The Friday Shop

3 ways everyone – yes, everyone – can support ethical fashion:

1) Refuse to diminish the value of sewing labor by calling things “overpriced” simply because you can’t afford them.

2) Buy fewer clothes/wear things until they’re worn out.

3) Properly take care of your clothes.

— Cora Harrington (@lingerie_addict) April 4, 2021

Cora Harrington continues to be one of my favorite follows on Twitter. Also known as The Lingerie Addict and an author on the subject, Harrington is a wealth of information on manufacturing far beyond just bras and undies. And she discusses ethical fashion in a way that is truly accessible to all.

I sometimes get sh*t on my clothing suggestions being too expensive. The thing is, I don't expect or want anyone to buy everything I feature. I feature a mix of brands that I think offer quality products in a reasonable size range, ethical and sustainable fashion brands with inclusive sizing, and a few randoms mixed in.

My hope is it will show that there is great fashion beyond the retailers you are familiar with, and that you can buy less, buy quality, yet still have just as much variety and style.

And if you can't afford the items I feature, you may find similar for less, or thrifted, or you can sew a great alternative. Or you may realize that seeing it on me instead of a size 2, 22-year-old model may make you realize you don't really like that style or trend.

But the main point is to realize that no dress will change your life, but making thoughtful purchases can help you achieve personal style that lasts, requires fewer repurchases, and are pieces you love and love you in return for far more than one season.

Sale Alert

Hey Sephora fans, your Super Bowl is here! Well, one of them. It's the Sephora Spring Sales Event, which is one of those top-tier shop early, then mid-tier, and then on and on. It's a good sale, and if you shop Sephora, it's nice to be rewarded for being a Beauty Insider (free to join).

• Starting today ROUGE members get 20% off
• Come April 13, VIB members get 15% off
• On April 15, everyone else gets 10% off
• ALL TIERS use the same promo code: OMGSPRING

Usually, this is where I share what I love from the brand and recommend shopping, but that is hard because the likes are extensive. While my clothing and accessory shopping drastically reduced this past year, my beauty purchases went up and several were from Sephora. Your girl is now ROUGE and there are more things I buy from there than can fit in one of my shopping carousel widgets.

• If you have an age spot you want gone: I swear by this stuff from Kiehl's. I put it on every night and every morning and in a few months, this age spot I had on my upper cheek was gone. Seriously, look at this photo of me from last month and look at these photos from 2014. I had that spot since I was 29 and was fine with it; I didn't even realize it disappeared until I looked at an old photo and connected the dots with my skincare change. The only change was Kiehl's.
• If you love Burt's Bees tinted lip balm but want something with more pigment and shine: I'm loving this from Tarte in the color Strawberry. It's like a lip balm/lip gloss hybrid but with more staying power than similar products. A heads up; I got Rose also and it's like my lips, but a little lighter and a bit gray. If you think you have similar coloring to me, that wouldn't be the best choice.
• If you want more than a tinted moisturizer and less than a BB cream: I love this from NARS. In the winter I wear Finland, in the summer I wear St. Moritz, and right now when I feel as though I look like I've been in a cave for a decade, I wear Finland with a splash of St. Moritz. I apply with this brush. And for those looking for my Trinny London makeup review, I know I'm late but here's the spoiler: I like this from NARS far better and the look on the skin is incredibly similar.
• If you want to look airbrushed, have fair skin, and have no clue what shade of product to get: Try Cicapair by Dr. Jart+. It has SPF30, and while it is pale green in the tub when you rub it on your skin it will change to a skin tone, blurring imperfections while looking like you're not wearing any makeup. It's excellent for reducing redness too. I use it myself on occasion; my only real problem with the product is the limited color range.
• If you want the CBD lotion that my mom and my husband, both of who don't follow social media trends, swear by: this by Lord Jones in unscented is the shizz. I've used a lot of CBD lotions and this is the best unscented for larger body parts (I put it on my knees and all over my feet before bed).
• If you want a fun yet really uncomplicated statement eye idea: I love these liners from Urban Decay. The glitter is in a clear gel, so if you smear you don't make a mess (but also you may have bare spots you need to go over). It looks badass as a shaky line over mascara-free lashes, or added to an already amped-up look. I wore it in gold when I went to get my first vaccine shot and it's my go-to makeup bag addition when I travel because it can make a black jersey t-shirt dress look dressed up. Goldmine is my go-to (with gold earrings to complete the look), but I also have Stage Dive, Spandex, and Gunmetal.

If you're taking advantage of this sale, let us know in the comments what you purchased. What was a fun treat on sale, and what did you stock up on for less?

Talbots is another sale that shouldn't be missed: through the 12th, in stores and online, you can get 25% off one item, 30% off two items, or 40% off three or more items. I KNOW, it's good, right?

And there is a lot at Talbots that I am liking. I'll be honest, I reached out to Talbots asking if they would gift me a few things so I can style them for the blog (and then enjoy wearing them all spring and summer). The items I asked for:

• This white linen blazer in 14 petite. Since featuring a white linen blazer in this post I've been obsessed with the idea of one for a variety of looks.
• These lined white linen crop pants in 14 petite. Yep, I am thinking these two together may be the kind of suit I'd wear in this new normal, with comfy shoes like my white Birks or even sneakers or heck even some white Tevas and maybe a graphic tee, or a Breton, or even a white linen v-neck and some delicate gold necklaces.
• These shorts in white, also in a 14 petite. I am a little worried about the size because I didn't follow my own advice of going up one size for shorts, but since I was thinking more of a dressed-up look with the blazer, I worried a 16 may be a bit too full in the hips. And yes, I am embracing the shorts suit this season, and totally rocking it with some really comfortable ortho-friendly sandals in white, or a neon, or a pastel.
• This tank in Violet Tulle, size large. I am loving the orchid and bolder lavender colors this season and thought this simple tank would look great under the white suit I am crafting. I'm crushing on these loafers in the orchid color but they're too narrow for my feet so this is how I am getting a bit of this beautiful purple.
• This two-pack of face masks. Because this continues to be the most stylish accessory you can wear and I love the color combo.
• This bag in Citrus Honey. Because I am always a sucker for that pale highlighter lemon yellow sort of color. And I got the bag yesterday in the mail before the rest and it's nice. The size, the adjustable strap, the leather, the elegant hardware… this is a classic bag of a very wearable size.
• I didn't ask for this for me, but I have to share with the AKAs reading this. Wish it came in the full size range, but couldn't not share!
• I didn't ask for this but I was tempted to. I didn't because I already have this green dress and I felt they were too similar of both print and style. But this one from Talbots is also quite lovely!
• I would have asked for this if it came in other colors. While this green is really pretty, it's not a color I like on myself. But I have other Talbots rain coats (such as this pink one) and find them to fit well, be well made, and truly keep me dry during a storm.

I will return with What I Bought and What I Thought next week; I didn't buy anything new this week but I have some stuff en route so I should have a review or two next Friday!