I don't think anything could scream "fall" more than a plaid shirt and booties. This shirt, in particular, is really cute because of the chambray addition on the shoulders and sleeves. Plus it is REALLY soft. And I have a thing for comfortable shirts! I just realized you can't see the booties that well, but they are WEDGE booties, which also makes them really comfortable. They also pair really well with dresses.
I'm so happy today is Friday... I am basically living for the weekends these days! I can't wait to head to the Farmer's Market this Saturday ... and to sleep in! Hope everyone has a great weekend. xoxo
If there's one fall essential that trumps all others, it's the puffy vest. There are so many different ways to wear them, starting now all the way through winter. This one in particular is really great - I haven't seen the "wine" color before - this color is really popular for fall! I paired it with a really comfortable stripe dress, but it would also look great with a white button-down, or even a chambray top or dress. You can't go wrong with jeans and booties, either. Like I said, there are so many ways to wear it!
I hope everyone had a great weekend… mine was good but very tiring, I'm still trying to recover a little from the sickness I'm getting over from last week!
Happy Tuesday, y'all! I've recently switched up my hair routine and have fallen in love with some pretty amazing products… so I thought I'd share some of those with you today. I also want to say that I'm kind of a crazy person when it comes to makeup and hair products. I spend hours researching products online before making a purchase… especially if the item is expensive. I read reviews, look at ingredients, and even ask my friends if they've tried it before deciding whether or not to invest in a product. So I can genuinely say that these products are worth the money! (And FYI - nothing in this post is sponsored, I really do use & love these.)
T3 Travel Hair Dryer: I originally got this travel-sized hair dryer before one of my trips this summer, and it quickly replaced my normal sized one at home. Meaning: I don't just use it for travel, I use it all the time! For the size, it is incredibly powerful and dries my hair very quickly. I dry my hair in sections using this brush.
Moroccan Oil Dry Shampoo (Dark Tones): This is the best dry shampoo I've ever used. I usually only wash my hair two (sometimes three) times per week because if I wash it too much, it dries it out. This dry shampoo is a saving grace on that third day! It comes in two kinds - "dark tones" and "light tones" - and the dark tones is perfect for brunettes. It does go on with a white-ish color but then fades into dark hair magically.
Nioxin Deep Repair Hair Masque: Since I only wash my hair a few times a week, I use deep conditioner almost every time. This hair mask is one product I can't live without it. This conditioner leaves my hair feeling incredibly soft and silky afterwards, and repairs it from all the heat damage (because of blogging, I curl my hair a LOT!). I usually pair it with this shampoo.
Wet Brush: This is not your average brush. The wet brush can be used on wet or dry hair… it's particularly magical on wet hair. It brushes out wet hair, including tangles, with no pulling or shedding. I love it because it's a really gentle brush and it saves me so much time in the morning.
Conair Hair Clips: If you know me in real life, you probably know I have an obsession with these hair clips, and you can usually find one either in my hair or in my purse! I use them a lot when I'm blow drying or curling my hair (to section off my hair), but I also use them to maintain my curls. When I'm done curling my hair, I will gently roll the hair into a bun and secure it with one of these clips. Not exactly the cutest look in the world, but these clips work really well!
T3 Whirl Trio Curling Wand: I got this curling wand a few months ago but was hesitant to test it out because I loved my old one so much. Well, I love this one even more! It comes with three attachments, but I mainly use the 1" straight barrel (see the first photo for example). This wand makes my curls really silky and shiny, and they don't fall out by the end of the day. In fact, when I curl my hair with this wand I don't have to re-curl it the next day - the curls are still in tact.
Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate: Out of all the products in this post, this has to be my very favorite. My friend Emily told me that she had heard amazing things about this product, so we both got samples together in LA. After using up my sample I immediately went out to buy the full bottle. Here's how it works: after washing your face at night, apply 2 to 3 drops of this oil onto your face and rub it in. When you wake up in the morning, your skin appears softer and is GLOWING! Your skin absorbs the oil overnight, so you don't wake up with oily skin - just beautiful, moisturized, radiant skin. I also really love it because it smells amazing (like lavender) and actually helps me fall asleep at night. If you don't want to purchase the bottle without trying it, go into Nordstrom and ask for a sample first. PLEASE do me a favor and try this out!
L'Occitane Ultra Rich Foaming Bath: Part of my nighttime routine includes taking a bath before bed, and this is my favorite bubble bath, ever, of all time. Enough said.
L'Occitane Ultra Rich Shower Cream: This is another product that I discovered from a sample, and went out immediately to buy the full product. I use this as body wash and shaving cream in the bath or shower… it is incredibly thick and moisturizing, but what I love most about it is the smell. It smells so clean and comforting, and the scent lasts throughout the day almost like a really light perfume.
Benefit Gimme Brow: I ordered this product last week and have been so happy with it - I usually don't mess with my eyebrows, but this product helps to fill them in and shape them. I like it because it makes my brows a little thicker, and thick brows are so "trendy" right now.
Dior Lip Maximizer: This stuff is the bomb for plumping your lips (it burns a little at first). I really love it mixed with nude lips colors.
Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Mask: I use this mask once a week and it really does clean out your pores. It also calms your skin down during a breakout. You can see the difference right away!
Earth Fare Hair, Skin & Nails Multi-Vitamin: I've recently started taking a multi-vitamin every day, the kind I use is from Earth Fare (but you can find vitamins like these anywhere, even Target). This particular forma contains nutrients such as alpha lipoic acid, grapeseed extract, vitamins A, C, E, and selenium.
Final must-have product: fall candles! I picked up the Pumpkin Spiced Cheesecake candle from Bath & Body Works a few days ago and WOW. Y'all need this. So comforting!!
If you have any "holy grail" products - let me know in the comments. I love testing out new products!
Part of the reason I love fall so much is because with layers comes the opportunity to pattern mix. I love pattern mixing, the more patterns the better, and I particularly love this combo of gingham and leopard together. FYI, this gingham button-down is a really thick, good-quality shirt, and it's less than $40 (the perfect basic for your fall/winter wardrobe). Another fall trend this year is lace-up flats… I've been seeing them everywhere, and this pair is only $45. They run true-to-size and have a delicate scalloped detail around the edge of the shoe. For the price, you can't beat 'em!
Trends from the 70s are EVERYWHERE this season, from flared jeans to fringe to denim skirts. Yep, you heard that right… denim skirts (never thought I would say that again after middle school!). Particularly the denim skirts with big buttons down the front. They take a minute to get used to, but I actually really like them. The one I'm wearing is less than $50!
In other news, Baublebar is having a huge sale today for Labor Day Weekend… hundreds of items are marked down to 50-60% off. If you need jewelry, it's time to stock up! Click here for the sale page.
Happy Labor Day, loves! I'm taking today off (I hope you are too!) so enjoy some recent Instagram photos (and scroll down to the bottom for all of the Labor Day Sale info).
Today I've partnered with Goodnight Macaroon to style some of my favorite articles of clothing for summer and fall. The awesome news? Everything I'm wearing here in these photos is 50% off today only in their Flash Sale. The sale starts at 6 am PST and runs for 24 hours. Read on for my favorite pieces and huge savings!
First up is this gorgeous marina blue linen shirt. It's a really nice material and is PERFECT for the fall months. I love wearing plaid tops with fur vests, puffer vests, and warm cardigans.
Second up is the "Katrina" cut-out sleeve ruffle dress that is marked down to $35 from $69. This is one of my favorite easy dresses for summertime… it's really comfortable, you don't need to wear a sticky bra with it, and you can either dress it up or down.
Next, one of my favorite falls items of all time, the poncho. Specifically the "Riviera" asymmetrical blue frill poncho from Goodnight Macaroon. This thing is COMFY, y'all, and so cute in person. It comes down long enough in the back to wear with leggings. I think it will be so cute with leggings and riding boots!
Y'all knooow I love my off-shoulder tops and this next one is no exception. The "Lance" off shoulder blouse is the perfect color for transitioning into the fall season. I styled it with white pants here, but it also looks really cute with jeans and booties! It comes in white and navy, as well… for $35, I would stock up on all colors. This is the perfect date night look!
Finally, the "Ismay" bell sleeved dress - one of the prettiest and most feminine casual dresses I own. I love the soft pink color of this one, and how insanely comfortable it is. The dress feels like pajamas! It comes in a navy color as well as a light blue color. But y'all know I'm a pink girl!
Remember that the Flash Sale starts THIS morning at 6 a.m. PST so check back at that time for the sale prices. The Tuesday Flash Sale occurs every Tuesday, but the same items will not be on sale every time, so if you like something from today's post be sure to snag it up while you can! I hope everyone had an awesome weekend!
xoxo
SHOP THE SALES:
*Thanks to Goodnight Macaroon for sponsoring this post.
Although I love bright colors and patterns, there's something so chic and mature about a neutral outfit. Like this cowl neck swing sweater - I love the "blush" color… and I also love the fact that it's one of the softest clothing items I own! (Like a blanket.) I paired it with similar neutral colors for a seemingly monochromatic look. The poncho also comes in grey… I'm debating ordering that color as well!
Today I'm headed to NYC for fashion week… I haven't learned my lesson yet, because I always wait until the very, very last second to pack. I still had an empty suitcase at 11 o'clock last night! So hopefully by the time you read this I'll be fully packed and on my way to New York (without forgetting anything!). Happy Wednesday!
The seventies are back, y'all. I'm talking bell bottoms, suede, chunky heels and floppy hats… and I kind of love it! This outfit is incredibly affordable (both pieces together are less than $100) and it definitely has a 70s vibe. I can't say enough good things about the jeans in particular… the fit is perfect (they run true-to-size), and there's just enough flare at the bottom so that it doesn't overwhelm your shape. Petite and short girls, you can definitely wear these jeans too! I am only 5'3 and a half. :)
I arrived in New York yesterday for fashion week and am so excited to be here! I used to get so overwhelmed and intimidated by NYC, and I've finally been here enough times to where I feel comfortable with the city and even walking around by myself. I love the constant hustle and bustle… it truly is a magical place.
Yesterday was Day One of NYFW and I couldn't be happier to partner with TRESemmé again this year! TRESemmé is the official haircare sponsor of fashion week for their 15th season, so they style models' hair for a number of shows. Yesterday we went backstage to the Marissa Webb Spring/Summer 2016 Show and watched firsthand how the TRESemmé stylists achieved a side-swept look on the models (the key was lots of TRESemmé TRES Two Hair Spray). The actual show was amazing - pulling inspiration from a 1950's black and white photograph of her grandparents, Marissa Webb's new collection combines the structure of military uniform with the femininity of delicate dresses. That means we saw a ton of lace, fringe, and army green hues for spring!
For my hairstyle yesterday, my TRESemmé stylist Johanna wanted to achieve what we called "big 70's hair" because my outfit was a little retro. She first used a 32 mm barrel curling iron to achieve big, loose waves. Then she teased my hair - in both the back (to create a bouffant look) and all over the hair to create big volume. She finished the look by spraying TRESemmé Tres TWO Hair Spray.
I hope everyone has a great FRIDAY! Almost the weekend. Xoxo
Happy Sunday, friends! I'm sitting in the airport right now about to leave NYC and couldn't help but share these photos from the second day of fashion week. I love the crisp and clean lines of this Karen Millen dress. I love the pop of red from the bag and lipstick (I have a little red obsession going on right now). And unfortunately, these ASOS bow heels have been sold out forever, but they are still my favorite pair of shoes! Quick note - I worked with Stephanie Drenka on these photos - she is a Dallas photographer and AMAZING at her job! If you live in the Texas area and ever need photography (especially fashion photos) you must check her out!
P.S. Follow along on snapchat today - I may be leaving New York but I'm not heading home just yet! ;)
If you follow me on instagram, you may know that I left NYC yesterday for a more relaxing fall atmosphere… Vermont! My friend Emily and I did some research before booking our trip, and we heard so many great things about Burlington, Vermont. The city is located on the waterfront and the downtown has the cutest main street with quaint restaurants and boutiques, with mountains in the background. I'm in love! Yesterday we went exploring a little bit and found the cutest pumpkin patch on the side of the road… we couldn't help but stop and take photos (even if it's a little cliche!).
The outfit I'm wearing is perfect for the weather here… it gets down into the 50s at night and stays during the 60s during the day. This plaid scarf is incredibly warm and cozy… I wrapped it around my shoulders like a blanket while we were out last night because I was freezing! I also love T-shirt dresses because I can eat as much as I want to and not worry about a food baby haha :)
So maybe I am just a baby, but 55 degrees seems like the Arctic here… even this faux fur vest and riding boots was not enough to keep me warm outside! (Okay, I seriously just think I am a baby.) I do love this look for fall, though… faux fur vests have always been a favorite of mine, and this one is no exception. It's really thick, high-quality faux fur (it feels real!) and I love how it pairs with both solid shirts and plaid shirts. By the way, the plaid shirt I'm wearing is way less than $100 but looks like some similar Rails ones, which are super expensive!
Yesterday we drove to Stowe, Vermont to eat lunch and explore… I'm falling more and more in love with Vermont each day. Every place we go screams "fall" - there is apple cider and cute coffee shops around every corner… I want to live here for the next few months (until Winter hits, that is)!
One brand that I'm crushing on for fall is Free People. You can always count on them to have the chunkiest and coziest sweaters and cardigans… and this season, they don't disappoint! I love the Sloane cardigan I'm wearing here because of the asymmetrical hem, neutral color and the hood. It also comes with a belt so you can belt it if you want! (Mine is just hanging in the back.) I love all of the neutrals in this outfit, from the hat to the booties. It's the perfect "everyday" casual look for fall. The Free People selection at Nordstrom has so many cute cardigans so be sure to check them out!
If you've been following along in insta and snapchat (username: cmcoving) you may know I'm still in Burlington, Vermont. Well, tomorrow we are headed somewhere new & exciting so stay tuned!!
I love colorful capes and sweaters in the fall and winter (especially when the surroundings are drab!) and this cape is no exception… it really brightens your day, plus it's warm! It has a toggle closure on the front, or you can wear it open like I am here. I paired it with ripped jeans and booties to keep things casual.
Yesterday, we traveled from Burlington to Stowe, VT, to stay at the Stowe Mountain Lodge. I'll be blogging more about it later, but wow y'all, this place is legit! There are photos all over the lodge of how it looks after a fresh snow, and it's absolutely breathtaking. I would love to spend Christmas here one day!
Suede skirts are really "trendy" this fall, and I love the look of this laser-cut one - even though it's faux suede, it is the softest fabric in the world. I paired it with a plain white tee (a fall staple), an oversized scarf and riding boots for an equestrian feel. P.S. If you saw my instagram from last night, this scarf is the same one I'm wearing!
I'm back in Charlotte today and so happy to be home! I had so much fun in NYC and VT, but I was gone for more than a week, which is a long time to be away from home. My bed is calling my name - which pretty much sums up my plans for the weekend!
When I was growing up, I loved back-to-school for mainly one reason: back-to-school shopping. My mom would take me shopping every year before school started, and one of the places she always took me was Kohl's - there's one just five minutes away from my parents' house. Now, I really love Kohl's for several reasons: they carry Lauren Conrad's clothing line (I have a girl crush on LC), there are always good deals to be had (I mean, my sweater is only $30!) and lastly, I've realized that I actually love their furniture and kitchen appliances. How adult of me, right? But really. I ordered this white bookshelf for my office, I absolutely LOVE this gold mirrored desk, and I couldn't live without my Keurig machine to make coffee in the morning. They also have a great selection of dorm room furniture and accessories for girls who are headed back to college!
Today I want to talk about one of my favorite topics: jeans. I love jeans, I would wear them every day if I could… and over the years I've tried a lot of different brands. One brand that consistently ranks above the rest is AG Jeans… the fit is unmatched! I love their washes and their distressed jeans. I couldn't find the pair I'm wearing online (they're new!), but Nordstrom has an awesome selection of AG Jeans, and they do carry my two favorite pairs that I own: this pair and this pair. If you read my blog a lot then you will recognize those two! I wear them ALL the time.
I hadn't heard of this brand until a few years ago, but now I'm obsessed. FYI, they are true-to-size, and you really have to try them on to believe how amazing they are!
P.S. These photos were taken at the Stowe Mountain Lodge… an amazing resort in Stowe, VT. It's gorgeous during the summer and fall, but their specialty season is Winter - from the pictures, it looks beautiful in the snow! I love how the buildings look like little log cabins. If you are ever in Vermont, you must check it out!
When I ordered this sweater dress, I was taking a chance… for $35, how good of quality could it be? Well, I'm happy to report that I give it five stars! Not only is it nice quality, but it's really comfortable and the perfect length (not too long, not too short). The grey color is really pretty in person, but it also comes in three other colors. I kept this look pretty simple with my favorite booties and a burgundy hat, but it would also be adorable with riding boots and even a fur vest. I think the camel colored dress is next on my "buy" list!
I hope everyone has a great Tuesday! I am working on shooting a hair tutorial today (woohoo) but if you guys have any specific questions about my hair, feel free to leave them in the comment section below. :)
