Shopping for bedroom decor is one of my guilty pleasures. Recently you guys have been messaging me a lot on Instastories about the decor in my house and I wanted to share some of my favorite home decor pieces at West Elm right now because they are having a killer sale!
When I was doing my home decor revamp after Kevin and I got married, I didn't have a very clear vision.... but I knew what I liked when I saw it. Not exactly the most organized way to go about a home decorating project, but hey, it worked for us! What I ended up with was very similar to how I approach my closet and personal style:
I kept the big pieces of furniture (aka the ones that are a pain in the a** to move) neutral and got a little more funky with the smaller pieces of furniture and home accents. I thought of the big pieces of furniture like a build-able blank slate and the smaller pieces as accessories.
I may not have had a clear vision when decorating our place but I knew myself enough to know that my style changes drastically, often. I wanted to be smart when it came to allocating our budget for pieces in this home decorating project. This meant keeping the big pieces of furniture basic (lol) and easily updated with throw pillows and accent furniture.
That being said, I hope this insight helps you in your next home re-vamp. Don't worry, there is much more where that came from :)
I have rounded up some great picks for you guys from West Elm. There are some great duvet covers, chic side tables, palm accents, and one of my favorites - lighting all included in this roundup for you guys!
Hats are an easy way to add pizzaz to any outfit and to split your getting ready time in half. Because how much do you really have to do to your hair if you are just going to put a hat on your head? What a relief, am I right?
I don't know why I didn't get on the hat trend sooner given this time saving benefit however, I AM ON IT NOW. From LA Dodger baseball hats to beanies to (the now attached to my head) wide brim flat top hats, if you follow me on Instagram you know I am ALL about hats galore.
Are you looking for a way to elevate your outfit quickly while also cutting your getting ready time in half or more? Look no further than the hat trend, guys. I get a lot of comments and questions about my hats so I figured I would make a blogpost about the subject and start off nice and easy with baseball caps. Today I am sharing with you my favorite LA dodgers baseball hats. Whether I am working out, running errands, or going out on the town - I love styling this baseball caps with all kinds of outfits and I hope you do too!
Shop these hats and let me know what you think:
Shop my entire outfit here: (These shorts are one of my favorites from Forever 21 and the exact ones are available!)
These sixty degree weather days are popping up more and more as Spring tries to make its way into our life and it's AMAZING. When I was flying back from Santa Fe, NM last week, I checked what the weather would be when I landed in Richmond and happened to notice that it was warmer than Los Angeles, California (where my alter ego lives.) Rebecca and I seem to endlessly chatter about the weather on The Crystal Press but TBH, watching the drastic changes has made it kind of hard NOT to talk about the weather - am I right?
On the same weather note, as these warm days keep popping up on our calendar - why not think about dressing for these warm days as well? This blogpost is an outfit I wear on a random warm day, without going TOO Spring oriented. A white long sleeve and backless Farrow shirt from Need Supply, wide leg culottes, and a straw bag from Need Supply Co with my (now) attached-to-my-head black French Connection hat from ASOS. Want to jazz your "Sprinter" (Spring in the middle of Winter) outfit up even more? Add some dangly earrings with a pop of color. I grabbed a blue pair and think that Anthropologie has a great selection of statement earrings.
Hint, Hint: I am LOVING these, these, and these earrings right now.
Looking for the perfect white shirt to transition your wardrobe from Winter to Spring real quick? I have rounded up a bunch of things in this outfit blogpost for you guys, as well as pieces like everything I am wearing in these photos from The Crystal Coast here:
White Shirt: Farrow from Need Supply Co. (similar here) / Wide Leg Denim Culottes: Zara (similar here) / Woven Circle Bag: Abaca from Need Supply Co. / Sling Back Black Heels: Topshop from Nordstroms (similar here) / Hat: French Connection (similar here)
I have implemented a lot of new habits in 2018 (yes, I know we are only 15 days in..) and I am so excited to share them with you guys.
First up: my new morning routine with bulletproof coffee.
I have become addicted to this bulletproof coffee recipe...so much so that yesterday morning I woke up to make it (I look forward to it every morning) and realized my husband had used the last of the butter for it. Solution? Head to Saadia's Juicebox in Jackson Ward to grab some! She has it on the menu, along with all kinds of delicious concoctions. (I also ordered a wellness shot and it was the perfect addition to my Sunday morning!)
I have always been a person who considers their mornings sacred (working out, meditation, and journaling with coffee are a must) but adding bulletproof coffee to the dock has been a game changer that I am very excited to tell you guys about in hopes that it can be just as much of a game changer for you as well.
If you're like me, you have probably heard the words bulletproof coffee tossed around over the past couple of years..but let me tell you - throwing MCT Oil, grass-fed unsalted butter, and your favorite coffee into a blender to start your morning is nothing short of magical. The crash that coffee usually comes with? Forget it. Starting your day off with pesky cravings that distract you from what you need to get done? Forget that ish as well.
As if it can't get any better, bulletproof coffee is just as frothy as your favorite latte and it doesn't have the dairy that goes along with it! This frothy, energy igniting concoction is a must-try and something that I have really enjoyed adding to my daily routine.
How do you do it? Here are some directions I got from the BYRDIE website:
Ingredients:
8 oz. filtered water
2 1/2 heaping tbsp. freshly ground Bulletproof Upgraded Coffee beans (or, if you don’t want to buy the Bulletproof brand of low-mold beans, just make an 8 oz. cup of regular coffee, ideally using fresh-roasted beans)
1 tsp. MCT Oil (coconut oil can work as a substitute)
*Asprey recommends graduating to two tbsp. once you acquire the taste for it.
Directions:
Combine the brewed hot coffee, teaspoon of MCT oil, and tablespoon of grass-fed, unsalted butter or ghee in a blender to get a frothy, creamy mixture like that of a latte. If you just stir the butter and oil into the hot coffee, the oil won’t blend and will sit on the surface of the drink. Then drink up! Just remember, due to the calories and fat content, bulletproof coffee is intended to be your breakfast, not to be consumed in addition to your usual breakfast.
P.S Can we talk about how hard it is to look fierce when it's freezing out? I am so excited about this Lovers + Friends coat from Revolve because it does the trick WHILE keeping you oh-so-warm. Also, silver goes with anything, like literally anything. I see myself wearing this coat constantly, especially with the way the forecast is looking. What do you guys think? xo
Zippered High-Waist Jeans: Forever 21 / Silver Ankle Boots: Saint Laurent (sold out, similar here) / Tommy Jeans Collegiate T-shirt: Tommy Hilfiger / Calla Lily Belted Matte Silver Puffer: Lovers + Friends via Revolve / Cafe Racer Mirrored Sunglasses in White: Quay / Belt: Gucci (backordered, similar here )
This is by far my favorite outfits thus far for Cathclaire: a sequin beret, a Gucci T-shirt, and a balloon sleeve red coat with my favorite jean shorts (the ones I've been wearing nonstop since Vegas here) and OTK boots. Yes, that is snow on the pond in the background but I braved the cold because: fashion and well I love these shorts. I have been continuously wearing these pieces ( you already know this if you follow @cathclaire on Instagram...)so I wanted to share them with you before they get sold out in every size! All of these items and similar ones are linked below from several different retailers.
These photos were taken at an Airbnb in Charlottesville, VA the weekend before New Years Eve. I spent this time in Charlottesville going to wineries, sitting by the fire (mostly out of neccesity because I was wearing shorts and it was snowing), and playing "What do You Meme?" It was such a lovely time to get away from the hustle and bustle of Richmond and it was extra lovely to see my best friend from college, whom I haven't seen since her wedding day in September. We chat every morning but you guys know, chatting on the phone is NOT the same as being with your BFF.
Looking for a way to dip your toe into the fashionable red trend? I have found that one of my favorite ways to embrace this "like a flame" red color trend that has been engulfing the fashion world for months is with a t-shirt.
You can dress a t-shirt up, dress it down, and basically wear it however you would like all the while being comfortable and just on trend enough without spending a lot of money. I have rounded up my favorite t-shirts and graphic tees that are available right now from ASOS, Forever 21, and Nordstroms.
Shop my favorite t-shirts with a pop of red:
In other news, I am happy to be back from taking a little break from social media. I have been doing a little mind and body detox to get the year started off on the right note. However, during my social media hiatus - Rebecca and I were on the front of Style Weekly (a publication we've always ooed and awed over!), talk about a way to bring in the new year! See more about the article we were featured in called "The Influence Effect" here.
Stay tuned because I have more to say about this fabulous like a flame red trend and the New Year. Love you guys the most!
What better time to share the best in faux fur (prints) fashion on cathclaire than in the winter season? If you are into the luxe, over-the-top style like me - I can guarantee you already have at least one faux fur in your closet. While adding more than one faux fur coat to your closet may seem like overkill to most, you and I know that faux fur can make an outfit in one punch and this is reason enough to have more than one. And by in one punch, I mean - in one statement piece.
As if faux fur could get anymore statement-y, today I am sharing my favorite faux furs with prints or multiple colors on cathclaire today. We are talking about a champion faux fur roundup friends.
I love this star green faux fur and I wear it all the time, not just to the laundromat in Richmond. This coat might as well be a neutral color with as much as I wear it. Everytime I wear my star coat it tends to start a conversation and who doesn't love chatting about clothes?
Hence my constant rambling about fashion on my fashion blog Cathclaire LOL
Indulge and pick yourself up a statement print faux fur for the next chilly (or not so chilly) day in your busy life!
It's that time of year again - time to get party-ready to ring in the New Year in your best dress! I am into sequins in a very big way but that is no surprise to you guys. I wore an all sequin Jenny Packham gown as my wedding dress, wore sequins from ASOS last year for New Years Eve (pictured above), and just posted my new favorite sequin pants on my cathclaire Instagram. Are sequins too trendy right now? Probably. But you can't help who you love - amiright?
What are you guys doing for New Years Eve this year? It is my yearly tradition to meet my BFFs from college somewhere between Charlotte and Richmond. We have been doing Smith Mountain Lake for a couple of years and the photos in this post are examples of our time at SML last year. There is something so comforting about getting away to a remote area, getting dressed up, and hanging out! This year, I am meeting my friends in Charlottesville for the weekend before NYE and then heading back to Richmond to celebrate Rebecca's big 30! She is having a party for her 30th birthday to ring in the New Year in style. Be sure to keep up on social media to stay up to date with all of the fun!
That being said, I am rounding up some of my favorite New Years Eve options that I have my eye on, some with sequins and some without. I have seen all kinds of good pieces on ASOS, Revolve Clothing, Netaporter, Forever 21, and NETAPORTER if you want to browse for yourselves. If not, scroll down to the end of this post to see my favorite dresses and pieces for NYE! With these New Years Eve fashion tips, you can be sure to ring in the New Year in style.
We are less than a week away from Christmas. What the!
Yes, I have been watching Christmas movies basically every night since Thanksgiving (which I'm sure you guys have seen on my cathclaire instastory nonstop), but being so festive this year REALLY made time fly by super fast. Does anyone else feel this way?
1. Plan Ahead: This may sound like a no-brainer when it comes to packing tips, but if you ask me, it's even more important when packing for the holidays. Not only are you traveling with gifts so the extra space is key, but you are also probably traveling to spend time with family or friends. If you plan ahead and get clear about what you may need while on your trip, you will avoid forgetting an essential item and wasting precious time scrambling to get an outfit together or for something you need vs enjoying time carefree with your people!
2. Maximize Space in Your Suitcase: Towing gifts to your destination can take up a lot of space when packing, especially if you are flying. One of our favorite packing tips we just learned? To make the most room in your suitcase, roll your clothing. Not only does this maximize space but it also creates much less wrinkles. Doesn't that sound amazing?
3. Pick a Neutral Color Outfit Base: The Crystal Press is a huge fan of packing a neutral outfit base (think black, white, camel, navy), whether we are traveling to fashion week or home for the holidays. Packing with one main color in mind allows you to interchange pieces throughout your travels for different events without overstuffing your suitcase. Getting off the plane to meet friends for a fancy welcome dinner? Throw a blazer over your airplane get-up and trade out your flats for heels. My go-to neutral base for this trip (and pretty much always) is black. I am going to be packing everything in this outfit post for my holiday travels - these leather culottes from ASOS are the most versatile piece I own right now and not to mention super comfy. I love how they pair with this old skool Vans and also can be dressed up with black heels for a night out or church with the family
4. Keep Essential Items In Your Carry-On: If you are like me and can't seem to travel without checking a bag - be sure to use this packing tip when traveling! Holiday travel can get crazy because it is such a popular time to jet-set so be prepared. Nothing is worse than getting to your destination without your necessities and essential items and especially during such a special time like the holidays!
5. Find Your Favorite Luggage / Suitcase Brand: This is something Rebecca and I on The Crystal Press have been shopping alot for with all of the traveling we have been doing the past few years. Here are a few of my favorite suitcase and luggage brands we are shopping right now!
Cyber Monday is here and I am sharing with you the two categories I am shopping this time around: workout clothes + beauty/treat yo-self products. While I thoroughly enjoy eating my weight in Turkey and whatever else I can get my hands while socializing with family and friend for a week straight, Cyber Monday is the perfect reminder to purchase some prods that will help get ourselves back on track before we do round two around Christmas!
Whether you drank too much Brunello (like me) or neglected your workout regimen in honor of hanging with your favorite peeps (like me), here are some sale items to get you motivated to get in shape and treat yourself (or a loved one) this Cyber Monday. I especially LOVE the fact that Neiman Marcus is including BEAUTY PRODUCTS in their Cyber Monday gift card promotion..yes, even perfume.
Yes, even Tom Ford "F***ing Fabulous" perfume. What better time to try new beauty products or to stock up on all of your beauty staples than when Neiman's is offering you a reward like a gift card? I have my eye on La Mer, Oui hairspray, and the RMS highlighter kit! RMS is all natural and one of my favorite highlighters for the dewy look that is popular now.
SO, don't wait too long because your size or favorite beauty product will sell out! Check out my workout picks from ASOS and my beauty picks from Neimans below!
ASOS Workout Gear: 30% off for Cyber Monday
Neiman Marcus Giftcard Promotion Cyber Monday Beauty Picks:
PS - Here is my hat from ASOS that you guys have been asking about from my Thanksgiving Insta-stories!
Whether you were blessed with Victoria Secret Angel long legs or blessed with shorter ones like myself (notice I called them both a blessing, it is Thanksgiving week after all..), the majority of people love a silhouette that elongates their legs. When it comes to dressing, I have found myself grabbing for my high-waisted jeans more than any other style lately! I can't get enough of how easy high waisted jeans are to lounge in and of course, I love how much length they give to my little legs.
Whether I am grabbing brunch with my husband for our 6 month anniversary around Richmond (yes it was yesterday, I can't believe it. Wedding photos here) or trying to hide how much food I will be eating this Thanksgiving week with family and friends, high-waisted jeans are your friend for all of the occasions!
Whether you need to add to your collection or get your first pair, I've got you covered with all kinds of price points from ASOS below in this blog post.
What do you have planned for the holidays? Any exciting events that you want some festive Forever 21 skirts and outfit ideas? I know you guys are super busy so I've teamed up with Forever 21 to give you some holiday options to shop that are quick and easy and covered in holiday-appropriate embelishments.
....AND you don't have to scroll through millions of pages on their site to find!
As you guys have probably noticed, I love shopping at Forever 21. As a matter of fact, I can still remember the exact moment in middle school when I first was told that there was a Forever 21 within driving distance from my house. Some (my mom perhaps) would consider it a trek, but for me, it was an enjoyable driving distance. Most locations, in the name of shopping, are driving distance as long as it doesn't go over a "couple" of hours............and I'm sure my fellow shopaholics would agree with me, amiright?
