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Maje Camel Belted Cape Coat

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Cape Coat: Maje | Denim: Topshop  | Turtleneck: Splendid |  Jewelry: Borrowed from Tiffany & Co | Lipstick: MAC Ruby Woo | Bag: Celine

This is the second time I got to work with Tiffany & Co  and it's crazy how things come full circle. When I was 15 years old, I got my first real job, as a supermarket cashier. I made just $4.75 an hour, but I saved for months and months and at last I bought myself something I really wanted: a TIffany Heart Tag bracelet. It was the first real piece of Tiffany jewelry that I ever owned. Almost a decade later, I passed it on to my little cousin.

On another note, I wanted to ask you all for an honest opinion! Are you interested in me creating a few holiday gift guides or are you completely over seeing them?

photography by Keith Hodne

The post Tiffany in Dumbo appeared first on Brooklyn Blonde.

thanksgiving

Jacket: Banana Republic (wearing a size 2 / 50% off entire site) | Blouse: Frame (in burgundy, part of buy more, save more) | Denim: Mother (part of buy more, save more) | Shoes: Marc Fisher (under $100 and a ton of gorgeous colors) | Sunglasses: Celine | Ring: AYLA 

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend! We spent the weekend with friends and family and having our first Thanksgiving with Nate made it even more special. I drank lots of red white, ate a ton of stuffing and pie, so this week, I'll be spending a little more time at the gym so I'm prepared for the indulgent month ahead.

In the meantime, it's Cyber Monday! Some of my favorite sales going on:

The entire Nordstrom site is having some major deals! The white bowtie shirt I wore here is now on sale and is my favorite style of Mother Denim.

Shopbop: Buy More, Save More. I picked up this dress for a party I have later this week and this turtleneck bodysuit.

Intermix: I've been eyeing this top for the holidays. Now that it's 30% off, I'm going to take the plunge. The jeans I wore here are also on sale. 

Lastly, I've been wanting these white flats for months, but never wanted to spend the money on them. Now they're on sale! Hmmm.. I have tried on the knockoff versions and admittedly, not the same.

The post Black, White & Patterned appeared first on Brooklyn Blonde.

I can't start this post without first thanking each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart. Your love, incredibly kind words, and genuine support and excitement for Hello Gorgeous Boutique made my heart absolutely burst with happiness. Thank you thank you THANK YOU! 

On the home front, things are going well. John and I have spent the past week getting the house in order and prepped for sale. It's a very strange feeling. Our house has never looked better-- which makes me kind of sad. It's like, wait, now that the house looks how I've always wanted it to look, we're putting it up for sale and leaving?! Ha. Such is life. And as if I wasn't already home-sick before leaving, it snowed a few days ago. A full blanket of beautiful, pristine, Christmas-like snow (see the pic I posted on Instagram). It was crazy and totally unexpected, and I loved every minute of it. I may or may not have played Christmas music first thing in the morning. Gotta take advantage of it before we move to the south, right?!
Even though I've been day-dreaming about Christmas, I haven't forgotten that it's still November and that Thanksgiving is just around the bend. So I've been loving on fall attire, similar to the look below-- gingham, warm autumnal colors, leopard print, and sparkle! 

Speaking of Thanksgiving, what better way to express my thanks and love for all of you than with a super easy GIVEAWAY of the Lillian Crystal Necklace from the boutique?!

>> TO ENTER GIVEAWAY<<

1. FOLLOW Hello Gorgeous Boutique on Instagram.
2. LIKE Hello Gorgeous Boutique on Facebook.
3. COMMENT BELOW this post with your e-mail and a quick description of what you would wear the Lillian Crystal Necklace with if you were to win.
4. CHECK Hello Gorgeous Boutique Instagram & Facebook page on this Saturday, November 26th to see if you are the winner*!  (*Winner will be chosen using a random number generator and announced on HG Boutique's Instagram and Facebook page.)

Happy Thanksgiving, friends! I hope your day is filled with great food and wonderful time with your loved ones. :)

OUTFIT DETAILS below //
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NECKLACE BRACELETS [Hello Gorgeous Boutique] // Exact necklace here / Exact bracelets here & here
JEANS [Rock Revival from The Buckle] // Very similar here / Other great pairs here & here (Both on SALE!)
SWEATER [H&M] // Almost exact here / Similar here / LOVE this chunky knit here and cowl neck here
GINGHAM BUTTON-UP [Forever 21] // Almost exact here & here / Smaller squares here
LEOPARD PRINT BOOTIES [Target] // Similar here & here
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Winter Style Wrap Coat | Tahari Ella Coat

Winter Style Wrap Coat - Helena of Brooklyn Blonde wearing Tahari Wrap Coat and Bettina Pom Pom Beanie

How to Style a Wrap Coat for Winter - Helena of Brooklyn Blonde wearing Tahari Wrap Coat and Bettina Pom Pom Beanie

Winter Style Wrap Coat | Tahari Ella CoatCoat: Tahari (and here) | Beanie | Denim:  Lipstick: MAC Whirl

There's no denying that I have a bit of a coat addiction. The reality is, as soon as the temps drop, the coat becomes the main part of the outfit. The winter style wrap coat is one of my favorites. It's ideal for bulky sweaters, ideal for layering and quite frankly, it's the style I lived in when I was pregnant.

The brown color was also the perfect match for my new lipstick. It felt a bit weird to wear something that was so different than my usual go-to's, but I think I'm diggin' it. Keith – not so much.

photos by Keith Hodne

The post Whirlwind appeared first on Brooklyn Blonde.

After my retinol post, I went to see what Caroline Hirons had to say. For those of you who don't know who Caroline is, she's an incredibly knowledgeable skincare goddess/expert. I've learned SO much from her.  Scroll to the bottom of her post to see the video.

Everyone is talking about the new show The Crown. Has anyone been watching?

These gloves. long, cashmere lined and studded leather detailing. I've seen them in person and can't get them outta my mind.

The other day, my best friend sent me a photo of her wearing the MAC lip color "whirl." Yes, it's very Kylie Jenner, but I loved how it looked on her so much that I immediately went to buy it. It's a nice change from my typical gloss or red lip.

Some mouthwatering Thanksgiving recipes. 

I also caved and jumped on the Gucci slide bandwagon. My excuse: "I need cool/comfy mom shoes." Seriously, it feels like my foot is swimming in a pool of butter. SO SOFT.

 Have a wonderful weekend!

The post Happy Friday appeared first on Brooklyn Blonde.

Have you ever had so much to tell someone that you don't even really know where to begin? 
When so much has happened that you can't even figure out when the beginning was?

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About a year ago, the company that John works for acquired a another company in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was offered a position on the transition team, which he accepted, and has since been traveling back and forth to Charlotte every other week. A few months later, his proverbial hat was put in the ring for a position based in Charlotte. 

Because we are both analytical people, we made list after list of pros and cons. The first list looked something like this: Pros- no more traveling and a great position. Cons- Moving away from our community, our friends, our family. Having to sell our house (which we adore). Giving up the job that I was happy and comfortable with and looking for new work. Starting from scratch in a city where we don't know anybody. Moving to a warmer climate (We both like snow. Go figure.), and so on. 

Shortly after the offer was brought up, I find out that I was pregnant. Given our pros and cons list and the fact that we were now expecting, we decided to forget about the whole thing and keep on living life they way it was. We were perfectly content. 

Then everything changed. I got into a horrific car accident. Two weeks later, I miscarried and lost our first child. I was devastated. (Still am.) I quit blogging, only to come back to it after a couple of months when I realized that I missed it. Some time passed and our spirits improved. Then right around my birthday, when we thought everything was getting back on track, I came home to find John waiting for me with a somber face and a glass of wine. Weird. Something was off and I knew it. 
He asked me to sit down and I did. Then he began to tell me that one of the closest women in my life was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was in shock. I sat on that couch, frozen, for twenty minutes. What does this mean? Would she be okay? Was she going to lose her breasts? Was she going to live? What stage was it? Why was everything falling apart for us and everyone around us??

It turned out that the cancer was found early. She had a lumpectomy and is now on the road to recovery, thank God. But those few months of loss and heartbreak did something to John and I. We grew closer and stronger. But we also began questioning why we were so afraid of taking the North Carolina offer. If life could be snatched from us at any given time, why weren't we living it to the fullest and experiencing everything that it had to offer?

And so we began to re-write our pros and cons list, each time adding on more possibilities under pros. We began dreaming of how fun it would be to spread our wings and live somewhere different, make more friends, and open our life to other possibilities and opportunities. 

Then one night after a long dinner, I hesitantly asked John what he thought about me following through with the big dream of mine that I've always kept on the back burner-- the dream of opening my own accessory boutique. The dream that I had first brought up years earlier, but kept on the back burner because there was no way that I could realistically open a business while holding onto my daytime job. And you know what he said? He said "Yes, do it. Absolutely. This makes perfect sense." 

The next morning, we decided to go forward with the North Carolina offer, and I began to work toward making my dream into a reality. I used every spare second that I wasn't at work to research, study, and wrap my head around what it would take to open a small business. At nights I would stay up until 3 a.m. figuring out how to code the website and then get up at 6 a.m. to go to work. I was exhausted, but so incredibly motivated and excited that I could barely sleep.  

To be honest, I don't think I fully realized how much work it would take to get the boutique off the ground. There were licenses to register for, legal papers to decipher, products to shop for and price, a business model to build, and a website to design. Then there was the marketing plan and figuring out the name and social media structure, website photos to shoot, and so much more.

All of that bring us to today, dear friends. John and I are set to move to Charlotte, North Carolina, and I could not be more proud to introduce you to my dream, actualized: Hello Gorgeous Boutique.

I hope that you feel the love and excitement that went into creating the boutique. I truly hope that you fall in love with every piece, and that each time you wear a necklace, bracelet, earrings, or other accessory from Hello Gorgeous Boutique, you feel even more gorgeous and confident than you already are. 

A week or so ago, I tearfully left my epidemiology job and sweet co-workers to focus on launching the boutique and selling our home in Michigan. John will continue to travel until the new year when we officially relocate to Charlotte. Once we move, I will be running the boutique full time from a co-working office (so don't worry, I will still be posting office-friendly looks on the blog!), blogging, and taking on epidemiology and data analysis work as a consultant. 

To say that this is a huge change for us is an understatement. But you guys, I am so proud of us. We are taking life by the horns, letting go of our fears, and fulfilling our dreams. Because if not now, when?

I can't finish this post without giving a million thanks to my incredible husband John, our wonderfully supportive friends and family, and of course each one of you. Because without you, none of this would be possible. 
// Hello Gorgeous Boutique can be found HERE //
You can also follow along on Facebook and Instagram.

.....

If you are interested in hearing more about the boutique and some personal style pointers, check out the interview I just did with Tesi and Leslie from Mama Bear Dares-- where we talk fall fashion, how to wear ankle boots, and figuring out how to pull off that look that you've been wanting to try. 

You can listen to the podcast directly HERE 
or by subscribing to the Mama Bear Dares podcast on iTunes

And make sure you follow them on FacebookTwitter, or Instagram
They are seriously amazing and their podcasts are will change your day (if not your life)!
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6_1e-1.jpg2RLe.jpg3ee.jpgLeather Jacket: Mackage | Turtleneck: Banana Republic (last year) | Denim: Rag & Bone (and here) | Shoes: Aquazzura | Bag: Celine Phantom | Sunglasses: Celine

If someone were to ask me what my favorite type of weather was, my response would be, whenever I'm able to layer a sweater underneath a leather jacket. Not too cold, not too hot, but just right.

I had the pleasure of picking out this leather jacket last week, when I visited the Mackage store in Soho. For those of you who aren't familiar with the brand, they have the most beautiful outwear pieces. Leather jackets, parkas, and wool coats, like this camel one that I already own. Truly one of my favorite outerwear brands. Not sponsored!

I paired with a new-ish pair of jeans that I immediately loved the moment I tried on. The cut, the slightly higher waist and where they hit the ankle; no cutting or cuffing required!

photos by Keith Hodne

The post The Perfect Leather appeared first on Brooklyn Blonde.

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This should probably be titled the 6.5 month update! Oops. So much has changed since my last update that it's almost hard to keep up. There are some days, that I watch him, lying in his crib and I swear, he looks different than he did the previous evening.  These past few weeks, it feels like he's morphed into an actual person rather than a little baby. His personality is starting to shine through and it's completely fascinating to watch. Here's what's happening with us:

His Last Checkup:

Weight: 17.9lbs

Height: 28.9 inches long

Sleeping:

I thank my lucky stars that Nate has been sleeping through the night. While I know it may not last (so I've been told), I feel like I've won the sleeping lottery. We start his routine around 6:30-6:45PM and he goes to sleep around 7:15-7:30. He currently has two long naps a day and one short one.

His first nap will be two hours after he wakes up. So for example: if he gets up at 6:30 AM, which he usually does, he goes down for his first nap at 8:30 AM. After he wakes, usually around 10AM, he'll go down for his second nap two hours after that, so typically around 12PM and that will last about two hours. He will either nap in his crib or the stroller and if necessary, the car seat. His last nap will be a quick 30 minutes, typically around 4:30-5. That last one has been a little tricker and it doesn't always work out. On those days, he's extremely cranky by 6PM and I have to whip out all of my tricks to stretch him to 6:30-7PM.

Before he goes down for the night, our routine consists of lotioning up, PJs, sleep-sack, white noise machine and a bottle. I bathe him every other night, so I wouldn't call it a key part of our routine. For all other feeds, I feed upon waking, but before he goes down for the night, I give him a 7oz bottle. It works for us!

Nursing/Formula:

As I mentioned in this post, I started supplementing with Holle formula when he was 2.5 months old. I had to come to terms that I wasn't producing enough of my own milk and once I introduced the Holle, it was a real game changer. He was finally able to get full and this contributed to him not crying and waking up from hunger. While I felt very guilty at first, it was the best decision for everyone involved.

*Update: I recently switched from Holle to Lebensworth. They're owned by the same Holle company, but Lebensworth is considered to be slightly better because it contains lactose instead of maltodextrin.

mnBaby & Dog:

Remember a couple of months ago, I expressed by concern about my Mini Schnauzer, Pete? I gave an update on instagram. On the other hand, our other dog (above), Mika, is in love.

Introducing Solids:

Before Nate was born, one thing I often thought about was how to prevent having a picky eater. Is there even a way? Keith and I are big foodies and will eat virtually anything, so raising our son with the same outlook, was an important thing to us.

I read about Baby Led Weaning and I thought that would be something we'd so be on board with, but now that we're there, it scares me. Ah! Have any of you gone that route? What are your thoughts? Currently, we've been giving him some pureed fruit for breakfast and then some in the late afternoon.

Physical | Hair Loss and Pre Baby Weight:

Hair Loss: as all new mothers, I was dreading this and praying that I'd be spared, but sadly, I wasn't. It started a little after four months and just recently tapered off. At one point, it got so bad, that I was afraid to take a shower and comb my hair. Thankfully, I think we're at the end of that phase and I'm noticing a ton of new regrowth. This also means that I have lots of attractive new baby hairs and flyways. At first, I thought it was breakage, but my stylist assured me that it wasn't. That made me feel slightly better, but either way, it kind of sucks.

Weight: I am back to my pre baby weight, but that didn't happen without a lot of hard work. I cut out dairy, I only allowed myself carbs in the morning and for the rest of the day, I just ate a ton of greens, lean protein, and healthy fats (avocados, nuts, almond butter). I also walked a lot! I'd strap Nate in the stroller and we would go for several miles a day, usually during his two hour nap.
In the beginning, I actually gained weight as my body was establishing its milk supply. Even though I was eating well and working out, it didn't make a difference. If you're currently in the same situation and wondering why the weight isn't coming off, it is normal. Please don't panic!  Once I hit the three month mark, that's when I started to see the scale (and my pre-pregnancy jeans) budge. Keep in mind, it's different for everyone. Some women wont lose until they completely wean.
 
Booty: Okay, I was NOT prepared for this one. I was prepared for the hair loss and I was prepared for my stomach and breasts looking different, but I WAS NOT prepared for the loss of my booty. Apparently, it's quite common, but I was first shocked, then slightly sad. I've made it a point to do 15 minutes of abs and 15 minutes of squats 3-4x a week. I am determined to whip both back into shape!

Work/Life Balance:

As of three weeks ago, we have a nanny three days a week from 9-5. It allows me to work and get stuff done and on the days where I'm home with him, it's about him! I'm not distracted or stressed out by work deadlines because now, I actually have the time for that. I'm still trying to get better at not being on the computer after he goes to sleep, but it's a work in progress.

Personal Life Balance

Keith and I are still continuing to rotate our Friday nights, which has been working out well! On Halloween, it was our first time using an actual night babysitter where we went out together, with all of our friends! It felt so good to all be out, but I'll tell you what, waking up at 6:30AM, after going to bed at 2AM and having a few drinks, not so much fun.

The post Motherhood: A Six Month Update appeared first on Brooklyn Blonde.

I absolutely love a comfy and stylish pair of flats. Case and point: Ann Blanche's newly redesigned ballet flats. You guys, they are SO ridiculously comfortable and versatile. They come in various colors, and for the next 72 hours they are on major sale for only $19.99!! 
Last time they were on sale they sold like hotcakes. So if you're into them, hurry! You can purchase them here.

OUTFIT DETAILS below //
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FLATS c/o AnnBlanche [Exact]
BELT [Target] // Similar here & here
BLOUSE [TJMaxx] // Similar here & here
SKIRT [H&M] // Almost exact here // Similar here & here
BRACELETS // Email me or leave your e-mail in the comments
SCARF [Forever21] // Similar here & here // Love these ones here & here

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Camel and Black | Brooklyn Blonde

Camel Coat, Camel & Black | Brooklyn Blonde

Camel Coat Inspiration

Camel and Black | Camel Coat, Chanel Mules, Chanel Maxi Caviar Bag

Coat: Theory (similar here and here) | Sweater: Goodnight Macaroon | Denim: Topshop (DIYed ankle) | Mules: Chanel | Lipstick: MAC Ruby Woo

This is my third fall/winter wearing this camel coat. You guys might be  sick of this one by now and if I'm going to be honest, I'm ready for a refresher. Don't get me wrong, I still adore this one: the cut, the length, the color, but it might be time to find one to take its place. God knows, I sure get my cost per wear out of it.

PS: Did you catch my retinol post?

photos by Keith Hodne

The post Clarkson appeared first on Brooklyn Blonde.

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what is retinol and how to use it my recommended retinol products

Retinol: A topic I've been wanting to talk about for awhile now. I mentioned in an earlier post, a few weeks ago, I paid a long overdue visit to my dermatologist. The actual reason for my appointment was to talk about IPL,  something I've been wanting to do to get rid of a few dark spots that have been bothering me, but I'll save that topic for another day.

During my appointment, my dermatologist wanted to go over my full skincare regimen. We spoke about cleansers, AHAs, oils, SPF and everything in between. The one thing my routine was missing was a retinol treatment. Even before I was pregnant (you cannot use if you're pregnant or nursing), retinol was never really part of my routine. Of course, in typical fashion, I wanted the full rundown as to why I should start using one. During our conversation, she brought in one of her coworkers, a 65 year old woman who started using a retinol 15 years ago: "Do you see Mary? She looks better at 65 than she did at 50. Do you know why? Because she incorporated a retinol into her routine.." Mary agreed and proceeded to show me photos of her 50 year old self and the results were astonishing.

What It Does:

Retinol is considered to be the #1 ingredient to stop aging in its tracks and reverse previous damage. It is actually proven to stimulate collagen production, making your skin appear plumper. It is also proven to minimize the look of pores and uneven pigmentation brought on by sun damage. Basically, a godsend to those who want to reverse past and future damage, preventing wrinkles, color discoloration and helping other issues, such as acne. Because it works to increase cell turnover, initially, retinol can make your skin very delicate. This is one of the main reasons why it's such a miracle product, but if you don't use it correctly, it will cause more harm than good.

Some very important things to keep in mind:

When using a retinol, an SPF of 30+ is a MUST.  I cannot stress this enough! As mentioned above, because it essentially sheds new skin, exposing that skin to the sun (even on a cloudy day) is almost like exposing a babies skin to the sun. Don't even go there.

For this reason, only use it at night. Even when washed off in the morning, your skin is sensitive to the sun, so that's why the SPF is stressed.

Again, retinol should not be used if you're pregnant or nursing.

How To Use:

Retinol is not a product you want to jump into head first. It's something you want to slowly ease into. Your skin may take several weeks getting used to using a retinol treatment and in the beginning, redness and flakiness are normal. Your skin may look slightly worse before it looks better, but again, this is normal. I'm currently using my retinol 3x a week and on those days, I don't use any other strong products (like P50). I use a tiny, pea sized amount and spread all over my entire face and chest area. I follow up with a super moisturizing night cream, followed by an oil.

Below are some retinol products that I recommend (after asking my derm, trying myself or from doing my own research). Once your skin gets accustomed to a retinol, you may want to ask your dermatologist for a prescription for something stronger. In the meantime, some of the best in the market, including a drugstore one:

1. Kate Someverille RetAsphere

2. Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM

3. Kate Somerville Dermal Quence Liquid Lift

4. Skinceuticals Retinol 1.0

5. ROC Corrextion Sensitive Night Cream

 

The post Retinol: Why You Should be Using One appeared first on Brooklyn Blonde.

1e

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Suede Jacket: 7 For All Mankind via Off Saks (wearing a smalll( | Sweater: JOA | Denim: Levis | Shoes: Aquazzura | Belt: Gucci | Handbag: Ralph Lauren Polo  ℅

Some of you might notice that in two out of the three photos, I have a belt on. Normally, the details of my outfit will be consistent throughout all of my photos, but this time around, I wanted to share both versions.

In all of my years of blogging, this sort of thing happens quite often. I'll get dressed, look in the mirror and mentally confirm that everything flows together. Once we start shooting, a few minutes in, I'll look at the photos and analyze whether I'm happy with how everything is looking. It's funny, because there are times, and it happens quite often, where I'll be satisfied with my reflection, but then I'll see the photo and something feels off. It can be something as little as the way my pants are cuffed or wearing a necklace (or not) and in this case, the addition of a belt.

On the day that we shot these photos, I was going back and forth between which version I liked better. Ultimately, *I think* I prefer the simplicity without the belt. It just seems to work together better. Maybe the cognac of the brown and the black of the belt is kind of throwing me off, but then I asked my good friend and she preferred the belted version.  How about you guys? Which version do you prefer?

Situations like this have also made me learn my lesson that sometimes, a mirror reflection can be deceiving. Have any of you seen a picture of yourself and thought "Oh no! I could have sworn my outfit worked when I looked in the mirror!" Don't you hate when that happens?  I'm not sure why that is, but it happens to the best of us. On nights that we're going out or heading to an event (even when I'm NOT shooting my outfit), I'll ask Keith to snap a photo to analyze how my outfit looks. If he's not around, I'll snap a selfie in the mirror! It's been a helpful trick!

photos by Keith Hodne

The post Which Version Do You Prefer? appeared first on Brooklyn Blonde.

This look is often my go-to casual "uniform" for fall. It has all the things I need to feel prepared for temperamental weather: layers, tall boots, a jacket that offers just enough warmth, and a colorful scarf. Top it off with a chunky watch and earrings and you're good to go!
Most any boot will do; but two-tone boots are especially fun and add a little unexpected flair. The pair that I'm wearing in the outfit below are from Etienne Aigner, and sadly no longer available. But I love this gorgeous Tommy Hilfiger pair and this other one from Liz Clairborne (also available in wide width).

OUTFIT DETAILS below //
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TWO-TONE BOOTS [Etienne Aigner- no longer available :( ] // Similar here & here / Another in regular width and wide width 
LEATHER JACKET [From Italy] // Stunning similar ones here here / A bit more budget-friendly here & here 
JEANS [Rock Revival from The Buckle] // Very similar pair here / Cute Express pair here
SWEATER [Target] // Almost exact here / Unique half-sleeve one here
WATCH [Fossil outlet] // Gorgeous versions here & here
SCARF [Zara] // Similar herehere, & here
EARRINGS // E-mail me for details
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Gap PJs

I randomly discovered these when I ducked into Gap Body  during a torrential downpour. Thirty minutes later, I left the store with three pair of PJ's that might be the softest and comfiest pairs that I've ever owned.

Sam Edelman Pumps

I've said it in a previous post, but I love these. They look identical to pairs that cost 5x more and for someone who already owns a pair in another color, I can vouch for quality.

TV show: This is US

Are any of you watching? It's been a few years since I was hooked on a prime time network show, but as soon as I saw the previews, I knew I had to watch. SO GOOD!

Skinceuticals Phloretin CF

I discovered this product after our friend Amy, text messaged Keiko and I to rave about how good it was. We're all part of a group text and more often than not, skincare is our main topic of conversation. We all share the same passion for good products, so when one of us says "you have to try it.." we know it's legit.

Basically, Phloretin CF is a powerful antioxidant with both vitamin C (so important) and Ferulic Acid. In simple terms, it provides advanced environmental protection, helps your SPF work way better and helps reduce the appearance of discoloration.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector

I've raved about the cream version in the past, but now it's time to rave about the powder one. I've used tons of highlighters, but the Becca line has to be my favorite. The glow is never overwhelming, but when caught in the right light, and in photos, it looks so good!

Harry Josh Blow Dryer

Out of all of the blow dyers I've used in my life, this one is the best (in my opinion). It's lightweight, dries my hair in half the time and I swear, eliminates frizz in comparison to other dryers out there. On trips, I've had friends borrow it and they end up buying one for themselves.

Lara Cashew & Almond Butter

Oh my goodness. Keith bought this home from Costco one day and I cannot stop eating it. It's a little sweet, a little salty and tastes incredible on toast or right out of the jar.

Philosophy Amazing Grace Body Emulsion

If I could use one scented body lotion for the rest of my life, it would be this. Amazing Grace has been one of my signature scents for over a decade, but I almost forgot how incredible the body emulsion is. The smell is like clean skin, but better and whenever I wear it, I get compliments.

Rag & Bone Wide Brimmed Fedora

I own a ton of hats, but lately, I've been wearing this one the most. I've also decided that I am not a fan of a floppy hat, so I definitely appreciate the structured rim.

The post October Favorites appeared first on Brooklyn Blonde.

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Burgundy Suede Moto, Over the Knee Boots and Velvet Chanel | Helena Glazer

Burgundy Suede Moto and Velvet Chanel Bag | Helena of Brooklyn Blonde

Burgundy Suede Moto, Over the Knee Boots and Velvet Chanel | Helena Glazer

Suede Moto Jacket (also available here) | Denim: Topshop | Turtleneck: Halogen | Boots: Stuart Weitzman | Bag: Chanel

You might remember from this post, me mentioning a burgundy suede moto that my best friend got me for my birthday. It's been quite the popular piece both online and on instagram and I totally get why. In person (and hopefully in photos..) it looks way more luxe than it's $188 price tag.

The other pieces, a pair of my favorite jeans, a simple black turtleneck and my trusty over the knee boots, are some of my closet staples from last year.

Happy Halloween!

photos by Keith Hodne

The post Burgundy Suede Moto appeared first on Brooklyn Blonde.