BUY THIS (Because We Totally Did): Madewell Insider Event.

 FINALLY.  It only happens a few times a year but Madewell is offering 25% off everything to Star and Icon level Insiders (and 20% off for Insiders.) This applies to pretty much everything, including denim and leather jackets. It also applies to all the pants Marianne reviewed! I had the Griff Tapered Fatigue Pants waiting in my cart ready to go:

If I had my way, I'd also have added in this beautiful olive leather jacket that makes me want to weep:

And this very cool bag in a beautiful color and the cool strap:

And a pair of these excellent lug soled boots:

And maybe this oversized gauze blouse in a very autumnal color:

But I just got the pants, okay? I am A PILLAR OF RESTRAINT. 

Outfit of the Day: This Feels Like Me.

I'm heartily sick of everything I've been wearing all summer so I've started playing around with a few things I set aside for fall. Back in August when Marianne and I were in Austin, we went thrifting and she found me this incredible Mara Hoffman shirtdress:

 

This dress is SO ME. It's 100% not the trendy thing right now but I don't care - it's so fun and I love the colors. It's obviously long sold out but there are a few on Poshmark and eBay (search: Mara Hoffman compass dress if you love it too.) I can't really find anything even remotely similar, but Anthro is always good for a crazy dress. This one from Maeve is so fun in the purple print and this one is just a good time. For something good in the shirtdress/tunic style, I love this star print dress from Equipment and ooh, check out this one from Boden! They're always good for a cute shirtdress. 

When I bought the dress Marianne was like, "all you need is leather leggings and some boots and you're good to go." I wasn't ready to drop money on Spanx faux leather leggings yet but I'm pretty happy with my $18 pair from Target.  (Though, If I wear them a lot I'll probably upgrade.) Spanx are a solid bet but I'm also curious about this Blank NYC pair. They seem more like pants, which could be just the thing to wear with big sweaters. We'll see. Now, details: 

I'm wearing my Madewell paperclip necklace and my little bird skull pendant I bought from Paxton Gate in Portland. The dress is pretty low cut so I like that it's juuuust visible. 

My little quilted MJ bag was such a good purchase. I bought it for next to nothing on Poshmark and it's just reliably good at dressing up a look. For something similar, this Kate Spade looks really nice and I also love this Minkoff bag. For a cheap-n-cheerful option, ASOS has a cute version! My chelsea boots are a super old version of this Cole Haan style but check out this version from Frye - I love that they're lower cut because it's easier to wear with jeans. I also adore the new lug sole style from Madewell! I DO NOT NEED THOSE. I just love boots, you guys, I can't help but want them all. 

Stuff I Want: Fall Beauty.

 I feel like I always have a running mental list of clothes/shoes/bags/beauty items that I want to purchase and sometimes I make an actual list but usually I just write a blog post about it. I recently went through all my makeup and skincare and threw away a LOT of old stuff so now I have room for new stuff for fall! Here's what's on my list:

Did you just say, oooh? Because that was my reaction when I saw this double-sided cream eyeshadow stick which is part of the Bobbi Brown + Ulla Johnson collection. I want it, badly. Yes, I know I'm a sucker but I don't care - this collection is so pretty and who doesn't want some pretty in their makeup bag?

I also want this water bronzer stick that Marianne told me about. She has it in Amber and when she wears it she looks just the right amount of glowy and sun-kissed. Me too! Me too! And the best part? It's only $10! 

Ever since we both bought the June's candle Marianne and I have been obsessed with Boy Smells candles. This little votive set of wood-based scents seems like it would be perfect for fall, right? 

Back in August my face exploded - I get these weird allergic reactions where my face is red and swollen and blistered for a full week. It's really great. When this happens I'm extremely careful about what I put on my face and one of the only things that truly seemed to help was this soothing Skinceuticals serum. I had a deluxe sample and used it daily until it was gone. Now I'm left with a tiny empty vial and want to spend all my money on more fancy green serum. Wahhh.

I got a mini of this gloss-balm hybrid in a neutral color (rosewood, I think?) and I absolutely love it. It's really pretty and definitely feels like a balm - it's not sticky at all. Now I want it in a good fall color - like this burgundy shade. This is lipstick for me now, I guess. 

Finally, I got a sample of this in a color that perfectly matches my skin and even though it smells... interesting it looks amazing on - such a nice glow! And the coverage is about what I'm looking for. I will probably buy this. I mean, I will probably buy most of what's on this list (for blog science!) but this one is at the top of my list. 

Weekend Window Shopping: Banana Republic's New Old Look.

 Banana Republic has come out with a new fall collection they're calling The New BR Look which is hilarious because it's actually Ye Olde BR Look. But, you know what? Some of it is really nice despite a few items with eye-watering prices and I have my eye on a few things:

Outfit of the Day: Casual to a fault.

 Hi! So, it turns out working remotely is just confirming I'm secretly a garbage person, as I will wear my favorite joggers for as long as possible before leaving the house. For exciting trips out the world I do make an effort, but it's usually some variation of this:

I've got on my Beyond Yoga pullover which I'm wearing too much but I love the print and it's so soft. For something similar, this one is awfully cute and you know I love an Athleta sweatshirt, though it's not a tiger stripe. And hey, there's always this camo/leopard hybrid print if you want both. What a time to be alive. 

My jeans are Madewell - an older version of the very excellent Boyjean. The most current wash looks great and I also really like the look of this pair. Such a nice change from skinny jeans, aren't they? I know that picture is all about my bag which is an older Cambridge Satchel Co crossbody they don't make anymore. (I reviewed it here back in 2015.) They're still making great bags, though!  This style is pretty similar and this one is a more traditional satchel shape and comes in three sizes. There's also this a newer style with the same color and similar hardware. On to details:

I'm keeping it simple today with my Twist Style labradorite pendant, which is a favorite of mine. 

Another look at my bag! I'm not usually a monogram person but I love the gold embossing and it basically means this bag is mine forever. FOREVER. My sneakers are Allbirds Tree Runners (reviewed here) and they've been a good purchase - comfy right out of the box. I might eventually get a pair of the water resistant version, but we'll see. 

That's it for today! I'm going to go put my joggers back on. 

Weekend Window Shopping: Underwhelmed by Sales.

 So, listen. I had this plan that I was going to pick some really amazing Labor Day sale items for this post and then the sales, they did not wow me. Like, Anthro? NO SALE AT ALL. I am disappointed but I did manage to find some good stuff on sale from a few of my favorites:

Outfit of the Day: New Bag Day!

Hello! I'm here with this look on my face because I got the cutest bag ever and it's the last one like it in the entire world (which is very rude, I know.) 

I loved Marianne's little green Clare V Midi Sac so much when we were in Austin that I started looking for one of my own. I found this Clare V "garden snake" version on Poshmark and basically threw myself at it, abandoning all plans for a Hammitt VIP bag (for now). It arrived and it's been true tiny crossbody love ever since. The Midi Sac is definitely a small bag but it holds the basics - phone, small  wallet (I use this card holder), mask, keys, sunglasses. Now, my bag is from a previous season but this bright green snake version is also great and I love this more subtle pattern too. For something similar but less expensive, this Madewell bag is a great choice and how cute is this little Olivia Miller bag? 

Does it really matter what I'm wearing? Not really, but I'll tell you anyway: Madewell. My top is my Madewell eyelet top which I've really loved for summer. Easy and (literally) breezy. I guess I could wear a cami under it but I don't. It's still available at Zappos but I also love the poppy red version they have right now. My jeans are Madewell Cali Demi-Boot, a shape I can't believe I was on the fence about. They're great! I love them worn with my Birkenstock Gizeh here but also with flats.  Details:

I'm layering two Gorjana necklaces - my Parker wrap (with a stone I added) and my Parker gem Opalite. Here's an obnoxious closeup of my Clare V Midi Sac:

I added a little leather tassel I bought from Etsy (handmade and really nice!) and now I'm thinking about a wider camera-style strap. Maybe this one? Or this one from Madewell? We'll see. 

Have you bought anything good lately? Tell me about it!