{Makeup Must-Haves} What's in my bag...

I’ve never been the type of gal who piles on the makeup.

My makeup minimalism is especially easy to pull off in the summer months. Skin bronzed and hair sun-bleached blonde, summertime gives that enviable natural glow and it’s oftentimes easy to leave the house wearing little more than a swipe of moisturizer, mascara and a tinted chapstick... And a sundress of course.  

But in the winter months—and especially the winter months in Chicago— I find myself relying much more heavily on a makeup routine—one that will not only protect me from the elements, but will keep my fair skin from looking translucent as well.

It’s still nothing extreme, but over time I’ve filled my bag with a few foolproof products that round out my makeup must-haves. I tend to reach for products that will give me a bit of a glow without being too time intensive to apply. I guess you could say I go for makeup that tries to look like it's not makeup.

Here’s what’s in my bag…   

1. Kiehls Midnight Recovery: For alert and circle-free eyes on dreary winter mornings

2. Lancome 'Le Crayon Kohl' eye pencil in Black Coffee: Foolproof pencil for defined eyes

3. Chanel Shadow in 20 Taupe: The perfect amount of shimmer in a light shadow  

4. Lancome Miracle Teint Foundation: Truly a miracle potion. Highlights and erases dark circles

5. Mountain Peaks Makeup Bag: Love Anthro's makeup bags

6. Benefit 'They're Real' Mascara: Clump-free all day long

7. Benefit 'Sugarbomb' Blush: For rosy cheeks even in the dead of winter

8. Neutrogena 'Healthy Radiance' Moisturizer: Smooth, lightweight and non-greasy feel

  

Seeing Red

Just a little red inspiration board for your Thursday... Green and red may be the true colors of Christmas, but to me nothing says festive like the color red.  A barn in the snow, a centerpiece at a Christmas Eve dinner, red flats with contrasting socks through the holiday season, opening the perfect statement -necklace on Christmas morning, hunter boots to keep your feet warm and dry through the sludge and sleet… And I’ve always wished I had red hair.

My company’s holiday party is tonight and luckily I have the perfect dress to wear. Red and black silk with a sweetheart top, it’s festive and fun and stays tucked away in the back of my closet for most of the year.

I’m excited to bring it out. It means Christmas is just around the corner. 

Weekend Roundup

I took so few photos this weekend even though I did so many fun things.

We finally put up a little Christmas tree in our home... It's small but brings in the perfect amount of holiday cheer.

On Saturday some of my family came to visit— my mother, sister Julia and my Grandmother drove all the way to Chicago to see me (and go to the Holiday Renegade Craft Fair)! How lucky am I?

We shopped, and shopped some more and went to a fireside dinner at Frontier on Saturday where I ate the loveliest butternut squash curry soup.

And Friday night I met my friend Katie’s new puppy Roo... I think I’m in love.

How was your weekend?

Christmas trees, beautiful presents at Free People, Roo, my cute sister Julia

xoxox

Love for Layering

The art of layering is one I’ve been trying to master for years now. I feel like it takes practice.

How did these girls know that fur looks good on fur and that lace could be worn with sweats and that leather could be mixed with denim and more denim and plaid and chiffon?

When winter finally settles in Chicago it always takes me a few weeks to really fall back into the habit of layering.

I’ve been needing some layering inspiration so when I stumbled upon This Is Not New’s most recent collection of women’s style images (all pictured below) I couldn’t have been happier.

I think I’m going to play copycat with some of these this weekend…

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