My Newest Beauty Habit

photo via refinery29

Real talk: this gloomy, gray weather is depressing AF. The Minneapolis forecast shows more of the same the next seven days and I'm quietly crying into my coffee. Please send a heat lamp. Over the weekend, a fizzy French 75 at Red Rabbit and bright acai bowl from Whole Sum Cafe brightened my mood—but it would still be nice to see some sun! Need an emergency trip to Mexico NOW.

On a more positive note, I've adopted a new beauty habit, inspired by a conversation on one of my favorite podcasts, Fat Mascara. Have you heard of the "French face"? We all know moisturizing is key to preventing fine lines and wrinkles, but if you're like me, you don't religiously apply serums and cremes south of your chin. French women go there—somewhere between baguettes, the ladies of Paris and Provence manage to give their neck and decollete as much attention as they do their faces.

In your twenties or thirties, it might feel like overkill to slather expensive products all the way to your bust—before you start seeing lines, it's hard to imagine having them, right? Plus, it's easy to forget about skin that's been hidden beneath turtlenecks since October. But just as we buy special cremes for eyes, delicate neck/chest skin requires a special kind of maintenance. And they say once you have lines on your neck, good luck getting rid of them. It freaks me out that I already have a few. Blaming #techneck.

Now, I'm turning to tarte's maracuja neck treatment in an effort to stay smooth. Over time, it improves elasticity and promotes cell regeneration while reducing the appearance of those pesky lines—oui oui. Here's to being a bit more French! Now, about Mexico . . .

Shop all neck and decollete products at Sephora. 

The #1 Thing in My Winter Wardrobe

Happy MLK weekend! Having an extra day makes all the difference, doesn't it? I've been battling that lingering cold everyone seems to have—my nose will NOT stop running—but feeling less than 100% was a good excuse to stay in and slow down. Chris gave me a Canon Rebel for Christmas and these past few lazy days were the perfect opportunity to hunker down and figure out the manual settings. Once I got a (slippery) grip on aperture, shutter speed and ISO, my sister was generous enough to head out to Lake Harriet with me for some test snaps. I had so much fun! Basically, I'm going to have my camera slung around my neck like a nerd everywhere I go from now on. Yay!

Joggers were the name of the game this weekend, so I included a few of my favorites at the end of the post—easily my #1 winter wardrobe essential. They make Netflix nights feel chic and with the right footwear and styling, add a cool comfort factor to shopping days and dinner dates when you do find the motivation to venture out of the house (Elle Strauss agrees. I love her rule to stick with gray or black—get her tips.) Hope you had an equally restful and cozy long weekend!

Special Sweaters

Endless Rose Ruffle Sleeve Sweater | Endless Rose Lace Up Sweater | Endless Rose Cold Shoulder Top 

Club Monaco Flutterby Sweater | Ella Moss Avila Sweater | Intropia Textured Sweater 

(all $206 and under!) 

Standing in line at a winter beer dabbler one year ago, my boyfriend and I officially started dating. We've basically been attached at the hip since we met, and I'm excited to celebrate our little milestone with fancy Italian food this weekend. But when I think about what to wear, I'm a little stuck—because while Christmas is over, the cold is not—and looking cute while bundled in the eight layers required to fight the Minnesota freeze is not easy.

Happily, sweaters with special details are having a moment—and a little texture, subtle peek of shoulder or sporty lace-up is really all it takes to make a basic silhouette date-night ready. This is already in my cart, and I love the '70s vibe of this ivory Endless Rose pullover—cable knit cotton keeps you cozy while dramatic tiered sleeves lend it a boho-glam look that's just the right mix of feminine and modern for slurping spaghetti in a candlelit enclave.

How are you staying warm and stylish this winter?

Pretty Minis

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Comme des Garcons Leather Pouch | Furla Metropolis Mini Cross Body | Tory Burch Robinson Round Cross-Body 
Tory Burch Ivy Leather Smartphone Wristlet | Marc Jacobs Gotham Leather Phone Wallet | Comme des Garcons Leather Coin Purse 

With the Christmas tree packed away and the swirl of the holidays settled, I've started thinking about how to spend the money gifts I received from my grandma, my boyfriend's dad and a handful of other relatives. A friend of mine has this slouchy tasseled pouch that I eye enviously whenever we grab burgers at The Nook or beers at Bunny's, and it made me realize my own options for a small handbag aren't much beyond formal evening clutches. Since there are more casual hangs than fancy galas in my future, I decided to cash in on a few mini bags that have a low-maintenance vibe.

This leather pouch by Comme des Garcons is where it's at—made in Spain from supple leather, the minimalist design is versatile enough for day or night, and attainable, at $135. When it comes to crossbodys, I like 'em teeny-tiny with a delicate chain strap and gold hardware (so cool with jeans a la Keira Knightley)—the Furla Metropolis Mini comes in ten colors and is the perfect hands-free accessory for sports events, concerts and brewery tours. A phone wallet is so practical, keeping things light as you dash to work-week lunches and breezy happy hours. And a coin purse might seem a little useless, but the secret is using it for more than spare change. I love this buttercream-colored style (pouches available in the same shade!) to store lip balm, bobby pins and blue oil—little things I reach for all the time, easily lost in a larger tote.

My satchel is great for the everyday work grind, but lightening up with something smaller is really freeing—and having the right bag for the right occasion makes me feel like I'm doing life RIGHT, you know? How are you downsizing this season?

Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx™ Peeling Gel

Sephora Triple Action Cleansing Water | Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx™ Peeling Gel | Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer | Fresh Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy-Boosting Face Mask | Algenist SPLASH Absolute Hydration Replenishing Gel Moisturizer | Tata Harper Illuminating Eye Creme | Algenist Drop & Glow Luminizing Duo

Back to reality today! I haven't been to the office since December 21—and even though I'm anxious to open my inbox, I'm ready to get back into a more productive routine. Before you settle into your cubicle, grab some coffee—if you're in the mood for fresh starts (isn't everyone this time of year?!), you're going to want some of this..

Over the weekend, I popped into Sephora for a free makeover. I almost didn't go, having had less than stellar experiences with professional application in the past—but I had the afternoon off and thought if nothing else, I could snag a new lipstick as one last Christmas gift to myself.

I'm so glad I went! I hadn't realized skin care was part of the consultation, but it was actually the best part. My beauty advisor began by wiping away my foundation and concealer with a cleansing water (such a great way to get rid of gook pre-wash)—then the magic happened: the Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx™ Peeing Gel.

Carly spent a few minutes massaging the gel into my cheeks, forehead, nose and chin, then told me to look in the mirror—my face was covered with dead skin cell flakes, like I'd been caught in the crossfire of a whipped cream war. GROSS, I know, but it felt so amazing to lift and sweep all that residue away. My skin was instantly baby soft and the congestion around my nose gone—a far deeper clean than I've gotten from a mask—a layer had literally been shed to reveal cleaner, more luminous skin. The new smooth surface let the moisturizer she applied later sink in more readily and the makeup look more flawless. I've never been so convinced I needed a product (I mean, the results were palpable); I'll use the gel once a week to keep the fresh-faced look alive all year.

Get yourself some peeling gel, shop the other products that are helping me feel hydrated and glowy this morning—and have a great day back at the office!