10.19.19 10

Weekend Reading | 10.19.19

pajamas + sleep mask!

Happy weekend! This week was a little bit intense. We were away Weds-Fri in DC + Philly for live shows. So fun but a little draining, too! I got home yesterday afternoon (we were only gone two nights but it felt like a whole week) and proceeded to just melt into my couch. I finished Succession and am excited to start Modern Love today. I have a pretty low key weekend ahead. I have a few workouts planned and am hosting a reader meetup this afternoon (more details in the facebook group!) and am otherwise laying low! We head to Atlanta this coming Wednesday for another live show and I’m so excited – I have not spent enough time in Atlanta and we booked our trip so that we’ll have a free day to explore and relax!

“I believe in sleep, laughter, and sunscreen.” Love this beauty routine.

These customizable pearl bracelets are so fun and would make a great gift.

Relatable: how to organize a tiny bathroom!

The power of the micro-vacation.

My skin gets irritated when I wear too much makeup so I have been loving this face oil post live shows.

How to dress as Meghan Markle for Halloween.

How fun are these giraffe pajamas!?

Loved reading about Sutton Foster’s makeup routine!

Love this 5 minute finance masterclass with Sallie Krawcheck.

How to digitally detox while you travel.

Currently testing (and really loving so far – it’s been a little over a week!) Olay’s new retinol. The eye cream is especially fab!

Loved Liz’s photos from Canada.

Welcome to instagram, Jennifer Anniston!

The best concealer ever (my color is chicory!)

I’m excited about Julie Andrews’ memoir!

I liked this top so much in navy that I bought it in white! (Runs TTS/slightly big!)

Relevant (I just finished it!) What your Succession quiz results mean. Also loved style lessons from Shiv.

On making runways more diverse.

Did you catch NASA’s all female space walk!?

I bought my favorite sneakers (have grey and navy) in crisp white and love them so much.

Do you really need to cook with seasonal produce?

Loved Victoria Beckham’s throwback!

Oooooh – there’s a sequel to Call Me By Your Name!

I can’t say enough good things about this (very affordable) leopard skirt! Just size up!

These things are taking up too much space in your closet!

I’m getting very excited for all of the Netflix holiday movies!

OMG how fun is this set of sparkly hair clips!?

On transitioning your skincare from summer to fall!

I want to get this cozy henley in every color!

Intrigued: underrated, spooky podcasts!

I’m excited for Bombshell! (what a cast!)

Very into the bobbles on this cozy looking sweater.

I loved this piece about The RealReal. (I talk about them all the time but am a big fan and shop there a lot!)

This green velvet wrap dress would be perfect for holiday events!

OMG a Grease spinoff is coming!

Got sensitive skin? Avoid these ingredients.

photography by Allie Provost.

10.18.19 6

Fekkai’s New Clean Hair Line.

A few months ago, I got to meet Frédéric Fekkai to film a video together in his salon. It was really fun – I’ve been going to the Fekkai salon for several years now, it’s the only place I trust for keratin, cut, + highlights! (I see Kelly for highlights and Fabrice for a cut and am TBD on keratin as my person left – will report back once I start seeing someone new!). It was great to meet him and also really fun having the chance to talk to him about the brand. Hopefully that video will be coming out soon but when I met Frédéric, I asked him what is next for the company (he recent-ish-ly took back ownership of the brand; buying it back from P&G so I was curious!)

One of the things he mentioned was plans of taking the line clean – reformulating the products to make them safer but still effective. I was really excited when a package arrived at my door a few weeks ago, unveiling his new Pure collection! It’s made from over 95% natural ingredients- it’s vegan, cruelty free, and gluten free, and it’ss free of silicone, sulfates, parabens, and phthalates.

Fekkai The One Pure Review

I’ve been testing them out for a couple weeks and LOVE the products so far. I used to use the dark blue”universal” line as my everyday shampoo/conditioner and love those but love this line even more. There are three products: a shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in mist. They leave my hair so soft and shiny and also smell AMAZING. I can’t say enough good things about the fragrance (which is also natural). It’s kind of like baby shampoo but even better!

  • The Pure Shampoo gently cleanses without stripping or drying the hair. I love that it contains aloe vera – it’s really soothing on the scalp!
  • The Pure Conditioner is thick and ultra creamy; almost like a hair mask. It’s packed with coconut oil, jojoba oil, avocado, and shaea butter. It leaves your hair silky without weighing it down.
  • The Pure Mist is fantastic, especially for detangling. It’s a lightweight leave in conditioner. It smells incredible and also helps smooth flyaways + protect your hair from heat styling.

I do still also use a purple shampoo (this one is the best purple shampoo I’ve tried!) every week as well as Olaplex (I find that once a week is good for both of these – sometimes I’ll even sleep in the Olaplex after putting it in!) and then I’ll  do this purple mask once a month to keep my blonde from getting brassy!

Photography by Allie Provost.

10.17.19 18

Fall Basics: My Favorite Resources!

hellllllo from DC (or maybe Philly or somewhere in between, depending on when you read this!) We are presently in between live shows… tonight is our Philly show at the Punch Line! Last night’s show went so well and I’m really excited for tonight, and to be in Philly for a little bit. I just wish we had more time in both cities… these are both in and out kind of trips.

But we are talking about clothes and today I wanted to talk about basics. A few weeks ago I highlighted four fall trends that I’m excited about, today we are talking about the best classic pieces! My tried and true, favorite pieces + brands that never let me down.

Some of these items are definitely on the more expensive side BUT they are things you will have forever and/or pass down.

outfit details:  MM La Fleur Trench // Madewell Sweater  // NYDJ Jeans // Sarah Flint Heels (take $50 off with code GRACE50) // Amazon Sunglasses // Palmgrens Bag

Outfit Details: gifted Veronica Beard Blazer // Eileen Fisher Tee // Frame Jeans // Sarah Flint Heels // Amazon Sunglasses

Jackets + Blazers: First of all, I live for a good trench coat. I bought a Burberry trench coat six or seven years ago and still wear it all the time. It’s timeless and classic and although it was a big investment, I think it was worth the money as I will have it forever.

Right now, I’m into a lighter, looser, drapey trench. My current fav is this one from MM La Fleur. It’s the perfect weight and color.

For blazers I’m just such a sucker for Veronica Beard. Her blazers are definitely pricey but will be the best blazer you’ve ever owned. I still blame Katie Sturino. When we filmed our make my size video last year I bought the gingham one and then it was all downhill. I’m really lucky in that now they do gift me, but I have bought three of their blazers with my own money. This green one is my current favorite!

T-Shirts: I love Universal Standard and x Karla tees but my newest obsession for t-shirts is actually Eileen Fisher. They are definitely a bit more expensive than other t-shirts but they last and last and last. This one is a new fav… I have it in light grey and dark grey.

Sweaters: My fav sweaters are almost always Madewell (this one!).For a splurgier sweater, Eileen Fisher is great – her cashmere is amazing. And J.Crew is wonderful too but a lot of times their sweaters are just TOO SHORT AND BOXY! I wish they would just make their silhouettes a little longer and leaner.

Denim: I definitely mix things up with love Frame Denim (these, from a few years ago are the BEST!!) and classic Levis + Re/Done (for non-stretchy styles – I have two pairs that I bought a few years ago and wear them constantly!) but right now my two favs for denim are NYDJ and Good American. Both brands are so comfortable and fit really well!

Sunglasses: Since discovering the Amazon sunglasses I am so loyal! I am not afraid of splurging but just can’t do it with sunglasses as I leave them all over the place! I have several pairs of these sunglasses and LOVE them.

Shoes: I love a classic pump with a pointy toe and for these I am really loyal to Sarah Flint. Her shoes just fit my foot so well. I frequently get asked whether I’d pick the perfect pump or the Manolo Blahnik BB heel and the truth is I’m Sarah all the way. I am not going to throw away my Manolos (lol) – I have the Manolos in grey, red, and black (all suede) as well as a fun nude patent BUT if I were to buy a new pair it would be Sarah Flint. I love them so much! The brand gifted me the black napa, but I bought nude + olive with my own money. I’m also a big fan of her perfect sandals and most recently, the perfect bootie! If you use code GRACE50 you can take $50 off your first pair.

NYDJ Cardigan, Linen tee, Jeans (all gifted as a part of this instagram campaign) // Sarah Flint Perfect Pumps (take $50 off with code GRACE50)

photography by Carter Fish.

10.16.19 20

My Travel Essentials!

Today’s post is fitting because a) we’re on the road again, and b) today’s episode of Bad on Paper is ALL ABOUT TRAVEL. Becca and I are both very different travelers but can absolutely  laugh about it. It’s a funny episode… and I fully admit that I’m a bit of an uptight traveler. But whatever. I’ve been BURNED by missed flights and travel snafus int he past. It’s been a long time since I’ve missed a flight, and my rituals make things more comfortable.  So I stand behind my way of doing things. The episode is fun and there is a lot to share, + tons of product recs!!!

Today though, we’re specifically chatting about travel style. Right now I am VERY into a pair of wide leg sweatpants as they are sweatpants (duh) but still chic. The outfit above is exactly what I wore for our flight to San Francisco a couple weeks ago. I was comfortable but also felt polished and unembarrassed/confident with my look (bc let’s be honest, there have been plenty of trips where I just put my head down and hope I don’t have to talk to anyone because I look like a slob!) Not pictured is my MM La Fleur cashmere shawl. This lives in my carry-on when I’m traveling a lot as it is the SOFTEST and makes flights/train rides so much cozier (it can even double as a blanket!) but is also appropriate to wear to meetings too! The ultimate multi-tasker.

For more travel posts. check out these packing hacks and what’s in my carry-on! Oh and tips for surviving a red-eye which is just the worst.

Outfit details: Veronica Beard x Sold Out Pants // Unfortunate Portrait Win-Win Tee // MM LaFleur Trench (can’t recommend this trench enough!) // AWAY Suitcase // AWAY Leather Everywhere Bag

clockwise from top left // The White Company Socks (so luxurious, I try to always have a pair for the plane!) // Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask (the best) // Amazon Travel Power Strip (this will change your life!) // MM LaFleur Shawl // AWAY Everywhere Bag // MM LaFleur Trench // Vince Sneakers // Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask // Veronica Beard Culottes // NIGHT Memory Foam Travel Pillow (use code BOP20 for 20% off!) // Slip Sleep Mask // Hudson and Bleecker Clear Case

photography by Carter Fish.

10.15.19 17

Four Chic Fall Date Outfit Ideas.

I’m always getting asked for outfit ideas for dates! A few years back, we had Emily Holmes Hahn (founder of white glove matchmaking service LastFirst) on the blog to share some date night outfit ideas. Today I wanted to update that post with new options + some fresh ideas for a Fall date! I do want to also share two of my dating essentials: silky camisoles from Cami New York (the best + they layer so well under little jackets) and Sarah Flint‘s heels. Any of her 85mm heels are perfect for dates. They’re sexy and make your legs look amazing BUT they are also very comfortable so you’ll feel your best and be able to travel should your date move from drinks to dinner or to another bar! (I do the 85mm Perfect Pump or Perfect Sandal).

Also relevant: 10 cute tops that are perfect for date night, and even more date outfit ideas!

This is pretty much my go-to look for a date. Simple easy pieces that are comfortable but still sexy. I love a little leather (or faux) jacket with a slinky camisole. I also wanted to share this affordable silky cami (in plus sizes here!)

Downtown Dinner or Drinks Date: BlankNYC Moto Jacket // Cami NYC Camisole // Madewell Jeans // Sarah Flint Perfect Pump (take $50 off your first pair with code GRACE50) // Gorjana Necklace // Madewell Earrings // Clare V Clutch

For an uptown dinner date/a fancier evening out, I love a monochromatic look. This sexy little dress would ordinarily be a LOT with the over the knee boots but the tuxedo jacket tones things down a little bit. LOVE this look.

Uptown Dinner Date: Topshop Satin Minidress // H&M Tuxedo Jacket // Jessica Simpson Boots // Tory Burch Leather Bag // Mango Hoop Earrings

Got a more casual date? I love something like this. Simple jeans and a fitted sweater, with interesting accessories that show you have a personality!

Casual Fall Date: Topshop Jeans // Leith Sweater // Loeffler Randall Zebra Bag // Topshop Coat // Sarah Flint Perfect Pump (take $50 off your first pair with code GRACE50) // Alison Lou Hoop Earrings

For a fancier dinner or an office party, I love a metallic mini dress, fun earrings, and leg-lengthening nude sandals. Add the tuxedo jacket (same jacket from the uptown dinner date) to pull it all together!

Fancy/Party Date: H&M Tuxedo Jacket // Jennifer Behr Earrings // All in Favor Metallic Dress // Sarah Flint Perfect Sandal (take $50 off your first pair with code GRACE50) // Gucci Leather Wallet