Hello, week № 1. To begin this new year I felt like recognizing the past year’s top five things overall. Each of these picks has been either well loved for an entire year (3/5) or a huge impact despite its newness (2/5).
One new kid on the block is uniform dressing. Its impact changed my outlook enough to make a mental dent, but it’s a good thing. It is changing my closet now and my future forever. Pacifica face creams are also new to my routine as of six months ago, and I don’t see an end date in sight. The remaining picks have been well loved, these are Tieks, Enso silicone rings, and Lulu Guinness eyeglasses. Let’s go!
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Here are my five favorites this week:
- Uniform dressing
- Tieks
- Enso rings
- Pacifica face creams
- Lulu Guinness eyeglasses
— UNIFORM DRESSING
If you are new to this term, don’t worry, it’s not as militant as it sounds. Uniform dressing is simply the choice to wear same but different clothes most of the time.
My chosen uniform is black or dark bottoms, with white or light tops. Other people’s uniforms are more specific, some are more loose. Mine is loose where I need it (in the accessory department) because I have always loved colorful jackets, shoes, and purses. I think my simple style uniform even makes my accessories stand out a bit.
Why do I love it? This decision is a lifestyle win because it helps me reign in the shopping. Today I walked by a Marc Jacobs clearance rack, and kept walking because none of the shirts were white. And now I always have something to wear because my closet is full of basics.
☞ Related: How to start uniform dressing
— TIEKS
This seems like an easy pick because I have several pairs, but it was probably a good time to let the world know that I haven’t found a better leather flat!
Before I bought my first Tieks I nearly bought a pair of Tory Burch flats, but I was (and still am) hesitant to wear obvious logos. I always opt to pay more for luxury goods because the entry level signature goods turn me off. So Tieks won the bidding with distinct soles – and blessedly blank leather uppers.
My shoe preferences are the same as when I started buying them. I don’t like padding, I want real cow hide, and I want plain colors. I might try out some Rothy’s later because I would like to throw my shoes in the wash, but I’ve been hesitant for some reason. Maybe because I don’t want to fall in love with a new brand and style, or maybe because I can’t pick a color. Luckily I am under no pressure to buy soon, right?
☞ Related: How to Break in New Tieks
— ENSO RINGS
Silicone rings are just neat.
I collect wedding bands, and once wanted several silicone rings years ago to for my collection, but instead bought only one as soon as I got pregnant with Baby Jupiter. My fingers got wider almost right away, and now (Baby Jup is toddling) I still can’t fit into my size five engagement ring. It seems that my finger sizes will be the first and last to change.
☞ Related: What I Wish I Knew about the First Trimester
My size six silicone Enso ring has been a great substitute wedding band. I bought a thin white band because I like the contrast against my skin, and the fact that white matches any outfit. I’ve been wearing it daily for almost two years. The angular design I bought smoothed out months ago, but it’s still bright and comfortable. I only take it off for showers, otherwise it’s always on my finger ready to take on the day.
Baby Jupiter likes sliding his little finger under the silicone ring as I wear it. It annoys me, but the ring doesn’t feel stretched out, and more importantly hasn’t broken. Enso rings are worth whatever the going rate is! I recall buying mine on sale, but would happily spend full price because I didn’t expect to get so many miles out of this piece of temporary jewelry!
— PACIFICA FACE CREAMS
This is a tale of Buzzfeed and a road trip.
I love Buzzfeed lists. One list exposed me to Pacifica’s coconut probiotic cream -I love potions- so I bought a tube. Weeks later I was packing for a short visit to my arid hometown and made it a point to moisturize better than usual, so the coconut probiotic cream went with me.
☞ Related: Five Favorites in Lubbock, Texas
Every morning and night I wiped my face clean with a Neutrogena wipe, then applied the coconut probiotic. My face never felt dry and crusty! My face was so clear! My choice to stop wearing makeup remained intact!
Once I got back home to Arkansas I bought the lighter day cream for (wait for it) daytime wear. It shouldn’t be a surprise that I love it too. So far I’ve gotten my mother and mother-in-law to try the coconut probiotic cream (I need to follow up with them and see if they are still using it or not). I hope it’s treated them as well as it has treated me.
Regardless I super love these face creams and will be wearing them daily until something else wins me over. Hard to improve current results though. My skin feels soft and hydrated. I haven’t had a real pimple in months. My facial texture seems smoother. Constant vigilance! I really do wear these daily, even if I don’t leave the house. And always – hydrate from the inside more than the outside.
— LULU GUINNESS EYEGLASSES
These frames were love at first try-on! My eyes aren’t terrible, but I do need to wear glasses if I need to clearly see more than five feet away.
My last few frames were half wire and I really liked those, but I was having a hard time finding a pair that fit my head. I used to buy teen frames because the width fit, but the arms were too short. I started looking in the designer sections of the eyeglass shop in hopes that I could find the equivalent of petite sizing and my search was rewarded.
When I saw these frames I hoped they would fit. To my very great surprise they fit perfectly. Frame width and arm length? Perfect. Lens height? Perfect. Shape? Perfectly demure cat-eye. It was a match made in Spectacle Heaven (surely there is one).
These are specifically – Style L778, 51□15, B:33, 135.
It’s time again for an eye exam, and I am itching to see a new set of daily glasses, but I don’t want to give these up. Maybe this is the year that I simply update the lenses only? Or maybe I’ll finally get some prescription sunglasses to fulfill my need of something new? Or maybe I’ll start with Lulu Guinness and see what frames are available online – and buy those independent of my eye exam? I love when options don’t press.
Curious about other weeks? Try these on.
Lady Jupiter 