Happy first day of Autumn, everyone! To celebrate, this is a fall-themed post… first, I'm sharing some of my recent fall outfits from instagram. I've also created my Fall Bucket List, so scroll down to the bottom for the full list! And I hope everyone is celebrating today with a pumpkin spice latte… ;)
If you have any questions about sizing, let me know in the comments! And here is my Fall Bucket List… I think my first task will be to try a new pumpkin recipe. I'm thinking some healthy pumpkin oatmeal muffins to eat for breakfast in the morning. I'll keep you updated!
Hello, friends! Today I'm recreating one of my favorite looks from working withTRESemmé during NYFW. Remember this hairstyle created byTRESemmé stylists? I learned a few tips and tricks while I was in the salon chair, so I can show you how to get a similar look that you can achieve on your own at home!
Step One: I apply the TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Keratin Infusing Serum onto damp hair before blow drying it. This makes my hair frizz-free, so that the braid and curls will be extra smooth.
Step Two: Part your hair where you normally wear it. Starting with one side, begin a dutch braid on your hair, only pulling hair from the top of the scalp, not the bottom. (To see a good tutorial on how to dutch braid, watch this one!) Tie the braid with an elastic, and repeat on the other side.
Step Three: Pull apart the braid to create the appearance of a thicker braid. To do this, gently tug on portions of the braid, making sure each strand is even (see above photo).
Step Four: Pull one braid across the back of your head, the end of it should fall right underneath where the other braid begins. Secure it with a bobby pin. Repeat the same thing with the other braid - you should be able to lay it on top of the other braid, tuck in the elastic and secure it with a bobby pin.
Step Five: Spray the TRESemmé Heat Tamer Leave-in Spray on the remaining hair - this will help protect it from the heat of the curling wand, and will also ensure the curls stay for a long time.
Step Six: Now its time for curls! Working with small sections of hair, wrap each section around the curling wand. I use this curling wand with the 1-inch straight barrel. I've mentioned this curling wand before… it works so well, that my curls are always intact the next day.
Step Six: You're close to being done! I spray on TRESemmé Perfectly (un)Done Brushable Hold Hairspray onto both the braid and curls to keep everything in place. This hairspray is really great because it doesn't leave your hair feeling crunchy - you can actually brush through it!
I would love to see you try this look! Tag me (@cmcoving) and @TRESemme on instagram if you decide to try it on your own! I hope you all enjoyed this tutorial. :)
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*Thank you to TRESemmé, a product of Unilever, for sponsoring this post.
This might be my favorite fall outfit so far! This white tunic is literally the perfect tunic for fall - I've worn it already with jeans and leggings (because yes, it covers your tush) and I also ordered it in black as well. My next favorite part of the outfit is the pattern mixing, the way the bright plaid scarf & leopard bring something fun and exciting to the outfit.
And perhaps, my favorite part of all… my AG jeans from Nordstrom. I talked the other day about my obsession with AG jeans, and you must know by now it's true. I love how this particular pair of denim is dark wash, but still has the rips in the knees. I'll probably be 60 years old and still wearing ripped jeans… LOL. But really!
What are everyone's plans for the weekend? Unfortunately, it's supposed to rain all weekend and EVERY day next week in Charlotte! Boo! So I'm praying for at least a little sun this weekend! xoxo
The weather in Charlotte has been MISERABLE for the past week, it seems. Incessant rain, clouds that won't go away, a heavy fog that hovers no matter what time of day it is. It has seriously got me depressed, y'all. On the bright side, it has been pretty chilly so I did get to pull out some of my cozy sweaters. This look (above) is perfect to brighten up a dreary day but still stay warm! I especially love how soft & comfortable that sweater looks… and you could easily add a striped turtleneck underneath for added warmth.
Side note - has anyone tried the new Toasted Graham Latte from Starbucks?! I haven't, just wondering how it tastes!
P.S. Remember the bucket list I made last week? Here's a blank one in case you want to fill it in yourself. Tag me or let me know if you end up filling it out… I'd love to see your fall bucket list items! (Just download this image & then open it up in Microsoft Paint or Word to add text)
Happy Tuesday, friends! Since the rain/fog won't leave Charlotte & I haven't been able to take any blog photos… here's a roundup of some of my favorite fall looks from years before. I linked to the most similar clothing items I could find… I hope you enjoy!
This morning I'm escaping the rain and fog for a little girls trip (with my mom!). I'm currently on the plane writing this post, haha! Stay tuned to instagram/snapchat to see where we end up - hopefully it will be a lot sunnier there. :)
Yesterday I arrived in Aspen, CO, for a girls trip with my sweet momma! And y'all. I have traveled to a decent amount of places, and I have never fallen in love with a city as quickly as I've fallen in love with Aspen. You step out of the airplane and immediately you see huge mountains rising up to the sky all around you. It is incredible! The end of September is particularly beautiful here because all of the leaves are changing colors and shedding their leaves.
I wore this outfit to dinner (we went to Brunelleschi's for pizza) and it was perfect for the chill in the air. It got down to 44 degrees last night! Anyways, I adore this waffle knit poncho, but especially love it paired with the grey over-the-knee boots. I own the Stuart Weitzman ones, but this pair is a REALLY good price and they look almost the exact same! Also, whoever said short girls can't wear thigh high boots is wrong. For all the short girls out there - I am only 5'3! The trick is pairing them with flattering tops!
I hope everyone has a great Wednesday. My mom and I are going hiking today, so wish us luck! Also - if you have been to Aspen & have any food recommendations, I would love to hear them!
Yesterday morning, we left Aspen and took the highway out into the Colorado countryside… I'm not kidding you when I say that some of the views took my breath away! We stopped along the side of the road to stretch our legs and get out in the fresh air. This drape front cardigan was perfect for the chilly mountain weather, and I absolutely love it paired with over-the-knee boots. Side note - I've been wearing this white tee over and over again under cardigans, ponchos and sweaters. It's really comfy and a great fit (I'm wearing a small).
Thank you all for the recommendations yesterday! So far we have gotten coffee at Peaches, ice cream at Paradise Cafe, lunch at Su Casa and dinner at Ajax Tavern. We also went to Maroon Bells yesterday (wow) but more on that later!
P.S. The Tory Burch sale starts TODAY - take up to 30% off almost everything with code FALLEVENT. This season I purchased these riding boots and this grey tote. Don't miss out because this is the only sale Tory Burch will have all fall & winter!!!
Just an FYI that the Tory Burch Fall Sale starts today! You can get my grey Perry tote (above) for 20% off, as well as almost all the riding boots, handbags and shoes! Here are the deets:
Spend $300, receive 20% off
Spend $500, receive 25% off
Spend $750, receive 30% off
with code FALLEVENT
The riding boots I purchased this fall, THIS pair, are included in the sale!
And below are more of my favorites from the sale! Don't miss out… this is the last sale Tory Burch will have for the fall & winter, so if you have been wanting a new bag or riding boots, now is the time to buy! Happy shopping, loves!
Downtown Aspen is perhaps the cutest "downtown" I've ever experienced. Shops and restaurants line the streets, complete with window boxes and flowers galore, as well as little outdoor seating areas all around. There's even a donut cart that sells mini powdered donuts (those are next on my list!). I wore this outfit to do a little exploring downtown… we ended up walking close to two miles. These Lucky wedge booties are incredibly comfortable (and back in stock) if you need a good pair of walking booties! The best part of the outfit, though, is definitely the blanket scarf. You know I can't resist a good blanket scarf ;)
I hope everyone has a wonderful Friday! I REALLY don't want to head back to Charlotte - they are still experiencing heavy rain and fog and depressing conditions. I hope wherever you are that your weather is better than that!
P.S. In case you missed it, there's a huge Tory Burch sale going on right now! Be sure to check out this blog post for my picks.
Isn't the Colorado countryside just gorgeous? It is beautiful, but with an altitude of 8,000 feet above sea level, it can get pretty freezing too! (Especially in the mornings and at night.) I opted for a cozy turtleneck sweater, my favorite jeans & these comfortable UGG boots for a day of exploring in Aspen last week. I can't even tell you how comfy & warm my feet were all day! Like clouds ;)
Happy Tuesday, loves! I've rounded up some of my recent pictures from Aspen... scroll down to the bottom to see my recommendations for places to eat and things to do there!
First off, I've been wearing this faux fur vest like crazy. It's the perfect length (a little shorter than most)! I ordered a size 2, for reference.
This was one of my favorite outfits from my Colorado trip. I love, love, love the plaid scarf, and these booties are my most comfortable pair - perfect for walking around downtown all day.
This poncho is so so comfortable and cozy. It is a true poncho so it doesn't have arm holes... slip on a long sleeve tee underneath and you're good to go.
Now for the fun part, my Apsen recommendations! Even though my mom and I were there for a short amount of time (less than a week), we packed SO much into our schedule. If you're planning a trip there, or if you have any recommendations to add, let me know in the comments or feel free to email me with questions!
Hotels: We stayed at Hotel Aspen during our trip. It was incredibly affordable, a smaller hotel with neat, clean rooms. The employees were so nice and helpful and offered hiking recommendations as well as lunch/dinner recommendations. It's located downtown and was walking distance from all of the shops and restaurants. They also served a full breakfast every morning. Coffee and Treats: Ajax Donuts at the popcorn wagon: This little wagon parks downtown and serves hot mini donuts throughout the day. We tried the powered sugar and powdered cinnamons sugar donuts, but I want to go back to get the "maple" or "nutella" flavored donuts. Yum! Peaches Corner Cafe: My mom and I went here every day for coffee - really cute little coffee shop that also offers green smoothies, treats and healthy lunch. My favorite item was the "Aspen Extreme" coffee, it had espresso and coconut in it! Paradise Bakery: The Aspen location is the original one. They have amazing fresh cookies and gelato. I had the birthday cake gelato, and they put a cookie in every cup. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory: Amazing, amazing chocolate. Restaurants: Ajax Tavern: Great place for dinner... you must try the parmesan truffle fries. The mac'n'cheese was amazing, as well! Brunelleschi's Pizza: Best pizza ever. My mom and I split a caesar salad and the capresse pizza, it was the perfect amount for both of us. Su Casa Aspen: Really amazing mexican food. The salsa was the freshest I've ever had! The fajita salad is incredible. Drinks: J Bar at Hotel Jerome. Great cocktails! Activities: Maroon Bells: We took a bus from Aspen Highlands up to Maroon Bells. It is supposedly the most photographed mountain peaks in all of North America... words can't even describe how beautiful it is! You have the option to hike once you arrive at Maroon Bells (there are several trails) or it is not a far walk to the lake if you just want to sit and enjoy the view. Indpendence Pass: If you have time, take a drive on Independence Pass - the elevation goes up to 12,095 feet and has one of the most amazing views you can see by car. Shopping: Aspen has some really great high-end shops. I only bought something at J.Crew, but other shops downtown included Gucci, Dior, Prada and Louis Vuitton.
This faux fur gillet from Missguided is my new favorite item in my closet. No joke! You've probably seen me wear it a few times on instagram… I love that it's a little shorter than most, because it makes it so easy to pair with tops and dresses. Not only is is really high quality, but it's also less than $100! (I'm wearing a size 2, for reference.) Missguided is one of my favorite online retailers because of their trendy clothes but most of all their great prices. I also ordered this off-shoulder sweater & it's so so cute in person!
I hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday… one of my good blogger friends is in town visiting & we are heading out on a little adventure tomorrow. Stay tuned!
Greetings from West Virginia! (Never thought I'd say that, haha!) I wore this outfit yesterday for a road trip from Charlotte to White Sulfur Springs, WV. This was the most comfortable outfit for the six hour drive - flats, broken-in jeans and the softest striped sweater of all time. (Psst. The sweater runs big - I'm wearing an XS.) We passed by a really small town on the way to WV with a beautiful orange tree, so we had to stop! I just wish you could see the rolling mountains in the background behind me.
If you're wondering what I'm doing in WV, follow along on instagram & snapchat today!
Don't let the photo of this turtleneck on the retailer's website deceive you… it's actually so so cute & cozy in person! Every woman needs a camel-colored sweater in their fall and winter wardrobe, and this is the perfect one for less than $100. I'm wearing the XS, but it has an oversized look and feel - like being wrapped up in a big blanket. It would be cute with jeans, black pants & virtually any boot or bootie you own.
Although you can't tell from the photos, they were taken at The Greenbrier resort in West Virginia! That's where I have been the past couple of days… the resort is amazing, from the bright interior decorating to the hundreds of activities they offer right on the property. There's also a lot of history there - it has been a common meeting spot for presidents and celebrities since the 1700s. Definitely look at their website for some better photos! When you book your room with the code "COVING" you will get a special discounted rate & a free room upgrade… I have heard that it's breathtaking around Christmastime!
I wore this striped dress last week to explore the Greenbrier… and have to say it's the perfect striped dress for fall! Imagine all the ways you could wear it… with riding boots, different color Hunter boots, with a cardigan, with a puffer vest, with a fur vest, with a different printed scarf, the list goes on and on. It is a preppy fall staple! BTW, I am in love with these new Hunter boots. The pink isn't a hot pink like years' past, it's a lighter pink and it works as a neutral for most outfits.
My family spent 14 hours in the car over the past couple of days... We arrived in New England late last night to see some family members that live up here. It was suuuuch a long car ride that I read two novels and took a bunch of naps. I am so thankful to be here, though, the fall scenery is absolutely gorgeous!
We are currently in Connecticut on a family trip, and the only phrase I can think of to describe it is "fall wonderland." Everywhere you look there's a mix of red, orange and yellow leaves against a bright blue sky. It is magical! I wore this outfit yesterday to visit Averill Farms - they have an apple orchard where you can pick your own apples, and they also sell fresh apple cider, cinnamon donuts, pumpkins and flowers. This aztec scarf was perfect for the weather (it's cool up here!) & is practically a steal for only $24. I love it both with and without this cardigan - it is pretty lightweight and adds a perfect pop of color.
I love love Shopbop but sometimes it's hard for me to shop there - I can't justify spending $400 on a sweater or a dress that I'll only wear a couple of times! All of the items above are less than $100 with the discount applied (INTHEFAM25). My two favorites are probably the suede booties (they go with everything!) and the distressed jeans. These jeans look almost identical to my AG ones, but they are a couple hundred dollars less. I love distressed jeans way more than a 25 year old probably should - haha!
If you're looking to spend more than $100 on an investment piece, this sale is also for you. Shopbop has a ton of designer handbags and shoes that you will wear over and over again - and they are all 25% off! I ordered these sunglasses yesterday, as well as this which will be so cute in the fall and winter!
Yesterday, my family roadtripped from Connecticut to Vermont (seven people in one car!) - we are here to see Mt. Equinox but it is looking like it's going to be a rainy day here. Hopefully the clouds will clear so we can see some amazing views!
We drove into Manchester, VT, a few days ago with with no plans other than to explore. Yesterday morning we found the cutest coffee shop that was connected to a bookstore. We spent nearly an hour sipping coffee and flipping through books - it was the perfect way to spend a chilly, grey day! (If you're ever in Manchester, go to Spiral Press Cafe & order the Mochaccino!) This grey cardigan was warm and cozy for the weather and exploring - I seriously love it. It was also super comfy for the car ride back to CT.
Today we are headed back to North Carolina after full week of visiting family. We've had so much fun but honestly we are starting to get tired of each other - haha! (Packing a family of seven into one car for several hours will do that to you.) It's a 14 hour trip on the drive home, so wish us luck!
Happy Friday, loves! I am sooo happy it's Friday because it means we get back to North Carolina today! After eight days in a hotel room, I'm ready to be home. But back to today's post… here are some of my recent iPhone photos from my trips to Connecticut & Vermont. Let me know if you have any sizing questions!
Although it may not look like it in these photos, yesterday was FREEZING in Charlotte. It was in the low 50s all day… even a cozy sweater, jeans and booties wasn't warm enough to be outside. Speaking of this sweater, though, it really is comfortable - I can't stand itchy sweaters and refused to wear anything remotely scratchy - this one is super soft! I also love these new wedge booties. They are similar to my Lucky ones but a little darker in color and I think the heel is higher. They are great for elongating your legs!
On another note, I'm taking over the @ilycouture instagram account today… be sure to follow along for some of my favorite fall looks! They have marked down the earrings I'm wearing in this post to less than $10 today ONLY, so snag them if you want them! They were originally $52!
