NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS

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Motherhood is easy (said no one ever)! It isn't easy but it is a journey that for me, has changed my life in the best way possible. On January 2nd it will be three years since my sweet Luke made me a mom...a day I will never forget. Since then, motherhood has been a string of decisions...thousands of them. In the beginning it was, "Can he sleep like that, Should we feed him that?, Can we take him there?" now the questions are bigger like "Did I say the right thing? and How do I explain that?" Sometimes my work schedule gives me only one to two hours a day with the kids and its never uninterrupted. I'm always asking myself, "How can I get more time?", and then the mom guilt sets in. Last week I started to make a list of goals - all the things I wanted to accomplish in 2018. I looked at it and realized they were ALL work related! Which brought me to my New Year's resolution....   

BE PRESENT - It sounds so simple but for me (if I'm being honest with myself) its not. Since Harrison was born in May I've been on my phone and or my computer A LOT. Like seriously a lot. I re-launced my blog last February at 6 months pregnant and really kicked it into high gear in June when H was only one month old. It was a huge undertaking with a newborn, a 2.5 year old, and a full-time job waiting for me to return in two months but I was determined to make it work. Every time I shoed Luke away for "work" I would tell myself I was doing it for him. That I was working this hard to create a job and a lifestyle that would one day equal more flexible hours and more time with my babies. That was all true BUT reflecting on the last 7 months, I'm realizing that I need a better balance, personally, and for my family. Now as any mom knows, there is not exact science to the work/kids/husband/self ratio but I've committed to prioritizing family time in the New Year and it feels good! What are your New Year's resolutions? 

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MY SKINCARE ROUTINE

Lately I've been getting a ton of emails and messages on social media asking about my skincare routine. The most important thing for me has been understanding the type of skin that I have. Growing up (especially in my teens) I suffered from acne and breakouts. In college I actually tried products like Proactive and I found myself managing blackheads and clogged pores on a daily basis. On the flip side my sister's skin? You could not find a pore on her face! She's always suffered from eczema and dry skin though. Genetics! 

In the last couple of years I feel like I finally have a good handle on my skin. I credit most of my success to consistency and using natural or organic products. I started a very basic nightly routine about ten years ago and have been diligent over the years. I first posted about this topic here after I had Harrison. I loved the products I was using but still felt like something was missing. Then I discovered Organachs Farm to Skin in Westport, CT. I've finally found the place I was always looking for - a natural and organic destination for skincare and makeup. Immediately I connected with owner and curator Siobhan McKinley over her passion and love for natural products. She believes, as I do, that what you put on your body is just as important as what you put in it. Here are the products I love from Organachs and some of my skincare tips:

• Voya Even Pure Moisturizer - The thing I like most about this moisturizer is you can wear it day and night. I like to keep my routine simple and with this you don't have to have a night cream. In the mornings I use it solo (unless my skin is very dry) and at night after my face oil.  
• May Lindstrom Honey Mud - I've been using this for about a month now and I'm HOOKED! I use it as a cleanser during the week as well as a mask once a week. It is purifying, smells amazing, and consistency is something you would want to eat!
• Ursa Major Deodorant - I'm constantly on the hunt for a natural deodorant and this one works! No aluminum or harsh metals and it smells really fresh.

Be Diligent at Night: Remove your Makeup! You're exhausted, its been a long day at work or with the kids and the last thing you want to spend time on is washing, toning, and applying a face oil or night cream. But I PROMISE! You will thank yourself in the morning!

Get Oily: I'm an oil addict. Applying oil to your oily t-zone may seem counterintuitive but actually if you are cleansing and exfoliating your skin properly, oils can clarify and offer your skin many nutrients its needs. I LOVE this one. My favorite part about using natural oils? They smell AMAZING and many have the added benefit of aromatherapy. 

Find the Right Moisturizer: Not all moisturizers are created equal. Most brands make a light and a heavier formula depending on the time of year and skin type. Listen to your skin - you may need to go a little lighter in the summer. During the winter, even with an oily t zone, I layer an oil and a moisturizer.

Facials: For me facials are a luxury. Of course it would be great to have one weekly but for most thats not realistic. BUT, I do think there are real benefits to a monthly one. If you're local and interested in a natural and organic experience, Organachs is the ultimate destination. Last month I had the VOYA anti aging restorative facial. During it, hand harvested seaweed from Ireland was placed on my face over a seaweed mask. The leaves detoxify, hydrate, and firm the skin while also helping to stimulate collagen production. I left feeling rehydrated and my skin looked amazing! This facial is definitely on my wish list this Christmas!

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IVORY SWEATERS

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It's no secret that I'm a neutrals girl tried and true. Of course I can appreciate a beautiful bold print or a dark floral but a light and monochromatic outfit always makes my heart skip a beat. It makes it so much easier to get dressed in the morning when everything matches. It becomes all about textures.... Like this sweater paired with a silk or lace pant for holiday. I just recently wore this sweater to a holiday party (also have it in gray) with a silk skirt and these flats. The bows make it festive but not so much so that you can't wear it after January. 

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CASUAL HOLIDAY LOOK

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I went to a casual girls night out at a friend's house last week and wore this outfit. I can't tell you how comfortable it was and at the same time I felt dressed up and festive. When I buy "holiday outfits" its nice to know that I can wear them again and that's definitely an added bonus with this look. These pants would be so pretty with a tucked white tee in the Spring!

Fun Fact: Shooting outfits for the blog is NOT an exact science! With my full time job and two kids its actually quite the contrary. It becomes even trickier in the winter when the sun goes down at 4:30! Long story short the plan was to shoot this look at my house but as I drove home and the sun began to set, I ended up taking a detour and met my photographer in town where she was already shooting. The only problem was I forgot my shoes! Lucky for me Lindsay Madden is pretty stylish behind the lens and she so kindly let me borrow these! Thanks Linds:)

And last but not least...how cute is my hat? Its from one of my favorite local shops, Kirby & Company. If you're local to Fairfield/Westchester county its a MUST see. They have the cutest cafe in the back that serves the most delicious macarons and a chocolate cookie that will blow your mind! Or you can head to their online shop. If you want to shop my hat CLICK HERE it comes in 4 colors and is $38:)

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OUR WEDDING

PRETTY CASUAL

I have been living in these jeans! Lately high wasted is all I want to be in. Maybe its the cropped sweater trend or the fact that I love to do a full or half tuck with my tops...all I know is this pair is so comfortable. LOVE these too. My cardigan is old but I found this similar one and love this one too. When I first saw this blouse from La Vie Rebecca Taylor I immediately thought to myself - you have so many lace neutral tops. BUT this one is a wool gauze blend which I thought made it perfect for the Fall/Winter temperatures (anything to justify another pretty blush blouse!). 

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FALL FLORAL

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I was never really a hat girl until I bought my first one from Hat Attack a couple of years ago. It was similar to this style and I lived in it last Fall/Winter. If you're looking for something to take you from city to country its perfect! I also love this style.

So when I received this one I was super excited. The pom detail is so chic and I love it styled dressy or thrown on with a pair of jeans and a leather jacket. My jacket is Theory from last year but you can shop the whole (similar) look below! Click here for my necklace:)

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THE FLORAL MAXI

THE CAMEL TRENCH

PLAID SKIRT

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I bought this skirt a couple of months ago when it was about 90 degrees out in September knowing (hoping) the day would come when I could wear it! I saw it and all my plaid filled days at Ralph Lauren came rushing back to me. I wore it for our family Christmas card shoot a couple of weekends ago and to a luncheon...so fun! JCREW is having a site wide sale and everything is 25% off with code GETSHOPPING. See some of my favorite picks below!

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SHOP JCREW 25% OFF

DUDLEY STEPHENS X THE GIRL LOOK BOOK

dudley stephens

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So many people ask me why I love styling. First and foremost it has always been the people. Over the last 8 years I have met so many amazing clients and friends and had the chance to work with so many inspiring brands. The second part of my answer is the challenge. I love the idea of walking into a new project with no plan - collaborating and creating - and walking away with something beautiful. 

Have you guys heard of Dudley Stephens!? I was so excited when Lauren (Dudley) Stephens asked me to style their line of fleeces for Fall. Lauren started DS with her mom and sister and together they have transformed the way we view this classic fabric. Who knew a fleece tunic could look so good?! What attracted me to DS at first was the wearability with kids. When I first had Luke I was living in a land of spit up and drool and either ruining my cashmere sweaters or opting for old t-shirts. Then I bought my first DS top. It was a combination of a sweater and a sweatshirt, but had a pretty silhouette and neckline so I felt dressed. Not to mention the color was perfect (you know how I love blush). Well, as they say....the rest was history! Now DS is a part of my weekly wardrobe and I'm so happy to share this shoot with all of you!

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If you're looking for the perfect pair of vegan leggings, CLICK HERE!! They're so comfortable and really look and feel like the real thing. Also, kid friendly:)

CASUAL FALL

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Happy Tuesday friends! Hope you're having a good week so far. It finally feels like Fall has arrived in Connecticut and I love it! Now if I could only find the time to switch my closet over! I get a ton of styling requests from women looking to create a casual chic "home" look. Outfits that you can wear at home, running errands, picking the kids up, lunch with friends, and still feel dressed for everything in between. Two of my closet staples for all my clients are 1. Cardigan and 2. Silk Camisole. I live in this look and what I like most is it can take me day to night if I have a casual dinner to go to during the week. Want to turn it up a notch? Pair this silk with a darker or black jean, booties, and a statement earring! Shop this look below with some of my top pics:)

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SCARF BLOUSE

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OVER THE KNEE

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Hey friends! Hope you're having a great weekend:) We took the boys to Stone Barns yesterday for their annual Harvest Fest and it was HOT!!!! I can't remember a time when it was over 80 degrees in October. Makes it a little tough to apple pick in a pretty wool fisherman sweater and riding boots! So unfortunately I wasn't wearing this pretty tonal look and hat but I'm hoping to live in it very soon! What are your thoughts on over-the-knee boots? I think they've become less of a trend and more of a staple and they make an outfit look more dressed. Whats great is almost ever designer is making that style now so they're available at all price points. The ones I'm wearing are Stuart Weitzman (color is no longer available) and although they're a splurge I have to say if you wear them as much as I do they're worth the price tag. Below I included a mini OTK style vs. splurge for you! 

• My sweater is only $65! Love it casual but I will probably also dress it up with darker denim or leather leggings and a pretty earring, I also love this one which is the same price
• This dress would also look great with OTK boots. Throw it on with a leather jacket and its the perfect Fall look 
• I just ordered this sweater! Comes in 4 colors - can you guess which on I ordered?

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STEAL VS. SPLURGE

BOW BLOUSE

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Today feels like Friday! Its been a long week already and I'm heading home right now after three days in Philadelphia with Theory. Lots of exciting things happening this year! SOO happy to see my boys tonight! Its amazing what a couple days away can do:)

I'm a sucker for a flowy style blouse. I think its no secret that I love this brand and their pretty, ethereal style and design. I don't wear a ton of blue (actually I have almost no blue in my closet) but when I saw  this shade and pattern I was sold on its 70's vibe. Note: I've received a few questions about my jeans...they're old but I tagged a very similar pair! 

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THE UN-LEATHER JACKET

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I hope everyone had a lovely weekend! Frank and I went to a very pretty farm wedding in Suffield, CT and had so much fun! It was our first 24hrs away (alone) since Harrison was born and we definitely enjoyed ourselves! BUT I have to say I was so happy to come home to my sweet boys yesterday:) 

Last Fall I was pregnant and in search of a leather jacket that could go with me everywhere - day to night, maternity to non-maternity and I needed a neutral color. When I found this one I was so excited! Not only was it the best silhouette, it was vegan which meant it was basically kid-proof. Over the last year I've worn it over jeans, with dresses, and even took it to a wedding. Ummm did I mention its $95!!

If you're looking for something that's leather the same brand makes this one which is still very reasonable as far as leather jackets go. Also I should note, the jeans, t-shirt, and shoes are all old in this post but I tried linking very similar pieces. My pumps are almost identical!

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A HERO SWEATER

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I LOVE short weeks...I can't believe its Wednesday already! I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend (I ended up working for most of it - so many exciting things on the horizon for TGG). I know its not technically Fall yet but we've already had some days in CT that sure feel like it. Is it bad that I'm already dying to whip out all my sweaters and darker denim?

Ever heard of a "Hero" item? Think season must-have thats also a wardrobe staple. I'm loving the sweater trends for Fall. Chunky aran knits with details ranging from fringe, to pom poms, to colored intarsia prints. This sweater has it all! 

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WEDDING GUEST DRESSES

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One of the top requests I receive from clients is help shopping for wedding guest dresses. Although the rule "you can't wear white to a wedding" is dated, it still stands true for most brides. Sidenote: we went to a wedding once where all the guests were in ivory and black and it looked AMAZING!!! I'm not opposed to a black dress for a wedding as long as there is texture. Also, lace and sheer accents are key!

So you can't wear black or ivory...what do you do? Personally I don't wear bright, solid colors and I always gravitate towards floral: one - it photographs well, and two - if you choose the right pattern they usually won't go out of style. I instantly fell in love with this one's soft ruffles and ethereal vibe. It can be worn both on and off the shoulder which is also a plus! Looking for personalized help finding the perfect outfit? Click here! OR scroll down to shop my picks for this Fall's wedding season at every price! 

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MY BEAUTY ROUTINE

Hi there! Welcome to my first beauty post! Since starting THE GIRL LOOK BOOK I've received so many questions about my skincare routine. I'm a big fan of the "less is more" approach and I have to admit, it's pretty basic. BUT the key has always been natural ingredients.  I've been using Tata Harper skincare for almost 8 years! She is sort of a pioneer in the organic skincare space. When I met her I was instantly inspired by her story - her step dad was diagnosed with Cancer and when she started to help him "detox" the products he was using, she realized there was nothing 100% natural/organic on the market. I love everything about her line especially the scents of her products, so natural and clean. 

About two years ago a discovered JuiceBeauty at Whole Foods. I was looking for an affordable moisturizer to switch things up a bit and I fell in love! You can't beat the prices (my antioxidant moisturizer is $39) and I find it to be really effective during the dry winter months. SO when I heard that one of my favorite websites/brands GOOP was teaming up with Juice Beauty I was super psyched. I bought this discovery set and I'm only about three weeks in but I LOVE it! Especially the face oil! 

• I first tried this face wash when I purchased a Theory x Lola box for International Women's day. It was filled with goodies and one of my favorites was this product. I use it every night (in the morning's I just splash water on my face and re-apply moisturizer). The smell is very clean!
• I have a thing for face oils....I used to think it was weird - how does applying oil to your face not make you break out? Now that I've been using them for years I'm addicted. I highly recommend this one and this one is my new favorite. 
• The first skincare product I ever switched from mainstream to holistic was my deodorant. I once read an article linking aluminum containing antiperspirants to breast cancer and I immediately switched to an all natural deodorant. Disclaimer: The natural ones are NEVER going to work as well as the chemical ridden ones, BUT thats a trade I'm willing to make! This is my current favorite. 

Check out this article, Clean Beauty - And Why It's Important and you'll be hooked just like I am!

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SKINCARE

FACE OIL

FACE WASH

FACE MASKS

DEODORANT

OFF THE BEACH

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FLORAL MAXI

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Greetings from Sag Harbor! Having major technical difficulties here so this post is going to be short and sweet! I wore this dress to a recent event I hosted at Lord & Taylor and I love it! I hesitated at first because it was black but adding the floral makes it so versatile. We have a wedding in early September that I think it will be perfect for. I love wearing maxi dresses - especially flowy ones. There is a common misconception that if you're not supermodel height you can't pull one off but thats not true. The key is good tailoring and ensuring the length is right for you. These shoes are so comfortable (I SWEAR) and the only thing that made this dress possible for me:) I rounded up a few of my top maxi picks right now. Some of them are under $150!

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LINEN STRIPES + FAVORITE TOP ROUNDUP

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Happy Tuesday! Hope everyone is having a great week so far:) I'm pumping out this post while simoultaneously entertaining Luke and Harrison with a Baby Einstein video. If you have kids and don't know about these you need to order ASAP! They're educational and the images play along with the prettiest classical music so I can actually concentrate while they're on! I thought Luke would grown out of them but he still loves them! 

What do you guys think of this top? I can tell you I love wearing it...the linen is so soft and its really comfortable. I always talk about wearing pieces from day to night and tucked into white jeans and a pair of gold hoops you're good to go! I can see myself wearing it into early Fall too. There are so many great (and affordable) blouses out right now. Check up my roundup below:) 

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