Category: Lifestyle

Travel Necessities Gift Set in Honor of Sony Classics’ Daddio

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

To celebrate the release of Sony Classics’ film Daddio, I was sent a gift set featuring travel necessities. The film, in theaters June 28th, stars Dakota Johnson and Sean Penn. It involves a taxi ride from New York’s JFK airport to Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen.

Due to the thoughtfulness of the gift set from Allied Global Marketing, I just had to share it here on the blog!

First, everything was sent in a Lands’ End tote bag that I didn’t know I needed. It makes a perfect travel bag, with just the right about of pockets. And even better it was customized with my name.

Inside consisted of travel snacks, like pretzel chips and gummy bears. And a customized clear pouch with other goodies, like gum and a gift card. But here are the beauty travel necessities that really impressed me.

Touchland Power Mist

I have multiple of this hand sanitizer in various scents and couldn’t have been happier to get a hydrating one in a new to me scent. I love their gentle and glow hand sanitizers!

Patchology Eye Gels

I haven’t tried these hydrating eye gels yet, but really like Patchology. And as someone who enjoys masking as a form of selfcare, I know they will not go to waste.

L’occitane Hand Cream

When traveling, my skin tends to dry more quickly and a good shea butter hand cream is always ideal to have.

E.L.F. Cosmetics Lip Balm

The same goes for a good lip balm. The E.L.F. Cosmetics Squeeze Me Lip Balm is both affordable and effective.

What do you need to have with you when you travel?

SHOP THE POST

The Greatest Gift Idea for Mother’s Day and More!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Mother’s Day is this weekend and you probably already have purchased any gifts that you may need. But on the chance that you haven’t or really just need a gift idea for any future upcoming events or holidays, I always recommend the Our Place Always Pan. Like always, for everything. I have their pan, pot, bakeware set, and even some of their tableware!

And if you do need a last minute Mother’s Day gift, you can always get a gift card.

During my quick trip to LA, I may have stopped into the Our Place store by Glossier on Melrose (Glossier post potentially coming soon…) and learn even more about their offerings and deepened my love for the brand.

Reason I love Our Place

  1. The Our Place Always Pan. I don’t love to cook, but after cooking the last thing I want to do is scrub dirty dishes. The Aways Pan is dishwasher safe. Need I say more?
  2. Short Night + Day Glasses. Sometimes it’s the simple things and the fact that this glasses are stackable is just something that can’t be overlooked or undervalued. Especially if you live in a tiny apartment with little to no cabinet space.
  3. The Bakeware Set. Specifically the included oven mat. In addition to being dishwasher safe, this eliminates the need for foil and I’m here for that kind of sustainability.
  4. Appliances. Now this is new territory for me, as I didn’t know Our Place made appliances. But apparently they have options from a blender to a 6-in-1 air fryer/toaster oven. My mind was blown!
  5. Titanium. New to the Always Pan collection is the Titanium Always Pan Pro, which is nonstick and coating-free. I really just loved how pretty and professional it looked. And you can also get it in a bundle.

AND Our Place is currently having their annual Spring Sale! Get up to 40% off sitewide! You are welcome.

SHOP OUR PLACE

The 5 Best Belt Bags and Fanny Packs of 2023

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Like any other fashion trend handbag trends will for sure come and go. I often reach for bags that are more functional and practical, over the latest most popular ones. That said, belt bags (or fanny packs) are now back in a big way!

1. Louis Vuitton Monogram Bumbag

There’s a reason you see this bag on everyone from celebrities to street style fashionistas, and why it sells out so quickly after it’s back in stock. If you’re looking for a designer everyday handbag, I can’t recommend the Louis Vuitton Monogram Bumbag enough! Shop it secondhand via Fashionphile.

2. Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag

I almost hate how much everyone everywhere loves this bag. But I cant, because I absolutely get it. The Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag is the perfect on the go bag for when all you really need are the basic essentials.

Grass Metro Sling Bag
image via MZ Wallace

3. MZ Wallace Metro Sling Bag

I don’t personally own this one (yet), but I do love my MZ Wallace tote and how much it holds so when I saw it on Ashley of Everyday Pursuits’ Instagram, I immediately added it to my wishlist, same color and all. Whether you’re a mom or not, if you have a lot of stuff, the MZ Wallace Metro Sling Bag is for you.

CALPAK Luka everyday Belt Bag with puffy exterior in pink
image via Calpak

4. Calpak Luka Belt Bag

This is another belt bag on my radar thanks to Instagram. I use the Calpak packing cubes when I travel and their Luka Belt Bag looks perfect to add to my travel essentials.

Dagne Dover Ace Fanny Pack
image via Beyond Yoga

5. Dagne Dover Ace Fanny Pack

The Dagne Dover Ace Fanny is my favorite of these belt bags picks for the minimalist. It comes in 6 different core colors, and has enough pockets to stay organized.

Are you here for the return of the fanny pack trend? Which belt bag best suits you? Let me know in the comments!

Shop my post:

Ways to Wear Matching Sets

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

It should come as no surprise to learn that I love matching sets. I am all about versatility. Pieces that are easy to wear multiple ways? Too perfect!

As Is

The easiest outfit ever, is to wear a matching set as it is. If I’m not sure what to wear, I know that outside of a jumpsuit, a matching set is my safest bet. This Free People set is currently trending—

The other set I reach for often is this Cynthia Rowley set—

Switch The Top Out

Regardless of the type of set, I’m a huge fan of swapping out the top for a bodysuit. Skirts, pants, you name it, I style it with a bodysuit. And if not a bodysuit, it’s usually a basic or graphic tee, but you have options. Tons of them!

Wear It With Different Bottoms

As for the bottoms, I’m not opposed to switching those out as well. Jeans are typically my go to for this, but again there are tons of options.

Add Something To It

Given that I life in New England and the weather here is usually cold, I often add layers to my matching sets. Typically a jacket, be it denim or otherwise that I can easily fit under a coat in the winter, or take off in the summer.

If you don’t know what to wear, you can always follow me on Instagram, or go with a matching set. I also love one styled with a puffer vest!

How do you feel about matching sets?

Shop this post:

Gifts I Love Gift Guide

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

The ‘Gifts I Love’ gift guide is one of my personal favorites, because it’s gifts I’ve received and absolutely love!

Gifts I Love Gift Guide
  1. Cuyana Leather Travel Case Set
  2. Pura Smart Device Set
  3. NEST New York Madagascar Vanilla Perfume Oil Rollerball
  4. Vitruvi Stone Diffuser
  5. Bracha Mini Angel Numbers Necklace
  6. Versace Bright Crystal
  7. Electric Wine Bottle Opener with Charging Base and Foil Cutter
  8. Fujifilm Instax Mini
  9. Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 2
  10. Diptyque Black Baise Scented Candle

Not a single gift on this list is one that I don’t still use or wouldn’t love to get again.

Shop the post:

Luxury White Elephant Gift Guide

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

I recently had the pleasure of joining Neiman Marcus Boston for their annual influencer holiday party. We shopped, sipped, and celebrated with a white elephant gift exchange! Here were some of the most coveted white elephant gifts—

White Elephant Gift Guide
  1. Cult Gaia Solene Mini Crystal Top-Handle Bag
  2. Burberry Reversible Bucket Hat
  3. Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum
  4. Alexander McQueen Skulls & Mushrooms Silk Scarf
  5. Celine Cat-Eye Sunglasses

Can you guess which of these gifts I went home with? Which one would you have wanted?

Shop the post:

8 Cute Picks to Wear to Your Next Football Game

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

While my favorite kind of football will always be soccer, seeing as how I did play in both high school and college, that doesn’t mean that I don’t love my New England Patriots something fierce. There’s hardly anything football related that I love more than showing my support for them in style with cute football game outfit ideas, even if I do tend to stay at home on game day.

If you’ve ever found yourself trying to figure out what to wear to a football game, this blog post is definitely for you!

Regardless of whether you’ll be in a stadium or on a couch, or watching college or NFL, here are three cute outfits to wear to a football game—

Fall Football Outfit
Cute Outfit to Wear to a Football Game
New England Patriots Game Day Outfit
Game Day Gear and Leggings Look
Tailgate NFL Sweatshirt

And here are eight picks to wear this season—

I already own a some of these items, and all the others are on my Christmas list!

Please don’t think that you need to run out and buy team apparel just to look good at a game. If there’s anything in your closet that already own in your team’s colors that will work just perfectly as well. I know for other sports, I’ve also been known to rock and all black look.

Do you have any upcoming football related plans?

Lightweight Fall Pieces I Love A Lot, Perfect for Transitional Dressing

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and features gifted product from Dick’s Sporting Goods.

The weather in New England can be pretty unpredictable, especially in the fall. The key to being prepared for the changing of seasons is lightweight fall staple pieces that you can layer differently throughout the day.

The number one lightweight fall piece that I love for transitional dressing is a fleece. Dick’s Sporting Goods has so many great options in this category, including my personal favorite, which is The North Face Denali Fleece. 

Not only do fleeces make the perfect jacket for this time of year, they look great with everything from a tank top to a turtleneck. And if you have a thin enough jacket or vest, you can layer one under your fleece as well.

Shop fleeces—

In addition to lightweight layering pieces, another way that I like to adjust to the dropping temperatures is to switch up my footwear. 

Shop footwear—

Just add crew socks and a beanie, and you’re good to go!

Plus with the holidays just around the corner, it’s worth noting that these cold weather accessories also make great gifts! Dick’s Sporting Goods has blankets, tumblers, and whatever else you might need for your next adventure.

Shop gifts—

Shop this post—

Two Valentine’s Day Outfit Ideas

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Valentine’s Day Outfit Ideas

Valentine’s Day this year, like so many other things, is looking different than it has in the past.  Andrew and I tend not to go all out for most holidays, but last year we enjoyed a candlelit dinner for two at Ciao Bella in the North End of Boston. I’d hoped that (or at least something similar to it) would be a new tradition for us. This Valentine’s Day, however, we will be continuing to stay home. And having a candlelit dinner for two in the comfort of our apartment, with delivery. 

But just because Valentine’s Day won’t be the same this year, that doesn’t mean that you can’t dress for it! I mean, will probably be in sweats all day, to be honest, but if I were going to dress up, here are two Valentine’s Day outfits that I would wear.

The first look is actually inspired by The Everygirl. They’d featured it in an article titled, 7 Non-Cheesy Outfits for Every Valentine’s Day Occasion. It was the suggested what to wear for a casual date with you long-term boo. And honestly they nailed it! This look is exactly what I would wear out with Andrew. I switched up the red satin top style a bit, for a slightly sexier vibe. And ditched the chain belt, because I forgot I had a purse chain strap I could use. 

For the second of my Valentine’s Day outfits, I wanted to share something that is a little bit more of what people have in mind when they think of Valentine’s Day looks. A little white dress (that I’ve worn before, and was excited for the excuse to wear it again) and a pop of red! I love these heels and with the dress it’s just such a cute dressier look to wear to celebrate love.

How dressy will your V-Day attire be or are you keeping it very low key? Let me know in the comments below!

Shop this post:

New Year, New Beauty & Hair Care Goals

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Nordstrom and ShopStyle, and contains affiliate links.

I’ve never been all that big on New Year’s resolutions, and this year I’ve been even more hesitant to set one. That doesn’t mean that I don’t have goals, and some pretty lofty ones! Since I’ll be continuing to stay home at this time, I figured I would make the most of it as much as I could, by trying to refine my makeup, skincare, and hair care routines. For makeup and skincare, my goal is to get better at applying the products I already know that I love to create Instagram-worthy beauty looks. And also pin down  routines that work, so that I can be more consistent with them. 

Now, with hair care it’s a bit different. If you’re at all familiar with my hair journey, then you know that it is all over the place. But you also know that I’m not good at doing hair, my sisters usually are the ones to do mine for me, and when I find something I can do, I do it on repeat (hello, slick ponytail, that involves A LOT of gel)! 

After checking out the Allure Best of Beauty 2020 winners, and scoping out Nordstrom’s new beauty arrivals, I decided to give a few things a try, including the Sigma Beauty F79 Concealer Blend Kabuki Brush and T3 Lucea ID 1-inch Smart Straightening & Styling Flat Iron. 

Having used the flat iron a few times now, I 100% get why so many bloggers and influencers rave about it. It’s that good! I really want to try one of their curling irons next! I’m still getting better at doing my own hair, especially since going natural, and have a ways to go. But being able to straighten it with ease means I can try more styles, which is the goal.

What are your 2021 beauty goals?

No matter what you hope to achieve this year, Nordstrom has all your beauty needs to help you accomplish it. And with The Nordy Club, you get some pretty great perks, like earning points towards Nordstrom Notes when you shop, that you can use on future purchases. I’ve used a few already!
Not sure where to begin? Here are my current top Nordstrom beauty picks: