Outfit of the Day: I Got New Boots, Y'all.

I am literally just posting an outfit because I got new boots and want to show them off. Did I need new boots? No. No I did not. However, I recently sold a couple of pairs so I had unnecessary boot money burning a hole in my pocket. Anyway, let's start here:

Pretty basic jeans 'n tee outfit going on so I'll get that out of the way. My t-shirt is the Madewell Whisper slub v-neck that I love, even in weird sale colors. (I really want the long sleeve version too but I'll wait for a sale.) My jeans are also, you guessed it, Madewell. They're an older version of the high rise skinny crop, which I like because they're a good length to wear with ankle boots. There is a light wash version on sale here and a few sizes left in this medium wash.

We're gonna add a big cardigan and a bag as if I'm going somewhere. My sweater is by Design History and I bought it last year, maybe? Time has no shape anymore. It's great - heavy and warm but not itchy. It also apparently comes in a mock neck version which would look terrible on me, but maybe cute on you. For a cheap and cheerful leopard cardigan option, this one is pretty cute. 

Okay, the boots! They're Dr Martens Leonore Sherpa Chelsea boots and I've wanted them for two years. They weren't available in my size last year so I got a different style instead. (Don't do this! Just wait for the thing you really want.) They're so freaking cute, you guys. They're sherpa lined and very cozy and have a great Chelsea shape with classic Doc styling. I can't wait to wear them all winter until you guys are like, PLEASE WEAR ANY OTHER SHOES.  I bought my normal size (UK 6/US8) and they're perfect, though, as with most Docs, they will require a bit of breaking in. Anyway, they're cute as hell and very good for winter. The end. Not really, here are some details: 

I'm wearing my favorite labradorite tassel pendant because I like how my weird green shirt vibes with the green in the stones. For other fun tassel necklace ideas, I love this one by Alexis Bittar and Target has a cute one too! My earrings are my amazing moonstone drops from Three Flames Silverworks. 

Here's a better look at my awesome new boots! If you love the idea of a sherpa-lined boot but prefer it in a classic 8-hole laced style, they make that too. I'M SORRY OKAY. I just want you to have warm feet this winter. I'm also carrying my very old MBMJ hobo bag, which is still one of my favorites. It's only available now secondhand, but NR has a really similar style in a pretty wine color and Off Fifth has it in a few more colors. 

PS.

When I take outfit photos I take a LOT of them and easily half of them look like this because remote timers crap out a lot. It's pretty much the expression I have on my face most of the time anyway, so bonus! 

BUY THIS (So We Don't Have To): What's Up, TJ Maxx?

 I haven't trolled the TJ Maxx website for bargains in such a long time! I started looking and then remembered why - there's SO MUCH STUFF and you can't search by brand. Ugh. But I powered through and found some really good things for really good prices and I basically want all of it. Oops. Anyway, take a look:

I immediately clicked on this balloon sleeved cuteness and was not at all surprised it was by French Connection, maker of my favorite red sweater from last year. 

This necklace is by Shashi and I just thought it was really cute. Something about little clusters of charms has always appealed to me. 

I think we're all going to be spending a lot of time this winter in our gin cardigans so it might as well be Vince and a cashmere blend, right? 

These Frame jeans are such a nice skinny-jean-alternative! They look very current and are perfect to

wear with booties. 

I am historically Not Into Overalls but Marianne looks so cute in her pair and this pair (also Frame) Is really similar in cut. 

I've been dying for a paperclip chain and this one also has a labradorite pendant! All my favorites! 

I'm not going to stop until everyone has a leather jacket. I like that this one isn't super cropped. 

This also appeals to me in that paperclip way and it's from Allsaints! 

Oh, hey, just a cute af Minkoff crossbody that's under $60. It comes in tan as well for even less.

Now I'm going to be practical for a second with this well-priced The North Face rain jacket. It's not fashion, but it'll keep you dry. 

On the other hand, with this adorable Chelsea rain boot you can be dry AND fashion! How cute are the  little gold buckles?

If you're weary of carrying your little crossbody all the time, maybe what you need is a bright red leather satchel? I'm just saying. Like, maybe what we all need right now is a cheerful, structured red bag. I'll bet you could fit a whole bottle of gin in that thing...

Beauty in the Time of Quarantine: An Update.

 I think all of our beauty routines have changed a lot this year and I thought maybe it would be a good time for an update from this post I wrote at the end of March.  

These days I wear a lot less makeup but I still do my face most days because it makes me feel good. Generally it's CC cream, concealer, mascara and brown gel and sometimes I'll add eyeliner and brow pencil if I'm feeling fancy. I only wear lipstick for blog pics and some video meetings and I rarely wear blush anymore. 

Because of masks, I don't see the point in doing much to my lower face these days but I love a dramatic eye/brow combo if I'm going out in the world. I've linked my current products above but wanted to mention how much I like my current mascara:

I got this in an Allure box and it's quite good. It actually holds a curl and is a reliable, non-clumpy volumizing mascara. It's not super messy and it doesn't flake. Yay! Speaking of my lashes, I haven't given an update on my GrandeLash serum progress! Here are some pics comparing June to September:

I mean, damn. I actually have longer lashes! They aren't crazyballs long, but they are definitely longer and a bit thicker and I am pleased. The other day I walked by a mirror late in the afternoon and was surprised that I could actually SEE my eyelashes still. Some of this is because my Wander Beauty mascara actually holds a curl but also, GrandeLash works, y'all. 

As well as wearing less makeup, I've also fine-tuned my skincare game. One thing I wish I'd gotten a photo of is my face before I started using Differin every night. I know I've talked about it a few times but, you guys, nothing else has ever made such a visible difference in my skin. I still have melasma (though it's lighter) but the overall clarity and smoothness in my skin is visible. It's inexpensive and it works - can't ask for more than that. I'm also still using my Avene moisturizer and the occasional serum from The Ordinary. 

One new product I've added is Topical C from Nue Co. It's a powdered form of vitamin C that you mix in with your moisturizer or serum. I've been mixing it with The Ordinary's Marine Hyaluronics which seems to work well. I just started using it recently so the jury is still out, but so far, so good. 

Your turn! What's changed in your routine? What products are working for you right now?

Weekend Window Shopping: Cozy Things

 I woke up this morning to chilly temps and pouring rain (why do people love fall, again?) and all I want is to wrap myself in fleece and hunker down with a blanket and a good book. I also want all the cozy clothes! Here are some that I've got my eye on:

Outfit of the Day: My Fall Closet.

Hello! I have an actual outfit today, I promise. Last weekend it did absolutely nothing but rain so I took the fun-hating opportunity to pack away my summer stuff and pull out my fall clothes. Every time I do this I discover things I forgot about (often that don't fit anymore, but WHATEVER) and it feels like shopping in a sad kind of way. Here are some of those forgotten things:

I can't remember if I ever posted about this Loft blouse, but I tried it on ages ago  and didn't buy it. So much regret! I tracked it down earlier this year on Poshmark because I just NEEDED a shirt with leopards on it. WHO DOESN'T, RIGHT? Obviously it's long sold out but never fear, you too can own a shirt with critters on it. This blouse is pretty amazing and so is this leopard pullover. I also love this silk blouse from J.Crew. Loft fell down on the job this time around but I do love this leopard pajama set! 

I know it looks better tucked in, but if we're being honest, this is how I'm wearing it most of the time. My jeans are from H&M from a few seasons ago. It's hard to find anything similar but this pair of Levi's is a fun take on the straight leg patchwork jean and I also like this pair. For a similar cut (and price) this pair at Target looks good. On to details: 

I'm attempting to show you my little huggie snake earrings (which I haven't taken out since I bought them) but they're hard to see. I'm also wearing my Madewell mixed chain/horn pendant set, which is sold out. This horn necklace is really similar and this set at Target has a similar feel. PS. My lipstick is Sigma in Venom and I got it in my latest Allure box! It's an excellent red. 
I've been annoyed with myself for not taking my other bags out for a spin, so today I'm carrying my fanciest bag - a Marc Jacobs quilted single. I bought it last winter from Poshmark and I've barely used it! I love that it's glam but somehow works with more casual looks, so I'm going to try to give it more love. For something similar, this one by Kurt Geiger is my ABSOLUTE favorite (that jeweled bird head!) but it's quite pricey. For quite a bit less there's this Calvin Klein or this little Minkoff option. And for a lot less, you guessed it, Target has one. Get a little fancy! And use the fancy stuff you have! 

Have I told you how much I love my new Gap utility jacket? I've been wearing it a ton. It's on sale right now, too. My flats are Everlane, purchased secondhand. I'm not shopping Everlane right now for... reasons, but you can get a similar pair from Madewell. I do love a poppy red flat, especially when it matches the spots on my shirt leopards. Ha. 

Obligatory Prime Day Post.

I'm not proud of how much I buy on Amazon but it's been a godsend during the pandemic, so I think we should all just not worry about it right now. Because today is Prime Day, I thought I'd give y'all a list of my favorite Amazon purchases from year. Some of these things are Prime Day specials or are discounted, some of them aren't. I mean, who can even keep up with all that? Here's what I like:

BUY THIS (So We Don't Have To): Gap for Fall!

 So, after buying that excellent Gap jacket I decided to see what else was going on, especially now that everything is on sale: 40% off everything with code OCTOBER and free shipping on all orders with code SENDIT.  My cute jacket is now $54, which is less than I paid for it. Here's what else I like:

This long denim jacket is new on the site and there's only one photo but damn, it looks kind of amazing, right?

These jeans are exactly the kind of thing I look for - not quite skinny but not super baggy either. They'd look amazing with Chelsea boots or high tops and a leather jacket. 

And this! A heavier version of the J.Crew parka but in a good navy blue if you're tired of olive green everything. (I'm not, but I get it.) 

This looks like a cozy sweater option in a few really good colors - I love the deep neckline and it has a longer hem so perfect for wearing with leggings. (Seriously, does she have it tucked into her socks?)

I haven't been much into dresses lately but this looks like a perfect base piece - add boots, a pair of statement earrings and a patterned cardigan and you are Fashion. 

Has anyone tried the masks from Gap? Such adorable prints! My current favorite is still Athleta but I'd love to find a less expensive option.

Don't forget that Gap does pretty nice athletic wear. I am eyeing these camo leggings pretty hard!