FALL'S MUST HAVE

GET THE LOOK

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Still in Belgium and it feels good to take a break from travel pictures and back to the blog. I missed it! This is the first time we've taken a vacation since I relaunched THE GIRL LOOK BOOK so I wasn't  quite sure how it would go in regards to posting, frequency, etc. I decided I wouldn't put too much pressure on myself and would decide once I got here. We are visiting family and friends everyday and I've enjoyed the break with Frank and the boys. I will say though...taking pictures has never been more exciting because I get to share them with YOU! So let me know what you would prefer for the next time around, more blog posts or following along on social. Both answers are helpful!

 The blazer is your wardrobe's must have this season. You can wear one with everything. I styled it here in an easy everyday way but you can also pair it back to a dress, maxi skirt, etc. ALSO had to tell you that I just picked these up in Belgium. They're real leather and super comfortable. They are a perfect "steal" version of the ones I'm wearing. Also I've been living in these sunglasses! I've been looking for a metal frame to replace my aviators and finally found one. LOVE!

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mad for plaid

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WHAT TO PACK: BELGIUM

Our trip to Belgium was a success! Of course we had a few ups and downs (like literally horrible turbulence for 15 minutes that had me lifted out of my seat and screaming) but Luke slept through most of it and we made it in tact and semi-rested! I've had some questions about the boys adapting to the first 24hrs and I'll do a post on our schedule after the red-eye..just want to wait till tomorrow to see if there are any major changes. 

I feel like at least half of our positive experience was the result of all the great suggestions I received through my Instagram followers (especially the kid advice). Also this article was great for me! I've been feeling like I am on the brink of getting a sold but the Vitamin C packets have been great. I strongly recommend them for travel. Also setting my watch to the time in Belgium the minute we got on the plane also worked!

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IN MY CARRY ON

• Luke loved this tape on the plane. We used it to make shapes and designs on the tray table. I originally bought it for a window seat but we switched to the middle of the plane and it was equally as fun on the seat in front of us! 
• This is the best invention! We both used it to fall asleep. Two downsides though: you have to blow it up, no pump. Not the biggest deal but I got a little light-headed at 30,000 feet! Also the height didn't quite match our seat so it wasn't perfect. Overall though totally worth it. Now I know why they call it 1st class for kids!

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IN MY SUITCASE

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LOCAL: AL FRESCO DINING

sweater Vanessa Bruno // jeans Baldwin // espadrilles Robert Clergerie

I've always been in love with romance of dining. Its not just about the food for me, although thats really important to, but more so the experience. Ever since I was a little girl I've loved serving people meals, drinks, you name it. I get so much joy from their reactions when I would do it. But its not just that, it was creating the experience that I loved so much...setting the table, filling the bar cart, lighting candles. When we hosted parties my Dad would open the windows in our house and the music would pour out of the screens and on to the patio. It was magic. I think about that a lot these days now that I'm a mom and Luke notices everything. I want to pass on this feeling to him too.

My parents tell this funny story of me when I was around 6 years old. I loved waking up early and making breakfast for them, especially coffee. My sister and I would usually make pancakes, set a tray, and excitedly run up to their room to serve them "breakfast in bed" (FYI it was probably 7am). Every time their faces would light up, "This coffee is amazing Artemis, thank you!". It was only about 5 years ago that they told me the coffee was horrible!!! I think I was bragging to Frank that I had been an expert barista from an early age and they gently corrected me so as not to crush my childhood memories :) 

I love The Perfect Provenance. The food is amazing, the experience is unmatched, and you will be transported to another place even for just a little while. If you're local go now, ask for a Solstice Sun iced tea, and sit outside! 

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dress Vanessa Bruno // bag Vanessa Bruno // espadrilles Robert Clergerie

this post was sponsored by the perfect provenance

EASY TRAVEL DRESS

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I'm starting to pack for our trip to Belgium and I want to bring everything and actually nothing at the same time! I've always had this dream of going to Europe wearing only jeans and a white t-shirt, and with an empty suitcase that I fill along the way. A GIRL CAN DREAM! I couldn't find my exact dress but linked very similar ones all in the same easy fabric below. I ordered this one the minute I found it. It reminds me of a Chloe and Zimmermann which would have been in the thousands and couldn't believe it was under $150. Happy hump day!

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DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT // LOVE SAM

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dresses

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tops

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BEST FOOT FORWARD

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STYLING NEUTRALS

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I want EVERYTHING! I created a Fall shopping list for a client and had to share. She wanted neutral blush tones, a mixture of textures, and a asked for a trench that would go with everything. Et voila! 

• Love these sandals ! They're a neutral version of another raffia favorite of mine from Carrie Forbes
• I get so many questions about the rug in our living room. It's been sold out but found one more site with it. BEST neutral color and looks and feels very expensive!

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WEEKEND RECAP + THE BERKSHIRES

We had the loveliest weekend in the Berkshires. I know I call a lot of places my "happy place" but this truly is. We've been going to Great Barrington as a family for almost 30 years. In the beginning it was for overnight ski trips to Butternut or Jiminy Peak. The proximity to Westchester and Fairfield makes it a super easy and convenient trip with kids and it feels like you're getting away.

When I was 25 my parents decided to purchase a second home in South Egremont, MA. For the next 6 years I would fall in love with the Berkshires...the air, the scenery, the people...it was all so calming for me and it felt like home. Looking back I wish I had been able to visit more but realistically my job didn't allow for it. Last year my parents decided to sell both of there homes and move to CT (closer to us...YAY!). This weekend was the first time we've all been up together since and we had the best time. Also there was lots of talk about finding a smaller place in Great Barrington. Day dreaming...

On Saturday night we went to Tanglewood to see the Boston Symphony Orchestra perform film scripts written and conducted by John Williams. If you're not familiar with John Williams he wrote the music for all the classics: Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Jaws, Jurassic Park, and Back to the Future to name a few. Rain or shine the show goes on at Tanglewood so we pitched a tent (literally) and enjoyed a magical night with the kids. I highly recommend seeing a concert here if you're heading up to the Berkshires!

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RUBI'S IN GREAT BARRINGTON

DEPOT 6 IN WEST STOCKBRIDGE

THE BERKSHIRES

WHAT TO PACK

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MYFAVORITE BERKSHIRE TEA AT DEPOT 6

RUBY'S IN GREAT BARRINGTON

PLACES TO GO, THINGS TO SEE

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restaurants

Depot 6

Baba Louie's

Bizen

Prarie Whale

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activities

Bash Bish Falls

Monument Mountain

Turn Park

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shopping

hammertown

One Mercantile

Jane Iredale

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WALKING TO THE GREAT BARRINGTON FARMER'S MARKET

VEGETABLE GARDEN AT THE BRIARCLIFF MOTEL

BRUNCH AT PATISSERIE LENOX IN GREAT BARRINGTON

COVERUPS FOR ON AND OFF THE BEACH

GET THE LOOK

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Harry and I had SO much fun in Watch Hill on Monday. We drove out for the day (two hours each way but its a straight shot from CT and I was happy to catch up on phone calls) and visited our friends at Coco and Lala. They have one store for women and the cutest store for kids. The selection for little girls is so adorable. If you're heading to Watch Hill or just passing through you have to stop by. Also I fell in love with this coffee shop when Frank and I went for a day trip back in May. The gluten free cookies are amazing!! 

Love this coverup! Its def an investment piece but I love that I can wear it as a dress apres beach. I just through a slip under it and it was good to go. I like this one. 

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PS I get a lot of questions about my this bag. I LOVE it. I've had it for a little over 2 years and I still feel like its a classic and not trend. I think its the color I have and the "saddle" style. My color is "abstract white". 

ON AND OFF THE BEACH

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3 MUST HAVE DENIM STYLES

These days shopping for denim can de overwhelming but it doesn't have to be. Clients always ask me, "Are these out of style?". My answer is this - at this point pretty much every style has come full circle and nothing is in and nothing is out. Of course there will be a trend every season but if you style them right, you should be able to wear almost ever jean in your closet and still look current. Sharing my top 3 styles for this Fall that I also consider classics and staples in my wardrobe. 

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THE WEDGIE

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THE STYLED JEAN

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THE IVORY JEAN

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MY FAVORITE SUMMER (OR WHENEVER) COCKTAIL

I went barefoot and makeup-free for today's post! More and more we've been having friends pop over for a cocktail on a Friday night and its important to note that it doesn't have to be over the top! Especially in the summer...I love hosting and I especially love it in a casual setting, no shoes, music on, good food and good cocktails! I'm sharing my favorite go-to drink, a dark and stormy. I love to load up on the lime juice and the key is to use the best ingredients. I was so excited when I found this ginger beer - its the best!!

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garden entertaining in style

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DARK AND STORMY

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WHAT YOU'LL NEED

2 limes 

1 handful of fresh mint

2 pieces of crystalized ginger slices

Belvoir ginger beer 

dark rum

2 wood skewers 

2 straws

* serves two 

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Prepare the limes, one lime into wedges for garnish and one widthwise into 1 inch slices to place into the cocktail

Fill Ball jar with ice and pour in two parts ginger beer for 1 part rum. You can add additional rum/ginger beer depending on how strong you want it to be!

Squeeze the juice from two lime wedges into each 

Prepare the garnish, slide lime wedge, ginger, and fresh mint onto the skewer

Add skewer to cocktail and garnish with remaining lime wedges and SERVE!

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WEAR NOW, INVEST FOR LATER

a dress for now and later

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I always talk about how I'd love to live in San Francisco. To me this is the perfect SF outfit for a cool sunny day and a chillier night. This dress just makes me so happy and I will absolutely be wearing it in the Fall with a black leather jacket and booties. I'm trying not to post too much Pre-Fall because I know how annoying it is when stores start merchandising sweaters when its 95 degrees and humid BUT I just couldn't resist the little roundup below. No summer scaries here, Fall is going to be GOOD!!!!

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TRASITIONAL pieces 

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A DAY IN NASHVILLE, TN

NASHVILLE PACKING LIST

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PLACES TO GO, PEOPLE TO SEE

My friend took me to the loveliest lunch spot. It was perfect!

A must-go if you're in Nashville for the day is White's Mercantile. Founded by owner Holly Williams (her name might sound familiar to you if you're at all interested in country music hehe) it is an eclectic gem of all my favorite home and apparel brands. She also has another clothing boutique called H. Audrey which was hands down one of the best buys I've ever seen. I wanted it to be Fall IMMEDIATELY everything was so good. 

This ice cream place was adorable and they had the most creative flavors. They also get an extra thumbs up for having the best vegan/dairy free chocolate flavor ever had!

white's mercantile

the cafe at thistle farms 

draper james

OUTFITS FROM THE NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE

Only two days left! I bought 5 pieces from the Nordstrom Anniversary sale. I chose classic and versatile items that I knew I would want to buy once it started getting a little colder and a few that I could wear now too. One of the most important things I do as a stylist is help my clients wear their clothing in multiple different ways, style different looks, and make their wardrobe investments worth it. I loved creating today's Lust List because with 12 pieces you can create 8+ looks! Sharing my favorite 5 below:)

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LOOK ONE

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look two

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look three

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look four

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LOOK FIVE

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LOOK SIX

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THE PERFECT TRENCH

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SHOP THE SALE

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WHAT TO WEAR: BREASTFEEDING

Looking back at these pictures I can't believe this was only one year ago. Harry and I look so much younger HEHE! Brooke and I shot these for National Breastfeeding week when Harrison was only three months old and I thought wow, this is so special that I'm documenting this (I had never taken any pics nursing Luke) and I knew I would want to remember these moments one day. I also remember the feeling I had posting this picture on social media. I was so nervous...what were people going to think? So much has changed this year. Thanks to celebrities, influencers, and women speaking out everywhere, we are starting to normalize breastfeeding and its about time! 

About three weeks after this photoshoot we went on a family vacation to Sag Harbor. It was                     very special because my parents, my sister, and her fiancé were also staying in the house we rented. It was walking distance to town which was perfect for two sleep deprived parents getting up at all hours of the night. Harry was 3 months old and I was nursing him (and pumping) every 3-4 hours. What I didn't know was that he was starving. Well not actually starving...but kind of. I don't know if everyone can relate but for me I took nursing very seriously and always took it personally after I had just fed him or I had pumped and someone else fed him and then they would say, "That's not enough, he's still hungry". It bothered me so much. The week we were in the Hamptons it was so hot and I was trying very hard to not become dehydrated. Luke was born in the January so I hadn't run into the same issues when I was nursing him. The early months were the hardest for me because they need so much - it takes everything out of you. Long story short the entire trip Harrison woke up ALL NIGHT LONG: 12pm, 2am, 3am, 5am, 7am....I was a walking zombie. We didn't know what was wrong with him. 

The Monday after we returned home I brought him immediately to the pediatrician. I begged him to help...I remember crying in the office as I recounted all the sleepless nights of our vacation. Within 5 minutes he figured it out. He looked at the bottle of breast milk Harry had been drinking and determined my supply wasn't enough, I couldn't keep up, and we were both suffering. He suggested we start supplementing and I was devastated. How could this be? I nursed Luke exclusively for 9 months and then on and off after that. But I was desperate. The next day we added 8 ounces of formula to our routine and that night he slept through the night - 8 hours straight. I was so happy but also so shocked that I couldn't have figured this out on my own just a week earlier. Where was my mother's intuition?? I wanted to share this story because its ok to get it wrong. Its ok to breastfeed for one year, one day, or to decide its not for you from the get go. We all make mistakes as mother and it can be so hard when all you want is the best for your little one. Formula isn't always the answer but for me it was, and even though it was so hard for me to give up nursing because it wasn't my "plan", it was OK. 

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EASY ACCESS

love what you're wearing while your breastfeeding and after

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GIRL

GET THE LOOK

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If I could wear one outfit every day this would be it. The term casual chic is probably overly used in my world (just ask my husband) but its really the best way to describe this look. I love combining textures and fabrics, luxe colors, and creating something that feels good and looks effortless. The fact that I also feel like I'm in pajamas is and added bonus! So these shoes...I can't stop wearing them. The champagne metallic color goes with everything and they're extremely comfortable. I have a thing for this woven cane look right now: these shoes, this chair also love these sandals. 

• This cardigan is from looks and feels lux but its under $100. If you don't see your size keep checking because they've restocked it a few times. I'm wearing a US 4:) 
• While we're on the cardigan topic, this one is on my wishlist. Love that its a twist on a classic with the "chew" detailing + I would wear this color all year round. 
• This under $100 ivory one paired with this silk tank and these jeans!!!

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ASK ME ANYTHING: BLOGGER QUESTIONS

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Last month Instagram launched a new feature called "questions". I think it was an idea that stemmed from the oh so popular "5 things" where bloggers/influencers shared 5 things about themselves that you may not have known. It really caught on and IG decided to create something more permanent. Sharing answers to my most recent group of questions below!

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How do you stay so fit being as busy as you are?

I've been seriously slacking in the fitness department! You can ask my trainer! I'm always on the go which helps but honestly I consider myself "fat skinny". I may look thin but my mid middrift section is not toned AT ALL and I want to be a lot stronger. Its been really tough getting to the gym with my new schedule but I'm hoping to kick it into high gear starting this Fall.  

How do you get yourself protein despite your food sensitivites?

I'm not a vegetarian so I get most of my protein from chicken and fish. Other than that I eat a ton of nuts and other legumes like lentils and chickpeas. I probably could be a vegetarian or eat that way but so far I haven't had the desire. I find breakfast to be the hardest meal and I'll usually make a bowl like this one or have a nut butter smoothie. 

What was your first real job after graduation? Fave job other than blogging?

After graduation I went to work for IBM! You're shocked I know. Following that I went to Ralph Lauren where I stayed for 5+ years. Being a stylist is my absolute favorite job other than styling. I love helping people create their best selves...its not just about the clothing. 

What favorite places to shop?

shopbop // net-a-porter // goop // onekingslane

Favorite Designer?

Chloe

When did you start blogging?

my first post on THE GIRL LOOK BOOK was January 14, 2011. The blog looked very different then! I purchased the domain though in 2009! I took a break in September of 2011 to focus on my career in fashion and re-launched in December of 2016. I like to say no regrets BUT...I wish I had never stopped:)

How do you balance your time with your adorable kids and running a successful business?

This is a constant work in progress! The biggest thing is support from others. I could not do this alone! We have an awesome nanny who is flexible and gives me peace of mind while I'm away. That being said when I left my corporate job in fashion a few months ago we had to significantly lower her hours which meant more time for me with the kids. I'm so grateful for the flexibility and the opportunity to see them more but it can also be really stressful working from home with a deadline! Actually nearly impossible:) SO - work in progress! My husband is also very supportive and helps out with the boys all the time. We have just started a once a week "meeting" to go over what we each have for the week. Its been extremely helpful in addition to a joint calendar. 

When you launched your blog did you post several posts at once or just one?

When I first launched I started with a single post. When I re-launched I had all my previous posts from my original blog but unfortunately all the imagery didn't transfer. 

When did you start blogging?

2011

What is your job other than blogging? I know you say you're self employed. 

I'm a fashion stylist and wardrobe consultant. I do everything from help an individual re-organize their closet, to assisting a family with a holiday photoshoot, to styling a brand's Spring campaign/lookbook. 

Do brands ever send you clothes that you're just like no way? What do you do?

I've never had a brand just send me something. They usually reach out first and say they would like to work together. If it's a item that I don't feel fits my brand I will kindly let them know. There is nothing worse than just accepting something you don't like just to get it. I've been on the other side of that working for fashion brands and retailers and it doesn't feel good. Partnerships should be mutually beneficial and I don't want to share anything with my followers that I don't absolutely love. 

What are the best ways to grow followers?

This is such a tough question. When I re-launched my blog a year and a half ago Instagram was already very different than it is today. It was even more different 3-4 years ago. I've listened to a few podcasts on this topic and everyone seems to say the same thing - be you, be different, be compelling. Your following will grow. Giveaways can help also - I did my first large giveaway once I reached 5k but its not something you want to do regularly. I also love my local community so I started there. Hope that helps!

Do you use photoshop for your layouts? If not, how do you make them?

I do all my collages on photoshop!