The Wort Hotel – During our first full day, most members of our group were snowboarding, so when it came time for dinner, we were all pretty beat. (We even had tickets for a concert in Teton Village that night that we opted to skip.) So we picked an old favorite that we stop in once (or several times) every time we visit Jackson. The Silver Dollar Bar is a comfy spot with live music, friendly staff, and hearty food to keep you warm, and we always eat in the bar where it’s casual and cozy. I usually go for the chili, but a friend ordered the beef pot pie which was the table favorite.

Breakfast at Cafe Genevieve – Be still my Southern heart, Cafe Genevieve was just as good as I remembered. It’s seriously the coziest little cafe that feels like you’re in someone’s home, and the menu is packed full of things I want to order. This time we slept in a bit so I was feeling more of a lunch mood. The grilled cheese and tomato soup did not disappoint, and neither did the bloody Mary complete with candied bacon. YUM!

Beer flights at Snake River Brewing – With full bellies and a few free days ahead of us, we set out to explore, and what do you know, after a swing through Town Square, I led our group right over to Snake River Brewing. I remembered that when we visited the year before, there was a wood-burning fire so that we could warm up while having a local brew. This year, the fireplace was empty, but the $15 beer flights (and a giant soft pretzel for me) kept our group happy for a while.

Lunch or afternoon snacks at Bin 22 – This favorite little wine market is only about a block or two from The White Buffalo Club, so obviously we found ourselves back at the Bin…several times. Grab a bottle of wine for the road, or sit down and stay a while with meats, cheeses, and small plates. Eric fell in love with the oxtail soup here this trip, made everyone go back the next day to try it, and has been raving about it ever since. I can’t really speak on the oxtail soup (I didn’t try it, sorry!), but I was super jazzed on the housemade meatball.

Dinner at The Blue Lion – This one was a new one for us. It came highly recommended and is located literally about 10 steps from our door at the White Buffalo Club, so it was a no-brainer for dinner one night. It’s a dinner-only spot situated in an old house and has live acoustic guitar music most nights – basically, it’s cute AF. Most of our group had the lamb or the elk and enjoyed it, and I loved the trout amandine. We would definitely go back here on future trips.

Brunch at The Bird – Bird, bird, bird…Bird is the word. Eric and I LOVED stopping into The Bird over the summer, and on this trip, it was a collective group favorite again. We Ubered over to The Bird (it’s a bit out of town) and ended up spending more than a couple of hours watching the snow, catching a couple of games, mimosa-ing, and (duh) eating the dank ass food. For me, the burgers are where it’s at, and with a ton of options to choose from, I’m going with the American cheese, grilled onion, and fried egg covered Slue. Don’t judge me. And once you’re fat, full, and happy, hop in their shuttle for a free ride home.

Sleigh ride through the National Elk Reserve – Jackson is home to a huge National Elk Reserve, and the last time that I ventured into it, we were a little too early for the elk. For this trip, though, we were right on time, so we took a horse-drawn sleigh through the reserve. The whole tour took about an hour, and while it was admittedly a little uneventful at times, we did get to see some pretty big elk up close and personal which made it totally worth the $25 (per person) we spent. Also a side note: bundle up because it’s COLD in the winter.

Drinks and chili at the Rustic Inn – After the sleigh ride we headed across the street to the Rustic for a drink before dinner and mostly to thaw out. The bar slash restaurant area is tiny but so cozy, and the staff that we met was super friendly. The whole inn (resort really) is situated creekside and boasts some pretty sweet creekside rooms and cabins. Eric and I hadn’t even heard about this place before, but we’ve decided we definitely want to try and stay here on a future trip.

Apps at Snake River Grill – I’ve chatted about this place in my previous two Jackson recaps, but good God, Eric and I love Snake River Grill. The main courses are seriously dee-lish, but this time around we stacked up the apps and went IN on the small plates. The steak tartare pizza is Eric’s go-to, and the lobster spring rolls and truffle tagliatelle pasta are new faves of mine.

Drinks and snacks at Roadhouse Brewing Co. – This is a newer spot right on the Town Square that we stopped into before heading to the airport, and the beers that I tried were GOOD. I loved that we could create our own flight of locally-brewed beers, but I will admit that the service here was…bananas…in a bad way. (To be fair, they were brand new, so we’ll give them the benefit of the doubt on that one.)

xoxo

The Perfect Long Length Sweater: Found

December 12, 2018 / Style Files / 0 comment

Spanx leggings (also here); Tunic sweater; Marc Fisher boots (c/o – on sale!); Chanel bag (look for less here; under $100 look for less here); Quay sunglasses

Hey guys, it’s me, your long-torsoed, hip-having friend, and today I’ve got a little beef with the fashion industry. More specifically, the knitwear peeps. A few weeks ago, I did a rather LARGE closet clean-out and wanted to ditch the pieces I no longer wear in favor of a couple new classics to update my wardrobe.

So I did the clean-out, sold a few things, and hit the mall (#mallrat) thinking I’d like to grab a couple of new sweaters, a pair of jeans, and maybe a new cold-weather scarf or two. (What can I say, I’m a scarf hoarder.) The jeans were a no-brainer – hello, Madewell. (THIS is my current favorite pair, and right now you can score 25% off your entire purchase.) And the scarves are always screaming my name at Zara. But the sweaters. Ohhh, that sweater hunt.

Now I’m not much a complainer usually because life is too good to waste away complaining, but I feel like this sweater season and last and maybe even the one before that it’s been nearly impossible to find sweaters with a longer length. At around 5’8″, I was walking around wondering if I’m some kind of Amazon woman or something.

Whether I’m wearing the old faithful Spanx leggings or skinny jeans, I just always find that a longer sweater is so much more flattering and lengthening – no cropped knits over here, fool. (Actually, just one cropped sweater. I did buy this one because it’s so dang cute and was begging to be worn with these joggers. It was actually my Thanksgiving look.)

So anywho, I roamed around the mall, tried on all the ill-fitting, too short sweaters and almost called it a day before I found this one. It’s seriously soft, the perfect length for tall gals with leggings or jeans, and comes in nine colors. (So I’m thinking, how many of the nine do I need?) It’s also under $100 and makes for the perfectly cozy holiday gift. Because I’m not the only one who still has a ton of holiday shopping to do, right?

xoxo

Photos thanks to Katie Stuart

5 Things I’m Loving This Week

August 31, 2018 / Style Files / 0 comment

Happy Friday, friends! Today’s post is coming to you from a cozy spot on my parents’ couch where I’m admittedly still pajama-clad and watching the rain fall. I got to Louisiana yesterday to celebrate one of my high school best friends getting married this weekend, and it’s supposed to storm the entire time I’m here. Hoping and praying and crossing all my fingers that my friend has a rain-free wedding day, but other than her big day, I gotta say I’m not mad at the rain at all.

Besides this rainy Friday morning with a hot cup of coffee, I thought I’d share five more things I’m loving this week. (Because spicy honey and the best suck-you-in leggings were just meant to be shared between friends. Here’s hoping everyone has an amazing weekend ahead!

End of summer Habanero Watermelon Margaritas – Summer may be coming to a close, but it’s still pretty toasty outside. For your next happy hour, try out these delicious margarita cocktails made with Casamigos Tequila, Suja Watermelon Whim juice, fresh lime juice, and a few drops of Bear Root Habanero Ginger Bitters.

The coziest faur fur bomber jacket – I was roaming around Bloomingdale’s recently looking for a dress for a friend’s wedding when I was completely sidetracked by this jacket. Now it’ll be a while before I can wear anything super cozy around here, but I’m counting down the days until I can justify throwing this pretty on. The absolute softest faux fur, hooded, pockets, and the prettiest blush pink color – it’s a good one, y’all.

The best spicy honey – You guys, I never even knew I needed a spicy honey in my life, but it turns out, I certainly did. Somehow I came across Mike’s Hot Honey on Amazon and added it to my cart. I changed my mind and didn’t end up ordering, but the next time that Eric made an Amazon purchase, the honey was still in the cart and showed up at our front door in two days. And I’m so glad that it did. Serve it up next to a cheese plate, add it to a breakfast sandwich, or dip a chicken tender while you’re living your best weekend life. This stuff is so good, and I’m constantly finding new uses for it.

White Noise Lite App – I’m naturally a pretty light sleeper through the night, and I’ll wake up for any creak, crack, or noise. This white noise app has been a total game changer for me. It’s free to download, comes with a ton of different sound settings, and can be set to fade out or shut off whenever you want. I’m now falling asleep faster and staying asleep longer, and it’s been especially great for blocking out hotel sounds when I’m traveling.

Spanx legging season – With the changing seasons comes one of my favorite seasons of all – Spanx legging season. (It’s a real thing in my mind.) I’ve worn my black and navy pairs approximately 476 times over the last couple of years, and this year I’ve got my sights set on their new “Rich Olive” color. They’re a little pricey, but after you’ve worn them for an entire fall and winter, the cost per wear is super low.

xoxo

Going Green: St. Patty’s Day Inspiration

March 13, 2018 / Style Files / 0 comment

1. 1901 Stripe Knit Dress 2. Topshop Crossbody Bag 3. Alex and Ani Beaded Bracelet 4. Adidas Mint Sneakers 5. RDI Cold Shoulder Sweater 6. Cult Gaia Acrylic Crossbody 7. 1901 Shaker Knit Cardigan 8. Cult Gaia Malachite Earrings 9. Jenny Packham Hinge Cuff 10. Dolce Vita Tropical Print Slides 11. Caslon Striped Linen Dress 12. Sam Edelman Suede Heel 13. BP Sunglasses 14. 1901 Ruffle Sleeve Tee 15. Forever 21 Crossbody Bag 16. Monica Vinader Ring 17. Halogen Modal V-Neck Tee

St. Patty’s Day is officially upon us, and if you’re lucky enough to have some fun plans, then you’re gonna need some green, girl. (Me? I’m lucky enough to have some killer plans as I’ll be celebrating Jenn’s wedding in Mexico. Thankfully my dress has a little green in it so I can avoid getting pinched.)

Annnd if you’re like me and find yourself scurrying around at the last minute with no green in sight in your closet, well you’re in luck because it’s not too late. Sites like Shopbop have super affordable 2-day shipping, and even better? They’re Amazon Prime eligible, so if you’ve got a Prime account, then you can upgrade your shipping fo’ free. Not bad, right?

If Nordstrom is more your jam and you’ve got a local store, then you have to check out their in-store pick-up option. It’s seriously been a lifesaver for those times when I’m not exactly on the ball. I live pretty close to two Nordstrom stores, so when I’m in a pinch, I just find the things I need online, pay for them, and pick them up in the store within an hour or so. One of our Nordstrom stores even has an outdoor pick-up window to make things super fast.

As for my favorite picks above, that’s a tough one. I’m always a sucker for a good t-shirt dress, LOVE the cut-out sweater for the cooler temps this weekend, and have had my eye on that crossbody pretty at number 6 for weeks. The ruffle-sleeve tee is seriously so fun, and you can’t beat the price ($23!) on the top-handle box bag. So good.

It may only be Tuesday, but there’s no better time than now to get that weekend outfit ready. (And if you’re looking for a little more inspiration, check out this post from last spring which I admittedly still love.)

xoxo

Taking the Holidays in Stride with Famous Footwear

November 29, 2017 / Holiday, Style Files / 0 comment

Spanx leggings; Dolman long tee (c/o); cabi jacket; sneakers (c/o) Famous Footwear; Crossbody bag (c/o); Jemma Sands beaded bracelets (c/o); Stella & Dot engraved bangle; Karen Walker sunglasses

While scrolling through Instagram over the last couple of days, I’ve noticed that we tend to chat a lot about the hectic pace of the holidays, how busy we are, so much shopping to do, parties to attend, meals to prepare, blah, blah, blah. Maybe sometimes we forget – it’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. It’s the season I look forward to all year long. So this year, I’m not letting that holiday to-do list get me flustered. I’ll be taking it all in stride with a coffee in hand, Christmas tunes in my head (and in my car), and comfy kicks on my feet.

I’m excited to team up with Famous Footwear to share a little inspiration to “do it all in style” this holiday season. And my holiday footwear of choice? Well you can find me in sneakers, girl. And specifically, THESE new sneaks from Famous Footwear. They’re seriously so comfortable, and the grey and rose gold color combo? Get outta town.

They’re actually running shoes, so they come in REALLY handy when a certain puppy grabs an ornament and runs with it. I’m not naming names. But for running errands around town, I love these comfy kicks paired with faux leather leggings, sweatshirt dresses, and distressed denim. I’ve now had these on my feet for four days in a row, and the compliments just keep on coming. How’s that for fueling some holiday happiness?

Hope everyone is having an amazing holiday season so far!

xoxo

Photos thanks to Samantha Klose

Brought to you by Famous Footwear, all opinions are my own.

Holiday Gift Guide for the Guys

November 28, 2017 / Holiday / 0 comment

1. Plaid Flannel Shirt 2. Ugg Slippers 3. John Varvatos Vintage Cologne 4. Classic Leather Watch 5. Nike Sneakers 6. Crosley Radio Turntable 7. Stance USC Socks 8. One Blade Electric Trimmer and Shaver 9. RVCA Bomber Jacket 10. Intense Therapy Lip Balm Duo 11. Brixton Flannel Shirt 12. Amazon Echo Dot 13. Leather Money Clip 14. Luxe Leather Trimmed Duffle 15. Vans Leather Slip-On Sneaker 16. Nest Learning Thermostat 17. RVCA Soft Hoodie

Ahh, gifts for the guys. I must admit that even on the rare year that I actually get a good head start on my holiday shopping, I tend to save the guys for last. Occasionally I’ll come across something great for Eric or my dad, but in general, I just have more fun shopping for the girls. (Maybe because it’s easier to throw in a little something for myself along the way? Guilty.)

But this year I’m determined to change my ways and get a jumpstart on shopping for the boys. This year’s list of potentials includes a flannel shirt or two, new sneaks, Eric’s favorite cologne, and Stance socks to replace a few pairs that have recently gone missing. (Eric loves Stance socks and stocked up on them a couple of years ago. Unfortunately these days there is someone in the house who loves them just as much as he does – a guilty-looking puppy named Louise.)

Perhaps this is finally my year to be done, cool, calm and collected by December 23rd. Maybe, but then what’s the fun in that? Happy holiday shopping, friends.

xoxo

The Best Place to Find Plaid Blanket Scarves

November 7, 2017 / Style Files / 0 comment

Topshop sweater dress; similar OTK boots; plaid scarf; Henri Bendel handbag (c/o); Hat; sunglasses; Julie Vos bracelets

Happy Tuesday, friends! With the high temps around 70 or lower everyday this week in Southern California, it’s time to pull out ALL of the fall things! Hats, scarves, OTK boots – bring it on. Admittedly, I’m half-kidding and halfway just jumping the gun, but I seriously love fall accessories. And my fave in particular? A thick and cozy blanket scarf.

They go with pretty much any fall look I could put together, and I love pairing the plaid versions with stripes or similar plaids for a mixed prints look. When it’s actually cold out, a good blanket scarf has some serious warming power and doubles as a pillow or blanket (duh!) for those holiday travel plans. (I legit take one on every single winter flight.)

They last season after season, so I used to snag mine for $30, $40, or even $50 from Zara, ASOS, or similar stores, but not anymore, friends. I’ve found the blanket scarf Mecca, and I promptly ordered a couple more colors for my collection. There are 13 colors to choose from, and each one will cost you around $12 or less. (Some are just $9.)

So whether you live in actual cold weather and want to stock up or just want to cross a few early holiday gifts off your list, head over here and throw a couple blanket scarves in your cart. Bonus? Everything is better with Amazon Prime, right? Hope everyone is having a great week so far!

xoxo

Photos thanks to Samantha Klose

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Taking the Holidays in Stride with Famous Footwear

Holiday Gift Guide for the Guys

The Best Place to Find Plaid Blanket Scarves

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