TIE NECK TOP: c/o Tahari | WIDE LEG TROUSER: St. John (similar HERE) | ANKLE STRAP SANDALS: Steve Madden | FRONT HOOP EARRINGS: Argento Vivo | HANDBAG: Gucci (sold out, similarHERE) | ROUND SUNGLASSES: c/o Sunday Somewhere
With summer coming to a close (insert 2,000 crying emojis here), your days by the water are numbered, but your seafaring style doesn’t have to be. If you read last week’s post on statement pants, then you already know I’ve been digging sailor vibes in a big way lately. There’s something about classic sailor-inspired details like these button-front pants and tie neck top that always get me. If you’re eyeing all things nautical, check out a few more favorites below!
Sailor Vibes
TIE NECK TOP: c/o Tahari | WIDE LEG TROUSER: St. John (similar HERE) | ANKLE STRAP SANDALS: Steve Madden | FRONT HOOP EARRINGS: Argento Vivo | HANDBAG: Gucci (sold out, similarHERE) | ROUND SUNGLASSES: c/o Sunday Somewhere
DRESS: Ted Baker | PUMPS: Saint Laurent (similar HERE) | BAG: Gucci (similar HERE) | EARRINGS: old, similar HERE | SUNGLASSES: Sonix
When staring down the barrel of a hectic workweek, there’s nothing better than that go-to black sheath dress that doesn’t require much thought, but makes you look and feel like a million bucks. I recently spotted this Ted Baker beauty at Nordstrom and let’s just say, it had me at “11% elastane.” With beautiful architectural lines and peplum detailing at the waist, the dress’s sleek, sculptural appearance belies how unbelievably comfortable the stretchy knit fabric really is.
If you’re looking to refresh your arsenal of fall workwear, Ted Baker has a ton of other stunners for in or out of the office. Check out a few more that I recently spotted at Nordstrom below, including this beauty which is currently in my shopping cart…
DRESS: Ted Baker | PUMPS: Saint Laurent (similar HERE) | BAG: Gucci (similar HERE) | EARRINGS: old, similar HERE | SUNGLASSES: Sonix
SK-II has been a favorite skincare brand of mine for years, and their Facial Treatment Essence kept coming up as the “holy grail” essence product in both my conversations with friends and my research. This particular essence is a clear, lightweight liquid rich in vitamins, amino acids, minerals and other organic acids. It boasts the ability to help to reduce wrinkles, improve skin tone, increase firmness and enhance overall radiance. Sounds great, but isn’t that what every skincare product claims?
SK-II
Facial Treatment Essence
DKNY
Long Robe
To be honest, I’ve grown weary of the 90% of skincare brands that are like, Hey! Let’s throw a bunch of multi-syllabic pseudo-scientific words on a bottle! That’ll get ’em! Thankfully, this is a main point of differentiation for SK-II and their Facial Treatment Essence. As you can see here, SK-II not only has robust scientific evidence behind their primary ingredient—PiteraTM—but they also go to great lengths to educate consumers on its benefits. A brand that doesn’t treat me like an idiot?! How refreshing.
After doing my due diligence, I decided to give this product the old college try. I embarked on my #OneBottleAwayFrom journey (hopefully!) to the healthy, radiant skin I haven’t seen in a few years. For 30 days, I applied the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence after cleansing my skin, once in the morning and once at night. You just saturate a cotton swab with the liquid (or pour a teaspoon-sized amount into the palm of your hand) and pat it all over your face and neck. Easy-peasy.
SK-II
Facial Treatment Essence
30 days later, I’m an absolute CONVERT. As a perpetually sleep-deprived entrepreneur, my skin often takes a serious toll, but incorporating this essence into my routine for a month has produced VISIBLE results. My skin is noticeably more firm, more even, and all-around healthier. After two weeks, I noticed a huge improvement in my skin’s tightness and general texture: It was smoother than it had been in years, which only improved over the following two weeks. By the end of my trial, I couldn’t believe the bright complexion staring back at me in the mirror. Bottom line—this product is now a permanent staple in my skincare routine and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
If you read last week’s post on pink + red, then you know that bright color combos are on FIRE right now. But don’t think for a skinny minute that this color inferno won’t burn bright wayyyy past summer.
Get used to bold hues, my friends, because you’ll be seeing ’em everywhere all through the fall and winter seasons. *Giving a real quick shout out to the heavyweight champ of the year, pink, for maintaining its reign three seasons strong (and counting!)* I was never a huge pink fan until recently, but now I can’t get enough. (PSA: It isn’t going anywhere soon.) The mockneck silk blouse I’m wearing today is one of my absolute favorite new Nordstrom finds, and I love the subtle puffed shoulder and tie back detailing (also check out the surprise cutouts at the cuff!).
This pleated midi skirt is the perfect shade of deep orange that will carry you all through fall, cut in a classic silhouette that can literally take you anywhere. This hue will also look beautiful with neutrals,and could easily be paired with a white button down if you’re looking to take a more subtle approach.
To ground the bright colors, I paired with simple makeup and black accessories. But as you can see, the accessories still pack a punch of their own. I ADORE this black D&G Sicily bag with the embellished handle that adds just enough excitement, but doesn’t prevent it from being super wearable. As you know, I’ve had the bag in nude for a while, and for me, there is not a more beautiful, timeless silhouette on the planet.
Also on the accessories front, I recently stumbled upon this stunning beaded belt at Nordstrom and am fully. UHBSESSED. It’s arguably the true star of the show here because the multicolored beading truly unites the pink and the orange clothing, bringing the full look together seamlessly (which is a true art form…). I have to give a major shoutout to Nordstrom’s accessories department for the unexpected killer find, which has been a trend for me lately. I know I’ve mentioned this before, but I also just discovered their BP brand sunglasses, which I’m hoarding in droves because they’re basically $12 versions of every designer sunglass brand I’m coveting right now.
Statement tops have been in the spotlight all season, but lately, I’ve been crushing hard on statement pants. Now, I understand that “statement” is a pretty broad statement, so lemme just break it down here for a sec. You can make a statement with color, print, cut, embellishments, material… with basically anything anti-status quo (ahh, the rebellion!). The awesome thing about statement pants is the minimal effort needed to take them from work to play. HINT: Just change your shirt! Boom.
As you can see, these lace-up wide leg pants have quickly become a favorite, regardless of my destination. The sailor-inspired lace-up detailing and wide-leg cut make these pinstripe beauties stand out from the crowd, but both details are subtle enough to make them fully office appropriate. Check out a few more favorite office-ready statement pants below…
WEAR-TO-WORK STATEMENT PANTS
Add a white button down and a classic trench and you have a fresh workwear ensemble. When you’re ready for evening drinks or weekend plans, swap with an off-the-shoulder blouse and you’re ready for whatever the night may hold.
Last but not least, if you want to stick to classic favorites for the office and are strictly interested in statement pants for “play”, these babies are for you…
TWO-TONED DRESS: Staud | ANKLE STRAP SANDALS: old, similar HERE | EARRINGS: old, similar HERE | HANDBAG: Gucci (old; similar HERE)
If we’re amassing a list of long-dead fashion “rules,” the combination of pink and red as a fashion “don’t” is near the top of that list (perhaps right behind the”no white after Labor Day” rule). This color combination has been all over the fashion set for months, and I can’t get enough. I wore this color-blocked Staud dress last weekend and while I love the pairing of red and pink in all forms, this particular combination of red and blush pink has me in full swoon. Since the color combo can be intimidating, I put together six favorite ways to wear red and blush whether you’re off to a casual dinner with girlfriends or prepping for a busy day at the office…
DINNER WITH GIRLFRIENDS
This bell-sleeve top is made by the same designer as my dress, and I can see it paired as easily with jeans for casual cool dinner with girlfriends as it can be dressed up with a pencil skirt for day at the office. Also, get ready to see cranberry red bags EVERYWHERE this fall. I’ve got this stunner in my shopping cart.
DATE NIGHT
This look is also comprised of super versatile (and affordable!) favorites. This pink Topshop skirt would work in or out of the office, and this red top with shoulder cut-outs is the perfect dressy-but-not-too-dressy top that you’ll wear everywhere this fall. I find it to be a particularly nice top for dates because it shows a little skin without trying too hard. Also, how amazing does leopard print look with this color combo?!
SUNDAY BRUNCH
Gingham AND my favorite color combo? Hold on a second while my head explodes. Reese Witherspoon’s Draper James line has been killing it lately and this perfect maxi dress is no exception. With a jean jacket, you’ll be wearing this beauty through October.
WORKWEEK
Speaking of new-ish lines that are kiiiilling it, Alexa Chung is bringing the heat with these super cool striped wide leg pants. Best part? They come with a matching BLAZER. I just ordered both, so stay tuned for the stripe party that will ensue the second I open the box.
BRIDAL SHOWER
I could see this look at a bridal shower, a baby shower, a dressy luncheon, a night at a broadway show… so many possibilities! I mean, how dreamy is this top?!
CASUAL FRIDAY
All I have to say is I. Need. This. CARDIGAN. Dressed up with a midi skirt or paired with your favorite skinny jeans for a casual day at the office, the color and style are just dynamite. One of those super casual, comfy pieces that’s so wearable yet packs such a stylish punch.
TWO-TONED DRESS: Staud | ANKLE STRAP SANDALS: old, similar HERE | EARRINGS: old, similar HERE | HANDBAG: Gucci (old; similar HERE)
