A new foundation review is up on my channel! Enjoy and don't forget to subscribe!
Here are the products mentioned in the video:
1/31/17
1/30/17
Sunny Days in L.A.
This sunshine! You can tell from my cheesy grin in the last few photos that I am clearly a warm weather person. These pictures are from our trip to Los Angeles a few weeks ago, and while the city has been experiencing some epic rainfall recently, we had nothing but blue skies during our time there. I know it is probably a tad cliche, but I automatically wanted to wear anything in my closet that was colorful and bright. I saw a ton of people wearing black in L.A., but I used my trip as a time to tap into my inner Rainbow Brite. Ha!
The first morning after we arrived, we drove over to LACMA and saw the (heavily Instagrammed) columns and couldn't resist taking a few pictures. We had plans later that afternoon to visit one of my dearest friends and her family, but before we headed over I made Stan pull the car over on a street because it looked so quintessential Hollywood to me. In fact, the exact street that we took these pictures on has a direct view of the Hollywood sign at the very end. It was sadly too far off to capture in these photos, but the homes and landscape of the entire area was beautiful. I forgot to write the exact name of the street down, but if my memory serves me correctly it was Wyndam St in the Hancock Park neighborhood. Later this week, I will be putting up my travel diary from our time in Los Angeles with all the places we visited and restaurants we enjoyed so stay tuned!
Sweater - Rebecca Taylor | Jeans - GRLFRND Denim | Shoes - Coach (old but similar here and here) | Bag - Sophie Hulme (this color no longer available but same style here and here) | Sunglasses - Free People (only $20!)
Shop more multi colored sweaters:
1/29/17
An Easy No Fuss Outfit + Life Outside of NYC
Sweater - Moon River (sold out but still available here) | Jeans - Rag & Bone (old similar here and here) | Boots - Sam Edelman | Bag - Saint Laurent | Hat - Rag & Bone
Sometimes a day calls for an outfit that I don't want to think about putting together. On those days I need a cute sweater (in the winter), jeans, boots and a bag. And if my hair has a mind of its own that day, then I need a hat. This was one of those days. Though I appreciate when pieces have additional elements and details so that my outfit isn't completely a snoozefest. Like the slits in the side of the sweater, the distressing in my jeans and a hat always helps to break up the monotony of a look. I find that adding a hat always makes an outfit go from boring to head-turning. I'm a bit hesitant sometimes with large brimmed hats that they will look too head-turning, but Rag & Bone strikes the perfect balance with their hats. Janessa Leone is another designer that I turn to for fall/winter hats, though hers a bit more bold so I often will try 4-5 different styles before settling on one I like.
To slightly veer off the fashion talk for a bit - I wanted to give an update on how I am adjusting to life outside of NYC. Full disclosure, I had a few questions from readers asking me to talk about this specific topic on the blog or in a video so I thought I would touch on it a bit in today's post. If you don't know, Stan and I moved out of NYC 10 months ago after both spending many (many, many) years there. I lived in New York for 15 years and Stan was born and raised there. We moved to an area about 40 minutes north of D.C. where we built a home with my mom.
In the months leading up to the move, I was so worried that I would miss NY terribly and was unsure how I would acclimate to life outside such a bustling city. The truth is - I hardly even think about it most days if ever. In fact, I didn't have much time to think about it over the past year which might have been the best thing. We moved shortly after my second spine surgery from which I was still recovering, embarked on a 4 week long road trip through the southeast, were faced with the devastating news that my father had stage 4 pancreatic cancer, helped my mother care for him daily for the two months he was ill, and then moved into our new home 2 weeks after he passed away. Whew, I'm exhausted just typing that. But while it was a whirlwind at the time, I never had much time to dwell on the fact that my surroundings were vastly different from what I had come to know and love.
There are days that I miss certain things or places I used to frequent in NYC, but I rarely harp on that feeling because it truly serves no purpose for me. I am someone that always keeps moving forward. Reminiscing or reliving fun memories is one thing, but missing, pining for or fixating on the past only serves to keep me from fully accepting my present life and enjoying it. That being said, living in NYC for almost half of my life definitely left an impression on me, and those imprints are still part of me to this day. I love to find local stores, cafes, businesses that have unique character and charm. I appreciate diversity, seek out culture wherever I can and still dress like I'm strutting my way down 5th avenue. Those things are who I am no matter where I live.
If I could give someone tips on adapting from life in a major city to a suburban, rural or less dynamic environment, here they are:
1. Allow yourself to feel the fear, sadness or feelings of indecision. It's pointless to fight it because they will be there. But....
2. Don't dwell in those feelings because in the end, they will not serve you. As the saying goes - don't look backwards, you aren't going that way.
3. Find the closest large or major city that you can drive to, and go there once or twice in the beginning. It helped me to feel a bit like I was back home and it gave me such an adrenaline rush to be back in a fast paced environment. It's like I was weaning myself off the hustle and bustle. Ha!
4. Get out and find every locally owned coffee shop, clothing store, trinket shop, etc you can. Locally owned businesses will always have more charm than chain places and it can make you appreciate your area even more. Plus you may make some connections that help tie you further to your new community.
5. Join something. A cooking class, a local volunteer organization, a moms' group, a workout class - anything that only has people from your area as the majority of its members. Hearing from people that love where you now live is helpful in making you enjoy it more. I started going to a local workout studio 1-2 times a week and have loved it.
6. Google the places in your area that are must see spots or tourist recommendations. Even head to a visitor center if you have one, and then visit all the places they feature. You will learn the area much better, and can appreciate what makes it the place it is.
7. This next one you may laugh at, but even if I wasn't a blogger I would recommend doing it. Find all the best places in your area to take an Instagram. The whole point of Instagram is to create and share beautiful imagery, so therefore you will be forced to seek out the most photogenic and gorgeous places in your area. That could be an old covered bridge, fun graffiti wall, community garden, fancy hotel or hip, cute coffee shop. There is no better way to appreciate where you live than to see it's most beautiful places.
8. Find something that was NOT in the place you used to live, but is now in your new city, and visit often. For me that was Target. LOL There was no Target near me in NY, and I absolutely loved shopping there. So when I moved to our new place, I made a point to visit frequently as a way to appreciate what I now have that I didn't before.
9. My final suggestion is a pretty basic one - get out of the house for anything and everything (and if you work from home - do it at least once a day). The gas station, the food mart, a museum, the park, the nail salon, the dry cleaners etc - and maybe if you go enough times, they will remember you. And hey, isn't it nice to be recognized and known when you go places? After my 2nd visit to the nail salon, they knew my name already and always chat me up as soon as I come in. It made me feel like I wasn't a stranger in a new place anymore.
Hope these tips are helpful. Change is never easy, but necessary and inevitable so it's always great to find a way to accept and embrace it.
1/28/17
What's New in Skincare and Makeup
So many new and exciting launches are coming this spring - here is a look at some that I recently received. Enjoy and don't forget to subscribe!
Here are the products mentioned:
1/27/17
Fuzzy Coat
Yes, this coat IS as warm and cozy in person as it looks on camera! I wondered myself after I saw it online, but then when it arrived it felt as soft as a fuzzy blanket. And after the windy and frigid days we have been having recently, it's been perfect to wear. Though we still have a few months of winter left, I am already getting excited about buying spring pieces. And of course there are the endless beauty launches already in the first month of the year that look amazing! This new lip launch and these are first on my list to buy, but I'm still deciding on colors.
Any new spring purchases that you've made?! Let me know in the comments below.
Coat - Tularosa | Turtleneck - Club Monaco | Jeans - Topshop | Boots - Topshop (they are almost out of stock so these are almost identical) | Bag - Chloe | Sunglasses - Chloe
Shop more fuzzy coats:
1/26/17
My Handbag Collection
I haven't yet done a full handbag collection video, so I am excited to finally have put this video together! Enjoy and don't forget to subscribe!
YSL Black Tote (no longer available), but I am loving this one
Loeffler Randall tote (only could find in white still)
Here's a link to some Loeffler Randall shoes
Chloe Georgia Bag (no longer available)
Chloe Nile bag (similar to Georgia bag)
more colors here
also available here
This is the bag I want to buy for summer!
Longchamp Top Handle Tote (similar here)
YSL clutches (no longer available, but I am linking similar)
YSL flower clutch (I found it used here!)
1/25/17
Review: Elemis Pro-Collagen Collection
This post was sponsored by QVC in partnership with Shopstyle. While I was compensated to write a post about Elemis, all opinions are my own.
I've been a long time fan of the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, and was intrigued to try the rest of the Pro-Collagen line, which is now available on QVC. The Marine Cream and Night Cream are both designed to target anti-aging concerns, and are suitable for all skin types. The star ingredient of the Pro-Collagen line is a unique Mediterranean algae called Padina Povinca. Though typical anti-aging products are targeted towards more mature consumers, I find that this line helps address concerns from which any age would benefit. There is also a sampler kit available on QVC's site that features all three products in a trial size, which is perfect to try before committing to the full size. Read on for my thoughts on each specific product and how each worked for my skin:
1. Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm - Cleansing balms are my weakness - the more rich and buttery the better. The Elemis Cleansing Balm manages to fall in the middle so while it is thick with an oily texture, it isn't too slippery or greasy for those that are not as used to a balm cleanser. While it can break down and remove my makeup, I prefer to use it as a second cleanse - leaving it on for 1-3 minutes and removing it with a warm, wet cloth. It has ingredients to target anti-aging as well as cleanse the skin, so when I rinse it off my skin is more plump and supple than I find with other cleansing balms. Recently I have been using it in the morning because I find that it preps my skin for makeup so well and my foundation doesn't pull on any dry patches and glides on much smoother.
2. Pro-Collagen Marine Cream - From the first swipe of this rich cream, I was curious how it would work for my combination skin - especially during the day. I kept my routine minimal while testing, simply applying this after cleansing and toning to see how my skin would respond. It immediately felt nourishing and hydrating when applied, but what surprised me was how it absorbed almost immediately leaving my skin with a natural finish rather than adding any additional shine to my already slightly oily face. My foundation applied easily over top because my skin was well prepped by the cream, and I found that as the day went on it never got more shiny.
3. Pro-Collagen Oxygenating Night Cream - While much of my nighttime skincare routine is focused on strong active ingredients to target specific concerns, I prefer to follow those targeted treatements with a moisturizer that can enrich my skin and, nourish it but not compete with any of the other ingredients. This night cream has been perfect to add in because it hydrates and comforts my skin, without detracting from any other treatments I am using. In fact, I have been reaching for it over and over because my skin immediately feels moisturized and calm as soon as I apply it. Using both the Marine Cream during the day and the Oxyenating Night Cream in the evening has really kept my skin looking taut and supple continuously. Because of it's ingredients and texture, I can see this being the perfect addition to almost any nighttime skincare routine, and something you can put on night after night knowing that it will consistently perform well.
If you are not sure which of the products would be the best fit or want to test them before you get the full size, this is a picture of the Try Me Kit now available. While some samples are good for one or two uses, I have been using the kit for two weeks now and I'm finally making a dent in it. The Cleansing Balm goes faster for me because I use more (#cleanseraddict), but I only use a dab of either cream in the morning or evening. You can find the Try Me Kit here on QVC's site (and it's under $50, which is a steal!).
Shop a few other Elemis products on my radar:
1/24/17
Spring Outfit Ideas (Or For a Warm Weather Vacation)
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| Dress (available in another color here and here) | Sandals (also available here) |
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| Romper (love this color and this color) |
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| Dress (similar here and this one is so cute) | Shoes | Hat |
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| Dress | Bag (love this one too) | Sunglasses | Shoes |
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| Coverup (more colors available here) | Bag | Hat (similar here) | Sandals |
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| Swimsuit (similar here and here) | Hat |
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| Dress | Hat (similar here) |
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| Shirt (similar here and dress here) | Shorts (similar here) | Hat |
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| Dress (similar here and here) | Bag |
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| Shirt (similar here) | Shorts | Bag | Hat |
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| Dress (similar here and here) | Sandals | Hat |
I always begin my seasonal shopping a few months earlier because if not, everything always sells out so quickly! I am already plotting some pieces that I want to add for spring, but I thought I would round up a few of my favorite looks from last year that are either still available or have similar styles out now. If you are heading somewhere warm for vacation, or like to be proactive about your shopping like myself - there are some great pieces here. I also linked below some of the items on my spring wish list. I'll keep looking at them with the hopes that the temps soon follow (wishful thinking)!
Shop more of my spring picks:
1/23/17
An Afternoon at Joshua Tree
During our time in Palm Springs, we drove out to Joshua Tree for the afternoon. It was by far one of my favorite highlights from our entire trip. While I love the hustle and bustle of a city, seeing the wonders of nature truly take my breath away. Our favorite exhibits were the Cholla Cactus (they can actually jump off the stalk so there are warning signs all over the place - eek!), Skull Rock (the last two pictures were taken there) and White Tank Arch Rock. The weather started out quite mild with temps in the mid 60's and sunshine, but by the time we left 2 hours later - it had dropped 15 degrees and was super cloudy! Good things the last 3 pictures were taken from afar, because I had goosebumps all over my shoulders and arms. Lol
This midi dress that I packed for the trip ended up being perfect for our time out there (though by the end of the drive I am glad I brought a jacket to put over it). I loved the 3/4 sleeves and longer length, but the real detail that sold me was the embroidered pattern down the sides. And since I knew we would be out and walking in the landscape, I brought my Isabel Marant boots which are one of my most versatile pairs of shoes that I own. I wear them year round with any type of outfit and they always manage to look suitable.
Shop more boho maxi dresses:
1/22/17
How to Dress Up a Puffer Coat
Puffer coats are always a last resort for me to wear - I never feel cute or fashionable in them. However, I had been eyeing this coat from SAM for a few years now because it is a style they regularly make each winter. It looked so cute on the model and I wondered if it was as cute in person. I ordered it and ended up falling in love with the shape so much that I got it in two colors (see it in this post)! The key is that it darts in at the waist so it defines the waist thus making it look more flattering and less like a sleeping bag. Ha! However, I usually always pair any puffer coats with a more casual look, and when I put this outfit together - I threw the coat on at the last minute and loved the combo. My legs are usually never as cold as my upper body, so I love wearing a skirt and tights in the winter. The issue is always - what coat will I wear with it? This style has been perfect and I love that it stops at the waist and allows me to show off a cute skirt or pair of jeans rather than covering all of that. Sadly most of the fun colors for this coat have sold out by now (you need to grab them in October/November), but there are still a handful of retailers that have some classic colors available! I will link them below in the outfit description.
Coat - SAM (more available here, here and this vest from them is so cute!) | Turtleneck - Club Monaco | Skirt - Alexander Wang (similar here) | Boots - Topshop (sold out but almost identical pair here) | Tights - Commando | Bag - Chloe | Hat - Club Monaco (similar here) | Sunglasses - Flower Eyewear c/o | Lipstick - Rodin Tough Tomato
Shop more leopard shoes and boots:
1/21/17
My Nighttime Skincare Routine
Here's a look at my most recent nighttime skincare routines. Enjoy and don't forget to subscribe!
These are the products discussed:
1/20/17
Friday Finds + A Few of My Traveling Essentials
I'm back with a new Friday Finds post, though I wanted to add a quick note about some traveling essentials since I just got back from a trip this week. Here is the blouse that I am wearing in the above pic - I preferred the tie around the front of my neck which gave it a whole different look than the image online. Oh and how can we not talk about my iPhone case - it's less than $6!
1. First beginning with the bags I use to pack clothes in my suitcase - I swear by these (in size large) and they leave a ton of room in the suitcase for other items I want to bring. I also bought the toiletry bag, though I want to pick up a few others to help divide up my items into categories (this one and this one are next on my list to buy).
2. This was the tote bag I brought with me and it is SO durable. I have it in camo and regular green and used it as my work bag for yearrrrrrs. It can withstand almost anything!
3. I will not travel without this cream because it works wonders if I have a breakout, therefore I can't leave it at home. It has saved a few beginning blemishes from erupting fully (nothing worse than a huge breakout when traveling - ugh).
4. I picked up a few new beauty items this week that I will be reviewing soon - this Chanel quad (in 278) and this Dior foundation!
5. This moisturizer is on its way to me and my face cannot wait. I received so many tags, emails and private messages about it when it first launched, so I can't wait to see if I love it as much as the rest of the line.
6. Spring is still far off, but that doesn't mean I'm not already planning my wardrobe. These wedges are first on my list to buy because they sold out soooo fast last year. There are a pretty amazing dupe for them here.
7. Another pair of sandals that have been on my wishlist for years are these - they have such a cute boho chic vibe but also sell out insanely quick when the weather warms up.
8. One of my favorite skincare brands launched an essence and I just began testing it. I have high hopes since I love everything from them, but I will post more as soon as I have a full read on it.
9. I am going to start the process of decorating my office in the next few months and am already pinning some pieces that I love - this pillow and chair are at the top of my list!
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