Living in Lustre

a life and style blog

Inspiration Wednesday – Luggage Edition

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I am going to start a new series on my blog called “Inspiration Wednesday.”  I feel like Wednesday can bring a lull to your week knowing that there’s just a few more days until the weekend and it’s always nice to have a little pick-me-up!  My goal is for these posts to serve as a source of inspiration and a way to window shop if you’re like me!  Let’s face it, there is definitely not enough room in my house to fill it with a ton of makeup, clothes, shoes, and accessories.  Honestly I’m not even sure I’d wear the same outfit twice if I bought everything I drooled over.  So this is an opportunity for me to share some items that I have been swooning over lately!

With the Holidays coming up sooner than I am prepared for, I thought it only fitting to start this series with some luggage/travel items that I have been loving.  Thankfully we don’t need to travel far for our family functions, but, as the kids grow older they’re starting to want their own items as opposed to sharing with us (or each other).  So I sat down with them and let them pick out their favorite piece of luggage they could find.  My husband on the other hand just throws out the “whatever you pick for me, I’ll use” statement…which is always true and I love him for trusting me with items he will use often.

We usually try to “pack light” which inevitably means that I will pack a million and one outfits for the kids (while forgetting something important like undies), and my whole closet mixed in with whatever items my husband has chosen to wear while we are away.  We have had the same luggage for probably a decade and I have been on the hunt for some new, hard shelled luggage.  I love the hard shell luggage because I feel like those protect your belongings far better – especially when you fly.  I tossed in a hat box (which I may actually pull the trigger on buying) because I am starting a collection of hats and this is an awesome way to store multiple hats in one box, as well as, sunglasses and jewelry.  I love multi-purpose items, don’t you?  As far as a cosmetics bag that I would use goes, all I search for is something that can be easily cleaned (because we all know how messy makeup can be) and will hold the items I will be using.  As I said earlier, I love products that are multi-purpose (I will go over my makeup pics in a future Inspiration Wednesday post) and my makeup is no exception.  Therefore, my cosmetic bag does not need to be huge.

The next three items are literally the epitome of my husband and kids.  My husband is a very simple man so I don’t believe he would ever choose this duffel bag for himself, however, I know he would love it if I brought it home.  Addison is obsessed with unicorns right now so this bad really spoke to her – she legit squealed when I showed it to her haha.  Ryder is a lot like his Dad – he prefers simple pieces.  He actually told me that he doesn’t need anything to pack his clothes into because he would just use his backpack that he currently uses for school.  Bless his little thrifty heart.  I asked him to choose anyway because I’m naggy like that haha.  So he picked a backpack, of course.  Honestly either one would be an amazing option for light packers out there, or, to be used as a carry-on.  Both brands are incredibly durable and ones that I am happy to sport!

That’s my first roundup!  What are some of your favorite luggage pieces for travel?

Budget Friendly Fall Shoe Picks

Clearly I have a shoe problem…one I’m willing to endure.  I think the reason why I’ve always been a shoe fan is the fact that no matter what changes occur in my life (and my body) my size never changes, and some pairs feel like “home” to me.

The other day a co-worker asked about Fall shoe options that needed hit a few must have items on her list:

  1. Budget friendly.
  2. Work appropriate options.
  3. Casual options.
  4. Are not boots/booties….this is just blasphemy I tell you!  I am biased though and that’s okay!

I came up with a few options that I am happy to say fit within the guideline of the must have items.  Let me say first off that budget friendly means something different to everyone.  For me, budget friendly is Target and Payless Shoe Source (both of which have some pretty great options – you just have to know what you’re looking for, for quality purposes).  The saying, “you pay for what you get” is absolutely true in most cases.  I can honestly say that I have not been disappointed in any Target shoe picks (in my experience).

Below you will find my top 5 favorites that are all incredible dupes for high end options.  All of the Target finds are under $30 which is super budget friendly and the quality of the brands has been pretty tried and true for me.  All options range from casual to work wear appropriate to include a neutral palette – leopard is definitely a neutral and pairs well will just about any pop of color.  Loafers of any sort are really in right now and they have such a classic design that it would behoove you to grab a pair or two.  All shoe picks below would be great for a capsule wardrobe if that’s something you’re into because you can literally pair them with just about anything you have in your closet.

Of course, I can’t leave out my Chuck’s (seen above).  Although these are not sold at Target, I couldn’t leave them out of the mix.  They are such a classic sneaker and can be dressed up/down.  I have 5 different pairs and am constantly having to talk myself out of buying another pair…I’m not always successful haha.  Again though, my feet aren’t growing anymore and I can justify filling my closet with shoes that will last me as long as I need them to.  Although Chuck’s are not considered a work appropriate shoe in most cases, for desk related positions these could be a sensible option when paired with a pair of skinny slacks, button-down shirt, and cozy sweater.  I love the laid back feel of Chuck’s.

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There are truly so many options to choose from and when you’re keeping things budget friendly, I feel strongly that Target is the way to go.  They always release dupes that are darn near identical to high end brands, they have tons of comfortable options, and they offer some timeless options as well.

Where are some of your favorite places to shop for budget friendly finds?

**this post is not sponsored by Target.  They have no clue who I am.  All opinions are my own, and I love to share brands/stores I love with all of you!**

Cozy Fall Days

Car Coat | Tee | Jeans | Booties

Happy Monday!  This weekend was slow and steady, and I loved every minute of it!  The plans we made didn’t happen so we took advantage of our fireplace and binge watched movies with the kids during the day, then our favorite shows after the kids went to bed – one of my favorite things to do when the leaves begin to turn and the air becomes crisp and chilly.

There is something so special about Fall in Washington and I am loving sweaters and cardigans more this year than I every have before.  Honestly, I’m not even mad about it.  This is the perfect addition to any wardrobe and comes in a few different colors – the only thing I wish it had was pockets.  That being said, it wasn’t a deal breaker when I spotted it.  Pair this beauty with a simple tee, skinny jeans (with rolled cuffs, of course), your favorite booties, and you’re good to go!

What are some of your favorite Fall staples to wear?

The Life We Bury: a book review

Back with another book review this week!  Just an FYI…I plan on reviewing new books each week since my goal is to complete at least one new book per week so hopefully you enjoy these.  Love me some thrillers and The Life We Bury did not disappoint!

The book description according to Amazon:

“College student Joe Talbert has the modest goal of completing a writing assignment for an English class. His task is to interview a stranger and write a brief biography of the person. With deadlines looming, Joe heads to a nearby nursing home to find a willing subject. There he meets Carl Iverson, and soon nothing in Joe’s life is ever the same.

Carl is a dying Vietnam veteran–and a convicted murderer. With only a few months to live, he has been medically paroled to a nursing home, after spending thirty years in prison for the crimes of rape and murder.

As Joe writes about Carl’s life, especially Carl’s valor in Vietnam, he cannot reconcile the heroism of the soldier with the despicable acts of the convict. Joe, along with his skeptical female neighbor, throws himself into uncovering the truth, but he is hamstrung in his efforts by having to deal with his dangerously dysfunctional mother, the guilt of leaving his autistic brother vulnerable, and a haunting childhood memory.

Thread by thread, Joe unravels the tapestry of Carl’s conviction. But as he and Lila dig deeper into the circumstances of the crime, the stakes grow higher. Will Joe discover the truth before it’s too late to escape the fallout?”

My personal review of The Life We Bury:

Oh.  My.  WORD!  Run out and buy it right now!  I wish that were enough to get y’all to read this book, but, here is what I really enjoyed about the book.

This book sat in my Audible wish list for a few months before I officially got to it.  After reading the description, I knew that I would love the book.  The mystery, suspense, and rave reviews for the storytelling is what sold me on it.  I don’t know about you, but, when I listen to any book on Audible the narrator can either make or break a book.  Thankfully, the narrator chosen for this book did a superb job.

This heart tugging, suspenseful book will make your blood pressure rise and fall with each new turn of events.  You will literally be on the edge the entire time.  If I had the opportunity to listen to the book in a single sitting, I would have – it’s that good!

Allen Eskens is an incredible storyteller and a natural born writer! The story flows effortlessly from Carl’s life story to Joe’s back story. They seem to not have anything in common with each other, but as they talk, their stories become intertwined. The ending is a bit of a twist and 100% gasp worthy.

Thank goodness there is a sequel to The Life We Bury called The Shadows We Hide that will be released on 11/13/2018 and I have already pre-ordered it!  Although this was his first book debut, he has since released 3 (soon to be 4) more books – all of which I will be reading for sure!

If you’ve read this book before I would love to hear your thoughts!  Comment below with what you thought about the book!

Biker Chic


Jacket | Shirt (similar) | Jeans | Purse (similar) | Booties (similar)

‘Tis the season to bust out the outerwear!  This is hands down my favorite time of the year and I am super excited to share a few of my recent finds/favorites with you!

Before I get too far into this post, let me just share that the weather was not cooperating with my hair during this photo shoot.  We have some pretty gnarly wind on the island at times and my hair was just all over the stinkin’ place.  Forgive the awkward poses and hair all up in my face.  You work with what you’ve got, right?

I scored this sweet faux leather jacket a few weeks ago and am loving it!  In hindsight, I should have sized down since I am still shedding some unwanted pounds.  I think I was just so excited about trying on an item of clothing that is two sizes smaller than what I had been wearing; woohoo!  That’s okay I will potentially replace this with a smaller size when the time comes!  This awesome faux leather jacket is perfect for brisk weather, but, I would not suggest this as a true Winter coat…unless you literally walk from one warm place to another more often than not.  There is a built in second faux layer which makes it appear that you have a quilted jacket underneath with two zippers to boot.  Bonus…there’s a hood!  It doesn’t get super cold where I’m located so chances are I will be wearing this gem often through the next few months.

Let me just say that if you do not already have like 40 striped shirts in your wardrobe, you need to run out and buy this one!  It is super flattering, doesn’t stretch out, has a cute little pocket in the front, and little baby side slits so the shirt just lays perfectly on the body.  It is perfect to wear on its own, layered under other pieces (as seen here), and can be dressed up/down.  This specific one is sold out at the moment (total bummer), but, I linked another one from the same brand that is a little longer…I may very well be grabbing one for myself haha.

Let’s talk Coach purses for a minute…I have a major obsession and this specific purse is one of 15 (your read that right) that I own.  I cycle through all of my purses depending on my outfit, the season, and pretty much whatever mood I am in.  This purse though – it’s my favorite.  It is super versatile, holds all of my must have items and whatever extraneous items my kids/husband toss in my purse to carry, and looks so chic with every outfit.  Plus it’s a Coach…enough said.

These distressed jeans were pretty much the only jeans I could fit into for a while before I began my health journey and I am so excited that they are getting baggy on me!  Almost to the point of retiring this pair, and purchasing a new pair.  They are so soft, edgy, and look great with the cuff rolled up…mine is mostly because I am vertically challenged and even petite sizes are still too long haha.  If the distressed look is a little much for your taste, I recommend anything from the jegging line because they are amazing!

These booties make an appearance at least once a week.  They are comfy, and fun!  Although the black version is no longer available (for now), you can snag the cheaper version I linked above that are an incredible dupe.  Who wouldn’t want to save $100?!?

I believe all of these pieces will be warn on repeat for the rest of the year.  Do you have a favorite clothing item, or, accessory that you are currently obsessed with?

Big Lashes and Berry Lips

I have never been the type of person to follow the seasonal changes when it comes to makeup. Basically I wear what makes me happy and beautiful.  Lately I’ve been a huge fan of “simplified” makeup looks. To me, that means flawless skin, “natural” lashes, and some sort of fun neutral lip.  Nowadays the easier the makeup look, the better off I’ll be getting ready for the day.  Lord knows I never feel like myself if I’m not put together before I leave the house.

I have been using Rodan and Fields for over 4 years now…definitely my ride or die skincare routine (I’m happy to write a post about my current routine if you wish). I believe that if your skin is unhappy, there is legit no sense in trying to apply makeup to your face.  If you’re too dry, you’ll get oddball patches on your skin where makeup has clung to said dry spots.  If you suffer from acne, trying to cover up blemishes can be a nightmare and even make your condition worse.  Believe me, I did it for years until I changed up my skincare routine.  More on that later though…we’re here to talk about lashes and lips, people!

Let’s talk lashes!   A part of my daily routine is to apply Lash Boost to my lash line each night before bed and this has been a major lifesaver.  My poor lashes were pathetic after having kids and I always longed to have beautiful lashes again.  Lash Boost has helped me get them back and made it so I no longer have to wear false lashes!  OI love to accentuate my lashes with a touch of mascara, and my absolute favorite right now is the IT Cosmetics Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara – that’s a mouthful!  This mascara is seriously bomb [DOT] com and does not bleed onto my skin underneath my lower lash line. *raise the roof*  I love this mascara so much because I do not feel the need to apply eyeliner on the daily to accentuate my lash line.  It makes my eyes look brighter, and more awake because it lifts and separates them for a more “doll-like” effect.  I usually get mine here, but, have also found a sweet deal here – 2 for almost the price of 1!!  Go get you some!

Onto lips!  I have been seriously obsessed with the Caramel Latte LipSense by Senegence lately topped with either the Glossy Gloss, Matte Gloss, or, Golden Iris Gloss (pictured above).  On me this shade is slightly darker than my natural lip color and adds just a little something extra to my look.  By changing up the gloss that is applied, I feel like your can completely transform your look for any occasion.  The lip color really does stay all day, and makes the entire makeup application super easy since I never have to reapply the lip color throughout the day.  All I do is bring along whatever gloss I’m digging that day and apply that as needed.  Easy peasy!  Side note – I do not sell Senegence products, but, I am happy to suggest my dealer if you’re interested.  Just comment below!

What are a few of your favorite go-to makeup products to keep your day to day look simplified?

No One Knows: a book review

I have been a bookworm for as long as I can remember. I refer to myself as an “equal opportunity book lover.” If the book is well written, the genre doesn’t really matter to me. It’s not unlike me to be reading more than one book at a time. I always listen to an Audible book as I get ready each day, and have another book either in my purse, or, on my nightstand to read as I please. My goal is always to read a minimum of 1 book per week – not always successful, but, I still try because I enjoy it.

This week I am reviewing No One Knows by J.T. Ellison.

 

Here’s the description according to Amazon:

“Aubrey Hamilton has been mourning her missing husband for five years, despite being even while she was considered the prime suspect in his murder. But when he is officially declared dead, there are still more questions than answers: Why didn’t Josh show up at his friend’s bachelor party? Was he murdered, or did he run away? And who is the new, mysterious and strangely familiar figureman suddenly appearing in Aubrey’s life? And has she finally lost her mind after years of loneliness and confusion? 

No One Knows is an evocative mystery that explores the complex darkness within all of us, perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn, Liane Moriarty, and Paula Hawkins.”

Here’s my review:

First of all, I couldn’t put the book down. This is always a good sign. I loved that the book kept me on my toes all the way until the end.

Is Aubrey going crazy? Where did Josh go? Is he alive?!? What the what?!?!?

I would consider this book to be your basic thriller. There’s love, loss, death, mystery, etc. You name it, this book has all the right ingredients. Despite some of the negative reviews about the book, I really enjoyed the book…until the very end.

Don’t worry, I won’t give away major details, but, I kind of felt a little empty inside when I finished the book – definitely saying, “what the hell just happened?” During the entire book Aubrey has her own inner dialogue which is great to get to know her better. The ONLY thing I didn’t appreciate about the book is that, that inner dialogue never once revealed the truth about her involvement in her husbands disappearance. When the truth is revealed at the end, I legit said, “WHAT?!? Are you effing kidding me right now?” Which then caused my husband to give the people’s eyebrow (if you don’t know what that is, we may no longer be friends).

Here’s the deal, I totally dig J.T. Ellison’s writing style. So much so, I began reading one of her many series. She’s a great writer and really knows how to pull you into the characters lives which I appreciate. I may not have liked how the book ended, but, that’s not a dealbreaker for me. If the book doesn’t elicit some sort of emotional response (good, bad, or, otherwise), then it’s not worth reading.

Have you read No One Knows? If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

**This post does contain affiliate links.**

Family, fun, and funnel cakes

We make it a point to travel back to my home town each year for the state fair.  The kids get visit with my parents, enjoy some serious junk food, and wear their little bodies out while having way too much fun – sleepy children are happy children, didn’t you know?

Now that both kids are a little bit older they’re more excited about going on rides – which means that I get to be excited about going on the rides with them!  Funny story about rides…

I asked both kids if they wanted to go on a 3-story roller coaster with me.  They both agreed.  Both of them sat up front together and I sat behind them.  Keep in mind this wasn’t your normal baby roller coaster that goes around in circles a few time then you’re done.  Oh no!  This sucker was pretty sizable.  There were peaks, valleys, and sharp turns that caused your body to do all sorts of fun things.  Whether you were being jerked from sided to side, your behind was being lifted up in the air when you went down a steep drop…thank you Jesus for safety bars, or, you lost your voice from screaming so much…you knew you were in for an eventful ride.

While we waited in line both kids were totally fine and excited to ride.  Once they both were fastened into the little bucket seats I could tell that they were both getting a little worried.  Apparently my reassurances to them about how everything would be okay didn’t matter much in the moment.  The second the little car made it’s way to the edge of the first steep drop, Addison screamed at the top of her lungs, “I’m dyyyiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnng!!!”  She may never recall that moment again, but, I still laugh so hard I cry when I tell the story.

Okay…enough with the stories.  I truly do love everything about the fair.  The smells, the rides, the petting zoos, face painting, zip lining, and the food…oh the food!  I even love the cheesy toys you can win by playing games…even if it means I have to figure out a creative way to explain to the kids that their beloved paper filled toys have magically disappeared.  I love all of the memories created.  I still remember going as a kid and how excited I was.

As much as I enjoyed carnivals and the fair growing up, living the wonder with my family and experiencing the fun through their eyes, definitely has it beat.

Only 362 days until the next fair experience.  But, who’s counting?

Top 5 Booties for the Fall

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I don’t know what it is about booties that makes them so stinkin’ versatile, but, they’re my fav.  I’m pretty sure most of my shoe collection is now booties of some form or another.  I think there is something fun about a shoe that can be dressed up, down, and everything in-between.  Whether you need an easy shoe to slip on, something to add a little pizzazz to your wardrobe, or, if you plan to become a bootie hoarder (worst possible phrasing I probably could have chosen) like me then you need to invest in some awesome pairs for your collection.

Some people collect coins, I collect booties.  What can I say?

Right now I’m obsessed with the gorgeous denim blue beauties above.  They may not be perfect for snowy weather, but, the perforations really send them over the top and I love pairing them with mustard tights/leggings.

If I’m being perfectly honest with myself, I really shouldn’t purchase anymore for a very long time…

Well maybe until the next time Nordstrom drops some new releases, or, has a killer sale….

 

Ten weeks in, a lifetime to go!



Jacket | Shirt | Jeans | Booties

Over the past decade I had become lazy, complacent, and comfortable with being uncomfortable all the time. I was constantly worried about how I looked in clothes, cried when I tried to fit into an outfit that looked adorable in my mind and ultimately just didn’t work on my “body type,” constantly felt the need to suck it in, and eventually resorted myself to the fact that I was just going to “always be fat.”

I have always been a creature of habit.  Unfortunately, tons of those habits turned into bad habits.

For those of you that follow me on Instagram, you already know that I am currently 10 weeks into my health journey.

Ten weeks ago the I made the choice to put my physical and mental health first. I am determined to be healthy from the inside out for my family, and myself. Each day I feel more and more comfortable in my own skin, is excited that I am 24.5 lbs. lighter, and 19” smaller all over.

For once in my life, I am excited about shopping for clothes and can see the light at the end of this once gluttonous tunnel. Food is no longer my security blanket, it is my fuel that will propel me into the healthiest version of myself that I can be.  I am so thankful to be on this journey. It is amazing how much I have changed in the last ten weeks. I’m not done yet though!  Because of my new and improved habits I have acquired over the past 10 weeks, I will have a lifetime of health, and ultimately happiness.

The best part?  Investing in new clothes!  Because I have not hit my goal weight yet, I am not investing a ton just yet…except for a few key pieces.  Jeans are a must for me.  Although my work day involves more “office appropriate” outfits, I live in jeans on my days off.  With Fall upon us, I needed a lightweight jacket that I could work into many outfits and this utility jacket made me drool.  Clearly I had to have it.  Can we just have a moment of silence for these booties?  I don’t mean to brag, but, I’ve worn the same shoe size since the 7th grade; just saying.  I wouldn’t necessarily say that I needed the booties, but, they tie the outfit together and I wear them all.  the.  time!

I want to encourage all of you to follow along with me on my health journey and #liveoutloud.  I definitely need the accountability!  Plus sharing new outfits with you will be even more fun for me, ha!

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