On Top of the World with Fur Coats

Although Winter is dwindling down slowly, we thought we would share one of our favorite winter fashion must-have. Nothing better than a fur coat! Stylish, chic and perfect for the colder months; fur coats are a great piece to have in your collection. They are the ultimate fashion statement no matter the color or texture. 

Francesca is wearing an all black ensemble with her C. Wonder faux fur coat and her Stuart Weitzman Mezza Mezza boots. To add a bit of dimension to her look, she incorporates hints of gold in her Ray Ban aviators and hardware on her purse. 

*Unfortunately, C Wonder stores have all closed. We can not link the fur coat. However here is a similar one: Similar C Wonder Fur Coat

Ray Ban Aviators

Zara Leggings

Stuart Weitzman Boots 

Fendi Bag

Marc Jacobs Scarf

Deena has gone for a lighter choice in faux fur, flaunting her incredible thrifted cream colored find with a pair of black Madewell skinnies. To complete her look, she threw on a few accessories including a muted Loft scarf, a classic pair of Ray Ban club masters and her Marc Jacobs bag.  

Thrifted White Textured Fur Coat

Ray Ban Clubmasters

Loft Floral Scarf

Madewell Jeans

DV by Dolce Vita Booties

Marc Jacobs Black Bag

Identical Designer Dupes

Lets face it, designer clothes, shoes and makeup are crazy over priced now-a-days. And after shopping around Soho a few of days ago, I noticed a bunch of designer handbag dupes at Forever 21. While in F21, I picked up a handbag that looked exactly like a Mansur Gavriel bucket bag, down to the red lining and hardware, which led to a friend of mine giving me the brilliant idea to compose this post! After scouring the internet for more dupes, I've compiled a list of almost identical designer dupes. So for any fashion lovers out there that have been wanting the look of the famous Stuart Weitzman 5050 boots, i've gotcha covered. Of course the quality of these dupes aren't going to match those of the designers, but just keep in mind, that's why they are significantly cheaper. Hope you can finally add that Celine-esque looking bag to your collection, happy shopping!

xx

Francesca

Shoes // 

Hermes Jumping Boots 

Choies Black Round Closed-toe Knee High Boots

Stuart Weitzman The 5050 Boot in Black Suede
Choies Black Over the Knee Boots

Chloé Western Booties-Suzanna
Choies Retro Rivet Metal Buckle Pointed Boots

Givenchy Ankle Boots with Gold Metal Chain in Black Leather
Choies Gold Chunky Chain Ankle Boots

Saint Laurent Leather Ankle Boots
Forever 21 Pointed Metallic Booties 

Alexander Wang Aline High T-Strap Sandals
Choies Black Block Heeled Strappy Sandals

Handbags // 

Rebecca Minkoff Julian Zipper- Trim Leather Backpack
Forever 21 Pebbled Zip- Front Backpack

Chanel Small Lambskin Boy Flap Bag

Forever 21 Quilted Faux Leather Crossbody

Celine Mini Luggage Tote
Daily Look Large Structured Handbag in Black

Celine Nano Luggage Tote
Daily Look Mini Structured Handbag in Black

 Makeup // 

Giorgio Armani Maestro Foundation
L'Oréal Magic Nude Liquid Powder Bare Skin Perfecting Makeup SPF 18

Nars Bronzing Powder in Laguna
N.Y.C. Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in Sunny

Snow Day Must-Haves

Just a few days ago the Northeast was hit by winter storm Juno, which covered the tri-state area in up to 3 feet of snow, causing all schools to close on Tuesday. Unfortunately, for us high school seniors, it did not benefit us since we were in the middle of midterms, regents, and finals. With that we had a whole day unplanned and no where to go. So why not stay inside and just relax in a bath with a cup of tea and a face mask?

Bath Essentials

The Comforter Bubble Bar and A French Kiss Bubble Bar

Baths are key on cold winter days! Not only are baths fun to take, but there are tremendous benefits to them. For example, they can boost brain power, relieve stress, aid sleep and fight the common cold. So after months of working hard at school, it's great to have a day off to unwind. We recommend throwing a bath bomb or crumble a bubble bar into your bath because on top of all the benefits mentioned before, you can nourish your skin with the help of nourishing essential oils.

Candles 

Mini Capri Blue Iridescent Jar Candle in Silver Volcano, Diptyque Mimosa Candle, and L'Occitane Rameau D'Hiver Winter Forest Candle

While setting up a bath, it's nice to light a few candles, because why not? We are candle connoisseurs, we probably light three candles on average everyday during the winter season in our rooms. In lighting candles during baths, they can offer a calming  environment, so if you are having a very stressful week, take 20 minutes to an hour out of your day to soak in the bath, in doing so drop a bath bomb in and light a few votives. 

Masks

Boscia Luminizing Black Mask, Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask,  Glamglow Supermud, and Glamglow Youthmud

While in the bath, why not treat yourself to a mask? Some have time for daily or weekly masks, but with school work and extra-curriculars as a senior, there just isn't any time for them. So when given a snow it is the perfect opportunity to treat your skin! A personal favourite of ours is the Glamglow line, especially the supermud. Not only does it clear your skin of all impurities, but it actually shows you all the gunk it has taken out of your pores. 

Teas & Cocoa

MarieBelle Aztec Hot Chocolate, Mariage Frères Jasmin Mandarin Tea, and Kusmi Tea Bouquet of Flowers Nº108

Either after or during a bath, have a cup of tea. Some people like to have a cup of tea during a bath because it is there way of decompressing after a long day, but if that isn't your speed, throw on some comfy pajama pants, make yourself a cup of tea and hop in bed. If you're not a tea person, maybe hot chocolate is more your style, and snow days are the perfect time to make a cup. 

Comfy Attire

J.Crew Pajama Pant in Heather Gingham Flannel

Speaking of throwing on a pair of comfy pajama pants, these J.Crew ones are perfect! They are light weight but still super cozy. And during a snow day, pajamas are the only things we wear. 

Balms

Dior Crème de Rose Lip Balm, Soap & Glory The Righteous Body Butter, and RMS Lip & Skin Balm in Simply Cocoa

With it being winter, skin is dry and lips are chapped. So it is good to make sure both your skin and lips are hydrated because who wants flaky lips and ashy skin? A personal favourite lip balm of ours is the Dior Crème de Rose lip balm, it is hands down the best lip balm we've owned because you can use it before bed for extra hydration or you can use it to add a pinky sheen to your lips when going out, making it very versatile. For your body, we recommend Soap & Glory's The Righteous Body Butter, number one it smells so good and number two it isn't greasy and annoying like other thick body butters. It is the perfect consistency and leaves your skin super smooth lie velvet. 

Working Out in Style

It is finally 2015! This means everything that you didn't get around to in 2014, you can plan to do it in 2015. The new year is also great time to start a clean slate, whether it is your mind, your body, or your social life. As for us, it gives us the perfect opportunity to step up our game. With our second semester of high school approaching in a couple of weeks, we will have significantly more time to put toward blog posts! Can't wait to see what this year brings and we are so glad we get to experience it with all of our readers !! In the mean time, we thought it would be nice to get everyone motivated toward a healthier lifestyle this 2015 by working out in style! All of the clothing depicted below are great for working up a sweat because they soak up the moisture from your skin as you workout. Whether it is a light jog every weekend or hitting the gym a few days a week, it is a step toward balancing the mind and building up the body. No matter your height or weight, whether it is to lose weight or tone muscles, working out is a great way to achieve an equilibrium between your physical and mental self. Some great ways to start working out are by simply going for a run or even jogging in place in your room. Also, do not forget to stretch to improve your muscle elasticity and ensure your body does not hurt all over the next day. Overall, whether it's looking up youtube video workouts or hitting the gym, it will help you feel healthier and stronger- just do not forget to pair a workout regime with healthy, sustainable foods that will fuel your body after a workout. 

Lululemon Forme Jacket
Lululemon Modern Racer Back
Nike Pro Classic Women's Sports Bra

Lululemon Wunder Under Pant

Nike Flyknit Lunar2 Women's Running Shoe

Lululemon Scuba Hoodie ii

Lululemon Free To Be Bra

Lululemon Wunder Under Crop II Leggings 

Nike Free 5.0 Women's Running Shoe (similar)

Workout Essentials

Mineral Water Spray: When it comes spring/summer time, having the Evian mineral water spray is a life saver after bike rides or going for a long run, it provides a cool mist to rehydrate your skin.

Water Bottle: Very self explanatory, but water is a must when working out because you need to replenish your fluids after sweating a bunch. 

Lip Balm: When working out and going on runs during the winter your lips get very chapped, which mean some type of lip balm or chapstick is needed!

Deodorant: Everyone sweats, which means deodorant should be applied both before and after a workout to ensure you don't stink. We recommend the clear gel type of deodorant because it doesn't leave that annoying white residue all over your clothes and still guarantees you'll be smelling fresh.

Headphones: Headphones are key when working out. Just pull up an upbeat playlist on spotify and it will get you motivated to jump around and get into the groove of working out. 

iPhone: The app store is a beautiful thing, filled with endless amounts of fitness apps that offer specific workouts to your needs. Especially with the new iPhone's having the health app, you can record the amount of steps you have walked, the number of miles you've ran or the amount of flights you've climbed! 

A Few Boxing Day Finds

For all who celebrated Christmas, hope you all had an amazing day with your families and for those who celebrate Kwanza, Happy Kwanza!! As some of you know the day after Christmas is boxing day, which I only found out about just last year noting that it's a more prevalent holiday in UK. Lush in particular always has boxing day sales on all their holiday products and gift sets - buy one get one free! Disregarding the title of boxing day, a variety of stores were having sales yesterday through the end of December; to name a few, Uniqlo was having 50% off select styles, Stuart Weitzman is having 50% off select shoes, Macy's was having a huge one day sale, Aritzia is having up to 50% off fall/winter merchandise, Urban Outfitters was having 50% off all sale items,  Topshop is having up to 50% off select styles, and many many more. Long story short, after Christmas sales are amazing. 

Dream Steam Tablets, Candy Mountain Bubble Bar, and the Wizard Bubble Bar

Usually my local Lush isn't as busy, but on boxing day it was packed! Last year, I picked up two gift sets filled with bath bombs and bubble bars, but this year they didn't have many containing strictly bath bombs or bubble bars, they were all had one bath bomb and a bunch of soaps or shower gels, which I didn't particularly want. Luckily all their holiday products were also on buy one get one free, so I picked up the Candy Mountain bubble bar, which smells of vanilla and a hint of candy, giving it a very sweet scent. I also picked up the Wizard bubble bar, which smells like the signature Lush scent, very florally and sweet. Lastly, I stumbled upon these Dream Steam Tablets, where at first I thought they were for your shower and making the steam in your shower a certain way, but no you're supposed to drop them in a bowl of hot water and use the steam to leave your skin refreshed and unclog your pores, either way I'm excited to use them! 

Clinique Clarifying Lotion 3, Beauty Blender, Living Proof 5-in-1 Styling Treatment, Bobbi Brown BB Cream, Glamglow Thirstymud Hydrating Treatment, and Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream

On my way to the Lush Boxing Day sale, I stopped by Sephora to pick up a few winter essentials. I love how every time I go in to Sephora to pick up a couple things, I always come out with so much more.  After running out of toner and moisturizer, I decided to go get some more. I use the Clinique Clarifying Lotion toner for combination and oily skin, I have no idea if that is what type of skin I have, but it seems to work for me and thats all that matters, right? For the winter time I like to use the Yu-Be moisturizer at night because it is so thick and helps cure my awful wintery dry skin. I also picked up a new Beauty Blender, after having one for a whole year it got a bit smelly, even after sanitizing in the microwave and deeply washing it, I thought it was time to throw it out, and get a new one! While on line to check out, I saw a bunch of mini Glamglow mud masks, I had already tried the Supermud version and have gone through two big tubs of it, so I thought i'd try the Thirstymud mask as an overnight replenishing mask, lets hope it lasts me through the winter. Lastly, I got two beauty insider rewards, the Living Proof styling cream and the Bobbi Brown BB cream, I haven't tried either before, nor I have I tried products from either brands, so maybe they'll be my next holy grail product, who knows?? 

Hope you all have a great rest of weekend! And a great end to the year!!

xx
Francesca 

Holiday Party Outfit Ideas

Whether you are going to a large party or a family dinner, holiday parties are a great time to dress up. Rather than our usual casual attire- something we all love- we also enjoy the occasional fancy dressing. There are numerous ways in which one can dress up. You can keep it more low key with a pair of booties or go all out with a pair of heels. Either way, dressing up should be fun so enjoy mixing and matching different textures and styles! Hope you all have wonderful holidays and allow our styles to inspire yours!

Francesca's look is more for a fancier party. Her all black look features a Mongolian goat hair vest and a pair of Prada patent leather heeled booties. The vest adds depth to the monotone coloured outfit, giving her look a chic new vibe. Essentially, the all black look is always a go to because of the classy and elegant feel it gives to the appearance.

Turtleneck Cashmere Dress

Jocelyn Mongolian Goat Hair Vest

Urban Outfitters Pleated Skirt

Banana Republic Tights

Prada Patent Leather Booties 

Deena's look is more for a dinner with the family. The look features a floral print skirt and Dolce Vita brown booties. This outfit is great for nights with the family on the holidays because it is not too fashion forward however it's not too casual- perfect for those long chats with that one aunt!

Zara Cropped Sweater

Urban Outfitters Skirt

Calvin Klein Tights

DV by Dolce Vita Booties

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday season! Drink all the hot chocolate and eat as many candy canes as possible. It has been a great five months blogging, we appreciate all the reads and support given! Have a very merry christmas, a happy hanukkah, an amazing kwanza, and a joyous new year!!!

xx

Francesca & Deena