(Top (on sale) | Jeans | Shoes | Sunglasses | Cuff | Beaded Bracelet)

I had some mom brain last week and missed a few questions for the monthly Q+A… and instead of waiting another month, figured I would answer them today (along with some new ones that came in)….

We have another weekend with no plans on the calendar, but the weather is supposed to be nice, so we’ll likely be spending it outside… and, yes, there will be a glass of wine or two. I hope you all have a good one! xx
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1. I am 39 now, and have a 19m son. I have always had fine hair but noticed it seems to be thinning out.  Could be the tragic hair experience I had with new colorist, recent weight loss (best shape of my life – win), recent move to  super cold MN climate or just getting older (+still haven’t gotten my period back post breastfeeding so need to look into that – hormones could be totally to blame). Here is my question: what products have you found REALLY make a difference and how long before you saw them? Diet changes, Collagen powder, biotin, any tonics?  I aim for natural if possible but i know that is tricky sometimes.

First of all, so sorry for the hair loss. I know first hand how frustrating that is… since I thought I was going to go bald after having Harper (like, clumps would come out in the shower!). The only product I used, and can attest from my own experience, is the Collagen Peptides (I used Vital). I really feel that they helped my hair loss stop, and also helped with the regrowth process. I think they took several weeks to really start working, and it was more of a gradual change than dramatic. Overtime I started to notice that my hair wasn’t falling out as much in the shower and after about a month I noticed that the bald spots weren’t as sparse as they had been. I wrote an article on them about a year and a half ago. A lot of people also recommend taking a prenatal vitamin, but I didn’t do that.

2. I love seeing your outfit choices and I’m hoping you could give me some suggestions…I workout daily and am always in workout clothes to some degree and I find jeans a bit uncomfortable (I think I turned into my mother! Ha!)! I have 2 little ones at home so I’m always worried about getting food or other things on my clothes as well…so my question is what would you suggest I wear running errands or over to see family without feeling like I’m trying too hard but I still want to look fashionable! Hope that makes sense!

I feel ya momma! I always suggest joggers. They’re in between leggings and pajama pants, and a lot of them are super stylish. I think they look super cute paired with sneakers (which I’m sure you wear all the time running after two little ones) and I’ve paired mine with pearl slides lately (the weather in CA is up and down….). You can easily toss on a cute denim jacket(or this distressed option, styled here), and tee, with the joggers, and you’ll look super cute. The joggers that I have on rotation include this gray and blush-ish higher waisted option, sweatpant pair (don’t let the name fool you, they’re super cute!), camo joggers (these are not the silk pair I’ve featured before, a little more kiddo friendly, styled here), and this pair (a little heavier fabric than the others I listed). I also love wearing this pearl pair (and lounge around at home in them too). I’ve styled all these joggers on my instagram account several times. I also love pairing them with a simple pullover. My favorites are this oversized option, thermal pullover (I own in gray), or this lightweight one front tucked (I own in white and mauve).

When I was in college, during the summer, I worked at Nordstrom and they always had the 3 piece rule…. if you wore jeans and a top, you needed to have a third piece to pull it together, such as a belt, hat, blazer, scarf. It’s a rule I still use to this day, even with casual wear, and it seriously makes such a difference. Leggings and a pullover immediately look more pulled together with a hat or beanie…. Also, simple things, like a front knot to an oversized tee, or a quick front tuck, make any outfit look much more pulled together. I do it all the time, and it makes such a difference.

3. What camera do you use to take your photos? 

For the blog we use a Canon 60D with a couple different lenses. I’d say that 98% of my instagram photos are taken with my iPhone 7plus.

4. How do you use some of the essential oils you have shared when you were sick? 

I’m no expert at oils, and everything I know comes from my friend Katie. That being said, I used the peppermint + Breathe Doterra oil blend to help me breathe when I was sick. I rubbed them on the temples, behind my ears, and around my nostrils (not inside). I also had it steam in the shower (I put it on the floor while I was showering) and also used it in a diffuser. I also used the On Guard blend on the bottom of my feet. All three were incredibly helpful!

5. What do you use to curl your hair? 

I use a t3 micro 1″ barrel, and sometimes the curling iron. You can see a tutorial here.

.6. What are those necklaces that you are always wearing in your instagram stories? 

I wear this long crescent necklace almost daily, along with this evil eye necklace, initial necklace (which is currently knotted and I’m trying to get it undone), and this horseshoe necklace as well. They all layer really well together.

7. I have a trip to Hawaii planned in the next few weeks, can you give any suggestions of what to bring?? Maybe a cute dress, swimsuit, bag, sandals, and some shorts?? 

Hawaii is going to be so fun! I recommend these denim shorts, hands down. They aren’t the cheapest, but they are my all time fav. I think I wore them everyday last summer (maybe washed them twice #ooops). A few cute top options include this one shoulder eyelet top, ruffled eyelet top I wore in yesterday’s post, simple wrap front tank, and this ruffled bodysuit (super cute with above mentioned denim shorts).  I think this little white dress is gorgeous… perfect for day/night. Swimsuit wise, I am obsessed with this stripe cut-out option, as well as this pink cutout one. This is such a cute straw tote (this tote is cute too), and these fringe sandals are super cute.

8. Do you cut most of your jeans at the bottom? If so, how do you get it to look so good? 

Since I’m a shorty (only 5’2″ on a good day, maybe 5’1″….) I cut all my jeans. I did this tutorial on the step-hem but it gives you a basic idea of how to make sure you get the cut where you want it. For the frayed detailing, that comes with time. I’ve washed my jeans a couple times, which will naturally create the frayed look.

9. What advice would you give to someone who feels like they need a total closet purge and reset? Where would you suggest I start? And any advice on growing your closet on a budget? 

My first piece of advice would be to look at the items you’re looking to give away and ask yourself why. After I purged my closet, when Harper was born, I found myself getting rid of dressier items, brighter colored pieces, and those that I felt weren’t very versatile. That told me not to buy as many of those items, and to stick with some more neutral pieces (that’s not to say you can’t ever buy those pieces again, just in smaller quantities).

Then, figure out what items still fall within the “new” direction you are looking to go. I kept a lot of items that were quality, neutral, basics… then I took inventory of what I felt I needed to add to my closet. I recommend good staples. Tees, cardigan, sweater, jacket, blouse…. 2 good pairs of jeans, a dress of two in your style, and some good accessories. Building a wardrobe on a budget is all about having neutral items that you can mix and match together to create different outfits…. that way you don’t need a lot of different pieces. You can wear a striped tee with a pair of jeans and a cute cardigan with sneakers… or jeans with the same tee, but with a blazer/jacket and booties. A few simple swaps takes the look from casual to dressy.

10. I was thinking of switching from Proactive to TULA and wondered if you had any suggestions for a starter set. Also, do you currently have a promo code? Thank you! 

I’ve been a huge fan of TULA for almost 2 years now. I recommend beginning with their Discovery Kit. It gives you all the essentials (like the illuminating serum, moisturizer, face wash, + the eye cream). I also really recommend their exfoliating mask. It’s one of my absolute favorites and really makes a difference in your skin’s appearance. If you use code SHANNON it will get you 20% off.

11. How do you use the Collagen Peptides you’ve been using on stories? 

I currently dissolve them in my morning hot tea, as well as my iced tea (although they don’t do as well in cool beverages…. someone suggested dissolving them in warm liquid first). I don’t eat as much oatmeal as I used to, but I used to dissolve them in the water I used to cook the oats…. and I also toss them in smoothies. You can see other ways to use them here.

12. What are your favorite restaurants in the Del Mar/La Jolla San Diego area? 

We love Flower Child, George’s On The Cove for a good rooftop drink and tacos (downstairs is more formal), L’Auberge Del Mar (our favorite hotel, and their fire pits are a great spot for an evening cocktail), Fuego is good for casual Mexican food, La Valencia Hotel is gorgeous (good for drinks, or lodging too), We Olive is a cute spot for wine tasting, Cucina Enoteca (delicious pizza), Naked Cafe (we’ve only been for breakfast), The Cottage has a great brunch, and Shorehouse Kitchen (breakfast). Hope that helps!

13. Can you recommend a non-distressed pair of jeans? 

Yes! I bought this pair last week and I’m obsessed. They fit perfectly (I’ll of course be cutting the hem) and I love the light wash for spring/summer. They have a slight stretch to them, and come in just under $100. Oh, and they’re high waisted, which I love too!