Holiday season and gifting are upon us. I’m rounding up my Coach sale favorites! I treated myself to a fun little leather good treat as well (check it out on my insta!)
Four Favorite Lip Colors for Winter
I find that a bold swipe of lipstick is all I need to brighten up my look during the winter when I feel like I’m inundated by black, gray, and navy blue clothing.
I spent the afternoon fiddling with my collection of colors, and thought I would share my favorite picks for this winter.
I think deep tones are always winter appropriate – they are moody, dramatic, and beautiful on every skin tone. This year, I’m leaning more towards the deep berry tones that are still in the red family, but have a distinctly plummy feel.
My second love this winter is the orangey-flame colored satin lip. I love a good matte lip, but this year, I am adoring a slight sheen to my orange-red lip.
And of course, I love a peppy magenta pink…. I prefer this deep pink on my skin tone to a red lip. I also find it less dramatic and a little unique. My year-round favorite is this one from Buxom in the shade Monte Carlo. You can find me wearing this lip color all year round.
From left to right:
Buxom Full-On Lip Stick in Monte Carlo (my all time favorite color and formula)
Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Tanin
Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Jam
Buxom Big & Sexy Bold Gel Lipstick in Rouge Red
Tell me in the comments your favorite brands and colors for this winter – and what I should try next!
Thank you for visiting! ❤
Scenes from Skyline and Blue Ridge Parkway
In the summer, I drove from Virginia to Atlanta via the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway. It was amazing.
Tell me in the comments – have you driven the Blue Ridge Parkway or Skyline? What were your favorite stops?
Thank you for visiting!
Five Things: Effortless Ways To Look Polished During the Holidays
I met a friend for lunch the other day, and she commented that I always seemed to look put together, even during the holidays. What a lovely compliment!! But, the truth of the matter is that I stick the basics that I know work for me. I’m just like everyone else – and I have those days where I’m wearing wrinkled clothing and my jacket is misshapen with everything I’ve stuffed in my pockets. Over the years, I’ve discovered that these 5 things during the hectic winter months are the best way to feel and look a little more polished.
Number One:: A sophisticated scarf. I tend to gravitate towards the large cashmere scarves that are a single color. I like the oversized nature of the one I’m wearing here. It wraps beautifully around my neck, and I can just as easily wear it as a shawl. Similar here, and really loving the colors here.
Number Two:: Statement earrings. A little sparkle during the holidays is key to looking a little more polished. I stay away from anything that is too heavy since I’m often running around for the entire day, and choose pieces that can transition between day and evening well. I often keep a spare pair in my bag, in case I need a little sparkle on the go. I bought these from J-Crew several seasons ago, but there are plenty of amazing options at every price point. (Like these or these).
Number Three:: Tote Bag. For occasions, I tend to opt for the tiniest of bite sized bags, but for every day during the holidays I grab a trusty tote or carryall bag in a polished or interesting leather. This one was a chance buy from Cole Haan (the men’s department!), and I adore the character of the leather. I can toss everything in here without a thought and maintain a put together look without stuffing things into pockets and looking scrubby. I adore this and this from the Cole Haan women’s collection this year.
Number Four:: Ear Muffs. Ear muffs serve a dual purpose for me. First – they keep my ears warm and my hair style intact. Second – they look absolutely adorable hanging around the handles of my tote. These are the exact pair I have.
Number Five:: Glass Water Bottle. It’s an unusual pick, but I feel my best when I’m well hydrated and I feel more put together when I have water in my bag. This is my favorite water bottle for on the go. You can find the entire range of sizes at the LifeFactory website (and on Amazon)
Thank you for visiting! Tell me in the comments what your tricks are to staying put together during the holiday season!
Artist Spotlight: Saoirse Lou
I remember when I was a child, I saw magic everywhere. When mushrooms would bloom overnight in the shade of the trees, I imagined that a fairy or elf had deposited them to enchant me. I think, as we get older and more mature, we forget about the magic around us… we learn more about science and practical things, so the magic begins to elude us.
Saoirse, yes – her name is just as magical as her illustrations, manages to capture that whimsical magic that we all believed in as children. When I first saw an illustration that Saoirse had posed on Instagram, I was enchanted. I had the opportunity to ask a few questions, so I thought I’d share a little bit of her inspiration here and a few of her beautiful illustrations.
What inspires you, Saoirse?
I am inspired by magic and nature. I remember growing up feeling so peaceful and a sense of awe in the woods, imagining my own worlds. In my artwork, I try to recreate that feeling of whimsy and peace from my childhood.
How did you get into illustration?
As I grew up I was utterly transfixed by animation, characters and books – I was always collecting interesting books and getting lost in the illustrations. I would copy pictures from the books and animations, as I got older I developed my own style and realised how badly I wanted to put my own illustrated world down onto paper.
Tell me a fun fact about you and your art!
In school I used to hide drawing paper inside a revision book so it looked like I was being studious when really I was doodling.
You can visit Saoirse on Instagram or at her Etsy shop! I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about Saoirse. Tell me in the comment: Do Saoirse’s illustrations take you back to childhood too???
Perkins Memorial
A few years ago, I saw this dress…. Unfortunately, my size was nowhere to be found. A few weeks later, I saw the dress again on the sale rack. Despite the dress being several sizes too large, I gleefully took it home. I cinch the volume of the dress down to my size with a wide belt, and it gives a little extra swing in the dress. It’s a long time favorite, especially during the hot months when I want to be comfortable, cool, and put together.
I’m standing at the top of this beautiful mountain – Perkins Memorial. Perkins Memorial is a beautiful drive or hike in the middle of Bear Mountain and it has some fantastic views of Hudson Valley. I visited on a cloudy day, but it was still absolutely breathtaking to see the entire valley in bloom and green. The tower is open seasonally, and the view is even more stunning from the top.
Thank you so much for visiting! Tell me in the comments if you’ve visited this part of Hudson Valley before, and what your favorites are!
Three Days: Monterey to Big Sur
I arrived in Monterey late on Thursday, and departed Saturday afternoon. I spent plenty of time wandering and enjoying the beautiful scenery. These are my favorite kinds of trips – the kind where you wander and explore organically, without having any plans or deadlines. It’s incredibly refreshing and fun.
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Day One:
- Arrive in Monterey, check into the Intercontinental Hotel.
- Walk from Cannery Row to Lovers Point along the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail… enjoy watching the seals and pups!
- Dinner at The Beach House at Lover’s Point. Definitely recommend – excellent service and good food with a fantastic view.
Day Two:
- Drive to Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Wander the galleries, and explore the beaches near Carmel-by-the-Sea
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Day Three:
- Drive to Big Sur (at least up to where Route 1 is closed due to road closure)
- Stop everywhere along Route 1 to take in the view! Pro-tip: Pack a lunch and plenty of water so you can focus on the view and enjoying yourself!
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Thank you so much for visiting! Tell me – what your favorite picture from my short little trip is!
