Straw Hats For Spring

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I love hats. During the cooler months I swear by fedoras and berets to keep me warm and stylish and during the warmer months, it's all about the straw hat. From wide brim to panama, I love these lightweight toppers for shielding me from the sun and keeping me classic and cool. Currently, my small collection of hats includes lower end options from places like Asos, TopShop and Forever 21 and while there's certainly nothing wrong with them, I would love to upgrade my hat collection with one classic, beautifully made option that I can wear for years to come. Today, I've rounded up 6 lovely hats that I've come across recently. 

1 | First up is this very high-end option from Gucci. I love the simple but stylish design of this option and the mid sized brim. I don't know that I could bring myself to spend quite that much right now, so I to get the same effect I would tie a silk scarf like this one, this one or this one on a plain straw hat. 

2 | Next up, is a very cute (but slightly more casual) option. I really love the open weave that allows for nice air flow during the hot spring and summer months. 

3 | This third option is my favorite out of the bunch and I'm completely smitten with the pale color, classic silhouette and quality craftsmanship. I also think the price point is extremely fair for the impeccable construction and innovative packable design. 

4 | Next, is a lovely black and white option that's perfect for adding a pop to a light colored spring and summer wardrobe.

5 | When it comes to classic hats, Borsalino is a visionary. This classic hat is perfect for a classic wardrobe and I love the olive green ribbon that will compliment every color in my wardrobe. 

Monday Muse: Aerin Lauder

Today's post kicks off a new micro series that I'll be posting a few Mondays out of the year. As the title suggests, this new "Monday Muse" series will explore the style of an inspiring woman and in each post we will delve deeper into what makes her image unique but wearable and how you can incorporate a few of her tricks into your own closet. First up, is one of my all-time favorite fashion and business inspirations - Aerin Lauder. 

Of her style, Aerin has said that it's "very classic and feminine, but with an ease to it" and I couldn't agree more! Everything she's pictured wearing is classic but modern and always feminine - even when wearing structured separates like blazers and pants.  

One of the things that I love the most about her style is how approachable it all feels. Even though she's typically wearing pieces far beyond my budget, she always looks so relatable, comfortable and relaxed. Plus, the majority of her wardrobe and outfits are made up of simple separates that most women already have in their closet.

From her simple jeans and beautiful blouses to her effortless hair and barely there but always polished makeup, she's a woman after my own heart. She regularly mixes classic closet staples like black pants and classic jeans with feminine touches like floral tops, heirloom jewelry and lace details. Below, I've linked a few of Aerin's outfits that can easily be recreated using pieces you probably already have. Just remember to wear your outfit with confidence and go out and chase your dreams!  

Blazer / Pants / Charm Bracelet / Lipstick / Perfume / Heels

White Shirt / Jeans / Watch / Signet Ring / Lip Balm / Comb / Purse / Loafers

Spring Capsule Makeup Collection & Routine Video

Today I'm sharing my quick and easy, five minute spring capsule makeup routine.

If you've seen any of my other makeup posts, you know that I prefer a light, natural look and this routine gives me just that. 

1 | HOURGLASS VEIL MINERAL PRIMER: The first step in my routine during the warmer months is the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer. I love this primer because it's light on my skin, controls oil beautifully and leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft and smooth - the perfect base for my foundation. 

2 | ALIMA PURE SATIN MATTE W3 + BAREMINERALS ORIGINAL FOUNDATION GOLDEN BEIGE: Next, I apply a light layer of foundation. You know I love mineral foundation and since we're between seasons, I mix the Bareminerals Original in Golden Beige with the Alima Pure Satin Matte Foundation in W3 for my perfect shade. I love each of these mineral foundations for their flawless but super lightweight finish and lately I've been applying them with my new Milani Powder/Bronzer brush. I picked this brush up recently and have been loving it. It's ridiculously soft, has kept it's shape and bristles through many washes and applies my foundation evenly. Plus, it's under $20.

3 | BAREMINERALS WELL-RESTED CONCEALER: Once my foundation is on, I like to add a very light dusting of Bareminerals "Well Rested" Concealer under my eyes and around my nose. I love this concealer because it's lightweight (have you noticed a theme yet?), easy to apply and brightens my under eye area perfectly. I like to apply it with the Bobbi Brown Sheer Powder Brush for an airbrushed look. 

4| BAREMINERALS WARMTH: Next, I like to add some color and life to my face with Bareminerals warmth. I alternate between this and "faux tan" throughout the year and find that on light makeup days I can wear only this and skip the blush. I like to apply it with the EcoTools Powder Brush for a natural application. 

5 | L'OREAL VOLUMINOUS LASH PRIMER: For my eyes, I love eyeliner but often skip it day-to-day. To keep my eyes a wide awake look without it, I apply a layer of the L'Oreal Voluminous Lash Primer before going in with mascara.

6 | CHANEL INIMITABLE INTENSE MASCARA: For mascara I've fallen back in love with the Chanel Inimitable Intense and when combined with the L'Oreal Primer my lashes look lifted, voluminous and long - I LOVE it!

7 | E.L.F. GOTTA GLOW LIP TINT IN PERFECT PINK: Last but not least, I apply a quick application of lip tint and the E.L.F. Gotta Glow Lip Tint in Perfect Pink is a great dupe for the Dior Lip Glow. It gives me just enough color and leaves my lips feeling hydrated and smooth. 

And there you have it! I also put together a quick video of the application (set to some great music!) if you'd like to see these products in action. You can watch it here or over on my YouTube channel. Please forgive the slight haze my video seems to have. It's an issue with resolution and exportation that I've been trying to fix since I upgraded my camera a few months ago and I hope to finally have it fixed soon. 

Thanks so much for stopping by and happy Sunday!

New Feature: My Wish List

In order to maintain my classic, streamlined wardrobe and only add pieces I can wear a variety of ways for years to come, I like to keep a running list of pieces I'm looking for. To share this list with you, I've added a "wish list" section here of everything I have my eye on.