Sustainable Beauty Brands I Want to Try

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Due to a few recent birthdays, I've found myself doing a lot of online gift shopping. One of my favorite features on a lot of websites that I love (like Nordstrom and Anthro) are that they have special webpages made to curate gift suggestions that fit every budget and occasion. I also popped onto Sephora's website because they always have great sets, and I was literally shocked that they are already advertising Christmas gifts! I had seen some YouTube videos starting to pop up about these sets, but I wasn't expecting anything about buying holiday gifts for at least another few weeks. 

All that aside, beauty gift sets are great ways to try out a few products from a brand for a reasonable price. I'm lucky in that my skin is pretty normal and calm overall, but if you have sensitive skin, sets are great if you aren't sure how your skin will react to a product. Many of the clean beauty brands now are selling gift sets, so I thought I would round up some of the sets from brands I want to try.

DRUNK ELEPHANT

I have heard a million and one good things about Drunk Elephant, and the products both are natural while also being punchy and chic. A fun travel set is a great way to test out a number of their products (it includes 8 different skincare items!). This brand is definitely pricey, so sampling before hand is the way to go.

HERBIVORE BOTANICAL

Herbivore Botanical (shown above) is such a beautifully crafted, elegantly designed natural skincare brand. This set, which is meant to add hydration and glow to your skin, features some makeup routine essentials like rosewater spray. My skin generally dries out in the winter, so this kit seems like a perfect way to balance out my skin in the cold. 

RMS BEAUTY

I like to think of this brand like the Glossier of clean beauty. Almost all of their products come in sleek pots and offer minimal, light coverage for those days when you don't need a full face of makeup. This set is a bit pricier, but it's totally customizable and all the products are full-size. Also, RMS Beauty was one of the first totally clean beauty brands that I heard about when I read No More Dirty Looks.

E.L.F. COSMETICS

If you love cosmetics and know your way around the CVS Beauty aisle, then you are probably familiar with or own a few Elf Cosmetics products. Elf is nothing new - they make great, affordable makeup that is cruelty-free and natural. Elf was the brand that started out as $1 makeup at the drugstore, and I'll be honest, in those first few years, there were certainly some misses. But now? Elf makes great makeup and the price hasn't gone up much, meaning you can try out fun lip colors or eye products without hurting your wallet. Need convincing? They have roughly 20 different gift sets available for this holiday season, and the one linked is my favorite!

Midweek Five | September 26

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Let me start this post by saying a huge happy birthday to my sister (for real this time!). She's the best and such a big blog supporter. She's also the coolest and most fashionable 16 year-old I know, so maybe I should feature more of her on here ;)

On another note, hope everyone is having a great week! Here's what I've been up to:

O N E 

I received another fun package in the mail from Influenster over the weekend, and one of the coolest items in the box was this fluoride-free, all natural whitening toothpaste with charcoal. This stuff tastes a little bit funny because of the charcoal, but overall I really like it so far. Charcoal is supposed to be really good and both whitening your teeth naturally and also getting rid of odors, so I'm excited to keep trying out this product.

T W O

I was taking biotin regularly for a little while and then I ran out of vitamins, but I got a new bottle in the mail and I have also been taking Vitamin D3 and a normal multivitamin. One of my 101 in 1001 items is to take vitamins daily for at least one month, and so far so good. I'm hoping to see a difference in my nails and hair with the biotin and see if the D3 makes any noticeable changes for me. I'll be sure to keep you updated!

T H R E E

In the past week, I watched the entire first season of the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. It's so good if you haven't seen it yet! I am a teeny bit annoyed that my TV doesn't have an Amazon app, so I've been watching on my laptop. The show is a bit more raunchy than Gilmore Girls, but I think that's just because there is more leeway online than on normal cable TV. Season 2 needs to start soon!

F O U R

How chic are the Chanel slingbacks in the photo above? I posted about a similar style in my Work Wardrobe post on Monday and I kind of really would love to add them to my professional outfits.

F I V E

This weekend I am off to Baltimore to check off another 101 in 1001 item - visiting my school for a fall homecoming. We have both fall and spring homecoming, with the fall homecoming for just recent alumni and the spring homecoming for all alumni, which aligns with our lacrosse season. I can't wait to see everyone including my fam and some of my friends that I went on Spring Break with last year, and eat some of the yummy Baltimore food that I've been missing. 

Building A Work Wardrobe

Hope everyone had a good weekend! I have one week until I am back at school for our fall homecoming weekend, and until then I will be spending lots of time working on job applications and reading up about employment opportunities. At the same time when I ordered my dress for my sister's Sweet 16 party, I also got a few work dresses in the mail to have on hand for anything that may come up! It's really important to me that I start building a work wardrobe that is both professional and doesn't completely compromise personal style. I have a few pieces already that would work in a job setting, but I know there are way more things I need to up my game.

I know that I definitely need a blazer since I somehow have made it 23 years without needing one in my wardrobe before, and I also like having pants and blouses to rotate with dresses and to wear when it's cold outside. I also own work-appropriate black heels, but think it would be wise to have a pair in navy as well. Lastly, the classic Chanel slingbacks have been popping up on my Instagram really frequently, and I kind of love them even though they also give me "old lady" vibes. I think a similarly styled pair would be so fun to have for work for elegant and timeless looks. 

An Ode to the Pink Coat

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Today's fashion post is all about one of my top wishlist items for fall and winter... a pink coat! I have been in love with pink coats ever since I saw Lauren Graham wearing one in Gilmore Girls and I thought "wow, she looks so chic." Pink is the perfect color to add some sunshine and warmth to cold months and in a light blush shade, is even as neutral as wearing black, navy, or camel.

These two coats are everything! The pink coat is the one item from Gilmore Girls fashion that has stuck with me over time, and I am loving the wide range of Lorelai inspired outerwear recently. On a similar note, I just started the new Amy Sherman-Palladino show (she directed Gilmore Girls) on Amazon, which is The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. I always thought this show was something I'd enjoy, but I hadn't taken the plunge to watch it. After the Emmy's on Monday night though, I began the show and one of the first things I noticed is that Rachel Brosnahan also sports an iconic pink coat in the beginning! Is it a sign?

If you've watched either show, tell me what your favorite fashion moments are! And check out some of my favorite pink coats for fall below.

Midweek Five | September 19

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It's been such a week! I took off from blogging on Friday and Monday because I was doing final preparations for my sister's Sweet 16 party, which was on Sunday night and was such a good time. I had the best day seeing family, dancing the night away with all of my sister's friends, and seeing her enjoy such a special party all about her! I am still exhausted but recovering, and now that the party is over that means fall is in full swing.

O N E

I went with my sister to get her hair done the morning of the party and before blowing out my hair, my hairdresser also decided that I should put a colored glaze in it. I absolutely love the results! The color now is a bit more chestnut-y and almost reddish than my natural color. Plus, the color is semi-permanent and doesn't involve bleach or anything of that nature so it will naturally fade out after a while and then I can always try another shade.

T W O

Reese Witherspoon kicked off her book tour in New York City on Monday night and it looked like such a fun time! My favorite blogger crew was all there to hang out with her and honestly I wish I was part of their squad - Carly, Julia, Mackenzie, Carly Hill and more! If only Kelly was there and then all my favorite bloggers would have been in one place.

T H R E E

Yesterday, Fran shared her fall wishlist and I am in love with everything she has picked out. I love all the neutrals, textures, and shapes that she chose to include. I'm starting to itch for fall and all of its activities, like apple picking and watching the leaves change. Should I share a moodboard or wishlist for the season too?

F O U R

I watched the Emmy's last night and some of the fashion was So. Good. On my list of best dressed? Sarah Paulson, Sandra Oh, and Jessica Biel. Also a major congrats to Rachel Brosnahan, Alex Bornstein, and Amy Sherman-Palladino (of Gilmore Girls fame) for all the amazing wins for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel! 

F I V E

As I mentioned, I am craving fall super badly right now! Some great bucket lists that I want to tackle include this one from Tuckernuck, this one from Julia of Gal Meets Glam, and this old one from Carly the Prepster. And of course, I need to keep adding to my 101 in 1001 list.

Midweek Five | September 12

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Lots of exciting stuff happening this week in the fashion world and beyond... Keep reading to find out ;)

O N E

Burberry is in the news this week for a huge sustainable reason! The brand released an official statement saying that it would no longer burn unsold goods. This was done in the past as a way to prevent the brand's items from being sold at lower prices and 'tainting' the brand image. But, we know that burning millions of dollars of unused jackets, handbags, and cashmere scarves is anything but good for the environment. So, they are finally changing their practice and not burning anymore clothing. AND Burberry also said that it would stop using real fur in its products as well. It's a double win for Burberry this week. 

T W O

In other exciting fashion news, J.Crew is now available on Amazon. Cue the fall shopping spree! If you've been following along for a while, it's obvious that J.Crew is one of my favorite stores for elevated basics and just all-around classic styles that can carry me from year to year. Things in their capsule collection that would be perf for fall? This sweater, this jacket, and this dressy tee.

T H R E E

On the Sweet 16 countdown, there are only 4 days left until party day! I ended up deciding against a jumpsuit for the party since it's a pain to use the bathroom (real struggles), so instead I will be wearing this adorable dress. I will probably pair the dress with these heels that I've had for a while, but if I'm being honest they are not the most comfortable, so leave your best suggestions for wearing heels all night long below!

F O U R

In honor of the anniversary of 9/11 yesterday, here is a beautiful tribute performed by the New York City Ballet. Read the description box on the video for a closer look at what this piece represents. I've loved this piece ever since the first time I saw it, and I hope you enjoy it too.

F I V E

The weather this week has cooled down significantly, which has made me experience some kind of dejavu that I can't place. I love fall, and I'm excited about the fashion, the coziness, and (if I'm being honest) the fall holidays. But I'm also not ready for summer to end! What are your favorite ways to ring in the new season without diving straight into pumpkin spice and Halloween?

I will not be publishing new posts on Friday or Monday because of my sister's party this weekend. See you next week!

How I Keep Learning After College

We are in single digits to my sister's Sweet 16 party and this week is going to be crazy with last minute planning. But, in the midst of the chaos, I have been really enjoying spending this summer finding new ways to keep educating myself on topics that I am interested in. Now that I have lots of free time, I am loving exploring more career material, as well as topics that I wouldn't have studied at school.

R E A D I N G
I have been spending SO much time this season reading books. I made a Goodreads account and it's become my new favorite app! Between biographies, career books, and more, I have read a total of 11 books so far this summer and am really close to my yearly goal of 15. I also added a Goodreads widget to my blog so you can see my most recent reads at any given time.

P O D C A S T S
For career and blogging advice, podcasts have become a new fave. I love listening to Danielle and Brooke chat during Gals on the Go and I also really like learning more about the intersection of fashion and technology on The Glossy Podcast. This one is great because there are a lot of guests who talk about ethical and sustainable fashion, which I really enjoy.

T E D  T A L K S
This also goes for just YouTube in general, because it's crazy how much you can learn now on the Internet! TED Talks (and other conference speeches) are great because they cover such a wide range of stuff, and some are incredibly funny or insightful. Besides TED Talks, TED-Ed is great for learning new subjects and I also have recently loved watching Mayim Bialik (of Big Bang Theory fame) on her channel.

N E W S L E T T E R S
There are a few daily newsletters that I subscribe to, and they each have different focuses. I read TheSkimm to get overviews of what is happening in the news globally and domestically, but if I want a bit more pop culture news I reach for The Newsette. I also am subscribed to a few climate science newsletters that I like to skim, and also The Daily Good which provides snapshots of people to follow, places to visit, and things to read, all with an emphasis on ethics and sustainability.

E N G A G E
Sometimes, the best way to keep learning and be exposed to new points of view is to chat with friends! Recently a group of friends and I had a conversation about this piece which was written for the New York Times about Gwyneth Paltrow and Goop. We didn't all agree about what the article meant or its intentions, but that made the conversation all that more engaging. If you've read this article yourself, I'm curious what your thoughts are about it, so be sure to comment below!

How I (Try to) Think Sustainably About Fast Fashion

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Happy Friday! This week was back-to-school for my younger sister, and I'm starting to get those fall vibes. Which can only mean one thing - that picking out some new staples for fall will be happening soon. 

As with any college student or recent post-grad on a budget, sometimes it seems like the only place to look for clothes are the hip fast fashion retailers in my mall. Forever 21 is my "go-to" fast fashion store, because I find that they have a wide range of styles and trends so I can find something I like even if I'm not hopping on the newest fashion bandwagon. (I refused to buy off the shoulder tops for the entirety of their reign, and I'm hoping they don't come back next summer.)

Below, I'm sharing some of my tips for how I think consciously about what I purchase at Forever 21 and other fast fashion stores.

LOOK FOR TIMELESS SILHOUETTES, COLORS, AND STYLES.

When shopping at stores like Forever 21, I mostly try to look for items that have classic shapes and styles. I know what looks right on my body and try on before buying or make sure that there is a good return policy (F21 lets you return now!) I don't purchase clothes in colors that will wash me out, look badly with my skintone, and I stay away from items that I think are "cool" but realistically will never wear.

TRY TO PURCHASE ITEMS MADE FROM NATURAL FIBERS.

I find that items made from 100% cotton or other natural fibers hold up better over time and are more comfortable to wear, meaning that I will get more use out of the item. Also purchasing natural fabrics is one way to be sustainable and not support synthetic fiber production.

 THINK ABOUT HOW MANY WAYS YOU CAN WEAR IT.

There are times when I get more use out of a top from Forever 21 than one I bought elsewhere because I just love the color, it matches a lot of my other clothes, or I can use it to make many different outfits. If I can think of at least 3-5 different ways to wear the same piece, it is worth it to me. This way, I don't have to overbuy and I can ensure that the pieces I have are ones I really want to wear, while also sticking to a budget.

PICK SEASON-LESS ITEMS.

Take the example of a striped long sleeve or three-quarter sleeve tee. This shirt is essentially season-less! Paired with a quilted vest, jeans and riding boots in the fall, or with shorts and sandals in the summer, this is something you can wear all year round. Odds are, if you purchase a year-long piece that you really love, you will get tons of wear out of the piece and won't be trapped in the trend of needing new clothes weekly.

DON'T JUST BUY IT BECAUSE EVERYONE ELSE IS.

Plain and simple - don't purchase something you hate just because it is "in style." Fashion is all about self expression, and sometimes that means wearing what you like even if no one else is.

TAKE ITEMS TO THE TAILOR.

There are so many occasions in which I've found myself hating something I bought just because it doesn't fit 100% right. Taking items to a tailor who can make them fit your body better helps eliminate the problem of throwing away otherwise-good clothes because of the fit.

CHECK FOR DEFECTS BEFORE BUYING.

A lot of people will comment that fast fashion clothes quickly wear out and get torn/broken/stained, but I'll admit that some of my most worn pieces are from fast fashion retailers and that I've had them for years. Before buying, check that there are no unraveling seams, pulls in knits, and that there are no holes or stains. Then, make sure that you are gentle with your wearing and washing. 

All in all, my feeling is that it doesn't matter whether you purchase fast or slow fashion if you end up tossing your clothes on a weekly or monthly basis. For me, fast fashion is a way to try new trends and also find items I love without breaking the bank. BUT, the important thing is that I shop with the idea in mind that I am intending to keep that item for as long as possible, not just to wear once and be done with. Fast fashion works because we keep buying more, more, more and throwing out last week's style. If we treat these fast fashion purchases as investments as well, then our inclination to buy into the "fast" world of fashion significantly decreases.

Do you agree? How do you feel about fast fashion when shopping on a budget?

Midweek Five | September 5

Happy hump day! This past weekend was such a fun one. I went into the city with two of my best friends from college to celebrate my birthday, and then spent Monday at the beach soaking up the last unofficial day of summer. I can't believe everyone is back to school tomorrow!

O N E

I recently have become such a huge fan of The Good Trade. Their website is all about lifestyle, fashion, and beauty, but with an emphasis on ethics and sustainability. They have some really great posts that I have loved reading including this one, this one, and this one.

T W O

For my birthday, I got the second two books in the Crazy Rich Asians series (China Rich Girlfriend, Rich People Problems). I recently saw the movie and loved it, so I was really excited when I heard that they are already signed on for a sequel. I swear, I laugh so hard at every one of Awkwafina's lines, and I have been watching funny interviews with her nonstop.

T H R E E

The dress I'm wearing above was a last minute find for the city, and I loved wearing it! This dress was the perfect transitional piece between summer and winter and was so easy and comfortable to wear out at night. You can shop the dress I'm wearing here.

F O U R

Over the past year I've been Pinterest-ing pretty aggressively and I have an entire board curated to remind me of the good vibes I want to have for the rest of 2018. If you haven't already followed me on Pinterest, check out my account! I used to be a hardcore Tumblr user (I'm still on there!), but now I am loving Pinterest more and more.

F I V E

Last Thursday was the first day of classes at Hopkins, and I was so sad thinking about what I might have been doing at this very time last year - prepping a new dance team, organizing all my syllabuses, and getting acclimated to a new year of learning. It's such a surreal feeling not to be back in school, but I still love this season, so if you want to see any Back to School content, please let me know!

White on White

I'm a sucker for irony, so today's post is all about how to wear white on white for the "pre-fall" season. Today might be Labor Day, but I surely won't be putting away my white pants anytime soon.

FOR RUNNING ERRANDS

The Inspiration

The Outfit

Laid back white jeans are cool in a cropped flare, paired with a slim fitting camel sweater and gold accessories. Add sneakers for an easy about-town look. And yes, I'm including shades of off-white and beige as "white" for this post ;)

sweater / jeans (🌱local, transparency) / sneakers / belt (🌱social) / earrings (🌱local)

FOR A NIGHT OUT

The Inspiration

The Outfit
A loose fitting sweater tucked into a distressed denim skirt will keep you warm up top when the temps start to drop, and will work perfectly for a fun night out look. Add in pops of blush pink with a sleek bag and fun heels. Throw on some gold jewelry as a final touch, and this look is ready for a night on the town. Just make sure not to order any red wine.

sweater / skirt / bracelet (🌱fair trade) / crossbody bag (🌱local, transparency) / mules (🌱vegan, transparency)

FOR A WORK MEETING

The Inspiration

The Outfit
Sleek work trousers and a sleeveless shell are office appropriate, and adding a blazer works both when the AC is blasting as well as when the temperature drops outside. Black accessories pull the look together and coordinate with the blazer's contrast buttons.

trousers (🌱fair trade) / blazer / shell / pumps (🌱vegan) / watch

FOR BRUNCH WITH FRIENDS

The Inspiration

The Outfit

A lightweight jumpsuit is the perfect thing for a day with friends, and a cashmere wrap adds warmth (plus, it will last forever!) Pair with classic wedges and some fun sunnies.

jumpsuit / cashmere wrap / wedges / sunglasses (🌱social)

Image Sources

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