Silk and satin camis are one of the staple items in my closet that I can’t have too much of. I have camisoles like this in white, black, red, blue and now yellow… they go with everything all year long!
A classic camisole is a must-have in my book, and this one comes in four different colors so if you love it – there’s more where that came from. Dress it up with heels for a date night or with boyfriend jeans and slides for daytime. They look chic and effortless on their own if it’s warm or you can layer with a cardigan, blazer or moto jacket when the temp drops.
And of course I must mention what this day means to everyone in our country. Three years in a row I’ve been in NYC for this day, and last year I had the great privilege of walking down to the memorial. There were bagpipers playing, flowers and American flags being left by loved ones, and I was moved to tears. May we never forget the men and women who lost there lives on that day, the families who are affected and those who have served for our country in the days and years after this tragic day.
Thanks so much for reading – XO –
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I recently shared this set on Instagram, and one of my favorite things about it is how great the pieces are both together and separately. I wore this top with denim cutoffs and got so many questions about it, so I thought it deserved its own post!
Remember when I talked about dressing for you body in this post and this post? Well… this is an example of not doing that. Ha – seriously! I am curvier on the bottom and my legs are not the feature I typically accentuate, but this top and skirt combo was so cute that I said… I will forgo my usual silhouette and roll with it.
Have I ever told y’all the cheerleader legs story? I never really thought anything about my legs growing up. When I was in high school and looking for a prom dress, I tried on a dress with a slit. My mom was in the dressing room with me, and the gal working the store came to take a peek and said, “oh I know the dress for you.” She proceeded to then yell to her coworker, “bring out that red dress with the slit, she has cheerleader legs.”
My mom and I looked at each other, jaws dropped and just started laughing. Mind you, I was a cheerleader for six years, and I most definitely DO have the muscular legs to prove it (and that’s not me bragging because… I do not love them), but I actually blame this girl for making me aware of something I was not previously bothered by.
Shoutout to the girl in Clinton, Mississippi who has haunted me… forever. Not really, but kind of because my mom always seems to bring it up, followed by laughter. #Rude.
If you have a story similar to cheerleader legs… you know I want to hear.
On the subject of cheerleading, the guy who took our annual cheerleader photos in high school once told me to turn my face to an angle to “hide your lazy eye.”
I was like, “what’s a lazy eye?” So there’s another one for you. Also, #rude.
Thanks so much for reading! XO –
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Packing for fashion week is unlike any packing process I’ve ever really had. The first year I went, I went with the company I was working for at the time. I was working at an event during the day and then at night I would hop to parties or events on behalf of my blog. It was a great way to get my feet wet without fully immersing myself in the environment.
I brought one outfit for each day… makes sense right!? Apparently not! Girls change outfits all day, wearing one outfit to one event and another for a designer’s show. It’s a doozy. Now that I’ve been a few times, I have a better idea of what I need and always remember to bring the necessities with me from past trial and error.
Great luggage (both carryon and checked) are a no-brainer. I got these noise-cancelling headphones for my birthday this year and they live up to the hype = amazing. I also never leave without a rechargeable battery pack for my cell phone. No one wants to be scouring the walls for an outlet to plug up their phone! Tennis shoes for the last few days when your feet hurt are a must (made this mistake once, never again!).
A few statement pieces are great to bring, but don’t bring all your finest things. Last year I was at a brunch that took a hard turn for party town (of which I fully support) but I wasn’t expecting it and was left in my seat clutching the Chanel bag Christian had just given me for my birthday. I was panicked/waiting for someone to slosh red wine on it by accident. I ended up excusing myself early due to my anxiety. SO, I bring a few of my nice bags and shoes but it’s also nice to have a few less formal pieces you can actually live a little in, if you know what I mean.
Any work trip is full of talking, talking and more talking. I get sick with a sore throat EVERY year and am searching for cough drops or begging Jenn for some essential oils. She has let me use her Cloves oil in the past and it really helped, so I’m coming prepared this year!
I’m hopping on a red eye tonight to head to the city and look forward to seeing some of my favorite babes while I’m there. There’s so much preparation that goes into the trip but it’s a great time to see some familiar faces, meet some new ones and get inspired for the new season.
What do you guys think? Have you ever packed for a big work trip? What are your must-haves? Thanks so much for reading – XO –
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I recently went on a girls trip to Napa and San Francisco with a group of girls on a unique trip that I’m so excited to share some more info on!
When Sarah of the GirlTalk Network originally reached out, I thought, “what is this organization all about?” The more I read, I discovered this nonprofit that brings likeminded female entrepreneurs together to inspire, encourage and empower each other.
One of their mottos is “community over competition.” How beautiful those words are! When you are linking minds with others in your industry (regardless of what it may be), it can be easy to feel guarded and protective of your business. We’ve all been burned before by trusting someone we shouldn’t have, and it’s never a good feeling. BUT when you can find a group of women that are confident in their own work, encouraging of creativity and uniquely being YOU, it’s a very special place.
What We Did:
We went to some vineyards and had champagne and wine tasting, but some of my favorite things we did on our trip was a picnic at our hotel (more of that in the photos below) and spending the day on the Napa Valley Wine Train. You GUYS. I’ve been wanting to take a cruise on this train for so long, and I was so excited to experience lunch and wine tasting on the train. However cute you think it is, multiply that by 10. The lunch was delicious (three courses!) and the views along the the way were stunning. If you’re heading to Napa and considering hopping aboard – do it!
Where We Stayed:
Napa – Senza Hotel | This hotel is so darling and is nestled right in the middle of all of these vines. We had our picnic below just outside the patio doors of our room, how special is that? The bathroom was so pretty, and I still can’t believe I didn’t make time to soak in the big tub – it was beautiful!
They had a complimentary breakfast in the morning that was a crazy amazing spread complete with a gigantic Nespresso machine (you guys know I’m a sucker for some Nespresso), and I kept thinking… I love these ladies but I have GOT to bring Christian back to this place!
Four Seasons San Francisco | I recently stayed at the Four Seasons Residence Club in San Diego (mentioned here, here and here), so I was so excited to check out the SF location. Give me a robe and some slippers, and I think I could have camped out here forever. The hotel is in such a great location (not far from Lombard Street – wish we had the time to hop over!), and staying at this gorgeous hotel really got me so excited for all of our SF adventures to come (more on that here).
Best Meal:
MKT Restaurant at Four Seasons San Francisco | We started our meal here with a punch bowl that combined champagne and tequila and was… incredible. The view of the city from this restaurant can’t be beat and the food was so delicious. The Tuna Crudo, Charred Octopus, Uni Gnocchi and S’mores dessert were some of my favorites. My stomach is nearly growling just thinking about it!
This was my first time wearing clothing from JustFab and you guys – they have some of the cutest stuff! I loved all their blush pieces that are great summer to fall transitional layers, and I couldn’t get enough of the trench coat. I wore it on the plane to and from SF, and I know it’s going to be the perfect lightweight layering jacket.
And of course the shoes… I can’t not talk about their bootie collection. I wore a peep toe olive green pair that I think are so versatile. I can’t get enough of green right now!
I hope this is some helpful info for any of you planning on heading to Northern California anytime soon! I also have another post on a trip to Napa from last year here.
For more info on the GirlTalk Network and how you can involved, check out their site here. Thanks so much for reading! Hope everyone had a great holiday weekend – XO –
This post went live on Sunday before I was finished working on it (#whoops)… and I was out and about LA with Christian. So I finished tweaking it and wanted to share some of this holiday weekend’s sales!
Hope you have all had a beautiful weekend and enjoyed some time off. And of course – all of our love to those of you in Houston. Thanks for reading – XO –
– designing a pair of fall mules with Shoes of Prey that I know I’m going to wear constantly –
– checking out what will be my home in a year (if you’re new to CBL, more about that in this post) –
– some new cell phone cases from Casetify that seriously couldn’t be any cuter –
– the coziest sweater with the best embroidered words ever… not today –
Happy Friday!! I’ve had a blissful week at home this week, and by blissful I mean a no makeup – hair in a bun – drinking coffee until noon – kind of week. Put your nose to the grind and work through dinner kind of week!
Coincidentally, Christian has had the same kind of work week so needless to say, we are excited for this long weekend off. We are going to spend some time in Los Angeles, hanging with my brother and his family and knocking some of the things we’ve had on our LA bucket list. Now that we have less than a year in Southern California, we’re feeling a little bit of a running clock to check everything off. We started our time here with a bang and then… got lazy. But we’re going to end with a pow!
Most importantly, I can’t say enough how much my heart goes out to everyone in Texas right now. I was a teenager when Katrina hit Mississippi and Louisiana, and I remember how devastating it was to the community both during and of course, after the storm. The coverage we’ve seen of Houston this week is just heartbreaking. NY Times has a great article about ways to donate to those in need in Houston (and avoid scams), including animals here. Lots of love and prayer going out to you guys –
Thanks so much for reading and I hope you guys get a long weekend to recharge – XO –
When the weather is nice, a picnic can be the perfect way to spend the afternoon. Get some fresh air, take the dog, some snacks and wine – what’s better than that? After having quite a few weekend picnics, I’m sharing my 7 steps to planning the perfect picnic with Seven Daughters Wine.
I mean… maybe this should have been #1 BUT truth be told, any little basket will do. I got the one above as a wedding gift, and it makes me so happy to pull it out for a date for two. This picnic was actually for myself and my parents (photos by Dad – he’s the best), and it was still a great resource for the cheese knife, utensils, plates to keep things steady on the grass, etc.
If you’re gathering all the good stuff for a picnic, there’s nothing better than a great rosé. Rosé in a can!? Changing your life, my friends! Whether you’re packing a picnic, heading to the beach for the day, off to the movies… a great wine-in-a-can is so easy. No wine opener, packing glasses, etc. If you’re an adventurer and enjoy toasting outside of your house… trust me, it’s the most convenient option ever!
AND I’m not typically a sparkling wine or rosé drinker, but when I can have just a taste without the pressure of opening an entire bottle? Perfection.
4. Cheese, Crackers, Snacks…
I mean, you gotta have a little nosh. Cheese, crackers, watermelon, some salad, champagne grapes – these are a few of my favorite things.
5. Water
It’s nice to have some water after a can or two of rosé or to rinse your fingers if you’ve been eating watermelon or sugary fruit!
6. Paper Plates, Plastic Utensils, Wet Wipes, Paper Towels
I find that these are some of the items that are often forgotten. Make sure you have enough disposable plates and utensils so everyone can fix themselves a little plate. Bonus points for wet wipes or a roll of paper towels!
7. Trash Bag
So maybe this is a less pretty thing to mention but I’m telling you – it’s the thing everyone always forgets! After the wine and nibbles — it’s much less fun to go to the trash can when you can’t consolidate everything in one bag. Save yourself the trouble!
Thanks so much for reading! Do you love planning some lunch or dinner al fresco? I’d love to hear your must-haves. Trust me, once you see how easy wine-in-a-can is for outdoor entertaining – there’s no going back!
You can check out Seven Daughters on Facebook and Instagram and find their wine in your area here. AND the code CBL7D is good for 20% off any Seven Daughters purchase on Uncorked.com! XO –
I’m about to share a big secret with you guys… one of my favorite places to shop for clothes and accessories (especially shoes, including these!!) is Amazon and The Fix. I’ve snagged so many amazing deals from these Celine sunglasses that were sold out everywhere to dresses for $30. It’s THE BEST.
You guys know I love to mix high and low. I strongly believe in the “cost per wear” mentality when it comes to your closet – divide the cost of the item by the number of times you’ll wear it. I shared this in yesterday’s post too!
SO if you invest in a great designer handbag and you can wear it all seasons for years and years… that’s a splurge well worth the price. The pieces I tend to invest in are handbags, jewelry, classic outerwear and the occasional shoe.
I can be rough on my shoes though, so I try to be selective on where I spend those dollars. Luckily, I recently discovered Amazon’s The Fix and oh snap! So many good designer looks for less. I snagged these designer look alike cap toe mules for under $100. SERIOUSLY.
In this look, my sunglasses and handbag were a designer splurge and the dress (under $25) and heels are steals. I love that I don’t have to feel guilty if I only wear this memorable dress a few times. Cost per wear guys, get onboard!
What’s your shopping budget looking like? Are you a cost per wear person or do you prefer to splurge on other things? Would love to hear. And let me know if you would want to see more high/low posts like this!
A question you guys ask me often is – what designer pieces are your favorite/worth the investment? I love high/low combos, and I strongly believe in the cost per wear mentality (divide the cost of the item by the amount of times you’ll wear it). More on this in tomorrow’s post!
One of my favorite places to peruse for designer duds in Nordstrom. They really hit every price point, so you easily find something fabulous in your budget. They also have the SPACE Shop which is where emerging designers can showcase their pieces, which I think is very cool.
Scroll down for my five splurge-worthy fall picks!
So let’s dig into my personal designer favorites for fall –
1. A piece of classic outerwear.
This vintage Burberry trench coat is one of the best vintage purchases I’ve ever made. I was saving up for this one and came across a vintage one that I sprung for without second thought. I’ve already worn it so much and it elevates every outfit.
You can’t go wrong with classic jewelry (and it will always fit!). Some of my favorites are Michele watches, David Yurman and something simple like this gold hoops my mom bought for me in college and I still love them like I got them yesterday!
4. A great pair of nude heels.
Truthfully nude or black – whichever you think you’d wear more! My favorite pumps are the Christian Louboutin Pigalle (I had to sell the So Kate’s because I couldn’t walk in them) and my favorite nude sandals are the Stuart Weitzman Nudist.
5. Cashmere.
Anyone who knows me knows that I am such a sucker for cashmere. Cashmere joggers, scarves, gloves, socks, sweaters, tees… all of it! My most recent cashmere splurge was on this Burberry poncho (which can also be worn as a jumbo blanket scarf) when I was in London. I can’t wait to pull it back out this fall and I know I’ll wear it more often once we move to San Francisco.
What do you guys think? Are you into designer duds and if so, what is your strategy when expanding your collection? Another thing I used to do would be to decide 1-3 pieces I hoped to add to my closet that year and save x amount of dollars every month so I could purchase it at the end of the year for myself guilt-free.
– after wearing dupes for a few years, splurging on the Hermes Oran sandals but getting a steal on a previously owned pair on eBay! –
Happy Friday, guys! This week has been a doozy. I left for Austin on Monday for a quick trip with the Bumble team to see their new ATX headquarters (with a special performance from Spoon – amazing!). I came back to OC for about 24 hours to unpack and repack for San Francisco and Napa and will return tomorrow with my brother-in-law and his fiancé in town!
Lots of fun, lots of packing – I’m always working on becoming a better traveler. I was able to use my birthday gift for the first time on these flights and considering that I was sitting 2 out of 4 times by unhappy babies (God bless them… and their moms)… they were God sent!
Let’s just rewind real quick… honestly I’m still coming down from that Spoon performance. I just saw them a few weeks ago at the Hollywood Bowl so to be like… four feet from the band I was freaking out on the inside. Meanwhile everyone else was playing it cool, just sitting and nodding their heads. I was like THISCLOSE to just standing up and dancing but I tried to appear less fangirl even though I couldn’t help myself (and I’m pretty sure it was obvious that I was quite jazzed). Some of my favorite songs of theirs would be Do You, Underdog (linked above), Cherry Bomb, Don’t You Evah, Inside Out and Hot Thoughts. Take a listen – tell me what you think!
– this gorgeous new collection of statement jewelry from Julie Vos – I’m such a HUGE fan of theirs (and so is my mom – she’s always oogling their pieces!) –
– some new charcoal shampoo & conditioner from Dry Bar I can’t wait to try –
– coming back from Austin with a new pair of boots from Lucchese by Allen –
– and one more Texas souvenir –
Thanks so much for reading – and a huge thank you to everyone who sent me messages from Austin. I love me some Texans. You guys are the nicest! XO –
One of the most common questions I get (see all the most asked question on the FAQ page!) is about my skincare routine. First and foremost, I do think a large portion is thanks to my parents who both have always had great skin. However, I learned how to take care of my face early in the game.
If you’re into skincare, you’ve probably heard people talk about serums, a product you put on freshly washed skin before your moisturizer. Today I want to share with you why serums are so amazing and WHY you should be using one!
Clarins new Double Serum is two powerful anti-aging serums combined into one product. Referred to as the “next generation wrinkle treatment,” it has over 20 potent plant extracts including Turmeric (known for it’s mega-beneficial anti-aging properties for lines and wrinkles).
It’s mineral oil-free, lightweight and helps firm and even your skin tone. I have pretty sensitive skin and have notoriously tried products and then immediately tossed them aside because they burn or irritate the skin around my eyes. If you’re like me, this serum is really gentle and a perfect start to adding this step to your skincare routine.
Another thing I like about this product is that the pump gives you two options – a smaller portion vs. larger. So in the winter when your skin is dryer you can apply the larger pump. Currently the smaller portion is perfect for me and I’ve been applying it every night after I wash my face. I try to pull out my jade roller afterward and roll my face (more about how to do that and why here).
So why should you be using serum?
Serums are made up of smaller molecules that penetrate deeply into the skin and deliver a very high concentration of active ingredients. This makes it a great tool for targeting specific skincare concerns, like wrinkles and fine lines. It’s a quick and easy skincare step to nourishing your skin and preventing some of those aging concerns we all have.
For a deeper FAQ dive into serums, check out this article.
Last week I shared some of my favorite picks for back to school and why here.. and today’s outfit sums up several of my must-have pieces! A utility jacket, striped shirt, classic kicks and a sweater or cardigan… the gang’s all here. I would have worn this look to class for sure. Now I would wear it to run errands or grab coffee with a friend.
I have a few camo and utility vests and jackets in my closet, but this one from Modcloth surpasses each one. I love the collar and the length is perfect. I already know I’m going to wear it nonstop when we move to San Francisco!
I don’t think I’ve worn a pair of Keds since… I was in elementary school but I mean, what goes around comes around and honestly, I love the sleekness and simplicity of this pair.
jacket (if you’re in between sizes I would size up) | striped tee (if you’re in between sizes I would size down), also love this one | leggings, similar style here, here and here (on sale) | keds, also love these (on sale) | similar bag here | scarf – can also be worn as a poncho! love this one too
