Happy to see you, Saturday! I
felt a little off at work all last week, probably because things
haven’t quite fallen into a post-holiday flow. I don’t feel great when I’m not
productive, so I turned to my closet for a little DIY mood boost. It sounds
superficial and silly, but how I dress really affects my day. Blow out your
hair, put on designer duds and tell me you don’t feel a million Benjamins
better than when you wear scrubs. Mmm-hmm. It took a little
digging, but different shades of green make for a lively but understated
ensemble that seriously energized my Wednesday work day – and a Naked juice
didn’t hurt. Click through InStyle's tutorial if you're into the shamrock shade, or
try a coral tee + red pants or goldenrod cords + canary sweater for the
same tonal effect. While you’re polishing up your look, don’t forget
Hollywood is doing the same – the Golden Globes air tomorrow night. I’m kicking
myself for not pre-viewing more of the noms; The Wolf of Wall Street and Nebraska are
still on my must-see list. Rest assured that won't stop me from picking
favorites. I'd love to see Amy Poehler win and have been a Girls fan from the start, but my fingers are really crossed for Bryan Cranston and
Aaron Paul – and not just for the satisfaction of hearing Paul’s sexy-scratchy
voice when he thanks the HFPA. Who do you hope gets a Globe?
earrings // bracelet //
cocoon coat // boyfriend sweater // toothpick jeans (old -- similar) // ankle boots
On New Year’s Eve my friends
and I got our makeup done at Benefit pre-ball drop. B had the good luck of
winning a package that included application, a complimentary service and bubbly
all around. Reviews were mixed at the end of the session. Some girls looked
great, others looked – and I quote – “hungover.” But at least everyone had
freshly waxed brows and a good buzz. I had to fix a few things when we got
home, but couldn't complain – it was free, after all. I do have a bone
to pick about the product I ended up buying, a cheek stain – it looks like
nothing. This is an all too familiar tale. Whenever I stray from the status quo
– because what I want is sold out or a new color catches my eye – it
either doesn’t look as good or work as well as my regular order. Wasted.
Dollars. But I really wanted to revive my routine and a few worthless rouges
can’t keep me down. Snooze is my middle name in the AM, so I need products that
are simple (and effective and daytime-appropriate and long-wearing). Well,
lipstick is a magic wand for looking alive and pulled together, even at
sunrise, in sweatpants. Fast walk to your local Sephora ‘cause orangey-red is
all the rage this year, and it's exactly what I was looking for – classic but
fun. I thought it'd be tough to make lip color a habit, but not NARS. It’s
natural, takes a second to apply and looks the same every time (more than I can
say for my eyeliner). Feels right, looks good, easy and dependable? That's
what you call a keeper. Today’s lesson: as in life, you’ve gotta go through
a lot of lipsticks before you find the right shade. But keep at it ‘cause
somewhere in all the off colors and flaky formulas, there’s a Heat Wave. Go get
yours!
We're in the throes of a polar vortex. So sci-fi. I park outside so I’m not certain my car would have started this morning, but luckily I never made
it that far – stayin’ home and stayin’ alive. I have visions of getting stuck somewhere between Blue Mounds and Barneveld and that scenario is one I’d rather
avoid. So here’s what’s happening today: my favorite sweater, slippers, the
February InStyle, and tea tea tea. Let's break it down: this Banana Republic shawl collar wrap (similar here) is thee best. It hits at the perfect
point on the hip (not so long it looks like you’re wearing a caftan, long
enough for that indulgently cozy feel cropped cardis just don’t have), is
fitted through the arms so you don’t feel sloppy, while the open front keeps it
relaxed. It’s made from merino and cashmere – sOH soft. The slippers speak for
themselves. Buy them. InStyle and ELLE are my favorite fashion mags, but I prefer
the former when I’m in the mood to flip more, read less (ELLE has great, smart articles; InStyle is quicker and more visual).
Lastly, I got really into tea last week when I was stranded (voluntarily) at my
sister’s Chicago apartment. She went to work and left me with some cheese, a piece of pizza, a couple granola bars, and a jumbo Ziploc
bag of tea in every variety. I didn’t want to finish off all her food, so I
drank (and drank and drank) tea all day and am sufficiently addicted. Peppermint is
my jam. And it’s about time to put some on. Don’t let the vortex get ya.
I didn’t
have anything major on my to-do list this weekend, but am still feeling pretty
productive: paid the bills, booked a flight, hit the gym, changed the sheets, scheduled
service for my car. I need to get to j.crew at some point to exchange a
Christmas present, but I’m only so ambitious. Speaking of exchanges, I recently made a (life)style switch: riding boots out, ankle
boots in. Tall equestrians are a wardrobe staple for any girl, but they're not my favorite way to get from A to B. I much prefer the shorter shaft and
easy-on convenience of my Parkers. I actually asked for a different pair of
brown boots for Christmas, but Mom went rogue and got me these instead. It’s
not usually wise to deviate from my wish list (kidding -- kind of), but I’m
glad she did. It hasn’t even been two weeks and I can’t remember how I functioned
without them. It's a common notion that short legs and short boots don't mix, but I don't even care. Wear what you like! These versatile low-heel leather beauties make any outfit effortlessly chic, but I know putting
together the pieces isn’t always easy. To lessen the stress, I started an online styling
venture through Keaton Row. Check out my profile, shop my lookbooks
(links below) and hire me (fo free) to create custom looks based on your
budget and preferences. If you’ve got a hot date on the horizon or need to
reboot your nine to five routine, I’ll hook you up. So while judging the women and what they're wearing tonight on The Bachelor (look for Kat from my
sorority!), give your own closet a discerning up-down. I’m ready and waiting to whip it into shape.
LOOKBOOKS:
Hey
y’all. Sorry, must be the residents of Dillon, Texas rubbing off on me. It’s
pretty chilly in Wisconsin, and I know it’s not the only part of the
country seeing record-low temps and tons of snow. So I’ve been spending the
weekend so far getting deeply involved in NBC’s Friday Night Lights and suggest you do the same. It aired between
2006 and 2011, but I was in college for most of that span and not really camped out
on the couch as much as I am these days, so I totally missed it back then.
Anyway, I recently finished Breaking Bad
(every emotion) and the high school football drama is a nice change of pace from the
super-intensity of meth, murder and destruction that is Walter White’s life.
Without knowing anything about it I assumed FNL would be an updated Dawson’s
Creek – obviously, with a little more pigskin. But I’m only on episode 7 and it’s
proving extremely dynamic and emotional. And about a lot more than touchdowns. The documentary-style filming and
close-up camera angles give everything a very real feel. The dialogue & relationships are true to life, the scenarios refreshingly relatable, the scenes a captivating mix of heavy and light, heartbreaking and uplifting. If that’s not incentive enough to queue it up on Netflix, here's what is: Tim Riggins. I almost died when he fed Lyla with a fork. Happy drooling viewing!
