5 Transitional Pieces You Need for Fall

Photo by: Adam Katz Sinding via W Magazine | Fall Street Style

A good fall wardrobe starts with the basics. You want to be able to layer, to mix and match, & to switch things up with ease. You want pieces that all work together and that you can wear in multiple different ways. This really is the basis for a good wardrobe any time of year, but it is especially important for fall because you are constantly layering. I rounded up the top 5 transitional pieces you need for fall below – these will take you from warm to cool weather with ease!

1.      Hats – If you aren’t a hat person, I get it. I used to not be a hat person either. I wanted to be a hat person but just felt like it wasn’t working for me. I eventually found my groove and found hats that worked best for my body head shape. I love using hats to transition your wardrobe to fall! They can add texture and warmth to your outfit depending on the color and material. For fall I would go for a felt fedora in neutral colors like gray, taupe, and burgundy. Oh, and of course olive or that military green color that was huge last season. All of these colors bring WARMTH to the outfit and just really give off a good fall vibe. Shop my favorites here:

2.      Booties – This is a no-brainer, right?! I mean when aren’t booties a good idea? I personally wear them all year round but I love kicking off fall with a great new pair of booties. Especially in taupe. I am obsessed with taupe booties right now which says a lot because usually I am a black and white kind of gal. I think that taupe is an awesome shade to ease into fall with because it looks great with denim and you can also pair it with black without giving off that dark brown and black combo that makes some of us shudder a bit. And again, it brings that warmth factor to the table. Shop my favorites here:

3.       Denim Jackets – I have a serious passion for a good denim jacket. I own probably 3 or 4 and that is after getting rid of a couple. I think having a good denim jacket is essential to any good wardrobe and for the fall season it allows you to keep wearing those cute summer dresses a little longer. Throw your denim jacket over a chic little dress add those taupe booties and hat and you are good to go! Check out my favorites here:

4.       Long Cardigans – Having a good quality cardigan at your fingertips is always a plus. I have been wearing the same one for an embarrassing amount of time and this year I am finally investing in some new ones. I am obsessed with this Acne Studios one from last season but in trying to keep myself on somewhat of a budget, I have found these other ones that give you the same look without breaking the bank:  

5.      Velvet anything – And last but not least, I say what better way to step into fall then by adding a little velvet to your wardrobe?! This is a material that is really hard to wear in those hotter months but makes such a statement for fall! I have always been a huge fan of velvet and I am thrilled to pieces that it is having a moment this fall! Step your fall game up with these velvet pieces:

Maternity Style Roundup

Any woman who has been pregnant before knows the struggle of finding clothes that still fit your body, are affordable, and most of all - are comfortable. As your belly starts to grow the LAST thing you want is to feel constricted in any way or to be wearing an itchy top in the heat of the summer. Or, worse - to be stuffed into your old clothes trying to make it work but really unable to breathe. I have always been on the smaller side so a lot of people scoff at me when I talk about gaining weight during pregnancy. But the truth is, it doesn't matter what size you are - your body is changing, and therefore you have to find clothes to make you feel comfortable AND confident. 

Now that I am halfway through - 20 weeks TODAY - I have rounded up some of my favorite maternity (and items that aren't maternity but work) items so you don't have to sacrifice style during this special time. 

These leggings by Ingrid & Isabel are my go-to, been-living-in-everyday, super comfortable, will last the entire pregnancy favorite leggings. I love the zipper detail at the ankle and they are NOT see through on the bum and feel super high quality. These ones from Old Navy look super comfy too! 

I bought this slip dress in white when I was 12 weeks pregnant and it is on sale now for $25.99! They also have the maternity version of the same dress (on sale too!) here and more colors of the same maternity version here.

This striped t-shirt is perfect for the days you want to feel comfortable - I actually wear this out & to sleep in because it is that comfy!

I am somewhat obsessed with denim - denim shirts, dresses, you name it! One of the first maternity items I bought was this denim Maternity dress by Topshop and it is now on sale for $37.50!

A SPLURGE item I purchased were these AG Maternity Skinny Leg Jeans. I actually went a size down (normally a 26 but took a 25 in these). They fit like a dream and I know I will wear them through my entire pregnancy.

This tank dress from Old Navy is perfect for these hot summer months AND on sale for $22.99 right now!

I got this Rails Flannel as a part of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and it is super comfy and roomy - enough to allow for my growing belly! I got it in a size SM.

I got this shirred tank yesterday from Old Navy for $5.99 - such a steal and perfect for layering! 

This off-the-shoulder dress from Azalea SF is perfect to wear as a shirt with a belt over top of it. I wore this out the other night and felt comfortable and chic!

To smooth and lift under fitted dresses I got these secret fit shapers - basically Spanx but way more comfortable - as in you can actually still breathe.

These black skinnies make me feel like I am getting dressed pre-pregnancy. They are super skinny through the leg and are super versatile.

This dress is ADORABLE and would be perfect for my trip to London next week - I am thinking I could pair it with cute sneakers or sandals.

I am also dying for this polka-dot maternity dress that is on sale right now! Perfect for the office or lunches with my girls.

I purchased a version of these leather-looking jeans by Citizen's of Humanity and always feel super edgy and a little more chic when I wear them!

Dying to splurge on these distressed denim jeans which support Christy Burlington Burns and her charity, Every Mother Counts - a non-profit charity dedicated to making pregnancy and childbirth safe for every mother.

Frayed Denim

Frayed Dress from SheIn

Some days you feel a little more disheveled than others - and today, well this week really, has been one of those weeks. I think being pregnant, working full time, keeping up with my blog and my life in general can sometimes get crazy.

The Lowdown on Skin Care

I am going to tell you something that might shock half of you and the other half might be able to totally relate. And that is that up until about a year or two ago I have had maybe one facial in my entire life. Like I said some can totally relate and others, well you might be in shock. I had never really felt it was necessary to get facials on a regular basis or to even go at all really. 

When I started going to get facials I remember the esthetician telling me that you were supposed to go on a regular basis, she told me to think about it like going to the gym. You have to keep up with it. I was still confused. How and why would people spend $100 + on a facial every 4 weeks?! And then something happened. I started to see the benefits of going and guess what? Yep – I was hooked. I just loved the relaxing aspect of it and then of course loved the way my skin was glowing each time I left. I felt renewed and started to really enjoy taking care of my skin. To most people my skin might look the exact same as it has always looked but only you truly know your own skin and I can absolutely tell the difference. Especially as we start to age. And yes, I am in my 30’s – sounds so weird to say that still! 

Now that I am pregnant I have become so much more aware of how toxic so many of my makeup and skincare/beauty products really are. It is actually insane once you start looking into it. During my research I have actually come across an ah-mazing website that allows you to search different beauty products for a score of their toxicity based on different chemicals and products used. You can check it out here: www.ewg.org/skindeep . I mean, some products I just can’t let go regardless but I think it is always best to be educated and as knowledgeable as possible about what we are putting our skin as it eventually makes its way to our blood stream. 

This is why when I was contacted by Sara Elizabeth Skincare to come in for a customized botanical facial I was more than thrilled. I have always been a huge fan of using products that feature ingredients as close to their natural state as possible, i.e. I am no stranger to an avocado mask, or using tea tree oil as spot treatment. So when I went to Sara Elizabeth I fell in love with the way she seemed to be almost an artist or a scientist who knows how to utilize ingredients found in nature to the best of their abilities. My favorite part of the facial was when she massaged raw Manuka honey into my skin. Yep, you read that right – honey. Not just any honey though. This is Manuka honey, a honey that produced in New Zealand by bees who pollinate the Manuka bush. This particular type of honey is said to have a higher # of enzymes than your typical honey which make it work like an antibacterial (draxe.com). Sara Elizabeth shared with me how it is similar to tea tree oil in that I could use it as a spot treatment or just use it as a mask whenever I am feeling dry as it is also an amazing humectant (moisturizer). Not to mention, you can eat the stuff and that comes with a whole slew of its own benefits as well!

Some of my top favorite beauty products right now:

Billion Dollar Brows – Brows on Point WaterproofMicro Brow Pencil – Obsessing over this lately! It goes on so smoothly and creates such a natural look for the brows. For someone like me who has very sparse brows but I want to fill them in to look as natural as possible this type of brow pencil works wonders. I rotate between this and the Anastasia Brow Wiz however I love that this one is waterproof and a little bit less costly. I have been using this and applying their powder over it to really fill them in when I am going out. PS - take 25% off all brow products at Billion Dollar Brows with code 'BROWOW25' at checkout

Raw Manuka Honey – Wedderspoon Raw Manuka Honey KFactor 16 – This one doubles as a beauty essential and a kitchen essential. You really can’t go wrong with this one. I have been using in at-home face masks, spot treatments, and adding to my oatmeal every morning. My Dr. said it was safe to use during pregnancy although it is considered “raw”, however I do suggest speaking with your Dr. first prior to consuming anything “raw” if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Side note – this does have a different taste than traditional honey but once you get used to it you will probably become obsessed!

My current at-home mask for glowing skin:
 1 teaspoon Mashed Avocado
1 tablespoon Raw Manuka Honey
1 teaspoon of lemon juice
1 teaspoon Organic Whole Milk Yogurt
1/4 cup of uncooked oatmeal
*variation from Wedderspoon.com

Sara Elizabeth Cucumber & Mango Butter Calming Cream – I have been using this as my go-to moisturizer since my facial with Sara Elizabeth last week. I am slightly obsessed with all of her products already but this one has quickly become a favorite. I use it to moisturize in the morning and evenings being sure to slather it on my neck as well. This one does not leave you feeling greasy like I have found with some other moisturizers. Just leaves your skin feeling supple and soft! I love that is has so many natural ingredients such as mango butter, olive oil, and sunflower seed oil!  

Shop my favorites below:

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale | Early Access Favorites

All items part of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale!

Jacket: Topshop / Sunglasses: Illesteva / Bag: Rebecca Minkoff / Jeans: AG Jeans / Shoes: Sam Edelman / Top: Sea

 

Some of us (eh hem!) have been slightly seriously obsessing over the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. There is ONE more day to shop early access. This means you still have an opportunity to snag up your favorite pieces before everyone gets access this Friday - and items sell out fast! I used to think this sale was just Nordstrom marking down all of their old items to make way for new season, but I was wrong. They actually are marking down NEW fall items guys - what a way to jump start your fall wardrobe. Also, if you don't have a Nordstrom card and can't shop early access I recommend just going through and bookmarking all of your top picks so that on Friday morning you can be sure to get your favs before they sell out! 

For myself I am going to have to focus mainly on shoes, bags, & accessories since my baby bump is going to just be getting bigger this fall but I am sooo jealous because some of my favorite jeans are included in the sale! 

Shop some of my favorites above & below! 

xx