A couple of weeks back I introduced you to my autumn fashion staples. So today I thought it is time to look into my autumn shoe staples. As autumn is a transitional time, my shoe closet also looks very transitional in this period. The two main categories I choose in autumn are flats and boots. Sometimes it's still a bit too warm for full-on boots and other times it's so cold that I can't get away with cute ballet flats. Luckily, the shops are still full of both versions but there are definitely more boots to choose from right now.
Here are some of my fave picks at the moment.. and I might go on a little online shopping spree after finishing this post. If you want to keep up with my purchases just head over to my Instagram: lisa.autumn.
flats
low to medium priced
medium to high priced
boots
low to medium priced
medium to high priced
What are your staples in your shoe closet this autumn?
If you have been on social media recently you probably have come across the new Dyson Airwrap Styler. When I have first seen a short clip about it on the British Vogue social media channels I wasn't sure what exactly I was seeing. It kinda looked like those self-spinning curler that mostly ends up in a disaster. But if you look closely, you can see that the barrel is actually not moving.
Dyson is using something that is called the Coanda effect. It basically is a spinning vortex which attracts your hair and therefore wraps it around the barrel. Also, this is really not a traditional curler. It doesn't heat up like your normal curling iron would. So it is way healthier for your hair.. It uses hot air, just like a hair dryer would and styles it while drying it. That's also why it works the best on damp hair.
I have looked at loads of videos about this new hairstyling tool, but I have to admit that the price tag is just a bit too high for a student... 500€just to style my hair... no thanks. But my boyfriend must have picked up on it (I seriously don't know how.. we didn't talk about it at all) and a few days later, today, he surprised me with it on my birthday.
I was obviously over the moon and hat a little play with it on my unwashed but damp hair this morning. I was expecting to have some difficulties, as most reviews said you need some time to get used to it but honestly I loved it from the first second. Even though I didn't do it very neatly and my hair was due to a wash anyway.. I was left with super bouncy and light curls. But I really wanted to try it properly so I washed my hair and tried it again.. what can I say? It looked equally perfect. I am now writing this post almost 12 hours later. The curls have dropped a bit in the first 30 minutes, just like they would with a normal curler. But since then they have stayed in place like nothing I have ever seen. I have even had a little nap with them this afternoon and I still looked like I just had my hair styled professionaly. And all of this hold without this 'crunchy' and dry feeling you normally get when curling your hair.
I can only assume that styling your hair while it's drying sets the curls into place even more than just heat styling your hair would.
Even though I won't go into detail on how to use the airwrap (there are plenty of videos online), I have to say that the curling barrels are my favorite part about the styler. They come in two different sizes and two different directions each (for each side of your hair). Changing them is honestly so effortless and doesn't take any time at all.
In addition to that, it comes with a drying attachment so you can use it as your hairdryer as well. It's supposed to be a bit less powerful than the normal Dyson dryer but honestly.. I couldn't feel a difference. Then there are three other attachments. A round brush for a voluminous blowout look and two brushes each for a thicker/corse or thinner/straight hair texture. So there is something for everyone.
Oh and have I mentioned the beautiful brown faux leather box it comes in? Storage goals!
Would I recommend it? YES! I find this to be such a revolutionary product. It not only makes my curls more bouncy and shiny, but the whole process is so much faster. I don't have to properly dry my hair and then curl it.. Now it's two steps in one. But if you are someone who never really styles their hair other than blowdrying it.. maybe this is a bit too expensive for you and you should rather get their hairdryer.
One thing I have to say is that you have to figure out the right dampness level. Your hair shouldn't be completely wet, but also not too dry. But the drying attachment helps you with that.
Have you tried it yet? Is that something that would interest you?
It's (almost) my birthday.. actually, it is tomorrow. Even though I always love other peoples birthdays and think about cute surprises for them, I am actually not the biggest fan of my own birthday. Okay, that doesn't mean I hate that day or I totally ignore it. But I personally, like to keep it on the low. I never was one to have huge birthday parties or remind everyone around me that my birthday is coming up. Instead, I like a relaxed day for myself and I also don't mind seeing some of my favorite people that day. Additionally, my birthday falls on a Monday this year. So family and friends are mostly at work and busy anyway. So today I want to share with you a few things you can do if you like to celebrate your birthday but don't 'really' want to do anything.
Have a lie-in
Okay, okay.. this might not be that exciting to everyone and some of you don't even have the luxury to lie in that day. But if you can, and if you value sleeping as much as I do, treat yourself to a couple of extra hours in bed. Don't set an alarm and even when you wake up.. just stay in bed that extra hour and enjoy being one year older. And if you want to go that extra mile: put on new sheets on your bed the night before and don't forget the fresh set of pajamas. Maybe even buy yourself some new cozy slippers for when you finally get out of bed.
Take yourself out for breakfast
Who says you need companionship to go out for breakfast or even better brunch? It's your day. So go out to your fave cafe or a brunch spot which you wanted to try for ages and order whatever you want. Breakfast is one of my highlights of any day so why not treat yourself?
Treat yourself even more
So, just because you are spending your birthday on your own doesn't mean you can't have birthday cake.. right? If you are an avid baker why not bake something for yourself or just run to a bakery and choose the cake that looks best to you. Yumm... But if you are not into cakes at all why not treat yourself to something different, is it Pizza you like? or you would rather buy yourself a new lipstick? Whatever it is.. just go for it. Remember: there are no rules on your birthday, especially when you spend it on your own.
Have a pamper evening
This must be my favorite part of a 'stay-at-home-birthday'. And the best thing.. maybe your friends are out of work by the time evening rolls around and they can join you? Whether or not you are in company or alone: A good pamper night is a beautiful way to end your birthday either way. Run yourself a bath, use the expensive face mask you have been saving for special occasions and put on a movie that makes you feel good. Maybe you even have some cake left from the afternoon? Best. night. ever.
Half of you are probably mourning the loss of hot summer days and the other half still can't get enough of all the earthy tones and chunky knits coming out in the stores right now. I am for sure part of the second category. It is October... it feels like I have waited all year for this!
I (obviously) have a thing for autumn in general, but October is the month I am most excited about. It's not only that it's my birthday month but also shopping is so much more fun. Even though the autumn pieces start to hit the stores in early September, I always feel like shops are a weird mix of the last summer dresses and new winter coats at this time of the year. But October... oh in October it's autumn heaven in the retail world.
So what are my essentials that I always like to look for at the beginning of autumn/winter?
Blazer season
I don't know how the conditions are in the rest of the world but in Germany, and Europe in general September and October call for blazer season. It's not as hot anymore that we can get away with just wearing a cute dress but our winter coats are still too warm. So my favorite time of the year begins. I just love to layer a pretty earth-toned blazer with cute short dresses, especially when they are black. This is a great way to transition some of your summer dresses to the new season and get even more wear out of them.
Coats everywhere
Of course, what is autumn without a cozy new coat? My collection is admittable quite big so I really have to restrain myself. But I mostly end up investing in one new coat every year (or two..) and refresh my coat closet. Generally, I love a structured and longer coat in neutral tones but I try and stay away from black coats as most of my dresses are already black. And why not belt your coat to change things up?
Dresses to layer
You thought you can find dresses only in my summer wardrobe? Well, then you clearly don't know me. I only, repeat only, wear dresses or skirts. In the summer I love a cute linen dress and in the winter I love a long-sleeved dress paired with some opaque tights.
