What to Wear (or not wear) for winter date night

Beverly Hills, CA

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Getting dressed for date night can be tough on a good day. Add in cold winter weather, wind, rain, and potentially even snow (who is crazy enough to go out in the snow?) and that struggle gets multiplied. On the one hand, you want to look your best, but on the other, you don’t want to spend your night pretending you’re not shivering. 

I used to be the queen of underdressing when I first moved to L.A. because every temperature seemed warm compared to my New Hampshire home. However, I’ve learned that I run cold and I’m usually chilly despite the lack of frost. And now, I am sure that I dress for comfort. That’s really the biggest thing. You have to feel comfortable! 

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Some of my don’ts:

Don’t go for something that’s too revealing. Of course, this can mean different things for different people but in my experience feeling overexposed is never a good thing. What’s sexier than showing a ton of skin? Being able to enjoy yourself and being dressed for the weather outside. It’s that simple. 

On the other end of the spectrum. Don’t wear clothes that are overly baggy or puffy. You want to be comfy but you don’t want to look like you’re dressed for a day of sledding ;) 

Don’t take a fashion risk that you’ve never tried before! I’ve done this a few times but especially on a first date, it’s not the best idea to try on bold trends that you’re not even convinced you love yourself (cue that neon leotard you’re trying to bring back). Again, if you’re not thrilled with what you’re wearing, it’s likely that it’ll spill over to how you feel on the date.

Some of my do’s:

Add accessories! Great rings and jewelry go a long way. I am a huge fan of gold layering necklaces and rings. They always look good and can elevate your go-to skinnies and tee, making you look and oh so put-together. If you’re braving the elements, throw on an oversized scarf with an edgier leather jacket. 

Go for effortless combos. A cropped sweater with high-waisted jeans/maxi skirt or a mini dress and over-the-knee boots (like I’m wearing here) are always great options. You can throw on tights with the dress (depending on the temps where you live) and add a long trench for a look that’s both flattering and warm!

Layer up! Opt for form-fitting bodysuits (always flattering!) and pair with a blazer or statement coat. That way you can take add and remove layers to suit your environment!  

These are things that have worked for me and my personal style but ultimately, it’s up to you!

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Birdies Shoes

Los Angeles, CA

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You must sacrifice style if you want to wear shoes that are actually comfortable, right? Not necessarily. That’s actually pretty far from the truth. In fact, it seems that now, more than ever, designers are investing in making flats cute. That’s where Birdies come into play. Made with seven layers of comfort they have a whole bunch of pretty styles to choose from including velvet, suede, embroidered, pom-pom topped—and more! Not only are they perfect for the office or a day of running errands, but they’re also lovely to wear out to dinner or drinks!

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I selected a classic suede pair and also, a faux leopard pair to style for you guys. I wore the leopard with a winter white outfit, which makes for an easy, chic ensemble. And I put together a traditionally casual look with the suede flats, a bomber jacket, skinnies, and a turtleneck. But really, the styling opportunities are endless! 

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Leopard Flats: c/o Birdies

Sweater: Loft

Jeans: c/o AG Jeans (Similar)

Bag: Revolve

Rings: c/o Baublebar

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Suede Flats: c/o Birdies

Bomber Jacket: c/o Daily Look (similar)

Striped Turtleneck: LOFT (similar) 

Jeans: c/o Mott & Bow

Belt: c/o Ann Taylor Factory (similar)

Ring: c/o J.Bubs Jewelry 

Earrings: c/o Mejuri 

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Hello, New Decade!

Los Angeles, CA

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Hello, new decade! It's wild to think that I graduated from college 10 years ago, but I did. And while I still have so much more that I want for myself both professionally and personally, I am really happy that I have crafted out a life that works well for me

I have certainly never followed a straight path and I always felt a little bad about that. I desperately wanted to fit myself into a box for many years of my life. I wanted to be one of those people that always knew they wanted to be a lawyer or a stand-up comedian but I never felt super strongly about one thing. I liked the idea of lots of different jobs/paths: writing, acting, journalism, and fashion (to name a few).

So when I graduated from college, I focused my attention on acting. It was an incredible journey and I met lots of my closest friends (that I still have today) in that industry, but if I was being honest with myself, I wasn't actually all that thrilled with how I felt about myself during that time. I was waiting tables, auditioning all over town, and generally unable to commit to anything (plans, vacations, partners, family, you name it). I always had to be available for the next gig, and that got draining after a few years.

I started blogging on the side of my acting career to give myself another creative outlet (that I had more control over)—check out this ancient post from 2013 for a laugh. Working on my blog opened up lots of new opportunities for me, including a career in fashion editorial/copywriting. I moved my way up and worked for a variety of fashion/lifestyle brands and eventually, I landed where I am now working on an in-house creative team for a tech company. 

I haven’t completely let go of acting, either. I am still a voice-over actress! One nice thing about it is that I can often audition from home before I head into the office. And while things can get hectic some days, for the most part, I have found a setup that makes me happy in lots of different ways. It certainly isn't what I imagined would make me happy a decade ago, but I am so glad to be here now. I'm sharing this because I hope it inspires you to do what is right for you, to layout your own path, and follow whatever feels right for you (not anyone else). Only then, will you truly be happy.

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Dress: Reformation

Bag: Old (similar)

Earrings: c/o Sugarfix by Baublebar

Ring: c/o J. Bubs

Gold heels: Nordstrom (similar)

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