Review: Loeffler Randall Marit Boots.

OKAY. So,  I got the deal of the century on a pair of Loeffler Randall Marit boots I've been stalking since last fall. Seriously, when on earth do $700 boots get marked way down in a size 8? Almost neverrrr. But thanks to a great Barney's sale I just went for it and hoped for the best. I don't normally do "final sale" deals but this was worth the risk and I was pretty confident I could sell them for that much if they didn't work out. They arrived:

They are super pretty. Now, my experience with Loeffler Randall boots is the Matilde. I have a pair I bought second hand that were of the Made in Italy stock. I'd read that since LR moved manufacturing to Brazil the quality had gone down. It's...kind of true? Don't get me wrong, these are beautiful, nicely made boots, but if I'd paid retail I might not be happy. The leather isn't as buttery as my Matildes and the color has slight differences. Total quality if this was a $300 pair but $700? For that kind of money you should get magical perfection.  I do love how chic and simple they are:

Minimal heels and no seam on the front! This is a really hard detail to find:

The seam is on the back where it belongs:

They do need some wear, though. This style of boot doesn't look right until it's got some slouch. Here's the full picture:

A little gape-y at the top but some wear/slouch should fix that a bit. I bought them in my usual size and they fit, though they are also a bit narrow in the foot (as are my Matildes) and stiff as hell. They are going to require breaking in, but hopefully not much. In the 15 minutes I wore them for this shoot they had already started to soften up a bit. I think with some breaking in these are going to be great boots and more than worth the price I paid. 

This style has been discontinued by there are still a bunch on Amazon at varying prices and Barneys Warehouse still has them in black, though not with the extra % off right now. (Keep your eyes peeled - they'll definitely be discounted again.) If these aren't your jam but you really want cognac boots this fall, definitely check out the Frye Melissa Tab that's part of the Nordstrom sale! Those are freaking beautiful. The Frye Lindsay Plate boots on 6pm are also a pretty nice deal.

Adrien: Skincare Update.

I have talked about all of these products before at one time or another, but often I'm talking about them after sampling or just using them for a few weeks. This is my regular group of products, all of which I've been using for at least a month or two. (Heh.)

Right now I have to stay my skin has never looked better. Some of this is certainly skincare product-related, and some of this is because I've changed how I care for my skin. For the past two months I've been doing the following:

- Severely limiting sugar, alcohol and dairy in my diet. (This is not really fun, but it works.)

- Wearing real sunscreen instead of moisturizer-with-sunscreen every day.

- Double-cleansing my face. Every. Single. Night. (Thank you Caroline Hirons.)

This is my current evening cleanser line-up:

I've reviewed both of these already but I just want to say that the Clinique Take The Day Off Balm (which is amazing) as my first cleanse followed by the Ceramic Slip gets all my makeup off and leaves my skin feeling very clean but not stripped. I sometimes mist my face afterwards with Avene Thermal Spring Water but this isn't crucial, it just feels nice. Then! The big guns:

After I cleanse at night I do the following:

- Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion or Sunday Riley Good Genes (I alternate nights)

- 4-5 drops of Sunday Riley Juno or Skin & Bones oil (again, I alternate)

- Benefit It's Potent eye cream

- CeraVe PM moisturizing lotion (if I need it. I don't always.)

In the morning I do the following:

- Cleanse with CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser (not pictured because I forgot.)

- Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion (sometimes.)

- 3 drops of Juno oil just on my cheeks and forehead

- CeraVe PM moisturizing lotion 

- Benefit It's Potent eye cream

I give all that a few minutes to sink in and then I apply sunscreen. The SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion is really good stuff but I usually only use that on days when I'm going to be outside a lot. If it's a regular work day I use Shiseido Senka or whatever sample I've got lying around. (Lately I've been liking Coola Classic SPF 30.)

I know this sounds like a LOT of steps and it's making me a feel tired just typing it all out but when you make it a daily routine you don't even have to think about it, you just do it. I actually enjoy my evening routine a lot - it relaxes me and helps me wind down for bed. My goal in all of this is to be able to wear less makeup! The nicer my skin looks, the less makeup I need. (And hey, I'm 43 and I think I look pretty good for my age. I'd like to keep it that way.)

Adrien: This Summer's Magic Dress.

Every summer I search for that dress - the easy-to-wear, washable, everyday option that I can just throw on an go. Mostly it's come from Target or Old Navy, but this summer's version is from Marshalls:

The brand is "Thyme & Honey" and it's apparently one of those weird brands that's only sold at Marshalls but this Mossimo dress at Target is a dead ringer and comes in four colors! I wouldn't be surprised if it's the exact same dress. If you want a short-sleeved version I found this one by Columbia at a great price. If that's not enough, there's a long-sleeved version by Soft Joie and an arty-cool version by Vince, but those are a bit more spendy.

Weird pic, but my hair looks cute.

I've been wearing this dress a ton, mostly out and on weekends. It's just easy and cute and doesn't require any work. I highly recommend it or something similar. The light blue looks good with silver, so I'm wearing it with my silver Birkenstock Gizah sandals and my House of Harlow Crater locket necklace.

I'm carrying my MBMJ Too Hot To Handle bag which I'm sure y'all are sick of but it's been such a perfect workhorse this summer. It's on sale at Shopbop, by the way. Just saying.

No cat today, sorry! Daniel was attending to some important squirrel-watching business.

Weekend Window Shopping: Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.

This is one to plan for every summer! New fall stuff at nicely discounted prices. I usually have a hard time buying for fall in July but this sale is generally when I stock up on my favorite bra brand, underwear or the best workout leggings ever. Plus,  go through eBates for 3.0% cash back. (My referral link.) PS. Apparently the color this fall is grey...

A Word or Two.

Hey, thanks so much for all of you that followed us on Instagram! It's about time we got that going. Should be fun? And ridiculous. Also, these arrived and I'll be reviewing them soon:

(Still on super-sale in black!)

Also, just wanted to throw it out there that if you are the sporting kind, I have another blog that's mainly about cycling but also about my various fitness pursuits and the stuff I use/buy/like/hate. About what you'd expect and I hope y'all will check it out!

TEAM TATER.

M: I'm team Chalmanzo.



A: THE VOGUING

M: I knooooow

A: He is waaaay too good at that.

M: How do I love him so much now?

A: I love that they called him The Tater.

M: ME TOO

A: BECAUSE CHALMANZO TATER

M: I KNO RITE

A: I'm just 100% Team Tater.

M: Yup

A: It's 90% personality, 10% muscles.

M: Maybe 75/25

A: His face is still a bit slab-o-ham but I'll give the muscles 25%. That's fair.

M: His face is improving? I think because he's leaning out. Still hammy but less so.

A: He definitely looks less like an infant.

M: Less like a product of ham raisin love.

A: How does one even begin to explain that joke?

M: Doesn't need explaining. Just is.

A: Ham raisin love!

M:

A: I just laughed so hard I scared the cat.

M: Heeeee

A: Your moment of Zen:

BUY THIS (So We Don't Have To): Barneys Warehouse Final Day!

Normally I'd post this in the afternoon but stuff is vanishing quickly so I moved it to the morning.  Barneys Warehouse has extended their sale: 30%-60% percent off everything, with clearance items an extra 60% off plus 5.0% cash back with eBates! (My affiliate link.) Everything on the list below is an extra 50% or 60% off because that's how I do: