Try-On J.Crew and Abercrombie

Sweater/// Coated Jeans// Headband

Similar Plaid Pumps// Phone Case

We are about to head into Black Friday/Cyber Monday and it's really going to end up being 'Cyber Week as a lot of brands and retailers are starting their sales well before Black Friday or Cyber Monday! I have done a few try-ons on Instagram stories lately so I wanted to share them here with sizing information so if you are shopping you'll be able to use this as your resource! I know not everyone watches instastories and I know a lot of you miss them from day-to-day! 

This sweater is something I ordered on a whim because I thought it was a 'cute' ugly Christmas sweater. I styled it as if I were headed out to an ugly Chrismas sweater party, ha! It runs true to size, I'm wearing a size small. The plaid pumps are from Tuckernuck a few years ago, but I linked to an almost identical pair. 

I'm linking my blush pink leather phone case because I always get a lot of questions about it. It is under $50 and would make such a nice holiday gift. 

Sherpa Pullover// Leggings// Phone Case

 This sherpa is one of my favorites. I also have it in green. They are warm and cozy and definitely a winter weight. The sherpa runs true to size. I am wearing a size small. Right now, it is $46 with code THESKIMM.

Plaid Pajama Top// Plaid Pajama Bottoms// Slippers// Phone Case

These Pajamas run true to size. I sometimes size up in pajamas because I like a looser/oversized fit but didn't need to size up with these. I'm wearing a small in both the top and bottom.

The slippers are a MUST. If you don't have a pair and live in a cold climate, they will change your life and I'm not being dramatic. They are so warm and cozy. If I am in my house, I have them on. They are under $100 so they also make a great gift. They also have a men's version, too. My fiancé has two pair because he loves them so much. 

Sweater Dress// Similar Pumps

This dress is beautiful. So elegant and chic. It's something you could wear to Thanksgiving dinner but also to the office. It's high quality and thick and warm. Size down. I got a size small and returned for XS but probably could have even gotten the XXS! 

These pumps are my favorite black suede pumps that I always wear. They are by Dior but I always link a very similar and much more affordable option since my Dior version is no longer available. 

Coat// Cable Cashmere// Coated Jeans// Chanel Ballet Flats

I ordered this coat because I thought it would be a pretty 'topper' over an all-black outfit and it is! I wear a lot of black in the winter and this coat just breaks that up a bit and adds a classic touch. This coat runs true to size, if you are between sizes, size down! 

Cable Turtleneck// Coated Jeans// Booties Old, Similar

A few of you DM'd me and asked 'is this really men's' in regard to the sweater. And yes, it really is! I check out the men's section in some brands like Abercrombie, J.Crew, and Ralph Lauren because their size xs and small is pretty similar to a women's size small. I also find they make a lot more classic-style pieces (especially in the winter months) and often they are high quality than women's items. No idea why, but this is your tip to shop the men's section. Even Old Navy has some cute men's items that work for women! I am wearing a size small in this sweater and it fits slightly oversized but in a pretty way. Love it so much. 

Turtleneck// Plaid Dress Pants// Similar Pumps

This was a little out of my comfort zone and I ended up returning the pants. I really loved the high quality, classic glen plaid wool of the pants. It looks very Ralph Lauren menswear. The nipped-in waist is very flattering but the ballooning of the pants in the legs was a little too much for me personally. I do think that if you are into a trendier style of pants, though, this could work for you.

The turtleneck is such a wardrobe staple and it's so great when you can find 'boring' but necessary pieces like this on major sale! I like this turtleneck better than the tissue ones because it's a little more structured!

Metallic Tank// Velvet Skinny Pants// Similar Pumps// Lip Color (in babe)

 This metallic tank is such a fun party top. It runs really big so size down one size (at least). It looks so great with velvet skinnies for a party look that doesn't involve a dress or skirt. This would be a great choice for a New Year's Eve party.

Sherpa Pullover// Velvet Skinny Pants// Princetown Mules// Phone Case

 I originally bought this sherpa pullover (wearing size small) to wear with leggings as an athleisure look, but this is actually a dressier top. It's thick and the inside of it is a soft faux suede material. It's pretty but just not for athleisure!! These velvet skinnies are one of my favorite pairs of pants. I wear them SO much during the winter months. I have had them for years and they wash so well. I am wearing my usual size 27.

Ski Sweater// Coated Jeans// Boots// Phone Case

This sweater is one of my FAVORITES of the season. It's soft but structured and has a great little zip detail on the sleeve. It is made of a special thread that is meant to be lightweight but very warm. The perfect aprés ski sweater and I love it paired with these Nordic boots. I got these a year or two ago and they are like 'fancy' Uggs. For example, I wouldn't really wear my traditional Ugg boots out to a restaurant or anything like that, but I would totally wear these Nordic boots! They only come in whole sizes. I am usually in between 8.5 and 9 and went with the 9. They are slightly big but just enough room for a really thick sock. 

The sweater runs a little bit. I am wearing an XS (my usual size is small). 

Highland High Low Top// Joggers

I am soooooo excited about these fleece pieces. You already know I love my Brighton Boatneck (and can read about it here) and I was just sent my two dream pieces!!! I love the high low fleece for wearing with leggings to and from Orange Theory. The bright neon pink makes me so happy early in the freezing mornings. I am wearing a size medium which is the same size I got in the boatneck. I would get your usual size unless you are broad in the shoulders or have a larger chest. I have broad shoulders and sized up! The joggers are INCREDIBLE. They are so warm and cozy but actually look presentable as in you could wear them out of the house. I am wearing a size small. I would sometimes size up in joggers because I don't like a tight fit, but these are plenty roomy. If you are between sizes, size down! These two pieces would make such a wonderful holiday gift. I think anything cozy is just the best gift because you often don't splurge on cozy items for yourself! 

Registry Must-Have: Nespresso Machine

I have had a Nespresso-brand machine for 7+ years and got my parents one because I loved mine so much. If you are a bride-to-be and don't have one and love coffee or espresso, I highly recommend adding a Nespresso machine to your registry. We got our current machine from Macy's (you can add one to a Macy's registry).

I am personally someone that loves black coffee Monday-Friday (which, if you didn't know, you can brew coffee on this machine). But the most special part, in my opinion, is that you can create other espresso and coffee-based drinks with the machine. I love cappuccinos and while I don't typically make them during the week, I savor my weekend mornings when I make a frothy cappuccino and just get to relax in my pajamas. It makes weekend mornings more special and just something small and simple to look forward to. 

What's nice about the Nespresso machine is that each drink you make can be totally different. So, for example, I like darker, bolder roasts, and my fiancé likes a lighter roast. My fiancé likes whole milk and I use skim. It's nice that we are able to craft our own drinks quickly and easily. 

Oh and one thing that I think is SO necessary is that the water tank is removable from the machine for easy refilling. I had a machine once that wasn't removable (and was also in the back of the machine) and it drove me absolutely NUTS. Plus, the water tank is on the side so it's easy to take out and put back in. 

Our Nespresso machine is pretty small (much smaller than our coffee machine) so it doesn't take up much space on our counters, but also, when we put it away during the week, it's small enough so that it's not taking up an entire cabinet. This is the machine I love and have used for years and highly recommend, but there are a lot of other options, too. They all vary in size and color and can do different things. This one is seriously perfect if you live in a small apartment with limited counter space!

Besides weekends, I also love using it when we have house guests. It feels so fancy to be able to serve up cappuccinos and lattes for guests and it's nice that they are able to pick what type of roast they like. And speaking of guests, I absolutely love it when a hotel room has a Nespresso machine in it!! Heavenly! 

The ease of it is truly something. You just pop in a pod, press a button, and there you have it. No cleanup, no packing grounds, nothing. So, if you wanted an every-morning latte, or whatever it may be, this is totally doable in seconds.

The frother is also totally worth it. Besides cappuccinos and lattes, I LOVE making hot chocolate with frothed milk. It takes it to the next level!

With the holiday season on the horizon, besides being a good wedding or shower gift, a Nespresso machine would make such a nice gift for anyone but especially for new parents who might be a bit sleep deprived or for a law student studying at all hours of the night. 

Thank you to Macy's for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own. 

Service Sunday: Amen to Action

Amen to Action is an annual meal packing event that brings thousands together on Black Friday to give back to their community. Founded by Reid Carpenter in 2017, Amen to Action got its start when Reid gathered a network of local leaders who shared one goal: to connect people of all faiths, create a platform of spirit and harmony, and help make a difference for the city of Pittsburgh’s hungry and less fortunate by packing a million meals.

At its start in 2017, Amen to Action partnered with Meals of Hope and the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank to bring more than 3,000 volunteers together to pack over one million meals, that were then distributed through the Pittsburgh Food Bank to more than 400 area food pantries and school programs.

For the third consecutive year, Amen to Action will again host thousands of volunteers at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center on November 29 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. On a day that normally focuses on shopping, Amen to Action will break away from consumerism and instead shine a light on what really matters during the holiday season: giving back.

At last year’s event, Amen to Action volunteers packed 1,036,111 meals for Pittsburgh-area less fortunate, breaking the record for packing the most meals in one location (our own record from 2017). This year, Amen to Action hopes to break the record again!

How to Get Involved
Instead of spending the day shopping, Amen to Action invites you to come and truly make a difference in your community. To get involved, you can register to volunteer or donate on our website, our Facebook page, or our Twitter page.

Saturday Shopping

Happy weekend! Hope you’re all enjoying your weekend and doing something fun. I am headed to an event with Headspace today which I am very excited for. I’m glad I get to bring my fiancé along to this, too! Tonight we are having dinner with friends and tomorrow I have to do some work.

Lots of finds from this week and I can’t get enough. I just love when so many good things come out for the holidays. I love seeing all of the cute gift sets and festive outfits!