Beauty Products I Love: Summer 2016

Hey, readers!

Like I mentioned in this week's Fashion Friday, it's the middle of summer in Nashville...and it's hot. Like breathing soup when you walk outside hot.

This Spring, I made a deal with myself. I told myself that I would start investing my money into self care--I now have higher quality cosmetics that are just as much fun as they are better for my skin, and I even have a day time and a night time routine to care for my skin. In my journey, I've learned what works and what doesn't work for my face and hair. I thought I would pass these along!

Elizabeth Mott's Thank Me Later eye primer.
I discovered Elizabeth Mott on a whim. Amazon suggested this relatively new brand to me after my search for cruelty free cosmetics. The company will send you free samples in the mail for you to try before you buy! I was on the search for a new eye primer, so I had them send me this one. It's been a GODSEND, you guys! I am fairly oily, and most of the higher selling primers leave my lids feeling greasy. I can't wait to purchase more of her products in the future. This keeps my shadow and liner on all day.

Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Sea Salt Spray
I picked up a sample of this at Ulta the other day when I went in for shampoo. My hair is that awkward in between not curly, but not straight texture, and the roots get greasy while the ends will dry out quickly. In the summertime, it's not been easy to go for the effortless bedhead look that I lean towards in the less humid months without looking like Phil Spector's wig. You know the one. After I shampooed and used a Moroccan oil serum in my hair, I let it air dry, and then wrapped the front sections of my hair with a 1 inch curling iron. I then flipped my head over, sprayed fairly liberally with this product, and flipped back up. A few scrunches, and I was ready to go. It's been going strong for two days without feeling crunchy or stiff.

Trestique highlighter sticks
So, something else I would really suggest is getting the Ipsy bag. I get samples (and most of my bag this month were full size products) sent right to my mailbox every month of well known and some not so well known brands. You take a quiz when you sign up to insure that you will actually like your products. Mine are all cruelty free brands as well! Bonus! Anyway, I am fairly new to the whole highlight thing. I know I'm late in the game. I always ended up going overboard and either looking like I had white circles under my eyes like I had laid out in the sun in giant goggles, or looked like someone could have drilled for oil on my face. Not cute. These sticks are highly pigmented, but just the right amount of sheen, are easily blendable, and are foolproof when it comes to application. I was really impressed, and will definitely buy this product in full size when this one runs out.

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer
This was another sample that I picked up while waiting in line at Sephora. The green color is quick to throw most off, but since I am fair and have uneven skin with some redness, I knew that the green would remove the ruddiness from my complexion.  I was really impressed with how a little bit went a long way. Combined with a finishing spray on top of my base makeup, my face won't budge all day!
Pick up a sample at your local Ulta or Sephora. It's half the cost, and will last you forever!

Those are my current go-to favorites to get me through the rest of the months. I really do suggest looking into upping your routine in the summer time. I have always felt disgusting during the hot season in Nashville. It's really hard to feel and look your best when it's hotter than Satan's butthole, but that's still no excuse to stop trying to put your best face forward. Plus, you deserve to take that time out to do something nice for you. Maybe for some of you, that's makeup, or maybe it's meditation. For me, it's both. Do you, readers. Do you.

When it all comes together...

What Goes Around Comes Around: Summer Trends and the Original Inspiration

Hey, readers!

As we approach the end of July in Nashville, I am counting down the days until we have reached fall weather! Summer is my least favorite time of the year, and honestly the season I have the fewest outfit options for.  I can't stand the hot and humid weather! But, I have found ways to style myself that are casual, and I find that I'm not entirely melting by the end of the day. As many of you know, I love to incorporate vintage pieces in with modern ones. I feel like this is not only the best way to save some dough, but also the most fun way to get unique items for less! Fashion comes and goes in twenty year cycles. That's why the 90's are back in a huge way.  I have found that it is friendlier to my wallet and the Earth to try and track down the OG items instead of investing in new ones. Here are a few of this season's latest trends that I have managed to find for less.

OFF THE SHOULDER TOPS
I am seeing these EVERYWHERE lately. I feel like everyone is trying to do something outside the box with this trend. These were huge in the 70's, therefore, big in the 90's, and here we are today. I am seeing tops like this retail in boutiques for $60 and up. Here's one I found online. It's from the 70's, in brand new condition, and only retails for $22. Plus, no one else will have this one! I have an off the shoulder top that was actually a wedding dress I cut up. I always get compliments on it.

Jane Birkin rocks TWO trend this season: The crop top and the off the shoulder. 

MATCHING SEPARATES 

These have been trending quite a bit. Lots of celebs are choosing to go all "matchy-matchy" on us. But, I assure you that your local thrift store or vintage boutique, you will find something similar for a fraction.

The OG Matching separate gang:

You can find matching sets from the 90's starting at $25 online! Channel your inner Dion and Cher.

GLADIATOR SANDALS

I love gladiator sandals. I really do. No shame. I know that they're a dividing shoe, but these had a momeny a few years ago, as well as a few decades ago! I wore a pair of 1970's gold knee high pair to my senior dance, and people gave me looks.  Guess I was just ahead of the curve. I only paid $15 for mine at a second hand store!

Former Supermodel sisters Jenny and Pattie Boyd had these gorgeous purple suede gladiators that I have been lusting over for years. 

So, readers, as you can clearly see, there are no new ideas in fashion. People keep reinventing the wheel and slightly tweaking it. I love seeing how designers come up with new ways to do so, and how people on the street interpret their creations. What trends do you love this season? What are you so ready to be rid of? Comment below! 

5 Things A Man Should Have In His Closet By 25

Hey, readers!

After my last post, I had a few requests to do the same for the gentlemen! So, here we go. The top 5 things I think a man should have in his closet by 25!

Let me preface this post by saying one thing. I don't think everyone should dress the same. These pieces will mean different things to different people. But, here are the building blocks to point you in the right direction of being able to find your own unique sense of style.

ONE. A well tailored suit.
When I say "suit" most of you all will cringe and think of those baggy things your dad wears when he has to dress up.  I always feel like a suit that doesn't fit makes you look like you are playing dress up in your dad's clothes.  I prefer a man in a suit that looks a bit more 60's mod-very fitted and usually with some fun color and patterns brought in with ties and shirts, but this could mean whatever you want it to mean! While basic black is best to start your suit collection, have fun with it.  Shop off season to save even more money on these. I assure you that this is a purchase you will not regret. My personal favorites for men's suits right now are local Nashville designer named Eric Adler and Roxenstone.  They incorporate really unique patterns and textures in with very classic tailoring. It looks modern, yet won't look dated in a few years.

TWO. Well fitted, high quality jeans.

Stop buying your jeans at Old Navy. You're a man now. You deserve to dress like one. Figure out what cut and wash works best for your body type. Lots of stores like Levi's, Lucky, and even a few boutiques have denim experts on hand to assist you in your hunt. Go to places like Nordstrom Rack to get deals on a name brand if you can. Not all denim is created equally. You will wear these more than anything else. Use the cost per wear formula to figure out if the purchase is worth it. 

THREE. T-shirts without an ironic message on them.

Fellas, we are adults now.  Please stop wearing shirts that are meant to be funny, dirty, or ironic. The crime is worse if these shirts came from Hot Topic, Target, or the like.  Instead, replace your go-to casual pieces with either plain, high quality cotton (It's OK to invest in these as well) or a cool band t-shirt. (Also, for fun, google Ironic t-shirt and see how many mugshots come up!)

FOUR. Button downs that your mom didn't buy you. 

We all know that your mom will buy you ill fitting shirts from Kohl's to stick under the Christmas tree. Avoid these at all costs. Seriously, most moms mean well...we love you, moms. Fellas, learn how to buy your own dress shirts. You will need these for the office, or for date night. Learn how to care for these, and invest in an iron while you're at it! My favorites for men are Paul Smith, The Kooples, and Ben Sherman. 

FIVE. A tailor.

OK, so don't keep your tailor in your closet, but you get the drift. Not everyone is going to be the same size or shape that the clothes on the racks are made. And that's OK! A tailor is the difference in making your $100 suit look like $1000...From George Clueless to George Clooney. 

What do you think you need in your wardrobes, guys? I'd be curious to hear. And now, just because he was the sharpest man of all time, here's a photo of Cary Grant for you to swoon over.

5 Items Every Woman Should Have In Her Closet By 25

Hi, readers!

I turn 25 in September. It's coming up soon!

As I reflect back on the last decade of my style (around 15 is when I really got in to expressing myself with clothing) I think about how I have evolved in my wardrobe choices, mistakes I have made, I thought I would share what I believe every woman should have in her wardrobe by the time she hits a quarter of a century!

ONE. A really nice, tailored blazer.
Now, I have a far cry from a desk job, but I found myself gravitating towards suits in the last few years. I really love how a woman looks in a tailored suit.  I found a black  Gucci blazer at an auction for a whopping $4.00. I wear it all the time, and it has definitely paid for itself. I even did a Fashion Friday video based around how to wear it with a vintage band t-shirt. This is one you want to splurge on. None of that disposable H&M or Forever 21 stuff. You're an adult now. You deserve to dress like one.

This incorporates several pieces I speak about! Fitted blazer, high quality vintage designer bag, and jeans that fit! 

TWO. A high quality bag.
I really like vintage designer bags. I am really geeky about the history of different fashion houses, and tend to lean towards the 70's styles (shocker) Shopping vintage is a way to get high quality for next to nothing. My collection has grown over the last few years. I have around five bags that I can wear with every single outfit for any occasion. My vintage Louis Vuitton was a gift, but still cost only as much as a strap for a new bag costs from the company! Vintage is also a wonderful way to not support buying new leather. If designers aren't your thing, then invest in a high quality, basic tote that you can take everywhere. You can always change it up by tying a scarf on the handles!

THREE. Jeans that fit! Really!
I lived in flowy vintage (and usually flammable) dresses for years.  They are still my go-to in the summer time. However, as I've matured and worked in this industry for a while now, I find myself reaching for my jeans more than ever! Having a short torso and long legs made it difficult to shop for jeans, but after doing some research and finding my fits I like (Paige and Rachel Zoe) I know my sizes, and can score them on the sales racks for $30 usually! I wear them nearly every single day. And a dark wash, high quality jean that fits is always going to make you look more polished than a spandex based light wash. I promise! I have boyfriend and skinny jeans in my closet, but I am always a fan of a mid-rise flare. They're classic and universally flattering.

FOUR. A dress (or outfit) that you know works for a formal event.
If I had to go to a wedding, funeral, or red carpet event this evening, I would have something to wear. My go-to formal dress is this gorgeous purple vintage Halston wrap dress that I got at a thrift store of all places! I've posted that several times on here. I recently was given a jersey stretch black jumpsuit that has been worth its weight in gold. I've worn it without a jacket, with a blazer, with a tassle belt, and have managed to make it work in six different scenarios. If it's a suit, a wrap dress, or a jumpsuit, you should have something in your arsenal that you can throw in a suitcase and go.

This year's Fashion Week red carpet. Fitted blazer with sequin detail over the black jumpsuit, a vintage gold glitter clutch, and the leopard boots from the first photo. 

FIVE. Knowledge.

It's crazy how fast trends come and go. The second that something comes out on the runway, fast fashion retailers have a knock off on their shelves. I say that every woman should have knowledge about what goes into her closet for a multitude of reasons.  Do you know who is making your clothes? Is it a big box retailer making profit off of people in sweat shops? Is it a small business in your community? Is it a designer who's doing everything themselves? Do you know how to care for your clothing to make sure they last? Are you purchasing something that will end up in a landfill at the end of the season? Or making a purchase that will be worn for years to come? As we get older, we need to realize that we vote with our dollars. Fewer high quality pieces will always be better than a closet full of crap that no one cares about. It will limit the "I have nothing to wear" scenario, and will make you feel better. Ask questions. Where are these clothes coming from? What are the conditions of the workers in the factory? What is this made of? It's fascinating! I look forward to saving for pieces to invest in, rather than going to the mall every weekend to throw away $15 on something everyone else will have! Find out who the local designers are in your town. They make the best (and most interesting) friends!

What do you think you should have by 25? What about what you should ditch? Comment below!