Thursday, December 28, 2017

Fish's Favorites: Fall 2017


With Christmas and several days of snow behind me, I think it's about time to put Fall aside and accept that it's time for winter (and being cold all the time.) I would say that Fall was actually a lot of fun. I dived head first into ethical sneakers and the Fall TV show lineup was very entertaining. Here's what made the short list for the season: 


Wearing: Back when the weather was warmer, I loved wearing these Brandy Melville pants. They are definitely a part of the pajama trend, but with a lining they inch their way clearly out of lounge wear and into the best everyday wear
This purse/backpack combo from Free People was another way of keeping things simple. It forced me to lighten my daily load and it's a great color for fall and winter. 
Overall, my favorite purchase was clearly these Po-Zu Star Wars sneakers. Easily the most comfortable shoe I own, and they were the start of getting excited for The Last Jedi


Listening: To be honest I didn't change up my listening habits much these past few months (i.e. Gallant, Bastille, Miike Snow, Paramore etc.) but I want to give these three a shoutout for slipping through the old standards. Oh Wonder is one of those lovely indie bands that I've heard a lot but haven't recognized until recently. Their vocal dynamic is pleasant and easy to listen to and the lyrics so heartfelt, it feels like I can listen to them for hours. On the other side of the spectrum, Craig David is an old favorite passed down to my from my parents. I was so excited to hear he had new music (I'm of course a year late, but still!) I particularly liked his collaboration with Bastille " I Know You." 

           


Applying: Miraculously my skin has been behaving, it just needed a small boost when the cold and dry air kicked in. I decided to try and remedy this with a few drops of argan oil in my normal moisturizer and it's worked wonders. It's nice to not only have a burst of moisture, but a bit of glow when usually I'd look a little haggard. 
I can't remember if I've featured it before, but the Anastasia Beverly Hills foundation has been my favorite base for a year now. It covers well, has a great color selection. and I feel like I could do any look from barely there to nearly full coverage with it. I can't imagine changing it anytime soon. Perfume has been a bit more of an emerging favorite. I found myself ignoring my collection and started using up some samples I had to get back into my love of fragrance. So far I've had fun mixing these Clean scent reserves. Sephora has a convenient gift package to get you started instead of buying the large bottles. My favorite notes are Warm Cotton, Rain, and Citron Fig.

Watching: Like music, I've been spending a lot of time just watching the latest seasons of shows I've already mentioned in previous favorites, but I did try and branch out a little. I'd been putting off the MCU on Netflix for a long time, waiting for the perfect time to binge watch them all. I finally decided to watch the first episode of Jessica Jones this season and it was really easy to get hooked to watching it every night. Every show has their distinct style, and though they all have their successes and faults, my favorite is DareDevil
Since I'm currently working in retail my mom suggested I watch Superstore and it was the best antidote for the Holiday season stress. I'm not sure if anyone who's never worked retail would appreciate it as much, but I feel like people should know the show is very close to life. 

What are looking forward to during Winter? I'm excited to make travel plans for the new year. 

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Her Universe and The Last Jedi Viewing Outfit



I love how the holiday season automatically means Star Wars. It's another awesome thing to do and appreciate this time of year, and it has become a tradition for my family to go see it together opening weekend. 

So when the season came around and there was a sale on Her Universe on Black Friday, it didn't take much beyond the $10 pricetag to convince me I needed a new tee shirt for The Last Jedi showing. I appreciate how unusual this design is compared to most other franchise shirts. I love the vintage posters, power stances, and logos on all the other ones, but this one feels a little more special, especially with the recent passing of Carrie Fisher. 

So many aspects of the movies connect to family, from the themes, to my own tradition, and the the inevitable connects between the generations of people who have grown up with the films. The vanity portrayal of Leia and Padme feels like a small moment to recognize the passing of the torch, and how Star Wars has reached so many people throughout the decades. 

Dressed in: Her Universe Tee (and available in plus size), Levi Wedgie jeans, Anthropologie earrings, Kylo Ren Socks (similar)





Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Some Old and Some New | Elbow Patches and Levi's 501s


I've been going through a winter cold this week, so I decided it was best to stay inside, away from the freezing temperatures. Snow filled pictures will have to wait until later. In the meantime, this outfit has a bit of old and new in it. 

The old is another pair of Levi's jeans, as if I need anymore. They were have a great Black Friday sale, and I couldn't pass up a classic pair of 501s. If you're interested in a pair it's important to note that these are a lot heavier than most jeans in the market today. These are some seriously heavy duty cotton jeans, but it morphs to your body in a more subtle way than spandex or elastane. They will also probably last me forever. 

To change up things a little, I've been poking around Etsy for some new options for clothes shopping. The site has always been a staple for a cute or nerdy graphic tee, but there's also great handmade and vintage gems. This shirt is on the simple side, but I like the little elbow patch detail. I think it'll take a lot of searching, but Etsy may be my next favorite shopping spot. 




Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Room Redecoration: Gallery Wall


At the very start of this project I had no idea where anything was going, but I knew I wanted to make a gallery wall. I didn't have a paint color picked out or a layout in mind, but I had a Pinterest board full of art prints waiting for the right moment. 

Despite the certainty, this wall was the final part of the redecoration. I wanted to bring more dark, cool toned colors in the room so I focused on a dark purple and theme. If you Google gallery walls there are a lot of creative ways to set one up, but I played it a bit safe and did two of each size print and a bit of a mirror structure. 

The frames were a bit of a happy surprise. They were on sale at Michaels and since there wasn't enough in one color I hoped a mix of all tree would work. Thankfully, it did and I got to save a bit of money. 


As for fixing what I had before, my bed needed a cohesive color scheme. I kept the colors neutral and left the bolder colors to the prints instead. I also really wanted an actual nightstand. A dresser works and is great multifunctional piece, but I wanted to simplify. 






Friday, December 1, 2017

Christmas Fashion Wish List

Christmas Wish List




In the past couple of months I've had a lot of fun thinking about my wardrobe as a whole. Being away at college and a bit of chasing trends left it feeling disjointed and lacking some function. To combat this feeling I've made a lot of lists, searched through many sites, and tried to get a little more practical in terms of what would be useful and work with everything else I already have. With all that prep work I've got a clear sense of what I want for the upcoming season that keeps me away from those impractical impulse buys.

Free People Cardigan: A big textured cardigan would be great for some warmth, but adds more interest to an outfit beyond a simple, plain piece of knit.

TopShop Plaid Skirt: I noticed I have a lot of tights and knee high socks, but no skirts to go with them. How would a Rachel Berry or Rachel Green look ever work without a few mini skirts? 

Camp Carrie Bell Sleeve: Similarly, I found my shirts jump from short sleeves to sweaters, with only a few button ups in between. I think it's more a product of the weather rather than my inconsistencies, but some long sleeve blouses would be great to break up the tee shirt/sweater/coat combo. 

Beyond Skin Pewter Loafers: It may be a bit trend-driven, but I've found my love of ballet flats fading. I'd rather get something a little more sturdy but still with a lot of character, like these metallic loafers. 



Style Saint Bralette: My love for bralettes over bras feels like it'll never fade, but those things don't exactly last 100 wears. It's about time I've restocked.

Loeil Chrissie Earrings: I frequently forget to wear jewelry, but it doesn't stop me from lusting after these gorgeous gold earrings from Loeil.

Outdoor Voices Two-Tone Leggings Another item that just isn't in the same shape I bought it in is my workout gear. It's sad to let some of my older leggings and workout tees go, but I would love to try out some new brands that have popped up.
What are you hoping is under the tree this year? 

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Modern and Minimalist Ethical Sneakers


In the search for better clothing choices I've had a lot of success with shoes. The newest editions to my shoe rack are these pair of Vejas. When I was putting together outfits I felt like I was missing a sneaker that was a little more plain, but wasn't boring. While I've oogled off-white Converse and classic Adidas, I'm glad I found Veja. 

Veja is a French sneaker company dedicated to sustainable and ethical production of sneakers. For sustainability they use both methods of sourcing natural materials and  up-cycling. The most interesting aspect for me was their B-Mesh. 100% of the mesh is created from recycled fibers and are still waterproof and breathable. Meshes in your average sneaker of jersey just refers to any open woven fabric made either from natural fabrics or plastics. 

I also appreciate Veja's honesty. In their projects section detailing all of their efforts, there is also a section about the parts of the shoes that are not yet sustainable. Nothing can be perfect, but the fact that Veja is open and clear about what they want to improve on is commendable. 

Their sneakers are a great classic piece to fill in that gap in my closet and a great excuse to wear white jeans one last time before winter settles in. 


Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Bedroom Redecoration: Bookcase Before and After


Knowing I have expensive taste in bookcases, trying to figure out what to do with this space was difficult. I originally thought I would try a DIY to spruce up my existing shelves and get a long table to stack with magazines and plants. Though I'd love to become a plant mom, if I really wanted to create a space I could relax and be creative in I need something a little more cozy. So, in the end I created this reading nook. 

The main trouble with my bookcase was I had too many books. Books were overflowing, I couldn't fit in a single magazine, and nearly all the shelves were sagging from the weight. To be fair, I'm pretty sure this was a quick fix bookcase I picked up from Walmart ages ago, so it wasn't exactly a purchase meant to be long lasting. 
I went the easiest route of solving this problem by getting two bookcases (though I did donate a fair share of my books too.) Getting two allowed me to get my magazines off the floor (I downsized those as well) and put a few trinkets between the stacks as well. This bookcase from Target is one of the cheaper ones I've seen that are still super sturdy. With some sales I got one for about $60, so make sure to keep your eyes peeled for sales and discount codes. 

Between the two bookcases I strung up some decorative lights; Another cute sale purchase from Target and it was a way for me to put up the postcards I've collected besides tucking them into some random box. I also had to find a home for these two hats. They're the only ones I couldn't fit into my closet so I took some command hooks and tucked them away in the corner. 


A couple of special trinkets are on the top of the bookcase and more will be added to the other one soon. 

Vase  

Easily my favorite part of this redecoration is this bench. It's a great place for me to sit and read or type up a blog post. There's also storage in the seat to keep all of my tech wires, manuals, and crafting things out of sight and tidy. 


Only one more before and after to share with you and my room is complete. I'm still surprised at how much it has changed. 

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Sweater Vests and a Late Night Corn Maze


Working makes it slightly difficult to really check off all of the activities we love to cram into the nice part of fall season, before it gets too cold. Lots of apples were consumed, I drank my fair share of pumpkin spice lattes and even did some Halloween baking. Not too shabby, but my friend and I decided to squeeze in a farm visit for a flashlight corn maze just before the temperature plummeted. 

The nighttime chill was a great chance for me to start digging into my sweaters. I love a good sweater vest because they make for some interesting layering. It'll come in handy come January when I'm tired of wearing the same sweater and jeans combo everyday. 


Dressed in: J Crew tunic, Madewell sweater vest, Gap jeans, Palladium boots 






Wednesday, November 1, 2017

4 Cruelty Free Products for Your Bathroom Cabinet and 1 to Avoid


It's been a little over a year since I decided to genuinely switch all my beauty products to cruelty free brands, and I'm in a good spot right now. I feel like I've gotten over the first bit of frustration trying to remember which brands are cruelty free, who has a parent company, and running into loads of lackluster products. Now, I usually know which brands to go for, and though I'm still up for experimenting with new products, particularly natural and zero waste items, I've found some brands I absolutely love.  


Yes To is easily the holy grail brand I've found on this journey. I've already spoken about their awesome shampoos, but the Yes to Carrots daily moisturizer is another product I now can't live without. Having oily skin, I struggle with finding moisturizers that aren't too light but aren't too heavy. This one is that perfect inbetween, and comes with the bonus of having SPF and a fragrance free version. A super win for combination, sensitive, and acne prone skin. 

Giving up my Nivea lip balm has been super sad, but I started off trying the more natural and cruelty free variety with S.W. basics peppermint lip balm from the set.  I have to say, though this is good it's not my favorite. I love S.W. Basics ethos of trying to keep the ingredients simple and as few as possible, but I felt like it was missing something. It's super moisturizing with shea butter and coconut oil but there's nothing to keep it from smearing all over your face. That's great right before bed but impossible to wear under lipstick. 


In my heart I know I'll always return to Yes To's shampoo and conditioner, but I decided to take a stroll on the high end side with Verb Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner. Nothing super exciting here, but it was a solid combo. The shampoo is clarifying, but not stripping and the conditioner is a thick cream, which is great for anyone with super dry hair. 

   

Shower gel isn't exactly exciting, but Alba Botanica very emollient shower gel is quite nice. It's moisturizing and a great fragrance, though I think it's time for a more fall appropriate smell. Shave gel is also pretty boring, but Pacifica Shave Whip is rather disappointing. It's not really whipped, as the name might suggest. Rather it's a thin, lotion-like consistency that disappears with the smallest amount of water. Not exactly useful when you're trying to shave your legs. 

So the search for a shaving gel is still on, but the rest are solid options next time I'm stocking up on bath essentials. 

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Dressing Up As Fictional Characters (Compilation)



I went to go take photos for this week's blog post and fell right into a style slump. I faced my closet, a little stumped on what to wear in this irregular, transition weather. Rather than try to force anything, I decided to take a step back and gather some inspiration for the upcoming months. While I'm putting together my fall and winter wardrobe, I thought I'd look back on one of my favorite ways of dressing; taking outfits out of the TV shows and movies I love. 

In a kind of all encompassing version of DisneyBounding I love taking photos from whatever I'm watching and digging through my closet to see if the outfit is already there. Easily my favorite thing to post on Instagram and it has started to influence how I put my outfits together. Sometimes it's good to ask yourself 'would Rachel Green wear this?' before walking out the door. So I hope you enjoy this compilation of style inspiration and if you like - come say hi on my Instagram. 


The very first one! 
I feel like I come back and take a peek at Rory's style from Gilmore Girls every time fall comes around. 


I may need to dedicate a whole post to my love of Rachel's outfits in Friends.

Monica too! I guess I seriously need to do Pheobe soon.

Nora from Skam is another wonderful lady I could recreate so many outfits from that show. 

A very relaxed outfit for a stressed out dude (Todd from Dirk Gently.) 
This Baby in Dirty Dancing inspired post makes me want to dive into some older movies' costuming. 
Sometimes the inspiration is glamorous like Mylenne in The Get Down ...
... and sometimes it's not, like Jon Snow in Game of Thrones.
Alriggggttt! (Linda from Bob's Burgers)
You know I'm always game for a Harry Potter reference.