Outfit of the Day // Summer to Fall Transitions

Summer to fall transitions are tricky in my opinion. I think it’s because in Ohio the weather is always one extreme to the other, making it extremely difficult to dress accordingly. You get ready for one season in the morning and by noon you’re wishing you would have picked something completely different. After 19 years of making mistakes when it comes to transition seasons here are some general rules I’ve learned along the way.

 1.  Layer. Just always layer.

2. Darker colored jeans can give any look an autumnal look without sacrificing staying cool.

3. Patterns. 

4. If you make the mistake of wearing a sweater, make sure to wear a tank top or some kind of shirt under it. Promise me you will do this. Seriously, There’s nothing cute about being red faced and sweaty walking to class.

5. Don't start wearing boots until well into September, you're feet will be so hot and sweaty if you wear them too early. Like-wise, no open toed shoes after Labor Day. 

Here's an outfits that I wore to class this past week. I took one of my favorite summer tops from Madewell and styled it with summer to fall transitions in mind.  

Shirt: Madewell, Vest: Thrifted, Jeans: American Eagle; 

Shoes: Birkenstock; Bag: Target (sold out); similar here

Have a great day guys!

Love, 

A. xx

New School Year Inspiration

This summer went by super fast. Yesterday I moved back to my University and into my first apartment; tomorrow is my first day of classes and I’ll have to get up early and see an hour of the day that I’ve avoided successfully for the past four months (5 am omg legit kill me). I’ve always thought that the start of a new school year was the perfect time to make resolutions or new commitments. I never understood why someone would wait until January 1^st to change things that they don’t like about themselves. I mean, you’re already half way through the school year, you’ve ruined all potential for a new start. So I figured I would start this school year with a short list of resolutions.

1. I won’t miss any class and I won’t be late to any class.

2. I will try not to procrastinate.

3. I’ll try to eat breakfast everyday.

4. I’ll workout at least 3 times a week.

5. I won’t go to any class in sweatpants.

6. GPA Goal: 3.5

 I encourage you guys to write resolutions for yourself too! I find that actually writing out a list that you can look back to and remind yourself of is a great way to hold yourself accountable for the goals you want to reach. Even if it's just little things like 'I will go on [insert social media website here] fifteen minutes less than I did yesterday.' You've taken the time to write your goal down, commit to it and stick to it! And if you slip up remind yourself that you are only human and we all make mistakes or need cheat days sometimes. It's our nature.
Let me know some of your new semester goals in the comments! Also, if you’re on Tumblr, here’s a really good blog that has a lot of inspirational quotes, pictures and lists. I found it over the summer and I fell in love with how encouraging and motivating it is. I would for sure check it out if you’re needing some extra motivation over the semester

I hope you have a great semester guys! Kill it!

Love,

A. xx

"Today is never too late to be brand new." - Taylor Swift. 

GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment Review

I will be the first to tell you that the number one thing I blow my money on are skincare products. I think it’s because the market is always changing and advancing, therefore they're constantly coming up with new products that are better and more effective than what was out before, so naturally that's what interests me. However, it’s not my face-wash or cleanser that I’m constantly switching out. It’s facemasks.

A little bit about my skin before I get into the product: I have combination skin (but it tends to fall on the oily side), I don’t get too many bad breakouts but a spot here or there isn’t totally uncommon. A problem I always have with my skin is blackheads. Specifically, blackheads on my nose. I’ve used many products to try to get rid of them but nothing really cleared my skin. Enter the GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment Mask (lol at how much of a mouthful that is).

Okay, this stuff works. And by works, I mean it really, really works. When you put it on your skin you can feel it tingling, which is a really satisfying feeling, as it pulls all the impurities and oil out of your skin. When you wash it off your face, your skin is left smooth and soft. On the GlamGlow website they have a bunch of information about the product and how it’s made and everything but the thing I want to talk about is the Pore-Matrix technology. So this new technology is designed to “attract toxic substances into its mass up to 500 times its volume from all skin types, within the deepest and toughest areas.” Guys, I kid you not, this is like ten thousand percent true. After one use my blackheads had all but gone. It’s incredible.

There are two downsides to this product one being the smell and the other being the price.

So I’m not in love with the smell, actually when I first smelt it in the store it nearly made me put the product down and walk away. However, when it’s on your face it’s not as potent as in the jar and as the mask dries it disappears completely. So what I’m saying is: you can deal with it. It’s not the best thing I’ve ever smelt in the world, but then again its not the worse either.

The other thing that had me hesitate at the check out counter was the price. I bought it at Sephora for $69. Oops. Supposedly it’s supposed to last up to 17 times when used as a mask and 1,000 times when used as a spot treatment. I’ve only used it twice so I can’t comment on if that’s actually true or not but I can say that you really don’t need to pile the product onto your skin in order for it to work.

If you have the money and you’re looking for a fantastic mask to invest in, I would 100% recommend this one. Honestly, I promise that you won’t regret it.

Have a great day guys!

Love,

A. xx

Outfit of the Day // 8.15.15

Top: Aerie, Pants: Forever 21(sold out); similar here, Shoes: Converse 

Bag: Target (sold out); similar here, Sunglasses: Thrifted  

Love, 

A. xx

Topshop: Generation Gigi

It seems like Gigi Hadid may be single handedly taking over the world. Arguably, her face is quickly becoming one of the most easily recognizable faces in the world. Like, literally she’s everywhere.

In this past year alone, Gigi has been one of the 16 elite models to be photographed in Sports Illustrated: Swim-Suit Edition, she has walked countless shows during Fashion Week in New York, Milan, and London, she was named as the newest face of Maybelline, starred in Taylor Swift’s infamous Bad Blood music video, and was even named Model of the Year (let me remind you it’s only August).

When she’s not on the cover of Vogue, V Magazine, or Harpar’s Bazaar, she’s featured in countless candid features proving that she’s killing it both on the catwalk and in public with her street style. Gigi Hadid may be single handedly taking over the world.

Adding to her long resume is the new collaboration with Topshop in their Fall/Winter 2015 campaign titled Generation Gigi, which is photographed by Tyrone Lebon and styled by Kate Phelan.

The line itself has both casual and formal pieces, which represents much of Gigi’s personal style. It also follows many trends of this season; this helps create a classic but chic look. Trends like suede, over the knee boots, cheetah prints and mom-jeans all make their own appearances.

I love this campaign because it combines classic pieces with the trends that have recently been popping up in street styles. Topshop is a widely available brand so creating a line that is pleasing to many demographics is extremely important. They do just that by picking simple wardrobe staples and dressing them up or down, which can be appealing to many. It gives a layout that proves basic pieces can be made chic and eye-catching when done the correct way. Since the official line isn’t available yet, here’s how I would style pieces that are similar.

 

Mom-Jeans are the main focus of this outfit. Try pairing it with a crop top so your body doesn't loose it's shape.

Suede, over-the-knee boots are so big this season. By styling them with leather leggings it adds more dimension. Also, adding layers automatically gives any outfit an autumnal feel.

Topshop jumped onto the sporty bandwagon with this line. If you haven't already invested in a pair of street trainers I would highly recommend it. Adidas are my personal favorite.

Little Black Dresses are classic. For fall, look for one that falls past your knees. Pair it with sneakers to give it a casual vibe. (Ps that Gucci bag may be the coolest thing in the world.)

I love how edgy jean on jean looks when done the correct way. Try to find jean colors that are different so they don't blend together on your body. Another tip is to use a belt to break up the outfit a bit. 

There was a lot of fur pieces in the line. You don't need an entire fur coat, but finding small accents like this (fake) fur scarf can make any outfit instantly chic. 

Cheetah prints seem to always come back around. I personally can only handle them in small doses. Pairing this cheetah print jacket with an all black outfit makes it so edgy and cool in my mind. Also, I'm really obsessed with the suede, A-Line skirt that I chose to go with it.

All in all, this line is great for fall and winter because of how it uses such fantastic staples in such a classic yet modern way.

I hope you guys are having a great day!

Love,

A. xx

August New Music Monday

Anyone who is in my life will tell you right away that I love music. I love singing, playing guitar and piano, I love listening to new music and I love telling people about music that I’m enjoying. So I figured that on the first Monday of every month I’ll make a post that lists music and artists that I currently love and have been playing nonstop. And because I love giving names to things, I’m going to call this New Music Monday!

1. Halsey - New Americana, Hold Me Down

2. Walk The Moon - Sidekick

3. HAIM - Falling

4. Son Lux - Lost It To Trying (Paper Towns Mix) (I may or may not be low-key obsessed with playing this song in the car and sticking my head out the window like Margo in the Paper Towns movie oops)

5. Twin Shadow - To The Top (this song embodies everything I imagine an epic unrequited love to be)

6. Jess Glynn - Hold My Hand

7. The Weekend - The Hills

8. Selena Gomez (feat. A$AP Rocky) - Good for You

9. Demi Lovato - Cool for the Summer

10. One Direction - Drag Me Down (I CAN'T EVEN WITH THIS SONG)

If you have any recommendations leave them for me in the comments! Have a great day guys!

Love,

A. xx