Christmas Wish List

Here it is folks, my Christmas wish list. 9 things that if everything was right in the world, would be wrapped neatly and sweetly under the tree on December 25th. What special pieces are your must haves?

The List:
1. Zara boots
2. Zara Bag
3. Sarah Jessica Parker's Lovely Parfume
4. Topshop One Piece
5. NARS Lipstick
6. AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8 camera lens
7. Topshop bralette
8. Apple iPod Classic
9. Topshop Sweater

Burgundy Beanie

Thanksgiving past, black friday shopping over, and all I can think is get me my blanket and pillow. But, nonetheless, I push on.

Time is flying by! The temperature dropped significantly, Thanksgiving is over and done, and my brother is putting up the Christmas lights at this very moment. I'm not ready! Though I must admit, I do have most of my Christmas shopping done already, and to treat myself, Im headed to the salon for a freshening of my locks. 

Burgundy is one of my favorite fall colors. It's so rich, and adds just a touch of sophistication to any ensemble (even as a beanie!). Fall is finally in full swing (though it's almost winter) and I can truly say that I have accepted the fact that I cannot leave the house without a jacket at least. Bleh, Ohio weather.

A perfect pairing: Burgundy and midnight blue.

Mmm...it's nice to have a break from the neon and milky hues from summer. 

Outfit:

Shirt: Gap

Blazer: H&M, similar here

Pants: Gap

Shoes: Aldo

Hat: Asos

Rings: H&M, and vintage; cute ones here and here

Watch: Target, similar here and here

A Chilly Friday

Keeping it extremely casual as I wind down from an emotional and overwhelming few weeks. I know it's been a while since the last post, it's just been a hectic month so far. 

Pants seem familiar? Yeah, well, they're now my favorite pair. So soft and warn in, I'll never get rid of these jeans. A soft white t-shirt and warm over sized flannel kept me warm and casual comfy. 

Just washed wavy hair has been my go-to do as of late. I just spray in a little light mousse and let it dry naturally. 

Outfit:

Flannel Shirt- Urban Outfitters

T-Shirt- Gap

Jeans- Urban Outfitters

Shoes- Gap

Cozy Sweater, Killer Pants

I don't know a better way to possibly combat a sweet soft warm sweater, than to throw on a pair of leather looking coated jeans. So comfy, so stretchy, and oh so show-stopping. This pair is particularly easy to dress up with a flashy top and blazer, or dress down with a t-shirt and flats.

Per usual as of late I have been wearing my simple gold watch. Simple, yet amazing. Since the temperature has been dropping, I've been all about layering sweaters. I love to pair classic pieces with something different. In this case, a classic white oxford with coated denim and wedge sneakers make a perfect pairing. 

As soon as the temperature drops and the air dries out I love to wear my hair au natural. I simply scrunch the ends when they are wet and TA-DAH! Easy peasy beach bum waves. 

Outfit:

Blouse: Gap

Sweater: Forever21

Jeans: Urban Outfitters

Shoes: Topshop

Watch: Target

Beauty 123

As promised, a beauty post! My previous post gave some insight as to my everyday prep steps. I always start off with clean skin. I like to exfoliate with a facial scrub 3-5 times a week, it keeps my skin soft and smooth. Moisturizing is an important step for me, especially in the winter when dry skin can be a problem.

My make-up routine is simple for everyday wear, I don't like to wear a lot when I'm at work or just lounging around during the day. Liquid foundation provides an even canvas. I usually use something lightweight such as Maybelline's Dream Liquid Mousse, it feels light on the skin and leaves an airbrushed look. To set foundation I follow with a loose powder. I prefer to to use Maybelline New York Loose Powder, it evens skin tone and adds a touch of color and shimmer. I follow powder with a light pink loose blush to add some color to the apples of the cheek.

In my last post I highlighted one of my new favorite beauty buys! Smashbox Soft Lights is a must have for EVERY GIRL! This barely there shimmering powder offers a highlight that is absolutely eye-catching to cheekbones, temples, brow bones, collar bones, well....just about anywhere you want a little more attention! Seriously, I recommend this product to any girl that is looking to enhance natural features!

I always have some form of chapstick at the ready, I hate dry lips. My favorite lip saver to have on hand is Maybelline Baby Lips, it's ultra moisturizing, a little glossy, and barely tinted for an effortless plush lip! Finally, I top off my make-up routine with Buxom Mascara, and like I said, if nothing else, LASHES! The perfect girlie accessory is undoubtedly a lush set of lashes.

(All of the products pictured and mentioned above are available at you're local drug store, or at Sephora.com)

Getting Back To Normal

This past week has been a challenge. Things seem to be moving so quickly is been hard to keep up. Between interviewing for a potential position out west and the killer cold that seemed to catch up to me I have been a little out of the loop. In the past I have let the stress of the unknown take me over, but more recently I have been able to put a positive spin on the opportunities that have been coming my way. I will say however, this cold put me out of commission for a few days. Today I am back on track and out and about once again!

Perhaps my favorite addition to my wardrobe has been this simple digital watch from Target. It goes with EVERYTHING! After a slight drop in the temperature, I was feeling a little low maintenance sweater in the forecast. This cozy knit from Forever21 is a great way to mix up prints for Fall. I love the idea of mixing things up with both stripes, polka dots, and a bold earring. 

When mixing prints and wearing bold accessories, I'm always sure to keep hair a makeup on the simple side. Great skin is always a great accessory. My healthy skin routine starts with Clinique's Exfoliating Scrub for baby soft smooth surface. I follow with a light moisturizer (I like to use Clean and Clear Dual Action Moisturizer). 

My favorite makeup trick was a recent find of mine. I love the soft shimmer and glow that Smashbox Soft Lights leaves on the skin. I apply a little shimmer powder to the tops of the cheekbones, temples, and a little on the bridge of the nose to add dimension and pizazz. 

Look for a new beauty post within the next few days!

Outfit:

Sweater: Forever21

Tank: Gap

Skirt: H&M

Earrings: H&M

Watch: Target

Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Still So Right!

Bringing the seventies into Fall with high rise trouser jeans! These guys are SO long that I HAVE to wear my platform booties, though I can't say that I mind. I'll take any excuse to rock a killer heel, right ladies?

It's been a little rainy, a little sunny, a little cool, and today it's a little warm. This back and forth in-between weather poses a bit of a problem when deciding on a outfit for the day. So, in this case I chose a lightweight jean, and comfy cotton blouse. I added a heavy blazer for the chilly morning, and hat for interest.

 On an unrelated note, I can't seem to get Mumford and Sons "I Will Wait" out of my head. Great song, beautiful lyrics, and upbeat positive tone. Makes me want to learn an instrument....Bahah

The good news is, the in-between weather has allowed the flowers in the front to stick around a bit longer! So fresh and light, I love pink roses. This week is flying by, I'm off to enjoy a few days off of work and the last Tribe game of the season. Roll Tribe!

Hey Guy, Wait...

Boyfriend jeans, muscle tee, and menswear inspired jacket? Why, Yes! I'll admit, at first all of this boyish gear had me a little apprehensive, but with a little styling I'm happy with the end result. I feel comfy in these soft and stretchy boyfriend jeans that seem to just hang on the hip, and the muscle tee kept my cool while running around work all day. This cream blazer has been a doozy to keep clean, but I feel like it is going to be my go to third piece for Fall. 

I also tried to femme up this outfit by doing something a little different to my hair. I started with a side-part and twisted the hair down just past my ears and secured with bobby pins. From there, I simply pulled my locks up into a sleek pony. I like the idea of a polished up-do, hence my go-to topknot almost everyday of the week...

So there it is, my take on casual friday. I think I can hang with the girls and still grab the attention of the guys in this one. Relaxed and approachable!

Jacket: H&M, similar here

Shirt: H&M, similar here

Pants: Gap, similar styles here

Shoes: Gap (old)

Necklace: JCPenny, cute alternative here!

Reinventing the Denim Skirt

I have been on the prowl for a denim pencil skirt for quite some time no with no luck until recently! The Acne Trashed Denim Skirt pictured above served as inspiration for my most recent DIY. I was Unique Thrift, a local second hand store, and found a denim maxi skirt. At first glance I was horrified, but then the wheel began to turn and I decided I could take a chance on that poor abandoned denim atrocity and nurse it back to fashion staple. 

It took a little elbow grease and steady hand with a pair of scissors, but I'm pretty pleased with the results of this DIY. This destructed denim skirt can easily be paired with a classic piece like a white woven as above, or can be rocked out with a leather jacket and ankle booties.

Destructing denim on your own can be easy. All you really need is a pair of scissors, the washing and drying machines really do most of the work for you. For this skirt, I used the Acne Trashed Denim skirt as a guide for where I should focus with the scissors. I simply cut small to medium size slits in the areas that I wanted to see destructed, and then threw the skirt into the wash. The dryer helps fluff the denim and remove the loose threads for you. Simple and cute!

My thrift store skirt required a little more finagling as it was a wide maxi skirt to begin with. I shortened the hem with scissors, and used a sewing machine to give the skirt more of a pencil silhouette by redirecting the back center seam. 

This statement necklace adds a feminine touch to this ensemble. I kept other accessories to a minimum as the skirt is a statement piece as well as this necklace, sometimes less really is more. Simple black flats are my go-to for, well, almost everything. These are from Urban Outfitters, clean/classic/comfy!

Skirt: DIY inspired by Acne Trashed Denim Skirt

Shirt: Gap

Necklace: Forever21 (old)

Belt: Nastygal (old)

Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Comfy, Cozy, Casual, FALL!

By far my favorite season is Fall. The cozy knits, the comfy layers, and the cooling temps put me in my prime! For the most part my style tends to flourish in Autumn. I feel much more confident experimenting with different textures, colors, and accessories when the weather is cooler. I mean, do you see the pops of neon in the ensemble up there? YEAH, that's a pink sole on the brogues, lime trim on the socks, AND baby blue on that knit top! 

You better believe that I'll be snagging that oxblood skirt from RiverIsland, just $32 ladies! It's the perfect piece to bring structure and sophistication to an outfit that can so easily look sloppy. 

Every piece of this outfit has me aching for colder weather, it seems we always want what we don't have. 

Oh! And, SURPRISE! This outfit is perfect for a style stalker on a budget. There is not one item within this look that is over $40! 

Skirt: RiverIsland $32
Sweater: udobuy.com $39
Socks: Gap $4.95
Shoes: Target $19.99 
Bag: Zara $36
Hat: Gap $29.95

Don't you just love the smell of bargain in September? Oh wait, that's just my new candle, Farmer's Market by Yankee Candle. Smells so good! Anyways, back to the grind, and Happy Hunting!

Pre-Fall

 If only the weather were this perfect everyday! Just warm enough for shorts, a skirt, or a dress, yet just cool enough for some layer play! This little taste of Fall has me on the edge of my seat, I can't wait to layer on the cozy comfy clothes and warm up with drinks on the porch.

Such a sunny day, I might just take a book down to the beach and read in the sand.

Shorts: H&M, Shirt: Gap, Jacket: Gap, Shoes: Forever21

I have a sugar craving right now, so maybe I'll skip the beach and head to the store for cake mix...YEP!

Sage, Citrus, and Chamomile

My all time favorite candle, sage and citrus by Yankee Candles, is the finishing touch when I have a night in with a book or a DVD. The relaxing and rich scent just puts me in a snuggly mood.

As I seem to be catching a cold, a night in is much needed. Currently I am reading Divergent by Veronica Roth, and sipping chamomile tea (with honey to soothe a sore throat). :( The good news is, that I have the day off tomorrow! No doubt in my mind that I will be sleeping in and snuggling up on the couch with a mass of pillows and junk food.