Happy Sunday!! Before we get into pattern play, let me just say that this weekend has been filled with errands, errands, and more errands. In a good way, though. It feels good to get things checked off your to-do list, no matter how small. I got my hair re-highlighted (it’s been six months since my last color!), cleaned my apartment (a struggle if you know me), shot some new looks for you guys, and started working on some easy, single girl-esque recipes. Yep – got some healthy and easy recipes you can whip up anytime coming your way soon (!!). I’m excited to bring you guys content beyond just fashion and outfits, so if you have any suggestions on what you’d like to see, let me know in the comments below : ).
It’s been so rainy and gloomy lately, and I swear it affects my mood. When it’s grey outside, I like to counter with my wardrobe and wear something bright and colorful. A little pattern play is definitely ideal.
It’s summer in Australia right now, so it makes sense that they would be wearing all sorts of bright colors and patterns. I really love Australian labels (seen here, here, and here)so it makes sense that I fell in love instantly with this bright colored two piece set by Mister Zimi. They have the coolest fun prints – I feel happier just looking at them.
Here I paired the Twiggy top and Paloma skirt in the print, “Phi Phi” (reminds me of my trip to Thailand!!). I like to throw on my straw boater hat and some simple slides when my outfit is this colorful. Mister Zimi just feels like summer – I am totally lusting over their jumpsuits as well. Clearly, I’m ready for a beach vacation asap. Who’s with me?!
When I’m shopping for shoes, I focus on quality and price. Sam Edelman nails this sweet spot, and I’ve been a fan of the brand since my college days in Chicago. This week, HauteLook is having a three-day flash event featuring shoes from Sam Edelman’s latest collections. The Sam Edelman Hautelook event begins today, February 2nd at 8am PST and ends on Sunday, February 5th at 8am PST. I picked up a couple pairs of heels I’ll be wearing all spring, but the event features boots, sandals, and more.
Sam Edelman x HauteLook
If you’re not familiar with HauteLook, they host flash events everyday featuring contemporary brands in fashion. Thanks to HauteLook, I was able to find designer finds at the right price in college and today. Check out some of my faves below at up to 50% off, including these cute studded suede sandals.
xx, Amy
Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by HauteLook. As always, all opinions are my own.
Hello, hello! I’m back home in LA and loving this warmer weather (70 degrees in January… #spoiled). Did you catch my Instagram posts from Jackson Hole? If you’ve never been, it is absolutely insane and so beautiful. I’m a terrible skier but really want to get better, so may be heading to the mountains again this winter to practice/fling myself off the top of the mountain haphazardly. In the meantime, I’ve packed my ski layers away and am back to dressing for LA weather. If you’re not familiar with LA-based brand Flynn Skye yet, you’ve been living under a rock.
About Flynn Skye LA
The brand is described on their website as:
“…Made for the girl who is not afraid to take risks and lives with no limits. The girl who wakes up in the morning and doesn’t think twice about that dress she’s throwing on to grab coffee or what she’ll be wearing to lead that business meeting later. Simply put Flynn Skye is made by powerful women for powerful women.”
The description could not be more on point.
I first fell in love with Flynn Skye’s designs a few years ago and always purchase new pieces with the launch of every collection. I love that the brand is American made and the prints and designs are the perfect mix of laid back California style with a little bit of edge and spunk. In fact, every season new eye catching prints and styles are released and you’ll want them all in your closet.
I also cannot get over how much of a badass and boss babe Amber Farr is – she started Flynn Skye just four years ago and since then has grown the brand through using her savvy use of social media. You’ll also probably recognize her designs as seen on a ton of influencers and celebs.
This dress is the perfect example of a piece that you feel good wearing. I swooned over this maxi for weeks before pulling the trigger and now I am dying to wear it to any occasion. So shop my favorite Flynn Skye picks below!
Hii! How was everyone’s weekend?! Sorry for the silence over the past few days… there were some site updates that had to be made and I was also out of town/somewhat off the grid in Wyoming. But I’m back and have a ton of posts planned for the upcoming weeks! Trying to catch up on some sleep tonight and get back into the swing of things after a quick getaway. Here’s a quick and easy look I shot a couple weeks ago. I am loving the embroidery trend at the moment, so when I saw this Forever 21 faux leather jacket I knew I had to have it.
Best Affordable Leather Jackets
We’re always talking about closet staples and justifying our purchases with the explanation that they’re “classic” and we’ll “wear them forever” (sometimes true, often not). While trends are of course cyclical (hellooo Gucci revival!), there are certain pieces that you will almost always have on rotation in your closet – a leather jacket being one of them. As much as I adore Vince and Iro (<<you will actually wear this one every single day) leather jackets, they’re not exactly the most affordable options.
Luckily there are so many brands that make wonderful faux leather jackets at a great price point and you can find real leather designer pieces on sale at the end of the season or on flash sale sites. Whether you’re looking for a classic black or an on-trend leather piece, you can find something that works with your budget.I did a quick round-up of the best affordable leather jackets (faux) on the web – all under $100 – so check them out below!
If you’re on the hunt for more affordable items, you can also check out this post on my favorite affordable shoe brands.
Sounds silly, I know. BUT. Hear me out. In case you didn’t already know, sleep is V IMPORTANT. I know I sound like a snooze (ha, ha) but the older I get, the more I have come to appreciate sleep and everything it does for your body, mind, and soul. In college and my early 20’s I would stay up late, wake up early, pull all-nighters, and do all sorts of other things that completely wrecked my sleeping schedule. I figured: you sleep enough when you’re dead. I knew sleep was good for you, but I never fully processed how vital it is to performance and basically every human function you do.
[ If you’re one of those superhumans that can function off of 4 hours of sleep a night, no need to continue reading. I am officially very jealous of you. ]
The Importance of Sleep
Why sleep is important
+ Improves learning and brain function
When we sleep, our brains go to work. Sleep allows our brains to store memories and learn through memory consolidation. So the smart thing to do in school would be to study consistently and get enough sleep the night before an exam, not stay up all night. Noted.
+ It keeps you healthy
When you don’t get enough sleep, your immune system suffers. I don’t know about you, but I’ve found that I am so much more likely to catch a cold when I’m sleep deprived. And when I am under the weather, getting some extra hours of sleep do the most for my recovery.
+ It’s good for your appearance
It’s not called beauty sleep for no reason. Turns out getting enough sleep has been shown to improve skin texture, blood flow, and overall appearance.
+ It helps your body recover
If you’re working out on the reg, chances are getting enough sleep is helping your muscles recover and grow! And if you’re not getting enough, just know that sleep deprivation has been linked to weight gain due to increased levels of cortisol, which increases your appetite – eek!
Even though at times it seems like being sleep deprived is worn as a badge of honor and a reflection of how hard we work, sometimes the hardest thing to do is simply disconnecting and shutting down. It’s not always easy, but I feel a noticeable difference in my mood and energy when I get at 7 or 8 hours of sleep, not to mention how much clearer my skin is. Fortunately, even our technology seems to agree.
Tips for getting more sleep
+ Utilize the night shift and bedtime settings on your phone.
I have an iPhone, and I LOVE the “night shift” setting (mine is set from 9pm to 7am). This setting shifts the color settings on your phone to minimize the bright blue light that your smartphone emits, making it easier for you to fall asleep at night. You can also set alerts on your phone to remind you when it’s almost time for bed.
+ Disconnect completely.
30 minutes to an hour before bed, put away all electronics. I’ve been trying to read more before bed and honestly, this has been the best thing to help me fall asleep (ha!).
+ Create a sleep schedule.
This one is hard. It’s best to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, but it doesn’t always happen. I’m working on this one, but it’s easy to get off track, especially during the weekends.
+ Drink tea.
I don’t do this every night, but when I remember I like to drink something warm before I go to sleep. Did your mom ever tell you to drink warm milk before bedtime? It’s kind of like that. I especially like Calm and Sleepytime Tea with honey.
In the spirit of getting enough zzz’s, I’m taking the pajama very seriously and literally in this set by L’academie. Full disclosure: I don’t actually wear this to sleep although I’m sure you could, as it was intended for that use. I usually like to mix and match them as separates rather than as a set – I think you could get away with the blouse at work (the ribbon tied around the waist doubles as a scarf) with a skirt or jeans, and I really love the return of the track pant. You’ll definitely get some looks when you wear both at the same time. But hey comfort is key, and who cares what other people think?
Bonus: this set is on sale now! (End of winter sales in January are always SO. GOOD. No better time to stock up on all those cold weather essentials).
