Archives for March 2015

Friday Favorites: Current Obsessions

March 20, 2015

Perhaps you can tell if you read this blog regularly, when I’m into something…I go deep. Below are several things that are currently topping my list of obsessions.

Korean Skin Care & Beauty Products: After returning from an amazingly refreshing and fun girls trip to Arizona, in which we spent an evening sharing our favorite tried and true beauty regimes and products, I have become obsessed with all things Korean beauty (also known as K-Beauty). On the cutting edge of skin-care and beauty technology (not to mention Korean women’s world-renowned, amazing skin), Korea boasts innovative yet relatively inexpensive products designed to even skin tone, enhance luster, and create a nature-looking, healthy glow.

At the recommendation of my Korean-American friend (and resident skin-care expert), I have started using snail cream (yes, you read that right!) and consistently applying sheet masks (I’ve also started a facial massage routine – more on that below). Additionally, I had been using this Amore Pacific Cushion Compact for quite some time. Little did I know, but this Korean company also makes the same product in less expensive Iope and Hera brands. Two K-Beauty sites that I am currently digging are: Peach & Lily and Soko Glam – Korean products shipped from the US! You can also find many Korean products on Amazon but the lead time is often 30 days or more.

Mizon All-In-One Snail Repair Cream | Iope Air Cushion Compact | Manefit Hydrating Sheet Mask

Flatform Espadrilles: Let’s just call this spring shoe the mom’s version of the espadrille wedge (in the best possible way – get that vision of “mom jeans” out of your head!). This sandal or shoe is comfortable yet even more chic this spring than it’s taller cousin. Pair with a light, shirt dress or culottes (another spring trend), and you’re instantly glamorous!

Vince | Steve Madden | DV by Dolce Vita

Protein-Packed Green Smoothie: I’m always looking for a quick, healthy breakfast when feeding my crew and getting everyone out the door for school. While they prefer a simple bowl of cereal (and the hubs won’t drink anything green), I’m looking for a little more out of my morning meal. In addition to the vitamin-packed, super-food combo of kale and blueberries, the addition of the peanut butter adds some much-needed protein to get me through my morning. I know, peanut butter?? All I have to say about this one, don’t knock it until you try it!

Ingredients:
1 cup almond milk (unsweetened preferable)
3/4 banana
1 Tbsp creamy peanut butter
1 cup blueberries
3 healthy handfuls of kale

Combine almond milk, banana, peanut butter, and blueberries in your blender. Once it has started blending, increase the speed and add the kale through the top. Then, when using a Vitamix, I increase the speed to high for a minute to ensure that the blueberries are really refined. The high-speed is a “game-changer” for blending any seeds, berries, or rough greens.

Facial Massage: Results are still tbd – as I’ve just started this routine; however, the ritual is so relaxing – it’s a great addition to your nighttime skin care. Benefits include increased firmness, and decreased swelling and puffiness due to the stimulation of your facial muscles and drainage of your lymphatic system. I’ll let Lisa Eldridge provide the instruction (she is also a current obsession…why are we not friends?!):

Body Chains: I was first intrigued last summer when I saw this necklace hybrid all over Instagram, mostly draped over bikini-clad bodies. Impractical, I thought. (1. I live in Seattle and 2. I’m not exactly lounging when at the pool or beach). Now I’m seeing this piece’s true potential as they are artfully layered over tanks, tees, and dresses. I prefer the more delicate, understated versions – add a few other similar chains in varying lengths for maximum impact. Or, go ahead and rock the body chain over a bikini or cropped top – “festival season” is upon us, after all!

Gorjana | Free People | Nasty Gal

What are your current obsessions? Or thoughts on mine? Any input is greatly appreciate as I continue to obsess!
Thanks for reading & enjoy a lovely weekend! ~Jenn

Above photo credit: www.belmonodobeauty.com

Friday Favorites: Boot To Bell

March 13, 2015

You guessed it…more non-skinny jean favorites! Three styles from conservative-to-daring to give your skinny jeans a well-deserved break. And so flattering, they’re further proof that you can have your cake and eat it too!

Slim Boot-Cut: The flare jean’s more subtle cousin, the slim boot-cut barely skims over your shoe. This may be a good reintroduction into a wider-leg jean. Just remember that the length of the pant, should nearly skim the ground.

DL1961 | 7 For All Mankind | Genetic

Flare: With a wider bottom than the slim-boot but not as exagerated as the bell bottoms below, this is an easy middle-ground to try out this trend. As stated in my previous posts, just be sure to highlight your waist and pair with a chunky, elevated shoe.

Paige | Citizens of Humanity | Frame

Bell Bottom: The quintessential ’70’s look; very fitted to the knee with a wide flare falling to the floor. Not for the faint of heart, these jeans are a statement…an awesome one.

Hudson | Stella McCartney | Blank

Many of these jeans can be found at Bloomingdales – they are currently hosting “Denim Days.” 1 pair is 15% off and 2 or more are 25% off now thru Sunday, March 15th. Time to get your shop on!

Thanks for reading and enjoy a terrific weekend! ~Jenn

Outfits: Fit to Flare

March 11, 2015

As previously posted, flare jeans are back in a major way this spring. However, if you’ve been living in your skinnies for the past several years, you may require a refresher on styling their fabulously-freeing, wider-leg denim cousin. First, remember porportions. Just as you may wear a more slouchy top to contrast a skinny pant, pair a fuller leg with a fitted, tucked, and/or cropped top instead. Highlighting your waist will ensure you get the maximum amount of leg-lengthening benefits from the flare style and will avoid looking sloppy or generally oversized.

Pair a chunky, elevated shoe with a flared pant – this will give you added height (think long legs) and balance the wider proportion of the pant. A dainty shoe may be swallowed but the extra material and a flat would negate the lengthing benefits of the pant. Also, the flare may begin anywhere from the knee down. Therefore, if you hem a flare jean for flats, you may lose much of the flare. And finally, the hem of the jean should nearly graze the ground – almost covering your entire shoe.

Motivated to flare a pair? Please leave a comment and let me know how you are styling your flare jeans.

Thanks for reading! ~Jenn

How To: Wear the Flare

March 10, 2015

They’re baaaack… Skinny haters rejoice, the flare jean is HUGE for Spring. As with any trend revival, you may need a reminder (or crash course) on flare jean dressing. I’ve included several tried and true rules to remember when styling this flattering denim style:

1) Dainty shoes be damned. Unlike the skinny jean, flared legs beg for a chunky shoe and the more height, the better. A small shoe can get lost beneath the wider leg opening (and the contrast just doesn’t look right). Likewise, a flat undermines the leg-lenghtening attributes of the flared style. Instead, unearth those wedges or, better-yet, invest in Spring’s hottest shoe trend – the flatform. The height continues the line of the leg and the chunky heel compliments the volume of the pant.

Platforms & Wedges

Seychelles | DV by Dolce Vita | Faryl Robin

2) Nip and tuck it. Beware of too much volume on top – it can either be too costume-y (think poncho circa 1970’s) and/or create the illusion of extra bulk. Instead, opt for a more cropped top (this looks especially flattering with a high-waisted pair of jeans) or tuck. Again, the flared leg and higher waist elongates the leg and highlights a small waist.

3) Think length (and fit). The hem of flare jeans should skim the floor – show too much shoe and it can look silly (not-to-mention defeat the leg-lengthing benefits of the cut).

Favorite Flares

Madewell | Frame | MiH

Are you ready for the fresh take on flare jeans? How are you wearing your flares?

Thanks for reading! ~Jenn

Photo credits: The Fashion Tag