Early Morning Feels

Sharing part 2 of my shoot with D. Fabio with you guys today on SS - woke up at 5 AM to shoot this look with him back in Frisco.  BTW, If this tunic looks familiar, it's because it should - I featured it here not too long ago on the blog!  Anywho, I styled a fall-friendly look for my latest.

I paired my tunic with a cozy cardi and suede over-the-knee boots for a cute but comfortable ensemble.  The boots were a definite splurge on my part, but I get serious wear out of 'em every year so it's all good.  Yeah, I pretty much justify all of my big purchases with cost per wear rationalizations, ha.  Plus, I bought them at Neiman Marcus while they were having a big gift card promotion so I got a good $300 or so back.  Keep an eye out for perks like that (ex. triple points, gift cards, etc.).  They have 'em quite often so make sure y'all take advantage. 

More affordable OTK boots that still slay (all under $75):

A close-up shot of my cardi courtesy of Viva La Jewels.  If you're a fan of crochet, you need to pick this baby up stat!  I love draping it over my shoulders because I'm all about easy layering! To see how I wore it in a girlier outfit post, clicky.

Tunic:  Amiclubwear || Boots:  Stuart Weitzman || Cardi:  Viva La Jewels || Necklace:  c/o J Wholesale

Photos by the fabulous Daniel Fabio.

My Latest e.l.f. Beauty Haul: The Skincare Edition

1.  Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloths (20 for $3):  I'm straight up obsessed with these cloths! I'm not into wearing foundation everyday so they're not a part of my daily routine, but when I have a performance or photoshoot, I always make sure to wipe my face down with these babies pre-shower to remove everything thoroughly.  Rating: 5/5.

2.  Exfoliating Scrub ($5):  Personally, I prefer St. Ives' apricot scrub, but this works pretty well, too. If you want something on the gentler side, I recommend trying this face wash out.  You can technically use this product daily, but 2-3 times a week is ideal in my opinion.  Tip:  Remove your makeup and cleanse your face first!  Rating: 4/5.

3.  Hydrating Bubble Mask ($14): I read quite a few negative reviews about this product online so I was afraid to try it at first, but I actually really liked it.  It was effective, easy to use, and super lightweight!  Tip: a little goes a long way so don't go too crazy.  Apply a thin layer onto your face and watch it all bubble up (for 5-10 minutes or so) before washing it off.  Your skin will feel really clean and soft afterwards.  Rating:  4/5.

4.  Eye Refresh ($3):  For $3, I'm totally on board.  I don't know if there are any long term improvements yet, but this item feels hella good on my eye area - cooling sensations FTW.  I love using it first thing in the morning.  It helps with puffiness for sure!  Tip:  keep it in the fridge to up the cooling factor.  Rating:  4/5.

Conclusion:  Yes, to answer my question above, e.l.f. does get the job done.  I don't usually like to drop huge amounts of moolah on make-up, but I'm all about splurging on skincare.  I have no problem dropping $50+ on a solid night cream. So, suffice it to say, I was skeptical when I first received my e.l.f. goodies in the mail. I gotta give them serious props though because the aforementioned products are pretty legit.  If you guys are looking to try a new affordable skincare line give 'em a go.  I, for one, am excited to try their night creams out next!

The Plaid Shirtdress aka Wearable PJs

I don't know about you guys, but comfort's hella important to me.  I don't care how good I look, if I'm in pain, I'm changing.  End of story.  You could gift me the most amazing designer heels, but if my feet are hurtin', I won't ever wear them out... butttt I will look at them and admire their beauty, ha.  

Now, this all leads me to today's OOTD.  Talk about comfy, this dress (courtesy of Velvet Heart) is seriously the softest thing you'll ever touch.  The piece itself is on the looser side, but that's why the tie belt's there, to help you shape your figure.  If you prefer a more relaxed silhouette, simply toss the belt aside.

For today's look, I styled the dress with a drape vest for extra warmth and threw on a silver statement necklace to up my accessory game.  To finish things off, I wore tall embellished boots courtesy of Hush Puppies.

 A closer look at my dress sans vest!  

Dress:  c/o Velvet Heart || Boots:  c/o Hush Puppies || Vest:  Banana Republic Factory Outlet (similar) || Necklace:  J Wholesale

Shot by the wonderful Sung Shin.