New Moon in Taurus May 2018

I have been posting about the new moon in Taurus for the past two days on my @cathclaire Instagram and I have gotten A LOT of questions about what this means.  I am no astrologist by any stretch of the imagination but I shall try to explain. The moon and the sun pull the tides of the ocean water and humans are 75% water. The way that the moon's effect on us makes the most sense to me is by thinking about the tides of the ocean. This perspective helps me to understand and ponder the effect that the lunar cycles have on us at an energetic/cellular level. I think this stuff is so interesting and I enjoy reading about it to say the least. I usually keep this mystical astrology stuff for my journal but with all the interest on my instagram, I figured I would share so let's get to it!!!!!

The new moon is in Taurus and while that is a personal cause for cathclaire celebration having the lunar cycle in my zodiac, there is much more to this particular moon than there has been in 84 years. Before I get into that aspect - let's go over the basics. As a rule of thumb, a new moon - 29 day lunar cycle - is a new wave of energy influencing the coming month. It is a great time to let go of old patterns of living to make space to create new and healthier experiences moving forward. The new moon being in the Earthly sign of Taurus will emphasize characteristics of this sun sign in our lives: values, worth, material world (as a fashion blogger, I sure do like this one), beauty, senses, and nature. Taurus is also associated with the throat chakra - this new moon is the perfect time to listen to your intuition, personal truth, and a time to voice how you feel courageously. The throat is the center of manifestation so pay attention to ideas that come to you and use your voice to make them come to life!

While a new moon is always exciting, what is so significant about this new moon in Taurus today (May 2018) is that the planet of Uranus will be entering into Taurus today as well for the first time in most of our lifetimes! Lagging behind 4 hours or so from the moon's path, this is notable because Uranus doesn't change paths as often, which is causing the Taurus New Moon energy to amplify and get shaken up.  The planet of Uranus carries it's own energy that can be categorized as revolutionary, innovative, metaphysical, surprising, awakening, liberating and insightful so combine that with the characteristics of the Taurus new moon I mentioned above and you can guarantee it is a time full of unpredictable and ALOT of energy.

The Perfect Pair of Mom Jeans

Shop The Perfect Mom Jeans and My Look Here:

I have had the hardest time finding a pair of mom jeans that not only fit me, but are flattering on me. I have short legs and curves so mom jeans have been a trend I have been TRYING to make happen for cathclaire but failing miserably. They either make my legs look stumpy or my hips look too large etc etc. The other day I found a pair from ASOS and I decided to give them jeans a try. My trick for ordering online in a time crunch? Order two clothing sizes that you think you are closest to. I ordered the 27 and 28 in these jeans and ended up going with the 27. Did I mention that I love them?

I know the vintage style mom jeans are traditionally a thick, truer denim but these have a little bit more give in them that I appreciate. You know, a little stretch. These ASOS jeans are more comfortable for me to wear than a truer denim and if I am being completely honest, I'd even wear them on a plane. And I hate wearing jeans on planes. Like, loathe.

#DBThruhike in Richmond with Devils Backbone

Last night, I attended the #DBthruhike Trail Magic event at the Boathouse at Rocketts Landing in Richmond, Va and if you follow me on Instagram, you saw behind the scenes on my @cathclaire instastories. This event was beer dinner but if you ask me, that doesn't begin to give the event justice! This beer dinner was a 5 course delish meal accompanied by a view of the James River where each course was paired with not only a beer from Devils Backbone but also an enlightened explanation from the companies head brewmaster, Jason Oliver.

My husband was looking forward to attending with me but when he relayed the news that he got tied up with work, I did what any girl with 7 brothers would do and began "going down the line." This is what I like to refer to as my infallible backup plan and involves asking each brother until someone agrees.

Did I mention that it is one of my favorite things about having an army (or baseball team) for a family?

How many did I have to ask to accompany this beer dinner? You guessed it, one. The first brother I asked, Evan  (- who is graduating from VCU in a few days - eek!, ) rearranged his plans and said yes on the spot. Guys, we had the best time! Our dad brews beer (and is pretty damn good at it, ask anyone who has tried it) and he can make any beer we ask him to with out fail. In fact, Evan has helped my dad brew several beers over the past couple of years so hearing Jason Oliver tell his stories about how he became and how he is a brewmaster was that much more interesting.

Cathclaire's May Birthday Wishlist

Happy May loves!

Where are my fellow May babies at? I am aware that I am 100% biast in saying this but May is my all-time favorite month of the year and has been since I was a wee one. There is so much to celebrate in the month of May: me (LOL), the warm weather, college graduations, weddings, fellow Taureans and more! Whether you are looking for a gift for yourself or to celebrate someone special in your life -  I am sharing some items (both ones that are affordable and a bit of a splurge) that I have my eye on as a kind of birthday wishlist. Most of the products I chose are from online shopping hubs like Netaporter, ASOS, and Shopbop. Let me know what you think! I hope this makes a shopping occasion for you easier! xo

Weekend Getaway: Four Seasons Miami

Sunglasses: Celine 48 MM Cat Eye in Black / Wide Leg Cropped Pants: ASOS (you guys have been asking for this link and there are a few sizes left!!) / Hat: French Connection / Satin Plunge Top: Sold Out / Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell 

My husband took me to Miami, Florida last week for a mini 30th birthday getaway. This trip couldn't have come at a better time and I am so happy he did it before my actual birthday so that we could celebrate all that were my twenties with my favorite man!


We flew down on a Wednesday evening for a quick flight from Richmond and checked into the Four Seasons Hotel Miami. Kev and I were so excited to have touched down in Miami that instead of going straight to our room in the hotel, the concierge took our bags up while we checked out the restaurant off of the lobby called Edge Steakhouse. I ordered the Piscolada and as dramatic as this drink review sounds, I was immediately transported to heaven with the first sip. This cocktail consisted of a delicate mix of Pisco 100, lime juice, coconut syrup cream, and (wait for it...) ORANGE BLOSSOM WATER. If you are planning a trip to Miami, I highly recommend this cocktail. It is completely swoon worthy.

After a cocktail, our excitement didn't wane one bit about our mini getaway so we wandered around the pool area to see what was in store for the next day. We both decided to be adults and call it an early night after that first cocktail and scoping out the pool because we wanted to feel sprightly for our first full day of vacay.

I woke up each day on this trip and worked out. There is an Equinox attached to Four Seasons Miami and it is a beautiful facility. Equipped with anything you could possibly need to workout, amazing group classes (including dance + meditation oriented ones), a spa, and a steam room. There is several other amenities but these are the ones that caught my attention!

7 Beauty Products I Actually Ran Out Of

While there is nothing worse than running out of a beauty product you fell in love with, there is something to be said about the products that we repurchase. I have always been intrigued by other peoples/ bloggers makeup bags so I wanted to share with you guys what I've been repurchasing as of late. Shoot me a message with any beauty products I need to try, I am what you would call -addicted- to trying all of the beauty things! x

1. Creme de La Mer: It's no secret how big of a fan I am of Creme de La Mer. I am a sucker for the miracle broth (more details about that here) and for the ultra-rich consistency of this cream. I have dry skin with occasional breakouts and you would think wearing a heavy cream throughout the year would be a no no - but this jar of magic balances my skin. I always have a pot of it handy, regardless of what products I am trying for the blog and The Crystal Press! Side note: I also love the way it mixes with my go-to Tarte foundation.

2. Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hr Foundation: I love the way this Tarte foundation lays on my skin. It looks better the longer you leave it on your face, riddle me that? The Amazonian clay that is in this foundation is said to be "skin-smart" and has the ability to adjust to your skin type regardless of whether yours is dry, oily, or a combination of the two.  I recommend this foundation religiously and I have yet to get a bad review in response to this recommendation!

3. Dessange Paris California Brass Color Correcting Cream: I cannot stand any bit of yellow in my hair so I am addicted to this Dessange color correcting cream. It is a super concentrated treatment with lots of blue & purple tones to cover up that icky brassiness that happens to blondes in between hair appointments. The best part? It doesn't smell like shimmering lights or whatever that purple shampoo is. lol

4. Becca Shimmering Pressed Highlighter: This creamy powder is from the heavens. I use it whenever I put makeup on and CAN NOT finish my face without it. I love the way it applies and creates the perfect shimmer on your face. I highly recommend this highlighter!

5. OPI "Alpine Snow" Nail Polish + Seche Vite fast drying top coat: I am sure you guys are surprised by this one but hey, I am just being honest. I paint my nails white like it is going out of style and it has been a consistent staple in my look for over a year now. I love the way it pops in photos and the contrast it provides to my usual black outfits!

6. NYX color corrector in yellow: Color correcting concealers are all of the hype right now and while color correctors come in every shape, size, and price point - this NYX one has been a staple in my makeup bag for 5+ years. I use it as a concealer under my eyes to cancel out purple tones in my dark circles. I love this NYX formula because it is emollient and a light texture, which I prefer for the delicate skin under eyes. I always have a pot in my purse for touchups between meetings and events and whatever else is on my schedule!

PS: You guys are lucky because they sell this elusive color corrector at Target now. I used to have to go to ULTA exclusively for this pot of gold!

7. Exfolikate by Kate Somerville: I have dry skin like I mentioned in my love for La Mer earlier in this blogpost and that being said, one of my saving graces is this exfoliator by Kate Somerville. Exfoliators are usually something you can't use too close to an event due to harshness but this exfoliator gives you that glow in a record amount of time. I carry a small size of exfolikate with me whenever I travel and I make a point to use it before events. Products sink in better and my skin loves me so much more when I am using this Kate Somerville product regularly. They don't call it the "Hollywood 2-Minute Facial" for nothin' kids.

My Workout Routine with Crunch Fitness

 This post was sponsored by Crunch fitness.

Fitness means something different to everyone and if I am being completely honest, it has meant wildly different things to me as my tastes and schedule change. Although there have been different workout routine obsessions that have come and gone in the life of cathclaire, there have been several aspects of my workout that have remained constant. When Crunch offered me a membership to their gym with #NOJUDGEMENTS, I was elated to see that all of my work out priorities were easily accommodated with their facility in Scott’s Addition in Richmond. Crunch fitness is an inspiring company that makes working out fun and diverse with room for everyone. Who doesn’t love working out at a gym with this kind of manifesto?

Growing up as a dancer and a cheerleader, one of my priorities when working out has always been stretching. I have been taught time and time again the importance of flexibility and I always feel my best when I am making an effort to stretch regularly day in and day out. Whether I am taking a Yoga or Barre class at Crunch, I always make a point to do an extra stretch before or after my class in one of their stretching areas surrounded by mirrors. No, not because I’m vain, but because I like to make sure my form is correct, duh!

Sidenote: Sometimes when I finish stretching, it is easy for me to let myself leave the gym before even working out. How do I avoid this? Priming myself with some good motivation before getting to the gym (a few picture of my dream bod will do) and equipping my phone with a bomb playlist. Whether that includes music or a lecture from one of my favorite gurus, this will keep me focused during any workout. Follow me on Spotify here.

Another constant throughout my workout routine has been 3lb weights for arm workouts. I will never forget when I learned that Tracy Anderson, LA based trainer to celebs and beyond, recommended no heavier than 3 lb weights to get toned arms. Maybe it was more relief that I didn’t have to 
continue to strain on 10lb weights to have Gwyneth Paltrow arms but whatever, I usually stick 
around the 2-3 lbs consistently for arm 
workouts!

Visit Richmond: 6 Best Things to Do in RVA Right Now

For those of you that don't have Instastories, I decided I would do a full roundup of things I am loving in Richmond, VA right now. Whether you are a new visitor or a local Richmonder looking to expand your Richmond palette a bit, here are some things I have tried lately and loved! Shoot me a message with your favorites, I'd love to hear!

1. The Jasper:  My favorite drink on the menu right now at this Richmond bar is the Moscow 75. Every cocktail on this menu is pretty phenom, however this one is my drink of choice as the warm weather approaches. Vodka, lemon, cinnamon, and sparkling wine. It is a dream in a cup!

2. Tazza Kitchen: Right now I am gushing over the Bacon & Apple Salad. (I sub the gorgonzola for goat cheese) However, this salad from Tazza is only avail at lunch. Can't make lunch?  No worries because I am obsessed with their happy hour. If you haven't gone, visit their location in Scotts Addition. You will probably see me there, wearing a hat, sipping on some sort of elixir. Say hi!

3. North End Juice Co Poke Bowl: I am very picky about Poke. I know it is a super trendy dish but I have had it a million times and TBH, I haven't always been enthused. In fact, I made the assumption that Poke wasn't for me....that is until my husband brought home this poke bowl from North End Juice Co. on Cleveland street in the Museum District. I can't say no to the perfect combination of foods in this bowl, especially the avocado and mango or this cute sidewalk (more than) juice bar!

4. Hot Barre at The Hot Yoga Barre: If you want a good playlist, good posture, and a good sweat - this place is for you. I am addicted to hot barre! See The Hot Yoga Barre Richmond schedule here.

5. Goatocado Mexican Ramen: Yes, it sounds a good as it tastes.  (add boiled egg and ask for a side of cheese. Is that weird to ask for cheese for a ramen dish? Oh well, its a nice addition for my taste) AND it is available on Grubhub. Check out Goatocados menu here.

6. Blade + Lash: A luxury that I have come to appreciate to the millionth degree is lash extensions. My first experience a couple of years ago with lash extensions in Richmond was not good but man, is my experience with Jade from Blade + Lash in RVA is SUCH a contrasting experience. Not only is she a cool lady that I never want to stop talking to but she is the lash (and micro blade) QUEEN. Go check here out on Instagram here. PS How bomb are her cards? #brandingonpoint

Saks Fifth Avenue Richmond Event

I love traveling everywhere, who doesn't? One specific thing I look forward to when traveling is coming home to Richmond, VA. I am in love with this city: the people, the food, the places, the shopping, my home, and SO many more things I can't think of right now because I am a little hungover from too much snow day fun. Honesty is the best policy, right?

That being said, I wanted to let you guys in on a really cool perfume event tonight happening at Saks Fifth Avenue Richmond at the Stony Point Fashion Park. I know I am always talking about perfume on here because well, I'm effing obsessed with it. I love shopping for it, trying perfume on my own skin, and I ESPECIALLY love admiring my collection of perfume when I add a new one. I can't help this perfume obsession peeps, I was born this way.

If you love perfume as much as I do, you will be happy to hear that Bond No. 9 New York is hosting a happy (see what I did there?) hour from 6-8 tonight, March 22, with champagne. Not just champagne but also CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES. I am already giving myself permission to break my beach bod diet for this event. Who is with me?

Hope to see you lovely people there and if you can't make it, I've got you covered with my absolute favorite Bond No. 9 perfumes linked below!  xo Cath

Lately: Beauty Products Haul + Review

Ouai Rose Hair + Body Oil: Anything that has a rose scent is usually a go in my book but I LOVE this rose oil from Ouai. My hair tends to be a little on the dryer side since going platinum blonde and TBH, I look forward to putting this oil in my hair. Not only is the smell divine but it also locks in the moisture in my hair without being too greasy. The fact that this oil multi-tasks as a body oil is 5 star if you ask me.


Gucci "Bloom" Perfume: For most perfumes, I have a CLEAR threshold for the number of sprays that I can give myself without inducing a headache or suffocating my peers. (varies by scent of course..) I believe that this Gucci perfume is immune to such a threshold. I have been wearing this scent for months and I could bathe in it aka my number-of-sprays threshold does not apply to this perfume. The blend of Rangoon Creeper (reminiscent of a honey suckle but red and found in Asia), tuberose, and jasmine is one helluva concoction. I am not sure I have ever gotten more compliments on a scent either. Gucci FTW.


Aura Glow by Heritage Store with Jasmine: Whether the claims about this body treatment are true or not, I don't really care because I am 100% obsessed with this stuff. Not only do I love how the oil soaks into my skin leaving a nice glow without the nasty sticky feeling but I know it lights up my aura. I'm into that kinda thing and especially into it for this low price point.


Shop the beauty products I reviewed in this blogpost here:

Home Bedroom Decor with West Elm

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!

10 Best Fashion Blogs to Follow in 2018

1. How Do You Wear That by Caitlin Warakmonski: It is a given that all of these fashion blogs included in the 10 Best Fashion Blogs to Follow in 2018 have notable style and Caitlin's How Do You Wear That is no exception. Based in New Jersey and NYC, her feed aesthetic is the perfect balance of color and her style advice is so helpful! With the swarm of content that is thrown at us daily, it is hard to keep my attention for long and Caitlin always keeps me coming back for more outfit inspiration! Check out How Do You Wear That on Instagram here.

2. Catt Sadler - I first saw Catt Sadler on E! News and ever since she launched her fashion blog theCattWalk, I have been a religious reader. Not only do I adore her style, but I really enjoy reading about her lifestyle. She mixes in inspiring affirmations and advice tidbits throughout her fashion content and these jewels of wisdom sometimes get me through my day! Follow Catt on Instagram here.

I love Catt's snapcats and instastories. She is an inspiring woman on SO many fronts for all that she juggles and for walking away from her E! Entertainment job (see her story WHY here.)  

Fun fact: she conducted the bizaro interview with Jim Carey from NYFW last September. Watch her work her magic here. 

3. The Crystal Press :  The Crystal Press is a lifestyle blog that was started a couple of years ago by me (Cathclaire) & Rebecca Piersol and has been going strong ever since. From travel & beauty tips to affordable fashion (& investment items worth the splurge) galore, The Crystal Press  highlights the lives of Rebecca and I. We love sharing what inspires us with our readers in hopes it inspires them throughout their day. Check out The Crystal Press on Instagram here.

You didn't think I was going to end this 10 Best Fashion Blogs to Follow in 2018 blogpost without doing a little bit of shameless self promotion did you? 

4.  Hustle & Halycon by Payton Sartain: Like I mentioned in the beginning of this post, it is so easy to get exhausted by the beautiful life of bloggers and don't get me wrong, Payton's life and style is beautiful. However, she has always stood out to me in the blogging industry because she is real about it. I am moved by how she shares her inspiration, self-help tips, and behind the scenes of blogging. My language is fashion and inspiration and Payton speaks it eloquently. Check out her fashion blog Hustle & Halycon, you won't want to stop scrolling! Follow Payton on Instagram here

5. East Coast Fox: East Coast Fox is a fashion blog based in NYC by a really cool lady named Amanda. East Coast Fox has creative fashion content and I especially love following East Coast Fox on Instagram because I love Amanda's Instagram stories. She shares photos that are inspiring her pretty often and I always look forward to seeing what inspires her to create her awesome content. Give Amanda's fashion blog a follow on Instagram here.

6. The Perennial Style: I love finding other blogs that are created by multiple people. Maybe it's my involvement in The Crystal Press or maybe it's the coming together of different styles to one platform that keeps things interesting, but I love watching the Flowers sisters on their blog The Perennial Style. Based in Texas, these ladies are always doing something fun! From traveling to Bali to showcasing the latest fashion trend in the best way, they have got it going on. Check out the ladies behind the fashion blog on Instagram here

7.  Fashion Jackson: Fashion Jackson is a fashion blog based in Dallas, TX by Amy Jackson. One thing I love about Amy's fashion blog, besides her effortless style, is her consistent content on Instagram and on her blog. I know how hard it is to keep up with all of the different platforms these days and it seems as if Amy has mastered this art. I love checking out her blog to see all of her new latest posts and love how she mixes trends with classic pieces! Check out Fashion Jackson on Instagram here.

8. Olivia Rink: I adore Olivia Rink and her content. Her focus on petite fashion is really helpful (I have the short legs and need all the petite advice in this category) and her blogposts are always beautifully done & thorough. I look forward to continuing to follow Olivia on her blogging journey! Check out Olivia Rink on instagram here.

9. The Demeler: The Demeler is a fashion blog by Lily Montasser and I have been following her since she started her blog. From her Instagam captions to her creative way of styling trendy things, Lily is always a source of inspiration for me and one of the best fashion blogs to follow in 2018. She lives in NYC currently but is from Cali, so she is constantly sharing content in some of the most beautiful places!  Give Lily a follow on Instagram here.

10. Jo And Kemp : Like I mentioned in my remarks about The Perennial Style, I really enjoy following fashion & lifestyle blogs that highlight the style of more than one person. Jo and Kemp are the cutest/most stylish husband and wife  and their content is always on point #couplegoals. On top of her killer style (which is usually pretty affordable fashion which is a major plus) - lately Kemp has been sharing her workouts on her Instastory highlights and I have really enjoyed referencing these tips in my own workouts. Check out Jo and Kemp on Instagram here.

I hope you guys enjoyed this blogpost about the 10 Best Fashion Blogs to Follow in 2018 and that you find all kinds of inspiration for your own life with these people!

xo

Cath