marley lilly love

I don't think I can explain my excitement when Marley Lilly sent me a beautiful monogrammed scarf in the mail last week! I am a sucker for all things plaid in the winter months, and a sucker for monograms in all months. This scarf fit the bill perfectly!

The scarf has a cashmere-feel to it and is super cozy without being itchy. The colors in my particular scarf are relatively neutral, while the red adds that perfect hearty pop of color that I crave around the holiday season. Not your style? When ordering your own scarf, you can completely customize the tread color, font, and scarf pattern to your liking. So if you have simple style or colorful style, you can create a scarf that is just for you.

I love mixing plaid with a striped shirt... Throw a monogram in the mix, and I am practically in love. What girl doesn't love an item that is uniquely theirs?

[ scarf | c/o Marley Lilly
trench coat | Forever 21, old
striped top | LOFT, old
jeans | LOFT
packable boots | Hunter ]

For a custom monogramming service, Marley Lilly has a quick turn-around time and are very receptive to questions on social media. I have a few other Marley Lilly items, so I can say with confidence that their quality and customer service are both superior. They always have flash sales, so follow them on Instagram to keep up with their latest promotions!

Thank you so much to Marley Lilly for sending me this lovely scarf! I can't wait to style it again and again.

Be sure to also check out Marley Lilly's other great products!

xoxo,
G

pearl front & back earrings

I've said it once, I'll say it again: LOFT is on. point. this year. I can tell that LOFT is changing in order to appeal to a younger demographic, and I love it. They have been coming out with affordable versions of what is "in," while also carrying basic pieces that are a girl's go-tos. The other night I stopped in at LOFT to look at the new merchandise, when I stumbled upon earrings that I have been lusting over for awhile now.

Dior makes pearl 360 earrings that are 3 bajillion dollars, probably (a very accurate price). BaubleBar came out with a very similar pair for $28. One of my favorite bloggers wears them often, and I just love the way they look on her. I debated buying the BaubleBar version, but never got around to doing so because I thought they might look odd on me and I couldn't justify the price if I wasn't positive about them. Along comes LOFT. They have come out with their own rendition of the tribal pearl earring - the pearlized front-back stud earrings. With my employee discount (I work there one day a week), they ended up being about $10 (regularly $19.50). LOFT has 40% off sales pretty frequently, so you can definitely score them at a discount.

[Another reason to #loveloft.]

I wore them Friday night and realized that I was so glad I ended up purchasing them! They add a little edgy glamour to any outfit. Normally I'm not one for trends, but if it involves pearls, I can get behind it. These would be a great holiday gift for a friend as well.

Moral of the story - you can find a less expensive version of items you have been coveting. Lately, a lot of retailers are replicating what high-end brands are doing. It just takes some searching.

[These pearls are simply lovely.]

What I'd pair them with: flannels, chunky sweaters, a low bun, holiday dresses

I think you guys will be seeing a lot of these in upcoming OOTD posts!

xoxo,
G

november ipsy

It's mid-November, so you know what that means... Ipsy glam bag review time!

makeup bag | by Forever 21 for Ipsy. Not the best, not the worst. I think I had this same makeup bag when I was in my LTD2 days. I will probably give this away to someone.

SeaRx Birchsap Moisturizing Lotion | I'm all for a good face moisturizer, so I was excited to test this one out. The sample is pretty small, but I have enjoyed using it. The lotion has a strong citrus smell to it, almost like clementines, which I love. The formula is very lightweight, and absorbs quickly. Is it a life changer? No. Is it nice to use? Yes.

Marc Anthony Oil of Morocco Argan Oil Hairspray | This product was one of the items that made this bag totally worth it. Argan oil seems to be very popular in haircare lately, and I've been dying to try something containing it. This hairspray is not sticky at all, and provides great volume and shine to my flat and dull hair. It also smells great, and doesn't tangle my hair like other hairsprays do. Win-win-win.

J.Cat Wonder Lip Paint | To be honest, this product confuses me. It claims to be a "lip paint," which I assumed meant it would perform like a lip stain. However, the formula of this lip product is very runny, more so than a gloss (swatched below). The liquidity of the product makes it difficult to apply straight from the tube, so I would recommend using a q-tip. It is very pigmented and does stain your lips, but wears like a gloss. I'm not the biggest fan, but I know I won't love everything each month. It was still fun to try this!

Starlooks Eyeliner pencil in ultra olive | As I told you in my first Ipsy review, I'm not a huge eyeliner gal. I don't wear it on a day-to-day basis because I think it makes my eyes look way smaller than they already are. However, I might give this one a try on a special occasion. I think this product might be nice because I can blend it up from my lash line and use it like a cream eyeshadow, rather than simply drawing a straight line across my lid. The color is beautiful (swatched below), and I think will complement my green eyes.

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer | I saved the best for last! This under eye concealer is highly coveted in the beauty world, so I was quite happy to receive a sample. It really does what it says - conceals under eye bags, moisturizes, and even covers discoloration and acne. It is very thick, but I apply it with a Beauty Blender and it blends into my skin just fine. A little bit does go a long way. Also, this sample size will be nice to have in a bag for traveling.

[Top: Starlooks eyeliner.
Bottom: J.Cat lip paint]

This Ipsy glam bag was not too shabby! I loved that it had an array of different product types - hair, skin, and makeup. I have been using almost all of the products daily (except for the eyeliner and lip paint). Although some of the samples were smaller in November, I always feel like I get my money's worth each month. If you're interested in signing up for Ipsy, click here to get on the waitlist!

What beauty products have you been loving lately? I have a few more to report on in the upcoming weeks. Stay tuned!

xoxo,
G

the opposite of loneliness

Sometimes you find a book that is so intriguing and relatable, you cannot put it down. Recently, that book for me was the Opposite of Loneliness. After reading about this book on The College Prepster, I knew I had to dive into it. For someone who isn't a daily book reader, I finished this book in about five days - that says something.

The Opposite of Loneliness is a compilation of essays written in college by 22-year-old Marina Keegan. A few short days after Marina's graduation from Yale, with an extremely bright future ahead, she was killed in a tragic car accident. After her passing, Marina's professor decided to compile both her fictional and non-fictional essays into a book. It is eery how much foreshadowing I saw in Marina's writing. Her writing style is beautiful and so very appropriate for her age, but gives insight similar to that of someone who is old and wise. The preface of the novel, written by Marina's professor, will probably make you cry - as it made me - but in the best way possible. I don't want to give too much away, but I truly think this is the perfect read for someone in the age group of 18-30. It perfectly outlines those unsure feelings you feel at that in-between adulthood and childhood age, and the story behind it is so touching.

I am very tempted to re-read this book, because it truly does capture the roller coaster of emotions we all can experience at the brink of becoming an adult.

xoxo,
G


Sidenote: This was my first book that I read on any sort of digital device... Still not sure how I feel about it. I love a good hard copy of a book, but I also like minimal clutter. First world problems.

my tips for a happier closet

I'm a huge believer that half the battle of getting dressed lies in how well you organize your clothes. I must admit, after following these simple tips I have found myself saying "I have nothing to wear," a lot less and my closet is much happier.

1] Hang all shirts on the same type of hanger. This small tip has been a game changer for me. This summer, I decided to ditch any hanger that wasn't a thin huggable hanger. It makes me closet look much more neat, and because these hangers are so thin, my closet can also fit more items! Win-win. In addition, I decided to hang all my blazers on wooden hangers. This gives heavier items more structure, and again, keeps my closet more uniform.

2] Don't buy something simply because it is on sale. Buy an item because you love it, it fits well, and you know you will wear it time and time again. Otherwise, that item that seemed like a good deal is just taking up valuable space in your closet. Some of the time, sale items stand out in the store simply because of the low price tag, but end up being an item that is forgotten about once it's in your closet. In the end, you are not saving money if you never wear the item. Instead, put your money towards an investment item that will last you years to come.

3] Always fold your heavy sweaters. If sweaters are hung, their weight tends to stretch the sweater downward. I always fold my heavier sweaters so that they keep their shape and refrain from stretching.

4] Use an old bookshelf to display your shoes. There is no need to buy an expensive shoe rack when an old or inexpensive bookshelf works just as well! When I can see all my shoes at one time, I feel a lot less overwhelmed. I can quickly scan the shelf, grab my shoes, and be out the door.

5] Be brutally honest with yourself when you purge your items. Every season, I try to go through my closet and donate items that I no longer wear or need. If something has a hole in it, an unremovable stain, or simply doesn't fit the way it used to - pitch it or donate it. This frees up space for something new and exciting in your closet!

What is the best way that you have found to organize your closet? Please let me know by commenting below! Also, stay tuned for a post in the future about how I found my personal style - it's going to be a good one.

xoxo,
G

home & things

I'm going to just tell it like it is - Target is the best and worst thing to happen to America. Every time I go there, I end up with a total much higher than anticipated, and many many more items than I came in for. This Sunday, I went to Target in hopes of grabbing a few needed things - shampoo, conditioner, chapstick, etc. I left with three new apartment decor additions, but, I love them, so no complaints here. #targetdoesitagain.

[ Coasters | Target $4.99
Mug | Target $6.99
Gold Frame | Target $2 ]

Basically, all these items were needs. I needed coasters to keep my coffee table stain-free. I needed that frame to feature the card I bought a couple weekends ago. I also needed the mug because it was adorable and very Kate Spade-esque. Justified.

[ Wooden ampersand | $2.99
Photo box | $3.99 ]

Since I was already on a roll, I figured I would stop by Joann Fabrics. I had been looking for an ampersand to hang on my wall or put on my bookshelf, and I figured that this might be a good spot to look. Much to my surprise, I found a medium-sized wooden one for $3. I was so happy! I'm still debating whether I will keep it the natural wood color or paint it gold.

I also picked up this navy and floral photo box at Joann's. These boxes are a great and inexpensive way to store photos, cards, receipts, or other papers you don't want lying around. Plus, the pretty patterns add visual appeal to any bookshelf or table.

[A work in progress, but my new purchases surely make my shelf look a little more styled.]

I hope you all have a stylish and productive week!

xoxo,
G

easy transition

Like most young professionals, I often try to stretch the life of an outfit by picking pieces that can easily transition into a post-work setting. Lately, I've been all about the skirt, tights and boots combo. It's so easy, chic, and comfortable! Below is one of my latest outfits that you can easily transition into happy hour or dinner with friends.

[the base.
skirt, last year, similar | LOFT
sweater | LOFT]

I like to call these two pieces the base. These items can stay constant throughout the day. It might come as no surprise that both the skirt and sweater are from LOFT. I love these pieces because they are both comfortable and seasonally appropriate. When paired together, they create a nice textural appeal. The unique pattern on the skirt is modern, while the basket weave on the sweater is super cozy. Bonus: the sweater goes with literally everything. If I could get away with wearing this sweater every day, I would.

[the variables.
tall boots, two (three?) years ago | Steve Madden
ankle boots | BP. by Nordstrom]

Next are the pieces that you can wear to make the outfit work-appropriate or happy hour-appropriate. As you can see, my tall boots are well-loved. When I wear these with a skirt at work, I tend to pair them with tights. For this particular look, I went with navy tights (at work, the less skin, the better in my eyes). To transition into a post-work look, you can keep or lose the tights, and put on these heeled ankle booties. They are perfect for fall and winter, because they are still dressy enough, but also provide warmth.

[more variables.
monogrammed necklace | Etsy
statement necklace, last year, similar | J.Crew]

When it comes to necklaces, I am definitely not shy with rocking a statement in the workplace. However, with the pattern on this skirt, I would pair it with something more simple, such as this monogrammed necklace. However, when you're ready to add some glam, I would throw on something edgy like J.Crew number pictured above.

Two simple changes can take your look from day to night. I would love to know, how do you transition your outfits from work to play?

xoxo,

G