I’m trying to be better about uploading in real time to both my Instagram and blog. Especially after last weeks outage with Facebook and Instagram, I want you guys to always know that you can find me here. I received a TON of questions about the jeans I wore out on Saturday night. Grant and I had a dinner with our besties Ashley and Doug. I found myself getting ready super last minute and honestly didn’t feel great about my outfit until it received such a positive response on IG. My jeans are Citizen of Humanity and they’re called “Eva.” I’m wearing a size 25 (I’m usually a size 26) and they feel great! Huge fan of this style. My brown sweater is from NA-KD as part of the Claire Rose collaboration. I’m such a big fan of all things NA-KD and was happy I scored this because it’s sold out now. I feel like NA-KD and Mango are both very underrated places to find great styles for less the cost. You’ll find a similar sweater here & here. My bag is the new Céline I picked up in France and shoes are old Dior mules that the brand gifted me with (thank you Dior!). The Jeans You Want published first on https://lenacharms.weebly.com/ via Tumblr The Jeans You Want
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Bonjour mes amis! Happy Monday from Paris…again! (TWO posts today, wow!) We had the best day exploring Montmartre today but had to let you know that ABLE (one of my favorite brands AND one of my favorite brand partners!) is launching their big Anniversary Sale (the biggest one until Black Friday!) Even more exciting though, is that…
The ABLE Sale is Here: All of My Favorite Pieces! published first on https://lenacharms.weebly.com/ via Tumblr The ABLE Sale is Here: All of My Favorite Pieces!
Hello from Paris! Apologies I did not get this packing list up before I left! ? This post has been weeks in the making! It has been so long since I wrote a packing post. Or PACKED for anything, especially a Europe trip! But it feels SO good to be back!
My Paris Packing List + Outfits! published first on https://lenacharms.weebly.com/ via Tumblr My Paris Packing List + Outfits! This post is sponsored by Walmart. It may seem too soon to be talking holiday decor, but this year it’s more important than ever to shop early—from holiday decor to holiday gifts. This blog uses affiliate links. When you shop through our links, we may earn a small commission, at no cost to you. Thank you for your support! Continue reading “Walmart Home Retro Pop Holiday” Walmart Home Retro Pop Holiday published first on https://lenacharms.weebly.com/ via Tumblr Walmart Home Retro Pop Holiday Some days call for an all black ensemble that’s equal parts cozy and chic—case in point: Alessandra Ambrosio. Her simple pieces may be monochrome but the shape and fit of them makes them right on trend. This blog uses affiliate links. When you shop through our links, we may earn a small commission, at no cost to you. Thank you for your support! Continue reading “The Look for Less: Alessandra Ambrosio’s Activewear and Chunky Sneakers” The Look for Less: Alessandra Ambrosio’s Activewear and Chunky Sneakers published first on https://lenacharms.weebly.com/ via Tumblr The Look for Less: Alessandra Ambrosio's Activewear and Chunky Sneakers My blazer collection currently is the biggest it’s been since my 9-5 corporate days. You’d think that since I don’t have to go into an office that I wouldn’t be buying more blazers than I care to admit. But this wardrobe staple has quickly become one of my favorite fashion items in my closet. They act as a third piece (my favorite styling tip) to pull outfits together. With so many different styles of blazers out now, there are so many ways to wear a blazer outside of your traditional office wear. Blazers are now edgy, also casual, cool and different. They can be worn with leggings and a hoodie to pull a look together. Or can be styled with a slip dress for date night. This closet staple goes beyond the cubicle and has transcended into street-style fashion. Here are all my best tips and outfit ideas on how to wear a blazer for any season and any occasion. How To Style A BlazerStyling A Blazer For Spring & SummerThinking about fabric first, choosing a blazer for spring and summer should be in a warm-weather approved fabric. Think of anything in linen or cotton that’s lightweight for your spring and summer blazer choices. You can even go with a print like floral or stripes which are seasonally appropriate. Pair your lightweight blazer with just denim shorts and a pretty tank for a cute and polished outfit. Or add it over a cotton tank dress to give your outfit some interest. Blazer Outfits For Warm WeatherNow that you have a lightweight summer blazer, pair it with light summer pieces. Shorts, light wash denim, florals and wedges. Add a woven bag like a straw bag or canvas tote for a casual and summery vibe. Styling A Blazer For Fall & WinterFor fall and winter, I rely on my blazers the most. They add a good layer for warmth and help to also transition outfits from summer to fall too. Choose blazers in fall and winter fabric as well as seasonal appropriate prints. I’m usually in some sort of a cool plaid blazer that can easily be paired with denim and cozy knits, or sweater dresses. To keep things feeling fashion-forward, try a boyfriend-style blazer that’s a bit oversized and feels less like you grabbed your 9-5 blazer. Plaid Blazer Outfits For Fall That Are Casual And Dressed UpSome of my most favorite looks from the blog have been blazers for fall. From classic black blazers styled with black jeans and booties, to adding them over dresses for a cool take on a floral mini. And of course, my go-to outfit, jeans, sneakers and a blazer. Just add in a thin sweater or graphic tee for a complete outfit. More Fall And Winter Outfit Ideas In A BlazerStyling A Blazer For Business CasualFor business casual, your blazer is your savior! Dress up jeans, skirts and even leggings with just a blazer. It’s the perfect trick to turn any outfit into the perfect business casual outfit. And if you still need to be in a suit, but don’t want to be matchy matchy, mixing and matching your suit pieces is a great way to dress them down a bit for a more business casual look. Business Casual Outfits With BlazersStyling A Blazer For An Edgy OutfitMy favorite way to style a blazer is to create an edgy outfit. Add a cool blazer over a slip dress and boots, or style with faux leather leggings and Dr Martens. I think a cool blazer can help transform a tee and jeans into an edgier outfit when done right. It’s all about the blazer style and also the shoe choice if you ask me. You can truly style a pair of leggings and a hoodie with a blazer and make it edgy by adding a cool sneaker or combat boot. I also find myself choosing this type of outfit for a date night or happy hour with friends. It feels cool and edgy but can also be dressed up and stylish. Edgy Outfits With BlazersDate Night Outfits With BlazersHow To Style A Blazer published first on https://lenacharms.weebly.com/ via Tumblr How To Style A Blazer I don’t know about you but a lot of my days have started to feel more and more jumbled together. Literally 5 days a week I find myself leaving to work out at 8 a.m. and by the time I’m home, showered, and ready for the day it’s 1 p.m. I feel like I’m wasting too much time with getting ready and lately I’ve been skipping that part and going straight to our offices. But showing up for work in yoga or pilates attire has really started to get old. I want to feel a little more dressed than a hoodie and leggings, so I put a little more effort into my outfit today and a lot of you were super interested {which makes me excited!}. So, here is a break down of what I posted on my Instagram this morning along with links to products. 1. The WorkoutFirstly, obviously, you put on your leggings and work out tank. If you aren’t comfortable in full mid-drift, Alo Yoga makes some really cute tanks for working out that have built in bras. I’m wearing: my all time favorite Sporty & Rich leggings and bra. I love this set so much that I ordered a back-up pair. Don’t stress if your bra and pants aren’t the same color. 2. Socks & SneakersEven if I regularly wear my favorite Amazon slip ons to yoga, on the days I want to dress up my outfit I opt to make the extra effort and slip on some socks and sneakers. I’m wearing: My new favorite New Balance sneakers and some plain white socks I found on Amazon. 3. The Button DownI finally splurged and purchased the striped button down top of my dreams from Céline. But there are really cute affordable button down tops all. over. the. place. Here are a few cute ones that I love: Amazon Essentials, J.Crew, Banana Republic I’m wearing: Céline button down 4. The BlazerEven if you decide to wear a hoodie and pop the collar out of the back, there is something really effortless about wearing a blazer over workout gear. It feels very “fashion cool girl.” I really love this one and this one by J.Crew. I’m wearing: Blaze Milano blazer 5. The BagI will have my tote bag with my laptop which also allows me to toss my sneakers inside and my bottle of water. But when I’m jumping in and out of the car I always have my tiny Céline bag in tow. I really like this simple crossbody bag and I also really love this one from J.Crew. What To Wear From Workout to Work published first on https://lenacharms.weebly.com/ via Tumblr What To Wear From Workout to Work It’s been a while since I browsed the Sezane site. I always love their stuff and admire their Instagram and all the perfectly Parisienne styling they do. However, whenever I browse the site I get turned off by their price tag usually. Their stuff is just a tad pricier than I like to spend. But while browsing one random day doing my blog research for all things stylish, I landed on this cute sweatshirt. I’m all for a great sweatshirt. I mean clearly, this blog post was dedicated to sweatshirts. But this amour crew neck pullover is an elevated sweatshirt that I am obsessed with. And once it arrived, I fell in love instantly It’s so insanely soft for one. And not super thick. I like a thin sweatshirt that I don’t feel bulky in. You can easily layer it underneath jackets or even wear a button up underneath it for a more preppy vibe. For sizing, I find myself going up in their stuff so I did a medium which is just loose enough without it being oversized. Stylng My Sezane Amour Sweatshirt For FallWhile trying to style it for fall I wanted to step outside my usual skinny jeans and sweatshirt combo. To try something new I thought I’d style them with my go-to bell bottoms. The thing I was surprised about, is I could tuck it into my jeans! I tried it with some of my favorite high-rise wide-leg jeans and I have to say, I’m into this. Topped the look off with my Isabel Marant belt that always makes an outfit feel more interesting in a pinch. And for shoes, I know shoes and wide-leg jeans are always a challenge. I went with these pointed-toe ankle booties that are great for fall and winter. They work nicely with a bell bottom and I like a pointed toe with this type of jean too. For warmer fall weather, I’d even do these ABLE heels for an open-toe option that works for the season. Shop The LookShop More Graphic SweatshirtsShop The PostSezane Amour Sweatshirt • Bell Bottoms • Isabel Marant Belt (similar for fraction of the price) • Marc Fisher Alva Booties c/o • Karen Walker Harvest SunglassesA Sezane Sweatshirt For Fall published first on https://lenacharms.weebly.com/ via Tumblr A Sezane Sweatshirt For Fall One of the closet staples that I wear year after year, is my beloved leather jacket. A few years ago I invested in a more high-quality designer leather jacket and am so thankful I did. For how much use I get out of it, it was worth every penny. If you’re a leather jacket kind of gal, I really do suggest investing in that perfect style that you will love for years to come. It’s a staple and versatile piece in my wardrobe that truly goes with so much. I’ve worn this one for years and throughout every season. From dressed-up looks, travel outfits, and everything in between. After a few years though, I noticed my OAK leather jacket was getting a very dry feeling to it. And in some parts, the arm would stick to the body. I was starting to worry it was getting old and going to just crack on me one day. I didn’t even realize that you should really be cleaning your leather jacket and caring for it a certain way. So I started to Google what to do and realized, it was time to condition my beloved leather jacket. Leather jackets should really be cared for to keep them in mint condition and to avoid and cracking, peeling or fading. Just a few maintenance steps can help keep your investment piece looking great for years to come. Taking care of your leather jacket can help extend the life of this closet staple. When you care for your leather jacket, it’ll look great for longer and hold up better over the years. How to Condition A Leather JacketClean Your Leather Jacket FirstBefore you begin conditioning, you may want to clean your jacket first. No this doesn’t mean bringing it to the dry cleaners or running it through the washing machine. Cleaning a leather jacket is just not that simple. They’re finicky and really are a pain to truly clean. All you need to do though is take a slightly damp cloth and wipe down any dust on your jacket. You also don’t want this to be super wet. Leather is porous, and you won’t want to get it soaking wet. Let your jacket air dry fully for 24 hours. If your jacket is heavily soiled, you may want to try a bit of dish soap with warm water and use a washcloth to clean. Do A Test PatchBefore you condition your whole jacket, you want to first do a test patch. This is usually pretty easy to do on the inside hem of the jacket. Or underneath the collar. You just want to ensure your conditioner isn’t staining your jacket or doing anything weird to it. Do a small test patch and let it sit for 24 hours. Start ConditioningAfter you have done a successful test patch, you can go ahead and start conditioning. This is really simple and all you need is a soft cloth and your leather conditioner. I used the Leather Honey Conditioner and a microfiber cloth. Dispense some of your leather conditioners onto the cloth and just wipe onto your jacket. Each leather conditioner should have its own instructions on the back of the bottle as well. When I was doing this, it felt like I was using a TON of product, but afterward realized, I barely made a dent in the bottle. RepeatOnce you’ve conditioned your leather jacket, you are good to go for about 6-12 months. Or after a period of time whenever you feel like your leather jacket needs a little hydration. Storing Your Leather JacketNow that your jacket is conditioned and you know how to care for it, it’s also important to store it properly. Keep it away from extreme heat or moisture. And it can be a good idea to hang it on a padded hanger. Remember, leather molds to the body, and also hangers. So avoid any sharp edges when hanging your jacket up for the season. Best Leather Jacket ConditionersLeather Honey ConditionerI had no idea where to start with leather conditioners to try and when I googled, this one came up the most. I decided to give it a try and can say, it works! It’s $20 and you can buy it on Amazon. I feel like this will last me years! TriNova Leather CleanerThis one has tons of great reviews on Amazon and also claims to be waterproof. Not sure if it works, but may be worth a try if you live in a more wet climate. SHOP THE POSTHow To Condition A Leather Jacket published first on https://lenacharms.weebly.com/ via Tumblr How To Condition A Leather Jacket I spoke a little bit about the cleanse that Grant and I are doing on social media and a lot of you seemed quite interested in hearing more. Diets are really my thing, but a few times a year I will do a 10 day reset for my mind, body and soul. It usually naturally presents itself to me at the start of every new season. It’s kind of interesting how nature almost naturally pushes me for this quarterly reset. 10 days is usually the goal I set for myself because it feels very manageable and very realistic. If I’m feeling strong, which I usually am, I take a free day to eat and drink and not worry about my plan and then re-up for another 10 days. Here’s a quick run down of what we like to do. Please know that this is not for everyone. This is just what we have found works for us! 10 Day Sugar FreeBy sugar, I mean processed sugar. Basically anything that has a label must read 0g of sugar on the back. You’ll be surprised by how many things you eat have hidden sugars in them which can really add up to your overall intake. Sugar messes with your overall mood, energy levels and metabolism. We definitely allow ourselves to enjoy natural sugar {i.e. fruits} but no processed sugars during the 10 days. One of my best friends produced the movie, Fed Up, which does a deep dive in to how we are all addicted to sugar. I strongly recommend watching this documentary to give you a very strong toolbox of inspiration, motivation and guidelines to doing the 10 day “Fed Up” sugar free challenge. Not only do Grant and I both feel better after doing the 10 days, we always come out a few pounds lighter too (which doesn’t hurt!). Healthy Grains, No Unhealthy CarbsI love me some carbs! But for me it’s a very slippery slope and before I know it I will find myself sweeping through the Popeye’s drive through for a quick popcorn chicken snack. During our 10 day reset, we try to eliminate as many heavy carbs as possible. I think it goes without saying that we do not allow any fast food during this time. Rather than white rice, we eat brown rice. Instead of packaged oatmeal in the morning, we enjoy a smoothie or take the extra 5 minutes to make grains from scratch with almond milk. Honestly, the entire process just takes a bit more planning but we always feel better eating cleaner and leaner. No Raw FishThis has been a newer addition to our 10 day reset: No fish, no raw meats, and nothing uncooked! Grant and I have a Chinese herbalist that is focusing our attention on getting a nice gut cleanse plan for Grant which means eating more soups, broths, and cooked salmon, beef and chicken. In the past, we would typically load up on sushi thinking that it was doing wonders for our system. She has course corrected us and I’m excited to see what it results in. No AlcoholEnough said. Move, Move, MoveFirst comes food, then comes movement. 9 times out of 10 the quickest way to increase your mood and energy, along with shed a few inches off the belt, is by improving your diet. You can work out every single day of the week but if you eat cheeseburgers for dinner it’s going to be counterproductive. Once we have our meals planned out, I do a deep dive into my work out plan. I already naturally work out 5 days a week, so during my 10 day reset I like to do something a bit outside of the box. Maybe I’ll try a new class or two that I’ve never done, or increase my workout times. For this 10 day, I’m really hoping to do hot yoga more. I don’t want to set an expectation. I’m just promising to do more. Clean, Clean, CleanWe pick one room or one area of our house every other day of the 10 days and tackle it. It’s amazing how quickly stuff, just stuff, will pile up around the house. I like to use this time to not only do a deep clean, but really dive in to my home organizational skills and order bins and drawer organizers that I’ve been meaning to check off of my to do list. My favorite are these adjustable drawer inserts as well as these adjustable dividers. I love the modular system for bathroom drawers too. Clarity CleanseI always love to revisit one of my favorite books a few times a year, The Clarity Cleanse. If you haven’t read it, I cannot recommend it enough. It’s just a nice little reminder to continue in my practice of supporting emotional cleansing and allow negative emotions to pass rather than attach. Phew! I think I covered it all! Was that too much? I just wanted to give you guys a full rundown of what our life looks like during our 10 day reset as I’ve mentioned it a few times but never really explain. Is this something you guys do? Leave a comment below! My Quarterly Mind, Body & Soul Reset Program published first on https://lenacharms.weebly.com/ via Tumblr My Quarterly Mind, Body & Soul Reset Program |
Who We AreI currently work as Assistant Professor. I can never seem to stop creating anything. There is always an idea or new picture running through my head. I can't help but see a picture before I see words on it. I am drawn to color and the beauty around me. I have always been drawn to art and design. I enjoy new and challenging projects that push me to learn more in the great field of design.
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