spring 2023


Spring 2023 beauty essentials

Spring 2023 beauty essentials from top left: neck cream / skin cream / eye cream / hand cream / concealer / foundation powder / eye pencil / Moroccan Oil / makeup bag / body cream /

The blossoms are popping up all over town; signaling spring has sprung! With the warmer temperatures we are starting to see, the increase in sunny days, and all these beautiful blossoms, it is time to start transitioning from winter skin care into spring beauty.

You might be tired of hearing me say this, but this neck cream is amazing. I have been using it since I was 28, and now that I am getting closer to that half century mark, my neck looks really good! I highly recommend investing in a good neck cream and continuing to use it everyday. Love!

You might be wondering why you aren’t seeing color products such as lipstick, eye shadow, and nail polish in this post. These are just the basics; your beauty base for the spring season.

I love a good eye pencil, and this one from Laura Mercier has been my go-to for close to two decades. I am also in love with this concealer and foundation powder; also favorites of mine for close to two decades. Love!

Of course, you need the perfect way to store everything! I love this makeup bag. I use it everyday, and since it is also perfect for travel, it pops right into my carry-on suitcase. I can also pop it into my gym bag. Check out my full review here.

My hair gets dry in the winter from the heater, then again in the summer from the sun. Moroccan Oil is my saving grace. I recommend picking up a bottle for home, and also a travel size for when you are on the go. Love it!

Shop my spring 2023 beauty essentials online:

What is your favorite spring beauty go-to?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy


Express jeans review

OK, so I want to make this perfectly clear, this is NOT a sponsored post. Although I received gifted product from Express back in 2017, this article has nothing to do with that past relationship and is purely my opinion. Now that we cleared that up, I really love my Express denim!

I have always had Express on my radar. It was a fabulous place to shop back in high school, and I have been a customer this entire time. If you have been following along, then you may have noticed occasionally seeing pieces from Express pop up on my blog. This past year, when I was trying to replace my wardrobe due to my weight loss, Express was an easy place to go to stock up on the latest styles of denim and round out my casual wardrobe.

Express has tons of denim styles, so finding jeans in the right styles was easy. In addition to offering a ton of denim styles, they also have jeans in short, regular and tall lengths! Say what?! As someone who is 5’4″ and in love with wearing jeans, my height has always made shopping for jeans challenging. They are always too long, and if I wanted to have them shortened, there are very few styles that can actually be shortened without compromising the bottom half silhouette of the jeans. Flares and boot cut are always challenging, and anything with an interesting hemline would be compromised. Finding jeans in short lengths, is a godsend! In addition, if you are tall, I know you struggle finding jeans which are long enough; my dear friend has this problem!

The jeans I have purchased from Express over the past year, have held up really well in the wash. I wash them on warm and hang them to dry. The sizing is fairly consistent, which makes it easy to buy their jeans online. Express also sends out coupons if you shop with them a lot, and they also have occasional deals online such as buy one, get one 50% off. If you are just looking for one pair, they are usually priced under $100 already, so buying Express jeans is a guilt-free purchase. Love that!

So, if you need to update your denim wardrobe, now that skinny jeans are over and we are moving into a world of straight jeans, flare jeans, bootcut jeans, and wide leg jeans, then Express is a great place to stock up on new styles without breaking the bank. Love that!

Here are the styles I have purchased and love; I am sure you have seen them on the blog! Click on your favorite for shopping information.

What are your favorite styles of denim right now? Are you ready to give up your skinny jeans? I struggled with this one!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy


Handbag trends 2023

Handbag trends 2023 from top left: straw tote / shoulder bag / moon shaped bag / top handle bucket bag / top handle bag / chain link hobo bag /

Hello 2023! With the new year, we have new trends in handbags to covet and enjoy. Love that!

This year, the handbag trends are sensible, chic, and easy to wear everyday. While one runway trend seems to be hitting store shelves, I have yet to see it hit the streets outside of fashion week; that would be the large, garbage bag sized hobo trend. The hobo bags people are actually wearing are medium or small. You don’t need a bag large enough to fit a Golden Retriever. Dogs should walk anyway. haha

In 2023, we are looking at a few new trends in handbags, as well as a few popular, continuing trends from last year. If you already hopped on the hobo trend, you are in good shape! Hobo bags are still hot this year. Look for moon shapes and small or medium sizes. If you want to rock the oversized hobo, be my guest. I just warn you, those extra large hobo bags are an easy way to lose to your car keys! I’ve said my peace.

Shoulder bags are still hot. The strap can be any size you are comfortable carrying, so if 1970s-style long straps are your thing, you’re in luck! If you prefer short straps, or pochette length straps, you’re in luck too! Anything goes this year when it comes to strap length. Hopefully that means you have the perfect bag in your closet already. If not, it is time to invest in a classic shoulder bag that will last for years.

Top handle bags in mini, small, and medium sizes are hot this year! As you know, this is a classic look that is always in style, but in 2023, it is on fire. If you don’t have a top handle bag which is medium or smaller, it is time to invest!

Do you love bucket bags? They are still hot! This continuing trend has added a twist recently. You can rock a classic bucket bag or drawstring bag; or you can modernize with a top handle bucket bag. This is an emerging IT bag look you might want to jump on.

Straw bags, and bags made from natural fabric will start trending in the spring; and will continue to trend throughout the summer. If your natural or straw bag from last year is in good shape, fabulous! If not, start looking for a new one. They are trickling into stores as we speak, but should be plentiful as we move into February and March.

Wondering what color is hot this year? Green bags are still trending, and metallic bags in any hue are also trending. For 2023, denim bags are hotter than hot, and are looking to be the IT fabric of the year. If you love trendy, denim bags are your thing! Also, neon hues are an emerging handbag trend if you want a notice-me bag. If not, neutrals and black are still hot and chic for 2023. What I love about neutrals and black is that they make the bag an investment which can be worn year after year. I love a good investment bag! Also, black, and neutral-colored bags have higher resale value if you are thinking of selling a bag after a few seasons. Thoughts to ponder. . .

Did you buy a funky chain bag in the past few years like I did? Well, we can all rest easy knowing chunky chains in both metal and resin are still hot! Rock that chain bag in 2023! If you love the trend, but haven’t snapped up a chain bag yet, look for chain details, resin chains, and smaller metal chains as we move into the new year.

Shop handbag trends 2023 online:

What is your favorite handbag trend of 2023? I will be wearing shoulder bags, neutral bags, my green bag, hobos, and my straw tote when the weather warms up.

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy