Boots will forever be the quintessential fall/winter shoe. With proper care, a good pair of boots will last for years. Some of my favorites are by Acne, Isabel Marant, and Stuart Weitzman. But every year, I also make sure to pick up a few pairs of more current, on-trend styles. Fresh off the heels of September’s fashion weeks, I’m rounding up the 3 types of fall boots you need to add to your closet this season. Click on the images below to shop!
3 Types of Must Have Fall Boots
Sock Boots
This trend isn’t letting up anytime soon. There are so many heeled varieties in every color and material. If you’re only going to get one pair, opt for black or tan. But if you already have a couple pairs, consider adding some in a fun color. These shoes are a great way to add a little height without compromising your ability to walk. In fact, it’s one of my favorite shoe trends for day OR night.
White Boots
White shoes are a bold move, but this trend has been going strong all year. Make sure to treat them before wearing or be prepared to clean them regularly. As much as I adore this pair by Stuart Weitzman, I opted for the more affordable Steve Madden look a like.
Sparkle Boots
Add a little sparkle to your look with a pair of glittery boots. They range from less shimmery to full on glitter – but regardless of what level of sparkle you opt for, they’ll be a welcome addition to your close come holiday season. Wear them to holiday parties or just the office. Seriously, how fun is this pair by Steve Madden?!
Even though it was 80 degrees outside today (in both Chicago where I spent the weekend and in LA when I flew back!), I still couldn’t help but dress for the season. Think: pants, a hoodie, and a leather jacket. And a giant cardigan in my tote bag. I did this partially because I packed incorrectly, but mostly because I am almost always cold.
The One Type of Sweater I Can’t Live Without
Whatever the case may be, taking on cold temperatures has always been my number one dressing concern. That’s why regardless of the weather, I always keep one piece of clothing on me. The one type of sweater I absolutely cannot live without – a sweater blanket.
The Sweater Blanket
It’s exactly what it sounds like. Is it a sweater? Is it a blanket? Really, it’s the best of both worlds. To be honest what I call a “sweater blanket” is just a warm oversized cardigan or shawl. This piece of clothing has saved me in so many situations. I keep one in my car, I always pack one for the plane, and most importantly, I ALWAYS make sure to leave one at my desk at work. Because the office AC dilemma is real. I hate, hate, hate being cold. The solution is so easy and will almost certainly breed envy in those around you when they see how cozy and warm you are.
Go for a super soft and fuzzy sweater blanket – this BB Dakota shawl has been with me everywhere lately and saved me on many occasions. I’ve linked some similar ones below and some that are currently in my shopping cart. Neutrals are your best bet, they’ll go with anything you wear and people will be less likely to notice you’re draping yourself in the same giant blanket every single day.
In terms of the rest of my outfit
I have been hearing about DSTLD forever and finally got to try some of their basics for myself. Seriously impressed and loving their denim + tees that are so affordable (think – high-quality pieces without the markup that comes with going through a retailer). If you are looking for basic pieces that look and feel luxe but won’t burn a hole through your wallet, definitely check out DSTLD. Their cuts and fabrics are really impressive for the price. Belt is by my favorite, B-Low the Belt and shoes are from Marc Fisher. Most likely wearing this outfit again to the office tomorrow.
Have a great week everyone! Feels so good to be back.
If you’re into skincare, chances are you’ve heard of La Mer. Specifically, their famous Creme de la Mer. Celebs and beauty editors rave about this product! La Mer’s most popular product is touted as a “miracle cream” but it comes with a steep price tag. A 1 oz. jar of this stuff is $170! So, let’s get to the bottom of this. Is La Mer worth it?
To be honest – I was very, very skeptical. I mean, is any cream worth $170 an ounce?
For the price, I was hoping it would be the equivalent of putting liquid gold on my skin. I also had sky high expectations for the price. I mean, it better be damn good! Luckily, I received a jar of Creme de la Mer as a gift and I’ve been using it since.
My initial reaction to Creme de la Mer:
The cream is incredibly rich and thick. If you have oily skin or aren’t used to extremely moisturizing creams, it may almost be too much for you. For this reason (and for the sake of stretching out my jar of product as long as possible), I only use it at night. I have dry skin, so my thirsty skin soaks up the rich cream. It almost works as a sleeping mask – when I wake up my skin is hydrated, smooth, and supple. Not to mention unbelievably soft!
I really love the cream. I’ve had so many people compliment me on my “natural glow” – even on days when I wasn’t wearing any makeup or hadn’t gotten much sleep. My skin feels smooth, plump, and always hydrated (something I struggle with!). If I could bathe in creme de la mer, I would. When my jar is used up (RIP), will I repurchase? Maybe. The price tag is high enough that I have to think hard about it.
Is La Mer Wroth It?
So – back to the initial question. Is it worth it? After testing it out myself for a few months, my answer is yes. It’s worth it – for me. I love the effect it has on my skin and it works noticeably better than other products I have in my bathroom. BUT, here’s my caveat: it is only worth it if you can afford it in your budget! If you’re on the fence about spending $170 for a jar of face moisturizer, you probably can find alternate products for a lower price! There are so many high quality skincare products on the market today, I guarantee you can find something that suits your skin and budget. It may take more digging and require looking into brands you haven’t heard of – but in the end, you’ll be happy to found the perfect products for your skin type.
So there you have it – my honest thoughts on Creme de La Mer and if it’s a must have in your vanity. All things considered, I think the product is amazing!
Are there comparable products on the market available for less?
Probably. I’ve heard Olay Regenerist, which can be found at a drugstore, is very comparable to Creme de la Mer! It really depends on your current skin, your routine, and your skincare needs. A little trick if you want to try it out – most department stores will offer a small sample for you to take home before committing to buying the full sized product.
In addition to this Creme de La Mer, I’ve been incorporating a variety of other products in my daily routine. I tend to get lazy with products, so I try to stick to the essentials and focus on problem areas when I can. I can’t deal with crazy ten step routines, it’s just unreasonable for my current lifestyle and my hectic schedule. Full disclosure – I do receive a lot of free products as a blogger. I do my best to try them all and provide honest reviews and feedback – I won’t mention one unless I absolutely love it and I would never endorse something I didn’t like or had a bad reaction from. Knowing that everyone’s skin is so different, I just wanted to share what’s been working for me since I do get questions about my skin often.
This continues to be my go-to cleanser. It takes off all of my makeup and is just a great basic cleanser. I keep one in the shower and one in my gym bag. I really like Glossier’s minimalist products, you can read my full review of their products here. I’m not a rep, just a normal girl that happens to love some of their products : ).
I’ve raved about this cleanser before. If you haven’t tried a powder cleanser or exfoliant yet, you really need to! This one is gentle enough to use daily and keeps my skin super soft and smooth.
Filled with Vitamin C and antioxidants, this serum is great for everyday use. I’ve been using it pretty consistently for years and notice a big difference when I’m using it vs. when I’m not. Another vitamin C serum I love is this one by Eminence.
Currently writing an entire post to retinol, but here’s the quick version of it. I read that your mid twenties are a good time to start incorporating retinol into your skincare routine (some people say as early as your late teens, but the majority of research I’ve come across suggests starting around 24-26). Why? Because retinol helps your skin cells turn over, producing more collagen which helps with skin texture and elasticity. If you’re looking into an anti-aging regime without opting for lasers or needles, definitely try a retinol cream to start! This one was recommended to me by Facile and I use it a couple times a week at night.
My current daily daytime moisturizer. For daytime, I look for lightweight and moisturizing ingredients and formulas that work well on their own or underneath makeup.
Another one for dry skin lovers. I’ll layer a “sleeping mask” over my nighttime moisturizer for an extra boost of skin hydration. There’s nothing better than waking up to as close to perfect skin as you can get.
As I get older, I’ve started to experiment more with gentle peels. I haven’t gone full on yet with a spa-grade peel, but I have been testing different at home products. I really like this REN mask because it smells amazing and it leaves my skin just GLOWING. I’m a sucker for anything that has the word “radiance” in the description, only this product actually does that.
I’ve been using this sunscreen everyday for the past five years. The formula is thin, easy to layer, and non-irritating. This sunscreen works well over your daily moisturizer and under makeup. I only wish I started wearing sunscreen religiously sooner… : )
Diet:
I really do believe diet is correlated to the texture and appearance of my skin. I try to drink at least 3L of water a day and I notice a huge difference when I eat junk food or drink alcohol compared when I eat less processed foods. Again, everyone’s skin is different and what triggers your skin may be different than mine.
I know environment also plays a huge role in your skin – for example my skin changed drastically when I moved to LA, it’s been pretty much nonstop dry from the desert climate, sun exposure, and crazy pollution. So I’ve been trying to adjust my skincare routine accordingly as well.
The right belt can totally make an entire look, sometimes I don’t even opt for any other accessories. B-Low the Belt makes my favorites season after season. These belts are on trend, edgy, and go with everything. Most importantly, they won’t break the bank.
The Barcelona belt is my all time favorite, but their most recognizable style might be the Bri-Bri. Naturally, I had to scoop up some new styles this season.
My current favorite is this incredible corset belt. Corset belts and built in corset styles have been trending for several seasons now, but the look isn’t letting up anytime soon.
This season, a corset belt is an easy piece to add to your closet that you can wear with almost anything. I promise it’ll make it look like you tried much harder to get dressed than you did.
Styling A Lace Up Corset Belt:
My favorite way to wear a corset belt at the moment is over a slouchy, slightly oversized sweater dress. You can also wear it over a t-shirt, t-shirt dress, slip dress, or over a high-waisted skirt – it’s surprisingly versatile! I didn’t think it was a trend or look that I was going to incorporate into my wardrobe, but I changed my mind after seeing this style from B-Low the Belt. And of course, a corset style is always flattering on every body type as it accentuates your waist and can create the illusion of curves. This is definitely a look I will be repeating all season.
I also picked up some other styles from B-Low the Belt for fall and have been loving them over denim and dresses. What are your thoughts on corset belts?
Gearing up for a long-haul flight? Whether it’s for work or play, traveling can be exhausting. And let’s face it, for the majority of travelers, unless you’re in business class, flying can be seriously uncomfortable. When I worked in consulting, I traveled every week. I was flying to and from my client site every Monday and Thursday – sometimes from coast to coast. During that time, I became very familiar with making long haul travel as efficient and comfortable as possible. I learned how to navigate airports, hotels, and the world of credit card points and travel loyalty programs.
Although I switched jobs a few years back and no longer travel for work, I still make a point to travel as often as I can – now for fun! Traveling can bring out the worst in anyone (dealing with delays and other cranky people doesn’t make for the best experience), but I always try to keep my cool and make the flight itself as comfortable as possible. I’m fortunate that I’m relatively petite so I don’t have too many issues with the seats, but even then long-haul flights can leave me feeling depleted and less than 100%. Over the years, I’ve developed a bit of a “travel pack” – a set of items I consider to be my long haul flight essentials that I seriously will not get on a flight without.
But first, a few general rules of thumb I always follow when I travel.
Long Haul Flight Essentials – Tips for long flights:
+ Drink water!! And then drink some more water.
Flying dehydrates your skin and body like crazy. Ever notice how sometimes your digestive system gets all funky after flying? It’s partially because we become so dehydrated during our flights, making it more difficult for food to digest and move through our systems. I try to drink at least a cup (8 ounces) of water for every hour I’m on a plane, but truthfully the more the better. Splurge on a 1L bottle of water at the airport or bring your own refillable bottle. If there’s one thing I always do on planes, it’s drink a TON of water. I’ll usually choose the aisle seat too so I’m not that annoying person that keeps getting up to use the bathroom ; ).
+ Avoid eating plane food.
As a general rule of thumb, I won’t eat the food on planes. Airplane food is loaded with sodium and preservatives, not to mention your taste buds are totally different at a higher altitude (meaning you can’t taste food the same way you do normally, hence why plane food has so much sh*t in it to make it taste palatable in the sky). Also, fasting during long haul flights supposedly helps with jetlag. Sometimes I’ll bring my own snacks but usually I just try to wait until I land to eat. Same goes for alcohol – 9 times out of 10, I won’t drink on a plane.
+ Dress comfortably.
Or at least pack a change of clothes for the plane. It is so worth it. Sometimes I’ll grab the slippers from my hotel room and wear them on the plane. The more comfortably dressed you are, the easier it will be to fall asleep – that’s my rationale at least!
+ Bring your own entertainment.
The last thing you want to be on a long haul flight is bored. You can hope for the best on the in flight entertainment (which I will admit usually occupies me for the majority of the flight), but it doesn’t hurt to pre load some movies or shows on your laptop or tablet, download all of your favorite music from Spotify, and bring a book or two. You know, options.
Then of course, you want to be Mary Poppins with everything that’s in your bag. Noise cancelling headphones, a water bottle, and a toothbrush aside, here are some of the things you will always find packed with me on a long haul flight.
Sleeping on planes can be hard. A luxurious silk eye mask helps. Keep out distractions with headphones and this luxe eye mask. You might even forget where you are and temporarily drift off into a peaceful state of sleep…
Back when I lived in Chicago, I relied on this stuff to get me through the crazy cold winters and the nasty dry and chapped hands that came with them. The formula is super thick and hydrating – one of the best hand creams I’ve come across ever. Also, yay for Sephora carrying Kiehl’s now!
Forget the strange looks you’ll get from your seatmates, your thirsty skin will soak up a sheet mask and thank you for it. There’s no better way to fight dry skin and fake looking fresh and wide awake (and pretend you’re at a spa and not on a plane) than with a sheet mask. Opt for a hydrating, soothing mask to calm your skin down.
The last thing you want is to get sick on a long flight. Lack of sleep can weaken your immune system, so even if you don’t normally take any vitamins or supplements, consider bringing some along when you travel. Call it a placebo effect or not, but I notice a tremendous difference in my ability to fend off the beginning stages of a cold or illness when I take vitamin C. I’ll down a couple Emergen-C packets in a day and with proper rest and nutrition, it’s usually enough to nip a cold in the bud.
In the same vein of staying hydrated, I usually try to drink a cup or two of tea on a flight. No matter what I’m wearing, I ALWAYS find myself super cold on planes. Hot water helps (you could even bring your own lemon to make hot lemon water), but a couple herbal tea packets of your choice will usually come in handy at some point during your trip.
I’ve shared my love for Glossier before and I’m doing it again now. This balm is so reliable, comes in different tints and flavors, and is like vaseline on crack. SUPER hydrating, keeps your lips and any other dry parts of your face or body moisturized, and travels well.
Yes, Evian facial spray is a little bougie. But flying just sucks all of the moisture out of the body, you know? Between the altitude, time change, and any food/alcohol you may consume on the flight, your body is screaming for water inside and out! After you’ve chugged all the water you can handle, refresh your skin with a super hydrating face mist. You’ll feel better instantly and look more awake. Try to avoid heavy makeup on planes (you wouldn’t go to sleep normally with a face full of makeup on, would you?) and opt for an au naturale, dewy glow from this face mist instead. Bonus: it comes in a travel friendly size (less than 3 oz!) so you can bring it on the plane in your carry on.
What are your long haul travel tips and essentials? I’ll take any advice and recommendations I can get to make the journey a little easier and more comfortable : ).
