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In Spades

Style... in abundance

October 2, 2020

Would I Still Wear That?

October 2, 2020

A friend of mine sent me a hilarious video of celebrities looking at old red carpet photos of themselves.  Seeing the fashion of bygone eras was SO fascinating for me.  Why do we wear what we wear?  How much of the current time influences our choices?

I’ve been writing In Spades for 7 years.  In that time my style has certainly evolved.  So I thought it would be fun to take a trip down memory lane and start a new series – Would I Still Wear That?

Not only will it be fun to look at old photos of my styling choices (and how far we’ve come), but I’m curious to see what patterns emerge.

Join me on this trip down memory lane!

For this first series post I thought I’d choose 3 photos to feature.  Going forward it may be more, it may be less.

Let’s start with what I was wearing exactly 7 years ago.

Would I Still Wear That

Ahh this Banana Republic cardigan.  For the devout BR fans, you’ll remember Banana Republic Signature and Banana Republic Heritage.  Both were elevated, speciality lines of the brand.  This cardigan is BR Signature and something I still wear to this day.  It’s like a warm (luxurious) blanket.

The tank top is moot.  Who doesn’t own a white tank?

But oh, the shorts.  These were a pair of True Religion jeans that I turned into cutoffs.  The rise is about 5 inches.  I love that in this day and age, a “low rise” jean is 8 inches.  Today’s jeans have got nothing on the low rise measurements of the early aughts.

Interestingly, I was barefoot for this shoot.  Hah!  Something I haven’t repeated on the blog.

Would I Still Wear That

This outfit just makes me laugh.  That and the fact that I look about 12 years old – go me!

This outfit was a byproduct of several early 2010’s mainstays: Gilt Groupe and skinny jeans.

I got the ankle boots from Gilt.  A steal at around $150.  They are Ash (anyone remember that brand?) and retailed for around $300.  I gave them away years ago.

The jeans are Rag & Bone, and while I still love the brand, they are the perfect example of how women wore skinny jeans in the 2010’s – WAY TOO LONG.

The fact that they pool around my ankles like leg warmers is just so comical to me now.  Plus, they’re way too tight.

The sweater is Joseph – an advanced contemporary line.  During this time I was living in LA and there was a Joseph retail store on the same block as my office.  I would go there on my lunch break and stick to the sale section – all I could afford.

The only item I still have from this look is the necklace.  An old J. Crew piece that I still wear to this day.

Would I Still Wear That

This look is still totally relevant.  Pleated maxi skirts, cardigans and Manolos will never go out of style.  Hello, Miuccia Prada.  I still own every single piece.

The cardigan is J. Crew and I got it on sale.  It’s a size XL but I didn’t care because I loved it so much.  I like my styling choice here.  Adding a throwback braided belt and wrapping it around rather than buttoning the cardigan is chic.

The heels are wine colored patent leather Manolo BB pumps.  His signature.  These will stay with me until I die.

What do you think of this new series?  Shall I continue?

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Posted by In Spades
Filed Under: Would I Still Wear That? Tagged: 2010's fashion, New series, Throwback fashion, Would I Still Wear That?

September 30, 2020

Makeup Bag Must-Haves

September 30, 2020

Makeup Bag Must HavesLast week I shared some beauty discoveries I’m loving.  They’re all fabulous products that work SUPER well.

Today I want to share the makeup discoveries I’m loving.  They’re a combo of recent finds and tried and true favorites.  The items your makeup bag can’t live without.

Bonus points: every single item is green/clean beauty!

Tinted Moisturizer

I got a sample of this and instantly fell in love.  I’m honestly considering replacing my foundation with it because it works THAT well.  It’s buildable, breathable and goes on buttery smooth.  No creasing or caking.  You can barely tell I’m wearing anything when I have it on.  I love that it has SPF 30 and you can buy it at Target!  The only way this product could get any better is if they offered a wider range of colors.

Color: Light

Smokey Eyeshadow

This shimmery powder eyeshadow is soooo pretty.  I have it in Mink (perfect for a smokey eye) and honestly need it in every color.  It also comes in midnight, onyx and blonde.  You can apply it with your finger or with an eye shadow brush – it’s literally foolproof and makes you look like a professional did your makeup.  I wear it from lashes to crease and like to line my lower eyelids with it for a pop.

Color: Mink

Everyday Lipstick

This color – C.R.E.A.M. – is the perfect everyday shade.  I constantly get compliments on it.  Creamy but it stays put.  They’ve updated the packaging to a tried and true lipstick tube and I love how easy it is to apply.  I don’t even need a mirror.

Color: C.R.E.A.M.

The Perfect Red Lip

This lip tint is heaven sent.  I would honestly own it in every color if it weren’t for the packaging.  I’m lazy and don’t like to use a lip brush, but I WILL for this product.  It’s moisturizing, highly pigmented, stays put and fades evenly.  One of my biggest lipstick pet peeves is when color fades only in the center leaving you with very pronounced “lip liner.”  This product won’t do that.  You’ll have beautifully stained lips for hours.

Color: Lover’s Choice.  I really want this deep berry shade too.

Lip Balm

I am a HUGE Burt’s Bees fan.  It’s honestly all I’ll use.  Until I found this lip balm.  Super luxurious and moisturizing.  You don’t need to keep reapplying it.  I love the subtle scent.  I want to try it in mint too.

Highlighting Powder

Full disclosure: I love Charlotte Tilbury’s highlighter.  The only reason I ventured out was because I wanted a green/clean beauty option.  This highlighter blends well and reflects light beautifully.

Color: Backstage Pass

Nail Polish

I’ve talked about this 9-free nail polish before.  It’s hands down the BEST nail polish on the market.  The brush makes application super easy and salon quality.  I have 10 colors and adore this deep green for fall.  This is the only nail polish brand I’ll wear now.

Color: Lagrandiere

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Posted by In Spades
Filed Under: Beauty Tagged: Highlighting Powder, Kjaer Weis, Kjaer Weis lip tint, Milk makeup, PYT Beauty, Red lipstick, Sugar by Fresh, Tinted moisturizer, Veque nail polish, Victoria Beckham Beauty, W3ll People

September 25, 2020

Fashion Friday

September 25, 2020

Prada S/S21 Well, you knew this day was coming.  It’s time to review the most anticipated collection of the year: Prada S/S21.

Why was it the most anticipated?  This collection is the first Raf Simons and Miuccia Prada co-designed for the brand.  In the history of Prada’s legacy, no one outside of the Prada family has designed for the label.  So let’s dive into this collection that had everyone going out of their minds in anticipation.

Was I blown away?  No.

Did I enjoy it?  Very much.

Here’s the thing about highly anticipated shows – they almost never live up to the hype.  While there were elements I loved, I think this collection was average for a couple of reasons.

#1

Prada S/S21Prada S/S21

Prada has always been designed with the essence of the current time in mind.  Designing for who the Prada girl is right NOW.  Unlike a Tom Ford or Balmain who would give you glamour, sex and over the top drama in the midst of an apocalypse (nothing wrong with that), Prada is different.

Miuccia and Raf are both very thoughtful designers; I knew what would be presented would be more of a uniform.  In the Q&A the duo gave after the show (more on that in a moment), they specifically spoke to this point.

“We offer a base.”

It’s up to the Prada girl to interpret it as she pleases.

2#

Prada S/S21Prada S/S21

I’m not a spring/summer girl. My favorite collections in history are almost exclusively fall/winter.  As Raf said in the Q&A, “Coats, coats, coats!  Give me as much coats as possible.”  I’m with him.

I also think they knew this collection would be highly scrutinized and as their first collaborative show, they (smartly) chose to reign it in and begin with a fresh foundation.

The Q&A

The post-show Q&A was fabulous.  Anyone could submit a question (sadly mine was not chosen) and I loved that they focused on what it was like to work together.  (I totally thought they would only focus on the S/S21 collection.)

Miuccia and Raf are both soft spoken and getting a chance to hear what they have to say (neither does many interviews) was great.

They spoke about creating a uniform, what is the “Prada-ness,” and fun, energy changing questions like “what’s the first thing you drink in the morning?”  Raf = coffee.  Miuccia = hot water (mother’s orders).  I adored this insight.

The Clothes

Prada S/S21Prada S/S21

The strengths for me were the accessories.  I will 100% be getting the single razor edge earrings with the Prada logo.  I will also be getting a pair of the super pointy kitten heels in a pop color – I’m thinking either orange or lavender.

I loved the cocoon coats and the signature Miuccia pleated skirts with sumptuous knits (many with geometric holes for edge).

A lot of people didn’t like the massive triangular logos found at the neckline, but I did.  I also thought the color choices were so on point.  The deep pink and yellow were my jam.  The secret backpacks and fanny packs worked into coats and skirts were cool.  It gave me an element of functional kitsch I expect from Prada.

Did you see the runway show?  What about the Q&A?  I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Images via IMAXTREE

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Posted by In Spades
Filed Under: Fashion Friday Tagged: Milan Fashion Week, Miuccia Prada, Prada S/S21, Prada S/S21 Q&A, Prada x Raf Simons, Runway review

September 24, 2020

SLVRLAKE Jeans

September 24, 2020

SLVRLAKE denimJeans // Blazer (similar) // Sweater (similar) // Sneakers // Sunglasses

If this week’s post were a Britney Spears song it’d be Oops, I Did it Again.

What can I say?  I love denim.

SLVRLAKE is a brand I’ve been admiring from a far for quite some time.  Based in and designed around the LA lifestyle, their jeans are a balance of classic meets modern.

No frills.  No overt logos.  Just plain and simple damn good jeans.  Think premium vintage denim without the literal ‘vintage’.

They offer 6 signature styles, plus seasonal styles.

I recently scored these on sale and wanted to share my thoughts on them plus the other styles I’ve tried on.

Lou Lou

The Lou Lou is the perfect everyday jean.  They’re the most versatile and super comfortable (thank you 8% stretch).  With a cropped length and a 10.5 inch mid rise, the styling options are endless.

I’m wearing a size 26 and would say they run TTS.  If you are between sizes, size up.

London

The London is SLVRLAKE’s most popular jean.  A 12 inch high rise and 16 inch leg opening make them a true straight leg jean and flattering on all body types (no wonder they’re the most popular).  They come in both cropped and regular lengths AND 100% cotton and stretch/cotton styles.

I actually bought this style 2 years ago and ultimately returned them because they were just a lot of jean.  If you are 5’7 or taller, you can get away with the regular length.  I found them to be too long on me.  I also ordered a 100% cotton pair and with such a high rise, it just wasn’t my fave.  I prefer the stretch combo fabric with a 12 inch rise.

If you go with 100% cotton, size up.  The stretch/cotton styles run TTS.

Grace

The Grace is SLVRLAKE’s wide leg jean.  They come in regular and cropped lengths.  Most of their washes are 100% cotton, but they do offer some styles in stretch/cotton.  12 inch rise.

If you are pear-shaped or curvy, I highly recommend giving these jeans a try.  They also look great with tons of different shoes – boots, sneakers, sandals.  I wish wide leg jeans got more love!

If you are between sizes, size up.  Otherwise TTS.

The other 3 signature styles are:

Virginia Slim – 11 inch rise; true straight leg

Beatnik – 12.5 inch rise; super high rise skinny jeans

Savior – 12 inch rise; cargo pocket jean

I’m loving this no frills, high quality label.  Can’t wait to collect more!

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Posted by In Spades
Filed Under: Fashion Tagged: Denim review, SLVRLAKE Grace, SLVRLAKE jeans, SLVRLAKE London, SLVRLAKE Lou Lou

September 22, 2020

Beauty Discoveries I’m Loving

September 22, 2020

Beauty DiscoveriesIf you follow me on Instagram you know I share new discoveries I’m loving on my Sunday Series.

Recently I’ve discovered quite a few awesome beauty products that I just have to share here on the blog.  I’m going to split them into beauty (today) and makeup (next week) because there are so many!

The great part about these products is not only do they work super well, but some of them are impulse Target finds that turned out to be REALLY good.

Natural Deodorant

I’m probably really late to the game, but I just discovered this deodorant and it’s awesome.  I had been using this and unfortunately it was no longer working for me.  That’s the thing with natural deodorants.  I DO think your body gets used to them and you have to change them up every now and again.

What I Love

  1. It comes in 20 different scents – 20!  I have Jasmine & Cedar.  They even have a Pumpkin Spice but that is way too much for me.
  2. It’s paraben and aluminum free.
  3. It’s a roll-on application (so many natural deodorants aren’t).
  4. It also comes in a plastic-free version made of paperboard.

Facial Mist

This facial mist smells divine and I can see instant results.  It balances my skin so I have an even tone.  It’s moisturizing and super refreshing.  I use it in the morning on days when I don’t shower right after waking up.  It’s also great to refresh midday makeup.

Acne Clearing Blue Light Pen

I was hesitant about this acne clearing blue light pen mostly because of the cost.  Did I really want to spend $150 on something I would only use occasionally?  I ended up pulling the trigger after reading the stellar reviews.  Plus, I am a huge fan and years-long user of another Foreo product, so I figured I’d give it a go.

I’m so glad I did.

If I feel a breakout coming on, I use it.  On those days I use it multiple times to keep fighting acne-causing bacteria.  If you have a pimple that has already come to the surface, it drastically reduces the amount of time you have to deal with it.

Deep Blemish & Dark Spot Correcting Microdarts

If you haven’t heard of Peach & Lilly, get acquainted.  The K-beauty retailer sells its own line plus a range of fabulous K and J-beauty brands.

These deep blemish microdarts work better than any I’ve tried.  I’ve written before about my tips for eliminating cystic acne and I like to use these in combination with these (which are more for healing IMO).

I also love these for dark spot correction.  I put one on overnight for a few nights in a row to really treat post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

 

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Posted by In Spades
Filed Under: Beauty Tagged: Acne clearing blue light pen, Beauty discoveries, Dark spot correcting microdarts, Deep blemish microdarts, Facial mist, Foreo, Native deodorant, Natural deodorant, Peach & Lily, Thayers facial mist

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