CURRENT SKINCARE ROUTINE

I'll admit, right here and now, that I've never been great about having a strict skincare routine. For most of my teen years I just used a Neutrogena exfoliating face wash followed by a no-fuss moisturizer. And it worked for a while. But then I got to thinking, "I should probably hop on that anti-aging bandwagon sooner than later..." and after much trial and error I think I'm finally on to something. With this combination of products I've seen brighter and more hydrated skin, with fewer breakouts.

Before washing my face, I remove any makeup or grime from the day with Garnier's Micellar Cleansing Water, which I apply (is that even the right word to use here?) with a cotton wipe. To make sure my face is completely clean, I follow up with Glossier's Milky Jelly Face Wash. My skin is sensitive so I'm always careful about which products I use, and I love that Glossier's face wash is effective without drying my skin out. One "problem" I've been trying to address recently is skin texture, and I feel that Kiehl's Calendula Toner does the job. I used to apply this with my hands, patting the product around my face, but I've found that applying it with a cotton pad feels better. Next, I'll use Osea's Blemish Balm to prevent any breakouts that might be popping up. I love the scent of this moisturizer, but it does feel a tad harsh on my skin, so to keep my skin hydrated, I'll use Biossance's Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil — just a few drops that I massage evenly into my face and neck. If my face needs an extra boost of hydration during the day, I spritz SKIN INC's Pure Serum Mist on top of my makeup. 

PINS FOR DAYS

Two finals down, two to go, and winter break is just around the corner. The closer I've gotten to the end of the semester, the lazier my outfits have gotten. At this point I'm trying to pull off leggings and an oversized granny sweater as an acceptable look to wear on the daily. The outfit here is pretty elevated, in comparison. Adding fun pins to a baggy crewneck makes for a dressy look. Right?

I don't remember collecting pins as a kid. Does that mean I had a deprived childhood? Considering the fact that I wasn't allowed to watch anything besides Food Network and PBS until the age of 10, the answer to that question might be "yes." Nevertheless, I've taken up pin-collecting at the ripe age of 20. I know people typically use their pins to decorate a favorite flea-market find — the vintage denim jacket. I guess this is my attempt to start a new trend — pinned sweatshirts. Will it become a thing? Would you wear this?

 When it comes to accessories, I'm a bit lazy. I stick to my usual earrings, which I never take out, and occasionally add a delicate necklace or some rings. What I love about these pins is that they're fun but low-maintenance. I hate having to adjust the chain of a necklace every 10 minutes to ensure that the clasp isn't sliding up to the main gem, or twisting my rings around when the design start migrating toward the sides of my fingers. At this point of the copy I'm realizing how lazy I'm making myself seem (I've been livings in sweats, and I don't like wearing jewelry often because it's annoying to rearrange....). I just like comfort and ease, ok? 

This look is athleisure, meets childhood whimsy. The navy Theory pants I'm wearing have been a favorite since I purchased them in Japan six years ago — they're stretchy yet look extremely polished. I've also upgraded my favorite childhood sneakers (Converse) to an all-white leather high-top pair. I am a firm believer that you can incorporate sneakers into a stylish look that doesn't look overly athletic; it's all about the color and material. For a versatile sneaker that goes with any look, opt for a neutral-colored shoe (black, grey, nude, white, navy etc.) in luxe fabrics (suede, high-quality canvas, leather). Finish your favorite kicks and a pair of tailored trousers with a mock neck sweatshirt, like this one I'm wearing by UNIF. 

I'm still keen to grow my collection of pins, and would love to hear any recommendation you guys might have of where to get the best ones! I've listed some that are currently on my wishlist:

Love Letter Pin | Pink Sprinkle Donut Pin | Yeah! Flag Pin | On the Rocks Pin | Coffee Press Pin | Mendl's Box Pin | Camera Pin | Ugh Pin

Next time you grab a pin to add to your denim jacket, remember this — sweatshirts + pins = new trend. Let's make it happen.

Pins: T-Rex (courtesy of coach), LA Hands (similar here) and Peace Fingers (similar here) (both courtesy of Mr. Holmes Bakehouse), Glossier G | Sweatshirt - UNIF (similar here) | Pants - Theory | Sneakers - Converse (similar here)