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Showing posts with label personal style. Show all posts
Showing posts with label personal style. Show all posts
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| Wearing Aerie swimsuit top and bottoms |
Summer is here, my friends. I've gotten sunburnt despite wearing SPF 70, dove into freezing cold water because it seemed like a good idea as I was sweating in the sun, and had my fair share of hard seltzers already. I've also been wearing more swimsuits than I have in quite some time, enjoying the fact that the beach and lake are at my fingertips along with the reopened pool in my apartment complex. Naturally, I've been on the hunt for some cute swimsuits to rock this summer!
As much as I love a cute swimsuit, I don't always like how expensive they can be. Seriously, why are water-friendly strips of fabric pricier than most of the dresses in my closet? I do not understand it.
So because I'm all about looking cute this summer but not spending half my paycheck on some skimpy bikinis, I've rounded up some of the cutest on-trend swimsuits that are all under $100 (to the best of my ability, I've tried to make it that full sets are no more than $100, but don't hate me if they go a little over) and grouped them by trend so you can rock the hottest styles this summer.
Pink Bikinis
Look, I've been on the hunt for a cute pink swimsuit for several years now, so I say it's a trend! The piece I'm wearing in the photo above is from Aerie and us a fun neon that makes even pale old me look tan, so would highly recommend!Groovy Prints
As you know from my summer trends post, I'm all about the psychedelic swirls and hippie-inspired designs right now. They look so cute on swimsuits!
Gingham
You can never go wrong with sweet and preppy gingham prints.
Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny
These are not my favorite style, but flossy string bikinis are all the rage on Instagram right now, so if that's your vibe, here are some cute and affordable options.
Sage
I think this color is so stylish and cool. It's been a big trend all over, but I think it's a neat alternative to a neutral hue for swimwear.
Through the past year picnics have been one of the respites from the awfulness of the pandemic, serene moments of sunshine, fresh air, and charcuterie boards. It's no wonder cottagecore styles have become so popular this past year.
I for one have been all about gingham at the moment—and truth be told, I've been on the gingham kick for a few years. But a few months ago I purchased a cute pair of pink gingham pants from Verge Girl after seeing trendy teens on TikTok rocking similar styles, and I love them. So much so that I rounded up a few other gingham pants below:
If you're loving gingham as much as I am, get to shopping and rock the trend for yourself!
Shop Gingham
Sometimes you walk into Target in hopes of finding Clorox Wipes and body wash and walk out with a cute new pair of pants!
I'm going to be perfectly honest with you: I am not a pants person. I feel most comfortable in a flowing midi dress and often feel like pants are fussy, ill-fitting, and unflattering (or at least, it's hard to find pants that flatter both my waist and my thighs). After almost 27 years of living in this world, I have found that of all the pant-like items in the world, jeans—and stretchy skinny jeans in particular—are the pant style that most suits my lifestyle and my body. I'm also fortunate enough to work in an office where the dress code is pretty casual, meaning I wear jeans all the time.
But my friend, I will admit that after ten months of that WFH lifestyle even a diehard denim advocate such as myself has been asking: is there anything more out there, pants-wise? Potentially a style that doesn't cut into my belly all day long as I sit at the desk in my room?
I've been searching the internet for such a pair of comfortable yet stylish pants, but pants are a tricky thing, size-wise. You must take into account the waist, the inseam, the length, and so many other factors that online size guides don't often detail, meaning I've had my fair share of failed pant fittings when ordering online. The knowledge that a pair of pants may not end up working out—and even worse, may appear unflattering, further deterring me from my mission—made me hesitant to ever hit the "checkout" button even when a pair caught my eye.
But last weekend I found a captivating pair at Target, of all places. There I was, running errands for body wash and other household items, and I found myself staring at a cute pair of plaid, high-waisted, wide leg pants. They were everything I was searching for, and at about $30, the price was right for experimentation. I threw them into my shopping cart and hoped for the best. Once I got home, I tried them on and sighed with relief when I realized that not only did they fit, but they were super cute! And after wearing this ensemble for a whole day of work-from-home business, I can confirm they are comfortable as well.
So there you go: the saga of my brand new pair of pants. Now that I know this style looks good (I've always been self-conscious about how a lot of pants frame my thighs) I think I might seek out a few more pairs like these. And in case you are interested in similar styles, I've rounded up those at the bottom of this post too!
Shop Similar Styles:
Hope everyone has had a decently relaxing (as far as one can be relaxed in 2020) holiday! I'm still at home enjoying a much-needed week off, so I've been watching a lot of television (why yes, I've already inhaled Bridgerton) and filming TikTok videos for fun.
For Christmas, my family gifted me some super cute clothes, so I did a little try-on video to show them off! Check out the new clothes I received and let me know what you think. I'm so excited to style all these in the new year.
Shop The Outfits:
Not everyone may look upon a neon pink turtleneck and proclaim it a wonderfully versatile layering piece, but then again, not everyone is a Fashion Barbie. Believe it or not, I've been searching for a chic pink turtleneck for quite some time, but I wasn't able to find the perfect shade—until now.
Of all things, Emily In Paris urged me to continue my search, as one scene featured Emily rocking a very chic pink sweater that reminded me of my quest. Unfortunately Emily's exact sweater was Chanel, which is a bit out of my price range, but I headed to ShopStyle to see what else was out there on the interwebs.
H&M turned out to be my savior, offering up this stylish knit for under $15! It's super lightweight, making it easy to layer with dresses, shirts, coats—you name it!
Inspired by the bright colors, I pinned my hair with matching hair clips and swiped on the brightest lipstick I could find, and dressed up in two very different outfits to showcase just how versatile even a bright pink piece can be.
Sporty
With a statement piece this bold, you don't need to do a whole lot to make a cool outfit. I paired my pink mock neck with high-waisted wide leg jeans from Zara and my Air Force Ones that I wear most every day. It's simple but looks so cool, and can I just say how much I have missed wearing flare jeans? Let's bring them back!
Get The Look:
Preppy
Get The Look:
For my girly girls, another way to style this piece is to pair the top with a retro houndstooth jacket and a cute mini skirt. Since the top is so fitted, it's fun to play with proportions and add an oversize jacket.
Either way, this top will turn heads.
Which way is your favorite?
I'm going to be honest with you, I'm sad that Halloween is basically nonexistent this year. Obviously there are no parties this year, no trick or treating (not that I've done that in ages), no costume contests at bars...as a fashion lover, picking a costume and dressing up for Halloween is so fun because I get to unleash my creativity. In the past I've gone as Ariana Grande, Eleven, and Chanel No. 3 to name a few of my pop culture inspired ensembles. Back in February when I saw Birds of Prey I had already decided that Harley Quinn's iconic caution tape fringe jacket would for sure be my costume...
Of course, that was before coronavirus became widespread. As much as I would have rocked Harley's outfit, let's be real: that is made for a party, so we'll have to save it for some other time.
However, I still wanted to dress up as something, if only to take pictures for the 'gram (and the blog!) so I did some brainstorming and decided it was the perfect occasion to dress up as my favorite Disney princess, Rapunzel!
Locked in a tower, isolated from friends, growing bored of activities, in a kingdom called CORONA!? Hello, could she be any more perfect for this moment? Knowing that I was heading up to our mountain cabin for a week and that the woods outside would make for an iconic backdrop, I found this costume on Amazon, ordered some fake flowers to clip to my hair, and even brought back my Ariana Grande ponytail extension for round two. I knew there was a reason I kept it around!
Are you dressing up for Halloween? What's your costume?
I've been working from home for 7 months now with no signs of going back to the office anytime soon and the height of my daily social interactions is picking up my ordered-ahead iced latte at Starbucks. I haven't gone to a restaurant in ages, let alone a party. I see most of my friends over FaceTime and Zoom calls. A wild weekend night lately is staying up until midnight watching a classic movie on my watchlist, maybe with a glass of wine and some Postmate-d sushi.
Yup, that's how thrilling my life is these days.
Despite all that, though, I've been putting on makeup almost every day, no matter if I'm venturing out to Alfred Coffee or just sitting at my desk doing work. For one, you never know when a colleague is going to spring a Zoom meeting on you, and let's be real, I have a reputation to uphold of looking put together, even in quarantine!
But beyond that, I genuinely have loved playing around with makeup while hanging out at home. I know it seems a bit pointless to get all dolled up with literally nowhere to go (and don't even get me started on the lipstick + mask dilemma) but it's a small little thing that makes me feel put together for the day and genuinely good in the face of depressing times.
My growing obsession with TikTok (you can follow me here if you want!) and learning all about makeup from incredible creators (a few of my favorites to follow for tips are @mikaylanogueira, @bexcxmpbell and @daniellemarcan) has inspired me to try new products, experiment with bold eyeshadow colors, and extend beyond my typical five minute routine to achieve that "barely there" makeup look.
We know I've always loved a bright lipstick, but I've never been particularly skilled at eyeshadow looks. However, after months of experimentation, I'm now pretty adept at a winged eyeliner and have even tried a cut crease look or two. I've pulled out palettes that have been sitting in my makeup drawer for ages and have followed tutorials for no-heat waves and other fun hairstyles. I even purchased the Revlon blow-dry brush that everyone is obsessed with on TikTok.
Sure, I may not be hitting the town in my fancy makeup, but I can always share my looks to social media and use that as a way to make sure my makeup efforts live on beyond my bathroom mirror. And above everything else, it makes me feel happy, and honestly, I think we could all use a little bit more joy these days wherever we can find it.
Here are a few of my favorite beauty items I've discovered during quarantine:
A little concealer under the eyes and a dab across any red spots is usually all I need, and it's a real game changer for looking awake and ready on those Monday morning Zoom calls. I love that this concealer covers redness without feeling too heavy or drying, too.
This hot pink lip gloss is great for achieving that "your lips, but better" look, and I'll usually swipe it on before any video meetings or if I'm filming a TikTok!
Okay, I just bought this hair dryer brush last week but I am already obsessed. It makes my hair look like it was done at the salon, and I went 5 days without washing my hair the first time after using this because my hair stayed clean, fresh, and straight for so long!
I am prone to oily eyelids, so I'll often spot eyeliner melted onto my eyebrows halfway through the day. This Stila eyeliner lasts all day, though, and the felt tip makes it easy to draw on smooth cat eyes and other wings. When wearing a mask outside, you gotta make sure your eye makeup is on point since that's what people will see, so this eyeliner is a must.
What's been your approach to makeup during quarantine? I'm curious to hear everyone's thoughts!
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is going on right now, which usually would be a huge deal for me. In years past I've previewed the collection, circled my favorite items from the catalogue, and counted down the seconds until my new fall purchases made their way to my doorstep. This year, however, I couldn't care less about getting a discount on boots I can't wear for 3 more months; the only section of the sale I've even looked through is their pajamas and home goods, and even then I feel no desire to purchase anything.
My ambivalence towards the Anniversary Sale is reflective of my feelings towards shopping as a whole right now. Five months ago my work sent me and my coworkers home, and currently there is no end in sight to my work from home situation, or the end of the pandemic as a whole. I venture out of my apartment rarely and for short periods of time, usually just to the Starbucks around the corner or the grocery store, and while I do love to dress up, dressing up for a run to the grocery store where I try to get in, grab what I need, and get out as quickly as possible, only to return to sitting on my bed in my apartment, seems frivolous. Occasionally I will put on a fun outfit for a TikTok or Instagram photo, but those looks last thirty minutes, tops, before I switch back into a T-shirt and loungewear.
And I know! This all sounds crazy coming from me, Lindsey, THE Fashion Barbie! The girl who wears dresses more often than jeans, who believes it's always better to be overdressed than underdressed, the girl who gets genuine joy out of finding a new item of clothing to love and style and treasure for years to come. Even toward the beginning of the pandemic I was feeling more optimistic about clothes and shopping, encouraging readers to check out Memorial Day Weekend sales and posting cute photos of the fun spring dresses I had hopes about being able to wear out and about by midsummer. But now, in August, the situation feels so much more dire, and with my return to the office now permanently TBD, I feel little desire to spend money on trendy items that might be totally out of date by the time I get to actually debut them outdoors.
Don't get me wrong, I want to like new clothes and feel enough energy to purchase cute new things. With social media becoming one of my few outlets, I’m constantly eyeing fun new trends to try on TikTok and Instagram, from cottagecore romantic dresses to pastel matching sets.
The problem is that, perhaps because my current situation longs for escapism, I keep gravitating toward dreamy maximalist pieces like this rainbow poof of a dress from Selkie or that strawberry dress that’s all over TikTok; dresses that, while fun and joy-inducing, don’t really make sense to wear in the confines of my apartment. The dresses I purchased near the beginning of quarantine have seen the light of day maybe once, and usually just for the purposes of content creation. I realized that one dress I bought back in April still had tags on it because I had only worn it for the purposes of Instagramming it, and while I know influencers do this all the time, it feels disingenuous and almost irresponsible to constantly be flaunting new items that aren’t actually worn out. From my blog’s conception back in high school, I always vowed that the outfits I showcased would be ones that I actually wore out in real life, not just for the purposes of a cool photo. I’ve prided myself on that authenticity, and don’t want to change that now.
Between the pandemic’s major effects on the economy and the fashion industry in particular, along with the Black Lives Matter movement encouraging me to be more mindful about where and how I shop, the idea of constant clothing consumption feels off-putting. I’m fortunate to have a job through the pandemic, but I know that for many people that is not the case, and even those with jobs have experienced salary cuts and other financial hardships. To spend money on clothes that may or may not stand the test of time feels wasteful, and again, if I’m not getting any use out of the clothes for the foreseeable future, why purchase them at all? If I do get the urge to buy something, I don’t want to spend large amounts of money on something because who knows how the economy could change in the near future; but then my options are fast fashion retailers who typically use substandard manufacturing practices and underpay foreign workers. As much as I can, I’m trying to avoid those retailers.
So what am I left with? A vague desire to try new clothes and styles but no true want to purchase anything, out of fears of uncertainty and wasted money. I’m not sure this will last forever, as I’m sure I’ll get back to my usual ways of wearing girly dresses once the pandemic is over and life gets closer to normal than it is now, but I do know that the ways I’ve thought about my clothing consumption has changed how I look at shopping, and I do think that will stick with me for years to come.
This isn’t to say that I’m “over” fashion or have no desire to talk about it, just that I’m putting more of an emphasis on the clothes I already have sitting in my closet and that I’m thinking more mindfully about my shopping practices. I may be wearing more shorts and T-shirts than usual, but even through all of this my love of fashion remains, just reframed to be more conscious of my participation as a consumer and what that means, both personally and for us all.
How are you feeling about fashion and shopping right now? Have your shopping decisions changed during the pandemic? Has your style?
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| Wearing a Faithfull the Brand dress |
I write this on the first of many "summer Fridays" although it sure doesn't feel like summer, not really. The sun is shining and my emails are slow, but what fun is it to stop working and head home early when you're already home!? Oh well.
Even though summer 2020 might be a little stranger than usual, some things stay constant no matter the state of the world, and Memorial Day Weekend sales are certainly still a thing. My mom has already texted me about a pair of Madewell sandals that I have to get (these ones, FYI, at a 30% discount) and like, I guess all that money I've saved not going out to bars or Coachella or whatever could go to some cute new pieces that I'll get to wear...eventually.
So whether you are itching to buy some fun summer clothes in the hopes that stay home restrictions will soon start to loosen up, or you just need more sweatsuits to tie dye, here are the best sales out there as well as my favorite on-sale pieces:
Transparency note: I use ShopStyle affiliate links and may earn a commission on link clicks or purchases.
The Best Memorial Day Weekend Deals:
- URBAN OUTFITTERS: Take an extra 30% off sale items; up to 40% off dresses, shorts, and swimwear. Through 5/25.
- ANTHROPOLOGIE: 25% off clothes, accessories, and shoes. Valid through 5/25.
- MADEWELL: 30% off all dresses and sandals using code HAPPYTOGETHER.
- J. CREW: Up to 60% off your purchase with code HISUMMER.
- MODCLOTH: 30% off full-price items and extra 40% off sale items with code HOTDOG. Valid through 5/25.
- NASTYGAL: 60% off sitewide.
- & OTHER STORIES: Up to 50% off select styles.
- REVOLVE: Extra 20% off select sale styles.
- LOU & GREY: 30% off summer must-haves. Valid through 5/26.
- FOREVER 21: 20% off purchases over $75, 30% off purchases over $85, and 40% off purchases over $150 with code MEMORIALDAY2020.
- TORY BURCH: 25% off select styles with code TOGETHER. Valid through 5/26.
- THEORY: 30% off sitewide. Valid through 5/25.
- COS: 25% off your purchase when you spend $200 or more. Valid through 5/25.
- SOLID & STRIPED: 25% off sitewide with code MDW25.
- WAYFAIR: Up to 70% off sitewide. Valid through 5/26.
- RAY-BAN: 20% off sitewide and free shipping. Valid through 5/31.
My Top Picks:
*Heads up: some of the links I'm sharing here are referral links*
1. Download An Apps Like Honey To Find Discount Codes
I can't remember how I first heard about Honey, but I cannot imagine living life without it. It's a Chrome extension that automatically finds and applies discount codes to the sites you are shopping, so if there's an extra discount code you don't know about, it will apply it for you! And even if there aren't any codes that work, you can get credits toward cash back rewards whenever you make purchases.
You can download Honey here.
2. Use ShopStyle to Compare Retailers and Track Sales
Most people know ShopStyle as a way for bloggers like myself to create custom affiliate links and make a commission when readers purchase products, but I also love using ShopStyle as a way to research and compare different styles and shops. These days, most brands are sold at a few different online retailers, so the same item might go on sale at one store while staying full price at the other. Say I find a cute dress from Alice + Olivia; I'll usually search the product name in ShopStyle's search tool so I can see where else the item is sold and if it is available for a cheaper price somewhere else.
Additionally, you can toggle "sale alerts" for items you like so that you receive an email notification when that item gets marked down. With so many surprise sales happening right now, you never know when a favorite item is going to drop in price, so the alerts will keep you informed.
I know it sounds straightforward, but so many people don't take advantage of special offers that brands will advertise through newsletters and social media. Constant email campaigns can be annoying, but it helps to occasionally check out alerts from your favorite brands so you can stay updated on sales and promotions that are running. A lot of brands will host special sales or share exclusive discount codes that are only available to newsletter subscribers, so sign up to your favorite ones so you can stay in the know.
4. Follow Sample Sales
The last time I was in New York, my coworker and I stumbled upon the greatest discovery of all time: a Reformation sample sale. Gorgeous printed midi dresses and chic tops at a fraction of the original prices? Sign me up! I walked away with two midi dresses for less than the price of one full-price piece. While shopping, I realized that the sample sale was run by a company called 260, and they organized sample sales for all sorts of brands in LA and NYC, so I started following them on Instagram to stay updated on upcoming sales in LA.
With the beginning of quarantine, you'd think that sample sales would be on hold, but actually, 260 has started hosting online sample sales so now you can shop them from wherever you live!
You can view their list of online sale events here.
5. Take Advantage of Cash Back Programs
Getting paid to shop? It sounds too good to be true, and yet, cash back programs exist! I've started using Rakuten religiously, and love how many brands are on it. With all the online shopping I've been doing while staying home, the rewards are already starting to add up. Urban Outfitters, Nike, Shopbop, and even Postmates are all partnered with Rakuten, and the site also shares special offers all the time. You can install a Chrome plugin so Rakuten can automatically remind you if a site you are shopping is eligible for cash back, too.
I also highly recommend checking out any offers available through your credit card or debit card company. I've gotten cash back from purchases at Rite Aid, Domino's, and Amazon Fresh through my credit card, some with up to 10% back, so take a look at your card's current offers for additional ways to get rewarded for purchases you are making anyway.
You can sign up for Rakuten here.
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What secret tips do you have to find the best deals?
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| My exact tie dye sweatshirt is sold out, but I'm sharing some other options with you! |
Dozens of tie dyeing videos on TikTok and Instagram have tempted me to try my hand at creating a psychedelic sweatsuit of my own, but the mundane logisitical issues (mainly, where does one acquire tie dye materials, and what if I mess up or don't like the end result?) have kept me from ordering supplies on Amazon. There is, alas, a simpler solution: buy an affordable and pre-dyed item on the internet!
Seriously, there is tie dye everywhere at the moment, and in a vast array of cute styles, colors, and designs to fit your fancy. All these pieces that I found are under $100 (and a lot are event under $50) so you can stock up on some cool home-friendly items that aren't too pricey.
Shop Tie Dye:
It's hard to think about fashion right now. I love it—getting dressed each day is part of why I get so excited to wake up—but lately the world of fashion seems even more frivolous than usual. How can I think about pretty spring dresses when going outside requires a face mask? How can I dream about spending money on clothes when people are losing their livelihoods and loved ones all over the world?
It is a strange, strange time that we are in, and I know that looking cute is at the bottom of our priorities right now. But still, I can't help but think about how much joy fashion brings me, and how I hope that when our time of social distancing comes to an end (which, god, I hope is soon) I'll be able to spread some joy through fun and colorful outfits. Maybe it will cheer people up, or even just cheer myself up. I hope that's okay.
Anyway, here are some of the things that I hope we'll be dressing up in very soon. Leave a comment, let me know how you are doing, how you are hanging in there while working from home, whatever. I'm here for you! I may be wearing sweatshirts more than usual (I know, social distancing has changed me) but I'm still the fashion-loving Fashion Barbie and I hope to continue spreading positive energy your way!
Post-Quarantine Wish List
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