Links I Love

1. The chicest skull centerpiece for Halloween. (honestlyyum.com)

2. The 8 things recruiters notice about your resume at first glance. (mashable.com)

3. Doing this for my next girls brunch. (afabulousfeteblog.com)

4. Things you should know about earthquakes if you live in California. (lama.com)

5. This guide to Palm Springs makes me want to get out of dodge.  (thefreshexchangeblog.com)

6. How adorable is this baby Halloween costume? (stylemepretty.com)

7. Keys to making a productive to-do list. (alittleopulent.com)

8. I would wear this with a plain t-shirt and jeans. (bananarepublic.com)

9. A leather folder DIY. (designsponge.com)

Comfortable Clothing (That's Still Stylish)

There's nothing I enjoy quite like getting into my pajamas after work. Better still: socially acceptable clothing that is just as cozy. Here are ten pieces that fit the bill.

Duster ($410): This cozy duster is oversized and would feel like I'm wrapping myself in a blanket while the camel color makes it look luxe, not frumpy.

Hoodie ($85): Hoodies have clinched their spot in just about every casual clothing round-up, but finding one that is thin and warm is key. This one from J.Crew is the gold standard.

Leggings ($19.95): I'm a sucker for leggings that have a special detail. This pair boasts a front-facing slit at the ankle making them fancy enough to wear with heels (though I'd still wear them with a pair of sneakers, too).

Hat ($88): A bright white cashmere beanie can temporarily make unwashed hair obsolete.

Dress ($130): I rely on sweater or t-shirt dresses pretty heavily because they help me put in minimal effort with maximum payoff.

Tee ($36): I love this updated version of a classic tee (it's a touch shorter in length while the sleeves are longer). 

Shoes ($90): Cute kicks that pack a punch.

Track Pant ($60): The athletic trend is probably the best thing that's happened to comfy, cozy wear. This pair looks a little bit fancier thanks to the tuxedo stripe running down the side.

Sweater ($39.99): I grew up wearing baseball shirts, and this sheer-sleeved iteration feels much more grown-up and less A League of Their Own.

Poncho ($99.90): A poncho might seem like a superfluous purchase, but I swear that it's the easiest throw-on-and-go piece you'll own. This one's punchy print is ideal with jeans and booties.

*top image via Madewell.

Girls With Awesome Hair

She’s the girl whose platinum bob launched a million copycats, but Glossier CEO and founder Emily Weiss' more recent brunette 'do is just as stylishly cool. Weiss was ready for a change – or more accurately, a less time-consuming shade – while she geared up to launch her new skincare line (while running Into the Gloss, too). However, making the switch hasn’t changed the fact that she's a product junkie through-and-through. Here are the sprays, shampoos, and scrubs she once relied on for her former bleach-blonde hair, that have earned a permanent spot on her bathroom sink. 

1. Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt. 

"This unlikely cleanser has a weird, gritty texture but it’s so good.  It gives my hair a deep clean and since it’s a clarifying shampoo with sea salt, I feel better that it's slightly more natural. When I was bleaching my hair, I used this as a post-color scalp treatment to clear out all the chemicals left behind after a bleach job."

2. Shu Uemura Art of Hair Essence Absolue Nourishing Protective Oil and Oil-in-Cream.

"I went back to being a brunette with Tracy Cunningham, and it turns out that returning to my more “natural” color actually takes just as much time as going from dark to platinum. I’ve already been in twice to get the color right. When you have platinum hair, the bleach makes your hair dry and opens the cuticle. In other words, platinum hair looks good when it's a little frizzy and textured. Conversely, really dry brunette hair ends up looking like a hot mess so I put this oil onto my hair every morning after I towel dry it. I follow the oil with its sister product Shu Uemura Art of Hair Essence Absolue Oil-in-Cream which is more like a styling cream, too."

3. Christophe Robin Antioxidant Cleansing Milk andConditioner.

"I guess I’m a loyalist: My favorite shampoo and conditioner is also from Christophe Robin. It’s an Antioxidant Cleansing Milk and Conditioner that’s white and milky. These guys are crazy expensive, but I don’t wash my hair everyday, so it’ll take me 6-9 months to go through the bottles (I wash my hair 2-3 times a week). My new darker hair color is nice now because it’s low-maintenance and I only have to think about is washing it. When I had platinum hair, I’d be in a salon [with Aura Friedman at Sally Hershberger] every four to six weeks whether it was a toning treatment or a touch-up for my roots. As a beauty editor, I was neurotic about it. I wanted my hair to be perfect, and it took a lot of energy."

4. Olaplex.

"Tracy Cunningham introduced me to Olaplex and swears that it has changed her clients’ lives. I still don’t know exactly what it is, but from what I understand, it’s a bond multiplier that protects and rebuilds your hair shaft. The only downside is that it’s for salon-use only use. When I had platinum hair, my colorist would add Olaplex to my bleach and it would minimize breakage like a dream. It made a HUGE difference for the health of my hair."

5. L’oreal Elnett.

"My version of a done up ‘do is to slick it all back. It’s usually just wet hair with L’oreal Elnet sprayed into it. I love that you can brush Elnett out and that it has flexible hold and never looks like a hard helmet. At the end of the day, I’m pretty low-key about my hair and I could never commit to something like bangs, because I don't really do any styling."

Thoughts On Blogging Burnout

A while back, I read this article about blogging burnout and it really hit home. Not because I'm feeling overwhelmed and uninspired at this moment, but because I've been there before and understand just how challenging it can be. In any creative field, there will be times when ideas simply don't come (particularly good ones), which leads to frustration, self doubt and in extreme cases, unhappiness. 

Right before I began my blog, I loved trying out new spots to eat and then sharing my take on the food, ambiance and service. I got such a thrill from doing something even remotely creative that I decided to take the next step and start a blog. I spent the next week trying to narrow down the scope of what I was going to cover. Initially, I planned to write exclusively about food, about both my dining experiences and my quest to learn how to cook and bake at home (something I couldn't do). But I quickly realized that if I created too narrow a niche to write about, I'd tire quickly and run out of ideas. So that's why I merged my biggest loves: food and fashion, two topics that seemed almost mutually exclusive. Over time, I introduced other things that interested me, from beauty and interior design to DIY projects and in-depth personal stories. That diversity in content certainly helped me stay motivated and also encouraged change and progress.

But it's not to say that I'm constantly inspired and that each post comes easily. There are some days when I can't keep up with the amount of ideas I have whereas other times, even picking a title of a post proves to be staggeringly difficult. What used to be merely a creative outlet turned into something that I almost resented simply because of how hard it had become. I worked tirelessly in order to get enough content lined up so that the blog would still be updated and I could unplug for a bit. That time off helped tremendously and by the time I returned home, I couldn't wait to get back to work. 

For those times though, I've come up with other ways to avoid feeling burnt out. This past December, I again found myself feeling stretched too thin and subsequently exhausted. My day-to-day routine had become stagnant, I rarely left my house except for work hours and coming up with new content was nearly impossible. My best friend offered to go to lunch with me to talk through ideas and as soon as we started brainstorming, I felt a rush of energy. I left the meeting with an invigorated sense of confidence and just that simple outing helped get me back on track.

Ultimately, it's normal to feel worn down from time to time. For me, even admitting that I'm going through a slump has proven to be effective, since I'm then able to take the necessary steps to fix it. And as my blog has evolved, it's forced me to realize that I can't do everything on my own. But it's good to be reminded that sometimes the simplest things can get me feeling inspired again, whether it's a short break from work, a walk around the block or a long lunch with a friend.

What Makes A "Basic" An "Essential"?

I have a good understanding of the items that “every woman needs in her wardrobe” thanks to many, many years of reading women’s magazines. But, I’ll be frank: shopping for basics has always been a slog – I even created a test kitchen of sorts to try to find the best white t-shirt, blazer, and boyfriend jeans for those who were in the same boat as me. Because it’s unrealistic to do that sort of deep-dive investigation for every single basic, I've gathered info from co-founders Maggie Winter and Jac Cameron of AYR – a brand-new essentials line that has already gained a cult following – what makes an essential, well, essential. Here, the things they recommend what to look for when shopping for a piece with lasting power.

“The simplest things are truly sometimes the hardest to find.  Fit, fabric, and design details set “a basic” apart from “an essential."  A basic is something you can find anywhere.  The essential is the thing you can’t live without.  A well-made essential lasts forever – wear after wear, trend after trend.  It’s worth the investment, because you get so much value out of versatility.” - Jac and Maggie

 1. The Perfect Tank

"The unexpected – and extra-versatile – thing about a tank is when it’s cut into an everyday shape, but in an elevated fabric. Look for a sleeveless t-shirt, or muscle tee, but in heavyweight silk crepe, so it will last forever. Bonus: you can dress it up or down."

2. The White Tee

"A classic white t-shirt is a foundation piece of any wardrobe, because it easily transitions from casual to more dressy by swapping in a pencil skirt or tailored pant with your denim. Again, look for fabric choices. Like the perfect tank, we use a gorgeous heavyweight silk crepe, giving it a beautiful, fluid drape, but it isn’t so delicate that you can’t wear it week after week."

3. The Robe Coat

"Fall is all about finding the perfect shell jacket to throw over anything. Really nice wools are usually beautifully finished and pressed which can give a slight shine to the fabric. We think that if a coat is finished with an intricate lining, it’s taken the extra step for the wearer. You have to look for drape, and soft, premium Italian wool can help with that. This is a piece you can wear three days a week, three seasons out of the year, three years from now."

4. The Skinny Jean

"Two things that really set apart a premium jean from a subpar jean is the fabric and the fit. These two elements go hand in hand.  You want to make sure that when you put a jean on in the morning it looks the exact same when you take it off at the end of the day.  The Skinny in Jac's Jean is made out of premium denim that has a 5-component makeup. It has about 30% stretch and the recovery is incredibly superior - like a rubber band, ensuring the fit will maintain its shape throughout wear. Premium denim is built to last longer and wear better than cheaper qualities and is definitely a worthwhile investment."

5. The White Poplin

"The perfect white poplin shirt is all about finding the right proportion – oversized but not bulky.  I would always size up or buy men’s white shirts, but the shoulders, armholes, and sleeves would be massive.  Look for a nice long shirttail hem that covers your bum, but a small, delicate collar and slim sleeves.  We’d also recommend a popover instead of a button-through, which provides a clean, easy fit."

6. The Rumpled Blazer

"You can spot a great blazer when it has a strong tailored shoulder and fits slimly through the body.  Look for an unconstructed shape and clean lines. No closures or trims are important. Precision in both instantly elongates and slims the body. Also, look for a material that looks good with wrinkles. AYR’s Rumpled Blazer is made of rumpled British linen, so it doesn’t matter if you pack it in a suitcase or wear it all day for a week straight – it’s super low-maintenance."

7. The Chambray Shirt 

"The grown-up chambray shirt doesn’t fit like your boyfriend’s. We took a new direction, with fabric that looks like chambray but falls like silk. The Clean Shirt is unbelievably soft Indigo Tencel that drapes like a silk blouse. Super-clean details elevate the basic to evolved classic."

The Best Of: Black Blazers

A classic black blazer is one of the most versatile pieces everyone should own. It easily transitions from day-to-night and can be paired with everything from jeans and a t-shirt to a more sophisticated evening ensemble. I reviewed eight options below and while they all look similar on the hanger, the details and fit varied quite a bit.

Zara Blazer with Turn Up Sleeves - size small ($139): Rouching details on sleeves similar to my favorite Elizabeth and James blazer. Feminine feel, no lapels and fitted tailoring.

*Best Details

Rebecca Minkoff Becky Jacket - size 4 ($368): Silky texture with slim, darted lapels. Flattering, feminine details and slight shoulder padding.

J.Crew Schoolboy blazer - size 2 ($128): Classic, preppy feel with gold buttons, double pockets, and optional grey wool collar. Shrunken, slightly boxy fit.

H&M Tuxedo Jacket - size 6 ($34.95): Longer, tuxedo-style jacket with thin lapels. No button closure, simple and versatile.

*Splurge 

Helmut Lang Smoking Tux Blazer - size 4 ($575): Expertly tailored with an asymmetrical hem, pointed lapels and slightly raised in the back. This was the best fitting jacket.

Soft Joie Neville Blazer - size small ($158): Stretchy and soft, cardigan-like tailoring. Deconstructed with large lapels and a looser fit. Extremely comfortable and casual.

Trouvé Notched Lapel Blazer - size small ($98): Boxy, masculine fit with a sharp, angular lapel detail. No buttons with a fairly thin fabric.

*Best Buy

Topshop Slim Fit Tailored Blazer - size 6 ($90): A straightforward, modern take on a classic blazer. Fitted with a slight stretch and thicker fabric.

P.S. Check out my past "Best Of" roundups on boyfriend jeans and white v-necks. Also, if you have any round-ups you'd like to see, please leave a note in the comment section.

The Best Of: Boyfriend Jeans

One of the amusing things about this day and age is that nearly every style of jean works. When I was in high school, the idea of wearing anything that even resembled a tapered leg was an atrocity (hence why we all sported a "boot leg" cut). But now it's completely different. Whether you want to wear something high-waisted with a wide leg or a skinny jean with a dark wash, it's all up to personal preference. I'm a big fan of a boyfriend jean, one that's a little relaxed, but still fitted and like you've borrowed a look from the guys...without actually looking like one. With that in mind, I test drove eight different brands (cuffed twice at the bottom) to see which ones I liked best.

Madewell "Boy Jean" - size 26 ($115): This style had a bit of a mom jean vibe going for it, but not necessarily in a bad way. The color was pretty one dimensional with little discoloration. The fabric is stiff with little stretch with a slightly narrower leg.

*My Fav.

Rag & Bone "Boyfriend Jeans" - size 26 ($220): These turned out to be my favorite pair for a variety of reasons - they're incredibly soft with a nice, worn-in feel. There are well-placed rips on the knees as well as an in-between color wash that I like. They're not fitted, but still manage not to feel baggy.

DL1961 "Riley Boyfriend Jeans" - size 27 ($168): These are so thin and soft that I would almost recommend also wearing these to bed. I like the '70s-esque faded cornflower blue and how they sit lower on the hips - they feel fresh and perfect for spring.

Gap "1969 Sexy Boyfriend Jeans" - size 4 ($69.95): Since my favorite pair of boyfriend jeans are by Gap, I was a bit disappointed in the look and feel of these. They're incredibly stiff, so perhaps I could break them in, but I also wasn't a huge fan of the unnatural-looking rips placed on the legs and the longer crotch that felt a bit too borrowed-from-your-boyfriend.

*Most Femme

J.Crew "Vintage Straight Jean" - size 26 ($139.99): To begin, I'd recommend getting one or two sizes smaller than you'd usually buy. A medium wash with zero stretch (which I like) and a feminine, but loose fit.

Current/Elliott "The Boyfriend Jeans" - size 27 ($229): These were really comfortable with a wider fit. I like how they almost take on an ombré-like coloring, but could have done without the extra-wide opening at the ankles.

*Best Buy

Old Navy "Cropped Skinny Boyfriend Jeans" size 4 ($19): With their higher waist, tighter fit at the bottom and structured but not thin fabric, these were surprisingly great. Though they had zero holes or discoloration, I liked the unexpected cream-colored stitching.

McGuire Denim "Mrs. Robinson Jeans" size 28 ($218): These were a slimmer take on a boyfriend jean that fit true to size with good fading. I'd never heard of this brand before, but like how this pair of denim could easily go from day to night due to the really tapered ankle.

P.S. Also, you can see the best of v-necks here.