Author: chelseawp

Crème de la Crème

Happy Humpday! It’s been quite some time since I posted an outfit post, but the wait is over!

I bought this Creme de la Creme Sweatshirt at Nordstom awhile back for only $10! It’s super similar to Zoe Karssen’s style that was retailing for $180! I get a ton of use out of this sweatshirt, dressing it up and dressing it down. It goes perfect with jeans (as pictured here), but it looks great glammed up with a skirt too! There’s no doubt this sweatshirt is versatile, but even so I can safely say I wouldn’t pay the inspiration’s steep price of $180!

This past weekend I decided to dress it up with layers. I chose my favorite Gap Polka Dot Oxford to wear under it and paired it back to my perfectly distressed 501’s. Finish it off with some grey suede heels and I’m ready for fall!

Creme de la Creme Sweatshirt (Sold Out at Nordstom!)- inspiration Zoe Karssen ($180)/ Gap Polka Dot Oxford (On Sale for $32.99) / Levi’s 501’s in Washed Out ($88) / Grey Suede Heels- similar Jessica Simpson Heels ($59.95) / Pink Crossbody- similar at Dorothy Perkins ($39) / Anne Klein Watch ($95) / Wanderlust + Co X Double Crystal Silver Ring ($29) / Marc by Marc Jacobs Sunglasses ($110)

Boo! DIY Repurposed Wine Bottle Halloween Decor

I love going all out for holidays, the food, the decorations, the parties, it’s always a ton of fun! But making your home festive for the holidays can definitely add up if you aren’t careful.

That’s why I try to stick to DIY options, especially for home decor. The best part about DIY is being able to repurpose things you already have around your house and bringing them new life. Last year, I painted a few old wine bottles to add a halloween touch to my apartment and they turned out great! They’ve held up great too, I just took them out of storage to add to my decor this year too!

Things you will need:

Wine bottle(s)
Warm water
Dish soap
Waterproof acrylic paints- These Martha Stewart ones work great!
Paint brushes
Optional- Dish brush

N74-EwKAeaHS8YR7qPCbsFHAiq6JMVtm1GjBnyMVoJs

1uQsCAoUPoVbWxPBDCs_pCFDddUHZXS5UR-sxDK43Ys

Now that you have all your materials, it’s easy!

Remove the label from the wine bottle. This is easier said than done. After I did one, I realized it’s not even worth trying to peel it off dry. I suggest soaking the bottle in hot, soapy water for about an hour. By this time, most labels start to loosen up. Now, you just need to scrub it off. I used a dish brush to help me scrape off the labels. If you are having trouble getting yours off just soak it overnight in hot, soapy water, that will definitely loosen it up!
Once you have a clean bottle, you need to let it dry completely!! This is very important! You do not want to be too eager and start painting before your bottles have thoroughly dried. If you want to speed the process along you can use some rubbing alcohol to dry out the glass.
Now it’s time to paint, get creative with your characters! I love mixing it up with candy corn, jack-o-lantern and frankenstein. But there are tons of possibilities. You can go spooky or sweet! Try spelling out B-O-O or even add ombre to you designs! Just make sure to use waterproof paint!
Voilà! You have some fun new halloween decor that costs next to nothing!

SHOPBOP Friends & Family Sale

If you’re going to splurge, this is the time to do it! It’s SHOPBOP Friends and Family Event! I pulled together some of my favorite items of the sale, just click below to shop and get 25% with the code FAMILY25! And hurry, you only have two days left to shop!

Offer: 25% off purchase [brand exclusions apply]

Promotion Code: FAMILY25

Dates: October 14^th – October 18^th @ 11:59pm PT

How to Stay Cozy and Still Feminine

Whether San Francisco weather feels like it or not, there’s no denying fall is in full swing when scrolling through my instagram feed of pumpkins and flannel.

When living in the Midwest, fall was always my favorite time of year. Nothing is more beautiful than when the leaves start turning color, apple & pumpkin desserts take over pinterest and we start running around in our coziest sweaters & boots. But to be honest, my coziest and comfiest sweaters are not necessarily the most glamorous things in my closet.

It can be hard to find sweaters that get you into the holiday spirit without sporting the hibernating polar bear look. That’s why I pulled together 9 beautiful sweaters (all under $50) that are not only fall appropriate, but completely feminine!

When shopping for cozy sweaters this season, keep these few tips in mind:

Look for feminine details– added details, like bows, hearts, dots, lace, etc. will all add a girly touch, even on oversized silhouettes.
Pair it back to girly pieces– have a graphic or basic sweater? Easy! Wear it with a full skirt, chiffon maxi, or anything to keep it soft and feminine.
Pay attention to shapes– I know sometimes you just want to rock a slouchy sweater and that’s totally fine, but make sure you pair it back with leggings or skinnies to keep the silhouette slimming.
A little glam never hurt anyone– I added a few embellished options below, both rhinestone and sequins, because let’s be real… a little glam never hurt anyone.

Forever 21 Heart Print Sweater ($22.90) / Express Heathered Rhinestone Sleeve Sweater (On Sale for $35.94) / LOFT Embellished 3/4 Sleeve Sweater (On Sale for $32.50) / Kohl’s LC Lauren Conrad Bow Sweater (On Sale for $29.99) / Forever 21 Watercolor Back Sweater ($17.80) / Express Sequin Front Sweater (On Sale for $47.94) / LOFT Embellished Sweatshirt Tee (On Sale for $25) / Kohl’s LC Lauren Conrad Faux-Leather Heart Eyelash Sweater (On Sale for $39.99) / Forever 21 Marled Eyelash-Knit Sweater ($19.80)

Halloween Must Haves

I can hardly believe it, but Halloween is right around the corner! As you start to decorate for this spooooky holiday please remember, halloween decor doesn’t need to be pricey OR tacky!

I love getting some glam pieces, like the gold foil pumpkins, and mixing them with some fun and unexpected things, like the AMAZING skeleton yard flamingo and skeleton hand servers. Don’t take it too seriously, if it makes you smile or chuckle then it’s a great choice!

I pulled together some great decorating options for whatever is on your Halloween agenda. Throwing a dinner party? Check out the dare to dine section! Celebrating day of the dead? Skip to the skeletons! Just keeping it real this Halloween? Go for the modern take on classic pumpkin decor! Whichever you choose, have fun with it and make sure to have a party to show off all your hard work! 🙂

pumped about pumpkins:

Pier 1 Check & Chevron Pumpkins ($12.95 each) / Target Burlap Pumpkin ($10) / Pier 1 Confetti Glass Pumpkins ($11.95 – $16.95) / Pier 1 Gold Foil Pumpkins ($5.95 – $9.95) / Target Chevron Pumpkin ($6)

dare to dine:

Crate and Barrel Tier Graveyard Server ($39.95) / Crate and Barrel Bat Bowl Set ($7.95) / Crate and Barrel Pumpkin Placecard Holder ($3.95) / Kohl’s Owl Salt and Pepper Shaker ($11.19) / Pottery Barn Skeleton Hand Servers ($19.50)

don’t skip the skeletons!:

Oriental Trading Skeleton Yard Flamingo ($15) / World Market Jeweled Eye Skull Set ($19.98) / World Market Los Muertos Candle Set ($19.98) / World Market Cat Skeleton-Set of Two ($39.98) / Crate and Barrel Morelia Plates ($3.95 each)

Marques’Almeida X Topshop

Get excited! Only one more day until fall’s most coveted collaboration hits stores!

Topshop is known for collaborating with the best of the best and investing in young talent. They help emerging designers not only launch a worldwide collection, but become a household name across the globe.

Their latest venture is all about one of fashion’s hottest duos, Marques ‘ Almeida. London based designers, Marta Marques and Paulo Almeida, have been working together since 2009. The pair designed this Topshop collection for teenagers, using fashion they dreamed about as teenagers in Portugal as inspiration. Needless to say, the collaboration has a strong nineties feel, good thing the nineties are coming back! Check out the denim promo included below, it’s all about raw and distressed denim!

The 68-piece collection includes everything from distressed denim, colorful faux fur and raw hems, all ranging from $30 to $500. I put together a slideshow of some of the favorites in the collection. I suggest clicking through now and scouting your must haves- I expect these guys to sell out quick tomorrow morning! Happy shopping!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

H&M- go green, wear blue

H&M.com

Fashion is evolving and so are consumer expectations. We are no longer impressed with a showing of the latest trends and average price points, we want much more! In addition to meeting our already high standards, we’ve thrown some more demands into the mix. We also want to know that our clothes are sustainable and eco-friendly, something we can feel good about wearing around town. And brands are starting to notice the shift in our priorities and are making it easier and easier for us to be a responsible shopper.

H&M’s newest sustainable collection, the Conscious Denim Collection, is a great example. They are combining sustainable materials with sustainable production and making high fashion denim pieces. The collection not only includes every denim fit you will be wearing this fall, but it also has a few great jackets, skirts and accessories. There’s something for everyone, literally! Not only is there an amazing collection for women, but they’ve included men and kids in on the fun too! These items are not only cool, but this is a cause I would be proud to represent.

The full line launched in select stores worldwide and on hm.com October 2nd. Check out some of the looks below, my favorite is the quilted bomber jacket! Share yours in the comments!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

September Birchbox | 2014

TGIF Everyone! October is here and it’s time for me review September’s Birchbox products. If you aren’t familiar with Birchbox, it’s a company offering a subscription to receive monthly samples of beauty products (They offer boxes for both men and women!). I love it because it’s a mini treat to myself once a month and it’s a great, inexpensive way to get introduced to new brands and products. Added bonus- it makes a great gift for the girl (or boy) who has everything! Below is what I found when I opened my September Birchbox, how cute is that patterned box?!?

[birchbox.com]

That bright box included all of the following:

dr. brandt® Exclusive Clean Up Nice Kit

Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm

ChapStick® Dual-Ended Hydration Lock Day & Night

Noir Cosmetics Long-Wear Eyeliner

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum

Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream

Let’s start with the dr. brandt® Exclusive Clean Up Nice Kit. Of this kit, I received the dr. brandt® pores no more® vacuum cleaner and it’s great! After using this cleanser, I could immediately tell a difference in my skin; it felt much softer and was even visibly smoother! As an added bonus, it’s a gel texture, making it easy to apply. After application, it has a cool, tingly effect. I personally love this because I know it’s working! Although I could definitely feel the difference in the texture of my skin, I was most impressed with the visible difference it made! For $45, I’m tempted to try out the rest of the line included in the Clean Up Nice Kit.

Next up is the Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm.This BB cream is not for me. To be fair, I’ve tried quite a few BB creams through my birchbox samples, so I have become a bit picky! Although this cream is great for full coverage, I felt it was much too thick to be BB cream. It felt more like liquid foundation, which I have never been a fan of! I personally prefer more absorbent creams that don’t cake on. That being said, if you are looking for a BB cream with more coverage and thick application, this is for you! I think it would be ideal for anyone with uneven skin tone or blemishes to cover.

Now introducing the ChapStick® Dual-Ended Hydration Lock Day & Night. This duel sided chapstick is a great idea. One side is for day and the other side is for nighttime use! To be honest, I could take or leave the daytime side. I am currently addicted to my moisturizing chapstick and missed the familiar consistency and moisturizing effects of it. That being said, I do love the nighttime side! I found the night formula, to be smooth and moisturizing without being too thick. Also, I have been waking up with much smoother lips, so I know it’s working! If they sold the nighttime formula on it’s own, I would definitely recommend it, but since it’s only available in this dual-sided form, I don’t think it’s worth the buy.

And now it’s time for the Noir Cosmetics Long-Wear Eyeliner. I’ve used a lot of eyeliners in my day and this one definitely impressed me for a pencil application. I personally tend to gravitate to liquid eyeliners. They go on smooth and once dry, they never smudge! But, I always give pencil liners a shot when I get them in my birchbox. Usually, I am disappointed by mid-day when the liner has smudged and I resemble a raccoon, but this time was different! This liner went on smooth and stayed all day! My only complaint is having to sharpen it since it’s an actual pencil application, other than that, it’s a great pencil eyeliner!

Now onto Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum. This sample didn’t resonate with me. Being a serum, the texture was thick and sticky. Although I’m not usually a fan of serums, I will use them if they deliver results. Unfortunately, this serum did nothing for me, not to mention the price tag! Running $79 for only 30 ml, I expected to be wow-ed by this product. I gave it a shot and after a few uses, I noticed no difference in my skin. This serum left me very disappointed and would not recommend for the value.

Lastly, I have the Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream. This moisturizer is serious! I found it too be a little thick and greasy for everyday use, but thought it worked wonders on dry spots! Once I started using it on dry spots like my elbows and feet, I noticed immediate results! This will not be my go to moisturizer, but I definitely think it’s worth keeping around for problem areas. I think I will especially find it effective this winter when my skin dries out!

And that’s it! That wraps it up for this month’s Birchbox products. Craving more? Check out last month’s post, August’s Birchbox Round Ups. Have you heard of any of these products before? Let me know your thoughts of them in the comments below!

Cozy in Capes

Capes are the hottest way to update your wardrobe this season, and the fall runway shows agree! Many designers featured capes in their fall collections, and this trend comes in various forms! It can be transformed from heavy outerwear to funky knits, even incorporating fringe, fur and patterns! I compiled some of my favorite takes on the trend below, all under $100! Which one is your favorite? Share in the comments below!

Sweater Capes:

Nasty Gal ($88)

ASOS ($66.65)

Nasty Gal ($68)

Forever 21 ($29.80)

Blazer Capes:

ASOS ($102.83)

Nasty Gal ($68)

Forever 21 ($32.80)

Nasty Gal ($68)

Fringe Capes:

ASOS ($41.89)

ASOS ($47.61)

Outerwear Capes:

Nordstrom ($98)

H&M ($99)

Nasty Gal ($88)

Forever 21 ($32.99)

Happily Ever After

Today my husband and I are celebrating a very happy six month anniversary! I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to finally share wedding photos from our big day!

Every moment of our wedding was amazing. Below I’ve included some of my favorite memories of the day, from start to finish! We are so grateful for our incredible wedding party and parents who helped us with every step along the way. We couldn’t be happier with how the day turned out and these pictures help us relive it over and over!