I am sharing all of my favorite fall purchases from fashion to beauty products. I only share home decor on my Instagram page, but you can find clothing sometimes in my stories. I was surprised at the positive feedback and purchases since I know most of you follow me for my home. Actually, the clothes sold almost as much as the decor last month!
I've mostly been buying casual sweaters, jeans and flats to fit my lifestyle. Most of my day is spent shopping for clients, running errands or staging homes if I am out of the house. I am a big fan of the off the shoulder trend. I tend to tuck in my sweaters if they're not fitted for waist definition. I do like to wear a belt in that case. I just can't get behind the no belt look I'm seeing everywhere lately. Plus it's an opportunity to dress up an outfit. I've also been switching my jeans over from mid-rise to high rise. I know I'm late to the trend, but it took me a while to find ones that fit me well and are comfortable.
This sweater is sold out in the blue, but comes in two other colors.
I love this lookalike Balmain sweater with the gold buttons. The 3/4 sleeve is perfect for those days that are in between cold and warm too. Mules are one of my favorite shoes to wear in the fall. I never have to worry about them rubbing my heel when I walk like typical ballet flats and loafers. I'll have to switch to my flat/low heeled boots when it gets cooler.
One way to make a casual outfit look dressy is by adding a blazer. I'm just wearing a tee with jeans, but doesn't it look so much more put together? It's another classic black and white look too. I'm wearing mid-rise jeans here, but I switched over to a great fitting pair of high rise.
I have two different bags pictured. I use the Prada bag for client meetings so I can put my laptop and fabric samples in it. I use a nude or a black YSL bag daily because it can be a shoulder bag or a crossbody. It's also small and dressy enough to wear with a cocktail dress. All three of these are coated leather so there's little worry about scratches. They're a bit pricey, but these three bags are all I need. I've also had them for years so the cost per wear is really low. I bought one every two years. It's technically time for another one, but I just don't need any more!
Here is the same blazer in black. It was such a good deal I had to get both colors. I don't wear heels often so the only colors I have are black, nude and leopard. I haven't found myself needing another pair now that I have the basics. These are low-rise jeans, but I'll link my new high rise ones I recently bought that I absolutely love.
I have been eyeing this red sweater forever! I finally decided to buy it and I'm so glad I did. It's actually not the best photo (sorry none of these are) because I was in a hurry to get my son to his basketball game, but it is really cute.
I don't buy a lot of clothes as you can see by the amount of times I wear the same jeans, belts, shoes and handbags. It's just not necessary. I suggest starting with the basics to mix and match. If you work in an office that might mean solid colored pants/pencil skirts instead of jeans, or heels instead of flats. I would not suggest buying anything designer unless you know from experience that you will wear it forever. I've owned some type of leopard shoe for the last 20 years. I knew when I bought a designer brand that I would have it forever. FYI, I did get mine 50% off when Saks had their summer sale. Buying off season is a great idea too, but it's only a good deal if you will wear it! You won't see me wearing a designer brand flat shoe that I wear everyday. I have to replace those often because I wear them so much. My booties in the first photo barely lasted two years. I have my eye on the similar ones I linked.
Beauty Faves
I am really into fragrances this year for some reason. Like I mentioned before, I don't buy much. When I do buy something I become a bit of a perfectionist, which is why it took me so long to find the best high waisted jeans. I'm still torn over whether I like Madewell or J.Crew's jeans better. Keep in mind J.Crew completely redesigned their jeans so it's not the same as years past. Anyway, I had to try every fragrance under the sun before I found my favorite fall/winter scent. Don't laugh, but I tried on perfume every time I went to the mall for the past three months. This is the one! It's a clean floral with a musky under tone that's great for fall and winter.
1. This CC cream has such a huge following that there's a good chance you might already be using it, but just in case you aren't it's a full coverage foundation and has SPF 50. It's the only one I have used that covers all of my imperfections and doesn't sink into my lines.
2. If you can't figure out strip lashes then these are for you! I can put these on in 5-10 minutes. It does take a bit of practice to go that fast, but it's worth it. I use this in lieu of mascara for my upper lashes. As long as I sleep on my back which I try to do to not cause wrinkles anyway, I only have to reapply them when I wash my hair. I only wash my hair twice a week so I wake up looking made up when I'm not. I use the dark glue instead of the clear. I've found the clear dries white that makes the glue noticeable. I don't need eyeliner on my upper lashes with the dark glue either. I only have to put on a bit of shadow, and then liner and mascara on my lower lashes that's easy to remove without dislodging the lashes.
3. I've been using this moisturizer since May when a make-up artist recommended it. Hands down this is the best I've ever used. I even bought a small jar of La Mer once. Don't waste your money on that. I was not impressed!
4. My skin is very dry and my lips used to be perpetually chapped no matter what I put on them. This is the only product that has cured it. I have to put it on twice a day, but most people only need it at night. I use a matte lipstick during the day and just put it on top to make it look like lip gloss.
5. I can't say this bronzer came recommended to me the way I use it. It was just trial and error. I was happily using Laura Mercier translucent powder over my foundation to set it until it really just started to settle in my crow's feet. I tried so many other powders and couldn't find anything that didn't age me until I realized my bronzer didn't do this. I bought the lightest one possible and started using it as a powder. I'm guessing it's because it's thicker compared to translucent powder. I told a makeup artist about it and she was impressed as well!
I hope you enjoyed this different kind of post! Of course interior design is my main focus since it's also my career, but let me know if you'd like me to include an occasional fashion and beauty post.