VALENTINE'S DAY GIFTS THAT DON'T SUCK

Valentine's Day... Love it or hate it, this gift guide has something for you! Whether you're spending the day alone on your couch with a personal pint of ice cream and your favorite movie, with friends at your favorite bar, or going out with your significant other, here are some of my top picks to celebrate the day. There's really something for everyone x

1. Glossier Body Hero
2. Madewell Statement Earrings
3. Herbivore Botanicals Coconut Milk Bath Soak
4. Norse Projects Brushed-Wool Sweater
5. Sonix Cry Baby iPhone Case
6. Vanessa Mooney Heart Locket Necklace
7. Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Camera
8. Compartes Rosé Chocolate Truffles
9. Native Union Marble Charging Dock
10. Fresh Rose Face Mask
11. Caudalie Beauty Elixir
12. Ilia Lipstick
13. Le Labo Mandarian & Sesame Shower Gel
14. Commes des Garçons Crewneck Tee
15. Byredo Bibliotheque Candle
16. Mulberry Cardholder

HOLIDAY 2017: GIFTS FOR HIM

As the second post in my series of Holiday Gift Guides this 2017, I'm featuring the perfect gifts for the guys in your life (again, from independent brands). Men's items can seem so limited, it's hard to know what to get for your boyfriend, brother, fiance, dad, uncle etc. That's why I've rounded up the perfect mix of clothes and accessories so you'll be sure to find a gift for any guy on your holiday gift list. My favorites from this roundup? Life After Denim's Golden Olive bomber jacket and Le Labo's Face Lotion from their new body collection.

1. Red Wing Shoes | The perfect winter boot, beautiful constructed and versatile.
2. Throne Watches | Handcrafted in Brooklyn, this watch puts a modern twist on a classic accessory.
3. Buly 1803 | A sleek comb you can take anywhere.
4. Life After Denim | A quilted bomber with a unique color to stand out from the crowd.
5. ISM | This new tech-smart backpack is perfect for stylish guys on the go.
6. Le Labo | A lightweight yet luxurious face lotion to keep dry winter skin at bay.
7. Lightwell Co. | Cedar & Sandalwood will bring fresh, yet masculine notes to any room.
8. The Arrivals NYC | The most stunning leather gloves.
9. Deus Ex Machina | Show off his sensitive side.
10. Article One | Your new favorite sunglasses, complete with an all-flattering frame and unique pink-red lenses.
11. Away | The perfect carry-on that's both smart and durable. 
12. Basic Rights | A pair of staple sweatpants that can take you from the bed to the streets.
13. Kotn | A carefully constructed sweatshirt made from the highest quality Egyptian cotton.

HOLIDAY 2017: GIFTS FOR HER

Gifting season has begun, and every year I try to find the perfect gift for everyone on my list. While you can find beautiful items at everyday stores, it's harder to find unique pieces that will be extra special for your friends and family. This year I've centered my gift guides around independent designers. These brands not only create stunning and one-of-a-kind pieces, but are also more environmentally conscious, and even do their part to give back. One of my favorite brands from this list is Kotn — they source their extraordinary textiles ethically in Egypt, and are partnered with an organization there to build schools. So while you're shopping this holiday season you can find gifts that not only bring happiness to their recipients, but also to those who make them. 

1. Wet Eyewear - perfect for vacation
2. KowTow - collect your art, and wear it too
3. ISM - a smart backpack that's perfect for freelance creatives
4. Kotn - sustainable and beautiful basics
5. Common Projects - a classic shoe with a hint of silver
6. Amarilo - timeless jewelry perfect for any occasion
7. Which We Want - the slashed and asymmetrical sweater you didn't know you need
8. Anthropologie - when was the last time you found your keys easily in your bag?
9. Janessa Leone - keep your head warm, or just stylish
10. Mansur Gavriel - the perfect shade of red
11. Tamara Mellon - the perfect pair of luxe ankle boots
12. Cords & Co - the coolest trucker you'll ever own
13. Alumnae NYC - everyone needs a pair of metallic boots
14. Laer - the cooler moto

A SUMMER ACCESSORIES EDIT

When it's 100 degrees out, I hate going clothing shopping. Everything sticks to you, leaving you wishing you were at home on the couch wearing as little clothes as possible, doing absolutely nothing.

So my approach to summer dressing will be just that — minimal coverage with just enough accessories to look effortlessly cool. 

Shop my favorite summer finds: (from left to right, top to bottom)
1. J. Hannah Jewelry Clara Choker
2. Destin Cotton-Cashmere Bandana
3. A Peace Treaty Silk Bandana
4. Lack of Color Montana Hat
5. Komono Stella Sunglasses
6. Mejuri Grace Orbit Earrings
7. A.P.C. Sac Demi-Lune in Sable
8. J. Hannah Agnes Nail Polish
9. J. Hannah Saltillo Nail Polish
10. Mejuri Sapphire Hoops
11. Lack of Color Pink Velour Hat
12. Ray Ban Hexagonal Flat Lens Sunglasses
13. Madewell Leather Pouch
14. Paco Rabanne 14#01 Mini Bucket Bag 
15. Karen Walker Babou Sunglasses

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.