At this point in February, it seems as though the winter is never. going. to. end. But! I have it on good authority that spring is, in fact, happening this year. We just have to wait a few more weeks. This also means that we’re on the cusp of that awkward pseudo-spring transition period where we don’t want to be completely clad in wintry garb, but we aren’t quite ready for light frocks and spring florals. So, where to direct your shopping addiction? Killer transition pieces like this embroidered floral pencil skirt.
Dark florals have been a major trend all season, and this embroidered pencil skirt is the perfect winter-to-spring transition piece. The skirt’s black background allows it to pair perfectly with winter basics like black tights and sweaters, but as temperatures start to climb, a blush tank and spring sandals will make for a beautiful warm weather look.
If you’re looking to sport this pencil skirt at the office, take note that the built-in slip only extends to the mid-thigh—the standard mini skirt length. If you’re worried about the see-through portion in a professional setting, snag a pencil skirt slip like this one or this one and you’re good to go. I wore it in today’s pictures sans slip so that you could accurately see the actual skirt itself.
Depending on your height, weight, diet and activity levels, you should be drinking anywhere from 70 to 100 ounces of water a day. For some reason, this is typically quoted in terms of eight ounce-glasses like the commonly-reference rule of thumb—drink eight glasses of water a day! However, if you’re drinking out of an eight-ounce glass, this means you’re supposed to remember to get up and refill your glass 8-11 times a day. If you’re capable of doing this, kudos. But do you have a chart? Do you keep a tally? Assuming your day is also populated by work or literally any activity other than drinking water, how do you remember what glass you’re on after, say, glass number four or five without losing count? This may seem like an absurdly easy/obvious fix, but when kickstarting my fitness goals this year, as one does, I bought this 32-ounce water bottle from Amazon, and it has been a game-changer. All I have to remember is to refill it three times a day and I’m properly hydrated. Easy-peasy.
NEW BOOK: Little Fires Everywhere by Celest Ng
I can’t seem to turn around lately without someone telling me about this book, so I’m officially jumping on the bandwagon. I’m only a couple chapters in but so far SO GOOD. Have any of you read it yet??
BINGE-WATCHING: Grace and Frankie
If you haven’t added this Netflix series to your list, do it now. The cast is spectacular—Jane Fonda, Martin Sheen, Lily Tomlin, Sam Waterston, Brooklyn Decker, and (my personal favorite) June Diane Raphael. You will die laughing.
LILY’S CHOCOLATE
I’m a completely hopeless sugar addict. I’m telling you, I can park away sweets like nobody’s business, and chocolate is a particular weakness. HOWEVER, I’ve been (reluctantly) learning more and more about the horrendous effects sugar has on our bodies, and slowly attempting to cut back. Enter Lily’s chocolate. If you’re unfamiliar, Lily’s chocolate is a company that makes stevia-sweetened low-calorie chocolate that’s certified gluten free. They have tons of different chocolate chips and bars, but if you’re skeptical, I dare you to try a salted almond bar and tell me you don’t love it. SO delicious and completely sugar free.
WINE AWAY
I recently bought a pair of ivory Goldsign jeans (which I LOVE and highly recommend!!) and promptly had a friend accidentally spill red wine all over me (HI ROB, LOVE YOU). Thankfully, my assistant introduced my to the magic of wine away. Am I the only person on planet earth that didn’t know about this magic potion?! I was trying all kinds of weird DIY remedies that popped up on google (none of which worked) and then one spritz of wine away and the STAIN. WAS. GONE.
SKINCARE BRAND TO KNOW: Epionce
As mentioned, I’ve been doing tons of skincare research in advance of a boatload of skincare posts that I’ll be publishing this year (starting VERY SOON). One brand that I keep coming across and have begun to test is Epionce. It’s a brand that was started by dermatologist Dr. Carl Thornfeld (trained by Nobel Prize winner, Linus Pauling) whose products are clinically proven to repair and strengthen skin. I’ve been using their Lytic Gel Cleanser and their Intense Defense Anti-Aging and Repair Serum and absolutely loving both.
NEW FAVORITE PLACE TO SHOP: The Modist
If you frequent retailers like Net-A-Porter or Moda Operandi, it’s high time you add The Modist to your line up of favorite shopping destinations as well. This luxury e-tailer focuses on “modest” fashion, but their is nothing modest about the brand line-up or insanely amazing styles. They’ve been on my radar since opening their digital doors in March 2017, and have been blowing my mind ever since. You can read more about the site and its founder in this Vogue article. Especially if you’re looking for top notch quality in styles that pack a seriously chic punch while still dressing conservatively for a professional environment, this is your new go-to.
SKIRT: Saloni (also available HERE) | SWEATER: Chinti and Parker (similar HERE) | SHOES: Sam Edelman (sold out, similar HEREand HERE) | SUNGLASSES: Prada (similarHERE) | BAG: Saint Laurent (old, similar HEREand affordable alternative HERE) | NECKLACE: Biko (sold out, love THISone) | EARRINGS: Vintage, love THESEand THESE
As evidenced by today’s look, the unseasonable spike in temperatures last week had me in a particularly colorful mood. Somewhere in the process of pulling things out of my closet and initially failing to style them to my satisfaction, this multi-colored polka dot midi skirt and rainbow stripe sweater fell on top of each and voilà! It just seemed to work. Of course, I can see the sweater being a classic, cheerful closet staple worn with distressed denim and sneakers on the weekends; while the skirt would be sharp with a crisp white blouse for a more toned-down office look. Worn together or separately, these pieces served up just the right amount of pep to brighten even the longest January day. Happy weekend!! xx
SKIRT: Saloni (also available HERE) | SWEATER: Chinti and Parker (similar HERE) | SHOES: Sam Edelman (sold out, similar HEREand HERE) | SUNGLASSES: Prada (similarHERE) | BAG: Saint Laurent (old, similar HEREand affordable alternative HERE) | NECKLACE: Biko (sold out, love THISone) | EARRINGS: Vintage, love THESEand THESE
DRESS: Temperley London (on sale! similar affordable alternative HERE, HEREand HERE) | SHOES: Jimmy Choo (sold out, similar affordable option HERE) | BELT: Chloe (last worn in THIS OUTFIT; also love THIS) | BAG: Saint Laurent (sold out, similar HERE) | LIPS Nars (Under My Thumb)
As mentioned in this week’s Monday Memo, Net-A-Porter is offering an extra 20% off their final clearance and I’m telling you, it is not to be missed. Exhibit A: this gorgeous black lace midi dress by Temperley London. If you don’t own a black long sleeve midi dress, I highly recommend taking a closer look at this one or one of my other favorites below. It’s incredibly versatile and can be worn all year round. Similarly, I have no idea how this STUNNER at Saks Off Fifth is only $29, but you better believe I’m snatching it up like my life depends on it.
DRESS: Temperley London (on sale! similar affordable alternative HERE, HEREand HERE) | SHOES: Jimmy Choo (sold out, similar affordable option HERE) | BELT: Chloe (also love THIS) | BAG: Saint Laurent (sold out, similar HERE) | LIPS Nars (Under My Thumb)
Rich and I just got our first few deliveries of Blue Apron and I can’t even begin to describe HOW MUCH WE LOVE IT SO FAR. We’re four weeks in and I can’t imagine going back. Excellent quality food, generous portions, healthy options, and absolutely delicious. Living the start-up life in NYC means no time to go grocery shopping and even less time to prep and plan meals. Blue Apron has been our savior. If you sign up HERE, you can get $30 Off Your First Blue Apron Order (which equates to your first three meals free). HIGHLY recommend.
TANGLE TEASER
After a friend kept raving about this brush from Amazon I finally ordered one and I now can’t BELIEVE I’ve lived my entire life trying to detangle my thick hair with a regular brush. It makes detangling wet or dry hair completely easy and pain-free and, most importantly, minimizes breakage during the process. Not only do I use it on wet hair, but the tangle teezer brush is also amazing to use after spraying my dry hair with hairspray when I’m styling it (as described in this post on how I curl my hair).
NET-A-PORTER SALE
If you haven’t perused this sale yet, RUN DON’T WALK. They’re offering an extra 20% off in these final days of the clearance, and the items included are truly IN. SANE. You’ll find these amazing pants which I wore in this post; this super versatile denim dress which I wore during 30 Dresses in 30 Days; this GORGEOUS red blouse which I just purchased, and even gorgeous swimwear like this adorable one-piece. And don’t even get me started on the shoes and bags on sale. Nutzo.
POPSOCKET + POPSOCKET HOLDER MOUNTS
If you’ve seen these everywhere for months, I apologize for beating a dead horse. However, I feel like I get asked at least once a day what the heck is on the back of your phone?! Well here it is: a popsocket. You can watch the video here on everything it does, but it makes holding your phone (especially if you have a larger phone like the iPhone plus) WAY easier and also doubles as a stand. NOW, if you already have a popsocket and this section is a giant snoozefest for you, take a gander at these popsocket mounts if you haven’t already. I have one mounted on the backsplash in my kitchen as well as the mirror in my bathroom and they allow me to easily watch a show or listen to a podcast while I’m getting ready in the morning or preparing a meal.
NYC RESTAURANT FAVORITE: Loring Place
Loring Place opened in NYC last May and it’s quickly become one of our absolute favorites in the village. It’s no surprise since chef Dan Kluger hails from ABC Kitchen and ABC Cocina but if you go, don’t miss the baked ricotta and roasted kabocha squash.
Laura Mercier Velour Extreme Matte Lipstick
If you follow me on instagram or have peeped my ultimate list of beauty favorites, you know I’m a huge fan of Laura Mercier. The brand just launched a new line of matte lipsticks which I’ve been testing over the last several weeks and I can now confirm I’m an enormous fan. They’re full coverage, matte, moisturizing, and come in the most insanely beautiful range of colors. I’m also a huge fan of the long, slim “bullet” packaging with a built-in shaper for when you need a perfect line.
My obsession with maxi cardigans started around the time of this post and has only picked up steam in the interim. Especially on brutally cold winter days, there’s nothing more wonderful than heading to the office in what feels like a bathrobe, but looks like a chic topper. If you’re worried about your long cardigan looking too shapeless or casual, try belting it over pants or your favorite sheath. Not only does the waist belt create a flattering shape, but it also dresses up your look and makes it much more professional. The Alexander Wang cardigan I’m wearing today is definitely an investment piece, but check out many similar options below at all price points.
Similar to my obsession with long cardigans, I’ve been wearing stirrup pants non-stop since discussing them during the fall trend memo series. They’re incredibly flattering because the stirrup pulls the leg-line taught and elongates the appearance of your legs. As discussed in today’s Monday Memo, Net-A-Porter is having an insane sale right now and the exact Theory stirrup pants I’m wearing today are on major sale in a gorgeous emerald green hue. If you’re looking for a more neutral pair in basic black like the stirrups I’m wearing today (which are also on sale!), check out some of my favorites below.
