If you need me, I'll be over here breaking all the traditional "fashion rules" - in my latest rebellion, I'm sharing how to style a long cardigan with a midi-length skirt over on Yahoo!
Wearing Madewell cardigan and shoes, Who What Wear Collection skirt via Target, Sandro blouse (similar), Gucci belt and Sophie Blake earrings
It's a very exciting time for hair. During the holidays, we invest a little extra time in curling it just right, inserting those Bobby pins in just the right place. Finding the perfect products that'll hold our hair in place without smelling like we've doused ourselves in it.
But it all starts at the core, doesn't it?
Dessange Paris has been around for a while, but it's new to me. They recently sent over a few of their newer items to try and I must say, I'm impressed!
Usually when it comes to hair products, once you've tried a more expensive version of something, you can never go back. I'm so happy to report that isn't the case with their shampoo and clay mask.
Their clay hair mask (they make masks for everything these days!) goes on before shampoo'ing, something I'm not used to! But turns out, it strips the hair of impurities so it's all prepped for taking advantage of all the nutrients in their shampoo. It also helps to minimize oily roots while moisturizing ends Use the applicator brush that you use to distribute into your hair before you shower and youāll leave in for 5-10 mins.
The shampoo is pretty straightforward. I put this in after I washed out the clay mask and I felt like my hair was getting a spa treatment! It helps balance the oils in your roots and smells heavenly.
I styled my hair as usual and went to work. Can I JUST say - three people (THREE!) asked me if I had just gotten highlights. Honestly, I was kind of shocked. I had them done months before! The mask and shampoo had totally brightened my hair! Just like magic.
Have you tried Dessage Paris before? If not, you can pick it up at Target or order them online below.
On Julien: Top, Phillip Lim for Target (similar) Skirt, Banana Republic. Shoes, Mint Julep Boutique c/o. Bracelet, Marc Jacobs (metal version, similar rubber version.) Necklace, Target (similar.)
I know, I know. We're all tired about hearing about the weather. Everyone's all "OMG SUNSHINE FINALLY" and you know why? Cause this winter freaking sucked the life out of each and every one of us. And now that we're finally getting the vitamin D we need, we can't help but shout it from the mountain tops.
Although I've been in neutral territory for the last few months, I've been letting a bit of color in lately. I wore this outfit to work this week, and I'm loving the splashes of color here and there. This bracelet is one of my favorites - it's Marc Jacobs that my mom bought me years ago...it's rubber but has such a sophisticated feel. And when I type at work, it doesn't make those awkward clinking sounds.
So here's a little toast to Spring - thank you for arriving when you did and please, please, stay a while.
Since buying our first home back in November, we've been ever-so-slowly decorating our place...buying things little by little, so we aren't breaking the bank all at once. Here's the truth - I'm not naturally great at decorating. PHEW - glad I could get that off my chest because it's been killing me inside. Admitting faults is not one of my favorite things. But you know what is? Learning about how to improve on those faults.
I'm currently enrolled in Skillshare, which has unlimited online classes for creatives. Membership is about $10/month and you can watch the classes anytime you want, at your own pace. BUT you can get a free month when you use my referral link! Since decorating isn't my forte, I enrolled in Justina Blakeney's interior styling class. If you don't know Justina, she wrote The New Bohemians (which I had to order) and is one of the top design blogs on the web. She's worked with brands like Anthropologie, One Kings Lane, CB2, Joss & Main and more - she is the real deal, folks. I'm loving the course so far and it inspired me to go on a major hunt for some new pillows for our chocolate brown couch (which I hate but it's so comfortable we can't get rid of it!)
Check out a few of my favorites below! Do you notice a theme? I've been so into the laid back, bohemian style lately! Can you guess which one I bought? (Hint: I shared it on my Twitter page yesterday!)
1. Citrus Blossoms by Inslee Pillow from Society Social, $80 | 2. Beverly Palm Pillow from Society Social, $75 | 3. CALLA PILLOW, PINK from Lulu & Georgia, $70 (use code BLISS20 for 20% off) | 4. JANLYN PILLOW, FLAMINGO from Lulu & Georgia, $44-$76 (use code BLISS20 for 20% off) | 5. Levtex 'Pompom' Accent Pillow from Nordstrom, $44 | 6. Granada in Blush Pillow from Belquist, $30 | 7. Rizzy Home Decorative Throw Pillow from Target, $32 | 8. YELLOW SPOTTED SILK PILLOW from Furbish Studio, $65 | 9. Sedona Pillow from Sister Golden, $76 | 10. Floral Print Pillow from Cushion Cut Decor, $20.35
Photos by Amanda
Living and working near DC has itās ups and downs. And more often than not, I hear people focusing on the downs. The traffic is horrendous, the cost of living is impossible and the politics alone is enough to drive someone mad.
But Iām not here to focus on the negative today. Iām changing my perspective.
Iām about mid-season of Orange Is The New Black (#obsessed), and in the last episode we watched, Heely, one of the guys in charge (sorry not good with titles) starts going to counseling, perhaps to glean insight on how to counsel inmates in the prison. Heās had anger issues in the past, but has decided to change his perspective. Instead of focusing on all the madness happening in the prison, heās going to start looking on the bright side and try to making a difference to those inmates.
Truth be told, there arenāt many positive messages I can glean from this particular show (donāt sell drugs, rob banks or steal?), I really took Heelyās new outlook to heart.
I am changing the way I view this city. Sure it might be hot as you-know-where, but at least itās not the unbearable winter we dealt with. And traffic might be a nightmare, but at least I have a job to commute to in the mornings. Cost of living might be ridiculous, but Iām so grateful to have the access to free museums in DC, wineries nearby and incredible friends who make the struggles of life worthwhile.
Maybe living in the DC area can be, at times, a walk in the park after all.
On Julien: Skirt and blouse, Phillip Lim for Target (similar skirt on sale and blouse.) Blazer, Vince Camuto (similar here.) Purse, Danielle Nicole (black version on sale here!) Shoes, Kelly and Katie from DSW. Sunnies, Michael Kors. All jewelry, Rachelle Celine.
