J.Crew Coat, Rebecca Taylor Sweater (last seen here), J.Crew Skirt (I also have this one, worn here), Tory Burch Boots (last seen here), Tory Burch Bag (last seen here)

Our weekend getaway in Connecticut was wonderful. We rented a house for three nights and brought my sister and mom along to enjoy the New England fall weather with us. We didn’t make any particular plans, but really wanted to explore some of the charming towns in the area, fall foliage, lakes and anything else we could find. My mom had been to this area the summer before on a road trip with my grandma and so she had a list of places she wanted to show us (like all of the Gilmore Girl spots!). This particular day in Connecticut was truly a day of exploring. We simply set off in a direction we hoped would be fruitful, pausing along the way to reorient ourselves on the map and pick a new location to drive to. This is always our preferred method of traveling, especially as photographers. We first start with a rough destination, normally it’s a town or a particular spot to eat, those are important when exploring, and try and find the most scenic route.

One of the prettiest spots we stumbled upon when exploring was Kent Falls State Park. We of course, had to stop and check it out. Since it was a Sunday, there were a lot of people out having picnics near and around the waterfall. If we would have known, we’d have packed our own lunches to bring with us to enjoy here. It’s a beautiful spot to take a break and enjoy some fresh air. A lot of the trees were already losing their leaves, so as the wind blew, the leaves would twirl and twist around the park.

Another spot we stopped by was Lake Waramaug. Our friends who live in Joshua Tree texted us when they saw that we were in Connecticut and told us to go visit the lake, as that’s where they both had grown up. We actually went out here one morning for sunrise, too, but unfortunately it was a really really cloudy morning, so we couldn’t actually see the sunrise. I still do love waking up that early though (even more so if I have a large coffee in hand). There’s something so peaceful about waking up before everyone else, when the noise and distractions are still sleeping. I love it. But back to the lake…we stopped here for a while as my sister, Lauren, was inspired and wanted to paint the scene. The colors along the water were so vibrant and beautiful.

I’ve been wearing this Rebecca Taylor sweater ever since I bought it before our trip to Quebec City last month. It’s such a great staple for a fall wardrobe. This time around, I added a little J.Crew scarf and layered my new J.Crew green coat I picked up from Nordstrom recently. I also love this Kate Spade one, along with this oversized and reversible Vince one, both in beautiful shades of green. The color has really been my go-to this season along with burgundy.

Our last stop for the day was Averill Apple Farm in Washington (the town that Gilmore Girls is based off of!) for some apple cider donuts. These were, without a doubt, the best apple cider donuts I have ever had. They were amazing! We were regretting our choice of half a dozen immediately when we got back in the car when they had somehow all disappeared. Nothing beats a hot apple cider donut on a cold fall day.

Thank you to Shopstyle and Nordstrom for sponsoring this post.

The post An October Day In New England appeared first on Gal Meets Glam.

I’ve always said that my one core item for a fall/winter wardrobe is a camel coat. At the end of the day, a great neutral basic will always stand the test of time. Like shoes and bags, a quality coat will last for years and should be worn and paired with all different pieces from your closet. That’s why I usually stick to more neutral colors for my outerwear- it’s a safer bet that I’ll wear it more often if I know it’s easier to pair with the pieces I own. Over the years I’ve purchased a few camel coats, all uniquely different in their styles, but similar in their versatility. Each one has been worn over and over again, and while I’m not in the market for a new one, I wanted to compile a list of beautiful options in case you might be in search of one this season. I’ve broken down the list into four categories based on price: under $200, under $500, under $1000 and splurge (over $1000), so there’s hopefully something for everyone. It just goes to show that at every price point, there’s always a great option out there!

Under $200

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

Under $500

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

Under $1000

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

Splurge

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

The post The Camel Coat Guide appeared first on Gal Meets Glam.

Today’s the day! The boot I designed with Frye is finally available to purchase over on their site here! I’m so proud to announce the ‘Sabrina Glam’ boot, available in both dusty rose and taupe. Both boots come with pretty grosgrain ribbon ties and suede leather laces if you want a more rugged look. This has been such an incredible experience and I can’t even begin to describe how excited I am that it’s finally out! I can also proudly say that they are suuuper comfortable and made of the best quality. I wore mine traveling to NYC yesterday and walked all around the city in them (in this outfit) and can’t wait to take them on more journeys with me over time. You can read more about the collaboration in this post (along with a video we put together) and this post.

I’m going to be celebrating this evening at the Frye store in NYC (144 5th Ave) from 7-9pm tonight, where the boots will also be for sale, so come stop by and say hi if you’re in the area! You can RSVP to RSVP@thefryecompany.com beforehand. This is my first step (pun intended) in the direction of bringing Gal Meets Glam to life and I can’t wait to share more over the next couple of months.

The post The Gal Meets Glam x Frye Boot Is Finally Here! appeared first on Gal Meets Glam.

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick in “Beige”, Shimmer Brick in “Bronze”, Bobbi Brown Highlighting Powders, Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Colors Lipstick in “Hibiscus”, Bobbi Brown Eye Opening Mascara

When it comes to makeup, I know what I like. There are a handful of brands that I trust and love and always go to for both refills of my favorite staples (like my mascara) and also with trying new products. At the forefront of that makeup list lies Bobbi Brown. You guys know that I love my Bobbi Brown makeup. I’ve talked about their products since the beginning of my blog, and to this day, they’re still my number one. I love how natural their makeup looks, I love the coverage it gives me and I love their colors. From start to finish, almost every step of my makeup routine incorporates something from Bobbi Brown, and with the holiday season coming up, I have four products that are key to creating a natural, glowy look.

I first start with the Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick in “Beige”. I’ve been using this a lot lately because it really gives my skin that velvety soft look without feeling like I have any makeup on. I used to wear powder foundation a lot, but I’ve found myself changing up my routine recently with this one instead. I love how natural it looks. I apply the stick directly to my skin in the areas I want coverage, like my forehead, nose and chin, and then blend the foundation in with my fingers. I’ll also apply a small amount with my fingers under my eyes and on my eyelids.

I’ve always used Bobbi Brown’s bronzers and glow products, specifically the Shimmer Brick in “Bronze”, and recently started using the Highlighting Powders, too. These add such a beautiful glow to wherever you apply them. I like to add just a small amount to my cheekbones, forehead and inner eye. Here I’m using the ‘Golden Bronze’ shade from their limited edition Highlighting Trio. During the day I like to use the ‘Pink Gold’ shade along with my blush.

Lipstick is, without a doubt, my favorite way to switch up my makeup routine. If I’m feeling sort of “blah” in the morning and need a pick-me-up, I’ll add some lipstick and instantly feel more colorful. Fall and holiday colors are always my favorite, with their rich hues and deeper undertones. With burgundy being my go-to color right now, this Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Color Lipstick in “Hibiscus” is such a pretty complementary shade. It’s much darker than the colors I typically wear day to day, so I feel more elevated and dressed up when I do wear it.

Last weekend Thomas and I headed over to the Dewberry Hotel in Charleston to get dressed up and have a cocktail before we headed out on a date night at the Dock Street Theatre. After weeks of traveling for work and with both family and friends, it felt nice to come home and have a night with just the two of us. The Dewberry makes for the perfect location to start out the evening with their gorgeous lounge and bar area- doesn’t it feel straight out of Mad Men? It’s always a favorite spot of ours.

Playing off the colors from my makeup, I added this satin-like oversized suite in a deep, red wine color. I’m definitely planning on wearing this color into the holiday season. And of course, I have my small clutch filled with the most important things- my lipstick and foundation for any touch-ups throughout the night. Thankfully Thomas always has pockets to carry my massive phone (7+ problems).

Thank you to Bobbi Brown for sponsoring this post.

The post How I Do My Makeup For Special Occasions appeared first on Gal Meets Glam.

Look 1- Chloe Coat (similar less expensive version here), Co Dress (more sizes here), Aquazzura Boots (similar less expensive here), Fendi Bag

Look 2- Max Mara Coat (old, similar here), Co Sweater, Gabriella Hearst Skirt,Aquazzura Boots (similar less expensive here), Fendi Bag

A few weeks ago we flew to London for a few days with the American Express team for Frieze, an annual art fair in Regent’s Park. I love London in October. The air is crisp and the color in the parks look like a painting. Coming straight from back to back trips from California and NYC where the weather hadn’t quite caught up to the fall season, it felt good to arrive to some coat weather. We only had about 40 hours in the city, but we made sure to make the most of it. When we weren’t checking out art galleries, we were out exploring our favorite neighborhoods (Notting Hill and South Kensington), strolling through parks and checking out restaurants for some good eats with the rest of the crew.

London has always been one of the cities I love most, so I jump at any chance or opportunity to visit. Whether it’s in the spring, summer, fall or winter- I’ve loved every trip we’ve had. You can see some of my personal favorite posts from previous visits here, here, here, here, here, here and here. But I have to say, there’s something really special about the fall. I think it’s because London has so many cozy spots to curl up and enjoy the change of the season.

Years ago, on our first trip to London together, Thomas and I visited Sketch. Chances are you’ve heard and/or seen this place dozens of times. It’s famous for its incredible pink decor, out of this world bathrooms (seriously) and delicious afternoon teas. You might remember this post from our time there in 2014. The Amex team planned a lovely afternoon for us all here and I was so happy to be back (and getting major home decor inspo again). This was actually one of the main inspirations for our pink couch!

On this trip we stayed at the beautiful Rosewood London (where we actually stayed on our trip in 2014, too!). It’s such a gorgeous hotel, and so glamorous. If you happen to stay there, be sure to check out the Library Bar, too! It reminds me of something from Harry Potter. Just reminiscing from these photos makes me want to go back, but with more time to spare!

The post London In October appeared first on Gal Meets Glam.

Coat (bought in Ireland last year at Kevin & Howlin, last seen here, similar here and here), Mulberry Sweater, Frame Shirt, Current Elliott Pants (last seen here), Hunter Boots, Scarf (similar here)

Every time we travel, we have certain expectations for how the trip will play out. Luckily, every one is full of splendid surprises that we could have never expected to stumble on. When we were booking out our itinerary for our 3 night stay at Gleneagles, we added a hike as one of our highest priorities. Thinking back, this hike was everything we imagined and more. After some breakfast at the hotel, we set off in the morning with our guide, ready to see our first glimpse of the Scottish countryside. Rosie and I were suited up in our tweeds and hunter boots, ready to take on our first day in Scotland. Luckily, the guide had the perfect hike in mind, and he knew the groundskeeper of the estate that let us in through the gate, bypassing at least 2/3 of the hike (you see why we enjoyed this hike so much- ha!).

We made it as far as the road went up the hill, parked the Land Rover and got out. A light rain shower misted when we arrived so we decided to delay our ascent to the top of the mountain waiting to see if the weather improved or deteriorated. Luckily we were prepared with a thermos each of warm sloe gin and coffee. This was my first time having sloe gin (sloe are a type of berry, like blueberries). It was so delicious and very appropriately timed. I can see why it’s such a delicacy during the colder months- it’s the type of drink you want to sip on next to a warm fire.

In Scotland, the weather can be completely unpredictable. We were very fortunate that the rain cloud blew off and the sky above our heads opened up, so we decided to commence our hike. Along the hike the sun played hide and seek with the mix of clouds casting a dramatic looking scene in the glen below. The lack of trees at the highest elevations made for incredible views, too! During the summer, the hills turn purple with the blooming heather, and warmer than normal temperatures for this time of year led us to find a few heather bushes with purple remnants still remaining. The four of us were in awe of the natural autumnal colors that literally covered every inch of the landscape.

I wouldn’t really count this excursion as a hike, but more of an uphill walk. Still, it was so worth it because of the incredible views and landscape. The groundskeeper brought some binoculars along with him, so he could point out and show us some of the highlights and history of the area. I also complimented him on his amazing attire, because how could I not!? He told me I needed to get matching pants to my tweed coat (and a hat, too!). Bring on all the tweed!

We finished our excursion with a picnic along the shores of a small Loch that was owned by Gleneagles. Fishing season had ended the day before, otherwise Thomas would have loved to make a few casts. We perched up along the side of the lake, setting out all of our pre-made treats in front of us. Our picnic consisted of smoked salmon and crackers, truffle chicken sandwiches, scotch eggs, cheese, brownies, shortbread (my favorite!) and more sloe gin, of course. Not a bad way to end a very strenuous hike!

The post Our Scotland Adventure Part 1. appeared first on Gal Meets Glam.

We started our final full day at Gleneagles with breakfast in bed, Rosie’s bed to be more specific. We called ahead to have everything delivered to their room early in the morning, because breakfast with all four of us is more fun! We ordered a little bit of everything, as we always do, and chowed down before getting ready for a day full of activities. Much coffee was needed as I was having a hard time sleeping (I think it was from jumping to California from Charleston, then NYC, London and finally Scotland), my body was so tired, but my mind would be wide awake at night. It could also be that I was just so excited to be in Scotland!

Bop Basics Cashmere Sweater & Pants (also comes in more colors)

We started the morning with a carriage ride through the countryside. We all bundled up with blankets in the backseat and set off through the beautiful landscape. The carriage ride was a great way to see the property immediately surrounding Gleneagles, and since it was morning time, it was incredibly peaceful out. And the horses! There are actually stables of horses on the property that you can ride, take lessons, or even learn to play polo with!

Burberry Coat (similar less expensive version here), Vince Turtleneck (old, last seen here, similar here), Max Mara Scarf (old, similar here), L’Agence Pants, Mulberry Boots, Ray Ban Sunglasses 

In Monday’s post I mentioned that a hike was towards the top of our list of activities to do at Gleneagles, but the number one activity that we were most excited for was the off-road driving course! As you can tell from these pictures, these vehicles can handle pretty much anything. They were a blast to drive in and I wish we had longer than an hour on the course because it felt like 5 minutes. We drove over pretty much everything and took on any hill, boulder or stream without a blink of an eye. I was in the back giggling away and bouncing all around, loving every minute of it. And I still can’t get over this gorgeous landscape!

That’s me driving, BTW! Rose was a pro and I was so nervous to drive (as I’ve never driven stick), but the group encouraged me to give it a go, so I did. It ended up being much easier than I thought, but I definitely opted out of the steep hills and driving through streams. The large puddles were more my speed.

Barbour Jacket, Demylee Sweater (old, similar here), J.Crew Pants(last seen here), Hunter Boots, Scarf (bought in Ireland, similar here)

Next came the grand finale of the off-road course, the creek. I was a little skeptical when our guide told us to drive straight down the creek when we had the option of an easily navigable road, but I guess that’s what we signed up for! I had my head out the window the whole time, laughing in disbelief that we were driving through a creek!

After our two full days of adventure at Gleneagles, we cleaned up out of our dirty clothes and got dressed up for a fancy dinner at their restaurant, The Strathearn. Before dinner, we sipped on Moscow Mules as we watched the sunset from the comfy bar area and talked about Rosie and her man’s upcoming nuptials! To say I’m excited is a major understatement!

Zimmermann Dress (similar less expensive here), Sezane Boots (less expensive version here)

The post Our Scotland Adventure Part 2 appeared first on Gal Meets Glam.

A.P.C. Coat (old, last seen here and here, similar here and here), Draper James Shirt (last seen here), Polo Ralph Lauren Sweater, Old Navy Jeans (old, last seen here, similar here and here), Madewell Loafers

When we originally planned our Scotland trip, we only had a small window open in our schedule, so the plan was to just do Gleneagles. But when one of our projects got delayed, we decided to add on a few extra days. Luckily, Rose was game to extend her trip too, and she found a promising looking B&B in another part of Scotland. So we loaded up our cars and headed towards our next hotel, Ardanaiseig. While it rained a good portion of this beautiful drive, the weather cleared enough for us to stop at a few of the incredibly picturesque scenes along the way. It was actually a good thing that we had rain along the drive, as I don’t think we would have arrived until dinner time, despite it only being a 2 hour drive without stopping.

We had planned to visit Kilchurn Castle later in the afternoon after arriving to our hotel, but as we passed right by it along the route, we figured we’d save ourselves some driving time and check it out earlier rather than later. We had all of our luggage, so we pulled out our wellies and walked out to this vantage point across the loch from the castle. It reminded Thomas and me of a setting straight out of Outlander.

Honestly, I can’t think of the last time I didn’t pack my Hunter boots “just in case” while traveling. I’ve mentioned it before, and I think it’s worth mentioning again (because I get a lot of questions), that the ‘Tour’ boot is the one you want to travel with. They’re not only lighter, but also more flexible and easier to pack. I’m always finding myself super happy that I packed them last minute!

Next, we got back on our route and we immediately came across this church called St. Conan’s Kirk. It’s situated up on a cliff overlooking Loch Awe, the same lake as the castle down along the water. It was a quick pitstop to check out the view and then back on the road, but if you have more time, they have a little cafe attached and some walking paths along the water.

Finally we made it to Ardanaiseig Hotel. An old q9th century manor house situated along a beautiful lake, it had a cozy but possibly haunted feeling. Maybe it’s the fact that you have to drive a good 10 minutes before reentering civilization or it could be the stone facade covered in ivy. Haunted or not, it was a nice location to base our final full day of exploring in Scotland, which I’ll cover in the final Scotland post.

J.Crew Blazer (old, similar here and here), J.Crew Turtleneck (old, similar here), Frame Jeans, J.Crew Belt, Gucci Scarf, Hunter Boots 

The post Our Scotland Adventure Part 3 appeared first on Gal Meets Glam.

Joseph Top, Helmut Lang Pants (on sale, last seen here), Gianvito Rossi Pumps, Mark Cross Bag (love this new color for fall)

I’ll always love a great monochromatic look. I think there is nothing more chic than an all white or cream outfit, especially when heading into the colder seasons when clothes and outfits start to become darker and heavier. Last year, I wore this winter white look that’s always been a staple of mine, especially when I want something that feels bright and fresh. Often times I think this simple combination is overlooked, but yet, it’s so easy to create. Many of us already have some type of white/cream pants (whether it’s jeans, trousers or even a skirt) and some type of white/cream top (a blouse, a sweater or even a tee) to pair together.

While we shot this look a while ago in NYC, it’s sort of a timeless combination. Now, I would just add a cream coat over the top to make it more seasonally appropriate, or switch out my blouse for a cream turtleneck. A pair of cream trousers will always come in handy. I bought this Helmut Lang pair a few years ago, and luckily, they are still available and on sale here. They’re probably one of the most comfortable pairs of pants I own, and oh so flattering.

The post My Favorite Classic Combination appeared first on Gal Meets Glam.

The holidays are officially here with Thanksgiving being next week, and while I don’t feel ready at all for the busy weeks ahead, I do feel ready for all of the fun festivities that the season brings! With parties and events and family gatherings come opportunities to get dressed up and feel festive. While I love bows all year round, they always seem to make their way into most of my holiday looks. As you can see from this post, with a mix of things old and new, I love bows. Whether I’m adding a silk ribbon to a low ponytail, or pulling out a favorite dress with a big bow detail in the back, or using a bow clutch, I always find an opportunity to wear the feminine tie. Keep reading to see more of my favorite looks and find pieces to re-create the perfect holiday outfit with bows.

The post Bows For The Holidays appeared first on Gal Meets Glam.

It was such a special treat to spend my birthday in Paris this year. What I love about Paris, especially after my first trip, is that there’s so much to do and see. Even a walk around a neighborhood is a fun thing to do. We’ve finally been enough times now that we feel like we have a good sense of where everything is, and we have favorite places that we like to visit every time we’re there. On this trip, we had almost no formal plans aside from a birthday dinner scheduled. So we went with how we were feeling and what we were near, and decided to explore that way.

Sezane Jacket (old, last seen here, similar here), Club Monaco Sweater (old, last seen here, similar here), Club Monaco Skirt, Stuart Weitzman Boots, Mansur Gavriel Clutch, Topshop Beret, Red Sunglasses 

Prior to leaving for Paris we were watching The Collection, which I talked about in this Sunday Series. Thomas was feeling inspired by the photographer in the show that was shooting all around Paris (and if you’ve seen the show, you’ll get why I was inspired to wear this all red outfit!). So he convinced me we should rent a medium format film camera for our Paris trip. We rented a Hasselblad 203fe. Despite lugging this heavy camera all over Paris, we only shot 5 rolls of film (60 total shots) as there’s a much higher learning curve than we anticipated. It was fun to play around with and we are glad we brought it, but we still have much to learn about it. We had 4 of the rolls developed and received the low resolution digital scans yesterday (Thomas posted a picture of one), but sadly half of them were out of focus. They are still beautiful photos though! I’ll make sure to call out any film shots, if I post any.

For lunch on our first full day, I asked T to make a reservation wherever he would like. After some research, he found Carbon in Le Marais. We knew we would be in for a lot of decadent French food on the trip, so Carbon was the perfect detox from that. Most of the dishes that are served are cooked over an open fire in someway. Even though most of the small menu had meat, they were more than accommodating to our pescatarian palettes. Our favorite dish were the carrots, which were glazed and grilled and tasted so sweet they could have substituted our dessert. If you are new to Paris, make sure to have a few meals in Le Marais. One of the reasons why we love the area so much is because of the incredible diversity in food.

Chloe Coat (last seen here), Rebecca Taylor Sweater (last seen here and here), Theory Pants (on sale), Miu Miu Flats, Dior Bag

We had initially arrived in Paris in the late morning. We always like taking an evening flight to Europe, that way we can sleep on the plane, land and have a full day ahead. It’s always a little tiring though, as we never know how much sleep we’re going to get on the plane, but we usually have so much adrenaline from our excitement that we head out and explore right away. A little drowsy, but not enough so to stay back, we got dressed up and headed out to walk around Saint Germain. This is my favorite neighborhood. You can also reference this post we put together last winter of all of our favorite neighborhoods in Paris.

Topshop Jacket ( more sizes here) Joseph Top (last seen here), Kate Spade Skirt (on sale), Gianvito Rossi Pumps (old, last seen here, similar here& also here under $50), Oscar de la Renta Clutch (last seen here, similar here)

If you follow me on Instagram then you probably saw Stories or Instagrams of our beautiful hotel in Paris, Hotel de Crillon. After spending 4 years under renovations they finally reopened this hotel in July and they did such an impeccable job with it. The service at the hotel was one of the best experiences we’ve had traveling. The staff were so sweet. Also, I got a kick out of the employee uniforms which for the men included Hotel de Crillon monogrammed smoking slippers. Thomas and I got dressed up and headed for a wine at Le Bonaparte in Saint Germain, followed by some live jazz at Chez Papa (so fun! I LOVED every minute of it). Afterwards we met up with Rosie and her man for a late dinner at our favorite, Brasserie Lipp. Then had just arrived via train from London and I was so so so excited to have them in Paris with us. At midnight they had the waiter bring out cake and sang me happy birthday!

On my actual birthday, I had THE BEST day! I told Thomas that I didn’t want any gifts because being on the trip was more than enough. We ordered room service and had it delivered to our room, and Rosie and her man came over too. As we waited for our breakfast feast, a knock came from the door, and Thomas quickly went to go answer it. He then rounded the corner with the biggest bouquet of blush pink roses for me!

After our champagne filled breakfast we decided an art museum sounded like the perfect activity since it was raining. Thomas spoke with concierge and he came back very excited about a portrait photography exhibition at Grand Palais. The exhibition displayed the work of Irving Penn, one of the most famous portrait photographers of his time. He shot for Vogue for years and shot with lots of celebrities. I can almost assure you that you’ve seen an image of his somewhere. We love going to art museums whenever we can as they leave us feeling inspired for the creative work that we do. This is especially true after seeing photography exhibitions.

Topshop Jacket (last seen here, more sizes here) J.Crew Sweater (old, similar here), Frame Pants, Miu Miu Flats (last seen here), Topshop Beret, Chanel Bag

We had lunch at Cafe le Jardin Du Petit Palais, which was right around the corner from the exhibition and followed that by a stroll through the Tulieries Garden. After getting stuck in the rain and stopping for a quick espresso at a cafe, we headed back to the hotel for some tea and hot chocolate. We took it easy for the rest of the afternoon, as we knew we were going to have a fun night out!

The post Paris For My Birthday Part 1. appeared first on Gal Meets Glam.

Topshop Faux Fur Jacket, Cinq A Sept Dress, Louboutin Pumps, Edie Parker Clutch (similar here)

I love a good holiday party, but what I love even more is getting dressed up for a good holiday party. We’re still a few weeks away from the festivities that come with the season, but I’ve already been getting lots of requests to share my favorite looks to wear for various occasions. There’s something about the holidays that always makes me want to get a little bit more dressed up than usual, whether that’s with a touch of sequins, faux fur or an amazing fitted dress. Today’s post is with the last one and I’m loving the soft hue mixed with other festive colors.

This soft blush Cinq A Sept dress immediately stood out to me when I was online shopping for a holiday dress this season. In a sea of over the top sequins and simple black dresses, this one was the perfect happy medium. Classic and simple, but no where near boring. And yet again, this light pink color proves to be a year-round neutral that I can’t get enough of. The fitted silhouette is so incredibly flattering, with a slight flare and satin bow detail. I also love this velvet ruffled one in the same blush color.

This pink Topshop faux fur coat was an impulse purchase before our trip to Paris, but I’m so happy I bought it. It’s a little bit over the top, but in the best way possible. I last wore it here and here and love the way it looks over a holiday party dress. Even if you’re not one for dressing up, it’ll make any outfit look festive without even trying. It also comes in this gorgeous green sage color, which would look beautiful over this dress.

And lastly, the one pair of heels that get me through any and every dressed-up occasion are my nude pumps. It’s fun to have a killer pair of heels that make a statement, but you’ll really get the most wear out of a simple classic pair like this. Although I do have my eye on these sequin pumps or these velvet bow heels…

Thank you to Nordstrom & Shopstyle for sponsoring this post.

The post The Holiday Dress I’m Wearing All Year Long appeared first on Gal Meets Glam.

Today I’m taking you back to Paris for our final couple of days of our trip. At the beginning of our trip (Part 1 here), we received a book called “Don’t be a Tourist in Paris” written by a blogger, Messy Nessy Chic, based in Paris (which would also make a great gift this holiday season for anyone you know with plans to visit Paris). It’s a fantastic resource to have for finding things to do and places to eat with the emphasis on a local’s perspective. While we didn’t use the book for everything, it helped us fill in a few gaps in our schedule and find places we wouldn’t have known about otherwise. So, thank you Nessy for the wonderful gift!.

Paule Ka Jacket & Skirt (black version here), Club Monaco Top (old, last seen here), Manolo Blahnik Pumps, Oscar de la Renta Clutch (similar here)

I last left off on the day of my birthday, which you might remember from this post. We spent the day indulging on hot chocolate and going to museums while it rained outside and it was absolutely wonderful. In the evening, we got all dressed up and had cocktails at the hotel bar before heading to our dinner reservations that Rose and her fiance made at Monsieur Bleu, which has the most wonderful view of the Eiffel Tower! We ended up staying long after our meal, fully enjoying our table with a view, and ordering another round of drinks while we chatted about everything and anything.

On the Sunday morning after my birthday, T and I put on our walking shoes (lol- I wore heeled boots that actually walked in ALL DAY LONG). We set off to walk from our hotel to Musee d’Orsay. There was a cold nip in the air, a few big puffy clouds, blue skies and light that was crystal clear. As photographers, we probably notice light a little bit different than most people do, but I’m sure you’ve experienced one of these days. The days where the light is so pure that everything it touches takes on a lot more character, almost like comparing standard definition television to 4k. As soon as we got to Musee d’Orsay we recognized it was free to all guests, so there was a queue, even at the opening time, so we kept on moving.

Club Monaco Coat (old, last seen here, similar here), Bop Basics Turtleneck, Michael Kors Skirt (similar here), Aquazzura Boots, Mark Cross Bag, Max Mara Scarf (old, similar here)

So we put Île Saint-Louis into Google Maps, and we set off to walk there. Our route took us through St. Germain, Île de la Cité, Notre Dame and finally Île Saint-Louis. Completely famished at this point, we planned to stop for breakfast somewhere, but we couldn’t find a spot that was open and looked good. So we stopped at a small bakery for a muffin and carried on.

We crossed yet another bridge into Le Marais, and we stopped in at a cafe we recognized to get breakfast. It was a cute spot, but I wouldn’t recommend eating here (above). Neither of us liked our food, but we were so hungry we finished almost everything. 

Rose had finished up a meeting back at the hotel, so we planned a spot for lunch. She suggested Cafe des Musees in Le Marais, which was great with us as we had been there once before. We initially discovered this spot during a night we spent with friends a few years back in a seemingly endless search for a simple plate of french fries. Every restaurant we stopped at refused to serve french fries unless we also bought a steak, so we spent at least 45 minutes on this quest. We pulled up Yelp and we discovered Cafe des Musees and headed off on a 20-minute cab ride to get a basket of fries and red wine. I think we ordered three baskets of french fries that night. Anyways, we were glad to be back with Rose and this time to eat some real food, and everything we ordered for lunch at this spot was delicious.

We ended the day with hot chocolate from Angelina’s while walking around Luxembourg gardens at golden hour. We were all exhausted from walking around Paris all day, so we decided to have room service for dinner.

Rebecca Taylor Jacket, Kate Spade Pants, Lanvin Sneakers (last seen here, similar here), Chanel Bag, Gucci Scarf (last seen here)

On our last full day, Thomas and I decided to take it easy and stop by a few shops that had been on our list, with one of those being Buly 1803. Like I mentioned in last week’s Sunday Series, our hotel was fully stocked with all Buly 1803 products, so we were hooked. The store is located in Saint Germain and it’s a wonderful little treat, with a mix of perfumes, candles, beauty products and other apothecary goods.

We stopped by Cafe L’Etincelle for a late brunch, and ended up walking along the Seine for an hour. It was another beautiful, but crisp fall day, and after a while we got so cold that we ended up going back to the hotel to get warm and start packing, as we were leaving the following morning.

Dior Coat (old, last seen here, similar here and here, under $100 here, under $150 here), J.Crew Sweater (last seen here), Mother Denim (old, similar here), Chanel Flats, Valextra Bag, Hair Bow 

One of the locations that we found in the book was Musée Gustave Moreau. On our last morning we had a bit of time, so we googled the museum to see if it was open and decided to pop over. A small but lovely spot with a really cool spiral staircase, definitely worth the trip to go visit. 

The post Paris For My Birthday Part 2 appeared first on Gal Meets Glam.

A few months ago, I featured a new-to-me brand, Senreve, which you might remember from this post, as well as pop-ups on many daily looks. The San Francisco based handbag line has quickly become one of my go-to brands for amazing quality bags that are classic and timeless. I have the Senreve Maestra bag in “Ice” that’s my favorite travel bag because of all the space and storage for everything from a laptop sleeve, to my in-flight beauty products, snacks and all the other odds and ends I always have on me. I recently got the Mini Maestra, and I have to say, I’m obsessed! I haven’t stopped using it since it arrived. It’s the perfect everyday mini size, with just enough room to store my daily essentials. To show its versatility, I wore it four different ways over four days- from work to an event and everything in between.

Heading to work in the AM:

I love the backpack feature of the bag- I use it way more than I would have initially thought. I love my regular sized Maestra, but there’s something about the mini backpack that is so cute and chic.

I picked the blush color of the Mini Maestra bag, but it also comes in a variety of other shades (the Cream and Marine are my other two favorite options). It makes for the perfect upcoming holiday gift, especially if you know that someone is looking for a designer bag that’s not at a designer price. All of the other bags I have with the same quality cost over $1000, and while $695 is still a lot of money, you’re paying for the quality and craftsmanship and not so much a designer label. I love that.

Afternoon Coffee Stop:

By the late morning/early afternoon, I’m usually in need of a pick-me-up jolt of caffeine. Luckily, our office is located near King St, so we have a plethora of spots to stop by. Here, I wore my Mini Maestra as a satchel, which is the way I usually wear it most.

Out Shooting Around Downtown:

The late afternoon golden light is my favorite, so we usually head out to shoot downtown around this time. I’ll switch my bag to the cross-body style so that way I have my hands free to shoot and move about.

Out For Drinks & A Show:

At the end of a long week, Thomas and I try and make plans. When we’re home, we really love seeking out a variety of local activities to switch up our Friday nights. We love heading to the Dock St. Theatre to see what’s playing and grabbing a drink at a wine bar ahead of time. I switch my Senreve Mini Maestra to the tote style, as I always feel that it creates more of an evening look. That’s another plus about the Mini, too – it’s ideal for a night out!

Thank you to Senreve for sponsoring this post.

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Outfit Details:

Veda Jacket (30% off here), J.Crew Turtleneck (old, similar on sale here), Frame Skirt, Aquazzura Boots (30% off here, more sizes here), Tory Burch Bag (30% off here), Max Mara Scarf (old, similar here)

This week is always the start of some of the best shopping of the year. Thanks to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, many of the sales have started even earlier now, with quite a few already in action. I know a lot of you have been asking for me to share my favorite picks around the web, so I wanted to put together a quick post with both my favorite sales, along with the best products from each one. It can be a little overwhelming, but if you start with a small list of what you’re looking for (holiday gifts are always good!), then it becomes a little easier. Keep reading to find out where to shop for the best deals for the holidays…

Shopbop– They just launched their ‘buy more, save more’ sale with up to 30% off your order. I have a few things that I’ve worn recently that are now on sale, like this Veda jacket in the most gorgeous rust color that I’m wearing here, these burgundy AG velvet jeans (that I last wore here and here), my favorite Stuart Weitzman boots that I wear with everything, this Bop Basics cashmere sweatsuit that’s my favorite thing to lounge around in and my Frame leather pants that I wear year after year.

Tory Burch– This season I bought this Tory Burch bag in navy and these over the knee boots in green, which were both a welcomed changed in the typical black combo. Both are now 30% off during Tory Burch’s ‘Holiday Event’ Sale. And the one item I jumped on immediately when it launched? These velvet bow flats!

J.Crew– Last year I stocked up on quite a few basics from J.Crew that definitely came in handy this year, like these lightweight cashmere turtlenecks (I’m wearing a cream one above). They just launched their ‘40% your entire order’ sale, so it’s the perfect time to buy some of those wardrobe staples, like this perfect plaid shirt, this cozy cardigan, this camel sweater, and this classic coat.

Matches Fashion– Matches has always been one of my favorite retailers because of their incredible selection of designer items, so you always know when they launch a sale that it’s going to be a good one. Their ‘Winter Sale’ now has current items up to 50% off, like these camel Aquazzura booties, this Roksanda midi skirt, this pink Tibi Blazer, these pink velvet pumps and this red party dress I currently have my eye on.

Kate Spade– This holiday collection has been one of my most favorite (I bought this top, this skirt, this pearl sweater and this dress), and Kate Spade just launched 30% off everything on their site! So now is the perfect time to pick up some pieces. I love these pearl pumps (that I also have in pink), this star sweater, this pink star embellished dress, and this tweed coat that I’m head over heels for.

Net-A-Porter– They only have a few sales a year, which makes each one an event when it happens! Their winter sale just started and it’s so good that I did a GMG Now post about it here sharing all of my favorite picks from brands like Max Mara, Mark Cross, Chloe, Burberry and more.

The post What To Buy From The Best Fall Sales appeared first on Gal Meets Glam.

Outfit Details:

Gucci Blazer, Ferragamo Bag, Lanvin Sneakers via LUISAVIAROMA

It’s pretty rare that you’ll find me in head to toe all black (well, mostly). It’s probably the color that I wear the least, but it’s not that I’m opposed to it, it’s just that I love color. My personality craves color. But every so often I find a few pieces that draw me back to the simplicity of the classic combination. It’s the little details, like a small bow, a ruffle or a pearl button that bring personality to something simple and make me love it.

I was browsing LUISAVIAROMA’s womens section when I first stumbled upon these Lanvin sneakers, which inspired this whole look. A few years ago, Thomas bought me a blush pair for Christmas that were the first pair of sneakers that I actually wore outside of workout gear. I love that they still have feminine elements to them, like ribbon laces and a tweed texture. They’ve become a staple in my footwear and I wear them with everything from leather pants or jeans to dresses and skirts.

I’ve said it time and time again, but a great blazer will always remain a mvp of anyone’s closet. LUISAVIAROMA just launched their Black Friday Sale, with 20% off all sale items (with code BF20), and they have so many amazing designer blazers that are now on sale, like this classic black Isabel Marant one and this amazing cream one. On top of that, they have tons of other amazing pieces like this Self Portrait Dress, this pink faux fur coat and these gorgeous blush Jimmy Choo pumps (that also come in navy).

The last few times I’ve been to Florence, I’ve actually visited the LUISAVIAROMA store, which is where the family owned business is based. They’re always known for their unique selection of high end and emerging designers, and I’ve always looked to them to buy pieces that I can’t find anywhere else. If you’re planning on doing some black Friday Shopping today, don’t pass up their sale because all of these pieces are nearly 50% off starting today (plus they off free express shipping!).

Thank you to Luisaviaroma & Shopstyle for sponsoring this post.

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Nike Jacket, Top, Pants & Sneakers 

I have a love/hate relationship with working out. Sometimes (like earlier this spring) I get into a great groove where I’m consistent with my weekly workouts and look forward to them at the beginning or end of each day. But then other times, our schedule gets so busy that the thought of working out (or even the drive for it) just doesn’t come, and I go weeks, sometimes even months without doing anything. I think to myself “I just don’t have time”, but the truth is that some of the busiest people still make time for it, so I know that I can, too.

I love working out. I’ve never done a workout and thought afterwards, “I wish I didn’t do that”. It’s my favorite way to start or end my day and can completely turn around a bad mood I’m in. I can feel my body craving a good workout, especially after we’ve been traveling and eating not so great. These past few months, I’ve found it really hard to get motivated enough to take the time each week to break a sweat. I think of everything else I have to do and put that first, even though I consider taking care of my body just as important. It’s something I used to look forward to and I want to find that again! So, I’m putting together a little plan to get myself excited and back in the groove…

I’ve come up with a small list of actions that I’m planning on taking in order to get back into the workout routine I used to love…

• Set a schedule of days to workout no matter what. I’m planning on picking three days a week where I find at least 30 minutes to get active (and walking doesn’t count!).
• Try a new workout once a month. Typically, I find one or two workouts and then have those be my “thing”, but I think having something new to look forward to will help switch things up and keep my workouts interesting. There are so many workouts that I’ve never tried (for fear of being terrible), but each time I’ve tried something new (like boxing), I’ve really enjoyed it.
• Include outdoor activities in my list. I used to love tennis and I really want to get back out and play again. I’ve never been much of a runner (I have bad knees), but I love the idea of doing something that gets me moving outdoors. Any recommendations here?
• Set a goal that’s measurable. Such as weight, max treadmill speed, or minutes worked out per week. That’s one of the reasons why I enjoy Orange Theory so much- each class I have at least one goal for myself, to get my heart rate into the orange zone for over 12 minutes. I’m hoping to find a similar type of goal in each workout I do.
• Do classes that are actually fun and that I enjoy. There have been a few times when I’ve “made” myself continually go to a specific workout because I thought it would get me in shape, but I was miserable each time. There was absolutely nothing that I enjoyed about it, and each time I loathed going. Eventually I was like “why am I doing this?”, there are so many other activities I actually like and enjoy going to. Not everything is for everyone.
• I know it’s silly, but having cute workout clothes always gets me excited to go to a class. I recently bought a few new pieces at Nike and I’m so looking forward to wearing them them! If I have a workout in the morning, I’m planning on setting out my clothes and sneakers the night before or bringing them with me to work if I’m going at the end of the day.

Nike has always been my favorite brand for workout clothes. When we lived in San Francisco, there was a Nike women’s store right next to Soul Cycle and Equinox. It felt like each time I went to workout, I would come home with something new. My sneaker collection is a little ridiculous. I recently ordered a few new things, like these sneakers, this jacket and these pants I’m wearing above. I love the purple grey hue, a nice switch up from an all black workout outfit. Nike is having a 25% off sale this weekend, with many of the pieces I recently got now marked down, like this zip-up hoodie I’ve had for a while, these sneakers I have in black and these cozy sweatpants. Below I’ve listed some of my favorites from the sale that would also make some great gifts this holiday season.

Thank you to Nike & Shopstyle for sponsoring this post.

The post My New Plan For Sticking To A Consistent Workout Schedule appeared first on Gal Meets Glam.

Outfit Details:

Topshop Faux Fur Jacket (pink version here), Gap Sweater (old, similar here), Everlane Jeans, Mansur Gavriel Loafers, J.Crew Hair Bow, Pure Cycles Bike

After weeks of coming and going, I’m looking forward to being home for more than just a few days. It’s been a busy fall season, and with the upcoming holidays, things are only going to pick up even more. Luckily we had some r&r with family over the long weekend and I’m feeling refreshed and excited for a new week! The weather has finally started to cool down in Charleston and we’ve been wanting to spend every moment outside. Yesterday we pulled our bikes out of storage and rode around our neighborhood downtown, my favorite weekend activity. I didn’t realize how much I had missed it.

This faux fur jacket might look familiar because I also have it in blush (seen here and here). I loved it so much that I bought it in this sage color, too (and it also comes in a brighter pink version here)! They make for the perfect layer of warmth over any party look, but I personally love them worn with something a bit more casual. I love anything fluffy and colorful this time of year to add a little extra glam to a simple look, like a sweater and jeans. And speaking of jeans, I’m really loving Everlane’s new denim line. The fit is amazing and they’re only $68! I have this pair in the ‘bone’ color.

I’ve been adding a lot of bows to my hair recently (like here) and have been styling this little pink velvet one from J.Crew a few different ways (more coming later this week). I also have this slightly larger black one that looks beautiful in a ponytail or half-up hairstyle as well as this embellished J.Crew one. They make for the sweetest touch to any look, especially when paired with something that’s not as feminine.

The post The Faux Fur Jacket I Can’t Get Enough Of appeared first on Gal Meets Glam.

BHLDN Dress, PANDORA Rings (Blue & Green), Earrings & Necklace c/o, Kate Spade Heels

I can’t believe in just a few short days we’ll be embracing December in all its glory. It feels like just yesterday we moved into our very first GMG office space when it was really just five months ago! The second half of this year has been a whirlwind for Thomas and me, but it has left us with so much to be grateful for. Some of you may or may not know that this past Summer we hired two new full-time employees to help us keep up with the trajectory of our business, which is why having this new office was necessary. Having our first team has taught us a lot about fostering personal growth for our employees and ourselves, which means we make extra time for team bonding, fun outings around Charleston or team dinners at a local hotspot. As part of this intention we wanted to take advantage of our new workspace and get everyone in the holiday spirit by going full on festive in the office with the sweetest decorations we could find around town. But, of course, it wouldn’t be the holidays, without a little gift giving for our new team members. 

Aside from the holidays being the coziest season of the year, the Christmas decorations, along with some of my favorite accessories from PANDORA, acts a reminder for me to appreciate the gift of time. Most days Thomas and I come into the office with a long to-do list and sometimes I feel as though the second I’m able to take a break from the day’s work, I notice hours have passed and the day flew by. So, I’m hoping that by getting the office into the spirit of Christmas, all the decor from the twinkling lights, darling ornaments, and a little holiday shopping to pick out gifts from PANDORA under the tree will serve as a reminder when I walk in everyday to savor time rather than race through it.

One of the reasons why I love PANDORA jewelry so much, aside from the beautiful, dainty designs, is their mission. They’re always focused on encouraging women to take the time to see the wonderful and stop and celebrate the little joys in life. I love that. Especially around this time of year, when the craziness ensues, we forget to actually stop and enjoy it. That’s why I’ll be gifting PANDORA jewelry this year to encourage the women in my life to follow suit.

Here I’m wearing a mix of a few pieces from PANDORA’s new Holiday Collection– the Green Timeless Elegance Ring, Blue Timeless Elegance Ring, Blue Timeless Elegance Stud Earrings and Classic Elegance Necklace in PANDORA Rose. The bold jewel tones against my holiday sparkles really got me feeling festive and excited for all to come with the season. I have to say that the two rings are my favorite and I switch from stacking them on one finger, to wearing each on either hand. Both ways look so simple and refined, which is how I like my jewelry. Whenever I wear these pieces, I’m hoping it sets as a reminder to focus on how far we’ve come this year and to take the time to celebrate that! I hope when I gift these presents people feel the same way I do!

 Thank you to PANDORA for sponsoring this post.

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The holiday season is officially upon us with the first of December just days away! We already have a few holiday parties on the calendar, which has had me searching for the perfect looks this year. From work events, to cocktails with the girls, weekend celebrations and family gatherings, there seems to always be an occasion to get dressed up for. In honor of this year’s party season, I put together four holiday styles- the classic gal, the girly gal, the sophisticated gal and the glam gal- for those of you looking for some inspiration! Which Gal are you?

Jill Stuart Dress (also in burgundy and cream), Louboutin Pumps, Bobbi Brown Lipstick in “Plum Rose”

BHLDN Dress, BHLDN Wrap, Kate Spade Pumps, J.Crew Hair Bow

Black Halo Jumpsuit (I’m wearing a petite size), Louboutin Pumps, Bobbi Brown Lipstick in “Retro Red“

BHLDN Dress, Hart Earrings, Manolo Blahnik Pumps (more sizes here)

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