What outfit isn't made better after accessorizing? Today I'm teaming up with Ruby Olive to style their awesome jewelry for these chillier days! If you like statement pieces be sure to check out their website for some funky earrings like the ones I'm wearing here (mine are the "white multi")! Everything I ordered was surprisingly light weight, and their aesthetic is fun and bright all year round.

In the winter and fall it can be difficult to find clothes that feel my style. I'm all about the cozy sweaters and giant blanket scarves, but I love them even more when they're colorful! When I first saw this Marlowe Boutique cardigan on instagram I knew I had to have it, and it's been a staple in my closet ever since - whether I'm wrapped up in it at work, or staying warm during my Christmas shopping trips. The texture goes perfectly with these earrings and gives a whimsical vibe that I really like! 

Expect to see more of my Ruby Olive accessories in the future, and in the mean time be sure to browse their collection here.

 

You might not know this about me since I rarely wear them when styling my shoots, but I love glasses. In elementary school I wanted them so badly that I convinced my mom to buy me a fake pair from Claire's. I wore them everyday in the 4th grade until they broke in a highly competitive game of Red Rover during recess! Then in the 6th grade I started noticing how difficult it was to see from the back row, and finally got my first real pair.

Glasses are a great way to express your style, and although I usually opt for contacts now I still like to have a couple trendy pairs for when I feel like mixing things up!

Most recently I discovered discountglasses.com, which had huge savings from the cost of purchasing from the doctor's office, and a much larger variety of frames. I already had a more classic style, so I decided it was time to go a little crazy with the color!

These hot pink frames were perfect, since I'm always trying to find a way to incorporate bright shades into my fall wardrobe. Plus the ordering process was so easy, and they were delivered right to my door! 

If you're looking for some new specs be sure to check out Discount Glasses!

These glasses were provided at no cost in exchange for my review, however all opinions are my own.

When Brittany and I visited San Diego this year, I made Holy Matcha my number 1 priority for our first morning of vacation. While I try to avoid caffeine, matcha is one of those things I just can't resist. It's a pretty controversial drink (you either love it or hate it) but I've never met a matcha latte I didn't like.* 

*as long as it's sweetened. Unsweetened matcha tastes like grass, sorry about it.

Since it was a sunny day in San Diego, we both decided to go for their iced options. Mine included a strawberry puree, for a little extra natural sweetness that I loved and Brit kept hers classic. Both were a delicious start to our day, especially with the donuts we shared!

Hopefully Seattle get's a good matcha shop sometime soon, but until then I'm definitely planning to return next time I'm in San Diego. From the refreshing drinks to the pink booths and leafy walls, Holy Matcha did not disappoint!

I've tried countless products over the years, and up until recently I rarely bought the same thing twice. This past year I decided to get serious about my skin, and I finally feel like I've nailed down a routine that works for me!

I've been using each of these products for a minimum of two months, and started incorporating them gradually in order to help determine what worked and what didn't. Keep in mind, I don't tend to have acne prone skin. I mostly suffer from combination skin, blackheads, and occasional hormonal breakouts on my chin. If you experience any of these problems, these are the products I feel have helped me be more confident!

1. Micellar Water - I've been using micellar water as my eye makeup remover for the past couple of years now, and really swear by it. Unlike other eye makeup removers, micellar water isn't oily and leaves my skin feeling clean and fresh even if it's the only product I have on hand (ie. if I'm camping or traveling and packed lightly). From what I've experienced from trying a few different brands is that there isn't much difference between them. I frequently purchase Garnier or Simple.

Garnier actually makes two different kinds - regular strength and waterproof strength. The one pictured above is the latter, which I only use on the rare occasions that I'm wearing waterproof mascara or heavy eyeshadow/lip-stains. Because of the strength I have found that this version is slightly more oily and usually requires a water rinse after. I prefer the regular strength (comes with a pink lid) and use it everyday. 

2. Glossier Milky Jelly - I usually follow micellar water with a cleanser to remove foundation, and my brow color. Milky jelly smells like rose water, and has proven gentle and light! I either wash as usual with a damp cloth, or use with my Clarisonic.

3. Thayer's Rose Petal Witch Hazel - Witch Hazel is another product I've been using for years and have tried in multiple brands. I recently switched to Thayers after another blogger recommended it. I like that the Rose Petal mist still gives me the fresh feeling of witch hazel, while combining it with a rose water spray. I also choose the spray bottle over the usual spout, since it saves money on cotton pads, which I already use for the micellar water. I couldn't find a link to the spray bottle online, but I usually can find it in the skincare aisle of Target.

4. Glossier Priming Moisturizer - Moisturizer is hands down my favorite step of the routine. I feel like I've tried a billion different kinds, but have recently landed on Glossier's moisturizer after getting a sample in their Melrose store! The only downside is that it doesn't contain SPF. The upside is that you can buy it in a 3 pack with their cleanser and lip balm.

5. Aveda Energizing Eye Creme - Honestly does any one know if eye creams really work? I've been using this off and on since my facial at Origin Salon and haven't really figured out if I'm noticing a difference or not. This is one product I don't think I'll purchase again, but figured I should include since I've been using it more frequently lately. 

6. Porefector - Besides my moisturizer, this is one step I can't go without. I discovered Porefector after the small business owner behind this solution messaged me about trying a sample, and fell in love with it immediately. Their website has a variety of uses listed, but I use it daily on my blackheads and whenever needed as a spot treatment. The black heads on my nose have been pretty persistent since middle school, and this is the first thing that I really feel has made an actual difference.

Plus whenever I experience the start of a hormonal breakout, I've rubbed a bit on the area twice a day until it disappears. Without Porefector, my hormonal breakouts would usually swell below the skin and stay there painfully for a few days, or appear bright red and obvious on my chin. Now I can usually feel them when I touch the area for a couple days until they're gone completely, but most don't ever get the chance to be visible and I haven't experience any that are painful. Unlike other strong spot treatments, Porefector hasn't ever made my skin dry or flakey, so it stays easy to apply my concealer and foundation.

*2.5. Glossier Solution - This product kinda throws a loop through my typical routine, but I use it when I'm experiencing extra dryness (which unfortunately happens more often in the winter). After my facial I stopped using exfoliants that scrub, since discovering it was making my dryness worse. I just pump a bit of solution onto a cotton round and lightly rub it on my face before moisturizing. On days when I use solution, I skip Porefector to keep from overwhelming my skin. Glossier recommends daily use if you have extreme dryness or are acne prone, but I've been using it maybe once a week or so.

​I hope this is helpful! It seems like a lot, but overall it takes about 5-10 minutes each night. In the morning I do a three step program, with just the witch hazel, moisturizer, and Porefector before applying my makeup.

Whenever I'm planning a trip to a new place, the first thing I do is look up all the cutest places to eat, so it's fitting that my first post about New Orleans is about Hansen's Sno-Bliz Shop!

I saved posts about Hansen's on instagram long before I knew we'd be visiting NOLA, and knew I wanted to make it a priority. Luckily we found time to take an Uber (about 20 min from the French Quarter) Saturday night with two of Ty's younger cousins! Traveling with kids is the perfect excuse to stop for dessert as often as possible, and they hopped on the chance to try Sno-Bliz.

The shop itself feels very classic. Hansen's is family owned and opened in 1939 - that's 79 years of snowballs! The walls are lined with photos taken through the decades to really show off the history of the business. Back before the shop was opened, Mary Hansen created the flavors herself and would sell snowballs for only 2 cents! In 2018 they cost a bit more (about $5 a piece) but there are a variety of sizes to choose from.

I wanted the plastic cup as a souvenir, so we ordered a medium to share. If you have a big group that's in agreement on a flavor you can even order a party bucket for > $30!

For a place that seemed like a hole in the wall, Hansen's was clearly popular and had a line when we arrived. The guy in front of us seemed to be a regular, and helped us out by recommending his favorite flavors. Ours was a Thai tea with coconut milk and tasted so so good! The snow was incredibly soft - a huge step up from the rainbow snow cones the ice cream man sells. 

I'm really glad we were able to take a bit of an excursion from Bourbon Street for the evening. The trip to Hansen's was fun, and we all left with a satisfied sweet tooth! Next time you're visiting New Orleans I definitely recommend you swing by to try one of the many flavors.  Exploring local favorites and small businesses is always so exciting, and Hansen's Sno-Bliz did not disappoint!