Random tidbits from the week.
Wearing old with new, bringing out the sweaters, gifted products worth sharing, and event dressing updates.
It’s sweater weather! Not really, but we did have a slight change in temperature which is all I need to toss on a sweater. I’ve been wearing a lot of my old favorites this week (beyond sweaters) and am so happy they survived one of my many edits. Event Dressing got an update, TWP Holiday is good, went to a presentation by Mark D. Sikes, and sharing a few gifted products worthy of your time. Read on for more.
I’ve updated the Event Dressing collection on the A NOTE ON STYLE ShopMy page with lots of new pieces for very special occasions. Accessories are being added too! Access the page HERE.
The TWP Holiday Collection is a beautiful palette of navy, brown and plum with just the right amount of sparkle for subtle holiday style. The navy hammered viscose satin separates (top, skirt, and pant) work beautifully styled casually, but can be paired together for an elevated evening look. I’d go with the top and skirt and add a statement necklace, like this from Dries Van Noten. I love finding multiple uses for special pieces. The beaded collar on the brown poplin shirt is another standout. It’s a fabulous piece to put into rotation styled with black trousers as shown, or with jeans, or a leather skirt. It’s also available in black if you have a look that calls for that. A floor-length plum velvet gown is my favorite…just stunning in its simplicity.
On a styling note…I have several TWP Next Ex poplin shirts and am taking note of this layering idea with a slim white turtleneck for cooler weather and a fresh update. I also want to share this beautiful beige blazer with an absolutely perfect cut. I have one almost identical and wear it frequently with white or blue denim. It’s an easy piece to overlook online, but once in your closet, you’ll reach for it again and again. I like it paired as above with gray flannel trousers and grounded with a flat suede mule. Chic, simple, lovely.
I often receive gifted products and am always happy to share with you the ones I like. Many don’t make the cut, but here are several I’ve been using that have risen to the top:
I’ve talked about Necessaire’s The Body Wash before. A friend gifted me my first one, and I’ve been obsessed since. Today (10/17) is the final day they’re offering a free matching scent deodorant with every Body Wash purchase. My favorite scent is Olibanum.
Last summer, ROZ gifted me a few products to try. They were conveniently packaged in travel sizes and became the perfect companion for last month’s trip to Italy. Over the years, I’ve grown more accustomed to bringing my own shampoo and conditioner on long trips to maintain my color and love how ROZ performed. The hero product is their Milk Hair Serum. What a lifesaver for controlling flyaways and frizz in humid weather. Or for restyling hair without shampooing. It kept my ends soft and shiny after almost a month on the road. All of these products are neatly combined in one of the just released Holiday Gift Sets which is an excellent opportunity to try the products, or if you’re already a fan, have a travel collection ready for your next trip. This is my favorite of the sets.
LAUNDRY SAUCE: I wasn’t expecting to like this as much as I do. I’ve always been a fragrance-free detergent fan. Most scented products smell toxic to me. Laundry Sauce is different. Their scents are natural and earthy and lovely. They sent me the Australian Sandalwood (crisp bergamot, cedar and eucalyptus notes) and I’m loving the way my sheets, towels, and tees smell. So good. I’ll be purchasing more when I run out.
UBEAUTY: I streamline my skincare products when I travel. UBEAUTY sent me two of their bestsellers in a convenient travel-friendly size so I tested them for the month of September while on the road. The Resurfacing Compound followed by The SUPER Hydrator worked beautifully in maintaining the feel and look of my skin. I can get lazy with consistency on a trip, but having a simple lineup of two effective products kept me on top of a skincare routine.
In case you missed it in my Instagram Story, London Town Illuminating Concealer nail polish is currently 25% off and a product I’ve used repeatedly for years. It’s the ONLY polish I use.
I also talked about Dr. Diamond’s Metacine Hydr/O. I can’t claim all of the benefits, but I will say my skin feels great, hydrated and plump when I’m using it. I only need a little additional moisturizer, and this has a beautiful finish.” It’s a lovely layer to add to the mix of my other skincare musts. I use the tiniest amount…it’s pricey.
Sidenote: I only accept gifted products to try with no obligation to share. Anything that makes the cut to be mentioned in the newsletter is something I personally have used and like.
WEARING: We had a drop in temperature this week and a rainstorm blew through. It only lasted a day but was reason enough to acknowledge sweater weather. I wore one of my absolute favorite crewnecks from La Ligne. The length, detailing, fit and softness are perfect. I also have it in olive green. I styled it with several old favorites from my closet - Nili Lotan brown cords, Sigerson Morrison suede boots (these have a similar look), and a Burberry short trench I’ve had for over 20 years.
I also had a chance to wear one of the new sweaters I picked up in Switzerland - a navy loose weave cashmere turtleneck. I went for an all blue look with denim on denim (Madewell shirt, Frame jeans) plus my old Emilia Wickstead tassel loafers (very comfortable and a little off beat). I fetched a pair of old Prada sunglasses out of a drawer to put back in rotation.
The Kallmeyer plaid skirt I bought earlier this year got a spin in the wild too worn with an old Erdem sweater gathered with a brooch. Chanel t-strap low heel pumps rounded out the look with a Bottega Veneta small bag (purchased on TRR years ago). Everything was shared on Instagram and can still be viewed in my OCT LINKS highlight story.
DOING: I attended a wonderful presentation by Mark D. Sikes for the Decorative Arts Society last week. He spoke about how his approach to design is rooted in creating beautiful, livable spaces with a deep appreciation for the personal stories our homes tell. Layering color and pattern in ways that feel collected rather than contrived is a theme that resonated with me completely. A book signing followed and I picked up a copy of Forever Beautiful: All-American Style All Year Long to complete my collection of the Beautiful trilogy (Beautiful, More Beautiful, Forever Beautiful). The book celebrates a full year of interiors inspired by the seasons and nature, featuring twelve homes, one for each month showcasing his timeless signature style. I left inspired and excited to read through the book in detail.