Tag Archives: Made in 312

Fall Beauty Wardrobe Inspiration

September 15, 2017

Pantone was right, ya know. I didn’t quite see it happening, when they chose Greenery as the 2017 Color of the Year. But everywhere I look, I see greenery. On Instagram, obviously. Big fan of #MonsteraMonday over here. Everyone’s desks are lined with succulents and draping pothos. I even bought an aloe plant at the grocery store because they merchandised it so well. The Washington Post probed why exactly millennials are so plant obsessed. To fill the void in our hearts, they allege in the headline.

I need look no further than this greenery fixation than my own house. Since I moved, I’ve filled my house with new plants to nurture. The highest maintenance being my Maidenhen fern which requires misting several times a day. Plant caregiving beats scrolling Facebook, which usually only serves to frustrate me.

I looked back at Pantone’s note on Greenery and was struck by this, “A life affirming shade, Greenery is also emblematic of the pursuit of personal passions and vitality.”

While I was planning my fall beauty wardrobe, I took stock of my physical environment. I’m fully in our home now, in all of its green glory. It’s just what you do when you have unobstructed light in all four directions.

This is not a coincidence.

Now that the stress of moving has passed, I’ve started filling my months ahead with activities that align with my personal passions. Many of them solo, by choice. Book readings, talks, concerts. It’s something my boyfriend and I both are doing. We love doing things together, but he is not into Julien Baker or David Sedaris so I gave him the out. There was a time where if I wanted to do something, I would ask someone if they wanted to go and if they said no try and find someone else. And then, sometimes, decide not to do it because I’d be alone. When you can detach yourself from that +1 mentality, it’s really freeing. I’ve also got a girls trip to LA next month and I’m so excited for the getaway. While I love the time to myself, trips like this are the best.

The beauty wardrobe I’m building for fall is the backdrop to what I hope will be a really fun and fulfilling few months.

I pulled together my mood board, which influenced my choices.

At the core, simplicity. Fewer items than I included in summer. A return to black eyeliner – so much so I could kiss it! – and a hint of red, a color I don’t normally gravitate toward. I saw this red jasper necklace from Michelle Starbuck and instantly gravitated toward the color. The Laura Berger print is called personal mountains and I love the sentiment and repetition of shape. I can’t wait to show you what I’m wearing for these glorious fall months. That’s coming up in the next post. I’ve fully transitioned my beauty wardrobe but actually enjoying the end of summer delayed me from sharing it earlier.

Image credit from top row L-R:

We The Female

January 23, 2017

Hi ladies, welcome to …I don’t even know what to call this era yet. We may physically be living in the same place we were at this time last week but doesn’t it feel like a different world? I wanted to round up my favorite badass red polishes –inspired by OPI’s We The Female, my choice polish this week – but, as I sat to write, my head was swirling with fury over “alternative facts” and a demagogue posing as a leader.

This summer, pre-election, I got a comment from someone on this post that I should “stick to beauty” and avoid politics. I certainly understood where she was coming from. I laced my observation with a little bit of snark and she viewed it as contributing to all of the negative talk happening. That was pre-election…my how things change. It would be easy to be in a bubble and ignore the “negativity” out there but we no longer have the luxury to retreat into our own bubbles. This is real life. It’s more important than ever to advocate for your beliefs and to distinguish fact from fiction. Every one of us bears that responsibility.

It was deliberate that I reached for We The Female this week. It’s a special shade of empowering garnet, not unlike the color of Michelle Obama’s “farewell” dress from Friday. Like a bold lip, a bold nail can match your inner and outer fired up, ready to go mantra. It’s the polish I’m wearing to begin my 10 actions, 100 days.

Red is also a color that I like to resurrect in the smack dab of winter. It’s kinda like the nail version of a bright pink cream blush: it perks up your ensemble amid the dreary winter. I think the sun was out once this past week – perky is needed.

Here are my other fave-reds.

It’s a bit of an oldie, but I always go back to Essie Twin Sweater Set. It’s a beautiful crimson red that coats nails in a coat (but always do two for that crème finish). I think it was a limited color because I can’t find it anymore!

I just added LVX nails (a Chicago brand!) Brique to my nail polish collection. It’s not quite red, not quite pink. LVX shared with me the fall/winter collection and they all seem to have that muted quality – that’s a good thing.

Olivia Palermo designed one of my favorite polish collections with Ciate. Her “go to red” is a color called Hutch – it’s a classic red, much like her style. I love this on toes all year round. This is a mini bottle but it’s worth noting that the full-size comes in an exquisite box. Very impressive, Ciate.

I’ve been testing Orly’s Breathable polish line. I was immediately taken by the bright red ‘love my nails’ shade. I have mixed opinions on the formula. The polish is supposedly better for damaged nails and doesn’t need a top or base coat. I find that I can also peel it off easily (I know, bad vice) and I think it does chip a little faster. I went with the true spirit of it and didn’t top coat so that could make a difference on wear time.

I love the Dolce & Gabbana packaging! I’ll admit, these reds aren’t completely unique but I love them anyway. They make me feel fancy and feminine. Fiamma is a sexy red – reminds me of the bottom of a Louboutin – whereas Lover is a little moodier with a plum undertone.

Onward and upward, ladies! Have a great week.

Michelle Starbuck Fall 2016 (+ a giveaway!)

August 12, 2016

A model I am not; a mega fan of Michelle Starbuck Designs I am. So it was pretty much the coolest thing ever when my favorite Chicago jewelry maker asked if I would be her fall look book model. Dream gig! Back in June, we got together with Emily Prendergast of Maya Mueble to photograph her beautiful jewels. I love Michelle’s simple geometric designs and how she incorporates stones into her pieces. I cannot wait to wear my favorite pieces from the collection and Michelle is also giving away a Reiden Necklace to one of you!

Here’s a peek at some of my favorite looks! Details on how to enter the giveaway are at the end of the post.

I get major 70s vibes from the Parcel bracelet. I love how it drapes around the wrist.

Blue looks pretty good on blue, don’t you think? I can see wearing both of these with cozy fall knits. Cannot wait to accent my collection of grey sweaters with these blues! Wearing the Primer and Shift necklaces and the Shift bracelet.

Statement earrings! The labradorite stone in the Eye Drop earrings is beautiful. I like to dress up my ears when I wear my hair up.

Party in the back! I mean, you could. Love the backside take on the Mini Vega and longer Brass Vega necklaces layered. One awesome thing Michelle always does with her necklaces is allow you to customize the chain length.

And, the piece de resistance that you can win…

After seeing a few pieces with labradorite, aren’t you just loving how it always takes on a different look depending on what you’re wearing? The Reiden Necklace is really special and I’m so thankful to Michelle for giving one away to you guys.

You can enter through Rafflecopter below – there are a few ways to get more entries. The giveaway will close on August 19 and (1) winner will be notified next weekend. At this time, we can only ship to the U.S. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

All photos in this post taken by Emily Prendergast of Maya Mueble.

Back To Work

January 4, 2016

Two glorious weeks off from work. I’m energized but I’m also craving more lazy mornings. It was hard this weekend not to feel the blues. Didn’t help that yesterday I went to the grocery store, Trader Joe’s and Costco all in the span of an afternoon. Me and every person in Chicago. Oy! Guessing you maybe had the same idea, too? I’m counting on January to stay slow and fulfill my homebody ambitions. But, back to work and routine I go. There are ways to make it easier. Here’s my inspo!

Here I am all worried about UV rays from the sun but what about our screens? Shoot, is that even worse? I know I’m certainly exposed to it more. I’d never heard of a product that shields against the lights from our devices until I saw Make Moonlight Primer. I’m mega intrigued!

There’s something about a new tube of lipstick that gets me excited for any day. I’m eyeing up Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Color in one of those beautiful bright pink shades. Bobbi has perfected the raspberry lip color!

New year, new plans to be made! I started using my Evermore Day Planner – made in Chicago by a super talented papercut artist – and have a new Sharpie pen on my desk reporting for duty.

Not jazzed about those early (/structured) mornings. Loading up on the best concealer there is: Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector and Glossier Boy Brow to fluff up my brows in a swipe. It was inspired by moustache wax and embracing all of the messy tiny brow hairs we usually try to hide.

Oh sweet Buttercup Eyeshadow! I like makeup with a message.

I use my Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler and it makes a huge difference. I use it before mascara or in place of if I’m feeling like bare lashes.

Breaking news: there’s now a Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Deep Moisture Balm! The Ultra Facial line is iconic to fans of Kiehl’s for the way it gently moisturizes and a balm is next level. Perfect for those morning commutes I’m facing again.

How are you handling this Monday?