Chap Stick Hydration Locked Down

So many lip products!  And I use them ALL.  Different seasons, different ensembles, and different moods dictate which ones I use.  But one thing I've always relied on it layering a good chapstick under a good lip color or balm or gloss even. I feel like it's the extra hydrating layer and keeps me from licking my lips, and maybe keeps color stuck like glue.  Since I'm always drinking several beverages- at least 2 at all times are on my desk, I apply chapstick liberally and often.  Since I switch them up, I don't find that my lips get "addicted" or used to any one type.  I want to share that the new Chapstick Hydration Lock is locked down in that it's dual-ended for two different uses and why didn't anyone invent this before?!  You can have your extra day (sunblock protection) and night (extra moisturizing) and in between (anti-aging/renewal formula) all ready to go without bringing two separate tubes along with you.  Genius, I say.  I've got both of mine comfortably sitting in my lippy tray, plus one in my purse always ready to go.  I layer it both underneath and on top of whatever color I happen to be wearing.  Good stuff, you should check it out!

*I was provided a set of the new Chapstick Hydration Lock tubes in the first picture along with a coupon, that I used to purchase another third one.  I'm addicted, I say.  But I wasn't compensated any other way 'yo.

Summer Into Fall

I love the autumn season, but with our Midwest wacky weather, some days are summer, some are not, and then we forget what season it is!  No, but really, it's more of the want to hold onto a bit of Summer Into Fall.  Which is exactly what I did last week.  I paired a simple navy blue t-shirt dress from H&M with a hot pink cardi, and this wonderful cotton scarf.  I was wrapped for the cooler temps, but I kept the bright colors for summer. And what do you know, it's 75° out today!  Enjoy the warmer temps even though we're in the thick of fall.

Mindy, Mindy Make Me Laugh

I was totally happy and lucky to score a copy of "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And other concerns)" by Mindy Kaling from a #birchbloggers twitter event! (ooh, and click HERE for my referral link if you're still wavering on becoming a birchboxer). I've been a huge fan of hers as Kelly from The Office for years, and she has made me laugh at the most goofiest and neurotic things- but she makes it okay to be yourself and have your insecurities and still, be fab.  It's even cooler now she has her own show: The Mindy Project with a couple of cute blokes and still all the jokes and natural womanly neurotic-ism I love. She's brave for including some pics from her childhood to illustrate just how not fabulous, but how normal she was.  And like, boom, now she's used all her Ivy League smarts and natural funniness to make herself a fabulous career.  And she LOVES shoes. And FASHION.  She's like the bestie I need to help me pick out what to wear to which event, and how to make an Irish Exit; even when it goes wrong.  Her book, her show, and her twitter feed (LOLs all day, e'ry day), will make you laugh. I read this book twice!

Blue Chambray on Blue H&M Dress

Wrinkled and blue. But all casual and all comfortable for Friday!  A blue chambray shirt belted over a blue H&M t-shirt dress (nothing ironed, obvs), and I'm all good to go. The sun was playing peek-a-boo with me today so lighting is wonky but I was in a chipper mood to match my sandals to my belt since it was going to be a head-to-toe blue day.  H&M is going to be opening soon and I can't wait to go (SHOPPING!) stock up on staples I can wear year-round, as well as a few trendy things, to. Happy comfortable cool Friday ya'll!

Navy A-Line Striped Dress

I'm in love, love, love, with my navy a-line striped dress!  It's all cotton with pockets, and pleats, and no sleeves so it fits with favorite designs in mind.  The bonus of all of this is that it was a gift!  I paired it with a matching navy cotton cardi, but I couldn't decide on which shoes.  The weather is way too nice for flats, so I grabbed my pink suede cut-out sandals that are already getting plenty of wears this season.  We're lucky to have gorgeous skies and cool breezes, so this outfit works on every level.  And, pockets, ya' know?

Anthropologie Score from GoldenTote @ Work

I previously posted about this Anthropologie Score from GoldenTote not @ work, but rather more of a Dress-Up Friday.  Another day, another subscription box find (addicted, I tell you) and it's my favorite fashion item from all of the boxes- and GoldenTote is just awesome. Here I am, sporting this lovely elephant laden dress for work (enter cardi, here). Since the sleeveless, pocketed dress came with a gold ribbon belt, I changed it up with a skinny GAP belt for a little dash of color and then used the coordinating gold in a cotton cardigan.  All this with black gladiators - nevermind I didn't get a chance to paint my toes- for an early July look (at the office).  Instead of pearls, I have a simple, small silver globe and the Lulu Frost bracelet. 

Comfy Casual GAP Ombré

Super comfy, casual GAP ombré cotton tank with a pink cardigan and a cotton, swingy skirt from Target were my Friday wears.  I have this minty crossbody bag that is a bit smaller than I'm used to but it fits the lighter summer palette, and of course goes with my new strawberry suede sandals (sorry for the blurry foot shot)!  I was ready for a long weekend of road-tripping and humid and muggy weather- so cotton all the way.  I wasn't sure how navy, pink, white, red, and mint would fit together but it worked for me.

Bringing Beyoncé Back

Bringing Beyoncé back from the depths of my closet, circa 2006 or 2007, that is.  And it was the more junior Dereón line from the House of Dereón I'm referring to.  Yes. This dress I claimed from a Dillard's clearance rack is all kinds of crazy patterns and colors that are not in my regular shopping mental state.  But it's very colorful and I like the colors individually, and I bought it on a whim. Since I'm clearing out items from my wardrobe that haven't see the light of day in a bit, I've found this one to be a keeper (unlike this one that is gone, gone, gone, baby).  I have new white sandals and an old cardigan and even my gold horn necklace.  It all says summer, though a bit fancier than usual for me.

Smokey Black LOFT Blouse

Smokey Black LOFT Blouse on today- or is it navy-ish?  I know it's not the blackest black, but it goes well with black/white/black in my ensemble.  Sometimes I look at the sleeves and think navy. Hrm.  The sun is shining today and luckily this blouse is breezy so even though it's dark in the summer I shouldn't get too sweaty.  My black gladiators with gold studs and my other usual gold accessorizing favorites are on today.  Plus, I wore a headband because: bad hair day.  And bad hair days when it's this short are a conundrum for me.  Also, bad hair day= Starbucks pastry. Always.

Chambray Dress and Dusty Pink Cardi

Yup, this all thin cotton chambray dress is lately my favorite and go-to for Midwest hot/humid/sticky weather where the air is heavy one minute and raining buckets the next; the norm, if you will.   Which all of these things make it hard to wear sleeves when you have sleeves because much hot.  A very light colored knit like this dusty pink cardi over a chambray dress is my summer uniform along with the gold accessories.  The geometric ring isn't a pinky ring, but the sizing is off (from Forever21) so I keep alternating it between there and my ring finger. 

Sailboats and Gold

Sailboats and gold details are lately some of my favorite things.  This super comfy cotton summer dress with black gladiators and a red cardi (during the day) went well for this #ootd.  I didn't even notice until this week that the studs on my sandals are actually gold, so it pairs well with my gold accessories.  I am not one for wearing the same necklace every day- but the Kate Spade Saturday mirror necklace is my  go-to almost every day lately.  Even on the weekends!

Ropes and Navy

Ropes and navy make up my ensemble today and the heat is blazing and the humidity can only make me complain. About a bad hair day.  Sea salt spray for your hair is a new thing for me, and since I have this shorter 'do I'm still figuring it out.  Essentially, it replaces my regular texturizing spray for the summer and is supposed to be less work so you can practically just let your hair air dry. Still on the fence.  But at least I have a thin cotton-knit dress with a rope pattern, navy blue flats (because it was supposed to rain), and a navy cardigan.  Oh, and don't forget my new favorite studded rings because they make the hot pink look tough.