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The Art of Practicing Self-Care…Cheaply

May 31, 2018July 20, 2018 by novelnests, posted in Lifestyle, Uncategorized

I moved recently to Austin for the summer. While it’s been great (read: hipster coffee shops galore), this is also my first time living truly on my own. I’ve lived for eighteen years with my family, and when I went off to university, I had the wonderful experience of living in a tight-knit residential college. I’ve always been around people, and I love it.

Living in Austin has been my first experience of living alone. As an extrovert, this transition has been radical . . . and difficult. I’m also processing some recent emotional upheaval, so I’ve had to practice self-care frequently. Below are a few of the things I’ve been doing (on the cheap!) to take better of myself:

Taking time to lose myself in a book (preferably one from the library). At the beginning of the year, I made the commitment to read for a half hour every day. Even though I study literature in school, I’ve used this commitment to discover new books on my own. I’m currently reading Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte and The Hour of Land: A Personal Topography of America’s National Parks by Terry Tempest Williams.

Aside from enriching my literary taste, I always leave my hour feeling satisfied that I’ve done something concrete to help myself. The small victories count! Other books I’ve read and loved this summer include Landline by Rainbow Rowell, Little Soldiers: An American Boy, a Chinese School, and the Global Race to Achieve by Lenora Chu, and the entire Harry Potter saga.

Moisturizing. Don’t roll your eyes at this. If you know me, you know that I love, love, LOVE having super soft skin. And I’m guessing that if you’re reading this beauty and lifestyle blog, you probably have a tub or bottle of lotion somewhere. Take the time to slather some on and notice yourself.

I’ve upped my moisturizing game by using sweet almond oil or coconut fig-scented lotion. Another pro tip is to place your moisturizer in the refrigerator for a few hours – perfect for a hot summer day!

Seeking light. This year, I’ve become obsessed with the idea of light, how it affects my mood, and how I can harness it for my benefit. For example, when I need to feel productive or happy, I’ll go to places with massive windows and just sit there – my local Starbucks and Austin’s Faulk Central Library are perfect. When I need to prepare my body for sleep, I’ll turn off all the lights but keep on my crystal salt lamp. It provides the soft ambience to settle my body in for the night. While light isn’t on everyone’s mood radar, pay attention to where and when you feel the happiest and seek those places and moments.

Communing with nature. I’m lucky that Austin is a city that loves nature. When I really need to check out emotionally, I’ll run by Lady Bird Johnson Lake. Google “hiking trails near me” to discover your local hidden gems. And pro tip: I like going early in the morning A) to avoid the worst of Texas heat and B) to set some good vibes for the day.

Reaching out to people. I’ve been more aware that much of this sad feeling stems from loneliness. A friend of mine recently told me that she is adamant about not having a “phone relationship” with people, so she’s been building a habit of meeting with people face-to-face. While that’s not always possible for me, I try to FaceTime or call loved ones as opposed to just sending them texts. More often than not, many of my friends feel the same way I do and are equally happy to talk. Reaching out to people has been a practice of recognizing that while reaching out can seem inconvenient for both parties, it’s a beautiful and necessary practice of community and happiness.

Building small habits. My mother will tell you that she wishes I flossed more. And because I love my mother and my gums, I’ve been building the habit of flossing every night. Building habits like these aren’t always fun, but I’ve been reminding myself that ultimately, I’m winning. Try going for walk a few times a week, incorporating more vegetables in your meals, or making it a point to shut off your phone for a few hours each week. Small habits like this build up in the long run!

Self-care doesn’t have to be expensive or trendy – really, it all boils down to being aware of your emotions and taking proactive steps!

— Amanda Cordero

Introductions: New Editors

May 24, 2018May 24, 2018 by novelnests, posted in Uncategorized

Novel Nests rears its head from it’s homework-ensconced cave to bring you two new editors: Amanda Cordero and Anna Lam! We’re so excited to have these two join our tiny team and can’t wait to see how they’ll contribute in the future.

Hey, y’all! I’m Amanda, a Texas native with Filipino roots! My style – both in beauty and fashion – can be encapsulated in the phrase girl-next-door. But while I do love a simple and classic look, my friends will tell you that I’m a fiend when it comes to skincare. While other girls were freaking out over the Jonas Brothers and their crushes, I was reading dermatologist books and hunting for tips and secrets on the Internet.

But the biggest thing I’ve learned is to appreciate the influence culture has on beauty. As an Asian-American, I approach beauty from a dual culture lens. I’ve come to appreciate more global take on beauty and skincare. From French girl je ne sais quoi to Korean diligence and everything in between, every beauty lover around the world has a tip or trick to share! My posts here will hopefully share a little bit of my knowledge with you!

Hi! My name is Anna! I’m an earth-lover, ethical vegetarian, and classics nerd. I’m no fashionista, and my tastes have changed a lot through the years, but I tend to like anything urban chic, i.e. clean lines, mostly monochromatic and well-tailored, or neutral-toned minimalist ensembles. I’m also recovering from a pretty intense grunge phase, which I am currently not seeking medical attention for (I’m still unhealthily obsessed with Kristen Stewart’s devil-may-care fashion sense).

However, my tastes aren’t just informed by my aesthetic sensibilities, but also by my views on sustainability and fair trade. I like to shop second-hand when possible and am always trying to make more responsible purchasing decisions. This is partly related to why I’m vegetarian, but I also see my desire to both purchase and consume responsibly as originating from the way I was raised. As an Asian-American, my parents always stressed the importance of saving and managing time and resources responsibly. Therefore, I like to think about the ways fashion, food choices, and lifestyle can all fight wastefulness and change our behavior as consumers.

January Favorites

January 31, 2018July 20, 2018 by novelnests, posted in Beauty, Fashion, Lifestyle, makeup

It’s time for another favorites post! Check out what makeup, skincare, clothes, and more impressed us in January!

Makeup

Cindy:

By Terry Ombre Blackstar– I have been wanting to try these since they first came out. I’ve recently been wearing more eyeshadows (I used to be a mascara-only type of gal) and it was the perfect excuse to nab one of these beauties. They are definitely on the pricey side, but they are SO worth it. They are butter and creamy and blend stunningly well with your fingers or with a brush. The color pay off is intense and they are still so blend-able! I have the lovely purple color, Misty Rock, which looks great with brown eyes. I’m looking forward to trying out Bronze moon and Blonde Opal soon!

Ysl All Hours Concealer – Concealer is always a bit of a struggle. Between color matching, finding the right consistency, and the right tool to apply and blend and after all that actually concealing blemishes, I have found very very few (read one) concealers that work (my ever so trusty Nars Creamy Matte). Enter Ysl All Hours Concealer! This beauty almost, ALMOST, tops the Nars one. It is a more watery cream in a tube with a doe-foot applicator. The coverage is amazing and the shade I have is a PERFECT color match for me. The trick with this one is to dab it onto spots with the applicator, then WAIT a couple minutes while you do your eyes or lipstick or whatever, and then buff it out gently with a fluffy concealer brush. The coverage is complete and natural. You really can’t ask for more from a concealer. This one is amazing. Go and get yourself a tube!

Ella:

Glossier Haloscope: I’m generally too lazy and rushed in the mornings to do a full face of makeup, which means swiping on a heavy highlight over a bare face usually looks pretty silly. Haloscope in Moonstone is the perfect solution to my laziness and desire for a glowy complexion. It’s natural and subtle and isn’t caked with glitter, like many heavier highlights are. I usually just swipe this on over my milk makeup primer, for a that dewy “wet” look we all stare at on Instagram. It’s definitely build-able, though, and I’ve also easily worn it with a full face of makeup. I would suggest applying it with a finger instead of swiping it directly onto your face if you don’t want it to move your foundation around.

Skincare

Cindy:

Glossier Serums – I decided to try these out over the holidays and have been using them religiously every morning for the last month. They are AMAZING. I usually use all three at once, starting with Super Pure (niacinamide and zinc) to calm down redness after washing my face. Then I’ll pat on a bit of Super Bounce (hyaluronic acid) to help bring in moisture. Finally, I’ll top it off with Super Glow (Vitamin C) before moisturizer, sunscreen etc. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be Super Bounce because I am having a love affair with hyaluronic acid at the moment. Big tip for fellow oily/combo people: Moisturize! Pretend you have dry skin! It’ll prevent your skin from producing extra oil and therefore combat acne! Be on the lookout for a morning skincare routine to see how these three fit in to the big picture!

Balm dot com Mint – There is a little trend in this post with Glossier… The balm dot coms are cult staples, and for good reason! Little goes a long way and they will outlast the nuclear apocalypse. I’ve been particularly loving mint this month to use as a nighttime lip balm. The tingly and refreshing mint really makes it feel like its doing its job.

Stacked Skincare Dermaroller – Microneedling has been in the limelight for a while due to claims that it helps with skin elasticity and increased effectiveness of skincare products. It’s been about a month of me using this and I am seeing definite improvement. The overall tone of my skin has gotten better. It is more glowing and plump for sure. Additionally, it definitely helps skincare products do their job. One weekend I was particularly lazy and did not use the roller and the next morning there was a noticeable decrease in the noticeability (repetitive, I know) of the effectiveness of my overnight masks and serums. Regular use is key! There is a tiny bit of pain, but not very much and definitely bearable. I would definitely suggest using it only a couple times a week and following up with sunscreen.

Ella:

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% – At the end of the spring semester last year, I broke out in pretty horrific acne (I’m looking at you, stress-induced midnight Taco Bell visits. All thirty of you…). Although it went away pretty quickly, I was left with a few acne scars, which is not something I’ve really had to deal with previously. I bought this serum on a whim, which was definitely influenced by strategically placed Instagram ads, and was blown away by the results. My scars and blemishes have nearly disappeared and my skin tone evened considerably. I don’t think this necessarily prevents acne, but it’s an incredibly effective solution to scars.

Clothes

Cindy:

Keds – I have had these for years since I nabbed them for a couple bucks brand new from a thrift store. This month I’ve been wearing them a lot because Texas weather is bipolar and boots are too hot and flats are too cold. So, I turned to my Keds, which were being neglected in the back of the closet, and I fell in love again. They are oh-so-comfy and the navy polka-pattern goes with most of my wardrobe and adds a little quirk and fun to my every day uniform. I had forgotten how much I loved them and they are not going into the back of the closet anytime soon.

Ella:

Someday I will buy clothes that are not black, white, grey, or denim blue, but today is not that day. This sweater is from Costco, where I normally buy a sixty-pack of vitamin gummies. However, I was pleasantly surprised when this sweater turned out warm, stylish, and comfy. It’s easy to dress up or down and matches pretty much everything. Well done, Costco.

Other

Cindy:

Netflix’s Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt – I’ve recently re-discovered this Netflix original. It’s upbeat, honest, quirky, and the best way to start a day or wind down in the evening. I’m on season 2, and I’ve got to admit, Titus is still my fav.

Ella:

Fleurie – I started listening to a lot of alternative/indie music over Christmas break and, thanks to Spotify’s convenient playlists, I stumbled on American singer Fleurie’s music. She doesn’t have a lot of music out yet, but what she has is phenomenal. Her music is haunting yet familiar, wistfully sad but powerful. And generally, if I can write to it, I like it.

Turtles All the Way Down – Cindy bought me this book for my birthday last year and, already being a John Green fan, I was pretty excited to read it. It’s one of those books which you can put down if you need to, but you could also read in one sitting if you wanted. It’s witty, sad, funny, and most importantly, addresses mental health in a realistic way that doesn’t leave you feeling bleak or hopeless.

In Flight Essentials

January 23, 2018July 20, 2018 by novelnests, posted in Beauty, Lifestyle, makeup, skincare

It’s only been a few weeks since most of us finished traveling for the holidays and, while Christmas Break is always the highlight of my year, traveling—especially planes—can be stressful, acne-inducing ordeals. We decided to share the in flight essentials that make everything a little easier for us.

Skincare

Even with oily skin, planes can dry the face. Especially my lips. Here’s what we bring to prevent dull, tired skin after a long flight.

Caudalie Beauty Elixir: This little beauty is one of my favorite skincare items of all time, not just for travel. It is more concentrated and powerful than most sprays and really makes you feel energized and moisturized and tops it all off with a little je ne sais quoi. Another option is the

Mario Badescu Aloe Water Spray: a few spritz of this and my skin is refreshed and hydrated. It’s light and smells amazing and doesn’t mess up any makeup I happen to be wearing.

Khiels Avocado Eye Cream: Since airplane air is SUPER dry, the under-eye area needs a little extra TLC. A cream eye treatment, like this fantastic one from Khiels, which I’ve had and loved for ages, will do the trick. Just dab a little on and get a little shut eye. When you land, voila! No dark circles. The best part, the full size is TSA regulation size!

Peter Thomas Roth Hyaluronic Moisturizer: I adore this for plane rides because of the hyaluronic acid in it. It takes moisture in the air, and brings it to your skin, which I guess is unfortunate for the rest of the passengers, but so good for your skin, which will parched by the time you land. After cleansing, slap a little of this one, bask in how moisturized it feels, and then continue with your skincare.

If you’re traveling with limited space, just tuck a moisturizer packet into your bag. I have a sample of Belif The True Cream – Aqua Bomb which works fantastically as well.

Glossier balm dot com: There’s a reason these beauties have achieved a cult status. They are moisturizing, convenient, and have the most amazing flavors. Featured here are rose, a lovely pink shade, cherry, a brighter red, and birthday cake, a nude sparkle. They serve double-duty as lipcare and makeup!

Simple Micellar Wipes: Makeup wipes are a must when travelling. Most of the time you won’t have access to a bathroom conducive to washing your face in the sink. There are millions of amazing wipes, but I’ve recently been loving these micellar ones from Simple. As the name suggests, they are simple and easy to use. The best part: they do the job and leave your face fresh, soft, and with zero grease or residue! Go buy a pack or 3.

Makeup

We don’t wear a whole lot of face makeup on the plane, but I do keep some products nearby to prevent me from looking like a zombie after the long trip.

Fenty Beauty Matchsticks: Rihanna. Need I say more? The stick/cream formula makes this travel friendly and super easy to use. I just use my fingers to blend it all in. The three I travel with are a concealer (in Ginger), a contour (in Mocha), and a highlighter (in Starstruck). They look stunning and make it look like you spend more than 2 minutes putting your face on.

Dr. Jart Cicapair Color Correcting Treatment: This is a tiny, TSA approved, jar of magic. The cream starts of green, turns beige, and removes the redness from your face. Every time I use this I’m shocked at how well it works. The only thing it doesn’t cover is major acne, which I then cover up with concealer. It has made foundation irrelevant for daily makeup!

Mini Mascara: One of my favorite tricks is to bring a sample size mascara in my travelling beauty bag because a) it takes up less room and b) it lets me try out new mascaras! Here I’ve been using the Lancome Monsieur Big mascara, which I’m loving and will be buying a full size of!

Glossier Boy Brow: I know, I know. Everyone and their mother raves about this product, but that’s just how good it is! I was born with very long but very sparse brow hairs so this product is perfect for filling in gaps, as well as keeping my brows in place!

Other:

Travel: I use a traveler’s wallet which can hold my passport, ID, ticket, and cash. It’s useful to have everything in one place instead of digging through my bag.

Headphones: Probably the most obvious essential for long flights. I use headphones instead of earbuds since they cancel noise a bit more effectively. I generally wear them around my neck at the airport so they don’t take up space in my bag.

Entertainment: I’ll either have a few episodes of a TV show downloaded on Netflix for me to watch on my phone or a book to read. Obviously, if you’re trying to save room, I wouldn’t recommend a book, but I happened to be flying back to Waco with Christmas presents, many of which were books. I also bring a portable charger, since looking for outlets in an airport is a hassle.

Brand Focus: Origins Empties Review

October 11, 2017July 20, 2018 by novelnests, posted in Beauty, skincare

origins review

Welcome back! Today I’m sharing my thoughts on the skincare brand Origins. I tried out the products below for a couple months and now have many thoughts and opinions. Keep in mind, everyone has different skin types, and these are what did and didn’t work for me. If I disliked one of your favorites, it’s probably because we have different skin! Just as “background” for these, I have combination skin, somewhat prone to breakouts, and rather sensitive. The list below is listed in the order I used them.

Let’s dive in!

Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash – This wash was incredibly bland. It smelled, felt, and looked like white laundry detergent. I’m surprised I actually used up all of it. It does a good job of cleaning, but it left my face feeling squeaky and stripped. I wish I’d liked it, especially since it promises to balance out your skin, but it just didn’t sit right with me. Perhaps this was due to the fact that I have sensitive skin, which did not react well to the cleanser. I guess it really didn’t make a good impression as I forgot to save the bottle, and so it’s not in the pics!

SuperSpot Remover Blemish Treatment Gel – I don’t generally like spot treatments, and this treatment reminded me why. I actually ended up returning it, which is why it is not in the pictures. This was PAINFUL. Very painful. I thought it’d be similar to the Kate Somerville EradiKATE spot treatment, which I keep in the cabinet for the days when I have no other choice but to use it. However, this Origins spot treatment was a lot harsher and not that much more effective. If you have less sensitive skin, go for it. But if your skin is anything like mine, steer clear!

Zero Oil Pore Purifying Toner – This was probably the worst of the bunch. Mostly because I discovered that I am allergic to tea tree oil. So my dislike of the product is not entirely the product’s fault. It is a VERY strong toner, which I don’t really like. Like I said, my skin is pretty sensitive, so it did not react well to the strength of the toner, which left me rather raw and red after a quick wipe with a cotton pad. Additionally, the tea tree oil gave me a rash on one of my cheekbones, which thankfully disappeared soon. If you like strong toners and tea tree oil, this would be for you, but personally I didn’t like it as much.

Original Skin Essence Lotion with Dual Ferment – Moving away from the more negative reviews, this lotion is quite good. It smells very refreshing and has a lovely texture. It is very moisturizing and brightening, which I LOVE. It’s comparable to the Lancome Pearly Lotion (read my review of that here), which I definitely prefer, but it is still an excellent lotion.

GinZing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser – I mostly liked this scrub. It smelled very refreshing, kind of citrusy, but not overpoweringly so. I kept this in the shower to help wake me up in the mornings. It was gentler than the Face Wash and had little round beads in it for exfoliating. These beads were the one part of this that I wasn’t a fan of. They felt a bit like plastic and would cling to the skin and not wash off. No matter how much I rinsed my face and wiped it off, I would still find a couple beads sticking to my face. The beads were round, and therefore not abrasive, which I liked, but unfortunately stuck to my face too much.

Clear Improvement Active Charcaol Mask to Clear Pores – As far as masks go, this one is not bad. It is a simple charcoal mask that you spread on and wait to dry. I will say, it is not as effective as the Caudalie Instant Detox or the Glamglow Supermud, but it does the job. It is comparable to the L’Oreal Purifying Clay Mask.

GinZing Refereshing Eye Cream to Brighten and Depuff – This is probably my favorite item I tried from Origins. This is a creamy yet light eye cream. It’s like the Fresh Rose Eyecream and the Kiehls Avocado Eyecream had a perfect baby. It also is brightening and smells divine. I completely forgot to save the tub of it, so it is not in the pictures, but it is linked and you should run – not walk – to go get yourself some.

Monthly Favorites: September 2017

October 2, 2017July 20, 2018 by novelnests, posted in Beauty, Fashion, Lifestyle, makeup, skincare

It’s that time of month! Here is our very first Monthly Favorites. Let’s just dive right into the skincare, makeup, and miscellaneous items that have impressed us in September:

Skincare

Tatcha Rice Enzyme Powder: This exfoliating scrub has been go my go-to for a good while. I had been experimenting with some others, but I kept find myself returning to this when I wanted effective exfoliation without stripping my skin. This is a dry powder to which you add a couple drops of water to create a creamy and light mixture. The best thing about it, I think, is that the powder melts into the water, preventing you from over-abrasion and making sure your skin feels clean but moisturized.

Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean Cleansing Milk: I just discovered this on an impulse Target run, and it is absolutely amazing. I’ve only been using it for the past two weeks, but I know this will be one of my holy-grail makeup-removing cream. It removes makeup brilliantly, including waterproof mascara! It is incredibly moisturizing so that your face doesn’t feel stripped or oily afterwards. But the absolute best part of it is the SMELL! It smells exactly like fresh, white peaches; not an artificial peachy scent, like the Haribo Peach Gummies (which I am a little addicted to), but a true peach scent, as if you were rubbing a peach all over your face. Sounds weird. Smells divine.

Lancome Energie de Vie Pearly Essence: I tried this essence when it just came out a couple years ago and I was initially quite unimpressed, but recently I decided to give it another go simply because the reviews were stellar. This time around I LOVE it. First of all, it is incredibly hydrating, but in a plumping way, not an oily way. You can see the difference almost immediately and a little goes a very long way. It is quite viscous and spreads beautifully. Second of all, it makes such a great canvas for makeup, helping foundation sit better.

Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser: I’ve always had a weakness for Glossier packaging so when I bought this, it was definitely for the cute bottle and the stickers. However, I was pleasantly surprised at the gentle effectiveness of this cleanser. I have sensitive skin that always seems to sting whenever I wash my face with water I’m not used to (aka Waco water). This cleanser took care of that problem immediately! It’s soothing on the skin, cleans effectively, and smells slightly like roses. Come for the aesthetic, stay for the value!

Glossier Balm Dot Com: From someone with perpetually dry and cracked lips (not to mention a slight chapstick addiction that I need to deal with), Glossier’s Balm Dot Com is the perfect solution. It’s hydrating, long lasting, and rejuvenating. I dab a little on my lips before I go to sleep and then rub whatever’s left on my finger onto my cuticles. The result? Super smooth lips. And cuticles. I got it in the rose scent, so it has a slight pink tint, which is perfect for days I don’t want to wear makeup, but also need a little extra color.

Makeup

L’Oreal Lash Paradise – Waterproof: This is an amazing mascara for being drugstore. It is very volumizing and lengthening without being clumpy at all. I may even like it better than my holy-grail Burberry Cat-Lashes. It is not a dramatic mascara that screams “Look at my lashes! They are fabulous!” Rather, it is a very natural but effective mascara for the “why yes, my lashes are naturally this fluffy and full.” I’m in love with this.

Becca First Light Priming Filter: This is amazing. Absolutely floored. As you can see I’ve used half a bottle already and it’s only been a month and a half. At first glance it looks odd, since it’s a kind of iridescent purple. Originally I thought it was a fluke, but I was convinced by another blogger to try it out. I’m so glad I did! It looks like an Instagram filter on bare skin and makes matte foundations glowy without losing the anti-oil aspect. It evens skin tone and is perfect for those no-makeup days when you want your skin to breathe but look amazing. It is so moisturizing and smells so good as well. I would recommend this to any skin type. It is the best primer I’ve ever tried.

Glossier Lip Gloss: I promise I don’t have a Glossier habit (or do I??). I impulsively bought this lip gloss one night, thinking I’d regret leaving my trusty matte lipsticks as soon as my hair started getting stuck in the shiny gloss. While I wasn’t a fan of the 2000’s drippy-lip look, I was pleased to find that this lip gloss, while it’s glossier (heh, heh…) than your normal balm, it’s not insanely shiny and doesn’t make you look like you licked your lips a billion times. It goes on pretty glossy but in a few minutes dries to a nice dewy finish. I don’t have to reapply super often during the day and it’s perfect either over another lipstick or on its own!

Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon Liner: Although it has a mouthful of a name, this eyeliner is an easy, no hassle essential in my everyday makeup. I have oily skin, which means most of the time, my eye makeup ends up transferring down my face during the day. I’m sure it looks great on some, but the goth panda look isn’t for me. This Marc Jacobs eyeliner stays put, come rain, sweat, hurricanes, you name it. It glides on super smoothly has great pigmentation. Even though it’s slightly on the pricey side, it’s worth it.

Miscellaneous

Niall Horan – Too Much to Ask: I’ve been listening to this so much. One Direction was my guilty pleasure for a long time and now their solo albums have been fantastic and unique. Too Much to Ask is very nostalgic and lovely and perfect to listen to alone on a rainy day.

Sezane – LADP Wrap Dress: I’m in love with this dress that I daringly purchased from Sezane, which is my new favorite store. It’s an online, French boutique that sells the most beautiful and most well made clothing. I’d been looking for a true wrap dress and a red dress (both trends that have been big this summer and are carrying into the fall), and this checked both boxes. It fits beautifully and I get so, so many compliments. Additionally, it was created in collaboration with L.A. Dance Company, run by one of my favorite coreographers. In short, this is the perfect little-not-black-dress.

Maison Margiela – ‘Replica’ Jazz Club: This fragrance is, in the words of a dear friend of mine, my “sexy perfume.” It is technically a men’s perfume, but I ADORE it. It has notes of tobacco, whisky, and leather, making it the dream fall scent. Anytime I need a mood or confidence booster, I spritz a little of this. It is quite strong, so one or two spritzes is enough, and it lasts all day long.

Well, that wraps up this month! It is rather a long list, but hopefully you found it inspiring. Comment below if you were impressed by these as well! Thank you so much, again, for visiting. Let’s dive into October!

Italy Part 1: Rome

September 26, 2017July 20, 2018 by novelnests, posted in Lifestyle

It’s been a long time coming, but here is my Italy Travel Diary from this past summer! I spent a month shadowing a professor at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, but also got to thoroughly enjoy Rome and visit some of my favorite cities. Italy is such a beautiful country and I’m so lucky to have spent the last three summers traveling there. The first two years I did quite a lot of traveling going from the south of France – look for a post on that in the future! – down through Paestum. This year, however, I got to truly live in the suburbs of Rome and experience the city like a true Roman – or as true as an American Chinese girl can get.

I spent the majority of the month alone – a few friends dropped in here and there – so it had the possibility of getting very lonely if it weren’t for the fact that Italians love to talk. I rented an AirBnB, which was absolutely lovely. The hosts, Chiara and Francesca, were incredibly hospitable and helpful. The apartment was set up rather like a Manhattan loft, small and efficient. There was a loft area for the bed, which was nice, but it was SO SHORT. I’m rather tall for a gal, but I had to well and truly bend over at the waist to walk around up there. If I had a penny for every time I hit my head on that ceiling… That minor inconvenience aside it was absolutely lovely. (Fair warning, though, Italians are rather adverse to air-conditioning and it can get quite hot!)

I spent a large amount of the month in and around the Vatican as I did a bit of research there. The Basilica itself is so beautiful and restful, especially in the early mornings before the throngs of tourists arrive. Even then it is exciting and contagious to be around the pilgrims and visitors, all singing and happy to be there. 7 am, though, when the doors first open is the best time to arrive. It’s so very quiet and the light is more direct as it shines through the front doors and the windows. All you can hear is footsteps and the soft sounds of morning masses led in many different languages all at once in all the chapels.

In quite stark contrast to the Vatican is the city itself. From 5am-1am it the city is bustling and busy and loud. There are a million places to eat and get coffee and gelato. Watch out for the street vendors, they are very friendly and very insistent. Some are quite entertaining.

My fondest memories of Rome involve gelato. Gelato alone. Gelato with friends. Dropping gelato on myself. Dropping gelato on someone else. Spending far too much on gelato in Florence. The list goes on. I am perfectly happy in almost any gelato store – minus the tourist traps with heaped up, non-melting, imposter gelato – but my favorite places in Rome are: Giolitti’s, Old Bridge, and Fatamorgana Nemorense. Giolitti’s is a massive experience. It’s tourist heavy, but if you can get in at a good hour you can sit down with amazing gelato in a gold-gilded room. Old Bridge is a hole-in-the-wall American-friendly shop. There are no seat, but you get a huge amount of excellent gelato for quite cheap. Fatamorgana is a chain, but a remarkably good one. It’s a neighborhood-shop and boasts flavors like peaches and wine (amazing!), basil honey and walnut, and figs with lavender!

Marcus Aurelius on the Capitoline

The Forum Romanum

The Colosseum

The Palatine

The Triumph Arch

An Angel on the Bridge

The absolute best part of Rome, however, is the history. As someone who studies classical history and literature, the monuments and ruins around Rome are absolutely breathtaking. It’s a surreal experience to walk on the roads that authors and figures I’ve read about walked on thousands of years ago. The Colosseum is breathtaking and for once the crowds of tourists add to the experience, recreating what it must have felt like to be there as a Roman. The Forums are stunning and the Palatine – though a hike – provides a magnificent view of the rest of Rome. An added bonus: the cats wandering all over the city, sitting in temples like they are the kings and queens of Rome. And who’s to say they aren’t?

Every time I come back from Rome I miss it immediately. I miss the food and the gelato and the sounds. I miss the buzzing atmosphere and the laughing and warm people. All I can say is: Arrivederci, Roma, a presto!

Summer into Fall Look-book

Featured by novelnests, posted in Fashion

The month of September is always a bit tricky; moving into slightly cooler weather and seeing the PSL’s return to Starbucks drives me to pull out the over-sized sweater and my ever-so-trusty pair of Ralph Lauren booties. BUT, I live in Texas at the moment, which means days start out cool and breezy and by midday they have reached 90 degrees again. Sigh. Two seasons in the space of 24 hours. I’m not entirely ready to pack up my summer wardrobe either. I am definitely not the only one in this predicament, so I figured I’d shoot a look-book of summer looks that can be easily modified to suit the awkward, in-between season that is September in the South.

Denim and leather

This first outfit is something Cindy threw on whenever she couldn’t think of anything to wear. Denim dresses were big this summer as well as block-heels. To move this look into the fall, swap out the denim dress for the popular denim jacket or a more fall-friendly version Replace block-heeled sandals with block-heeled pumps.

White broderie anglais midi-dress

White broderie anglais midi-dress and block heels.

red and stripes forever

shoes!

purse!

Midi length skirts in broderie anglais and bold patterns, such as classic stripes, graced the streets throughout the summer and continue to be quite popular on the runways for fall. For the summer these skirts can be styled with brighter colors. I love how the striped skirt looks with red flats (get them here!) and this amazing circle bag. Circle bags, especially wicker ones, were featured all over instagram and Cindy had been wanting a red purse for a while. This piece from Mango checked both boxes in one go! Red is a universally flattering tone, though I like to go for more brown and wine toned reds as I transition to autumn. Utilizing the same lady-like and flattering shape, midi-skirts take on deeper colors and 80s plaid for the fall.

vintage tee

pear top

80s style

Of course one of the easiest wardrobe-transitions is simply to swap out your favorite shorts for a pair of jeans. Vintage-style graphic tees always give you a trendy – now more than ever with the recent popularity of 80s fashion – but laid-back attitude. Cindy’s top is actually truly vintage and was owned by our mom back in the 80s. The fun, fruity print channels summer vibes with the fruit motif, though the color scheme can easily be switched over to a warmer fall look. With a denim jacket for an on-trend, double denim look, vintage levis, and cognac boots, this can be quite easily transitioned to fall.

plaid and polka

thinking about sandwiches

so sunny

Mixed patters and bright colors were staples of the summer and as we move into fall, the mix-and-match theme continues. Here Olivia is wearing a gingham top paired with a polka-dotted skirt. The neutral tones of the skirt pair well with the bright saffron top, reversely the high contrast of the skirt compliments the monochromatic look of the top. Summer gingham is replaced with autumn plaid and dramatic polka dots with demure stripes and vintage floral prints.

We love going to downtown Fredericksburg to shoot or just to hang out and shop. It’s such a versatile area; you can go for a chill coffee date or shop or visit the battlefields. Whatever your inclinations, there are plenty of hot spots to hit up in the ‘burg. Here are a few of our favorites.

A popular coffee place downtown, Hyperion Espresso.

While the entirety of the downtown area retains a strong retro vibe, Goolricks Pharmacy transports you back in time. It is a real pharmacy, but in the front it serves old fashioned cream sodas, milkshakes, and comfort food.

The best candy store

downtown streets

favorite bookstore ever

There are loads of shops, from food to books to tattoo parlors.

Looking for Pink Floyd as usual…

Found a goodie

blue shark antiques

My personal favorite store downtown is Blue Shark Antique’s and Collectibles. They have an impressive collection of vinyls and records—not to mention any nerd’s dream hoard of comic books!

We’ve been getting our hair cut at Bella Hair for years. It’s a wonderful salon with amazing service. If you’re ever around, ask for Libby. She will not only give you the exact styling you are looking for, but also professional and personalized tips and product recommendations.

Store-front goals

In line for sandwiches

George at here!

We’ll close with one of our favorite topics. Food. The Virginia is the perfect place for lunch or a midday snack. And for any history fans, George Washington is said to have eaten here!

So there you have it! A rather lengthy, but hopefully informative and helpful post! Welcome, again, to our corner of the internet and thanks so much for visiting!

Shop some of our fall picks: