Friday Five
Welcome to the first Friday Five post of the year! It's been a while since I do one of these and these are actually my favorite posts to write so I'm going to try really hard to incorporate it into my blog as often as possible. If you're new here, my Friday five posts just consist of five things that I will talk about, which can range from life updates, home updates, or anything that I'm loving at the moment.
1. If you saw my December favorites you would've seen me talk about Le Labo's Another 13.. it has been EVERYTHING lately. This is one of those scents that every time you put it on SOMEONE compliments you. It is so unique and beautiful & I cannot stop wearing it! I have mentioned Le Labo so often lately but it is for a very good reason! It smells like luxury with a hint of masculinity while still retaining femininity. It's so perfect 😩2. The Ordinary is a skincare brand that I've been trying out for about a month and a half now and I am so happy with the results I've had in such a short period of time. Granted, I am using alot of new products which have, most likely, also contributed to the changes but I wanted to highlight two products that really bring my skin back to life post application.The first one is their Glycolic acid 7% toning solution, (pictured above) I use this once or twice a week and I notice a huge difference in my skin when I wake up in the morning. I am just free of dead skin, my face looks so plump and glowy in the morning. I definitely recommend incorporating at least one chemical exfoliant in your routine once or twice a week, I actually prefer them over physical exfoliants. This just helps me bring my skin back to life when it is looking extra dull.
I have three serums from them which I've been using every day and really love, but as far as instant gratification goes, their buffet serum is your guy! Right after I put this on, my skin feels plump and ready to go, it helps everything that I put on top of it go on so smoothly. Of course, despite it looking great right after application, it is actually doing something for your skin, this is the perfect cocktail packed with peptides.3. I know that the Ouai texturing hair spray (first picture) is a VERY hyped about product, but honestly... it's for a good reason. This not only gives your hair volume and texture but it somehow keeps your hair style put without making your hair feel hard or weird. I also really love the Amica bombshell blowout spray, which can be used on damp or dry hair, I ran out of that one, which is why I tried this one but I genuinely love both.
4. If you guys have been up to date with my IG or channel you probably already know my dining room is slowly but surely coming together. One of the most frequently asked questions I get is if I'm going to do a full house tour soon & LORDDDD, furnishing a house takes so much time! I promise those videos are coming... but it takes time to get things exactly how you want it, & even then, you will never feel like it's finished. I've lived here since last April and now is when I finally have a dining room.I knew from the beginning I didn't want my entire house to be mid-century, there is nothing wrong with having everything one style but, personally, I love mixing because I feel like it brings coziness and warmth to spaces. This is why I opted for a barn-style table. I have always loved colonial dining rooms so I wanted to incorporate that into my home... but with my twist, of course. The dark wood brings so much warmth to this space and I think it makes such a great contrast with the walls.
Some people wouldn't advise mixing dark chairs with a dark table but since the chairs are iron, I think it gives it a little bit of an industrial touch while still retaining the colonial aspect. My chandelier is from west elm and I think it adds the perfect modern touch. The antique mirror is a hand-me-down from my mom & it is actually going to go on top of a mantle, I've always wanted a fireplace but a real one would cost too much to install and all of the faux ones are too bulky looking so I'm hoping I can find an electric insert that doesn't look too cheesy and we will build a mantle around it. I have yet to design the mantle, but I just know I want it to be sleek, quite narrow & barely there, while still being able to hold this heavy mirror and other little nooks & crannies.I'm excited! Of course once we get started I will document everything.5.
viaQuote of the week.... or of the year. xx
Love For Basics
I often preach about how it's worth spending a little more on good, well-made, versatile, classic pieces but surprisingly I was missing the perfect black button down in my collection & I am so glad I finally came across one that I absolutely love. To begin with, this blouse weighs a little bit more than your average cotton blouse so, no matter how you wear it, it is going to sit beautifully on the body and the buttons are turtoise shell so.... need I say more?
I paired it with my current favorite straight-leg cropped jeans from levis and my patent leather boots. This tote is actually a dust bag for a sezane bag that I purchased a couple of years ago but I love the color and the print of it so much that I've been wearing it as my daily bag.
OUTFIT DETAILS: SUNGLASSES // BLOUSE // BELT // JEANS // BOOTS // WATCH // TOTE (old sezane duster bag)Receive 15% off Daniel Wellington with code GEMARY15 until the end of jan
White On White
Defying the "no white after Labor day" rule and I'm kind of loving it. I've been really into monochromatic white outfits lately, I feel like when paired with the proper coat or layering piece you can definitely get away with wearing it during this time of year.
One of the main things on my wishlist for Black Friday were re/done jeans & I finally bit the bullet and purchased their stovepipe jeans in white and I think it's the best splurge clothing purchase I've made in a while. Now I'm addicted and need them in every color.
I paired the jeans with my current favorite white tee from Grana and my absolute favorite light weight flowy coat, which you guys have seen plenty of times already, from Zara. It has been a while since I wore my high top converse so I thought I'd take them out for a spin and I love how they look paired with everything.
I thought a black faced watch would add a bit more contrast along with a black suede bag to bring a little more fall/winter vibes to the outfit.
OUTFIT DETAILS: Urban Outfitters sunglasses // Grana top (similar) (similar) // Re/Done Stovepipe jeans // High top converse // Everlane bag (old) similar // Daniel Wellington watch // Zara Coat -Receive 15 % off Danielwellington.com with code GEMARY15 till the end of Jan 2018.
Power Suit Trend
Not sure if you've noticed or not but menswear-inspired fashion is very on trend right now. While I do love the trend, I'm not entirely sure it's here to stay for a long time so I decided to go into my closet and replicate the look with some of my favorite pieces.
It's difficult for me to find a blazer that I absolutely love because most of them either have shoulder padding, are too boxy or fall at an awkward length for me. I prefer long lined blazers that are a bit more fitted for a more feminine look. I use to own SO many blazers and I donated every single one of them so I am pretty hesitant to spend money on one that I'm not head over heals for, until then I will have to improvise.I used one of my favorite trench coats to get the look I was going for. I love the fact that this trench isn't stiff, it's very light and flowy so I can manipulate the shape and the sleeves to get whatever look I want.
I feel as though belts at the waist are VERY hit or miss but I am obsessed with the way they look cinching oversized coats or blazers, I think that despite the coat being pretty masculine, the belt at the waist brings back that femininity and elegance. This belt actually isn't meant for the waist but I love the way it looks all twisted like so, I think it adds interest.
I went with a nude shirt underneath so that it gives the appearance that I'm not wearing anything and I liked how the cut of this tank is very low so that, again, it brings back a little femininity.I went with one of my favorite bags from sezane and my Steve Madden Chelsea booties.
To finish up the look, I paired the coat with my black Levis wedgie fit jeans to give the appearance of a matching suit. I love how these jeans are slightly more straight legged as opposed to very skinny, again, this helps mimic the appearance of matching pants to my "suit".OUTFIT DETAILS: NEEDSUPPLY TRENCH (similar) // MANGO BELT // SEZANE BAG // STEVE MADDEN BOOTIES (similar) // URBAN OUTFITTERS UNDERSHIRT // LEVIS JEANS