Shop the post: 1.// 2.// 3.//
Kisses! Kisses! Both cheeks here in the UK which make lip color very important!
Wearing Lip Color casually
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Shop the Post: Tote // Tote // Saddle // Saddle // Clutch // Clutch
Welcome back to Thursday Three- Splurge or Save Bags edition! Bags (and shoes) are a girls best friend and this week let’s talk about some great bags for any budget. I am one who tends to splurge a bit more for a bag but I also try to be realistic with my budget. Today I have rounded up three popular styles and showed both a splurge and a save option. Don’t worry I have also linked several additional of all three options – click on the widgets for easy shopping straight from the blog.
Tote
I love a good tote for the days where I am schlepping all my stuff along with Declans and Brendans. I usually carry a tote when I know I am going to be shedding layers as I can shove my scarf and hat inside. My totes have been getting a lot of love as they hold my computer, planner, notebook and ipad- perfect for those who work “from home”.
Splurge Option: The ever popular Louis Vuitton Neverfull tote— it comes in a few sizes. You can also have this bag personalized (darling touch!). One of the best totes I have ever owned. For this gal it was worth the splurge.
Save Option: This tote is a fabulous alternative and the color is great- it also comes in a lighter taupe- it is GIANT. It hold everything I need. It is great for traveling- both around town and long distance.Saddle or Satchel Bag
If this isn’t the hottest trend in bags this season I don’t know what it. Everyone needs one- they are essential for everyday. Perfect compliment to the casual OOTD. They come in all shapes, sizes, colors, textures. You can get them with fringe, studs and even glitter! My absolute go to bag is my black satchel (which was purchased from a high street boutique) and linked here.
Splurge Option: The Chloe Marcie saddle... can we all just take a moment and admire her beauty. This is on my Wish List for my next big splurge. It is gorgeous, neutral and the perfect accessory bag for the everyday fashion addict.
Save Option: Finding a save option for this category was not a hard task… there are so many to choose from. So I focused on finding one that is excellent quality yet still affordable. This Tory Burch Saddle bag meets and exceeds those expectations. It is a great “save” choice for those who are looking for a great looking bag with the usability for everyday wear.clutch
Sophisticated, fun, flirty and durable are the qualities I look for in a clutch whether it be a splurge or a save. Typically I carry a clutch for an evening affair or date night. I require it to be big enough to hold some cash, my card, lipcolor and phone… doesn’t need to be too big but I prefer a little chunk to the very dainty. Clutches are an accessory that can really spice up an outfit- while both the choices are black- there are so many color options, prints, sizes, textures, patterns, brands to choose from. These are just two of my favorites- one save and one splurge.
Splurge Option: The Valentino Rockstud is the perfect splurge clutch. It is dynamic, timeless and great quality. It adds immediate flare to any outfit but it simple enough to not take away from your amazing outfit.
Save Option: Katie Loxton designs the cutest things and this clutch is no exception. I am in love with it and use it every time Brendan and I have a date night. This clutch comes in a ton of other colors each with its own cheeky quote on the front. Of all the hundreds of choices this is my favorite “save” clutch– simple, sleek and fun.Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy your Thursday by snagging up a new bag for the weekend- either splurge or save.
With Love,
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Welcome back to Thursday Three… only today it is Thursday Four! This week I wanted to focus on skin care given the changing weather and therefore the need to boost your skin care routine. I’m going to start by saying I am in LOVE all of these products (and no I am not being paid to say that). I use each of these every single day… and I swear by them. When we moved I needed to find a new line of skin care that would replace my previous one as it was not available here in the UK and I am sure glad I found this line and I will continue to use if wherever we live! I tend to be a bit lazy when it comes to skin care and I prefer an easy short routine. All these products can be used with each other and the whole process for washing, seruming and moisturizing is well under 10 minutes. I have a toddler- I do not have time for 25 minute skin care routines- I envy those who do!! I know there are essentials I need to add into my skin care routine- toner being one of them. Caudalie does have a toner and I plan to begin to use it… just need to execute. A good face mask and an exfoliator are two other that I am late the game on.. maybe, at some point, I will update this post with those three new products (I did however add a few to the product widget below)! For now lets stick with these basics.
#1: this daily moisturizer is amazing It is light and does not leave a greasy feeling yet it certainly provides exceptional moisture. I use a small amount after washing my face and it lasts all day. This one has SPF in it- which is vital for my Denver ladies- and for everyone really. Side note- when we first moved here I was told, by a professional, that I did not need SPF in my daily face cream as the UV in London was not strong enough to warrant it… FALSE. Always ensure you have SPF in your face cream- skin cancer is not cool.
#2: the night cream is dynamite. It is thick and creamy- in all the good ways. It took me many tries to find one that wasn’t too thick yet still really helped to rejuvenate my skin overnight and this was the winner. I wake up feeling fresh and my skin is super smooth. I also wanted one that had a bit of an anti-wrinkle element and this one offers the complete package. Its a must have for my nightly routine,
#3: okay… so I do not feel old enough to need a tightening serum… nor did I want to come to realization that my face was starting to age… I mean who does?!? But it is the truth- we all get older- we all age and we all need a serum. So just get this one. It is the bomb. It is creamy but certainly leaves your skin feeling a bit firmer after application. I focus around my eyes (too many sleepless nights with my sweet Declan) and my forehead (too much laughing!). I tend to only use it at night before I apply my night cream however feel free to use in the morning as well. Just make sure to apply BEFORE any lotions or moisturizers or makeup.
#4: clean face = clean life! There are times were I wash my face in the middle of the day just to be able to use this face wash. I LOVE the way it smells, it takes off all my make-up including mascara and it leaves my skin feeling fresh. I gravitate towards foaming cleansers as I like the suds and I feel they leave my skin feeling a bit cleaner and without a film. The clean face feeling really helps to start my day or to wash away all the stress from the day. This one certainly accomplishes both of those feelings.
Take care of your skin and your face… it makes a difference. It took me a while to embrace this idea and to build it into my daily routines. I know there are a ton of skin care products on the market- and I am certainly no expert. These products work for me and I hope they work for you! What are your favorite go-to skin products? Would you guys like to see more like this- makeup, skin care, beauty products- leave me a comment and let me know!!!!!
Thanks for stopping by,
I have linked all the products pictured and discussed along with a few others from this line that are also worth a try.
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Shop the Look: Black Hat // Brown Hat // Plaid Scarf // Cashmere Scarf // Tortoise Shell Sunglasses // Brown Sunglasses
This fall season there are so many accessories and fashion trends to follow that it can be overwhelming… so I rounded up three fall accessories that will are easy to wear, transitional and lots of fun. Know there are a million different versions of all three of these- hats, sunnies and scarfs- so I have picked the top two from each and I made sure to keep them all under $100!!! And some of them are well under- like these sunnies for $12.
Hats! I love both of these hats and while some of you will say “hats don’t look good on me” or “I don’t like hat hair”- I am here to tell you otherwise. Floppy hats, like this black one, have a such a great shape to them that they literally look good on everyone- I mean everyone- even you! Hats work well both day and night- throw one on for a quick lunch date, to do some shopping or for an evening out with your significant other. There is virtually no wrong place to wear a hat. This brown one is perfect for a fall morning trip to the pumpkin patch or a day trip out with the family. And who cares about hat hair- you are wearing a hat… so in turn, no one will see your “hat hair”. Both of these look good with hair down or pulled back in a loose ponytail or side braid- they really are so versatile.
Despite living in London and the perceived image that it is always raining and gloomy here I do wear my sunglasses a fair amount. Now, typically I splurge on sunglasses but both of these are worth the immediate gratification. The shape is clearly very trendy and the color is perfect for any skin tone. I love the fact that both pairs have a hint of rose gold to them – especially these babies which are on sale for $50. Tortoise shell is a clearly a classic color and therefore being able to mix up the frame from season to season makes these $12 sunnies the perfect accessory this fall. Sunglasses can be so personal for some so I have added a few others that I love here; a few different styles but all still under $100 <sunnies> <sunnies> <sunnies>
This fall accessories list would obviously not be complete without adding the classic and ever popular scarf. I LOVE scarves so narrowing my list down to just two was a bit challenging so I decided to feature the most classic, go with everything, wear over and over again two… one plaid (the one in the photo is sold out so I have linked to a very similar one) and one cashmere (yes still under $100). Now, I do own many plaid scarves, of varying colors, but this classic neutral plaid one made the list for just those reasons- you can wear this beauty with just about anything- any pattern, any color, and style of shirt, hair up, hair down.. I think you get the idea. In fact, I love to wear it with prints- stripes, animal prints or larger plaid. Everyone needs a timeless singe color scarf and who doesn’t want to wear cashmere??? And when it is under $100 this simple and elegant one is the perfect piece to add to your wardrobe. Cashmere is a life long friend- so choose a color that is going to work well with your skin tone and will compliment whatever you are wearing- it will last many seasons even with continuous wear. Let me know if you are interested in a “How to Tie a Scarf” tutorial video and I’ll get one up!
Accessorizing an outfit can really turn it from ordinary to extraordinary whether it be adding a cute hat for a day out or throwing on a classic plaid scarf for a pop of color or sporting the perfect pair of rose gold sunnies on these beautiful autumn days really have me loving the options for upping my fashion game! Hoping you get out and enjoy the beautiful weather, no matter where you are, and make sure to let me know what you want to see in this Thursday Three section!
Thanks for stopping by-
With love,Shop all the products and more below:
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This is new post category you can start to expect every Thursday- my intention is to share quick tidbits to help you style an outfit, share my favorite accessories-skin care-hair care products, offer a few suggestions for an easy date night, highlight some of London (and maybe even Colorado’s) finest attractions, offer suggestions for toddler style-activities-parenting… and anything else you guys want to see— in fact I hope, over time, this section is driven by you guys- leave me comments about what you want to see, what you want to learn, what interests you.
This week- given we are really starting to experience fall weather- I wanted to share my three favorite chunky sweaters. This season I am loving everything about chunky sweaters- they are easy to pair with distressed skinnies, a faux leather skirt, loose boy friend jeans- literally just about anything. Typically I am drawn to gray- like this cross front one (unfortunately it is sold out so I have linked two others <similar> <similar>)- both heather gray and charcoal gray- but this season I am trying to expand my horizon so I have included both a neutral tan and a fun bright green. All three of these are from Asos – which is becoming my go to for all things style (one day shipping and hundreds of brands). All three are easy to wear and can virtually be paired with anything- they all go with both black and brown- all three can be worn with denim or skirts- all three can be dressed up with a statement piece like these <necklace> <necklace> <earrings> <earrings> or simply worn solo with a fun pair of booties for more casual look. You can find so many styles of chunky sweaters this season and I like mine fairly chunky but not too aggressive. I like to be cozy and comfortable but I prefer not the feel engulfed and swallowed whole by my sweater- so I tend to shy away from the over-sized over-chunky. I like a nice thickness and all three of these provide just that. Literally, all three of these sweaters are on repeat throughout my week and I see no stopping in sight.
Chunky sweaters are easily my favorite fall trend for many reasons- several listed above- but also because these sweaters will be so essential come winter. As the weather changes and it starts to get much colder I plan to continue the weekly wear and am excited to add some layering to each of them- both underneath (maybe a neutral chambray button down) and over the top (wool coats and puffy vests)! Plus, they are so cute! And cozy! It makes getting dressed in the morning just a little less anxious- we all have those morning where everything looks bad, nothing fits, all your clothes are awful- throw one of these on with your favorite skinnines and BAM! you are ready for your day- whether it be for work, to a play date, a meeting, lunch or a fun fall activity- these chunky sweaters are the perfect companion! Make sure to watch Instagram for all the different ways to wear your chunky sweater. And don’t forget to head to the ‘Shop’ page where all the outfits are liked for easy shopping– seriously, go get yourself one– today.
This weekend we have a lot of errands and a few play dates planned- I am positive one of these will make an appearance- if not both days at least one. What are you up to the next couple of days?. Have a great weekend friends!
Thanks for stopping by-
With Love,
P.S. Comment below and tell me what you might want to see in this section – want to deliver content you guys are interested in so make sure to let me know!! Smooches!