We Discuss: Fall Shoes, The Sequel.

M: Fall wish list so far: new sunglasses, shearling Arizonas, animal print mules

A: I want those snakeskin mules, shearling Boston clogs, and a really good raincoat. Oh, and I actually legit need a new striped shirt. I killed the one from J.Crew.

M: I’d like another drape-y trench type jacket maybe.

A: I love fall clothes even though summer is my favorite.

M: Oh and I want a new turtleneck sweater which is going to be a pain because I have something very specific in mind.

A: Is it made from the male tears of the patriarchy?

M: Ideally

A: I’m in

M: But also just heavy enough, but can also be tucked a little, good drape, not too thin, maybe ribbed.

M: I have a favorite grey turtleneck that’s too trashed to wear in public but I want to replicate it.

A: You might have to go fancy.

M: I might.

A: I still want those snakeskin mules, FYI.

M: 🙃

M: They are cute.

A: They are weird and interesting and unlike anything I own.

M: Obvi I’m a fan

A: *Brisk clap* Well, that’s done.

M: Haaaa

A: You talked me into it. very persuasive.

M: My loafer mules shipped! I really got the last ones!

A: YES.

A: I’m glad you didn’t hesitate.

M: Damn me too.

***

A: My eBay Vince sneaker boots arrived!

A: 😍 Too bad I can’t wear them for at least two months.

M: Yay! They fit?

A: They fit. I went down half a size as you recommended.

M: I’m glad you like them!

A: They're in great shape and now I feel like I stole them.

A: I keep trying them on and then sadly pulling them off.

M: My loafer mules came and I love them.

A: Such a good shoe happy endings!

Beauty Updates: I Know Nothing. (Also, I Am Cranky.)

Probably you think I know something about beauty and skincare since I've been writing about it on a blog for nine damn years. It's all a lie. I don't know anything! I am you. You are me. We get a 15% off VIB coupon from Sephora and suddenly we're scrolling through 800 different moisturizers trying to figure out which one will change our lives. Because surely one of them will, right? I just need THE RIGHT ONE.

What is it about a Sephora code that unhinges me? It's only 15% off! It's not even that good. And yet, I do need moisturizer (and probably some other stuff really) so why not figure all that out right now? Cool? Cool. Now, I had been using Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream and it's fine, despite the tub packaging which I don't love. When I ran out of it I bought a tube of The Ordinary's moisturizer and it's just...okay. It's not offensive but nothing about it is awesome either. What I really want is this:

Ooooh. I know. But if we're being honest, I want it because it's beautiful. It's a beautiful TUB of fancy cream. There's that tub again. Let's be practical. Maybe this one:

It's inexpensive, it's not in a tub, it seems popular. But, nothing about it feels life-change-y. I apparently expect a lot from moisturizer. And ooh, Sunday Riley has a face cream version of the CEO stuff I like:

I KNOW IT'S IN A TUB. I give up, okay? It's fine. I don't even care anymore. I hate Paula Begoun and her scammy site anyway. And listen, as always, I am open to your suggestions. Now, what about fun stuff? I would love a new lipstick - all of mine are so decrepit that Marianne is somewhere frowning right now and doesn't even know why. She can just sense it. Shhh. So, I love this gloss which means maybe I'd love this lipstick:

Isn't it fun and ridiculous? Or maybe something like this lipstick from Charlotte Tilbury?

I historically have a hard time with matte lipcolor but I am intrigued by this Pat McGrath set:

Finally, this is not lipstick but have you smelled any of the Tom Ford fragrances? They are AMAZING. I love this one quite a lot:

I also love the Jasmin Rouge but it only comes in Expensive and Crazy Expensive. Such is the way. Did you get a VIB coupon? What are you buying? 

Weekend Shopping Report: It's Starting, Isn't It.

Last weekend my friend Kate and I had a nice catch-up lunch which might have included a cocktail and then we wandered over to the Big Mall where all the danger stores live. First, we went to Athleta where I didn't need a damn thing. NOT ONE DAMN THING DID I NEED.

You can see where this is going, right? Suddenly I'm in the dressing room with a whole lot of things to try on. First, I tried on the Printed Rincon Dress, which I believe I mentioned back in June. They had it in the same weird black pattern as my shorts, so how could I not try it on?

I am currently between sizes, which was really apparent with this dress. Here it is in medium:

It's gaping at the top and there's a lot of material to deal with in the skirt. Still, it was super comfy and would travel like a champ. (I am a fan in general of this line - it's the same material as my Zephyr shell.) The size small fit better overall but was pulling a bit across the chest. I had to put it back because for the price, it should fit perfectly.

Kate, meanwhile, tried on the Brooklyn Ankle Pant and they are SO GOOD:

She was worried they looked too casual because they felt like workout pants. But that's the trick - they look like really nice cropped pants (that stripe down the side!) but feel like comfy workout pants. Magic. She also found, hiding in the back, the longer t-shirt cousin of our beloved shell, the Zephyr Tee:

We both tried it on and both loved it. It's not really a t-shirt - it's a woven top with knit trim that drapes really nicely and looks expensive on. (Which it should, because it's certainly not cheap.)

We both bought the Zephyr top and Kate also got the cute pants. I'm telling you, Athleta is really impressing me with the non-fitness clothing. So comfortable and stylish and perfect for travel.

We then went to Madewell, which is still really in full summer mode. Kate tried on jeans and I wandered around and was tempted by these cute earrings which I did not buy. The only thing I got (and Kate did too) is another Whisper tee in a color only redheads can wear:

It was an extra 30% off so ended up being $11 or something like that. Marianne got me hooked on these tees and this is my third one. Sorry, Everlane. After Madewell we fled the mall because all the money had been spent and we needed coffee. The next morning I got this from Kate:

Weekend Window Shopping: New Arrivals at Madewell

UGH. YOU GUYS. The things I do for you. I decided to browse the new arrivals at Madewell purely for blog science and now I want, like, six new things. It's REAL BAD. I know it's still a billion degrees outside but my dumb brain is very confident that fall will be here any minute and don't I need to prepare? Ugh:
         
       

         
       
     
       

We Discuss: Our Fall Shoe Obsessions.

A: You own Vince high top sneaker boot things before, yes?

M: Yes.

A: Do they run big? I am seeing all kinds of conflicting info on the Internets.

M: The ones I have definitely ran big.

A: These:

M: Those are the ones I have an in my experience they ran big.

A: Thanks! I might find a really inexpensive used pair and see if I like them.

A: WAIT. Goddammit, Madewell just sent me an Insider $25 off a $100 purchase.

M: gah

A: Fuckers. They know I want those snakeskin slides:

M: That’s so rude.

A: So incredibly rude.

M: Ugh I just got one TOO

A: THEY ARE SO MEAN WHY ARE YOU SO MEAN, MADEWELL

M: IT’S RUDE

M: THEY ONLY HAVE THESE LEFT IN MY SIZE

A: GIRL IT IS A SIGN

M: 😭

A: They are so mean, I’m sorry.

M: I feel all panicky.

A: That’s what they want.

M: DAMMIT

A: But those shoes are really cute.

M: I really love them and I checked and I have been talking about animal print mules since LAST fall.

A: Girl!

M: I mean I feel like it’s not an impulse purchase, right.

M: A year!

A: Just gooooo

M: I did.

A: Now I am like, DO I NEED THE SNAKESKIN MULES

M: Maybe???

A: They are not close to sold out but $25 off…

M: Dude I literally got the last pair of mine.

M: Now they say sold out.

A: SEE??? A SIGN.

M: This is my reward for going to the doctor this week.

A: Of course.

M: And not being told I’m dying.

A: Which you’re obviously not.

M: Tell that to my brain.

A: settle down, brain.

M: I am excited about my mules. Those and furry Arizonas are the two shoes on my fall wish list.

A: Yay! Good focus.

A: I still have my mules sitting in my shopping cart.

A: And... I just bought a pair of Vince Newlyn boots on eBay! Fall can start now.

M: Bite your tongue it’s still summer!

A: ILU SUMMER

M: I already feel like it’s going too fast.

Outfit of the Day: Just Something I Liked.

Sometimes I plan my blog outfits and sometimes (most times tbh) I get dressed in a hurry and rush out the door. Occasionally I will be pleased with my rushed outfit and take a quick photo so I can recreate it later for the blog. That's what you're getting today, more or less. Hooray? 

I'm technically wearing mostly black but they're different shades of black so I am feeling okay about it. My top is the Zephyr Shell from Athleta and it is really more of a washed black with darker black trim. I love this top because it weighs nothing and, despite being cropped and boxy, it somehow hits me just right. Oh, it also comes in a really pretty navy print! I like that one a lot. 

My jeans are Madewell and they're the thrifted jeans I mentioned on Monday! I am pretty stoked about them because they are SUPER black with no whiskering or distressing, so I've been wearing them to work and pretending like they absolutely are not jeans. Shh. They are such a good, pigmented black that they make my top look blue. (It's not, I promise.) 

We're supposed to have storms later so I threw on this absolutely not waterproof jacket, mainly because I miss it. It's Madewell et Sezane from a few years back. It's long sold out but this Madewell surplus jacket looks like a good substitute. If you want something that might actually be waterproof, this cute Columbia trench comes in a good olive green! On to details: 

Hey, I got a haircut and wow is my face SHINY. Anyway, I'm wearing the same jewelry I've been wearing all summer - my labradorite Panacea earrings (I couldn't find a similar but isn't this pair beautiful?) and my much-loved Dean Davidson tassel (sold out, but this one is similar.) 

Shoes and bag! This is a lot of pattern and I didn't entirely think this through but I don't hate it. My flats are Madewell Reid ballet flats and I really love them. This is my second or third pair of Madewell leopard flats and these are by far the most comfortable. I'm also carrying my Liberty of London Marlborough tote (link is to the bigger version) which I found on Poshmark. I typically carry it more in the fall/winter but decided I don't care anymore. That's it! 

We Discuss: Yesterday Stuff.

M: Damn it now I want your shorts

A: Ha, sorry. They’re really good though

M: I am becoming a person who just wears athletic shorts and t-shirts on the weekend

A: I literally just bought them full price because I am not fucking around

M: Hell yeah

A: They are super comfy but also cute enough to pass for real clothing

M: Also for your hair I like AG Texture Gloss a lot





M: Also Oribe texture spray

M: The spray is more volume-y

A: Ha, I thought I had a travel sized Oribe spray and was like, what did I do with it? Oh, I gave it to Marianne.

M: hahahaha

A: I have a few little bottles of texture spray stuff - the Kristen Ess stuff at Target and Ouai Texture Spray I got in a box. Both are quite underwhelming.

M: oops

A: Like, my hair is just giving me the middle finger

M: I think Oribe Texturizing Spray is the only spray worth fussing with



A: Oribe is good stuff

M: It’s a dry-er texture, like I use it on day three because it almost works as a dry shampoo too

A: Right, both of these products are supposed to be that

M: The AG texture gloss is more like a pomade

A: That interests me

M: I use it on the ends only

A: Oh, of course

M: Oh and this stuff!

M: You might love this actually

A: YES. I wanted that when you posted about it a few years ago

M: Walmart has it for $12

A: I hate Walmart but I am willing to go and get some of that

M: I mean online

M: I would never advise GOING to Walmart

A: OH. Haha!

A: I was like, you are making me go to Walmart...?

A: Crisis averted

M: Hahahaha