Fall Fashion Essentials

Summer is slowly coming to an end, sigh, but that only means fall is approaching! There is just something about fall that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I love cozying up in big knit sweaters while drinking my pumpkin spice latte. The cool-crisp air really is something special that can only be annotated by fall. Fortunately, with the onset of a new season comes shopping! This season, we are seeing a lot of comfortable clothing turned glam (i.e. the embellished tee and joggers), leopard print layers, and graphic prints. If you're struggling with what pieces to add to your fall wardrobe, don't worry! I have it all taken care of for you! See my list below for items to snag on your next shopping trip.

 1. The robe jacket- This one by Vince looks oh-so-comfy.  Totally swooning over this option.

2. Western booties- I am totally obsessing over these ones from Steve Madden - for sure going on my fall must-have list.

 3. Extreme turtle necks- This version from Necessary Clothing looks like something I am willing to live in throughout all of fall and winter... maybe even spring?

4. Rocker statement necklace- Dannijo successfully created the perfect touch of edginess for your fall look with this rocker statement necklace.

5. Statement bags- Graphic prints are all the rage this season - from sunnies, to knits tops.  Kate Spade is a trend-setter when it comes to this fashion statement; and hand bags are her specialty.  This Kate Spade bag will complete any look this fall.

6. Capes/ponchos- Now you don't need an excuse to leave the house wrapped in a blanket!  This H&M poncho will keep you warm and fuzzy while maintaining your style.

7. Leopard layers- Layering is still in... and so is leopard print- so try this leopard jacket from WHBM

8. Midi Skirts- The perfect way to add a touch of feminine flair to your fall pallet.  I love this one from LuLus

Coconut Hair Mask Treatment

 

I have always been envious of one of my best friend's hair.  She could always grow it so long and it looked gorgeous, thick, and healthy.  I always tried to imitate her long-locked look, but my hair just never looked as good.   Every time I tried to grow it out, it just looks unhealthy and straggly.  So one day I finally asked her how she grew her hair so long and it still looked healthy.  Her response: Coconut oil.  Ahh, now this makes sense.  No one could really have that beautiful of hair without a secret weapon, right?  So it got me thinking, maybe I should try using coconut oil in my hair.  I have used it before to make body butter and sugar scrub, and I have always been amazed at how this simple household ingredient can work such moisturizing wonders. 

After scouring through many blogs and tutorials on hair care treatment, here is a recipe I concocted based off of the needs I was looking for. It's so simple and easy, I have no idea why I haven't tried it before.

     1/2 cup of coconut oil     
                1/3 cup of honey                   

 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar 

 I used coconut oil as my main ingredient to moisturize and strengthen my hair.  Honey, helps to condition and will also lighten your hair over time.  Lastly, I used a small amount of apple cider vinegar which helps remove product build up and increases shine.

Mix the ingredients together and melt in the microwave for about 45 seconds.  If the coconut oil is not fully melted, that is okay, just keep stirring and it will eventually melt.  If you let the mixture sit for a little bit, it will separate, which is fine, just stir again.  

I applied to my damp, brushed hair using a wide paddle paint bush concentrating on the ends.  I then pulled my hair up into a bun and let sit for about an hour.  Then just wash it out as normal!  I actually had to wash my hair out twice.  I have pretty fine hair, so the coconut oil did not fully wash out after the first wash.  Just make sure you thoroughly wash your hair after the application.  If you have really course hair, you may want to apply this mask every few days or once a week.  For fine hair, every month or so should help to moisturize and strengthen your hair.  The recipe above should last you a few applications.  Feel free to double or triple to make it last longer.  The coconut oil may begin to harder over time, so just pop in the microwave to remelt.

Tips For Working Out in the Heat

Last summer I tasked myself with  training for a half marathon - starting in the dead heat of summer.  I know, not smart.  In the beginning I had no idea what I was getting myself into.  Even the short runs seemed almost unbearable in the blistering summer heat.  Not to mention, I almost always seemed to run out of water. I was not about to start running 11 miles on the treadmill, so I started to research ways to make it through  my long summer runs.

I decided to try out some of the tricks I learned.  Some helped and some did not.  These tactics not only work for runners, but really any outdoor activity.

1. Drink up!  When you know you are going to be working out, drink at least 8 oz of water every hour the day before and day of your work out.  It is important to continue to drink water even when you are not thirsty so that your body can store up the hydration.  You also don't want to me pounding the water shortly before the run because you may cramp up (and have to pee during your run!).  If you sweat a lot, you may want to consider drinking more than 8 oz.

2. Wear loose, light clothing Just the other day, I did not take my own advice and wore all black running on an 80 degree day.  Not smart.  The loose clothing will help with air circulation and the light color will not attract the sun like darker colors do.

3. Time it right Time of day is everything.  Running early in the morning is best, especially before the sun rises.  Once the sun starts to rise, so does the temperature - not to mention the pounding sun in your face.  Evening is also a great time to run.  Avoid from 12-3 PM because this is when the ozone levels are at their highest.  Not only is it hot, but you have an increased risk of sun burn.

4. Be picky with your trails  Pick trails with water fountains throughout the course. This way you won't have to worry about running out of water.  Also, pick trails that are shaded and along streams or rivers.  These trails will be much cooler and you have the option to splash your face if you feel you are beginning to overheat.

6. Slow it down  Slowing down your pace, especially in the beginning, will keep you from overheating.  When you push yourself to do your best, your heart rate increases and your body temperature rises.  Run by your effort, not your typical running pace.  Just like a car can overheat, your body can overheat as well.

7. Increase your electrolytes  Don't just drink water.  Consider adding drinks with electrolytes such as coconut water or sports drinks.  During your outdoor activity, you will sweat more than normal, losing a lot of sodium.  The electrolytes will help level out your sodium levels and keep you hydrated, avoiding hyponatremia (low levels of sodium in the blood).

8. Wear sunscreen You might not always realize how much sun you are getting while you run.  Lather on a sports sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher to avoid sunburns.

Even with these tricks, it is still very difficult to beat the heat when the high is 98 degrees.  So listen to your body.  If you are feeling weak, dizzy, faint, have a headache, or begin vomiting, stop working out immediately.  You could end up with dehydration, heat stoke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or hyponatremia.  No workout is worth your health.  But stay safe and enjoy the outdoors while you can!

Investment Pieces- Worth the Extra $

It seems like on a daily basis I am rummaging through my closet trying to find something to wear.  Even with a walk-in-closet lined with the season's latest, I always seem to manage to draw towards a few staple pieces.  Sure, I may go for a lacy peplum one day and a jersey knit tank the next, but I always seem to pair them with the same faux-leather jacket and skinny jeans.  I may have over 40 pairs of shoes, but I always manage to slip on the same strappy sandals or classic black wedge.  Why do I wear these pieces so often?  Because they are so versatile and they have lasted me through several evolving seasons.  And, if you are wearing the same pieces over and over, you definitely want to invest in some high quality items.

The key is to know when to save and when to splurge.   You may not want to spend hundreds of dollars on trendy items like crop tops and printed denim.  Most likely you are only going to wear these trendy items once or twice.  However, a well fitted blazer and black pointy pumps are items you will find yourself wearing season after season.  These are the kinds of items that are okay, even encouraged to spend a little more on because you want them to last.  There is nothing worse than buying the perfect pair of well-fitted jeans only to discover that the material stretches more and more with each wear. 

See my list below for items that are worth a little extra cash.  Because everyone has a different budget, and your idea of a "splurge" may be another fashionista's steal, I found a designer version and a more affordable item for each investment piece.


1. Black Moto Jacket - Every girl needs a sleek, bad-ass motorcycle jacket.  I have been wearing mine for three seasons out of the year for about 2 years now.  It can be a great layering piece or a light jacket for when it starts to get cool.  Pair it with some destructed skinnies and you will be looking like the sixth member of the T-Birds.  I love this affordable version from Express because of it's simple, sleek design.  For an even larger budget, this quilted Anine Bing version would look fabulous over top of almost anything.

2. Classic Ankle Strap Sandals - The classic ankle strap sandal has become a spring/summer staple.  Purchasing these cute little shoes in black, nude or white can add instant femininity and chicness to any outfit.  A good pair of heels is something I definitely recommend spending a few extra dollars on because you want them to be as comfortable as possible. This pair from Aldo is classic and simple, but the snake skin texture gives it some edge.  For a more high-end look, snag these Pour La Victoire sandals.  The gold accents add some classy flare.

3. Perfect Pair of Skinnies - Nothing beats your favorite pair of dark wash skinnies that you can wear with almost anything.  I got in the habit of wearing mine multiple times a week.  All women know the struggle of denim shopping and finding the pair that fits just  right; and when you do, it's like Heaven on Earth.  Because they are so hard to come by, splurge on a good-quality pair.  Trust me, you will get your monies worth.  You can't go wrong with 7 for all Mankind jeans.  They are a little pricey, but this is an investment, and you won't be disappointed in the splurge.  J-Brand makes a great pair of designer jeans, and this dark wash pair will go with everything.

4. Well-Fitted Blazer -  Not just for boardrooms anymore!  The blazer has become an essential layering piece that is here to stay.  Pair it with your skinnies and heals for a night out, or ponte pants for a sleep office look.  This Loft blazer is a great affordable alternative.  The black will match everything!  This black Theory blazer is also a great find if you are looking for a great fitted, everyday blazer.

5 Brown Leather Tote - I included this piece because I bought one two years ago and have been carrying it around ever since.  I love my Fossil tote and it has lasted me through what seems like war and back.  It matches almost everything and is great for work or play! This Fossil tote is similar to the one I had.  However, Marc is my true dream bag!

6. Chambray Shirt -  Ahh the chambray shirt!  What would I do without thee?  The chambray shirt is another great layering piece.  It can be warn open as the top layer, or with the collar popped under a cardi as the bottom layer.  Try this one from Loft for a more modest budget, or for a more luxurious look, go for this Rag & Bone chambray shirt.

7. Little Black Dress-  Every girl needs a LBD, or two, or three.  I have several LBDs, but I have one go-to dress that fits like a glove.  This little number is well worth the investment (as in time and money).  Find the one that pulls out your best features and gives your the confidence you need for any occasion.  This affordable version from LuLus has just enough sass for date night and the perfect touch of class for Sunday brunch!  If your looking for the perfect Audrey Hepburn look-a-like, go for Kate Spade's Marilyn dress.

8. Black Pumps -  Invest in a good pair - you will wear these religiously... I promise! If you got the wallet to support, go for the classic Louboutins.  If you are like me and live off of a more modest budget, investing in a a pair of these Kate Spade pointy-toed pumps.

9. Crossbody Bag -The crossbody bag is a great investment piece because when you only need to carry a couple things around, you don't want to carry around a big chunky bag. Check out this one from Henri Bendel.  If you have the cash, you can't go wrong with the oh-so-classic Chanel quilted crossbody.

10. Gold Trinket Necklace -  You know when you need just one tiny little accessory to turn your outfit from boring to fab?  That is what the gold trinket necklace is for. Dogeared is great affordable option.  I love their Balance Curved Tube Necklace.  Going for precious medals?  Try Mizuki's 14K gold side cross necklace.

Summer To-Do List

With summer vastly approaching the mid-mark, I realized that between all the weddings, graduation parties and nights out on the town, I haven't had time to do all of things I really want to with my summer months.  Residing in the North East, we only get a handful of sunny, warm days a year. It's important to soak up all the sunshine possible with outdoor activities.

I don't know what it is about summer, but it seems like they are so sacred and special.  It's like you want to take advantage of every last second it has to offer, wasting not a single drop.  One of my favorite things about summer is that there is always something to do, and there is no room for boredom.  The best part of moving to Philadelphia is that I am only an hour away from plopping my butt on a beach chair and sticking my feet in the sand.  I will never have an excuse to be bored when the shore is only a short trip up the expressway.

With so many things to do, and so little time, I decided I needed to compile a list of all the things I want to do or get done this summer, and quickly begin planning when I can check them off my list. Here is a list of all the things I want to get done.  I encourage you to do the same!

Rent the Runway: Meet Your New BFF

If you fall anywhere between the ages of 22-35, you know what I mean when I say your summer vacation time is revolved around the numerous weddings throughout the summer.  As I am sure most of you agree, this means buying a new dress for every single one.  After all, isn't there an unwritten rule that you cannot be photographed in a dress for more than one occasion?  Okay, maybe this rule is a bunch of crock, but either way, it's an excuse to get a new dress.

As this most recent wedding was approaching, I realized I had absolutely nothing to wear.  Surprise, surprise! I thought about scouring through the racks of Forever 21 and H&M, but I wanted something classier.  I could have went to Nordstrom, but why pay hundreds of dollars for a dress I would only wear once?  My brilliant solution?  Rent a dress!  I have wanted to try Rent the Runway for sometime, and this was my opportunity to give it a whirl.

My first step was finding the perfect dress.  Obviously you cannot try these dresses on, so they encourage others to post pictures of themselves in the dress.  They also encourage users to post there age, body type, height, weight and bra size, so you can see what the dress looks like on someone with a similar body size.  They also give you the option of choosing a back-up size for free in case you are unsure of what size to get.  Another great feature of the site is that you can actually filter through what dresses would look good on your body type.  Standing at only 5'0, I always have a hard time finding dresses that fit properly, so this option is amazing for someone like me.  There are also a variety of other filter options to help you find the dress you want, as you can see in the screenshot of the site below.

I then selected my dress because it seemed as if a lot of other girls my size looked stunning in the dress. 

I received my dress the day before the event, as expected.  The dress fit perfectly in the size I normally wear.  The next day, I wore the dress to an outdoor, "Garden-in-the-City" wedding.  The dress was perfect for the occasion, and I got so many compliments on it.  Sadly, I did have to return the dress today, which was easy and simple.  Just put the dress in a pre-paid UPS box provided by RTR, and drop it off at any UPS box.  I am definitely renting again.  In fact, I rented a romper for my birthday this weekend in Atlantic City!

Here are a couple pictures of the dress:

Too bad I couldn't be looking at the camera... womp womp.

DIY Lace Trim Shorts

I am so thrilled that summer is finally approaching.  I cannot wait to clear my closet of too-tight jeans and make way for shorts and maxi skirts.  Although I am sad that layering season is out, I am beyond excited for summer clothing.  Flirty dresses and cut-off shorts are way more comfy than skinny jeans and itchy sweaters.  Not to mention, the fun, flirty color combos you can get away with throughout the summer are way more exhilarating and refreshing than the neutral pallet trends of winter.

My biggest summer go-to for the past three or four summers have been denim cut-off shorts.  They are simple, stylish, and match with almost anything and everything.  I decided I have far too many plain pairs than one girl needs in a life time, so I decided to "vamp" a pair up a bit.  I am loving the lace trend right now, so I wanted to make a quick and easy DIY lace-trim shorts tutorial.  I have seen several versions of this on Pinterest, and I thought I would give it a try for myself.

You know those perfect cut-offs you bought in high school that are too short to wear now, but you just can't seem to get rid of?  Yeah, those will be perfect.  I loved my shorts back then and wore them almost every day.  They are way to short for me to get away with now (and probably where back then as well), so adding the lace to the bottom helps add a little extra length.

I have recently been doing simple sewing projects, so this was the perfect excuse to whip out my sewing machine.  You can also use fabric glue if you don't know how to sew.  Other materials you will need:

Fabric Scissors
Lace Trim
A Pair of shorts
Pins
Sewing measuring tape

Here is the "before" picture of my shorts:

First, measure out the length of the pant-leg of your shorts (mine was 24 inches each side).

Then, measure out your lace trim to the same length and cut at that length.

Turn your shorts inside out and pin the lace trim around the edge of your short's pant leg.  You want to position the lace exactly where you will want the lace trim to lay.

Sew the lace trim to your shorts using either a needle and thread or a sewing machine.  Or, if you chose to glue your trim on with fabric glue, you do not need to pin and you can go right to gluing the trim on.

Next I cutoff the excess trim and put my shorts right-side in.  Below you can see what I mean by "excess trim".  The right side still has the extra trim on while the left has been cut off.

You can see that the stitching appears towards the edge of the shorts (if you used fabric glue, you  won't have this issue).

In order to hide the stitching, I cuffed the shorts at the bottom and ironed over them to make the cuff stay.  You can add a little stitching on the side to help the cuff stay in place when you wash the shorts.  Or, you can use fabric glue to keep the shorts cuffed.

Here are a few pictures of the finished product: