Luxe Fall Mini Wishlists

As the change of the season approaches us, I felt inspired to put together mini wishlists. Each mini wishlist creates an entire outfit, with each item being a versatile, investment piece. I actually put together three mini wishlists for you, with interchangeable accessories. So from one wishlist to the next, the shoes or the bag may be the only different element, with the same outfit. This shows how versatile the clothing is and helps to limit our shopping to the perfect dress, and then invest in one bag or one pair of shoes that you could wear all season. This wishlist trio is actually helping me think through my future shopping purchases and carefully select what I allow on my luxe wishlists:)

How gorgeous are these Acne Studios ankle boots in blush pink? The wood heel makes the boots unique and a little retro. This super pale nude-pink shade is stunning and is a great complement for outfits with any shade of pink and peach. It would also be a subtle hint of color for nude or white clothing. How stunning would these shoes look with a floral dress, or a suede skirt for fall? I’ve spotted these exact shoes on TheRealReal for a fraction of the retail price.

This Zimmerman blouse embodies the Victorian trend and is romantic, while also being sexy. Please note that there is a sheer panel near the bust, and your bra will poke through slightly. I would suggest a lace bralette underneath.

This Chloe bag perfectly ties this outfit together, though this handbag would look equally stunning with any blush pink/white/nude outfit. It definitely looks more spring/summer, but I love pastel hues in the winter, as much as I love the winter white trend. It adds a bit of life and girly-ness to the chillier time of the year.

This snakeskin statement skirt is a piece that I have in my own closet. It’s the inspiration for this entire mini wishlist. This is one suggestion I can offer you as far as luxury shopping goes: pinpoint one statement piece already in your closet, and then shop for a few classic investment pieces that would complement it. I invested in this skirt because it is real suede and puts all the other more affordable faux and genuine suede skirts that I have tried, to shame. While this exact skirt is no longer available, Reiss repeats styles each year, and they currently offer other fabulous suede skirts (even some on sale).

To show you the versatility of the bag and boots, I created another mini wishlist fashion board, but switched up the clothing and gave you another bag option as well. This stunning romper is also from Zimmerman…what can I say…I’m addicted to the brand’s aesthetic. I must say, Zimmerman and Chloe pair rather well together.

The Chloe bag and Acne boots are a match made in heaven. I think they are a great choice to use as a power duo for any of your pink/pastel outfits. I threw in the Fendi bag, because it did match the romper perfectly and I’m a sucker for peach. Hopefully these mini wishlists remind you to shop consciously and select pieces that mix and match, according to what you have in your own closet.

I had to include one more fashion board, incorporating this fabulous peachy/mauve Zimmerman print. This version is actually the dress version, instead of the romper shown in the previous photo. Hopefully it is helpful for you to see the same outfit styled in a different way, with different accessories. I kept the peach Fendi bag for this look, but switched up the shoes for a more fall-appropriate, edgy look. These Alaia boots are nude, laser-cut ankle boots, with lace-up details. They are amazing! They are nearly sold out on Net-a-Porter, and for good reason. These boots would make any outfit a bit more edgy and the color pairs beautifully for any outfit.

This Blank NYC suede jacket in the coffee bean shade is something I own and enjoy. The brand claims it is genuine leather, or genuine suede, and it certainly feels like it. I grabbed this during the Nordstrom Anniversary sale for $135, and full price, it retails for $188. It is a total steal and complements pink and mauvy tones. I would suggest pairing the jacket with suede brown boots for fall, and they would instantly pull together any outfit. Simply layer on this jacket and switch your sandals for edgy boots, and this Zimmerman dress transitions right into Autumn.

What is your dreamy fall look?

Styling Pastel Florals

I believe there is art to styling florals in a sophisticated and modern way. Though I love classic pieces, I also absolutely adore uber feminine florals, from designers such as Zimmerman. I encourage you to still select quality fabrics, and look beyond just the floral. When you discover a stunning floral in your color palette, in 100% silk or cotton, the look is truly stunning. Whether you pick a cotton candy hue, as I will show below, or a dark floral for fall, determine which colors will be most suitable and versatile for your own wardrobe. I would even suggest a bit of both, so that you can mix up your classic pieces throughout the year, whether it is in the middle of summer, or later in the fall.

The lovely floral skirt I’m wearing is from Zara. You may recognize it, as everyone was going crazy for the blouse, trousers, and skirt when it was released. It was considered a Zinmerman dupe. And now that I also own Zimmerman, I can tell you the fabric is nowhere near as luxurious and lightweight as Zimmerman. The print is nice, though, and I have the matching blouse as well. I have both the top and bottom in a medium, and I will have to have the blouse tailored, because I am absolutely swimming in it. However, the mini skirt is perfect for a hot summer day, and I prefer it styled with a blush (or white) blouse.

This blouse is by Veronica M. Her brand is hard to find online, and this was purchased from a boutique in Birmingham. I find her price point steep for what you’re getting, so I would suggest choosing your own blush or cream blouse with a flowy silhouette.

The bag is from Rebecca Minkoff, which I found on TheRealReal.com. It is the Small Love Crossbody Bag, in a stunning iridescent colorway. I haven’t seen this iridescent version for purchase since, but you can get this same bag in black, beige, taupe, and a dark red shade on Nordstrom. I use this bag often when styling outfits, as it is very affordable, but offers one of the most similar bag shapes as the Chanel flap, without trying to be a dupe. I think most people would prefer a neutral shade, but as my style is a bit quirky, I adore iridescent and multi-dimensional colors. This actually makes this bag match almost every outfit I wear.

The shoes are from & Other Stories. I wear them to work and in the evening. Because they are nude, they are very leg-elongating. The block heel makes them more comfortable and keeps the outfit from looking overly girly.

If you do love a good floral like me, I think it is key to have white, cream, tan, and blush basics in your closet. This helps you put your outfit together, especially when the floral is a separate, rather than a dress. If you know you love pink florals, or a specific color, then I would recommend having matching separates (tanks, blouses, etc.) in that color, or at least in that color family. I hope this helps give you some floral inspiration and have fun with floral prints, while still staying true to your signature style.

Baby Blue Capsule

Welcome to my first of many luxury capsules. Because I am inspired by monochrome styling, and dressing from head to toe in one color, but with different shade variations and textures, I thought that luxury capsules with the color theme might be fun.

Baby blue can look very chic and high-end when done well, and there is nothing I love more than faded jeans with a blue blouse and a fabulous jacket thrown over the shoulders.

This capsule includes a dress you can dress up or down during the hotter months, as well as a casual top and a dressier one for work or evenings out and about. I don’t think I’ll be able to do any capsule without a jacket, as a piece of outwear can make any outfit more complete and allows you to transition your lighter layers into fall and winter.

This jacket is one of my favorites in my closet, and it is a very special piece. It is the classic Acne leather jacket, but in a pastel blue. It is the inspiration for this entire capsule. I purchased mine from Net-a-Porter. This baby blue color is a seasonal color, though Acne also offers this jacket in grey, beige, pink, and the classic black.

I hope this gives you some baby blue inspiration! It’s a color that’s very soft and feminine, and though it’s currently on-trend, depending on the pieces you select, it can look very timeless and high-fashion.

Closet Decluttering

On this website, you will find numerous pages and articles about purging/decluttering/cleansing. I’m extremely passionate about it. I am a (reforming) shopaholic and have learned the hard way the importance of being selective about what I’m spending my money on.

In the past, I made impulse purchases regularly and bought something because it was cute, or I just wanted to have it in my closet. This erratic way of shopping has made the decluttering process absolutely overwhelming. This way of shopping also is very expensive and quickly fills up your closet with trendy and “like-it not love-it” pieces.

I have been selling my clothes for the past year, and thought I was finally done pulling from my closet, until I took a closer look. I started trying on my fall boots and realized half my fall shoes weren’t comfortable. A few are still within the return timeline, and they will be going back. The others will be up on the second hand economy. I will include photos of the items below to inspire you. I truly believe decluttering should be done in stages, and you need to do multiple rounds of decluttering.

I had two pairs of snakeskin boots, and neither of them fit me properly. Within five minutes of wearing them, my feet were aching. All my mid-range shoes will have to find a new home and when I find the perfect pair, I will welcome a well-made pair of boots to my wardrobe.

Just when you think you are done decluttering, step back into your closet, and take a second glance (or try on.)

Laura Mercier Highlight in 01

Overview

Of all my highlights, this is the most flattering and wearable. The magic of this beauty is that you can create a subtle, work appropriate glow to an intense highlight. Essentially, it's a your-skin-but-better champagne sheen with refined shimmer. And because you get the sheen without obvious sparkle, you can apply it to all the points of the face you want to enhance, without having to worry about “over-highlighting.”  It’s perfect for those with light to medium skin. If you have a deeper complexion, it might work for you. It is a champagne shade so it might look more intense, possibly ashy, against a deep skin tone. In terms of formula, it reminds me of the Hourglass ambient lighting powders, because it's super soft and blendable and allows you to create a natural highlight, suitable for any occasion. Yet, I feel you can get much more sheen from this than Hourglass. If you compare it to the Hourglass strobe powders, Laura Mercier is still a better buy, because there are no sparkles in the powder, just a champagne sheen with fine shimmer. Nine times out of ten, this is the highlight on my face.

Formula

The formula of this product is why I love it so much. The name: “matte-radiance” powder mystifies some people. How can a product be matte and radiant at the same time? But this is. There is shimmer in the pan and in a swatch, but it melts into the skin to give a luminous sheen. It is a super-soft baked formula that is very forgiving if you have mature skin or texture on your skin. Some highlights, especially metallic ones, can really emphasize any texture and imperfections you have on your cheekbones (or other areas you highlight.) And don't worry, it's a very fine shimmer- not chunky sparkle. With this, you can highlight with confidence. Below I compare this highlighter's champagne base with refined shimmer to a highlighter that's just pure sparkle.

Above you see the difference between Laura Mercier's Highlight 01 and Nars's Reckless. sheen vs. sparkle. Highlight 01 has a champagne base with fine shimmer & Reckless has no base or sheen, just iridescent sparkle.

Shade Range

Within the “matte radiance” powder line, this is the only highlighting powder. There are 4 bronzing shades available in this formula, which could serve as a bronzer, or perhaps even a face powder, if you have a very deep complexion. But they don't offer the highlighting impact and lit-from-within glow that Highlight 01 does. The brand more recently released their "face illuminator" powder line, which have the beautifully embossing in a baked gelee formula, such as the infamous Indiscretion. The face illuminator line offers a better range of shades for all skin tones, from Devotion, a cool pink, to Seduction, a topaz or deep bronze. These highlights are lovely, but in my opinion, they can't compare to the refined, soft-to-the-touch formula of Highlight 01. Honestly, I also own Indiscretion and planned to return the product; whereas, I use Highlight 01 pretty much every time I apply makeup. 

Laura Mercier's Highlight 01 on top and Indiscretion on bottom.

Application

Because this product is pigmented, super-soft, and blendable, any highlighting brush should work. The Anastasia highlighting brush picks up the powder beautifully for a more intense highlight. Today I applied the Ulta cream highlighting stick and patted Highlight 01 on top, both with my fingers. Even that way, it blended out beautifully. That’s how good the formula is. To give you an idea of the product's versatility…for a while, I dusted this all over my face to set my makeup-using a large, fluffy powder brush and with just a light touch into the powder-to create an all over, luminous finish. 

Purchase this if…

You want a lit-from-within-glow rather than a stark highlight, have texture or mature skin, or just want a gorgeous champagne highlighting powder. If you are under-whelmed with Hourglass’s ambient and strobing powders and Becca doesn’t strike your fancy, this is the powder for you.

Interview Make-Up

Recently, I’ve tried my hand at an entire new avenue of beauty...interview-appropriate makeup. Now, let me first premise that the makeup you wear should depend on the job and environment. For instance, interview makeup for a corporate work environment will look completely different than if you are interviewing to be a makeup artist or in another related, creative field. So, maybe you will customize your interview look based on your fashion and makeup style. Easy additions to up your interview look might be a precise winged liner or soft contours. Just be sure to blend and pick a product with the right undertones! Despite what job your after, there is one common thread: we all want to look like we mean business. For that aesthetic, I’ve found a natural, soft, but polished look, to be my go-to face as a young professional. 

Just a few of my interview must-haves as I scramble to create an unforgettable first impression...

I first run my hair through a straightener to silken my locks but still keep my hair’s natural waves. Then I focus on creating a natural glow that makes me look fresh and ready for anything. To achieve this, I begin makeup application with my gorgeous YSL touché eclat blur primer. The silicone consistency and stream of gold shimmer throughout, makes me feel like a queen. Which is essential...we should feel like a million dollars if we’re about to sell ourselves to a future employer and explain what makes us so fabulous. Following the primer is my beloved Josie Maran Vibrancy foundation. This gives an effortless glow and sinks into the skin within seconds. 

This glow-getter combo will give your skin the right amount of dew, so you look fresh, not sweaty.

Following my base comes my eyeshadow, which I wanted to keep light and delicate.  I immediately scavenged through my makeup drawer for Tom Ford’s Nude Dip quad, because this product is the epitome of sophisticated shimmer and effortless eyeshadow. 

The quad of all quads when you want an enhancing assortment of champagne and taupe.

To fix any fall out and add coverage to blemishes, I then spot conceal with my Josie Maran concealer crayon in Fair 1. Now that our base looks flawless, we can add some dimension to our face with bronzer and highlight. I used a limited edition Givenchy bronzer in shade 2, Douce Croisiere. Any bronzer will do, as long as it doesn’t pull too orange and is buildable. As for highlight, I picked Farsali’s glazed Jellybeam highlight, which can be applied with a pat of the fingers and gives a barely-there glow.

Barely-there glow is the way to go for interview situations.

Last but not least, I add on the finishing touches with a lengthening mascara. My favorite is Tarte’s tarteist lash paint. They will make your lashes bold enough that liner is optional. Then, for the ultimate rosy mauve pout, I would recommend Tom Ford’s lip color matte lipstick in First Time, topped with Smith & Cult’s lip lacquer in Now Kith, if you opt for a glossy lip.  

The ultimate lash and lip duo.

I hope these makeup products will make the stressful process of getting ready for an interview a little more fun. I’m a believer in the adage that the better you look, the better you’ll feel. Hopefully this insight will help you tackle tough interview questions with finesse. 

Good luck beautiful!