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THE GIFT GUIDE - HERS
THE GIFT GUIDE - HIS
THE SUNDAY SECTION
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Net-A-Porter - It’s that 70’s show and shearling is everywhere. I’ve been sharing lots of ways to style it on my IG stories and Pinterest ever since I discovered the sherpa coat from Walmart. This article shares a few other ideas and some insight into one this season’s hottest trends.
Vogue - Ummm, wait what? I was stunned when I saw where Kaia Gerber and Pete Davidson were just spotted “vacationing”! Hillsdale, NY is just a stone’s throw from South Egremont where my parents had a home for the last decade before selling it last year. No one was ever in Hillsdale when I was there haha! I guess I’m not the only one who sees The Berkshires as the perfect winter refuge from the city.
goop - Winter getaways to plan right now. I’ve always wanted to go on a ski-cation out west but that’s just not in the cards this year. I’m thinking maybe two days with Frank in the Hamptons in January. This amazing place has been on my list for a little while now…AESTHETIC GOALS!
Food & Wine - A chef’s secret to the creamiest mashed potatoes…on the fence about this one!
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All that glitters and sparkles for your holiday fête…
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drink of choice - I’m a bourbon/whiskey kind of girl. I don’t know if its the Belgian in me, but I’ve always loved strong woodsy flavors…and beer. Here is a holiday version of my favorite cocktail - a “Morrison” (Moscow) mule.
recipe - OK, ok. I know what you’ll be thinking when you click on this link….”She always shares recipes from Half Baked Harvest!”. I admit it, I do, but she’s that good! Thanksgiving week is always a tough one. Its only Monday night and you’re already feeling like you have to save room for Thursday. Well this 30 minute coq au vin chicken meatballs is worth the space. If mashed potatoes hit too close to home this week, sub brown rice!
clothing rack - I searched high and low when I was looking for a clothing rack to use for shoots and videos. I wanted something that would blend into my clean and neutral aesthetic and wouldn’t break the bank. This one checked all the boxes and is under $50.
tea lover - Have a tea lover in your life? Or maybe you’re one? Here are a few of my favorite tea lover gifts like this cold brew set. This gorgeous gray kettle is a splurge but a lifer and cast iron so you don’t have to worry about boiling water coming into contact with plastic.
lip balm - My favorite lip balm and a great add-on for anyone on your list (men included). This small-batch formula is made of natural ingredients. Linking it via Amazon for easy shipping.
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decorating your holiday mantle
STYLING VIDEO: FALL SNEAKER LOOKS
REVIEW: ISABEL MARANT BETH SNEAKERS
The Beth Sneaker
I don’t make wardrobe investments on a whim. I usually hem and haw and then mull over it some more. I hate buyers regret and honestly haven’t had it in years which I credit to really taking my time when making a big purchase. I consider $385 on a pair of sneakers a splurge and I became obsessed with these the minute I saw them. I had been looking for something with a velcro and I love Isabel Marant. She is the epitome of effortless Parisian style and I knew I would get a lot of wear out of this “model off duty” style. See below for sizing info and more outfit inspiration. The thing I love the most about the Beth besides the look of them is the tongue of the shoe (the part that touches your skin) is lined in terry cloth making them even more comfortable.
Overall review: they are worth the hefty price tag and are a style that you will enjoy for years to come!
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shop other sizes here
sizing information
My story: I ordered true to size. I’m almost always a size 39 in European sizes. If its a narrow evening shoe I can be a 39.5. The first time I put them on I was like, “Oh no way, these are TOO tight!”. I was SO excited to wear them though and just went for it. They’re made with the softest leather so I guessed that they would stretch some. I also knew that I was never going to wear them with socks. The first two times I wore them they were a little tight and I got a blister on my heel (the story gets better I promise haha). I gave them a break fir a week and just like that, they were perfect! After a few more wears they fit like a glove. The tongue of the shoe is a Terry cloth material and makes them even more comfortable.
Sooo….
If you want to wear them with socks, size up.
If you don’t love them being tight, size down.
* I have a pretty wide foot in the front and bunions (eww - I’m really committed to giving you all the info haha).
more sneaker inspo
THE SUNDAY SECTION - HOLIDAY EDITION V1
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Vogue - 7 Tips For Planning a Kids’ Birthday Party Your Fellow Parents Will Appreciate. Honestly, I think children’s birthday parties have gotten a little out of control. I’ll never forget my favorite party as a kid - my mom bought white Keds sneakers for all my friends (there were probably 5 or 6 of us) and we painted them and then had cake. Kids don’t need more than that! Also I should note, it was at home, not at some $700 for two hours play gym. By no means am I knocking that type of party. I’ve done it and spent a pretty penny on our local nature center for Luke * twice * but I’m just putting it out there that maybe the overspending doesn’t matter. It might be as simple as good friends, a craft, and cake!
Harper’s Bazaar - Men have no friends and women bear the burden. This article is an important read. I think about it all the time - the things I get to share with my girlfriends and the important outlet that I have for my emotions that my husband doesn’t have. “Men are taught that feelings are a female thing”, the article goes on to say, and I agree. I do however feel that social media outlets are changing this. More and more men are starting to talk about their depression, struggles with job loss, and overall emotions.
Goop - Goop just launched their gift guides! I always love looking at the goop gift guides because they’re usually over-the-top and fabulous. Personally I’m kind of obsessed with this beautiful coffee maker and I’ve been looking for a pair of blue light blocking glasses and these tortoise shell ones are perfect. OK, I know cosmetic cases are a standard for gift guides but this one is actually really good, under $100, and chic enough to work with anyone’s style.
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I popped into the Sezane store yesterday and picked up a dress and a sweater. I’ve shared them both here before and finally decided to pull the trigger. Here are a few other items I loved:
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friends & family sales - Black Friday starts earlier and earlier every year and this one will be no different. Net-A-Porter and goop are two of my favorite online retailers to shop for splurge-worthy items and they both just announced sales. Friendly reminder to buy pieces that spark joy (LOL but its true) as Marie Kondo would say. Just because something costs less than its original price doesn’t mean its right for you! I love this cape from the goop sale - its timeless and a beautiful nutmeg color.
moisturizer - I was gifted this moisturizer to try last month and I can’t say enough amazing things about it. I was reluctant to change this part of my beauty routine because I’ve been very happy with the one I have, but this plant milk is as good as it sounds. Tammy Fender’s products are made from organic ingredients and smell amazing. A great way to winterize your skincare.
recipe - one of my favorite vegan and gluten free recipes for winter mornings. When the temperatures drop I try to warm things up in the kitchen. This porridge is the perfect solution for a busy weekday or a Sunday morning in. Make it the night before and refrigerate in a glass ball jar. In the morning just re-heat and serve with a dash of cinnamon!
FAQ and a survey - Two things I haven’t chatted about in a little while…call it housekeeping:) First off I wanted to share again that I created this Frequently Asked Questions section on the blog. In it you can find answers to questions like, where my necklaces are from, where I get my hair cut, and the paint colors we used in our house. Second order of business, the Fohr survey. It is an anonymous (if you choose) place where you can share why you like following me and THE GIRL LOOK BOOK and a way for me to differentiate myself from others in this space. Brands can view your testimonials and decide if I’m someone who they want to work with based on what you say! It would mean so much to me if you took a few minutes to fill it out. THANK YOU:)
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F R I E N D S G I V I N G
a cable sweater and a slip skirt
a statement sweater and statement earring
dresses: sweater and maxi
casual: silk blouse and dark denim
SHOP THE EDIT
FAMILY HOLIDAY PHOTOS
One of the first personal styling jobs I ever had was helping a family with their Christmas card photos. The wife was a client of mine at Ralph Lauren and she hired me to put together looks for the whole family (including the dog). It was so much fun!
This year I was pretty last minute with my planning for the boys and ended up running to Zara for Luke. He wore this sweater and these pants. Harry looked great in one of Luke’s cashmere sweaters and a button-down shirt from last year. I wore this dress from new to me brand Senlis. I first discovered the brand in the Spring when an ad popped up on my Instagram. I instantly fell in love…floral, ruffles, maxi…all the ethereal vibes:) They really have beautiful pieces and I’m excited to watch them grow!
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G E T T H E L O O K
THE SUNDAY SECTION
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vogue - The best hair dryers. I’ve been using this one for a year now and I love it. Its a touch heavier than what I was used to but it gets the job done in half the amount of time. Here is an ultra light version that they just released. Its pricey but worth it!
elle decor - Love this boy’s bedroom inspiration. Slow and steady wins the race is my motto when it comes to interior design haha (or so I tell myself as I move at a glacial pace finishing Luke and Harry’s room).
NPR - Instagram will start hiding likes as soon as next week from some US accounts. The biggest change since the transition from a chronological feed (which is never returning BTW). I go back and forth on this but it seems like the intention is good.It will certainly be a transition for those using the platform for business.
Los Angeles Times - Have you ever heard of the Marshall Islands? The islands were the site for United States nuclear testing in the 1950’s and now “The Tomb” (as locals call it) or the Runit Dome, is a concrete coffin that houses US produced radioactive soil including lethal amounts of plutonium according to this article. Whoa. What’s worse? The dome is now at risk of collapsing due to rising sea levels and global warming. Click to read the US's response to the Marshallese governments cry for help.
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Named after one of the Shetland Islands of Scotland, Fair Isle sweaters were made famous by the Prince of Wales in the 1920’s. Now they are a winter wardrobe staple. Rounding up some of my favorites for the season here:
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wreath - Last week I went to a wreath making event and it was so much fun! I love fresh wreathes that feel simple and organic. I started looking for additional ones for our back door and found this simple one and I also love this olive branch one. Just head to your local craft store for a big ivory ribbon or check out Etsy.
gift - Headed to a white elephant party this holiday season? This is the best universal gift for under $20…hands down. The only way this could fail is if they already have it (but actually you can definitely use multiple).
slow cooker recipe - This French wine and mustard chicken looks AMAZING! A slow cooker is officially on my Christmas wish. Does anyone have any recs for their favorite one? I know I keep coming back to her recipes but the way she films her videos makes everything feel so achievable! She also offers a substitute for the heavy cream and you should be able to find a butter sub as well to make this a dairy-free dish.
snakeskin boots - Are you into this trend? I’ve been on the hunt…I love the look but never found a pair that was just right - in the brown and ivory family. Then I spotted these in the city last week - they’re perfect! Sadly my size was sold out in-store and online but I had to share them. They’re also 30% off today making them under 100 with code shopping19.
holiday dress - A little black holiday dress for $35. In the spirit of high/low dressing, love it paired with the beautiful statement earring.
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Live in New York or Connecticut and interested in a cozy weekend getaway? We love Baron’s Cove in Sag Harbor. Frank and I have stayed there with and without the kids on many occasions over the years and we’ve always had the best experience. For my birthday, the hotel gifted us a night and I was over the moon excited. Even just 24 hours away felt like huge break. They loved my review and have offered a discount code for me to share with all of you! Click here for a 15% off your next stay with code THEGIRL!
STYLING
s h o p t h i s p o s t
What is styling? What does that mean? What do I actually do and how did I get this job? These are some of the questions I get asked almost every day. The first answer or thought that always comes to mind when answering is :: pinch me :: I honestly still can’t believe that I am able to call this my job. It has taken me a long time to get to this point - years - and it wasn’t until this year that I was truly comfortable referring to myself as a “stylist”. I do think that so many people use the term loosely so I understand why it can often feel vague or elusive. Its a title that I am very proud to have earned.
In my early 20’s I decided I needed a change. I was working at a job I didn’t love (wearing clothes I didn’t love) and my creative side was longing for more. I had studied Political Science and International Affairs in college and had always dreamed of working for the United Nations (my mother worked there as a translator when I was very young). When I didn’t get the job I wanted I settled for something less glamorous in technology and called it a day. After a few unhappy years I quit my job and took a chance on Ralph Lauren. I say “took a chance” because it wasn’t one of those chic sounding public relations jobs that launched the careers of some of my fashion idols. Instead, it was an opportunity to make a name for myself working from the ground up in a newly opened flagship store. In retrospect, one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I compare the experience to owning a restaurant - you wouldn’t be smart to get into the restaurant business unless you’ve worked waiting tables, hostessing, back of house, in the kitchen, etc. I consider fashion styling to be the same. To really excel at understanding clients needs, timelines, and customer service, you need to have spent your time in the trenches. Over the 8 years that I worked for the brand I styled thousands of clients - every scenario and occasion, every age, almost every body type, men, women, and children. I folded, and folded, and folded, haha oh yeah and probably put away a million pairs of shoes! I worked almost every weekend for 4 years, made house calls and deliveries, and began creating a group of clients. All the while I was dreaming of the day when I could work for myself, on my own schedule, on my own terms, and with my name on the “door”. I truly loved my job. I loved meeting new people, hearing their stories, and most of all helping them look and feel their best. I helped a woman who couldn’t fit into any of her clothes because she had just finished her last round of chemotherapy. I helped new mothers shopping for their first outfit since having a baby, and men coming in after achieving their target weight. It was long hours, long weeks, and long years, but it was so rewarding in so many ways. I could talk about this forever but the moral of the story is after gaining experience in styling, merchandising, buying, event planning, and running a business, I decided to venture off on my own with a group of clients and this blog in tow. In addition to what you see on thegirllookbook.com and on my Instagram, I also continue to work with existing and new personal styling clients and brands in a number of ways. I tried answering most of your questions below but please feel free to leave a comment if you have any additional ones!
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your questions, answered.
Do you offer virtual assistance?
Yes! I would say that currently my clients are split 50/50. Half I see in person and the other half live across the country and I assist them via what I call “e-styling”. For this service I charge an hourly flat rate. I actually find that after refreshing or doing an initial closet clean out for a client, they opt for e-styling for follow-up shopping.
How does it work, what is included?
it depends on the service, but for the e-styling I typically start out by creating a mood board similar to the Lust Lists on THE GIRL LOOK BOOK. If a client is looking for a dress for an upcoming wedding, I shop for them online and lay them all out via photoshop. In home styling is very different. The first step is going through every piece of clothing and accessory in your closet and determining what you should keep, sell, or donate. After that is completed I organize the closet and put everything back in a styled way. Following the initial clean out I will send a recap with preliminary recommendations and we take it from there depending on the clients needs.
My top workhorse piece I have in my closet?
100% a white tee. I wear them all year round. Right now I’m loving this one (size up).
Do you do plus size styling?
Yes! One of my best clients is plus size. I work with every size and shape.
Tips for new moms returning to work but not 100% their same body?
Your clothes are going to fit differently after having a baby. I would say in the short term, don’t go crazy buying too much. That being said, its not fun staring at closet full of clothes that used to fit you. Buy a few pieces that you really love and fit you well now. The good news is, tailored pants and structured blazers can always be made smaller as you get closer to your ideal weight. If your office is a little more causal, I love unstructured dresses postpartum.
What does styling mean? What do you do for clients?
I help clients with everything from wardrobe building to special events styling. Some clients I help twice a year, some twice a month. It really depends on their needs. When I style a client for their Fall work wardrobe for example, I either shop online or in person and then present options. I like to help my clients build overtime as opposed to one and done:)
THE SUNDAY SECTION
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Harper’s Bazaar - 51 inspiring feminist quotes from inspiring women. One of my favorites, “It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent. - Madeleine Albright”.
National Geographic - where does daylight saving (not plural) time come from? I read this article on the train Friday night and found it fascinating. I never really knew the story behind why we set our clocks forward and back in this country. I also loved reading about Arizona and its multiple time zones.
The New York Times - 5 weeknight dishes. These all look delicious but I’m always on the hunt for a new salmon recipe (we usually eat salmon 1-2 times a week) and this roasted dill version with lime juice and maple syrup looks delicious!
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Jack Ryan - If you didn’t already binge the first season of this Amazon Prime hit show, I am SO jealous! Now you get to watch two season without waiting…isn’t that the best? That’s what happened to me with Ozark (which by the way just confirmed a third season). Anyway - Jack Ryan is a great show. I love political thrillers and this one feels like you’’re watching a Bourne-like movie only there are 8 episodes.
The Stojo cup - You may have seen me using this reusable cup on my insta over the last few weeks. My friend gave me two sizes for my birthday and I’m obsessed! It is truly a great invention especially if you take the train into the city or travel frequently. I use it mostly for water and also tea. I’m hesitant to use it for very hot tea because its plastic but will sometimes steep in glass and then transfer to the stojo. I like it because I can drink it and then shrink it and throw it in my bag. When I need water again its easy to pop it open again and fill it wherever I am!
Small structured handbags - I’ve been really loving small handbags from lesser known designers this season. I’ve posted about Hunting Season before, but they have beautiful silhouettes and I love their mix of leather with other textures. I also love this style from Little Liffner - I linked it used from The Real Real because I find this straight from Stockholm brand hard to find in the States.
Gold chunky chain necklace - In last week’s Sunday Section I talked about my hunt for the perfect chain link necklace…whelp! I found it! I should have know it would be in Leandra Medine’s new collection for Mango. She was actually one of the first bloggers I followed back in 2010 when I launched THE GIRL LOOK BOOK. Those were the days when the only way to see your favorite blogger was by going to the blog! Imagine that! I like her, occasionally checked out Atlantic Pacific (which was too preppy for me at the time), and was in love with all the street style coming out of Stockholm and Copenhagen. The Fashion Guitar had just launched…to think where I could have been today if I hadn’t stopped after one year. BUT no regrets! I’m here now (also a little reminder that its never too late to restart or pick something back up).
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