Currently Coveting | SS 2017

With the warmer weather here to stay I have been slowly but surely making a few new additions and wishes to my wardrobe so today I want to share them with you. If you saw my SS '17 capsule planning post here then you know that I'm all about effortless beauty and lightweight, simple pieces this season.

To help make that a reality on the beauty front, I picked up the Glossier Cloud Paints in Dusk and Haze (a full review on these coming later this week and a tutorial next week) and got a fresh chop. For my hair I took off quite a bit because it was getting insanely long and starting to give me a headache in this heat. All-in-all I am SO happy with how it turned out but I've been having to re-learn how to do my hair a bit because my usual flat iron curls routine just isn't cutting it anymore. Part of this whole process has taken me down the path of using pomade though and so far I'm loving the end result. To test it all out I've been borrowing Jason's pomade for now but have my eye on this one from Kristin Ess that I hope to pick up soon.

Another thing I'm thinking about picking up is a forever comb because I've noticed that I'm having to repurchase my go-to wet brushes a little too often for my liking. As you know, I prefer to make purchases that will last beyond a few months or years even when possible and I've heard wonderful things about this comb that is not only beautifully made but will look lovely on my vanity. 

When it comes to fashion, I'm loving the 100% human campaign from Everlane. For every sale of this particular tee in pale pink Everlane donates $5 to Equality Now—which has been fighting to promote equal rights for women around the world since 1992. I love everything about this and am proud to support such a wonderful cause - plus it's adorable and super comfortable. 

Unsurprisingly, Everlane is also responsible for another purchase I've been eyeing for the warmer weather. These slide sandals in a classic light brown are just what the doctor ordered this season and if the reviews prove right, they should be just as comfortable as my other Everlane shoes. As if that wasn't enough to get me on board, they're only $88! 

Last but not least is a piece I've been debating for months. In my never-ending quest for the perfect pair of medium to light wash, straight leg, cropped denim that I can wear forever I've tried nearly every pair on the market but have yet to find a pair that worked just right. Throughout this search ReDone denim has come up time and time again and after reading tons of positive reviews I am seriously considering saving up for a pair. Not only are these jeans incredibly classic, but I love the sustainability aspect of them - each pair is a repurposed and tailored pair of vintage Levi's. Right now, the price tag is a bit steep to justify but if and when I do pick them up I'll be sure to report back. 

1 Shirt, 4 Ways | Grana Short Sleeve Silk Shirt

It's time for another installment of #Project144! In today's post I'm styling my new Grana Short Sleeve Silk Shirt across all four seasons. Since discovering this brand a few months ago I can't get enough of their simple, classic separates that rival Everlane in the world of clean closet staples and radical transparency. In fact, I recently picked up a few more pieces for my spring summer wardrobe that I can't wait to share with you soon. In the meantime though, I want to share a little backstory on how I discovered this brand.

As you know, my beloved Everlane Round Neck Silk Shirt finally called it quits earlier this year. So, while searching for a replacement I found Grana and almost couldn't believe my eyes. Was it possible that another Everlane-esque shop could have been there all along without my knowledge?The answer is a resounding YES and after perusing their site for a bit and doing some basic Pinterest sleuthing, I was completely hooked!

I immediately fell for their approach to simple dressing and promises of quality over quantity so I promptly reached out letting them know that I was placing an order and would love to share their items with my readers. A few emails later and they have graciously agreed to send me the shirt you see here and offer all of you an exclusive 10% off + free shipping worldwide with the code AUDREYxGRANA (for new customers only and valid until the end of June)! So, without further ado let's hop into the looks and my mini review. 

For winter I plan on layering my Grana short sleeve silk shirt under cozy sweaters like my L.L. Bean fisherman sweater.

This combo can easily be paired with jeans or pants for a more polished look and ankle booties to keep my feet warm but still put-together. 

To complete the look I picked my favorite clutch and simple bangle bracelet. 

Now that the weather is warmer I love to pair my Grana shirt with denim cut-offs and simple flats. To keep it from feeling too casual I opt for a hat to complete the look. 

When I want to elevate the look even further I like to pile on the bangles. Plus, I can easily throw a simple cardigan or blazer on top if I get chilly indoors or at night with the AC blasting. 

With summer basically here in Charleston I've been pairing my shirt with loose, lightweight shorts for a relaxed feel.

To dress things up a bit I like to pair this combo with espadrilles and for a more casual vibe, flat sandals are perfect. 

For this particular look I completed everything with some bangles and my new favorite BaubleBar necklace that compliments the white shirt perfectly. 

 

When summer gives way to fall I plan on layering my shirt with blanket scarves to keep me warm enough for chilly nights but cool enough during the day. Comfy jeans and ankle booties complete the look.

As the weather gets chillier, I plan on topping it all with a blazer for a polished look. 

Before I get into the nitty gritty of this review let me say that I love this shirt and am seriously impressed with Grana so far!

Not only is the silk super soft, but I find that it's on par with the Everlane pieces that I've owned - and it's less expensive! 

As far as construction goes, this shirt seems to be really well made. The buttons are fastened securely and the seams are all even and neat. 

Currently, this shirt is available in four colors and I picked up the classic off white which I find to be the perfect shade. Instead of being optic white, this top is a lovely ivory color that suits everything in my wardrobe and is easily dressed up or down. 

When it comes to the sizing I find that Grana runs slightly smaller than Everlane and seems to suit petites quite well - specifically in the arms and overall length. For example, in most Everlane tops I take a size XXS but in Grana the XS fits perfectly (I am 5'4" and typically wear an XXS in J.Crew). 

All-in-all, I highly recommend Grana and couldn't be happier with this lovely shirt. Like most pieces that I allow into my carefully curated closet, this Grana shirt is a versatile piece that I can wear year-round. I also filmed a corresponding video showcasing each of these looks in more detail that you can view below or over on my YouTube channel. 

How To Declutter Your Wardrobe

Happy Thursday! While I was sorting through my closet in preparation for my spring/summer capsule video which will (finally!) be up next week, I realized that I never shared my downsizing tips in a video. So, today's video is all about how I downsize my own closet in 5 simple steps.

For me, these tips have been monumental in ensuring that I sustain a wardrobe of pieces that I actually wear, and never go back to the overflowing closet that I fled from a few years ago. I hope that you find these tips helpful, and if you've already done a closet clean-out of your own I'd love to know what worked and what didn't work for you.

Let me know in the comments down below and I hope you have a great rest of the day!

SS Capsule Inspiration

Today's post is one of my favorite types to do. With spring nearly over and summer just a few days away I am happy to finally be sharing my spring summer capsule wardrobe inspiration. As I do each season, these images, color palette and items are the things helping me stay focused on what I want my style to be this season. Below, I've outlined all of this so you can see where I've been headed this season. Also, I'm finally filming my actual capsule soon so be on the lookout for that either later this week or next.

Before we hop into it though I want to also say that I'm filming my comprehensive guides to minimizing your own wardrobe, honing in on your personal style and creating your ideal capsule. Those videos will be up this week and next and I hope they help you finally achieve wardrobe bliss. So, let's hop into my inspiration for this season. 

To kick things off each season I like to hone in on some outfit combinations that are inspiring me. To do this I search everything from Pinterest to Instagram to fashion magazines, clothing catalogues for brands I love and even my favorite fashion bloggers. While doing this I try and take special note of not only the looks I'm loving but why. For example, do I like the proportions or the colors or both? Also, I try and take note of the silhouettes I'm drawn to and if they suit me and my personal style and wardrobe. Below, I've outlined some of my favorite combos this season but you can see even more over on my Pinterest here.  

This season I'm particularly drawn to clean lines, neutral colors, rich straw and leather accents and gold accessories. As you can see below, I'm finding that my style is taking a more streamlined turn these days and monochromatic, earthy looks seem to be my cup of tea these days. I don't know if it's the more laid back lifestyle here in Charleston or the fact that I spend more time in the sun than I did in NY, but my style has recently become more fuss-free and I couldn't be happier about it. 

Once I hone in on the looks that I'm loving for the season I like to hone in on the colors that make up those looks. In the case of my spring/summer capsule I'm loving white, cream and grey as my main foundational colors with accents of denim, light blue and black. To top everything off I'm craving accessories in green, pink and rich brown and tan. 

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I've mentioned this before, but one of my favorite ways to update my look each season is through my beauty looks.

Just like a great hat or new pair of shoes are a great way to update your overall look, slight tweaks to your hair and go-to makeup look can have just as big of an impact.

This season in particular I'm excited for peachy, earthy blush and bronzer hues as well as a shorter hairdo.

As the temperatures rise here in Charleston and I settle into my 30th year I'm craving slightly shorter hair that can dry faster and get me out the door quicker. I'm headed to the hairstylist this afternoon for a chop and am excited to share that with you all soon. In the meantime, here are some of the inspiration pics I'm bringing with me. 

The last thing I like to do each season when planning out my capsule is to set up a mood board that helps encompass the mood, colors and feel that I'm striving for. This season I'm feeling particularly inspired by neutral, earthy tones, laid back looks that consist of classic separates and taking time to enjoy the little things like slow brunches, fresh flowers and afternoon cafe visits. 

Picture Credits L-R From Top: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6   

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