A FAUX SHERPA COAT IN BOSTON

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Today I drove up to Boston for the day! It’s been a few years since I’ve been and I’ve always loved it for its cobblestone streets and rich history. The Beacon Hill area reminded me so much of Nantucket! In the morning I had a meeting with a potential client and afterwards I was so excited to walk around and explore one of my favorite cities. I can’t tell you how many women stopped to ask me about my outfit! I was so excited to let them know that my boots, faux leather leggings, and coat were all from Walmart! For me, Walmart Fashion is quickly becoming the destination for chic and elegant styles at affordable prices. Earlier this week I shared this gray sweater dress paired with this black lace slip which made the perfect combination for an upcoming cocktail party. I also love that most of the pieces I ordered came in under three days making it easier for me prepare of my event.

Another Walmart tip? If you’re looking to splurge they also stock my favorite style of sunnies! This blonde tortoise pair is on my list for Christmas this year :)

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walmart fashion finds

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— I WOULD LIKE TO THANK WALMART FOR SPONSORING THIS POST —

ALL THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ARE MY OWN

BUDGET FRIENDLY BUYS FOR FALL

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In search of the perfect party dress for Fall? This style will turn heads at any holiday fête! I’ll be pairing it with a statement earring, black tights, and a sleek bootie once the temperatures drop. You can also style it casually as shown here with my favorite French sneaks (they’re lined in terry and insanely comfortable BTW). I instantly loved this dress when I saw it online. It reminds me of one of my favorite emerging designers, Cecelie Bahnsen the only difference is, my dress $119….her dress, $1,195.

I pride myself on being a fashion resource to my followers and readers on where to invest their money when they want to splurge. However, I also love LOVE finding a great bargain. We can’t all buy everything! Helping women achieve their desired look even on a budget is one of my favorite challenges.

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scroll down to shop my favorite steal vs. splurge pieces for fall and click here for my

under $150 shop page

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steal // splurge

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steal // splurge

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steal // splurge

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THE SUNDAY SECTION

t h e s u n d a y s e c t i o n

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w h o

goop - I loved this interview with the founder of Virtuvi. I love my diffuser so much and can honestly say that over a year later, it makes me happy every time I turn it on. My favorite scent is Pacific.

Harper’s Bazaar - How resentment will ruin your marriage…

The Atlantic - A couple in San Francisco making over 300k a year and “barely scraping by and not able to save”. This article sheds light on income and geographic inequalities and the normalization of high spending patterns like a $15 salad or a nanny for more than 30k a year. “I think the rise of the high-octane couple has increased this sense of generalized household stress, which no amount of money can buy you out of.”

The Food Network - The dirty truth about your kitchen sponge and how to sanitize it. Personally we use a brush to do our dishes, I try to put it in the dishwasher once a week and replace every 4 months or so (when I remember).

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w o r e

What I wore this week:

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w h a t

Troutbeck - Its not too late to plan a weekend getaway before the holidays or surprise someone you love with one in January or February. Have you ever heard of Troutbeck? Its an award-winning country house estate set in rural Amenia, New York. They just completed a massive renovation in 2018 and according to Conde Nast Traveler it is “Hudson Valley Chic”. Officially added to my list!

cookbook - Already on my stocking stuffer list for my foodie friends is this gluten free gem is packed with 100 recipes. James Beard recognized chef Aron Goyoga’s book guarantees to not only help create good meals but also bring mindfulness back into the kitchen and create meaningful gatherings with family and friends. Sounds like something Priya Parker might enjoy!

gold necklace - I’m loving the gold chain necklace trend. Its one of those pieces that yes, you would purchase it now because its a thing, BUT, its also timeless and still something that I would love to have even after the trend fades. Here are two that have caught my eye recently: this one and also this style.

faux sherpa coat - I shared this $35 sherpa coat on stories this week and you all LOVED it! I took a chance when I ordered it and was so pleasantly surprised when it arrived. Here are answers to my most commonly asked questions about it: I purchased a small, it doesn’t look as white in person as it does in the picture - its more of a creamy color, it seems well made and 100% worth it for the price tag.

budget buys I’m currently loving -

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w h e r e

La Mercerie

I’ve talked about here and on Instagram many times before - I almost always judge the quality of my road trips, vacations, and daily excursions, on the meals that eat. I blame my Dad. Growing up he taught us how lovely it was to slow down on the weekends, discover a new town, sit and have lunch, and drive around some more. For me, the food is only where it begins….What is the ambiance of a place? Do they have a tiny bookstore attached? Do they have a wall of loose leaf tea to choose from? How does it feel? Its one of the reasons I’ve always wanted to open a small cafe. I want the challenge of improving someone’s mood with an experience and for me I love doing it with food and drink.

I first heard of La Mercerie last winter when I stayed with a girlfriend in the city for a girl’s night. We tried to get in but it was an impossible last minute Sunday brunch reservation. Fast forward to Thursday - I was mid-photoshoot and was looking for a place to change when my photographer mentioned grabbing a coffee and suggested we run into the restaurant on the corner. I didn’t notice the name at first as my eyes were drawn to the lush green decor covering the facade and the perfectly imperfect pumpkins scattered throughout. We walked in and I instantly recognized the grand room filled with excited people, and elegant autumnal decor. I quickly changed and we left (insert awkward emoji here). After my shoot returned for a celebratory lunch of sorts and to my surprise the maitre d pointed to a perfect spot looking out on the street. LONG story short, La Mercerie is worth it. The atmosphere and the food were lovely. Attached to the restaurant is a florist shop and an insanely overpriced home store perfect for browsing. I ordered the nicoise salad and also highly recommend the buckwheat crepes. It was a very special treat!

SECOND HAND LUXURY

dress // mango // sneakers (old zara) similar here and here

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Most of us can’t walk into a luxury retailer and drop thousands of dollars on a handbag a few times a year or even once a year. So what does that mean? What are the options? Ten years ago if you couldn’t afford the Chanel handbag you loved you were out of luck. Today, times have seriously changed! The reseller market has exploded and younger generations are sending retailers a new message loud and clear: “We don’t need to buy new anymore”. I recently walked in The Real Real flagship store in Soho, NY and was shocked by the quality of perfectly curated goods. It felt like being in a high-end, multi-brand store, with only one difference, everything once belonged to someone else. I was drawn to a beautiful gray Hermes wallet that when I picked it up I couldn’t help but ask myself, “Why would anyone spend triple the price when this one was virtually new?”. So nowadays you can buy new, buy used, buy vintage, and even borrow luxury goods. My absolute favorite place to sell handbags is Fashionphile. I talked about it more in this post last year, but it is the best. They offer you a “buy it out” price from the start so you know exactly what you’re getting. My second choice after that would be selling it on Tradesy and lastly, sell on The Real Real (if and only if you’re not married to getting a certain dollar amount).

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f a s h i o n p h i l e

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t h e r e a l r e a l

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THE ROYAL TREATMENT

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I’ve never been to England. I really want to see London but what gets me even more excited is the countryside - visiting the Cotswolds, sheep everywhere, fairytale little houses centuries old (I’ve been dreaming). We are not members of Soho House but I love their exclusive farmhouse in Oxfordshire. I’m still not quite sure if anyone can stay there but needless to say its at the top of my list.

If I had to describe my style I would say classically boho or bohemian classic. does that make sense? I love prairie dresses and cowboy boots, and oversized cardigans from Jenni Kayne. Then there is a part of me that loves a tailored blazer with a structured shirt and skinny pant. Classic + boho. I really love this roundup because it represents my style so well - from city to county. What is not included in the below linked items is this polene bag and this headband by Lelet.

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c i t y t o c o u n t r y

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THE SUNDAY SECTION

t h e s u n d a y s e c t i o n

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w h o

Huffington Post - Looks like baby Archie will be spending Christmas in the States! If you haven’t watched this clip yet, its a heartbreaker. Whether you like her or not, you can’t deny that it shows a very real and vulnerable side of Megan Markle. I can’t imagine the pressure she must be under as a new mother and dealing with the scrutiny and negative comments day after day is unimaginable. I’ll never forget the first critique I received via Instagram about my parenting. It stayed with me for weeks….and that was just one comment.

Bloomberg - This is my worst nightmare. I don’t like flying so the idea of being on a plane for almost 20 hours is terrifying. I found this article fascinating and felt my heart rate rising just reading about each hour on this never-ending journey to Sydney. If it happens, seems like a jet lag game changer for those traveling across the world.

National Geographic - nearly 70 percent of the Earth’s population lives within 100 miles of the coast, zones that could flood within decades according to National Geographic.

Vogue - Looking for more fashion inspo? Here is a round up of the best fashion Instagram accounts this week according to Vogue. Beware: I clicked on @emrata which sent me down a thirty-minute rabbit hole.

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wore

Anthropologie is 25% off (ends tonight)…

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what

Zara home - If you don’t know, now you know. Walking into a Zara home store for the first time in Belgium last summer I was blown away! Not only did I want everything because the aesthetic was every neutral lover’s dream, but the prices were so reasonable I was shocked. Of course I could fit next to nothing in my almost exploding suitcase so I left with nothing but continued to admire their goods from afar (online). Click here to see this season - I’m starting with bedding for the boys. Will keep you posted!

resell - My favorite destination for buying and selling luxury handbags just discounted thousands of new pieces and I have my eye on a few! I’ll be doing a more in-depth post on this topic next week but for now just leaving you with this thought: “Do we really need our $$$ handbags to be brand new?”. Hint: Gen Z ( and I) are saying no!

recipes - these are two adventurous ones: the temperatures are dropping and its time for comforting soups and stews. This is the best beef bourguignon. who doesn’t love Ina? And for a dessert: these chocolate and peanut butter bars sound incredible! I wish I could bake! Its on my list of things to do more of this Fall. I love how she makes everything seem easier with her videos and tutorials!

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where

the berkshires

Last week I received a few messages about my post on weekend drives from Connecticut and New York. I LOVE when people ask me about short (2ish hours) road trips with kids. It makes me so happy to help parents live in a way that still feels fulfilling after kids. By fulfilled I mean quenching their sense of adventure, and the excitement of going somewhere new thats not necessarily geared towards children. Our kids have the best time in The Berkshires and I think part of the reason is that Frank and I are so happy when we’re there. We walk around town, hit up farmer’s markets, go into a few shops, nap, go on hikes, eat delicious food…ahhh I want to drive there right now!

The moral of the story is - check out my posts on The Berkshires here. Why I love them, what to do there, and where to stay (even on a budget). Don’t forget to share if you go:)

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shop the post

sweater // skirt // boots // bag

THE SUNDAY SECTION

T H E S U N D A Y S E C T I O N

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W H O

goop - America’s largest forest is in danger. Click to read more about the Tongass National Forest, home to grizzly bears, bald eagles, Pacific salmon, and moose to name a few.

blair eadie - Blair Eadie is back with her newest collection for Nordstrom and everything is under $250. These faux crop pants are interesting and this navy blazer reminds me of the Vanessa Bruno one I’ve been wearing that is sold out. Also this pair of on trend faux croc boots.

theeverygirl - Things all first moms experience….just sent this one to my sister who is working on her second day home with her first child. I remember the feeling so well. EVERYTHING overwhelmed me and I felt paralyzed when making decisions. I don’t know what I would have done without Frank during this time. We really came together.

Vogue - Hailey Bieber’s beautiful wedding in Palmetto Bluff. See her receptions dress designed by Vera Wang here, and her wedding dress by Virgil Abloh here.

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W O R E

What I wore this week:

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W H A T

recipe - the yummiest vegan ranch dressing! I’ve always said I would love to take cooking classes to learn how to do two things: make sauces (gravy, francese, bernaise, etc.), and to learn how to make interesting dressings. We eat a lot of salads around here and a good dressing can make or break a meal.

watch - review of El Camino, the Breaking Bad spinoff movie that was released on Netflix last week. We watched it on Friday night and thought it was great - the perfect conclusion to a show we were sad to see go. also, how has it been 6 years already??

sweater dress - I love this interesting take on a classic sweater dress. I actually have a slip with ruffle detailing at the bottom of it and have been thinking of getting an extra long sweater to turn it into a dress. Found this two-in-one style too from Free People and also this turtleneck one from Asos.

Black sunnies - I saw these on a friend this weekend and they are awesome! We ended up passing them around the party and they really looked good on every face shape. Love that they’re “celine-esque” but under $100. Putting them on my list:)

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W H A T

Did you know Urban Outfitters has an amazing home selection?

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WEEKEND EXPLORING AND THE PERFECT FALL BOOT

JACKET // SWEATER // DENIM // BOOTS

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The Korkidis family is always up for an adventure. From the beginning, Frank and I agreed that we wanted to continue our “get up and go” mindset post-kids. Although it’s changed a bit, I love that we can still continue exploring as a family. 

I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect pair of outdoor boots for Fall. I wanted something that was durable and waterproof, but also sleek and stylish to compliment my aesthetic. Sperry has the best selection of all weather boots. The Saltwater duckboot is lined in with a warm micro-fleece and the non-marking rubber duck exterior is waterproof. I love this style for me paired with skinny jeans and a chunky turtleneck. Also, did you know they have the cutest children’s styles? I’m obsessed with this boot for the boys!

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Places on our list this Fall

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Storm King Art Center – I’ve always wanted to visit this museum and property. We kind of missed apple picking this year and may head up hear on a Saturday or Sunday in lieu of that this season.

Hudson, NY – You may remember a day trip we took up to Hudson last December. We packed the car with everything we needed including the boys PJ’s for the late night ride home. It was the best trip! Looking forward to going back next month for an overnight!

Great Barrington, MA – We love the Berkshires. I’ve talked a lot about it here and in this tab. Hoping for an overnight one weekend before the farmer’s market shuts down for the season (its my favorite one!). 

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 Thank you to Sperry for sponsoring this post

TWEEDS AND TEXTURES

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Happy Thursday! Lots going on for the Korkidis family in the last 24 hours. My sister went into labor yesterday (5 days early) and delivered at 1am today! I am SO excited to meet my sweet baby niece. lots more to come on the sweetest new arrival. The boys are also so excited to meet her.

Short post today (no pun intended hehe) but I really wanted to share this look and a Columbus Day sale happening this weekend. One of my favorite brands, Mango, is 30% off with code COLUMBUS19. I hope everyone has an amazing rest of the week:)

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get the look

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m a n g o s a l e

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DOWNTON VIBES and not so high heels

b l o u s e s

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t h r e e t h i n g s

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1. Can’t wait to watch the new downton abbey movie - I’m a sucker for a ruffle and exaggerated shoulder blouse

2. I always get asked about these shoes. They’re actually 3-ish years old and from Ivanka’s trump’s shoe line (which i don’t think exists anymore). they are perfect dupes of the Chanel ones and honestly when these tank i would consider splurging for the CC’s because I love the style so much. linked another steal version below!

3. i shot this sweater today and wanted to share it here - H&M sells out so quickly and I know by the time I post it will be sold out.
   

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a low heel

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THE SUNDAY SECTION

t h e s u n d a y s e c t i o n

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who

ELLE - The story of one woman and her Facebook group that took downs a Sudanise dictator.

The Washington Post - Ummm this is bad. I mean, this is really bad. I drink tea EVERY SINGLE DAY! I hate to admit it but I read this headline and the first thing I thought was, “Really? Does everything have to be bad for you??” Now I’m off to find a small metal apparatus that I can carry around and dump my tea leaves into instead of a the plastic mesh bag I always thought was so pretty.

NPR - Can positive childhood memories protect you from experiencing depression later on in life?

The Wall Street Journal - How a “psychological contract” saved one dual-career couple’s relationship.

Vogue - The photos from this Italian wedding are stunning. Maybe a summer 2020 trip for the Korkidis’s? Better start saving!

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w o r e

Some of my favorites from the weekend’s sales:

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W H A T

deodorant - OK so….I’m so happy I shared this on my Instagram the other day! The best news - I’m not the only smelly one out there haha. I’ve been using natural or organic deodorants for about six years now (my poor husband) and I’ve never been truly satisfied. So now I’m officially on a quest to see if I can find one that works for me. On Friday I received over one hundred messages in response to my IG stories and here were the most popular suggestions:

• Native - this was by far the most suggested

• Schmidt’s - this is the one that started the conversation. I tested the lavender one that comes in a glass jar - it did NOT work for me. But so many of you said the stick does, so added it to the list.

• Agent Nateur - this is the one I’ve been using the longest. I don’t want to say it doesn’t work, because it does. But I think that I’ve outgrown it or need a break from it, hence the experiment with something new!

• Rosy Pits from Mega Babe

• Corpus Naturals

• Love Fresh

• Primal Pit Paste - I purchased this one today at Whole Foods

hair loss - Hair loss is a really scary thing. It can happen for so many reasons: vitamin deficiency, hormone imbalance, and thyroid issues, just to name a few. I’ve been experiencing some really bad hair loss for the last two months and my best guess is it is stress related. We had a trauma in our family around the end of July and towards the end of August I started to notice it. At first I thought it was seasonal (I usually experience some shedding around September) but this was different. when I went to get a haircut they agreed, it was pretty bad. Last week I asked my IG community for help and I wanted to share the suggestions. Even though my best guess is it is stress related and I’ll just have to let it run its course, I want to take some steps to strengthen my hair overall. I’ve taken vital proteins before but never really committed to them (or loved), but considering giving them another shot. Here are some others:

• Nutrafol

• Monistat - this one was crazy to me! Check out @thesisterstudioig

• Biotin

• Vital Proteins - powder and creamers

• Prenatal Vitamins

• Mary Ruth Organic

• Nature’s Bounty - hair, skin, nails vitamins

podcast - I loved this podcast from goopfellas. Author and former pro athlete Lewis Howes talks about the different masks that he believes men hide behind.

winter boots - Its not quite that time of year but I’m starting to look! Love all the options I’m seeing in neutrals like these shearling ones, and this pair. I was obsessed with this pair but it sold out during their last sale.

necklaces - One of my favorite jewelry designers is having a two day sitewide sale! I wear her necklaces almost everyday - they’re beautifully made. I love how you can wear them on their own or stacked. I’ve had my eye on this heart and here is my wishbone:)

white tee - OK, I keep saying my favorite but this is seriously the best white tee and its $18 and back in stock. I wear a medium so its a little roomier.

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capsule collection favorites

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THE LUST LIST

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One of my favorite things I create for clients are these styled round-ups. I love curating looks for them and when I hit “send” I get this sense of excitement (and hope) that they’ll love what I’ve put together. Its a similar feeling to posting them here. On the blog, The Lust List is just that. Pieces that I either have and love, or want to add to my wardrobe this season. To be honest, they take a lot of time to create which is why I don’t post them as often as I used to. The best part of this weeks? Everything is on sale! Some are included in the Saks Fifth Avenue Friends and Family sale and some are from the Net-A-Porter sale with code NEWNOW15.

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s h o p t h e p o s t

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THE PERFECT PROVENANCE

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g e t t h e l o o k

blouse // suede pants // heels // vest coat

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s t y l e d

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L O O K O N E

SWEATER // DENIM // FLATS

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L O O K T W O

JACKET // BLOUSE // PANTS // FLATS

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L O O K T H R E E

CARDIGAN // SHOES // HANDBAG