My fashion goals lately have been to achieve optimal coziness but with a flare of course. Feeling or looking cozy is not synonymous with dressing too casual. I think you can be cozy on nights out, it just depends on how you accessorize. I've always loved warm browns, creams, and neutrals—add a bit of leather and fur and you've got the perfect getup for either a night by the fire or grabbing drinks at a Christmas pub. We've had some nippy evenings in the city as well, so I've been dressing to prepare for wintery commutes lately.
Layers, layers, layers...
I am a firm believer in anything (faux) furry and cozy, and if you're looking for that perfect cozy gift to give, the Columbia Lodge Sherpa Pullover is what comfy dreams were made of. The right amount of warmth and fleece to not be over-bearing or make you sweat. I usually layer it with a turtleneck long-sleeve underneath and it has convenient pockets for your phone, keys, etc. for winter strolls.
I'm also addicted to turtlenecks and cowl necks, but one article of clothing I've never worn is a turtleneck tank top? I was taking a peruse in Zara the other day and thought this knit top would be a great layer to have, especially when I go into the office and don't want to be sweating bullets all day with a big chunky sweater.
It also is just way more flattering and slimming than a big knit sweater, but I can imagine it pairing nicely with these ultra cool 90s inspired fleece lined leather pants. I hopped on the trend and I am obsessed. You'd think they'd be the most uncomfortable pants ever, but I can assure you the fleece on the inside makes it feel like you're walking through clouds.
Leather moments...
Always love a leather moment, and many of my classic looks are completed with a leather jacket, boots, or purse. Especially with all of that fur, it's a good textural balance and is also just really functional and easy to pair leather with whatever I'm wearing like denim or leggings. My key staple as of late have been my brown leather, fur-lined Dr. Martens Chelsea Boots. I've always goo-ed over these, especially because they're not like the regular combat boots and I will be honest, I haven't taken them off since last December. I just gravitate for them as any going out shoe as opposed to sneakers.
Everyone I know says they take super long to break in, but I was good to go the first day after wearing them. Maybe the fur provides an extra barrier of cushion or my feet just molded to them, but I haven't had a single blister!
For my bag lately, I've been carrying around my Longchamp Le Pilage shoulder bag for when I'm not working from home and decide to take work to a local coffeeshop. I can just throw my laptop, charger, planner, phone, wallet, and maybe an extra hair clip or water bottle into it—zip it up—and feel confident knowing no one is going to reach in and take anything out. I don't know how people walk around the city with open tote bags—makes for an easy target if you ask me.
I top the look off with a pom pom hat, maybe some shades, and can never forget my apple watch these days. My favorite feature is just being able to limit my notifications by just seeing who has texted me on my watch and not having to fully dig into my purse only to find I need to update my phone to the most recent version. Who would have known another piece of technology would actually make me more present than I was without it?
So, that's my cozy capsule! I'm not ready for another polar vortex, but if I have to be—I'll do it in style I guess. What are your key cozy essentials this winter?
I often find it satisfying when I finally use up products or can switch out my peachy summer blushes for my winter berry ones. As much as I miss being tan and having that sun-kissed glow, it's refreshing to have a bit of a beauty switcheroo and pull out the products I wouldn't be using as much. With that said, I've been on a rollercoaster with my skin lately—I've been suffering from a bad case of mask-ne. So, with all of the holiday festivities, I've been reluctant to put on a full face, so here are the products I gravitate towards when I'm trying my best to keep it simple and clean.
Neutrogena Clean Full Coverage Flawless Matte CC Cream- When covering up blemishes and my uneven skin, I was always using products that would just sit on top of my face and I knew that the moment I took it off, another zit would form because it would just clog all of my pores. Until recently, I knew I had to use makeup that was safe and clean for my acne prone skin, so I went back to the tried and true—Neutrogena. Not only does this CC cream cover blemishes and even out redness, it's formulated with niacinamides which won't clog pores or make acne worse. It's not cakey and doesn't leave a flakey looking texture either! Would highly recommend for acne prone skin.
Bare Minerals barePRO Performance Wear Powder- Oil or shine is no match for this powder. I can usually even wear it without any other foundation. It blurs the appearance of pores and is very long lasting. I bring this compact with me for quick touch-ups, but I usually never have to because its staying power is so good!
Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow- Don't get me wrong, I love my Nars Laguna, but in the winter time, I'm usually looking for a bronzer that has a little less gold to it. I've only heard great things about Charlotte Tilbury's bronzer and I'm pleased that it has a creamy and soft consistency. I've been using highlighters a lot more recently for an added touch of sparkle.
Glossier Boy Brow- Taming my brows seems like a constant, I can't leave the house without fixing them. So, the boy brow is the perfect brow filler and gel all in one without leaving my brows feeling sticky.
Diorshow Mascara- I don't think I will go back to using any other mascara because the Diorshow is the perfect curling and lengthening mascara I've used in a long time. No clumps, no spider eyes, just complete butterfly wings and the perfect amount of volume. I can't ask for more!
Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Fu$$y- RiRi knew what she was doing when she created this. I haven't ever been a fan of lipgloss until I tried this out from a sample kit and was hooked. The butteriest and creamiest, long lasting lip gloss. The perfect shade of blush pink and it won't have you smacking your lips.
A nice setlist of products going into the holidays, sensitive skin-friendly and the perfect touch of shimmer for any outing. Do you switch up your products for the seasons?
Hello December...
And just like that, our house has been transformed into a cozy Christmas wonderland the day after Thanksgiving. I know a lot of people who've already had their Santa blow ups out in their front lawns since Halloween and casino lights already strung and ready to go. The Rohman's, on the other hand, put everything up after Turkey day and then we are allowed to blast Nat King Cole all month long.
A festive reset for me, I've got a few fun things planned, but honestly I'm just ready for all of the cozy nights in with friends and family. The holidays always make me appreciate being home, even though I've been home for over a year. Christmastime in Chicago just can't be beat.
01. My mom usually has a specific theme for Christmas decor around the house: red trucks, red gnomes, red poinsettias, red nutcrackers—the whole lot! She's been cutting back on decorating each year though, but I've still decided to make my room festive with some new additions like glass Christmas trees, pink and gold ornaments, and an orange slice garland I made last year, but amped it up with miniature disco balls. You can't forget the never-ending Christmas throw pillows, of course.
02. I've been going into the city a lot, not just for work, but for all of the holiday festivities like the Christmas tree lighting in Millennium Park and stopping at the Christkindlmarket for a cup of cocoa and a peruse of the German potato pancakes and homemade nutcrackers.
Additionally, my good friend and I are actually going to see the Chicago Symphony Orchestra this week and I can't express how excited I am to actually listen and experience live music again. I have a soft spot for classical music since I grew up listening to my grandpa, dad, and sister play the piano so much. I've also just never heard the CSO play since I've lived here.
03. Speaking of live music in Chicago, I'm also going to go see The Killers play their holiday debut "The Night We Stole Christmas" at the Aragon Ballroom (my favorite concert venue in the city). It's an intimate venue with a lot of charm and the last time I saw the Killers was at the Allstate Arena, so I'm curious to see how they perform in such a smaller setting.
04. My family and I didn't really create travel plans for the holidays just to be cautious, but a couple months ago I planned a trip to go skiing with my cousins out west in McCall, Idaho next month. This quaint ski town is known to have a huge ice festival every year. I've never been skiing before, or have really even travelled during the winter months, so first time for everything amirite? They also go snow shoeing in the mountains and rent a house up there, so I can only imagine the cozy fires and all the wintery forest views.
05. Okay, so maybe this isn't exactly considered "fun" but I am excited for much needed rest. These past few months have been go-go-go with lots of big changes and I'm ready to let this month fill up my soul with good food, good laughs, and good sleeps.
With the mixture of working out, travel, socializing and staying on top of my writing, the days surely have flown by. Especially working from home, I've found it harder to stay motivated if I am not giving myself much needed rest. For awhile I started taking melatonin, which also helped me wake up refreshed, so maybe I should get on that again. I'm not really a fan of naps, since they do make my day much slower and I feel unproductive if I do decide to rest my eyes, but listening to what my body needs is going to keep me healthy because rest is essential.
What are you looking forward to this month?
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