Now, I realize that it’s not even cold in most areas of the world yet. But, seeing as tomorrow marks the first official day of fall in the northern hemisphere, one can’t help but think of coats for the upcoming season. Or, maybe that’s just me being around them at work all day. Lol. I’ve been doing some online browsing and found several that I just adore.

For some people, the winter coat is more of a fashion statement than a necessity. Having just moved from Oregon to California myself, I’m trying to view them more in this way since the winters are much milder here. This is where stores like Forever 21 come in handy. They offer super cute pieces at affordable prices. Case in point, the Hampton Plaid Coat. It’s cute, funky, and a classic cut. Perfect to go with a plain tee, jeans, and sneakers. While dressy enough to go over a classic sheath dress and boots.

Another place to find cute items at affordable prices is Alloy. While they definitely cater to a younger crowd, you can still find some decent items at great prices. The cream colored Shawl Collar Coat is probably one of the most classic jackets around; completely feminine and classy, perfect for every occasion. Wear it with giant black sunnies, a black structured patent leather handbag, boots, and classic red lipstick or gloss. While I’m not too sure about the quality of the clothing from Alloy, I do know that a coat of this style is one worth spending your money on. Peacoats in general will always be in style, but, like anything else, they need a bit of a fashion update from time to time. If your style is at all classic and feminine, this is a style of jacket that you should invest in.

Now, I have a serious addiction to Urban Outfitters that has spanned the past decade. In fact, I don’t even allow myself to set foot in the store anymore due to a fear of how much I may end up spending. Urban Outfitters is always on top of the trends, the classics, and carries some of the coolest items you’ll see. The most amazing thing about the Nonpariel Jacket by Lux? The hood! It’s Little Red Riding Hood innocence meets Gwen Stefani cool. Lux always creates good quality items that will give you more than enough wear to be worth the money. This is the one jacket that I am lusting over the most at the moment, and I don’t think that I will be alone. To be honest, I don’t even know what to say about this jacket because I’m already 100% sold on it.

Another Lux item from Urban Outfitters and another version of the classic peacoat. I am in love with the cobalt shade! Also by Lux, the Miss Porter’s Peacoat is one of the best current peacoat cuts I’ve seen. It’s the perfect way to add both color and sass to any outfit while still looking completely pulled together. The textured fabric is a great way to add some detail all of the offered colors as well. When in doubt, I find it best to go with classic styles updated with bright basic colors, textured fabrics or patterns. This jacket is the edgier version of Alloy’s Shawl Collar Coat mentioned above and can be easily dressed up or down.

Another amazing Urban Outfitters find is the Tweed Ruffle Collar Coat by Kimchi & Blue. Kimchi & Blue is probably, hands down, my favorite label carried by Urban. Always amazing, always cute, and usually just a little out of my price range. Kimchi & Blue offers a lot of basic general styles with twists to make them current. Their sweaters are some of my favorite things to look forward to with fall shopping. This jacket is, once again, a classic style updated by both the feminine cut and the pattern. The perfect jacket to wear with your vintage and vintage inspired pieces. Pair it with a lacy vintage inspired blouse, a high waisted skirt, textured tights, and oxford heels.

Today I learned a very important lesson. Walking into Sephora alone is a very very bad idea. Lol. I’ve actually been really good about not going in there since we moved here, no matter how much I want to or how many times I walk by it. But, today I ran out of my regular loose powder from Cover Girl and the boy suggested I find some at Sephora since it lasts so long. So, see, this can all be blamed on him! Lol. Anyways, I ended up spending way too much time in that place drooling over, well… Pretty much everything. Like a disgusting amount of time. Really. Lol. I ended up walking out of there with a little more than just loose powder, but that’s okay. By the way, I ended up going with Clinique Blended Face Powder and Brush because I was finally able to find a shade that matches my skin tone flawlessly.

I had heard a lot of amazing things about a lot of products in there, and since it was the first time I actually allowed myself to really look, I figured that I should make the most of it. After hearing so much about the great benefits of using a make up primer, I decided to pick up the one that I’ve heard the most about. So, I picked up Smasbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer To Go. I’m so excited to try it!! Ever since Heather sent me tons of MAC pigment samples, I’ve noticed just how little color my regular shadows (which are all drugstore) actually leave on my lids. I can’t wait to see the effects of this primer on my foundation and eyecolor!

Another product that I’ve heard great things about and made sure to pick up was Rosebud Perfume Co. Rosebud Salve. Anyone who knows me knows that I am fanatical about moisturizing my skin and that I love to try new things. I’m loving this salve already! I used it on my cuticles and hands and they have stayed super moisturized without being greasy, like a lot of hand creams leave them. The smell is great too because it’s such a light floral scent. My mom makes bath products and I am her guinea pig for most of the creams, which have all been cocoa butter based and amazing. But so many of the products on the market, and that she finds recipes to try out, end up leaving your hands greasy feeling or don’t smell all that great. This product doesn’t do either. I’m going to have to send her some of it fairly soon so she’ll realize what her products have to compete against in my home. Lol.

Speaking of moisturizing, one of my all time hands down favorite moisturizers is extra virgin olive oil. For the face, hair, skin… Everywhere. If you haven’t tried it before, use a few of the following suggestions and you’ll be converted.

For your face, warm 1 - 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon honey, add some instant oatmeal if you wish to help exfoliate. Smooth it onto your face and neck, leave for around 15 minutes, and then rinse off with warm water and a washcloth. Smooth as a baby’s butt. Seriously.

For hands and feet, I warm about 2 tablespoons of olive oil, smooth them all over my hands and feet, rub in really well (it’s a great excuse to give yourself a hand and foot massage), then slip on some cotton socks and gloves. If you can leave them on overnight, do so! The pay off is great.

For your hair, massage a couple of tablespoons of olive oil (warm or room temperature) from roots to tips. Cover your head with a shower cap or, in a pinch, a plastic grocery bag. Let sit for 30 minutes or more. Now get in the shower, and rinse it with warm water. Use a gentle moisturizing shampoo and fully wash hair twice. Make sure to really rinse it before you shampoo and after each wash because rinsing is essential. Rinse until you think you’ve done it enough, then rinse it some more! Lol. Condition the ends if you have really dry or damaged hair, otherwise, don’t worry about applying a conditioner.

Plugs for comments : Nicolah, Marsadie, Helga