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Fall Lifestyle Favorites (and a Giveaway!)

fall-favorites

I can’t believe we are already almost a week into November. Where in the world did the month of October go? In this post, I’d like to share a few of the things I’ve been using and loving in recent weeks.

Without further ado, here is my list of favorites from this fall.

Fashion

1.  Blanket Scarf

A blanket scarf is the perfect fall accessory. This scarf is so soft and cozy, wearing it is like cuddling in a blanket all day long. (Hmmm, I guess that’s why it’s called a blanket scarf…) If you missed it, you might want to check out my previous post on 5 Ways to Wear a Blanket Scarf. It’s always fun to get creative with your accessories.

2. Taupe Booties from Natural Breeze

I ordered these pretty little booties from Zulily recently and I’m really loving them. They’re just so cute! I haven’t been a real fan of the bootie craze in the past, but when I found these little cuties, I knew I was going to become a convert. They are so easy to style with so many different looks. As a bonus, they’re actually comfortable.

Beauty

3. Burt’s Bees Lipstick in Blush Basin

This lipstick has become my go-to lip color. I wear it almost everyday. It is such a beautiful mauve color. It’s the perfect “your lips but better” shade. The formula is rich and smooth and it goes on easily. Staying power is pretty good. And I like that the ingredients are fairly good (as in, natural and not full of harmful ingredients).

Food

4. Caramel Apple Rooibos Tea from The Republic of Tea

As I mentioned in a previous post, this is my absolute favorite tea for fall. Really, I could drink this tea anytime of year, but it’s only available for a limited time each year. So, I enjoy it while I can and spend the rest of the year looking forward to its deliciousness.

Books

5. Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

I recently finished reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad and I must tell you, it blew my mind. This book has been around for a while and is fairly well known (it is considered a classic in certain circles), though I had never read anything quite like it before. Maybe the content of this book won’t be that revolutionary for other people who read it, but for me, it was simply eye-opening in so many ways. It gave me a whole new perspective on finances, making money, and what it means to be successful.

For the Home

6. Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Dish Soap

Believe it or not, I actually like to wash dishes. (Which I guess is a good thing, since, with a family of 10, we create a lot of dirty dishes.) The only thing I don’t like about dishes is the damage most brands of dishwashing soap can do to my hands. I hate wearing rubber gloves to wash the dishes. With my sensitive skin, this creates a problem, especially in the winter months when my skin tends to be even drier than usual. The solution, I’ve recently found, is Mrs. Meyers Dish Soap. My favorite is the basil scented one. The formula is much gentler on my hands than most other dish soaps. And the basil scent makes me happy.

I’d love to hear some of your recent favorites from this fall. Please feel free to share in the comments.

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase something using one of my links.  Note that I only recommend products I believe in. Your support is appreciated!

blanket-scarf-classic-style

And now, It’s giveaway time!

I’m so excited to be hosting this giveaway. The winner will receive their very own beautiful plaid blanket scarf, exactly like the one pictured here! To enter, use the Rafflecopter widget below. This giveaway will run for 10 days. I will contact the winner by email within 24 hours of the close of the contest.

I can’t wait to see who wins this gorgeous scarf!

Classic Fashion Combo: Chambray and Stripes

chambray-and-stripes

A chambray button down is a classic fashion item. In my opinion, it should be a staple in every woman’s wardrobe. The chambray shirt is such a versatile piece. It can be worn so many different ways. I wear mine with maxi skirts, over dresses, and underneath sweaters. All this from a simple, unassuming little chambray shirt. The styling possibilities are endless!

chambray-and-stripes

One stylish way to wear a chambray shirt is with a striped skirt, whether midi or maxi length. Here I have styled mine with a gray and beige striped knit maxi skirt. and a pair of suede booties. This look is cute and casual and comfortable. It’s a perfect look for fall and winter.

chambray-and-stripes

I completed this look with a gray beaded statement necklace and some simple silver toned earrings. These few accessories compliment the simplicity of the rest of the outfit without complicating the look. For my hair, I went with an easy up do and finished up with a minimalist everyday makeup look.

A casual knot at the waistline trims the silhouette. Rolling up the sleeves keeps the shirt from giving off a stuffy appearance.

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This whole look gives off an effortless and relaxed feel while still having a touch of elegance about it. And the comfort level is extremely high with this one! Whenever I wear this outfit, I feel like I’m walking around in my pajamas all day. Yet, despite being so comfy, it still looks polished and put together. Don’t you just love outfits like that?

What I Wore

Chambray shirt: Gap via ThredUp, several years ago (here is a similar one from Shabby Apple)
Striped skirt: find a similar one here (or try this dress option)
Booties: Natural Breeze via Zulilly
Necklace: mine came from Walmart years ago, but this one is even prettier
Earrings: Chicnico

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase something using one of my links.  Note that I only recommend products I believe in. Your support is appreciated!

How to Plan Outfits Using Evernote

plan-outfits-using-evernote

Have you ever stood in front of your closet with no idea what to choose to wear that day? Does it seem like you are always scrambling in the morning, trying to come up with a put together outfit but coming up short? Are you crunched for time most days and wish you had a system to help you get dressed quickly each morning?

A while back, I discovered a little trick that has helped me tremendously in planning my outfits and organizing my wardrobe. I made this discovery when I was preparing for a trip, and I have found that it can be extremely useful for everyday wardrobe planning as well.

My helpful little trip utilizes the amazing app known as Evernote.

Have you heard of Evernote? You can read my more complete review of this app here. For now, suffice it to say I really love this app. The possibilities to use Evernote are limitless. It can help you simplify and organize your life in so many ways.

One of the ways Evernote can help get your life organized is outfit planning. Here’s how I use Evernote to plan my outfits.

1. Think about the week ahead.

What activities will you be doing that week? Where will you be going? Are there any special wardrobe items you will need to have ready for a certain day that week? Thinking ahead gives you a chance to evaluate what sort of choices you will need to make when it comes to your clothing for the upcoming days.

2. Choose an outfit for each day of the entire week.

This may seem like a lot of work all at once. After all, the idea is to make this process easier, right? But trust me, this makes it so much simpler to plan your looks for the week. Choosing 5, 6, or 7 outfits at a time doesn’t really take that much longer than choosing 1.

Think about it; you’re already in outfit planning mode. Taking a block of time to pull out, match up, and lay out your choices will save so much time when you are actually getting ready on a given day during the week. You won’t have to stop and think about which top you’ll pair with which bottom and which shoes go with those. All that decision making has already been done.

3. Lay out or try on your outfit choices.

One by one, lay out your choices—on your bed, on the floor, maybe hanging up on a clothes hanger. Lay out or hang them anywhere you can get a good overview of them. You can even try each outfit on. (That’s what I usually do.)

4. Take a good, clear photo of each outfit.

A good photo of your planned outfits is an extremely useful tool. As you’ll see in the next step, it is an essential part of this process. Make sure it’s well lit and you’ve included everything in the photo that you want as part of the outfit. Shoes, belt, jewelry, even handbag. Everything.

5. Add the photos to a note in Evernote

Open up your Evernote app (if you don’t have Evernote yet, you can open a account and download the app for FREE here). Add a new note. Upload the outfit pictures you just took to the new note you just created. Save and file the note in an appropriate notebook within the app.

6. Use the note in Evernote as a guide

Now you have a handy reference for the outfits you have planned out ahead of time. As you get ready in the morning, refer to your note in the Evernote app. All the details are already there; all you have to do is pull out the items that make up the outfit and get dressed!

After a while, you will have a good sized library of outfit ideas to look to for inspiration. Your closet will come alive with possibilities!

This little trick has worked beautifully for me, especially when I am planning for travel. It helps me streamline my packing process and make the job so much easier.

Plus, it can kind of feel like playing dress up in your own closet!

If you try out this idea, and it works for you as well as it has for me, I’d love to know!

If you have an outfit planning system that works great for you, please share in the comments. I always like to hear new ideas!

 

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase something using one of my links. This helps cover the expense of running the site while keeping the content 100% free. Note that I only recommend products I believe in. Your support is appreciated!

Simple but Elegant Everyday Updo

elegant-updo

With a baby who loves to grab hair, a simple updo for everyday life is a must. But because I have a busy household with lots to tackle each day, I don’t have a ton of time to devote to fixing my hair. Of course, it’s still important that it look nice.

I’ve come up with several easy to do updos to meet these challenges. Many of these styles utilize a flexi clip from Lilla Rose. I have several flexi clips and use them often. They hold my hair well while still being extremely comfortable.

The style I’ve been fixing my hair in most often lately uses a large flexi clip (they come in several sizes). It looks neat and put together without being severe.

This style is quick and simple and the finished look is elegant and pretty.

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5 Steps to a Simple but Elegant Updo
Step 1
Gather the front of the hair near the temples and pin back loosely at the crown of the head. (Bangs would make this step unnecessary.)
Step 2
Pull the rest of the hair back into a loose ponytail at the back of the head.
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Step 3
Twist the hair and fold against the head as if creating a french twist.
Step 4
Secure the hair with a flexi clip by pinning in the middle of the “folded” hair.
Step 5
Arrange the hair neatly and pin any stray hairs into place.

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And it’s that simple! It takes just a few minutes and stays in place all day.

I’d love to know your favorite everyday way to wear your hair, if you’d care to share in the comments.

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