:: eileen fisher: sustainable summer ::

I scurry by Eileen Fisher in the Prudential Building all the time and I have to confess, I've never been in until Blog and Tweet Boston had a fun little event there earlier this month. And since I'm trying to start transitioning into a place where I pay a little more for better quality clothes (and therefore have LESS...my dream of a walk-in closet doesn't seem to be happening)...they seemed like a good place to start.

First, these colors. I thought summer was never going to arrive in Boston. But here it is, and these colors...cool and flowing and subtle all at the same time.

 

We even had models show off a few of the pieces in the summer collection. Eileen Fisher uses organic fibers which are better for us, better for the people who make them, and better for the environment. Click here to learn more about their commitment to sustainability.

And here's my favorite outfit of the night. I'd spill something on this in a hot second, but I love how it's monochromatic while still having a lot of depth:

And because scarves are always a good idea, here's a little EF tutorial:

:: honest to pod: single serving toiletries ::

Earlier this spring, I had the pleasure of attending the Women in Travel Summit 2015 and learned SO much about travel, writing, joining the Peace Corps, branding a blog, and everything in between. While there, I also lucked out in discovering Squeeze Pods, cute little portable, all-natural toiletries that are ideal for traveling. Since then, not only have I taken them on planes, but also on overnights at friends homes, and I'm going to take a few camping over Memorial Day weekend.

Basically, they're single serve "pods" of everything from shampoo and conditioner to hair gel, face cleanser and shaving cream. Here's a video.

The shampoo and conditioner, which I tend to be very picky about, worked GREAT and there was enough in each pod to handle my longer-than-shoulder-length hair. The cleanser was gentle on my itchy, dry skin and I doubled up on the lotion to get my arms and legs covered.

TSA-approved means you'll never get caught in an airport without the proper toiletries and you'll never face a suitcase full of exploded shampoo again.

You can meet the PodFather himself here, and head to their website for some deals!

:: new favorite combo: gray and yellow ::

Last fall I was visiting friends in Virginia, and their guest room was all daffodil yellow and light gray. I fell in LOVE. It's the perfect combo because it's gender neutral, but still lends itself to a little femininity with a floral or curvy geometric pattern. And it clashes with NOTHING. Seriously, think about it...brown? Black? Pink? Blue? It's invincible.

Cédric Charlier stripe dress / Charles Jourdan leather handbag / Andrea Fohrman moonstone earrings / Tom Ford sunglasses

:: wedding "underbasics" ::

I'm getting married in September and I'm sorry, but all this planning is NOT a pleasure. The flowers, the table rentals, the save-the-date cards, the DRESS, are all giving me some crazy anxiety. I find it hard to pull the trigger on easy things sometimes (ordering lunch off a menu, choosing between paper or plastic), so this stuff is definitely not in my wheelhouse.

But what I wear UNDER my dress is a no-brainer. As part of the Commando Crew, Commando has generously sent me some of their fabulous items to try out. My favorites are here, and all of them will hold a prime spot on my wedding weekend and beyond.

Commando classic thong / Commando whisper weight layering cami / Commando double take racerback bra
 

Clockwise from top right: 

 

Commando classic thong: I have a number of these, and they've overtaken Hanky Panky as my go-to underwear.  They're made of microfiber and are super simple, so there is ZERO bulging or puckering no matter what I'm wearing. 

Commando Whisper Weight Cami: Crazy thin, and with no seams, it's hard to believe that this cami doesn't unravel and float away. It makes me feel all tucked in and tied together, and the torso is long enough so it doesn't bunch up, whether I'm tucking it into jeans or wearing it with a dress for some extra opaqueness...is that a word?

Commando Double Take Racerback Bra: This one is definitely happening on my wedding day...as I've recently discovered that a strapless dress is not in my future. So delicate and yet also very supportive, it's a great every day bra that transitions well to being a dependable first layer for a formal outfit.

Check out what's new at Commando here. If you're getting married soon or in a wedding soon, or just going to a wedding soon, they have a whole page for you here. If you're a bargain hunter like me, their sales are great too...check them out here.

:: HeartGrownWild skin care: herbal meets affordable! ::

I love natural skincare as is clear here and here. I don't have any real major skin issues but products with fewer ingredients and pronounceable ingredients have to be better than their counterparts, right? So here's another to add to your "to try" list: HeartGrownWild. The packaging is secondary, but this is always a major bonus for me. See below...perfect, right?

Here's what we have. Clockwise from top right:

Green Goddess Face Mask: Mix equal parts water and mask (you can also use a little honey) and massage into wet skin. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes.  French green clay helps to pull impurities to the surface, while soft blue cornmeal delicately helps to exfoliate the skin. A blend of Lavender, Rose hips and Geranium soften and restore delicate areas.

Ingredients: French Green Clay, Blue Cornmeal, Lavender, Rose hip, Lemon Balm, Cardamom, Sesame Oil, Almond Oil, Geranium; $6 for one oz. 

Goddess Nectar Belly Butter: For me, this is all over body butter. It includes locally sourced honey and essences of frankincense, lemon, orange, and lavender to help repair and soothe your skin. The consistency to me is almost like a whipped mousse, and it absorbs quickly while still being really moisturizing.

Ingredients: Mango Butter, Almond Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Shea Butter, Vanilla, Lemon, Orange, Lavender, Frankincense; $12 for one oz. 

Facial Serum: I've become a big fan of facial oils because my skin is prone to drying out. At night, it always goes on after my toner. This one starts with jojoba oil, which is most similar to skin's natural quality and also includes repairing essential oils. Literally a pea sized drop is all you need!


Ingredients: Jojoba Oil, Tamanu Oil, Lemongrass, Orange, Ylang Ylang; $20 for two oz.

Among the Flowers Facial Toner: Toners are my new favorite "thing I never used to use and now love". I always thought they were meant to dry out oily skin, but now I now better. I think of them as a vehicle that allows your skin to better take in the moisturizer that comes after it. This one's also great to throw in your purse for a mid-day refresh. 

Ingredients: Witch Hazel, Lemon, Lavender, Rose, Lemon Balm, Chamomile, Tea Tree, Carrot Seed Oil, Hydrosols; $8 for two oz.

They are all handcrafted with love and care in the lovely state of Vermont! Have you tried? Let me know what you think!

:: healthy sweet teeth ::

I'm not really one for sweets. And if I do have a craving, it's likely for chocolate covered pretzels or something that mixes a little salt in with anything sugary. It makes me feel less guilty. And if I can tuck a little organic-ness and locally sourced ingredients into my treats, then I really REALLY have no shame in stuffing my face.

So here are a few truffles that totally fit this bill. They're delicious, and raw, and one will totally kill any dessert cravings you have. They're made in Rhode Island and while they're healthy, healthy, they taste good, too. I got mine at Cambridge Naturals in Porter Square:

 I chose the Chocolate Almond Butter Cups because peanut butter and chocolate is my most absolute favorite combo of anything ever. And almond butter is just the healthy version of peanut butter, so it's a compromise that had to be made. With coconut oil, cashews, maple syrup, almonds and Himalayan salt, it's a salty sweet lover's dream.

And while blueberry has never been my thing, the Blueberry Lavender Bliss truffles are amazing, too. Both lavender buds and lavender extract make it taste like the real deal and it surprisingly refreshing for a dessert.

There are plenty of other flavors as well, from chocolate mint to espresso to raspberry. Check them out in the refrigerated aisle, hopefully somewhere near you.

Or, visit their website here!

:: Tees by Tina, Redux ::

I was in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina over the weekend and if 80 degree weather and sunshine weren't enough, I stumbled into a Tina Stephens store! I've written about Tees by Tina before here, but I had no idea that there were actual stores I could go into! (There are two more--Sarasota and Martha's Vineyard).

So, aside from buying a pair of basketweave leggings and a ANOTHER tank in calypso green (for spring!), a sweet sales girl gave me some laundering tips for keeping all my Tina items fresh looking. I've had a bunch of them for at least a few years and they're starting to look a little bit ragged. But now I know I wasn't caring for them right either.

Here's my new regimen:

1. Hand wash cold separately or machine wash cold in the delicate cycle IN A LINGERIE BAG (I wasn't doing this).

2. Turn everything inside out (I wasn't doing this).

 3. Don't bleach.

4. Hang to dry (I wasn't doing this).

5. Don't iron.

And now, I'm off, to wear more of these fabulous tanks and leggings. In spring colors like this:

Tees by Tina clothing / Tees by Tina clothing / Tees by Tina clothing / Tees by Tina clothing / Tees by Tina clothing / Tees by Tina clothing / Rose bouquet

:: backpacks: not just for middle schoolers anymore ::

I'm sorry, but I hate the look of a backpack. Especially if I'm wearing a cute outfit and heading off to work and post-work cocktails. If I'm on a mountain camping or hiking, bring on the Patagonia, but otherwise...no.

Unfortunately, my back, neck and shoulders have been protesting as of late. And all this hellish snow have made me feel like I need both hands free in case I take a digger. It's only a matter of time, folks.

So, in the spirit of comfort and safety over vanity, I'm trying to find some backpack inspiration here:

backpacks!?

3 1 phillip lim bag / Marc by marc jacobs knapsack / Radley grey bag, $335 / Longchamp backpacks bag / Nila Anthony gray bag / Black faux leather bag, $38