Feelin' The Force

Essentials really do stand the test of time. For example, these photos were taken sometime in 2016 (nearly 7 years ago!) but the neutral styling makes the outfit look polished.

So if you haven’t already, make this the year you take stock of which essentials you have and invest in quality pieces that will last. Here’s a great article from Vogue on closet staples.

Not sure where to start? Let’s take some inspiration from this outfit and start small with a white t-shirt and white tank.

Everlane, Aritzia, and Uniqlo are my favorite shops for basics and I gathered some must-haves in the grid below too!

Photos by Lydia Hudgens.

Necklace: Nashelle  Shirt: Aritzia (similar here)  Jacket: Grana  Skirt: Aritzia (similar here)  Rings: Various (similar hereChunky Socks  Shoes: Steve Madden  Lipgloss: 22 via Kylie Cosmetics

Sucker for Lace

One of the many style challenges I came head to head with myself was, “how do I re-wear my bridesmaid dress?”

Because of the fabric and cut, the dresses ended up hanging in the back of my closet, never seeing the light of day. Another option, that has never been utilized, was tailoring it into a brand new piece. When it came time to partner with Gather and Gown I really wanted to put my casual spin on their lace dress.

I was, and still am, big into wearing sneakers with dresses. The vintage vest and black sunnies helped pull the look together with an edgy vibe. I was very into this look and still have the dress for more casual opportunities!

Let me know in the comments if you would re-wear your bridesmaid dress.

Photos by Mark Kim.

Dress: Gather and Gown (love this alternative!) Vest: Rag and Bone (similar here) Sunglasses: Old (love this option!) Shoes: Vans Lipstick: Charlotte Tilbury in Red Carpet Red

The Essentials: August 2019

I’m not even going to front… I took a year-long sabbatical from posting and will speak about that more in an upcoming Fourth Wall post. But, let’s just say it’s been a YEAR.

I’m still working through some kinks but am feeling more inspired and rejuvenated to share everything I’ve come across since last year.

Anyway, let's get to it!

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Hair: When it comes to hair, my biggest challenge has been growth and hair health. The amount of damage my curls took on during my icy blonde period ALMOST gives me blonde regret. (Almost.) Let’s not forget my alopecia moment when I lost half my curl volume. To rehabilitate my curls I had to consider my hair health on the outside and inside. On the inside, I’ve incorporated Philip Kingsley’s Root Complex supplements. Philip Kingsley are known trichology experts so it’s no surprise their supplements are inspired by a combination of hair healthy vitamins and minerals prescribed on a daily basis at the Philip Kingsley Trichological Clinics. As for cleansing and conditioning - Nexxus’ Oil Infinite Collection (shampoo, conditioner, and nourishing hair oil) is suited for thick, curly hair and works by replenishing nutrients and detangling hair without excess residue. My curls always felt great after use too! With all this damage control, I’ve kept styling very minimal this summer by relying on Renpure’s Coconut Water Sea Salt Spray. The spray adds weightless moisture and texture by using gentle plant-based ingredients.

Face: Earlier this summer I made an appearance in Teen Vogue’s yearly acne coverage - who would’ve thought? But to reiterate, I still stand behind all three picks which included Blume’s Meltdown and Naturopathica’s Pumpkin Purifying Enzyme Peel. Both are so GOOD for maintaining acne. Since my skin care routine was/is packed full of powerhouse products I decided to scale back on an intense moisturizer and instead trade in one that was lightweight and focused on gentle hydration - enter e.l.f. Daily Hydration Face Moisturizer. It does its job and is under $10! I also discovered Youth to the People on Instagram - where they quickly rose to Insta-fame thanks to their clean aesthetic and 100% vegan ingredients. I picked up their Superfood Skin Reset Antioxidant Mask after reading rave reviews and absolutely love it. I use it once a week, only at night, to detox and reset my skin - highly recommend it!

Makeup: Air conditioners and daily contact lens use has made my eyes a bit sensitive this summer so I haven’t been wearing much eye makeup. BUT, I still need my brows and mascara to be on before leaving the house. With that said, I went through countless mascaras until I tried Almay’s Multi-Benefit Mascara. The formula gives lashes a boost of volume and length without any irritation. Another favorite from this summer is NYX’s Makeup Setting Spray in a Dewy Finish which kept all my face makeup intact during the hot, sweaty nights out. Both items mentioned here are under $10 too!

Any favorites you've been loving this month?

Shop my essentials below:
one // two // three // four // five // six // seven // eight // nine // ten // eleven // twelve // thirteen // fourteen