On My Radar No. 34

Happy Friday! We are having incredible weather this week full of sunshine, low humidity and just enough chill to need a light jacket - the perfect weather in my opinion. Since I'm largely impacted by the weather, this shift has left me feeling incredibly motivated and inspired and I'm using this momentum to upgrade some of my filming equipment and lock down a few of my upcoming eBooks and videos that I'm so excited to share.

While I take the time this weekend to test out some new filming backdrops and editing software, I won't be able to post a new video on Sunday but I will be back with a fresh new look on Wednesday! In the meantime, here are a few of the things I've been loving this week. 

DANCERS WITH DOGS | Recently, professional dancers were photographed with various dogs and the results are equal parts stunning and adorable. 

HEIDI CAREY JEWELRY | As you know, I love jewelry. I am continually amazed how a few changes in accessories like jewelry, scarves and shoes can completely transform an outfit and Heidi Carey jewelry is taking this approach to the next level with beautifully designed pieces using only the highest quality materials. It is Heidi's belief that "elevating your look with high-quality handmade accessories should not be cost prohibitive" and I couldn't agree more! Since discovering her incredible range earlier this week I have been devouring her lookbooks, Pinterest boards and everything in between and I highly recommend taking a look for truly beautiful jewelry at a remarkable price. 

CAPSULE WARDROBE PIECES OVER 9 YEARS | In honor of her 9th blog anniversary, one of my favorite blogs MaiTaisPictureBook.com shared some of her favorite capsule wardrobe pieces that she has worn consistently for over the years. I loved this post and how it perfectly demonstrates the power of a classic wardrobe to stand the test of time. I also love how she explains the tweaks she has made in styling to suit her ever changing personal style - proving once more that classic items can and should last a lifetime. 

Everlane The Mid-Rise Skinny Jean: Review & 20 Ways To Wear

Today, I want to share a quick review and 20 ways to wear my new Everlane Mid-Rise Skinny Jeans. This post kicks off a new review series where I'll be sharing a recent purchase along with a quick review and a few ways to style that item year-round. First up, is the Everlane Mid-Rise Skinny Jean in the ankle cut. I picked these up in December and have been very happy with them so let's kick things off with the basics including price, color, material and size. 

THE DETAILS - PRICE, COLOR, SIZE

• PRICE: These jeans retail for $68 and according to Everlane's competitor analysis of similar jeans, they have a traditional retail of $140. 
• COLOR: These are available in black, white, dark blue, medium blue and light blue. I picked them up in the medium blue because I think it's a very easy wash to work with year-round. 
• MATERIAL: These are a very flattering and comfortable blend of 98% cotton, 2% elastane. According to Everlane, "this premium 11 oz Japanese denim has an authentic feel with a touch of stretch—and doesn’t bag out."
• SIZE: I typically wear either a 26 or 27 (2 or 4) in jeans and I'm on the shorter side at 5'4" so I picked these up in a 26 ankle length and they fit perfectly! 
• FIT: Like I mentioned, I'm on the shorter side and with a few very rare exceptions all jeans are too long but the shortened 26.5" inseam on these is perfect! They graze my ankles just where I like because I love to show a little ankle and I think that showing just enough paired with the right shoes helps to elongate the foot and make me appear taller. Also, the overall sizing of these is perfect and I think very TTS for a 26. They are form fitting but not too tight and most importantly, the mid-rise which has a 9" rise, comes at the perfect spot on my midsection so they're not too high or too low and give me the high rise look without being ridiculous. Now, if you're looking to pick these up yourself there are a few things I think you should keep in mind. First, the regular inseam isn't too long like some jeans so if you really don't like a cropped look to your jeans then I would definitely go with the regular length - I could almost wear them on my shorter frame! Also, if you have a very exaggerated difference between your waist and hips you will likely need to have these taken in. If you're typically between sizes or you've had trouble finding well-fitting jeans in the past, I recommend sizing up and having the waist taken in.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I couldn't love these jeans more! For me, they're a perfect mid wash blue and offer just enough stretch to be comfortable and flattering, but not too much that they'll wear out in 1 season.

Now, with that said, I would like them a little bit better if they were 100% cotton because I personally love the look, feel and longevity of 100% cotton denim, but I do think these will last at least a few years despite being a blend.

Also, I love the mid rise and think that it's a very flattering rise and is a great way to get the high rise look if you're on the shorter side like me. When it comes to general wear and tear, they've washed and dried beautifully so far without losing their shape, color or ay stitching. I'm definitely not precious with them and I have washed and dried them a ton and they haven't shrunk. Plus, like all Everlane items they are ethically made and feature style and craftsmanship that far exceeds their price point. For 20 style different ways to wear them, you can click on the video to the right. Thanks so much for watching and chat soon!

April Mood Board

I can't believe it's finally spring!

Despite our colder than usual temperatures, we've had some pockets of glorious spring weather that has left me feeling refreshed and energized after a long winter. As I approach my 31st birthday later this month, I'm taking some time to streamline and declutter my life (even more) and I'm already feeling lighter.

This month's mood board represents my ongoing love affair with classics and my desire to continue to simplify as much as possible. 

Basic To Bold: Instant Ways To Upgrade Your Outfit

Happy Sunday! In today's video I'm sharing some instant ways to upgrade your look from basic to bold. Each of these simple tweaks take seconds to do, but transform your outfit into something memorable. 

1. ROLL WITH IT

First up is to roll your sleeves. This is something that I love to do when I wear a long sleeve butt down shirt, blazer or jacket because it instantly adds visual interest and helps tailored separates feel effortless rather than stuffy. Plus, it's a great way to show off multiple layers and your jewelry! So, if you're having a hard time getting your outfit to look just right, try rolling your sleeves and it may be just the tweak you need.

2. DO THE "BLOGGER DRAPE"

Next up is a style move that's recently becoming popular again and that's to drape your jacket or top layer over your shoulders like we see nearly ever blogger and street style star do. I love this because it has such an effortless feel and instantly pulls together anything I'm wearing. Now, this definitely isn't the most practical way to wear your outer layers but it certainly looks fantastic. So, if you're in moderate weather or just want to look like a million bucks for a picture, don't hesitate to drape your coat, sweater or blazer. 

3. TUCK IT IN 

If you've been here before this next one should come as no surprise, but I LOVE to tuck in my tops for a polished, put-together vibe that instantly takes my whole look to the next level. For me personally, because I love traditionally masculine silhouettes, tucking in my shirt helps accentuate my waist and add shape to an otherwise boxy look. Now, if you're uncomfortable with your midsection and would prefer to not tuck in your top, you can still get the same effect by having your shirts tailored to just below your problem area. This will help elongate your shape and draw the eye down to your feet instead of at your middle - this also looks great if you pair tops and bottoms together in similar shades.

4. MAKE A STATEMENT

Nothing jazzes up basics quicker than a great pair of statement earrings and it's something that I love to do when I want to look great but either can't be bothered to come up with something creative or it's too hot for some of the tricks in this video. Statement earrings (or even a statement lip!) add light to your face and help liven up an otherwise bland outfits. 

5. TOP IT OFF - WITH A HAT!

This next tip may not be for everyone, but I absolutely swear by the power of a great hat. From fedoras to berets and boater hats to floppy hats, I think that the right hat has the power to instantly transform anything you're wearing. Because of the rich history tied to hats, I find that they do the talking for you so to speak and can help convey the mood or vibe you're going for with little to no effort. Plus, they're also practical and keep you warm in the winter and shielded from the sun in the summer. 

6. ADD A SCARF

I can't get enough of scarves! From silk scarves to blanket scarves I love these classic accessories and wear them year-round to add a pop to my outfits. When the weather is cool, I love to tie them around my neck or drape them over my shoulders and fasten them with a belt. During the warmer months when I can't stand anything around my neck, I love to tie a light silk scarf to my handbag for the all the impact without the weight. 

7. LAYER IT UP

Even though fall isn't my favorite season, it's definitely my favorite to dress for and one of the main reasons for this is the layering! I'm sure you've seen the power of a great layered look many times but I think it bears repeating. There's just something about little pops of alternating fabrics, textures and colors that take any outfit to the next level and it's something that I rely on in my own day to day styling. Now, you can still layer during the warmer months too, you just need to be more strategic about it so instead of long sleeves and heavy materials, opt for 3/4, short sleeves or even sleeveless pieces in airy fabrics. You can also roll the sleeves of your favorite spring blazer or jacket for the same effect. 

8. ADD SUNGLASSES

Just like a great pair of earrings or a bold scarf instantly elevate even the most basic pieces, a great pair of sunglasses do the exact same thing. I personally love classic styles with either black, tortoise or gold frames but you can easily go the creative route and choose a colorful pair in a classic silhouette or a trendy pair with timeless touches for the perfect pop to any look year-round. 

9. GET TO THE POINT

Last but not least, when I want to take things to the next level, I swap my casual footwear for a pointed toe pair. Since I love flats, I never choose more than 2 inches but I find that even on my 5'4 frame the pointed toe helps elongate my look to make me appear taller all while keeping my look classic, clean and thoughtful.  

 

And there you have it! Like always, let me know if you have anything to add - I love learning to tricks!

Thanks so much for watching.