Cold Weather Style Hacks

Spring might be right around the corner, but that doesn't make it any easier to get through the cold, rainy weather ahead. Here are a few fool-proof style hacks for these last few days of winter.

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Fleece-lined everything
You have no clue how necessary fleece-lined tights and leggings are until you have them. Then you’ll never want to take them off. And the day you forget to layer them under your work trousers? It’ll be a day that’ll live in infamy forever more. (Also these fleece-lined faux leather pants are a game changer.)

KEYSOCKS
I only wish I had invented these. I could have made a fortune because these are brilliant. When you can’t wear fleece under your skinny jeans (a very real problem, fam), these are your best bet. If I’m wearing pumps, but don’t want to leave my dorky sock-ways behind (and because there is literally nothing more terrible than having freezing toes), these socks save the day every time. Keysocks sent me a pair last summer to try but I didn’t have a chance to really fall in love with them until it started getting cooler in the fall. Now I’m hooked.

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Find Creative Ways to Layer
Thank GOODNESS turtlenecks are still in style because I’ve basically been layering them under everything I own. This shift dress? Thrown over a black turtleneck and my new OTK boots. Heading to work? Style it underneath the perfect long-line vest and wide-leg pants. And if you’re going for a weekend look, nothing makes me more happy than pairing a black turtleneck with light-wash mom jeans and a cozy cardigan.

Shop these boots here (they're under $100!)

Embrace the OTK Boot
It’s time to give up the predisposition that over-the-knee boots are just for Pretty Woman. These style staples will be your best friend when the temps dip because they act as a second layer. I like to pair mine over skinny jeans or with a shorter skirt, to show just a peek of skin! But when it’s really cold, I’ll wear them with my midi-skirts. Instant chic.

BONUS NON-FASHION HACK
Get a heated blanket. Forget how dorky it is and ignore the unaesthetic vibes it will most definitely give off. NONE OF THAT MATTERS because the joy is will bring you far surpasses the embarrassment you’ll feel.

Do you have any favorite fashion hacks for cold weather? Would love to hear them! Share in the comments section below! XO!

Side-Braid Tutorial for Short Hair

I love having short hair. There’s never a moment I’m not grateful that I chopped off 10 inches 6 months ago. NOT A MOMENT.

However, I do find myself lacking for short hairstyle inspiration. I kind of have my go-to style (loose wand curls), but lately I’ve been wanting to mix it up! And I really want to share some fun styles with you because I honestly feel like there aren't enough short hair tutorials out there - we can’t all have Amber Fillerup locks!

So here’s a style I’ve been adapting into my routine lately - a side braid! This look is simple to do but adds a ton of interest. Here’s the how-to:

First, wash hair (duh!)
I used this color-safe shampoo and conditioner combo from CIBU, a new line of products by Hair Cuttery. I’m very picky with shampoos so I was thrilled with how my hair felt using both of these products. Plus they smell very salon-like, always a plus. It has an antioxidant-rich blend of Uji green, toni leaf, and silver needle tea extracts (and is sulfate and paraben free!)

Then I brush through my tangles with a Wet Brush - I used to use hard brushes and this has been such a revelation to me. They’re super cheap, under $15, do yourself a favor and order one!

Next, I put volumizing mouse on my roots and underneath my hair. My hair always end up falling flat when I blow dry au natural, so this is a game changer for me.

Finally, before I bust out my hair dryer, I spray some blowdry excelerator spray (also from CIBU) all over my hair. Luckily, my hair doesn’t take long to dry as-is, but I still felt like this sped up the process even more. It took me under 2 minutes to dry.

Then blow dry hair.

After it’s completely dry, I take a 3-5 inch section of my hair and braid it towards the back of my head.

Once braid is finished, start to tug at individual pieces in your braid. I usually start at the bottom of my braid and work up to the crown of my head. You’ll start to notice the braid starting to look thicker. Thin-haired girls rejoice!

Secure with bobby pins and spray with finishing spray! Viola! The cutest side braid for short hair!

This post was done in partnership with Hair Cuttery. All opinions are my own.

Coffee Time

Mondays and coffee…goes together like cookies and milk. After a hectic weekend, I’m downing all the caffeine in sight.

ALL. THE. CAFFEINE.

These photos are from my trip to New York a few months back - in which we also drank all the coffee in sight. From Blue Bottle to Whoops Bakery, we indulged in all the over-$5-a-pop lattes Brooklyn had to offer. And it was worth every penny.

I’ve been on a big turtleneck kick for the past few months. But I’m not just into any - only the supersoft ones that I want to live in. To me, I’d rather spend copious amounts on one amazing top that I wear time and time again than a quarter of that on something I only wear when everything else is dirty.

On a current note: It’s been a stressful past few days as we’ve been getting ready for our annual trip to Florida! I’ve been packing, shopping (whoops) and trying to prepare my body for all the food that will inevitably be eaten in large quantities.

For the most part, it’ll be quiet around these parts until we return, but in the meantime, be sure to follow along with our adventures on Instagram and Snapchat!

Here’s to all the coffee, friends. Happy Monday!

Wearing black turtleneck (stolen from mom, whoops), thrifted suede skirt (similar and love this one), vintage silk scarf (similar), Sophie Blake bracelet, Veja sneakers via Anthom, Melt Your Makeup lipstick (in Serrano) c/o.
Photos by Cheralee

Lou & Grey Sweater

I don’t know about you, but this week is going by SO SLOWLY for me! Maybe it’s the rainy days or the cold weather…but I’m not letting it rain on my parade. In one week, I’ll be on a plane heading for sunny Florida! I’ll be trading in my turtleneck for t-shirts and my scarves for a swimsuit. GOOD RIDDANCE.

But until I do, I had to share this shoot from my trip to New York. For a morning of trekking around SoHo (in search of the cutest cafes and the cobble stoniest streets) I wore my snuggliest sweater from Lou & Grey. They just opened a store in Tysons and it’ll give you ALL THE COZY FEELS, friends. I paired it with light-wash denim and my favorite tennies from Anthom.

I won’t bore you with how dreamy it was in New York (you can read that here), but I will let the photos do the talking. Can we talk about the light for a moment? It was like mid-morning (we got a late start because CHOOSING WHAT TO WEAR IS HARD, PEOPLE) and the light shone through the buildings as if it were sunrise. It had me feeling some kinda way.

Wearing Lou & Grey sweater (similar and LOVE this one!), denim, Veja sneakers from Anthom, Sophie Blake cuff and earrings (similar.)

Featured: Made in the District

Happy Monday, friends!! It's been cold and rainy here lately in DC, but there's no raining on my parade today! I'm SO super excited to share that I was featured in Made in the District in collaboration with Street Meet DC! I got to work with Brittany Cummings Photography, who was not only wildly talented, but such a sweetheart too! If you're ever looking to do a fun street style shoot, give Brittany a call!

Anyway - check out a few of my favorite shots below and see the feature and interview here to find out who my first style icon was and my favorite fashion trend of all time!

Wearing Alice + Olivia pants, Lemon sweater, Erika Schrieber vest, Sophie Blake necklace and bracelet, Maison Martin Margiella boots (similar.)