Archives for February 2016

Outfits: This is Lu.

February 11, 2016

Recently, I had the pleasure of stumbling across Seattle designer Jenny Fort’s pieces at a local artisan warehouse sale. I immediately fell in love with Jenny’s aesthetic; her brand Lu. is simple yet sophisticated, beautifully designed and crafted pieces all made here in Seattle.

For my readers, Jenny has been kind enough to offer 50% off several of her unique and beautiful pieces. Continue reading below for our sale selections and an offer code good thru the end of the month (February 29th).

I’m wearing Lu.’s Understory Dress No. 2 here as a tunic, layered over flare jeans and clogs. This look is perfect for Seattle’s mild winter. The dress is made of fine Italian wool with just the right amount of stretch to add comfort and create movement. And, with a slight mock turtleneck, fitted sleeves, and pockets (can’t forget the pockets?!), this dress is a perfectly simple yet unforgettable addition to my wardrobe. Also, the dress is easy to pair with tights and booties and, dare I say, bare legs come spring time??

I’m very excited to share Jenny’s offer of 50% off the following Lu. pieces. Offer code is LovinLu.

Understory Dress No. 2

Understory Coat No. 1 (both Nubby Greens & Basalt)

Understory Sweater No. 1 (both Sheer Black & Street)

{outfit details}
flares: Hudson
clogs: Free People
clutch: Hobo (found mine in navy at Queen Anne Dispatch)
scarf: Aritzia
sunglasses: YSL
ring: Queen Anne Dispatch
bracelet: vintage (borrowed from my mom)

Stay tuned…I plan to style my Lu. Understory Coat later this week. I am in love with the nubby texture and mossy green color; it’s a perfect transition piece as we move into spring.

Thanks for reading and a very special ‘thank you’ to Jenny from Lu. for sharing her beautiful designs (and a generous discount). Hope you have enjoyed the introduction and happy shopping! ~Jenn

Wellness Wednesday: Dry Brushing & Hydration

February 10, 2016

More than anything, my “Wellness Wednesday” posts are serving as inspiration for me to try many healthful practices that I have been curious to learn more about. Such as dry brushing. I’ve read some about it…and then read much more when preparing this post. And now I’m eager to begin!

The benefits of dry brushing are numerous and have a far greater impact on your health beyond the healthy glow gained by regular exfoliation. First and foremost, dry brushing supports a healthy lymphatic system by stimulating lymph flow within the body (as many lymph nodes run just below the surface of the skin). Lymphatic drainage is the body’s natural way of detoxifying. Also, regular dry brushing is said to increase muscle tone and reduce the appearance of cellulite by eliminating waste that can sit in fat cells and break down collagen. Finally, dry brushing is also supposed to increase energy and blood flow throughout the body. For this reason, it is suggested to dry brush in the mornings (rather than before bed) – my plan is to brush for 5 mins in the morning prior to getting in the shower.

photo & resources: Collective Skin Care, Wellness Mama & Because I’m Addicted

The key is to use a natural fiber brush (and remember not to brush too hard). This brush is currently in my shopping cart.

As discussed in my previous WW post, drinking more water continues to be a personal wellness goal. Some days it happens, others…not so much. However, I’m so much more motivated when I have a chic water bottle to tote. My all-time favorite is the bkr glass and silicone bottle. In addition to being BPA-free, it is also super cute (which always seems to motivate me)! While perhaps not the best for a gut-busting workout when you have seconds to hydrate, this bottle fits easily in my purse and its design is inspirational when sitting on my desk (reminding me with its friendly little heart to drink more water). I have the smaller 8 oz size, but the new 16 oz version is on my wish-list…should someone special be reading, this could make an excellent Valentine’s gift!

I hope that “Wellness Wednesday” is inspiring some new healthy habits for you too. I sure do enjoy keeping you posted and I’m always eager for feedback (words of encouragement don’t hurt either!) Thanks for keeping up with me. ~Jenn

Friday Favorites: Sale Watching Tips

February 5, 2016

Apparently “Frugal February” is a thing…(seems a bit rough following a “Dry January”). However, like most of us, I’m trying to watch my spending after the holiday season, not-to-mention the approach of tax time! With this frugal spirit in mind, I thought that I would share a few of my sale-watching tips and tricks:

Create a ‘wish list’. I use the notes function on my phone a lot. This helps me keep in mind the things that I reeeaaallly want, and I use this as a reminder when I come across a $10 sweater and a $30 skirt. Even though inexpensive (and likely fabulous), I remind myself that they are NOT on the list.
Use the wish list function on your favorite sites. For example, I’m keeping my eye on the Hudson Jeans (pictured below). I first saw them at Nordstrom. In an effort to be a savvy shopper and not pay full-price, I remind myself that this is the very beginning of the spring season and that these jeans will likely be marked down.
Price adjust. ALWAYS. Should you buy your jeans full-price and then no sooner find them on sale, many retailers will honor a price adjustment within a certain amount of time following your purchase. Also, many retailers will also price match, should you find the item on your wish list for less at another store. Always ask…worst case is that you will be denied.
Take advantage of shopping apps. I use both Shopstyle and Lyst to create wish lists of items that I am lusting after. Both of these apps have a feature to notify me when items are marked down in my size. I can then either pop into the store or purchase directly thru the app.

My current wish list includes the following:

Rebecca Minkoff Crossbody Bag

Anine Bing Bomber Jacket

Hudson Flare Jeans

No.6 Mary Jane Clogs

You may be sensing a theme here…obviously I’m still loving all things ’70’s style for spring. What’s on your wish list? Have some saving tips to share? Please leave a message.

Thanks for reading! ~Jenn

The jacket is awesome, right?! Photo credit: Anine’s World

Outfits: Waxed Jeans

February 2, 2016

“Waxed jeans, still cool?” questioned my photog, pal, and fellow fashionista. Why, yes?! Waxed jeans are here to stay, in my book. I’ve had this pair for several years and they stand as a testament to those trends that you invest in, even while questioning their staying power. Yet these jeans make me feel like a rock star every time I bring them out of my closet – dressed down, as I’m wearing them here, or a confidence-booster when paired with a killer pair of heels for a night out. Wearing something you continue to love and feel great in is not a trend but a worthy the investment, if you ask me!I love dressing down pieces often relegated to “fancy attire.” Waxed jeans, or even leather pants, are sometimes reserved for special occasions or paired only with more sophisticated pieces. However, life here in Seattle can be so casual (especially when shuttling the kiddos from ballet to doctor’s appointments); it’s fun to eat off your expensive china, wear your special perfume, and style your fancy pants for everyday. And, the contrast when pairing a more dressy piece with something casual (say sneakers), adds interest to an outfit…not-to-mention, street cred.

{outfit details}
shirt: Nasty Gal
sweater: Topshop (similar)
jeans: Citizens of Humanity (similar)
sneakers: Stan Smith
earrings: Lucia K
bracelets: Guitar String (found at Queen Anne Dispatch)
purse: Zara
pout: NARS ‘Damned’

What trends do you enjoy that have withstood the test of time? How do you wear your waxed jeans? All comments welcome (always). Thanks for reading! ~Jenn

Photos courtesy of Kirsty

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