Everyday Essentials

Most days my outfits are pretty formulaic — tee, jeans, sneaks or sandals. DONE. Unless I have a meeting, I know some girls love their leggings but you’ll for sure see me in jeans or denim shorts.

I can tell you that even nearly eight years later, I still find it so strange to take professional photos of myself and share them in this online space. I love having the platform and writing but I don’t think having photos of myself will ever feel natural. And, you don’t even see the behind-the-scenes as people are walking by, likely thinking… why is this girl in a random pair of jeans and sandals having her photo taken?! I laugh thinking about what they must be thinking.

Alas, here I am, sharing photos of outfits that make me happy, outfits that I really wear, and everyday essentials that hopefully help you pull your wardrobe together in new ways because it shouldn’t always be about new, new, new. For what it’s worth, this Gap tee is ancient. I’m not going to buy a new striped shirt. It can be tempting when you’re in front of the camera to want to show you newer pieces but that’s not real life (and not ideal for the budget!).

Hope you have a great weekend and do something just for you. I have very little on the calendar and I’m VERY excited about that. Perhaps I’ll do another canonball in the pool, like I did last weekend!

If I’m being candid, I love how vibrant my eyes, skin and lip color look in these photos.

Here’s the scoop on how I’m getting longer lashes, plus I am so in love with NARS lip products (you can test them with this $22 duo, free shipping), and this daily lactic acid treatment by Sunday Riley (you can also try this $28 tester pack) and this “baby facial” mask by Drunk Elephant are making my life. Sounds extreme and they’re admittedly a little pricey but I can’t get over how much better they’re making my skin look and feel. Check out the reviews… they clearly live up to the hype, and are great investments for brighter, smoother skin. If you ever get facials or are considering one, skip one and get one or both of these instead. 

GET THE EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS LOOK

Tee: Gap (insanely old; similar here, here or browse here)

Jeans: Levi’s (also recently got these at Old Navy in size 2P and LOVE)

Sandals: Birkenstocks (at Nordstrom and Zappos)

Earrings: Cynthia Rybakoff (bought at an arts space in NYC)

Tote: Madewell (comes in 4 colors)

Photo credit: Erica Dunhill