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    ANNOUNCING: The Everygirl 2021 Planners Available at Target!

    When my cofounder Danielle and I sat down in August 2011 to brainstorm what launching an online magazine would look like, we had a lot of lofty goals for this not-yet-existent company.We were 28 and 25-years-old respectively, basically strangers. We both had full-time jobs to tend to, and let me just say, we had no idea what obstacles stood in our way. We simply believed the sky was the limit. 
    As I feverishly transcribed everything we were saying, pen to paper, I noted the seemingly attainable, low-hanging fruit goals… but as all big dreamers know, you don’t settle for low-hanging fruit. You set the bar high.
    As we drank coffee and excitedly talked over one another, rattling off one idea after the next, and visions for what this site could become danced in the air around us, one of us may or may not have suggested “a product line in Target!”
    Suuuure! Why not?! Add it to the list! What a dream that would be! “The products would be stylish, affordable, and practical, of course.” Items that would help women everywhere reach their goals of living a well-rounded, creative, career-driven life with purpose.
    Well, fast forward ten years, and let our story be another example of not settling or giving up. As we’ve said many times before, we’ve grown this business slow and steadily, patiently and staying true to our mission, as we encourage all of you to do the same with your dreams.
    And we are elated to say that as of today, The Everygirl 2021 day planner collection is now live at Target.com and will be in a store near you over the next few days!
    How did this come to be, you may ask? Let’s rewind to 2018.

    I remember the moment like it was yesterday. Our partnership director gave us the exciting news that she’d be talking with Day Designer–the premiere name of planners and notebooks–and they wanted to partner with The Everygirl on a 2021 collection of day planners. Gasp. As if that wasn’t thrilling enough, she told us that we’d be pitching the collection to Target.
    I’m fairly certain dogs in Indiana heard our screams of excitement at the news. Sure we dreamed of seeing The Everygirl name on products, but planners are to The Everyirl team what books are to Rory Gilmore. Lists, goals, charts, stickers, reminders, all organized neatly in one specific place–Ooo boy! It gets our blood rushing.
    The Day Designer team are true experts in the planner space and we can’t thank them enough for making this whole process so easy and fun. Collaborating with them meant we’d get to design a large collection of planners, front to back, choose the formatting and content, curate and design stickers, pick out the details, all of it. Truly one of those 2011 pipe dreams coming true.

    Once we got the news and details, we immediately got to work, pinning inspiration, mood-boarding color palettes, brainstorming creative details to include. 
    Unsurprisingly, we settled on our signature color palette: a base of white and grey neutrals paired with soft blush, mint green, and pastel blue and finished with gold foil accents and spirals. We wanted beautiful texture and went with a linen material for our two signature planners: The Career Planner and the 30 Day Challenge Planner. 

    As for patterns, thick stripes, striking ikat dots, and feminine florals round out a collection that is as classic as it is beautiful. Our graphic designer hand-lettered quotes for each month page, and we pulled helpful resources from our archives to include to help inspire and guide your year.

    It’s crazy to think we had this entire collection finalized over a year ago and were so proud of the pieces we put together and presented to Day Designer. So you can only imagine our elation when we found out The Everygirl planners were being picked up by Target to be sold in stores all over the country and on their website! That’s right–as of today, you can shop the entire collection of 2021 planners on Target.com and in a few days, they’ll be in a Target store near you!

    The collection comes in a range of sizes, from desktop calendars to wall calendars, spiral-bound and book-bound notebooks. They’re all so beautiful, it’s almost impossible to choose one. How many planners is too many, we wonder? The limit probably doesn’t exist.
    We hope you enjoy!

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    Our Favorite Things We Splurged on This Year

    Deciding when to take the plunge on a splurge is hard; it’s a lengthy process that takes some evaluating, strategizing, and a whole lot of review-reading.But when the day comes that you can wait for the UPS truck to come drop off your much-debated purchase and you finally have it in your hands, sometimes, you automatically know it was worth it—and when it was, you want to shout it from the rooftops.
    Our team has a wide variety of tastes and priorities in what we spend our money on, but this year, these were the very best things we splurged on; the ones we’d buy again in a heartbeat. 2020 didn’t bring us much, but it did bring us these stellar shopping choices.

    JENNI KAYNE
    Cashmere Cocoon Cardigan

    I fell in love with all things Jenni Kayne well over a year ago but just could not justify pulling the trigger on the high price point. When I found myself 7 months pregnant, in a global pandemic on my birthday this year, I finally splurged and invested in the Cocoon Cardigan for myself. It was the best clothing investment I have ever made and if I could throw out all of my other sweaters and only wear this forever I would. I have worn it multiple times per week since it arrived and it is the softest, oversized, and flattering staple in my closet. It looks adorable over jeans, skirts, dresses, and even joggers! My cost per wear at this point is significantly less than my $100 sweaters and they often offer discount codes of 15-20% off if you sign up for email or get their catalog in the mail. I give this purchase 5 out of 5 stars!

     

    N1 NANO

    I had my eye on this bag for over a year, and after hitting a few of my personal goals this year, I decided to take the plunge. Polène has been around for a minute now, but while I see their bags on Instagram a lot, I’ve never seen another person have one in real life. I love that it has a unique structure and design and could be recognizable to some, but that it doesn’t have any obvious branding on it. It is so, so beautifully made, comes with a real luxury experience (their packaging is beautiful), and is in a price range that is well below designer bags (I didn’t feel sick about the price, but it was also a huge treat to buy it!). The next bag I buy will inevitably be another one of their bags—I couldn’t be happier I took the plunge on this.

    PAT McGRATH LABS
    Mothership V Eyeshadow Palette – Bronze Seduction

    At the beginning of 2020, I swore to myself that I’d finally splurge on this palette when it went on sale, and when my bank account and a 25 percent off code aligned, I pulled the trigger on the most expensive makeup item in my collection … and I could not be happier about it. Pat McGrath is arguably the most renowned makeup artist in the world right now, and you can tell through her formula. These eyeshadows blend like an absolute dream—I barely even have to do any work. Plus, this includes four of her “special shades”: ultra-glittery, shimmery shades that are like nothing else on the market. At $125, this guy is a bit much, but if you find it on a sale, snag immediately.

    BreatheSmart 45i True HEPA Air Purifier

    If this year has taught me anything, it’s definitely taught me to be more mindful of my overall quality of life, including the air I breathe while spending more time at home. I put more effort into learning about air purifiers the past few months, especially after purchasing a new home, and decided to give the Alen BreatheSmart True HEPA Air Purifier a try. This air purifier cleans the air of harmful particles throughout the day while detecting when the home’s air quality changes with its LED smart sensor that changes colors depending on the quality. It works quietly in the middle of my home killing mold and bacteria and getting rid of unwanted odors (especially that outside puppy smell!). This a great purchase for overall better air quality, especially during cold and flu season.

     

    V7 Trigger Cordfree Handheld Vacuum

    This was my first impulse quarantine purchase and it’s one that I’ll never, ever regret. At the time, I already had a pretty decent vacuum, but pulling it out of the closet and zig zagging around with a cord as a tether to pick up a small mess was the bane of my existence. So when I found out that Dyson had a handheld, cordless vacuum that I’d be able to quickly grab to address spills and cat hair galore, I lost my marbles and added it to my cart at an alarming rate. I reach for this at least once a day and honestly, I never knew that vacuuming could be so fun. So much so that I asked for the Dyson V8 cordless vacuum for Christmas.

    Nespresso Vertuo
    Coffee and Espresso Machine Bundle

    I never thought I’d be a person to enjoy at-home coffee but alas, this Nespresso machine totally changed the game for me. Making my vanilla oat milk latte has become my favorite part of the day. This bundle came with a frother which has allowed me to create some super frothy, satisfying coffee pours! With five dollar lattes being a thing of the past, this splurge ultimately saved me so much money.

     

    Roomba 614 Robot Vacuum

    Not only my favorite splurge item this year, but perhaps my favorite splurge item ever, the Roomba is like family to me at this point. My floor has never looked cleaner and I haven’t had to put in any effort to get it there, thanks to this nifty floor vacuum that sucks up all crumbs, dust, and dog hair. I have it automatically set to do a full-apartment sweep every night around 8 p.m. (so it’s typically after I’ve cooked dinner to get all those crumbs) to fall asleep with a clean home, but I also love starting Elsa up (yes, I did name my vacuum, and yes, the name is Elsa) when I’m doing an apartment deep clean whether it’s for weekly cleaning or before company comes over (pre-pandemic, of course). It’s like we’re in this together! My home is so much cleaner than ever before, without any energy or time from me. Thank you, Elsa!

    Barefoot Dreams
    Cozy-Chic Heathered Throw Blanket

    In 2019, I would’ve never believed a throw blanket would be one of my splurge items of the year (I would’ve much rather saved my money for facials and shoes). But 2020 came in hot and I felt a strong feeling like I needed to pull the trigger on a Barefoot Dreams blanket, which I had lusted over for years. When it arrived and I finally felt it, I was immediately mad at myself for not pulling the trigger sooner. I’ll explain it like this: it is cozy in a way you did not even know cozy could be. I have at least five other throws in my apartment (most of which I would have deemed “soft” before I felt the heavenly fabric that is Barefoot Dreams), but have not touched any of them since getting this blanket because nothing can compare. It is draped around my legs while I work everyday and my favorite item to snuggle up with during a Netflix binge (yes, even more so than my boyfriend). Trust me, you will never regret purchasing this throw blanket, but you’ll probably regret not getting it sooner.

     

    Simple Suede Tote

    This is not the EXACT tote I got (mine is a deep green leopard print, which sounds weirder than it is—but that colorway is no longer available), but it’s the same style and material. I first saw it, the tote of my dreams, at the Nordstrom sale, and I was OBSESSED (I scoured the website practically hourly, since it kept going in and out of stock). Once I finally ordered it and received it in the mail, I’ve never looked back. Not only does it look chic and just different enough from other totes out there, but it’s also incredibly high quality. It’s one of the most grown-up purchases I’ve ever made, and I don’t regret it for a second. It holds a ton, and I get compliments on it allll the time!

     

    Crate & Barrel
    Edge Black Arch Wall Mirror

    I’d been wanting a big statement mirror for years and I knew it was going to be a splurge item. I hesitated and wished over this particular one—that shape!—for what feels like ages and finally bought it earlier this year. And drumroll please because… I ADORE IT. It is incredibly heavy and feels like such a quality piece, definitely lives up to the price. It’s one of the most complimented and asked about items in my apartment and when I moved earlier this year to a new space, it fit seamlessly in. I know I’ll have it for many more apartments and homes to come and I love that it will move and grow with me.

    Apple Watch SE

    I bought myself an Apple Watch this year and I honestly felt kind of embarrassed by it because I’m not particularly sporty and am more of an “indoor” gal. But I actually really love the watch, I think it’s helped me move so much more than I would otherwise, especially during this year where my only commute is from my bed to the couch. My sister-in-law recently bought one as well and we’ve been sharing our activity data and it’s helped keep me motivated and connected to her and to a feeling of wanting to be healthier and more active. I’m definitely still not a sporty person or a runner by any means, but even just the reminders to stand up throughout the day help me feel more accomplished. It’s the little things these days.

    Nespresso Vertuo
    Coffee and Espresso Machine Bundle

    OK, I know this is the second time this item is appearing on this list, but maybe that just goes to show how absolutely amazing this is. I actually have the version with rose gold accents (which really sold me even more), but that is currently out of stock everywhere. This might sound crazy, but my Nespresso has been a shining light of 2020. I love to use espresso pods and oat milk in the frother to make iced lattes at home, so not only am I saving money, they are DELICIOUS. I will never accept another at-home coffee maker again.

    Abercrombie & Fitch
    Ultra Tech Parka

    I’ve had the same black Michael Kors parka (I’m sure you know the one) since my freshman year of college, and while it’s served me well, it was time for an upgrade. Honestly, I’ve been searching the internet since last winter for a new one that I loved, but none were really standing out to me. A couple of weeks ago, however (during a sale of course), I saw this one from Abercrombie and fell in love with the cream color. I love that it’s different but still neutral and I’m obsessed with the matching fur on the hood. When it arrived, it did not disappoint! It is so cozy and warm, and I know it will serve me well in the cold that is still to come this winter. And FYI, I did have to exchange it for one size up from my typical size in order for it to be comfortable enough to wear sweaters with it!

    SET ACTIVE
    Sculptflex Leggings and Box Cut Bra

    Believe it or not, before I purchased these leggings – I had yet to find my favorite black pair and when I say these are life changing and not just a “trend” – I’m being serious. They suck you in and are so smooth and tight, just the way I like it. It’s quite pricey but worth the price – 1 million percent. Also, if you’re feeling like treating yourself a tad bit more, add the box bra and you have an entire fit and you’re ready to get out the door.

    The North Face
    Gotham 550 Fill Power Down Hooded Parka

    A really good, warm winter coat is definitely an investment piece, and one I normally hang on to for the better part of a decade. This year though, I left mine in Chicago, where it is currently sitting in storage, when I came home for the pandemic. I’m not sure when exactly I’ll go back and get it so, in the meantime, I purchased another super warm, durable coat to get me through the impending cold New England winter.

    AWE Inspired
    Harriet Tubman Coin Necklace

    After seeing stacked gold jewelry everywhere this year, I decided I wanted in. I wanted to make sure I was purchasing a piece that would last and was meaningful, so I decided on this coin necklace. I love that it represents strength, and 100 percent of proceeds from each sale—along with a matching donation—are donated to the NAACP.

    Bike + Essentials

    After a year of talking about the Peloton, my husband and I decided to split one in February. We both have birthdays in the same week and agreed this was our Valentines/Birthday/Anniversary/Christmas present for the year. At first I was worried about it being a fad, but then the world shut down a week after it was delivered. It quickly became our saving grace through isolation. From 15 minute quick blasts that will leave you breathless (yes, really) to a 45 minute Backstreet Boys ride that is an instant boost of serotonin, you can always find a workout that works for you. Even with gyms in our area opening back up, we have no desire to abandon our bike. It was our best purchase of 2020, hands down. More

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    Headbands Are My Holiday Hairstyle Secret Weapon—Here’s How I Style Them

    Going natural is one of the best things I’ve ever done. My 4-type hair can shapeshift into many different styles while keeping its unique curl pattern. However, one style that I love to see on others but have been afraid to try is pulling my hair back into a sleek, middle-parted bun. I have seen the simple-but-classic style everywhere lately, and two of my beauty icons—Sade and Meghan Markle—wear the style so well, but their hair types are totally different from mine.

    Luckily, I’ve seen many ladies with coiler hair textures on YouTube and social media taking this style on, which inspired me to give the look a try myself. I am happy to report that I achieved the look with a couple of products I already had in my bathroom, and I even added a sparkly holiday hair accessory for good measure. Here’s how I achieve my new look!

    I start with my wash day 

    One thing I’ve learned about my hair over the last few years is that water is my curl’s best friend. Water not only hydrates my curls, but it gives me the ability to work with them without damage or excessive breakage. With that in mind, I start my journey to a slicked-back bun with—you guessed it—H2o. I wash, condition, and apply all of my products in the shower. In-shower product application is important for my hair because I have low-porosity hair, meaning my hair gets the most benefit from products when it’s soaking wet.
    After applying my leave-in conditioner, it’s time to apply the products to mold my springy, tightly-coiled curls into a bun. I start by hopping out of the shower for a few moments to part my hair down the middle and hop back in to apply my Aunt Jackie’s Grape Seed Frizz Patrol Setting Mousse. I love it because it doesn’t flake and has a firm hold without the crunch. I re-soak my hair with water and then apply three pumps of mousse to the front of my head, three pumps to the crown, and two pumps to my ends. Next, I use my Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush to smooth all of these products through my hair from root to tip. Once my cocktail of products is evenly distributed and my hair is detangled, I braid my hair length to the end to keep the most fragile (and dryness-prone) part of my hair protected. 

    I add a few more products post-shower for hold and shine

    Once I get out of the shower, I apply a few more pumps of mousse, followed by a palm-full of Creme of Nature’s edge control to keep my hair down without the crispy crunch that gel can leave behind. Lastly, I add Prose’s shimmer oil for shine and to lock in the moisture. For those with coiler hair textures, at least from my own experience, tying the hair down with a satin or silk scarf after molding it is crucial. Because my hair is soaking wet at this step, I sit under a bonnet dryer for about an hour. If you don’t have a bonnet or hooded dryer, you can always tie your hair down overnight to set it, but it may not be completely dry the following morning, so keep that in mind. 

    Once my hair is dry, I use a hair tie to secure my braided ponytail and add a couple of bobby pins to secure my braid into a bun. One thing I want to note: if you have coily hair, shrinkage is still going to be a thing even when setting and stretching your hair with minimal heat. So, don’t get discouraged. If you want a sleeker ponytail, blow your hair out first. But if you want a no-heat style, this is the way to go. 

    I felt a little self-conscious the first time I tried this style and my hair was set because my entire face was in full view with no curls or bangs to frame it. But once I added my headband, I felt like I was four again, when headbands and anything sparkly instantly made me feel like I was walking into one of my beloved Disney movies, and I felt like my face had some framing. I want to note that my Lele Sadoughi headband is an investment piece. I love that it’s got bling, it’s gold (which is my favorite color and can go with almost anything), it’s well-made, and best of all, it’s comfortable. No headband headaches over here. With that in mind, I want to share a few of my budget-friendly favorites that can bring on the holiday glam and cheer: 

     
    As a woman with 4-type hair, I have heard every negative thing you could imagine about my curls, from “Your hair isn’t professional” to “You can’t do that with your hair.” I love to prove the hair-shamers, colorists, and even myself wrong as I continue to shine a light on Black hair’s beauty and versatility. Black hair can do anything, no matter the texture, and my little holiday hairstyle further proves that point.  More

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    The Best Plus-Size Loungewear on the Internet

    “Oh, lounging around the Christmas tree…” that’s how the song goes, right?At the beginning of this year, I loved getting dressed up as much as the next girl; but by now, we know that 2020 had other plans for our OOTD posts. This year, I noticed an immense need to expand the loungewear portion of my wardrobe. I needed (though some may say wanted) more waistbands that didn’t dig into my tummy and blouses that didn’t hug (suffocate) my chest. 
    The good news? Many companies started making cute loungewear. The bad news? A lot of them weren’t making those selections in plus sizes.
    Here’s the truth: the hunt to find cute and comfy loungewear in my size was tough. Luckily for us, challenges like that have never stopped a shopaholic like me; I’ve compiled a list of the trendiest and coziest ‘fits you could dream of. Since we’re friends, I’m sharing them with you below—all you have to do is shop them and get cozy.

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    The Cutest Jewelry Gifts to Give or Ask for This Year

    If there is one gift to give that is always loved by the recipient, it’s jewelry. I truly don’t know anyone who wouldn’t love to receive a beautiful and thoughtful jewelry gift. It doesn’t even matter if the person is more of a minimalist or doesn’t wear a ton of jewelry daily, I would still bet money that there is something out there that they would love and wear. Classics and everyday staples like chain necklaces, signet rings, and hoop earrings are effortless and timeless, so you know that whoever is receiving them will be able to wear the items for years to come. And the personal factor of something like an initial, monogram, zodiac sign, etc. just makes it that much more special. 
    And don’t forget about yourself this holiday season! If you’ve been on the hunt for the perfect layered necklace or chainlink bracelet, what better time than now to gift it to yourself or add it to your wish list. 
    Keep scrolling for 25 of our favorite necklaces, earrings, rings, and bracelets to gift or ask for this season:

    Necklaces

    Earrings

    Source: @stellaandhaas

    Rings

    Bracelets More

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    20 Statement Coats That Will Instantly Elevate Any Outfit

    We all know how getting dressed in winter goes: you could strategize your top and pants and accessories until the cows come home, but at the end of all of it, it doesn’t matter. It’s all going to be covered up by a giant, puffy coat.I know that by now our team has complained enough about Chicago winters for you to check out at the mention of them, but if Chicago winters have taught me one thing, it’s that having a cute coat can transform your entire winter. Sure, my black parka will always be hanging by my door ready to swallow me in warmth before I leave the house, but this year, I’ve decided to invest in one “fun” coat too—so when I leave the house, I don’t think about what’s underneath it… I’m just excited to show off the coat itself.
    Have a little fun with your wardrobe this winter with one of these coats that are a look in themselves—even if you’re just wearing them to the grocery store, you’ll thank yourself every time you put it on. More

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    21 Gifts for Your Most Fashionable Friend

    We all have that person in our lives: the friend, sister, or cousin that you absolutely dread buying a gift for year after year. Why? Well, she’s just a little bit too cool.Finding a gift for the ultra-fashionable, on-top-of-every-trend person can be impossible to know where to start. Do you opt for a fun accessory? An out-of-the-box piece of loungewear? The possibilities are endless, but not all of them are equal. 
    We’ve scoured the depths of the internet for the coolest, most foolproof gifts to get your most fashionable friend—from a cheeky graphic tee to a matching set she’ll live in. We promise: for once, she won’t be using that gift receipt.

    Shearling Slingback Sandal

    Update your friend’s slipper game with the coolest ones of the year. Available in 8 colors, these slingback slippers from Ugg are worthy of wearing for years to come.
    (8 colors available)

    Unfortunate Portrait
    Haute Yoga Tee

    Finding a cool graphic tee isn’t easy, but this one stopped us in our tracks. A cheeky fashion pun? Sign us up.

    Boy Smells
    Hypernature Neopêche Scented Candle

    Not only is this one of the most popular scents of the year, but the gorgeous packaging from this up-and-coming brand will be something the cool girl in your life will have front-and-center in her apartment.

    Wool Blend Beret

    “Emily in Paris” made it popular for the season, but berets are here to stay. This is a perfect, safe accessory to gift, and will be a perfect thing to swap out their go-to beanie for.

    Brinker & Eliza
    Booyah Mask Chain

    Masks aren’t exactly the accessories we were hoping for this year, but until they’re gone for good, we might as well be making them as fun as possible. This chain can be attached to any mask to make it a little more fashion-forward.

    The Gracey Bag in Croc Green

    It’s not easy to find a cool bag that not everyone has yet, but this one from a small, Black-owned business is worthy of wearing everywhere. It comes in every color under the rainbow, but we vote for this emerald green.

    DEZI EYEWEAR
    On Read Sunglasses

    Desi Perkins’ eyewear collection was one of the coolest accessory releases of the year, and this pair from her most recent release is at the top of our wishlist. You can’t go wrong with these.

    Abercrombie & Fitch
    Vegan Leather Mini Puffer

    This cropped puffer comes in every material and color under the sun, and anyone who needs to wear a coat this winter would be thrilled to have one in a faux-leather or faux-fur option. Dressing for winter just got a lot more fun.

    Stella and Haas
    Circle Initial Necklace

    You can’t go wrong with a gold piece of jewelry, and this initial necklace shows that you went above and beyond with a little customization, plus can be layered and worn with just about everything.

    Jennifer Zeuner
    Carmine Enamel Ring

    Depending on the type of girl you’re buying for, this fun enamel ring can be bought in a neutral, or used as an opportunity to gift a little pop of color.

    Etsy | Flawless Drips
    Purple Satin Face Mask

    You don’t know how much of a game-changer a satin mask is until you have one, and this is the gift that will keep on giving (hopefully not too far into 2021). We currently have our eyes on this fun, lilac color.

    Oma The Label
    The Simone Ring

    Give the gift of adding to your friend’s ring collection with this one from one our favorite Black-owned brands. It strikes the balance of being a statement, but also being classic enough to wear for years.

    Custom Clear Watch Band

    Anyone who wears an Apple Watch knows that it isn’t easy to make them particularly fashion-forward, but this clear watch band is one of the coolest we’ve found.

    Siren Teddy Faux Fur Coat

    Everyone and their mother is on the teddy coat bandwagon this year, but we love shorter, sweatshirt option that can be worn day in and day out.

    A Hot Pocket of Conversation Knit Lounge Set

    The matching set unintentionally took over this year, and this one with a slouchy sweater and wide, knit pants doubles as both loungewear and something your fashionable friend will love to style when she leaves the house layered underneath a go-to jacket.
    Our editor loves this plus-size lounge set too!

    Sam Edelman
    Laguna Waterproof Chelsea Boot

    The shoe of the year? The chunky boot, and this chunky (but not too chunky) choice is impossible not to please with.

    x Atlantic-Pacific Faux Leather Trousers

    One of the best trends of 2020 was faux leather, but given the nature of the year, we didn’t wear them nearly as much as we wanted to. This timeless pair will be worn for years to come, and we love that they’re a camel color, rather than a go-to black.

    Mauve Beanie

    The number of beanies you can have? It doesn’t exist, especially in this muted, dusty rose color.

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