At this point, I think it’s fair to say that my propensity to wear black and white clothing is officially a chronic condition. I could wear this combo all day every day and be happy as a dalmation having tea with a zebra. This look featuring the Carolina Herrera dress of my DREAMZ was my outfit of choice for the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic here in New York a few weeks back, and I’ve been binging on black and white fashion ever since. Today, I’m rounding up my favorite black and white pieces (like this dress that’s very similar to the CH version I’m wearing!) along with my top tips on how to style them below!
THE BEST BLACK AND WHITE PIECES AND HOW TO STYLE THEM
Add these black and white earrings to even the simplest t-shirt and jeans and it’s a whole different ball game. Never underestimate the power of accessories, y’all.
The same styling rules apply to a chic black and white shoe. My personal favorite might be these black and white leopard pumps because you can wear them year-round, but for summer, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a sandal cuter than these (check out the gingham option)!
This black and white gingham dress remains one of my very favorites from the 30 Dresses in 30 Days series. It’s a classic summer staple that you’ll wear for years and also looks amazing with a black waist belt and white button up layered underneath!
When it comes to timeless wardrobe staples, you can’t beat this blazer. Wear it to the office with white wide-leg pants and wear it on the weekends with your favorite denim shorts.
Scroll through the slideshow below for a complete list of my favorite black and white pieces!
For Monday Memo No. 17 and as announced on Women’s Wear Daily, we’re so thrilled to unveil that Rachel Zoe has joined the Trove team! As one of the leading voices in the industry whose many hats include celebrity stylist, media mogul, designer and CEO, it’s been a dream to have her as both a business partner and friend. Rachel is as brilliant as she is stylish/ She truly is one of the nicest people in the industryon the planet. It is impossible to articulate how grateful we are for her invaluable contributions in building Trove. Together with her husband and business partner Rodger Berman, we’ve been blown away not only by their genuine excitement for the company, but their eagerness to jump in. And of course, as husband and wife co-founders ourselves, we couldn’t dream of better partners!
In addition to the app that so many of you know and love, we have several very exciting announcements in the coming weeks and months, so stay tuned!
The Best Hairdryers On The Planet
If you’re looking for a traditional hair dryer, I’ve used T3’s hair dryer for years (they also make my favorite curling wand as well) and highly recommend all of their products. However, in the past few months I’ve switched over to the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dyer and my gahd. I’m a total convert. My hair dries quicker and feels healthier than ever before. I have thick hair so it used to take a good 15-20 minutes to dry thoroughly. Now with the Dyson, it takes five minutes max. Between the time it saves and the noticeable difference I’ve seen in the health of my hair (more shine, better texture, fewer split ends), I would say it is absolutely worth the investment. You’ll have this sucker for YEARS and your hair (and alarm clock) will thank you.
The Best Portable Charger – Monday Memo
Between Rich and I, we now own at least four of these portable chargers. Since our jobs require the constant use of our phones, we’ve tested dozens over the years, and this model is hands-down our favorite. The reason is three-fold:
It has the highest power storage to size ratio with 20,000 mAh and a compact design that’s still small enough to fit into most handbags (it’s about the length of my iPhone 8 Plus);
It has a built-in stand which allows you to prop up your phone to comfortably continue using/watching while it charges; and
It has a built-in iPhone AND Android cord.
This last point is particularly key.
There are a ton of models on the market that do not have one built-in cord, much less two, and not only is remembering a separate phone cord a fool’s game, but the extra bulk/congestion in your bag is no bueno (especially if you’re carrying a small purse). With two different types of cords, I’m able to simultaneously charge my iPhone and my favorite bluetooth headphones (which use the same charging cord as an Android) simultaneously. The charger gives me a full FOUR charges on my iPhone 8 Plus (same for Rich’s iPhone X) and I never leave home without it. Oh, and it just so happens to also be super sleek and pretty. WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED?
P.S. There are a few reviews on Amazon that describe issues with the device’s cords/charging ability after a few months. If this is the case, the company has a 100% guarantee and will send you a replacement immediately (as confirmed by other reviewers). I’m guessing there’s going to be one or two bad eggs in the bunch with any product, and people are more likely to review when they have a negative experience than the (likely) hundreds of people like me who have had a positive experience. We’ve had ours for months and have never experienced any issues whatsoever.
New Google Ad Settings Portal
In the wake of Facebook’s Cambridge Analytica scandal and the resulting widespread discussions about privacy, Google unveiled a new Ad Settings page that gives you insight into and control over the data that Google uses to tailor ads and search results to you. On this page, you can see all of the different factors that Google is using and adjust any individual interests that you believe to be wrong. Of course, many people incorrectly believe that turning Ad Personalization off will prevent Google from targeting them with ads, but this is a bad idea. You’ll still see ads while browsing, they’ll just be less relevant to your interests because Google will have no idea what you like. In reality, this kind of targeting can actually be incredibly helpful in your online experience (when done correctly and within reason!), so having these additional controls from Google is a great thing.
The Next Skincare Monday Memo
I’ve absolutely loved writing the Skincare Memos over the last several months and have many more in the works! In case you missed it, last week I broke down everything you need to know about Vitamin C products which you can read HERE. Before that, I did a deep-dive into exfoliation, how to properly clean your face, and even discussed the top seven skincare myths (that are pretty shocking). In the coming weeks and months I’ll be tackling many more skincare-related subjects (like retinols, facial oils, sheet masks, etc.), but if there are any topics that you’re particularly curious about, please let me know in the comments below!
We’ve all heard of Vitamin C and its role in promoting a healthy immune system. However, this vitamin also plays a pivotal role in the health of your skin with a long list of clinically-proven benefits. According to the Cleveland Clinic (and innumerable other highly-reputable sources), Vitamin C is the only anti-oxidant that is scientifically proven to stimulate the synthesis of collagen. It also helps in minimizing fine lines, scars, and wrinkles. In addition to stimulating collagen production, Vitamin C can also reverse and prevent damage due to photoaging. It can also help reduce hyperpigmentation and brighten the skin. It is no wonder Vitamin C has become a holy grail ingredient in cult skincare products and is a must-have step in any skincare routine.
Everything You Need to Know About Vitamin C Skincare Products and How to Use Them
Vitamin C is naturally found in both the dermis and epidermis of the skin. However, as we age, the amount of vitamin C in our skin can decrease substantially. As such, our skin may look dull, wrinkled, and dry. To restore the optimal level of Vitamin C in the skin, you can apply a vitamin C product topically to the surface of the skin. When applied topically, this potent product can travel past the epidermis into deeper layers of the skin.
There are many serums out there due to the popularity of Vitamin C. Other skincare products on the market containing this active ingredient, but not all Vitamin C serums are created equal. Currently, my favorite Vitamin C product is the Dermalogica Biolumin-C Serum. This serum contains the highest concentration. It also has the most stable formulation of L-Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) along with Lactic Acid (a powerful AHA).
DERMALOGICA
Age Smart BioLumin-C Serum
Vitamin C is something I use year-round. However, its benefits are especially powerful in the summer and other periods when my skin has increased exposure to the sun. Due to its powerful antioxidant properties, Vitamin C neutralizes free radicals due to sun exposure and other environmental pollutants. UV radiation is a major trigger of free radicals in the skin. While adequate sunscreen is a non-negotiable any day of the week, make sure yours has both UVA and UVB protection! Vitamin C has become a must-have addition to my daily skincare routine as well.
How do I incorporate it into my skincare routine?
Vitamin C is unstable and can oxidize quickly when exposed to light. Therefore, you want to make sure you store your serum in a cool, dark place to limit oxidization (this is true for most skincare products!). Vitamin C is safe to use in conjunction with other antioxidants, AHAs, sunscreen and retinoids, but it is water-soluble, so make sure to apply the serum BEFORE facial oils or oil-soluble acids. I apply the serum every morning after using an acid toner, before moisturizer.
However, if you have sensitive skin, you may want to use this in lieu of an acid toner as the use of two acidic products may cause irritation for some (and the Vitamin C and Lactic Acid in this product provide acid exfoliation as well). For me, using the products together doesn’t irritate my skin, and the combination is great because the extra acid exfoliation actually enhances the efficacy of the Vitamin C product.
Hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments below!
WRAP SKIRT: J.Crew (similar HERE, HEREandHERE) | TEE: J.Crew (one of my favorites as discussed here) | CLUTCH: Cult Gaia (sold out in black, love the tan version HEREand similar affordable option HERE) | SHOES: Loeffler Randall | SUNGLASSES: BP. | LIPS: Stila (Fiery)
While your conception of ruffles may be dominated by imagery of childhood nightgowns and/or tragic holiday dresses that your mother stuffed you into (just me?), the fresh, modern ways in which ruffles have resurfaced for the past several seasons have hopefully started to change your mind. Ruffles are one of the easiest ways to amp things up a notch and look like you’re trying, without actually trying (big win). Today, I’m rounding up some favorite ruffled pieces that I recently spotted at Nordstrom which can take you from casual Friday at the office to Saturday night dinner dates without skipping a beat.
How To Wear Ruffles
Whether you’re looking for a fun ruffled skirt like the option I’m wearing today or chic ruffled sandal that can make the simplest outfit look chic and put-together, check out all of my favorites below from Nordstrom!
WRAP SKIRT: J.Crew (similar HERE, HEREandHERE) | TEE: J.Crew (one of my favorites as discussed here) | CLUTCH: Cult Gaia (sold out in black, love the tan version HEREand similar affordable option HERE) | SHOES: Loeffler Randall | SUNGLASSES: BP. | LIPS: Stila (Fiery)
Thanks to Nordstrom and ShopStyle for partnering on this post!
The 30 Dresses in 30 Days series continues to be my favorite bi-annual series here on the blog, but a close second is when some of my favorite dresses from the series go on SALE. Below are a few of the dresses featured in this spring’s series that are now on major discount. You can click directly on each image to go back to the original post, or click on the links beneath each image to shop each dress on sale!
We all know the importance of sunscreen (especially in the summer sun!) but it’s not easy to find one that (a) feels good on your face and (b) plays nice under your makeup. If, like me, you rarely find a facial sunscreen that you like, try Glossier’s Invisible Shield Daily Sunscreen. It’s an invisible gel that leaves no white cast and no greasy residue while providing SPF 35 broad spectrum UVA and UVB coverage. These are all equally important for proper sun protection (read more about that HERE).
Reformation now at Nordstrom
You’ve likely noticed that Reformation has been a favorite dress brand of mine for several years, so I’m thrilled to see that they’re now carried at Nordstrom! Since this means even easier ordering and returns, I recently went hog-wild snagging this stunning dress and these perfect jeans. Both fit like a dream, but the jeans are especially fantastic for all heights. They have a raw hem and a 29-inch inseam. This means that even if you’re super tall like me, you won’t be stuck with “cropped” jeans that hit you awkwardly at mid-calf or above. The beauty of these jeans is that they’re long enough for tall girls, but if you’re more petite. All you need to do is cut them to your desired length, no formal tailoring needed. With a raw hem, that’s all there is to it—it’s supposed to fray naturally with wear.
Glowing Green Smoothie
A girlfriend recently got me onto this smoothie recipe which I’ve been making constantly the last few months with our Vitamix. Not only are the health benefits phenomenal, but if you read more about it here, Kimberly Snyder aptly points out the important nutritional value of blended smoothies as well:
Blending helps make greens’ full spectrum of nutrition readily available to the body. Nutrients are encased inside plant cells and getting their benefits requires these cells’ walls to be ruptured. Greens need to be worked down to a creamy consistency, but most people simply don’t chew that much! Blending addresses this problem, helping your body absorb the maximum amount of nutrition from your greens.
It’s such a good reminder that simply eating veggies doesn’t guarantee that your body is getting all of the health benefits. For this and so many other reasons, our Vitamix continues to be one of the best purchases we’ve ever made.
Bluetooth Keyboard
A few months ago I ordered this bluetooth keyboard for my iPhone from Amazon and it has been an absolute godsend. The keyboard is compatible with iPhone, Android and Windows (along with most tablets). It has a built-in stand to hold your phone while using, and folds up into a compact. It’s lightweight brick which makes it perfect for throwing in your bag while on the go.
I originally ordered it because I was having a hard time keeping up with DMs on instagram (#bloggerproblemz)—you can’t access DMs on a desktop. So, it was way too time-consuming trying to respond to long questions with my phone. Since it’s so sleek, portable and easy-to-use, I now take it with me everywhere and use it for writing emails, texts, DMs and even blog posts on my phone while in transit. Of course, it also doesn’t hurt that it comes in four beautiful aluminum shades to perfectly match your iPhone…
Map Pendant Necklace
I constantly get questions about the round gold pendant necklace I wear almost everyday. It is a Map necklace by A. Jaffe. In the 2+ years since I got mine, I’ve given them as gifts to my mom and my best friend, and can’t say enough good things. Not only are they beautiful necklaces, but they make for extra meaningful gifts. You’re able to have a location etched on the pendant with a diamond over the exact spot that is special to you. On mine, I have the city in which Rich and I tied the knot. I added a diamond marking the exact location of the church where we were married. They have a super wide range of styles and prices (there’s a stunning sterling silver pendant that’s as low as $125). You can click here to see all of the different options!
