Category: Style

Destinations, Illinois, Packing Lists, Style, Travel, USA

Traveling Light: Essential Packing List for Chicago (in a backpack!)

Alyssa wears all black and stands in front of the bean

I was devastated when I saw the forecast for Chicago. (That’s a bit of an overstatement, but I’m okay with that). After a few weeks of delightful weather in Charlotte, we were headed North to Chicago, which hadn’t quite gotten the memo that spring had arrived. Snowflake and raindrop icons appeared on my phone’s screen, …

Home Try On + In-Depth Style Reviews, Style

Quince Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater Dress Review

A black cashmere dress hangs on a peg rack

I know that it’s technically spring, but I still have some cool weather dressing on my mind as we get ready to travel to some Northern destinations over the next month. Fueled by the success of my recent Quince sweaters and silk slip dress purchases, my curiosity about the brand’s cashmere dresses recently got the …

Destinations, North Carolina, Packing Lists, Style, Travel, USA

Traveling Light: A Packing List for Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Alyssa wears a dress with a sweater on top in Winston-Salem

After every trip, I like to crack open my suitcase and share everything I packed for a recent weekend away. Today I’m sharing what I packed for three days in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. In mid-March, Michael and I spent a lovely weekend in Winston-Salem: a charming city with two names and more historical firsts than …

Home Try On + In-Depth Style Reviews, Style

A BIG Review of Universal Standard Denim (Updated for 2024)

Alyssa wears a pair of Universal Standard jeans

What clothing category do you find is the most challenging to shop for? Wait, wait, don’t tell me – let me guess: Is it denim? (It’s probably denim). At least, that’s always the category I struggle with most, and the one I seem to hear the most grumbling about. Jeans are almost always too short, …

Home Try On + In-Depth Style Reviews, Style

Springtime Flowers: A Review of the Flora Collection from GLDN

Alyssa holds a small bouquet of flowers while wearing jewelry from GLDN and is halfway out of frame

It’s finally here – happy spring, friends! I’m holding a little personal celebration for the season over here, and for so many reasons: it’s my favorite time of the year to travel (great weather! Cheaper fares!), it’s my birthday season, and the changing landscape around me is a constant reminder that each day is a …

Destinations, New York, Packing Lists, Style, Travel, USA

Traveling Light: New York City Winter Packing List

Alyssa stands on a street in SoHo in a Swiss dot top, black pants, and black boots

This is the second NYC packing list in the history of this blog – the first was way back in the fall of 2017 when skinny jeans were de rigueur and my Vejas were brand new (wow, look how bright and clean they were!). While my style has shifted some over the years, my love …

Home Try On + In-Depth Style Reviews, Style

An Honest Review of the Washable Silk Slip Dress from Quince

Alyssa wears the Quince Silk Slip Dress in black with black boots

I’ve wanted a silk slip dress for so long -as a nineties kid, I thought they were the just chicest thing. Showing a little skin and a hint of what lay underneath but not revealing everything, the women I saw wearing them always seemed so confident and sure of themselves. Chasing that feeling, I’ve tried …

Home Try On + In-Depth Style Reviews, Style

Universal Standard’s Mystery Boxes are Back for 2023!

Revealing what was inside my Mystery Box from Universal Standard – and sharing an exclusive discount code.

Destinations, Packing Lists, Style, Texas, Travel, USA

Traveling Light: Austin, Texas Packing List

Alyssa stands in front of the Greetings from Austin Mural

Opening up my suitcase and sharing everything I packed for a weekend in Austin, Texas.

Beauty, Home, Style

A Review of Every Fragrance from Riddle Oil

The Riddle Oil sample kit is open on a "marble" table

My relationship with fragrance has always been a strong one. It’s always one of the last things I reach for before heading out the door – and if I find I’ve forgotten it, I wind up feeling almost a little bare in public. At the same time, my relationship with fragrance is also a little …