A few weeks ago I styled this blazer in this post, sharing how you can wear velvet in a more casual look. BUT, I knew I was going to have to bring you guys a full glam velvet look. Because if I have a velvet suit, you know I’m gonna have to wear that!
I think this look would be an awesome twist on a rehearsal dinner outfit, dressed up office party or engagement party. When there is a sea of women in cocktail dresses and a boss lady comes in wearing a suit!? Yassss!!!! I’m all about a chic power suit, and this one is all that, and it feels like pajamas. So yeah, I’m into it.
One of the best things about purchasing a set is that you can absolutely wear each piece on its own, creating a minimum of three looks. However since this set is a classic black, you can wear each piece so may different ways. Versatility in purchases – I can’t preach it enough. If you’re going to splurge on something you best be able to wear it multiple ways!
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 (40% off) | 5 | 6 (40% off) | 7 | 8 (40% off) | 9 – I have this and it’s ADORABLE in person | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14
Let’s be honest… most of us have three main categories of clothing in our closet: workwear, GNO/happy hour/date night/going out clothes and loungwear. The right loungewear should never be underestimated – my joggers are some of the most worn pants in my wardrobe. I actually just laughed out loud as I typed that becasue it’s so true! No shame.
SO, I’m rounding up some of my favorite comfy lounge pieces that can be both comfortable for weekend/weeknight wear (or if you work from home this is your workwear, #judgementfreezone). Above are some of my favorite picks right now, and I included some extra goodies below. I just discovered this brand and their pieces are so cute!
STAY COMFY, my friends. Thanks so much for reading! XO –
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It’s no secret I love a slip dress. I’ve shared different ways I’ve styled them here, here and here, but this maxi version was a new beauty that I couldn’t wait to take on the town! At first glance you might think this is a formal piece, but today I want to show you how you can dress down a slip dress (and other formal pieces in your closet).
Play with texture.
Don’t be afraid to combine cotton, silk, suede, faux fur, fringe, leather – mix it up for an interesting and unique vibe.
Layer it up.
In this look, I thought I needed to add a tee to dress it down and cover some skin. It also helped take the dress from dressy to casual.
Dress down the shoe.
I have a post coming up that pairs a midi skirt with sneakers – but I think a casual shoe can be one of the easiest ways to take a more formal dress or skirt to a casual outfit. Even pants – how cool would sequined joggers be with a crisp white sneaker!? Fab!
Confidence!
It may sound corny… but I truly feel the key to pulling off any look is confidence. You gotta feel good in what you’re rocking, so if you don’t feel comfortable or you find yourself self-consciously checking the mirror too many times before you leave the house… stop yourself! The key to pulling off a trend or new outfit is “owning it baby” (said in Lisa Rinna voice), so make sure you are feeling your look.
On a similar topic, I recently shared how to dress down velvet here. I’d love to hear how you dress down some of the fancier pieces in your closet! OR, share a comment telling me a piece you’re having trouble styling/dressing down. I’d love to give you my suggestion!
Thanks so much for reading – XO –
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Last week I shared my first post about eating a plant-based diet for the month of January. I included why I was doing this, how I was feeling and my favorite vegan blogs + recipes. SO, we are now two weeks in and I’m excited to share another update!
This week was little more challenging… thanks to hormones and lady things (TMI). I found myself having a few not-as-healthy days… like when I bought a bag of salt & pepper kettle chips that became my best friend. Also hence the mac & cheese recipe below. BUT one thing I’ve been really surprised by is that my beef/pork/chicken cravings are actually zero.
I have actually found myself occasionally thinking about a boiled egg, fish and cheese… but have somehow managed to stay on track. More about how I’m feeling at the bottom of this post!
Last Week’s Recipes:
Thai Curry – without chicken, 100% vegan version here – featured in this post! Note: I used brown rice noodles instead of rice and didn’t like them as much as regular noodles. I would try to find rice noodles next time OR just use jasmine rice. I make this curry dish often and we switch it up between noodles and rice!
Broccoli Cheese Soup – so good, we also ate with a grilled (soy) cheese for leftovers.
Hippie Bowls – if you watched Christian’s review on Insta-stories… he wasn’t digging this meal but I liked it!
Homemade Pizza – One of my go-to’s when I want a quick and easy dinner is to make a pizza. I’ll buy Trader Joe’s pizza dough or cauliflower crust and do half red sauce, half of their vegan pesto. Top with almond or soy mozzarella and then load with veggies (we like to top with shredded brussels sprouts too)! Other times I’ll just do mushrooms and onions – it just depends on what veggies I have on-hand.
Dining Out:
Continues to be a non-issue. We ate out three times last week. Two times I had a vegetable sandwich with chips or fruit and one time we had Mexican food (I had a vegetable crispy taco with rice and beans).
Here is what I actually ended up eating last week (obviously some of these items weren’t intended to be on my meal plan but sometimes a girl attacks a bag of chips. I am who I am):
I feel great. My skin is clear, my energy levels feel normal I’m able to focus easily. I’ve been surprised that I don’t feel puffy or bloated, despite eating carbs every day. I did see an increase in my weigh-in this week but I think that was more cycle-related. Stay tuned!
Let me know if I missed anything, and I’ll touch base with you guys next week! Thanks so much for reading and sharing all of your helpful tips. XO –
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– Christian finally snagging some new sneakers, these are a part of the Zappos The Ones Collection – a throwback to old school styles. So cool, I have my eye on these! –
– adding these two sweaters to my collection, I can actually rep my alma mater in style, love it! –
– stocking up on dry shampoo – Marshall’s always has these for $7.99 (the cans are 13.5oz!) –
By now we should all be getting settled into 2018, which means writing “2017” accidentally on checks and paperwork should be slowly ceasing (truthfully, this always takes me more like a month to get the hang of the new year).
We got a lot of rain this week, and if you’re a Californian you know how special the rain is! It made the temperatures drop quite a bit. Although it’s also brought some pretty devastating mudslides, so lots of prayers being said for those who have lost loved ones or their homes in the Central Coast.
Christian has Monday off for MLK Jr. Day, and we’re still trying to figure out what to do to take advantage of his extra time off. Do you guys get Monday off too? Would love to hear what your weekend plans are! I’m trying to twist his arm to go to California Adventure… but we’ll see if he goes for it.
Last but certainly not least, I can’t go without sharing how moved I was at Oprah’s speech at the Golden Globes. WOW. I’ve always jokingly said “there’s God, Jesus, then Oprah,” but I found myself clapping for her on the sofa of our living room. She is incredible, and I feel lucky to be alive during her lifetime so I can soak up all the words and wisdom that is Queen Oprah. Would love to hear what you thought!
Thanks so much for reading and have a beautiful weekend – XO –
I have been mixing high and low price points in outfits for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a small town where the fashion options were: JCPenney, Payless, Wal-Mart or Sears, so I learned to get creative.
I think mixing and matching can be intimidating to a lot of people but I promise, it doesn’t need to be! I’ve shared this with you guys before, but when you’re looking to splurge, keep it to accessories or classic pieces. In this look, the only piece over $60 are the handbag and shoes.
These kinds of items (particularly bags, jewelry and outerwear) tend to hold their value if taken care of, much more so than other closet items.
And even saying that, the shoes in this look are a designer dupe! When you have a fabulous bag, beautiful jewelry or a classic blazer or jacket, it automatically elevates everything else you’re wearing. I think the bag in this outfit makes the skirt look much more luxe than a $52 tweed wrap skirt.
I know I preach this all the time, but versatility is everything. When I was helping my sister with her own closet recently, I pulled a leather purse strap off a shelf and tied it at her waist like a belt. Just because you’ve always worn a certain dress one way doesn’t mean you can’t layer a sweater over it with booties to create a completely different outfit for free.
If you’re in a clothing rut, dedicate some time to get creative in your own closet before purchasing something new!
I’ll never stop mixing and matching. I may live in a city with millions of people now, but you never know – I could be back in a small town in 10 years. Trust me, I’ll be mixing Wal-Mart and Target with Chanel and Prada – #dontcare! You do you, girl!
Thanks so much for reading – and if you have any high/low price point mixing tips, I’d love to hear! XO
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I love television. Love it. If I want to be basic female who blames any of her weaknesses on her parents, I would say maybe my love of television is deep rooted in my upbringing.
I was allowed to watch 30 minutes of TV a day growing up, and we weren’t allowed to have in TV’s in our bedrooms. Apparently my Dad had one in his room growing up and said he didn’t really hang out with his brothers at home because everyone just retreated to their rooms. So in an effort to get their kids to hang out with each other, learn to share and play outside… I was graciously turned down when I asked for my own TV every year for Christmas.
Cut to college where I got to have a TV in my dorm room. I was like… THIS IS LIVING. Lying in my bed and watching The OC was one of my greatest pleasures in life. So now I’m basically a complete addict. Maybe I’m making up for lost time?
I also work from home now which means I typically have a show on while I edit photos, answer emails, write copy (literally watching Parenthood while I’m typing this right now), etc.
Because I’ve been open with you guys about this addiction, I get a lot of questions about my favorite shows to binge and do I have a list for you! I thought I would dedicate a whole post to my Netflix faves. So let’s get into it!
FEEL GOOD:
Parenthood | Love it. Love it so hard I wish I was a Braverman.
Friends | I mean… who doesn’t like Friends!? I watched several seasons while painting our breakfast room table (post here). I don’t even feel like this one needs an explanation.
Master of None | Christian and I love Aziz Ansari. His stand-up specials are also on Netflix and they’re hilarious. We’ve seen him live and he was incredible. So yeah… we’re obsessed.
Friday Night Lights | I was slow to accept that this show is amazing. I was like… let me just dip my toe in it. And after like… 4 episodes I was all, “this is the best show regarding sports of all time.”
Friends From College | We just kind of stumbled upon this one weekend and loved it. I think Keegan-Michael Key is beyond hilarious. He can say basically anything and I’ll laugh (we love this skit of his).
DRAMA:
Mindhunter | If you’re a true-crime lover, this show is for you. It dives deeper into the history of several serial killers and tries to connect the dots of behavioral patterns. A fascinating look into the behind-the-scenes of capturing what is truly evil.
The Five | I was basically advertising this show all over social media because I stumbled upon it, saw it was based on a novel by Harlan Coben (an amazing mystery author). It was SO good, and I felt the need to share a PSA! I’ve since received 92374384343 direct messages with “what was that show that you recommended?” so I need to share it somewhere permanently!
Ozark | We love Jason Bateman and really hope this show has a second season. So good!
The Keepers | A disturbing docu-series that is both heartbreaking and inspiring.
The Crown | A fabulous show! I think this is a must-see for anyone who liked Downton Abbey. If you’re a Downton fan, I think you’ll love this show.
House of Cards | I had a hard time listening to Kevin Spacey’s terrible Southern accent (it’s actually why I initially ditched it and later revisited the series), so selfishly I’m not sad to see him axed from the show. Looking forward to the final season and the stunning #bosslady that is Robin Wright.
Orange is the New Black | I’ve been hooked on this show from the beginning. I love the complexity of the characters and you have to credit the writing of a show that completely takes place inside a female prison and is still completely captivating.
Stranger Things | I’m the opposite of a Sci-Fi person (still haven’t seen Star Wars and probably never will), but I had to witness the return of Winona Ryder with my own eyes. I’ll always root for her! More than anything, I’m amazed by the kids starring in this show and their talent. A++!
Other Netflix specials I really loved were Lady Gaga’s Documentary (Five Foot Two), the Amanda Knox special and any stand-up by Jim Gaffigan, Kevin Hart, Amy Schumer or Sebastian Maniscalco (this guy is a riot, snippet here).
Christian really liked Narcos. I watched the first season and then was like… I think this is too much violence for me so you can watch it on your own. And he did!
I’m considering watching Mad Men, Black Mirror or The Fall. I’d love to hear your favorite shows to binge on Netflix! Thanks so much for reading – XO –
This post is long overdue! I chopped my hair about a month ago. Honestly, I haven’t had hair this short since jr. high, and I was so nervous to make the cut. Once I left the salon chair (I go to Jeanna at Salon9), I couldn’t believe I’d been nervous and I thought… I should have made this cut a long time ago! It feels more mature and no-fuss. I love it!
Since then I’ve been getting questions a lot of questions about how I’ve been styling it. I wanted to wait until I had tried a few irons, curlers, products, etc. so I could share my favorite strategy with you guys. I promise it’s not groundbreaking information, but I like to share blog posts when I get the same question often so that it will hopefully answer everything in one place!
Two of my favorite things about having short hair are:
I then blow dry it with this blow-dryer and will spray in this heat protectant spray before plugging in a curling wand or iron. When I’m styling it for the first time I will use this 1″ curling wand for tighter waves that fall throughout the day. For the next 2-4 days, I’ll use this iron with this 1.25″ barrel to maintain the waves or touch them up.
In this post, I have third day hair. On the first day I curled it with the wand and then today before the post I touched it up with the clip barrel.
Step Three
Once I’ve curled my hair I’ll spray this texturizing spray in the mid-section of my hair and will lightly spray with hairspray. If I’m going to be taking photos for my blog, I will pop in a few clip-in hair extensions (I’m wearing them in these photos) from Bellami for extra fullness! I use the ones shared here, and I cut three wefts when I cut my hair so I could continue to wear them.
3. “Like” any of my last three photos on Instagram and leave a comment, tagging two friends who you don’t think follow me on Instagram, tell them why they should follow.
1/16: The winner is Mary Allison Mitchell, first runner up is Annalise Botzenmayer! So many amazing entries I had to pick more than one. THANK YOU SO MUCH for entering! XOXOXO
Thanks so much for reading and entering (I threw in a few beauty products too because… why not!?)! Can’t wait to hear what some of your hair must-haves are. XO –
A few weeks ago I was considering doing Whole30 again this month (you can see all my posts on Whole30 here). After watching What the Health, I decided to challenge myself to eat plant-based for a month instead (this means eliminating meat and dairy from my diet)! When I shared this on Instagram, you guys said you’d be interested in weekly check-ins, recipes, etc., so here we are.
I’ve been buying only organic, free range/cage free meat and dairy products since I watched Food Inc. many years ago. It changed the way I grocery shop. I’ve said it before, but one of the most impactful parts of the film was when the narrator said “every time an item goes across the grocery scanner, you’re voting.” That means I’m voting for the treatment of animals, the handling of my produce, the employees who work at these farms, etc.
First thing first, I do feel the need to share that I don’t have a problem with people eating meat, and my father-in-law even owns a cattle farm. I just want the animals to roam around on grass, live normal lives and be treated kindly while they’re living. I would happily eat any dairy from my father-in-law’s farm if they were dairy cows!
Food is a touchy subject for many, so I just wanted to be honest that I am doing my best to eat plant-based, but I’m not going to beat myself up if I find out a product has a non-dairy ingredient I missed. This isn’t an allergy, therefore it’s not an emergency. Everyone makes the choice that is right for their bodies, and I completely support that. I’m doing my best to read ingredient lists and use helpful sites like this one that list all the vegan foods at Trader Joe’s (this Instagram account is great too).
I will be sharing any inches or weight loss at the end of the month (note: I’ve already seen the numbers go down which is kind of crazy). That being said, weight loss is not the reason I decided to do this… but it’s a welcomed result, let’s be real. I’ve chosen to adjust my diet for a month to see how it makes me feel, to help me recognize where my food comes from, and to push me to explore more vegetarian recipes.
So basically, I am a full Californian now (said in this accent).
Veggie Burgers – used soy cheddar cheese and a vegan egg
Veggie Burrito Bowls – This is what’s featured in this post! I used Trader Joe’s soy shredded cheddar cheese and it tasted great. I also added onions, cilantro, hot sauce, etc. You can totally use this recipe as a base and make it your own!
When I’m doing a specific food “challenge,” I’ve found it’s vital that I make a loose weekly meal plan. Life is busy and when you’re hungry, you’re hungry, so looking at a piece of paper to remember some of your options is mega helpful!
Once a week I pull up several recipes I want to try, I write down the ingredients I’ll need for the grocery and I sketch out a little meal plan (you can see a picture of this above). I’m only going to be sharing what I actually ended up eating because I thought it would be more realistic for what a week attempting plant-based looks like.
Dining out:
Eating out has been NO big deal which is huge for me. I love to have lunch with the ladies and eat out on the weekends with Christian (I’m a new mega fan of Loving Hut). While I was on Whole30, eating out felt overwhelming and honestly, a little sad. Grocery shopping has also been really simple and I found everything I needed in one stop. AND my grocery bills have been less expensive that my usual runs – even with loads of avocados, nuts, vegetables, etc.
How I’m feeling:
I feel great. I am having no trouble waking up in the morning or concentrating during the day. I’ve have zero stomach aches and my body is functioning extremely regular and consistent.
I’ve had a few people ask if I’m tired without eating meat, and contrary to what many assume, it’s actually really easy for vegans to meet dietary protein recommendations. Almost all vegetables, beans, grains, nuts and seeds contain protein, and I’m eating these daily.
– the most gorgeous flowers from my friends at Nespresso –
– C obliging in my Christmas wish of matching jammies and slippers every year (a belated photo!) –
– and spending a long weekend with these munchkins (another belated photo!) –
– the most captivating sunset –
– the cutest personalized zipper pouch from Stoney Clover Lane that I can’t wait to travel with –
Happy Friday! You guys, we survived the first week of a new year – here’s to us! I love the start of a new year, it’s like buying new pens for school year (reminds me of this movie scene). Exciting!
Christian has been home for dinner every single day this week which is definitely a highlight for us. I’ve loved cooking plant-based meals for him, and I’m excited to share the recipes we’ve been whipping up in next week! I’m really looking forward to sharing this eating journey this month with you guys – hopefully we can all learn from each other (which is one of my absolute favorite thing about blogging).
This weekend we’re taking it easy and hanging around here. I can’t even remember the last time we both had a weekend off together, so it will be really nice. There’s actually nothing I’d rather do. What are your plans this weekend? Are the decorations down or will you be tackling that? Gimme the scoop!
Last but not least, I wanted to share a few sales happening over the weekend:
Ann Taylor | extra 50% off select items with code REFRESH
Last year I shared 13 of my favorite closet additions of 2016, and this year I was excited to compile a similar list. It’s interesting to look back and think of the items that you reached for most, whether they were $10 or $1,000.
I’m diving deeper into each item and why below – and of course, I’d love to hear what some of your most useful purchases this year were!
1. Velvet Handbag
Literally yesterday in this post I was saying how much I’ve been digging the return of velvet. So when I started seeing it on handbags this year, my eyebrows definitely raised. I wanted to wait until I found the perfect beauty, so when I spotted this gal on sale on Cyber Monday I didn’t think twice (sorry Christian). She has since sold out but I linked some similar styles I also love above!
2. Chanel Ballet Flats
I shared the story behind these flats here. I am definitely more of a heel gal, but I am trying to challenge myself to wear them as much as possible so I can break them in! You can find a similar style for less here.
3. iPhone X
Christian wanted to buy the new iPhone for me when it came out, but being slow to adapt to change I was hesitant. I still really enjoyed my 7+ and didn’t feel the need to upgrade. But then two months later I went for it when we realized C’s phone was having issues, so I’ve handed my 7+ down to him and am getting used to this Meet the Jetsons lady.
4. Burberry Cashmere Poncho
Y’all have seen me style this ponchohere and here, but it continues to be one of my favorite cold weather accessories. It looks great worn as a poncho or velvet scarf, and it feels so good.
5. Burberry Liquid Lip Velvet
I don’t even know where to start with this product. It feels incredibly silky and smooth on your lips and the color is a gorgeous matte. I find myself reaching for Fawn over and over again, and when my sister-in-law borrowed it in NY over the holidays, she instantly was like, “what is this, I need it.” Trust me, it’s good!
6. YSL Clutch
Another Cyber Monday win. I have been wanting to invest in a nice, roomy black clutch for the past year or two and was just waiting to find the right one. This one is a great size and I am always a fan of caviar leather.
7. Cashmere Joggers
I have three pairs of gray joggers. This is not a joke. I have three pairs and I wear them at least 2-3x a week. I try to pair them with cropped tees or fitted hoodies to make them look more polished, but they’re perfect for sitting cross-legged at my desk. If you’re a jogger or sweatpants lover, a cashmere pair is your best friend. Trust me on this.
8. Yeti Tumbler
I received a Yeti Tumbler as a gift from friends at Bumble, and I’ve been surprised to find that I use it every single day. Christian has had one for quite some time and uses his frequently, but I never really tried it. I’m hooked.
9. Noise Cancelling Headphones
I feel like I’ve told y’all around 20x how obsessed with these headphones I am. Before owning them, I felt like everyone talked about them but I thought, “they’re just headphones… they can’t be that great.”
Oh how wrong I was. These have CHANGED my life when it comes to traveling. Screaming baby behind me? Mr. Sniffy Nose next to me? The snorer on the row over? No longer a problem. They really have made my frequent air travel so much better and for that, I would pay any price.
10. Capri Blue Candles
I light a candle or use my essential oil diffuser every day. These have become some of my favorite candles because the burn so well and the scent is so pleasant. They’re fantastic candles.
11. Gigi New York Pens
This may sound crazy, but I live for a great pen. What’s more awful than reaching for a pen and it not working that great? A real pet peeve of mine. These are my FAVORITE pens. They are so beautiful, have a great weight to them and write so smoothly. I’m a believer.
12. Amazon Fire Stick
The tool I didn’t even know I wanted. C surprised myself with this for Christmas and we hooked it up to the bedroom TV. I LOVE IT. I love it so much that I returned the cable box we had in there. So much that we’ve even considered getting rid of our cable altogether.
13. Amazon Echo
Another Christmas gift from C, and I’ve loved it so much! She controls the lights in our house now (thanks to these light bulbs), and I really love using the Echo to play different genres of music while cooking, seamlessly play my podcasts without having to use my hands (those of you who cook get why this is so nice), or tell me snippets of the day’s news. It’s been pretty fun.
14. Garlic Press
This may sound super lame, but I asked for a garlic press for my birthday. I’m literally laughing as I type this because it’s really so lame. BUT, I am part Lebanese which means I put garlic in everything. Once I got a garlic press I was like, “WHY THE H*#$L HAVE I BEEN CHOPPING GARLIC ALL THESE YEARS!?”
15. Burlap Grocery Bags
I love these bags so much I have three. I know they seem pricey for reusable bags, but let me tell you why they’re worth every penny.
Because they’re 100x better than any grocery bag you’ve ever used in your life. And I say that with confidence. They are so roomy, which means that usually I only need two to hold groceries for two people for an entire week. Every time I’m checking out the cashier asks me about them because they’re amazed at how strong and roomy they are, and they’re also super cute. So yes, they’re totally worth it!
Ok the novel is over, but I couldn’t share my 15 favorite buys of 2017 without some explanation! Now that I’m done yapping your ear off, tell me some of your favorite purchases. No seriously, tell me because I might need to buy them. Thanks so much for reading! XO –
Who isn’t loving velvet right now!? I love the nod to the 90’s and let’s tell the truth, it’s crazy soft and comfortable. I actually have joggers that match this gorgeous blazer and plan on styling a head-to-toe look for you guys soon so you can see a dressier velvet look!
For this time around, I wanted to show how wearing velvet doesn’t have to be super dressy. You can literally pair it with a tee and jeans. Have fun with mixing textures and colors. That’s another great thing about velvet – the rich, vibrant color. Y’all might remember I splurged on this bag on Cyber Monday and I’m already in love!
Have you splurged on something velvet this season? Or are you lucky enough to have held onto something from the 90’s that you can pull back out (the BEST)! Thanks so much for reading! XO –
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Dining out:
