Happy Halloween, babes! What a spooky time to celebrate, am I right? While I have no plans to go out I will be staying in and watching a few movies, possibly watching the Julien podcast on twitch, trying not to think about someone and having a few drinks. I hope everyone stays safe this year, try and do Halloween at home and spoil yourself with as much candy as you want!

For this edition of My Style File, I wanted to set the mood and share a look that made me feel sexy, confident and like I could just go dancing in the dark. A slit on the left side of the dress makes for a tiny peek of leg that would sure be fun to wrap around another. This off-the-shoulder maxi dress comes from Eloquii, however, since it was about 40 degrees when we took these photos, I decided to put a black J.Crew turtleneck underneath to keep warm. I completed the look with a pair of knee-high boots from torrid. While this seems like a normal outfit, it's something I wouldn't usually put together, so I loved stepping outside of my comfort zone in terms of my personal style. Also, because I haven't worn ANYTHING this nice in about 7 months, lol.

Can I just say how beautiful this cemetery is? It's called Lakewood Cemetery and it has to be one of the biggest locations here in Minnesota. They were extremely kind in letting my photographer and I come in and take a few shots before they closed, being as respectful as we could be. I have several family members that are buried there, so it always feels nice to come and visit even if it's not to directly visit their grave.

 Again, I hope you all have a great Halloween weekend. Let me know what you'll be doing in the comments below!

 Side note: GO VOTE!

(photo via: crfashionbook)

We're right in the midst of fall and while I haven't necessarily needed to wear any makeup or buy new products because of quarantine, I wanted to touch on a few products that I've been using since March and that have easily transitioned into this new season. One thing I love about beauty products is the fact that they can do such a transition and you don't have to feel like you're wasting the products because you purchased it at a certain time. Here are five products that I'll be using this fall and more than likely the rest of this dumpster fire of a year. At least my skin will look (and smell) good! What are you using this autumn?

1. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum: ($80) - This product has been great to use in my daily morning routine. I usually put it on as my second step as to make sure it really blends well into my skin. There is a scent to this but it does go away for me after I put on my moisturizer. The price is a bit hefty, but I've had it for about a month and half and have used it almost every single day. I particularly like using this on my neck and have noticed a difference in how loose my "double chin" is. Highly recommend!

2. First Aid Beauty Cleanser: ($32) - I've started using this product as my first step in my morning skincare routine! After being recommended by a Sephora employee to use it on my neck/chin after getting a wax, I haven't looked back. It's super easy to apply and has a soft scent, not at all overwhelming, and a little goes a long way. 

3. Yves Saint Laurent Perfume Mon Paris: ($100) - An investment to add to your collection, that's for sure, but I definitely believe it's worth it. Another product where a little can go a long way and it'll be worth having it be in certain sections on your skin. This scent makes me feel romantic, sexy and confident. The packaging doesn't hurt either. 

4. Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray: ($33): This product has been in my collection for a few years. It's just a necessity to have, to be honest. Gives you smoother looking skin as well as locks in your makeup all day long. You must get it!

5. Colourpop Cosmetics Pressed Powder Shadows ($7): I love finding a good deal, who doesn't? So I was so excited to find these pressed powders from Colourpop when shopping in Ulta a few months ago. They are so affordable and pack a lot of punch when it comes to pigmentation and longevity of wear.

We can all agree this fall is going to be very different than what we've experienced previously, right? Everything feels delayed and I'm mentally still in winter mode from March, so it's insane that it's already the third week of September. Seriously though, what is time? Can someone tell me? While I've decorated my apartment to feel a tiny inch of excitement for the new season upon us, especially Halloween, it's definitely muted than years past. That being said, I'm hoping to get out on walks and see the color changing leaves around my neighborhood, grab a Salted Caramel Mocha from Starbucks, eat those pumpkin Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and hopefully see some friends while social distancing. So there's definitely some silver lining in that we have some more time on our hands to truly prepare for the changing of so many various things! 

Even though we're not doing a whole lot this year, I still wanted to share some things that are getting me in the mood for autumn and I hope they will for you too. Let me know in the comments below what is on your fall shopping list.

Colorblocked Dress

 Long Tailored Blazer

Rivulets Quilt

 

 a playlist for when you need a boost of serotonin and you want to sing out loud in your pajamas to songs you've memorized since they first graced your eardrums. hold that pretend microphone and belt your heart out to some happy songs that can personally turn around my mood, even if just for a few minutes, and make me feel like I'm holding a concert for my neighbors. turn your speakers up and sing with me! fyi, I'll be adding songs to this list whenever I come across one that puts a smile on my face. feel free to add to it and let me know which songs you're listening to right now! 

Finding joy or happiness right now is something I cherish with every fiber of my being because, look, it's really hard to want to appreciate anything positive in the current state we're in every single day. I don't know about you. but the minute I get up in the morning I find myself going through a barrage of endless scrolling to make sure I'm updated on what has happened in the last 24 hours. A constant wheel of emotions take over; anger, frustration, sadness, loneliness, desperation, and my day is off to just a great start! I think I do this because I'm trying to find a glimpse of some type of hope that things will change for the better and maybe, just maybe, this particular day won't end on a bad note. Luckily, I have found a few things here and there that have made living in quarantine bearable and have made me feel slightly less alone than I was this time last year, you know when I was also unemployed. Everyone is going through this and we're all trying to survive and be human beings during such a odd and uncomfortable time. So for anyone who is feeling the same way, please know you're not alone and that I hope you're finding something that can make you smile.

All of that being said, I'm not sure what makes today different than any other (maybe it's the fact that it's September and there is a cool breeze in the air) but I've found a fleeting sense of normalcy in coming back to this blog and writing about how I'm feeling. Today, I wanted to share with you five random things that have brought me joy over the past several months. Please enjoy and let me know what has made you feel this tender emotion. 

1. floral getaway: Quarantine has brought about the desire to start a small business. A new revelation that I've never thought I could be remotely interested in, mostly because I've always thought I wouldn't be smart enough to start one, but it has piqued my curiosity as I've been obsessed with learning about flowers and reveling in thoughts of growing (and dying), being planted with roots and other various analogies. THE PLAN: open a flower business that is a brick and mortar here in the Twin Cities, with an added bonus of a traveling truck that goes to street events and other various parties where flowers might be needed. THE GOAL: to start working on this once I'm out of debt and have a solid income, as well as possibly having a partner. Hopefully within 2-3 years, so wish me luck!

2. serendipitous project: What an absolute treasure of a find back in June when everyone was showcasing Black-owned businesses. I came across Serendipitous Project, founded by the lovely Sydney Ziems, and it's very quickly become one of my favorite jewelry brands. It's so aesthetically pleasing, romantic and you can tell there is a lot of love put into the content that is produced. The brand also just came out with a F/W '20 collection inspired by Versailles and I'm definitely eying these gorgeous 'Chateaux' Earrings! 

3. mostra di moda resort: The absence of fashion shows has definitely been prevalent for me the past few months as I regularly enjoy 'reporting' on my favorite looks that go down the runway. However, Vogue has been great and uploaded quite a few collections for Resort 2021. Christian Dior is always a must-see and this season was very special as Chiuri "spotlighted the region’s native crafts and craftspeople." This finale dress made my jaw drop!

4. roseway island: Animal Crossing: New Horizons has been my saving grace for quarantine. I've logged about 300 hours on this game and I have absolutely no regrets. It has been so much fun being able to create something that is my own and to take my mind off of everything. The creativity flows and I can't wait to see what the fall updates bring to the table. Anyone else playing?

5. ask tough questions: We're Not Really Strangers has some really thought provoking prompts to ask yourself and others. It's been a source of inspiration to sit back and dig deeper into how to talk to yourself, how you see yourself and how to be yourself with others. Truly appreciate this being around and to read others responses in their comment sections. Feel free to answer the question above for me and I'll do the same for you!