fran all the things

 

This weekend I stopped by Banana Republic to make a few returns. I had ordered this pencil skirt that is super pretty but didn't fit me correctly, and decided to also return the blue version of this shirt as I decided I was only going to keep one color. I looked through the sale section (because it's the only section I can afford) and I was really excited when I found this skirt. I have been eyeing it up for a few weeks now, partially because it's cute but mostly because of it's name: the FRAN SKIRT. 

You think I'm joking but I'm not. Growing up having a name like Franziska, there weren't many things out there to buy with my name on it, so I feel this is like the sartorial equivalent of a name pen. Only better because it's cute. When I first saw it on the BR website last month it was still going for $70 which is a bit (ahem..a lot) much for me, but in stores this weekend it was $41 final sale + another 30% off, making it all of $28. score.

While I will technically be counting this skirt purchase towards my school wardrobe, I couldn't really wait until August to wear it so I was really excited when I got the opportunity to try out a few pairs of Hanes tights since in order to wear the skirt to work I would need my legs to be covered. I'm relatively new to the world of wearing tights (other than to dance recitals. woof.) so nothing like jumping right in. I'm wearing the control top silky sheer pair today. They are a control top which makes them a bit harder to get on, but once they were actually on properly the control top didn't bother me. They are very silky to the touch - ask my co-worker Emily as I made her feel them today haha. I'm 5'9'' and I didn't have any problem with them being too short on me, which is definitely something I am always fearful of. I also received a few pairs of Thigh-Highs which I haven't worn yet other than in my house. I feel a bit scandalous wearing them but I think they'll be great for this summer when I have to wear tights to school while it's still 90 degrees out and the last thing I want is another layer around my waist. Overall, I think I will definitely purchase Hanes tights in the future now that I know how they feel on and knowing that every pair can be purchased for less than $6. 

Skirt: Banana Republic [exact]

Tee: Banana Republic [adorable alternative]

Cardigan: Old Navy

Tights: c/o Hanes

Belt: The Limited 

Watch: Fossil [similar]

Shoes: Tory Burch [exact]

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

boyfriend

In the five (FIVE!) years that Chris and I have been together, we've spent times on and off being in a long distance relationship. We started dating in April of 2008 and that summer I worked as a camp counselor in Iowa while he worked at in internship in Columbus, Ohio. Let me tell you, there is nothing worse than being living out in the woods with 10 7 year olds when you would want to do nothing more than to cuddle with your brand new boyfriend. Chris knew how hard that summer was for me, so through out he sent me little (...and large) presents - a giant stuffed coca cola bear, a pillow case, and one of his favorite shirts. All were sprayed down with his cologne and I cherished those items so much because just the scent made me feel better. 5 years later, we're back to the long distance as he is currently doing his medical school rotations throughout the state, and we will continue once I start medical school this fall 10 hours away from him. I still have that giant polar bear and I will once again demand he spray it down with his cologne so on nights when it's especially hard to be apart I'll have something to cuddle with.

This is all to talk about how much scent brings back those memories of missing the boy in your life. Kate Walsh is currently holding a contest for bloggers for her perfume, Boyfriend (you can find it here at Sephora). The contest is to create a look around the perfume so I thought it would be fitting to include a few "boyfriend" inspired pieces such as a large men's belt and smoking loafers, both traditionally menswear pieces. The top half of the outfit is a bit more girly with the soft blouse, soft jewelry, and bright nails. I feel it combines the best part of the boyfriend/girlfriend wardrobe.

How would you style a look around your boyfriend? You can enter the contest here if you want! Shout-out to Erika for introducing this contest to me - I really enjoyed coming up with a look with a few similar pieces in my own closet while staying inspired by that good smelling man in my life :)

unconventional beauty tricks that actually work

 

I'm always on the lookout for the "next best thing". I rarely re-purchase make up, moisturizers, cleansers, exc. just because I always hope the next purchase will be better than the last. Over the last few months I've picked up a few tricks that are somewhat unconventional, but are ones that I don't see myself needing to change any time soon either because they are so much cheaper than the traditional product or because it just works so well. 

Monistat Chafing Gel as a foundation primer:

I've recently started using foundation again (currently using the HD Invisible Cover Foundation) to even out my skin tone more. I was researching if I wanted to use a primer or not and I stumbled upon a tip to use the Monistat Chafing Gel as a primer. The main active ingredient, Dimethicone, is also found in a lot of the major brand primers like the Smashbox primer which goes for 5 times the price. While I don't have any experience with the Smashbox primer, I've used several different brands in the past and the chafing gel works just as well at filling in pores and helping keep make-up in place but for a fraction of the cost. My skin tends to run on the drier side and the primer helps it feel velvety soft all day. 

Head & Shoulders for body acne:

Acne on my back is something I've struggled with for 10 years now, and in recent months I've also started getting it on my chest too. SUPER FUN. I've tried everything over the years - pills, lotions, creams, swabs. Nothing has completely helped. I read someone suggest using the Head & Shoulders shampoo as a body wash - they claimed it completely got rid of their bacne (gah, I kinda hate that word). I've used it for a week now and even in just 5 washes I've noticed a huge difference with the skin on my chest. I was seriously shocked that it worked as well it as it did for a product that is in no way geared towards clearing acne. Apparently the pyrithione zinc is the magic ingredient so make sure whatever kind you use (I'm using the 2 in 1 classic currently) contains it. I smooth it on my skin and let it sit for about 2 minutes at the end of the shower.

aluminum foil to remove glitter polish:

I love to do my nails, but I hate removing the polish, especially glitter polish. I scrub and scrub with completely demolished cotton swabs trying to get it off. I learned this trick on Pinterest. You just soak half a cotton ball in polish, place it on your nail, and wrap the whole thing in a stripe of aluminum foil. Then you wait for 5 minutes, and all the polish wipes off clean! I have no idea why this works, but it does. No more scrubbing!

coconut oil as a make-up remover:

 I finally jumped on the coconut oil train last month, and when I asked on instagram what people use it for, Jentine from My Edit said she uses it to remove eye makeup. Girl, what? You want me to put something I fry eggs with on my face? I had been using the Neutrogena remover wipes for about 9 months and while they worked fine, I was sick of spending $8 a month just to remove make-up so when my pack ran out I gave the coconut oil a try. I rub just a tiny amount (not even pea size) between my fingers to melt it, and then I rub it all over my eyes for about 30 seconds. You'll temporarily turn into a crying LC lookalike, but all the eye make up will come off easily. I splash some water on my face (just like in the commercials! ha) to remove some of this make up residue and then follow up with a cleanser to remove the remaining make up and oil. It works so well for so little money that I don't think I'll ever go back to spending $8 on wipes that don't even work as well and just fill up my garbage quicker. The coconut oil is also very moisturizing so I feel it's better for the skin around my eyes, and there is less tugging and pulling as there was with the wipes. I have also been making an exfoliator mask once a week with the coconut oil by mixing a little bit with baking soda and the scrubbing it all over my face. 

Are there any unconventional beauty products you use? I'd love to hear about them so I can try them out for myself!

the audrey

Blazer: H&M

Pants: Urban Outfitters [on major sale!]

Scarf: gift from my mom

Watch: Fossil [very similar]

Flats: Tory Burch [exact]

Boots: Hunter [exact]

Trench: Banana Republic [current style]

Purse: Coach [current style]

This week: I'm so glad it's over. I would say that rainy dreary weather puts me in a worse mood than a snow storm does. My hair just gets all frizzy, my glasses get wet and foggy, and picture taking just can't happen (wah wah, how does a blog go on?!). 

But yesterday I stopped being such a baby, pinned back my hair, pulled on my new rain boots and my beloved trench coat, and ventured out down town to meet up with Audrey from Putting Me Together as she was in town for work. I was so excited! I even wore my Audrey scarf in celebration of our meeting. We went out for dinner and shared delicious plates of brisket and mac&cheese (YUM) and then walked around down town. Audrey, the born and bred Californian, was such a trooper in our wet and cold weather though! I had such a great time chatting about blogging (obviously), TV shows (we are both still hanging on to Grey's Anatomy), and then I got to meet some of her very peppy and friendly co-workers. Audrey is just as cool in real life as she is on her blog, so I'm already excited for her to come back in June...and then possibly visit her home turf later this summer!

Audrey Scarf in honor | Brickhouse BBQ for dinner

it was raining, don't judge | being touristy...as the Asians do

behind the blog: mai-heart

This week's Behind the Blog is all about Mai Heart. Crystal works as a college professor and always has a chic but affordable outfit on so not only is she a smarty pants, but also stylish. She's also currently holding a giveaway on her blog so make sure you go and enter that while you go say hi!

Tell us what motivate you to start blogging. Were you following a lot of personal style/fashion blogs before you started blogging?

stripes | leopard

 

So the weather this week is um...shitty. Rain or snow all week! Eek. Well I attempted to take a few pictures quickly after work today during a break in the rain, but I only got one picture where I didn't look like I was trying to fly away. But this is what I wore! TA DA.

Blazer: J.Crew [exact]

Shirt: Banana Republic [exact]

Jeans: American Eagle [exact]

Necklace: gift from Kimmie :)

Shoes: Rocket Dog via DSW

Watch: Target

 I have two things to say about items worn.

1. I'm wearing my new Banana Republic engineered striped top. I ordered this color and the blue one last week during a 30% off promotion and then had a 10% off coupon on top of that from a Gap order that went wrong, which brought the price down to less than $14 each. I like this shirt a lot - the material is pretty thick, it is long enough on my torso, and I like the somewhat not traditional neckline. As far as negatives, on me the sleeves are just a tiny bit too short, but I never have my sleeves not pushed up so that doesn't matter to me. I think I will probably sew in little bra strap holders as the neckline is a bit wide and I don't want my straps to show, but for $14 I will accept those few minutes of sewing. I think I'm going to return the blue one just because I'm not big into having duplicates, and the blue isn't the right color blue I was looking for. If you are interested in trying them out for yourself, it looks like they have restocked many of the sizes online that weren't available last week!

2. I think it's time to update these leopard flats. I've worn them a ton over the past year, but they are fabric shoes and have become wet one too many times. Since I know that I would wear a similar style a lot I'm willing to maybe spend a bit more than I normally would on "fun" shoes. I would like a pair that is calf hair or suede, either smoking or ballet flat, and under $100. The current remaining budget for the month is $185 (I sold $100 worth of clothes, but purchased this skirt and this tee) but I don't plan on spending all of it (unless I decide that I can't live without this Zara blazer, which it's looking like that may be true). The more I think about it, I think a ballet flat would get more use, especially next year. Which one would you choose?

Nine West | Steve Madden

Nasty Gal | Steve Madden

#styleforyourcity

Hey guys! It was raining yesterday before work so no pictures today, but since you're already here, I was hoping you could do me a favor....

I joined my first blogger competition and I'd really appreciate your vote! It's really easy - just go here to like StyleMint on facebook and then vote for me. I choose my recent favorite outfit as a perfect example of Madison - part collegiate, part prep, all awesome (ok, that was lame. I apologize).

But seriously. Please vote for me?