Dressed for Time | Spring and Summer Style Tips from a Chicago blogger

February Favorites

March 11, 2020

Hello, loves!
It’s been a while, and while I didn’t want to make the jump for the longest time…. uhm OK, it’s been a year… I updated to the new version of WordPress! So you’ll maybe not see as big of a change as I do, but from the writer’s perspective, everything is new and confusing again 🤣

Anyway, what this post is actually about is my February Favorites, aka my most loved looks from last month. I even threw in a couple of fun ones at the bottom that I haven’t shared to IG yet!
Tell me which is your favorite look in the comments below!

February Favorites - Perfect Wedding Guest Dress from ASOS

Not the greatest quality pic, but I felt like a GODDESS in this ASOS gown. It JUST went on sale down to $71, but they have other colors like Sage, Blue, and a shorter version in Mauve, all perfect for Spring wedding guest options. I decided to bring down the slits a little bit, and I sewed them to stop right above the knee. Fair warning if you want the leg showing to be a little more modest. Also recommend fashion tape for the top!

Rent the Runway fur coat at Uncommon James Chicago

I debated including this outfit, due to my recent (horrific) experience with Rent the Runway, but I was OBSESSED with this jacket, I kept it for a couple weeks and wore it multiple times, including when I went to purchase this necklace at Uncommon James. Which, by the way, if you’re in the Chicago area and are sleeping on this store, I would recommend heading there ASAP! So many gorgeous delicate gold pieces to choose from.

OK, but how cute was this dress for Valentine’s Day?! I partnered with Modcloth to share some of their collection for the holiday, and I think this was my favorite piece. I also showed off my mini bag find from Goodwill that I added a rhinestone lip pin to. Love a good thrifted find!

I took a while to hop on this jaguar sweater trend. I also ordered it non-Prime so it took over a month to get to me 😆 Thankfully, it’s now available with two day shipping so y’all don’t have to wait nearly as long. I wore it to social hour at Le Colonial, one of Gold Coast’s iconic spots.

Flashing back to the snowier times last month, my Michael Kors coat that I bought last spring has been coming in clutch for any days that dip down below 30 degrees. Also I wear the heck out of these fleece-lined leggings from Hue. I stocked up when they were on Amazon for $22 a pair!

Another look from Modcloth, this time in the most spring-tastic hues! The blouse was a bit oversized on me (1X), so it tucked perfectly in to the geometric print skirt. Paired with white ankle booties and a knit beret to add some of that vintage flair I love.

And now, for a couple of sneak peeks!

February Favorites - Amazon top for Spring

Another recent Amazon find, this top is SUPER soft, and I love the little crochet-like trim. I sized up to an XXL, because I wanted that breezy, oversized fit. It’s under $20 and I can see it in heavy rotation this spring/summer.

Last but not least, this outfit that is a mix of old and new! The bag is thrifted from Goodwill, the top from my most recent StitchFix, Lee Jeans from Amazon, and near decade-old ankle boots from Target.

That’s all, folks, my February Favorites!
I love doing these round-ups, because they show me what pieces/colors/styles I gravitated towards the most. I’m definitely ready to bring back springtime trends and hues, and fun detailing like pleats, trim, and embroidery.

Winter Boots & Ways to De-Stress

December 17, 2019

This post is sponsored by Lugz and the InfluenceHer Collective. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Dressed for Time possible!

Hello, babes!
Happy almost Christmas! I know I’m not the only one to say how crazy it is that the year is almost over.. It feels like my birthday was last week, and that summer was a couple months ago. The truth is, we have almost 5 months of winter left in Chicago, and I started to prep for it way late in the game. A little further down, I’ll share more about my look and my cute new boots, but first, I wanted to chat about some quick and easy, (not to mention cheap!), ways to destress right now.

Tip 1-
Breathe. Wow, groundbreaking, I know, but taking some time to breathe deeply and slowly in and out through your nose has such a calming effect. It can help you focus and get centered, also release stress and squash nerves. I also like to use apps for guided breathing techniques. My favorite is called Insight Timer. It has lots of free options so you can find a voice that resonates with you, or use one of the self-guided sessions. I also LOVE listening to any of the water noises, (pouring rain, crashing waves, a mountain stream), when trying to get to sleep.

Tip 2-
Speaking of… As much of a challenge as it seems, SCHEDULE sleep! Set a cut-off time on your calendar, not just the intention, to actually carve out the time you need. Personally, I need 8-9 hours if I want to be fully functional the next day, so I add it in. That way, if an event might run late, or I start to get caught up with work, I have that reminder telling me I need to cut it short so I can be my most effective. If you’re worried about not getting it all done, manage your time to focus on what’s truly important and what needs to get done on a daily basis, the rest will get done in time.

Tip 3-
Perform random acts of kindness. And then keep them to yourself. I do a bit of an eye roll when people perform altruistic acts, then go on social media to blast it to their following/friends. Encouraging others to do good things is awesome, but it feels better, at least for me, to just know that I’ve done good things without the possibility of a virtual pat on the back from others. That being said, here are some things you can do! Pay for the coffee for the person behind you in line. Send hand-written cards. Get the door for someone. Compliment a stranger. Thank cashiers and servers for working on the holiday. Give someone that gift card you have that’s been gathering dust.

Tip 4-
Write it out. Keep a personal journal to take note of how you’re feeling. Regardless of if you ever re-read the notes, it always helps me to de-stress and get everything that’s on my mind down on paper.

Tip 5-
Turn on some music! I will ask Alexa to play something upbeat, or throw on one of my Spotify playlists of tried-and-true mood boosters, but I also like to branch out and try something I haven’t given much thought to. I never realized I might like a little country, until a friend turned me on to Maren Morris. I also think listening to classical music, which I hated as a child, is so soothing now! I’ll be in my kitchen, stressing over what to make for dinner and how I’m going to get all my Poshmark packages ready before the mailman comes… I ask Alexa to “play classical music” and for some reason, it has a calming effect and allows me to focus and get shit done!

Do you have any de-stressing tips to share? Leave them in the comments, let’s help each other out!

Now, on to this super cozy outfit I’m wearing…
I’ll start from the bottom up! I had been looking for a new pair of winter boots I could wear everywhere, especially in inclement weather. Enter this versatile pair from Lugz at DSW! They’re called the Tambora and mine are in the shade Chocolate (which totally fits this rich color!), and they also come in a lighter brown and black. They’re lined with plush faux fur, which makes them very comfortable and warm, not to mention, I love the detailing at the fold-down collar.

I went pretty minimal, pairing them with jeans, a perfect white T, a shawl collared cardigan, layered necklaces, and my fuzziest glittens. Side note, I didn’t even know glittens (gloves & mittens) were a thing, but recently grabbed these at a pop-up in town. Can you tell I’m big on texture in the cold months?

Dr. Yates, MD Lifestyle Med Skincare Review

November 8, 2019

Hello, my dears! I hope you’re doing well, and that you’re thoroughly enjoying these first days of winter (or I guess Autumn, if you’re still on the West Coast!)!
If you’ve been following me on Instagram for a while, you probably know that I LOVE testing out new skincare products. One thing I haven’t done in years though, is to test out a whole skincare LINE.
I was gifted 6 products from Dr. Yates, MD Lifestyle (the in-house brand of a luxury med spa in Chicago), and I’ve been using them exclusively for 4.5 months! No cheating with any masks, serums, anything like that! I’ve continued to use the same makeup remover wipes that I have for the past 15 years, and moisturizing primer, and that’s it. I honestly do a little eye roll when people use skincare for 2 days and then make claims about it. It’s one thing to use a hydrating mask and substantiate that it helps with immediate moisture level.. It’s another to test out an anti-wrinkle or anti-acne product and claim your skin was transformed overnight! That’s why I wanted to do such an in-depth exploration of these products and their effects.

The products I received as recommended by my aesthetician Nikelle, are face wash, face polish, eye cream, moisturizer/sunscreen, neck cream, and a night cream. I had to wait a week after a chemical peel to start them, but after that, have used them every day since the beginning of June. Now, for a breakdown of all of the products:

Antioxidant Wash
This is a foaming wash, that you use a small amount of in your palms and work into a lather before lightly massaging in to skin and rinsing off. I didn’t find this to be an effective makeup remover, but my skin did feel very clean and not tight after using. The container is HUGE and wouldn’t be great for travel, but you could always pour some in to a travel-friendly container.
Scent (ratings on a scale 1-5): 4, pleasant and mild.
Cost: 3, it’s $47.50, which I find to be really steep for a cleanser, but you do get SO much product at 6.7 oz.
Packaging: 4, Easy to disperse, the label is very clinical-feeling (makes sense).
Would I repurchase: No, but only because I have other cleansers to use up first. This is a perfectly good face wash.
Overall rating: 4.

Brightening Polish
Very mixed feelings about this product. I use it in the shower, because I feel that’s the only way to get all the granules off (same with any face polish/physical exfoliator I use). The smell is… Off-putting. When in use, it smells like a mix of lemon cleaner and ammonia. I think the granules are really nice though, and kept my skin relatively blemish-free in the acne-prone summer months.
Scent: 1, not a fan.
Cost: 4, it’s a little higher than I normally spend for this type of product, but it’s also in the 6.7 oz. size, so not too bad.
Packaging: 4, same thoughts as above.
Would I repurchase: No, I think I can find similar products without that intense scent.
Overall rating: 3.

Total Eye Repair
I go through eye cream more consistently than any other product.. Although I’ll admit to never being loyal to any particular brand, because I generally feel like they all work pretty well for me! I look for hydration, line prevention, and some depuffing action. I feel like this one did a great job at all of the above, and I love the packaging. The pump dispenses the perfect amount of product every time. It is super pricey, but I’ve been using it for over 3.5 months, and I’m still not out of it.
Scent: 5, seems unscented to me, which I prefer for an eye cream.
Cost: 2, Wowza, at $97.50 for .5 oz.
Packaging: 5! Love the dispenser, although I wonder how “good to the last drop” it will be when I get to that point.
Would I repurchase: No, solely because of the price.
Overall rating: 4.

Antioxidant Moisturizing Sunscreen
I’ve had mixed results with 2 in 1 products like this, but I am LOVING this SPF/moisturizer combo. The moisturizer is so smooth and hydrating, and gives me a bit of that “glass skin” appearance. It isn’t heavy feeling or tacky, and just pleasantly sinks on in. One thing about the container is that the product does tend to gather and get a little crusty, so I will just unscrew the lid instead of popping the top. Doesn’t take any more time, and just as easy.
Scent: 5, I actually like the smell of sunscreen, and this one isn’t coconutty or too tropical.
Cost: 4, I think $45.50 for 4 oz. of product is quite reasonable.
Packaging: 3, for the aforementioned issue.
Would I repurchase: Yes! Would be happy to continue using this.
Overall rating: 4.

Phyto Repair PM
I was nervous that this rich cream would be too heavy on my skin, especially during the warmer summer months, but I was pleasantly surprised! I slept comfortably and didn’t wake up greasy, as sometimes happens. I will say that the packaging is great because it dispenses the perfect amount of product by pushing down on the top, and doesn’t expose the rest to air. I’ve noticed a small difference in the intensity of my laugh lines, which is my main trouble area.
Scent: 5, soft, pleasant and mild.
Cost: 4, I think $81.50 for the 2 oz. of product is reasonable, and I’m still on the same container after 3.5 months.
Packaging: 5, love the dispenser!
Would I repurchase: Yes, I think it’s a great product.

Firm RX Neck & Decolletage Repair
TBH, I don’t know if I can give this one a fair review. My weight has been fluctuating, so it’s difficult to judge the efficacy of something meant to tone the neck area. The packaging leaves something to be desired. When I picked it up a couple weeks into using it, the faux lid came off in my hand, and the rest of the product dropped to the floor, cracking the outside. Also, not a fan of having to stick something into the product to scoop it out. Will try to follow up on this product a couple months from now!

Overall, I think the standout from this line is the Moisturizing Sunscreen, I highly recommend it. These picks were selected just for me by Nikelle, and if you’re local, I’d recommend visiting her at Dr. Yates Med Spa for a 1 on 1 consultation and evaluation of your skin. Check out my progress over the last several months using these products! And side note, I think I look SO odd when I’m not smiling 😂 Hope you enjoyed my Dr. Yates, MD Lifestyle Med Skincare Review!

Don’t worry, I DID trim my brows after this 😆 I was growing them out to get them threaded!

Getting Cuddl Duds Cozy for Fall

October 28, 2019

This post is sponsored by Cuddl Duds but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. This post also contains affiliate links. Clicking on these links or making purchases through them may provide me with a small commission. Thanks for supporting the brands that support Dressed for Time, and enjoy reading about Getting Cuddl Duds Cozy for Fall!

Getting Cuddl Duds Cozy for Fall Hello, loves!
Anyone who’s met me in person knows I have a thing with textures.. Take me shopping, and I will feel every sweater, fuzzy jacket, scarf, or blanket I see. Any time I meet someone wearing something that could be soft, I (embarrassingly), reach out to touch their sleeve. I can’t help myself! I can even remember getting yelled at as a child for petting stray dogs, and once broke a $300 necklace (that my mom had to pay for!), because I wanted to feel the intricate beading and embroidery on it. I haven’t read much in to it, but I’m thinking that “physical touch” might be my love language.

When I learned that Cuddl Duds had a PJ and bedding collection with Kohl’s, I knew it was going to be good. Growing up, I wore Cuddl Duds tanks before transitioning to bras, and recalled their great quality, and yes, how soft they were. This collection is no exception. Obsessed is probably an overused word at this point, but the pajamas are SO good, so cozy, and warm. I’m very excited to have them in my drawer, now that the weather is getting cooler. Come late fall and winter, I can imagine I’ll have even more pairs to snuggle up in. And come on, they’re about the cutest pjs ever! Perfect for lounging on late Sunday mornings.

Getting Cuddl Duds Cozy for Fall Their bedding impressed me as well. I don’t often go for flannel sheets, because I feel they’re a little masculine for my taste, but the cute little diamond print on these is so darling. Mark and I have pretty much just been knocking out as soon as we lay down, because we’re toasty and so relaxed, being hugged by softness all around.

If you’re in the market to up your fall & winter bedding game, I highly recommend checking out the Cuddl Duds collection at Kohl’s! They’re offering 30% off your purchase of their sleepwear for her and bedding until 11/6. Just in time to get your guest room prepped for Thanksgiving, and to transition away from your lighter, summer-weight sheets. If you pick up anything from the line, be sure to let me know in the comments!

Scroll all the way to the bottom to see some bonus pics with my puppies! I love when they make an appearance on here. I’ve given up on keeping at least Beauregard off of the bed. It’s basically his favorite place, right after snuggled up to Mark on the couch. Emily can’t jump high enough to make it on her own, but loves to be “placed” on the bed so she can steal my pillow! Love my babies.

Getting Cuddl Duds Cozy for Fall - Love to Nap Sleepmask Side note, my friend wrote a book! It’s called A Dress for the Wicked, and it’s about a young girl, trying to prove herself at a prestigious fashion house, set in the Victorian era. Congrats, Autumn!!! Pajamas c/o Cuddl Duds at Kohls // Sheet set c/o Cuddl Duds at Kohls // Blanket c/o Cuddl Duds at Kohls