Love the consistency – so soft!

DETAILS: VICHY LIFTACTIV PEPTIDE-C//  20% OFF WITH CODE: CHRISTINE19

A year or so ago I was on the verge of partnering to develop and launch a skincare line. We were developing and testing various products to see what was working and what wasn’t – the whole nine yards. The timing was off with some other things we had going on, so I didn’t end up pursuing it further but it taught be so much about skincare. The loss of collagen is one of the quickest things we notice as we age. Peptides are a new and trending dermatologist recommended ingredient that help with collagen loss. Yes I am a skincare nut and am religious with my multi-step skincare routine, so I know peptides can’t take the place of so many of the other holy grail products like vitamin C, retinol, etc., but it’s hard not to play favorites! Here’s why:

• Collagen accounts for 70-80% of the dry weight of skin. That means beyond moisture, collagen plays a huge role in firm, smooth, and looking healthy.
• Your collagen is constantly decreasing from pollution, UV damage, and just aging in general, so your skin is basically losing the elasticity that keeps it firm and youthful, unless you have a product to counter act that.
• Peptides are a new and trending dermatologist recommended ingredient that help with collagen loss. This anti aging moisturizer helps correct and prevent against collagen loss so it helps you keep that youthful and wrinkle-free appearance.
• The effects of a collagen peptides skincare product are instantly gratifying! You really can’t say that about many products. I know there’s a lot of hype on a collagen peptide diet or supplements, but I’m such a visual person that I love being able to apply a good collagen stimulating peptide cream.

Right now I’m using Vichy’s new LiftActiv Peptide-C anti aging moisturizer, to help prevent collagen loss and help keep my skin youthful. I’ll always have my smile lines, and I think a couple wrinkles are part of your beautiful journey but I want to maintain and keep my skin healthy, youthful, and glowing! LiftActiv Peptide-C has phyto peptides, one of the first of pure plant origin, Vitamin C, and Vichy’s Mineralizing Water which is clinically proven to protect the skin against daily eposome aggressors, like stress, fatigue, etc. Besides all the skincare benefits I listed above, the consistency of the moisturizer is so good, it instantly makes your skin feel so soft (and smells good!). I know the wrinkle and collagen results are never instant but your skin feels baby soft when you apply (double bonus it’s paraben-free). I apply it after my toner and serums. You don’t need much – a little does a long way and don’t forget your décolleté.

You guys know how much I love Vichy – I’ve been partnering with them for over the last 4 years!! They have so many amazing products I use religiously, and this is one of their new holy grails. Right now they are offering my readers a chance to save 20% off so you can try their new Liftactiv Peptide-C moisturizer – just use code Christine19 on any order on VichyUSA.com. Let me know what you guys think!

ICYMI: More of my skincare ‘swear-bys’ in this post, this one, and also this one sharing my skin guide.

XX, Christine

* In collaboration with Vichy.

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DETAILS: BENTO LUNCH BOX (SIMILAR HERE) | SHARK BOOK | WHITE LONG SLEEVE TEE | GREY JOGGERS (UNDER $15! COMES IN A TWO BACK WITH NAVY)

Today is Beckam’s first full day of school! Mara and Wes started last week and B had orientation, but today is his first real day of kindergarten. I know it’s going to be such an adjustment not having him home with me 😩, but the baby will be here before too long so it’ll only be a month or so of not knowing what to do with so many extra hours during the day haha. With 3 kiddos, I felt super unorganized last year so I am trying to have more in order this year and wanted to share a few back to school hacks to simplify back-to-school season.

I found the cutest lunch organizers and bento boxes (love this one!) at Walmart that make it so easy to throw together a quick lunch (or cute snacks, especially if they go straight to after school activities, etc.)! Also love this color coded set either for certain days of the week or each kid can choose certain colors and use those. They make it so much easier to prep lunches and also to stay organized during the week. I also saw this thing on Pinterest where you prep a bunch of sandwich bags of fruit, cheese, veggies, etc, so they are already ready in your fridge and you can just grab and go.

Nothing throws off a school morning quite like someone losing their backpack. One of our kids especially always can’t find their shoes and back pack lol. So that was a huge thing when we built our house is having a set space (lockers) so they don’t get lost. Even if you don’t have lockers set aside a specific spot for backpacks somewhere so they get in the habit of putting their backpack there every day after school. It’s not 100% foolproof, but it’s a good place to start!

When I go back-to-school shopping for the kids, I always stock up on basics – those versatile pieces that you can mix and match easily. Walmart has tons of great staples (most of them available in multiple colors and two-packs to make it even easier!) and all of them are at great price points (a lot under $10!). Love this sherpa pullover (under $15 and comes in 4 colors) and this two pack for $5 is perfect to stock up on tees and more color options in these three packs. I got a bunch of these long sleeve tees in white, black, and maroon since they end up under $5 each.

We are kind of in between this stage right now – Mara and Wes share a phone and now that Beckam is in school I am debating getting a smart watch. I love the idea of a really simple smart watch for kids. This one has an ‘In Case of Emergency’ app where you can enter your child’s medical information like blood type and allergies as well as emergency contact info. It has the ability to connect to bluetooth to be able to make/take calls as well.

Have the kids pick out their clothes the night before. That includes pulling out anything they might need for after school activities or sports. I can’t count how many times I ask the kids if they had everything they needed for the day, only to find out too late that they forgot to pull out their dance clothes or cleats, etc. Having everything out the night before makes it easy to remember the next morning, now matter how rushed you are.

This is just a start, but I’d love to get any other hacks you’ve discovered or other ideas – just share below in comments so we can all follow along! Below are some other products I’ve found at Walmart to simplify back-to-school season, from products categorized by grade, to fast shipping, and more:

And in case you missed it, you can find my post on must-have back-to-school supplies here.

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with Walmart.

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Love knotting my tees and sweatshirts over my bump! This dress is the perfect non-maternity piece that still works before, during, and after pregnancy.

LOOK 1: GREY SWING DRESS (UNDER $10 – COMES IN 4 COLORS – I’m wearing size medium) | PINK SWEATSHIRT (SIMILAR HERE) | WHITE SNEAKERS

Happy Saturday! With all the construction going on in our house right now, we decided to escape for a little staycation this weekend. It was more of a grab and go packing situation since we went so last minute, so I grabbed a few comfy pieces I could mix and match and wanted to share a few ways I’ve styled them! I got this grey swing dress for $10 and was shocked at how comfortable it is. It’s really versatile and the perfect piece for a weekend getaway or just everyday style since you can wear it so many different ways. I love this sweatshirt (similar here) knotted over it for a casual look with these sneakers.

LOOK 2: GREY SWING DRESS (UNDER $10 – COMES IN 4 COLORS – Im wearing size medium) | WHITE SNEAKERS

You can’t go wrong with a simple swing dress and sneaker combo. I love dresses as an easy one-and-done outfit option and this one is the epitome of the perfect day dress (including pockets! 😍) Also love this sleeved version under $15. Swing dresses are the perfect non-maternity or maternity piece that works well before, during, and after pregnancy!

LOOK 3: GREY SWING DRESS (UNDER $10 – COMES IN 4 COLORS) | RIBBED CARDIGAN | WHITE SNEAKERS

And last but not least, one of of my favorite styling pieces: a long, knit cardigan. Sweaters are a great way to bring in some pretty texture to your look and also to transition your wardrobe for fall. I love the ribbed detailing on this one (under $20 and comes in 4 colors) and how good is this one (on sale under $30)?! This look would be cute with booties too, but I’m living in sneakers right now 😉

Which look is your favorite? Let me know below in comments! I also linked a few other Walmart finds at great price points below. They have free 2-day shipping and returns for orders over $35 if you need anything in a crunch! Here are a few more of great trends you can shop right now.

XX, Christine

*In collaboration with Walmart.

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Who’s tried Vintner’s Daughter?

I’m finally taking the plunge and ordering this. I’ve seen so many people post about the Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum and then I saw Victoria Beckam had it in her highlight beauty reel so that was the final straw! (How has she not aged at all in the last 20 years!? I’ll have whatever she’s having 😂)

Have any of you tried it? I’m curious to see what you think of it and if it’s worth the splurge! Let me know below in comments! I’ll be posting my honest thoughts on it soon – hope it lives up to the hype!

XX, Christine

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Lake Powell has been on my travel bucket list for years since I moved to Utah 9 years ago. I can’t believe it took me this long to visit! We wanted to plan one last family trip before the baby came, and so we decided to road trip to Powell!  It exceeded all my expectations and the kids said it’s their favorite place they want to go every year, so I wanted to put together a travel diary of what we did and share some answers to some of the questions you sent on DM.

So also on my bucket list was renting an RV to cruise somewhere! So Cody got an RV for our family and his sisters (our families are close) and we cruised to Powell!

Our first stop was Horse Shoe Bend its just on the other side of the border between Utah and Arizona on the Arizona side! You guys have probably seen it on insta a lot, I feel like its a popular place for engagements and wedding photos. I think there was a fire somewhere close because it was kind of hazy when we went but it was still so BEAUTIFUL! It really blows your mind when you see grand landmarks like that and how beautiful nature is.

The rays were coming through the clouds it looked so pretty!

After Horseshoe Bend, we headed to our camp grounds and did a sunset swim! During the summer, the water gets over 80 degrees so it’s the perfect temperature your never cold! We stayed at the Wahweap campgrounds, they have a sandy beach you can walk to, and have showers a convenient store and other basic necessities.

Day 2: We rented a boat to explore the different areas. The lake is HUGE!! We swam up different canyons and spent so much time in the water! There are tons of options for boating on Lake Powell. A lot of people rent a houseboat for the trip, so you can live on the water during your stay. We rented a pontoon boat (it held 12-14 people). People also rent regular speed boats, the pontoon is nice because it doesn’t get as rocky when you are going through the channels. Being pregnant, this was huge, it wasn’t bumpy or rocky ever and we could go up to 55mph (which is huge because a lot of the canyons are spaced far apart) The pontoon can do almost everything that a regular boat can, the kids can still tube and everything, the only thing they can’t do is surf behind it.

Antelope Slot Canyons was probably my favorite, but all of them are really beautiful!

When your swimsuit unintentionally matches the boat 😜

Got tons of questions on these necklaces – this shell set is under $10!

Cody and the boys went cliff jumping at different spots, I’m starting to think that cliff diving is to Cody what sunsets are to me, haha. There are endless cliff jumping options here for the more adventurous at heart 😉

DETAILS: BIKINI TOP AND BOTTOMS (ALSO COMES IN WHITE AND BLACK HERE) | SUNGLASSES | SCRUNCHY (ALSO LOVE THIS SET) | INITIAL NECKLACE | SHELL NECKLACE SET

CODY: CHECKED SWIM SHORTS

DAY 3: We woke up early and headed to Rainbow Bridge, we wanted to get up there to try and beat the heat as much as we could because I am SLOW HIKER this pregnant. After we went exploring again, there are so many spots you can just anchor your boat have lunch, swim, and look over the mountains.

DETAILS: GREY TANK (ON SALE UNDER $25) | DENIM SHORTS | SUNGLASSES | | SCRUNCHY (ALSO LOVE THIS SET)

RAINBOW BRIDGE! 😍😍 The hike is about a mile long, so not at bad, some parts are a little shaded, but it’s an easy hike with family and kids. Bring a bottle of water for everyone – we had all our kids carry their own, half of it you drink, and half you poor over your head to stay cool, its high 90’s low 100’s during our trip so you start sweating quick!

DETAILS: CROCHET BIKINI TOP (ON SALE 50% OFF) | CROCHET BIKINI BOTTOMS (ON SALE 50% OFF) | DENIM SHORTS | SCRUNCHY (ALSO LOVE THIS SET) | SUNGLASSES

Below are a few other common questions I got from you guys on Insta, so I wanted to answer all in one spot:

• Where is Lake Powell located? It’s right on the border of Arizona and Utah – about a 5-6 hour drive from Salt Lake City or a 4 hour drive from Phoenix. You can also fly into Page, Arizona which is a regional airport, so you’ll have to go through Las Vegas or Phoenix, but it would save you a drive.
• Did you rent a boat or take a tour? We rented a boat! Cody actually researched and picked out the one we went with specifically. It went up to 40-50 mph on the water (a little faster than some of the other boat options) so it was a smoother ride (if you go fast enough, the boat sits on top of the water so it’s not quite as bumpy which I wouldn’t have loved being as pregnant as I am haha.) It also meant  we could cover more area and explore more of the lake!
• Did you stay at a hotel or in the RV the whole time? We stayed in the RV. The first night we mistakenly booked a campsite where you had to cut off your generators after 10pm (it was the ‘quiet’ campground). I was kind of freaking out that first night because we couldn’t run our AC that night  I’m already constantly hot and I thought I was going to go into labor I was so hot haha. I kept waking Cody up and making him turn on our generator just for a few minutes so I could cool down, but people kept walking by our RV and hitting it to tell us to turn it off. I felt so bad! So the next day we moved to the other section of the campsite where you could run your generator all night. So lesson learned! And after that is was smooth sailing. 🙂
• What areas did you visit? We stayed in Page at the Wahweap campground. I liked staying in Page because they have restaurants near the campsite so we would make breakfast and lunch at camp but then go out to a restaurant for dinner. As far as other sites, we also went to Antelope Slot Canyons, Horseshoe Bend (in Page), and Rainbow Bridge. All so amazing – I can’t recommend them enough!

Have you guys ever been to Lake Powell? What did you think if so and let me know if I missed you favorite parts in the comments! Can’t wait to go back again soon!

XX, Christine

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It’s been a while since I wore something so embellished but I love the sequin detailing on this dress!

The hotel I stayed at last week in NY had the iconic neon lit escalator that I have been dying to see!

DETAILS: SEQUIN MINI DRESS | GOLD HEELS | BLUSH UMBRELLA (SIMILAR HERE) | CHANEL BAG

Happy Wednesday! We just made it back home from Lake Powell – I had super limited cell service while I was there, so I will be sharing all of my pictures and a travel post for any of you who have questions about it soon!

Last week in NYC, I stopped by a showroom that has some of my favorite brands and was in love with this dress the second I laid eyes on it. If you’re not familiar with the brand, it’s called Retrofête. All their pieces are so beautiful! Blake Lievely wote a yellow version of one of their sequin dresses to a premiere a couple months ago with her baby bump and it was soooo cute!

I think every girl should own an embellished, statement piece like this, not just for those occasions that call for a dressier vibe, but I think everyone should have that dress in their closet that makes them feel confident and they they are excited to put on just because! Nothing is more beautiful than a confident woman, and sometimes that confidence shines even brighter in a dress that makes you feel amazing!

Below are a few more embellished pieces that your closet is craving!

+=

XX, Christine

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DETAILS: 1. PLAID BLAZER (UNDER $100) | 2. TAN SUEDE SLINGBACK HEELS | 3. WIDE LEG DENIM | 4. BURGUNDY DRESS | 5. DENIM BOMBER JACKET | 6. CAMEL COAT | 7. BLACK DOLMAN DRESS | 8. WHITE SANDALS | 9. PEARL HOOP EARRINGS (UNDER $50) | 10. RUFFLED DRESS | 11. DENIM (UNDER $100) | 12. SATIN CAMISOLE (UNDER $100) | 13. SUNGLASSES (UNDER $100) | 14. STAR EARRINGS | 15. LEOPARD TOTE (UNDER $100) | 16. LEOPARD DRESS | 17. PEARL SCRUNCHY | 18. BLUE RUFFLED DRESS

There are always ebbs and flows with my style – I go from craving comfy loungewear all day to the urge to dress up for everything! I’ve loved being able to keep it cool and casual this summer, but there’s nothing like a good shopping haul to get my out of my style rut! I found some amazing pieces recently and wanted to share details on some of my favorites so keep scrolling to see what I’ve been adding to my cart lately:

1. PLAID BLAZER – There’s something about a plaid blazer that feels really high end, and this one is no exception! I couldn’t believe it was under $100 – love the red/brown tones in brings in!

2. TAN SUEDE SLINGBACK HEELS – Two of the best current shoe trends in one shoe – slingback kitten heels! These are incredibly chic and perfect with a dress or  jeans.

3. WIDE LEG DENIM – Speaking of denim, how good is this pair! I realized I wouldn’t be able to fit into these for a few months, but they are bookmarked and I’ll be coming back for them post-partum. Love the crop!

4. BURGUNDY DRESS – I was so excited when I zipped this dress up, despite my bump. I sized up to a large and there’s a slight stretch to the fabric, so it fit perfectly! It’s an investment, but between the color and the silhouette, it’s worth it.

5. DENIM BOMBER JACKET – Love at first sight with this jacket! It looks like a hug in outerwear form and gets me so excited for fall!

6. CAMEL COAT – I’ve been looking for a good, neutral wool coat for this upcoming fall and after looking at hundreds, I decided on this one. It’s a great price point and looks a lot more expensive than it is. (Last seen in this post!)

7. BLACK DOLMAN DRESS – The perfect mix of sophisticated and casual, this dress is punching above its weight. Take it to the office, cocktails after, or out for the weekend running errands with sneakers.

8. WHITE SANDALS – I found myself adding multiple versions of this shoe to my cart but they are all too good to choose just one! Also love this nude pair and got this lace up sandal.

9. PEARL HOOP EARRINGS – I’m all about the pearl everything we are seeing right now! These are the perfect statement earrings with a feminine top or pretty dress.

10. RUFFLED DRESS – Because I love this dress too much not to share again. Another piece that I was so grateful worked with the bump!

11. DENIM – Levi’s always has the best boyfriend and straight leg denim, and always at a great price point under $100! Revisiting these in September/October after I can fit in jeans again, haha.

12. SATIN CAMISOLE – A satin cami is one of my wardrobe staples. I take multiple on every trip, and style them with different outfits year-round. I love the fabric on this one and it actually looks more expensive than it’s price tag.

13. SUNGLASSES – Sometimes all you need is an oversized pair of sunglasses to make you feel like it’s going to be a good day. Can’t believe these are under $100!

14. STAR EARRINGS – While they might have been pretty enough online for me to order them, these are 100x better in real life! Add a pretty dress, and voila! (Photo evidence here 😉 Definitely one of my favorites from this shopping haul.

15. LEOPARD TOTE – I am a sucker for a good tote! Between my laptop and work stuff to some of the kids toys, my bags can’t be too big so I love the ease of throwing everything into this bag with a simple jeans and tee outfit to add some pattern.

16. LEOPARD DRESS – The leopard thing isn’t going away anytime soon, so just embrace it! Love the print and silhouette of this one.

17. PEARL SCRUNCHY – Like I said, it’s the year of pearl! I’ve seen so many great statement hair accessories, but this scrunchy can’t be beat!

18. BLUE RUFFLED DRESS – Another flirty, feminine mini dress that works just as well with sneakers as it does with feminine, lace-up sandals. Love the floral print on this one!

Let me know what you guys think of my (mostly) Shopbop shopping haul! Below are a few more great pieces I’m eyeing for my next shopping haul:

 XX, Christine

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DETAILS: GREEN RUFFLED DRESS | WHITE SNEAKERS | SUNGLASSES | CHANEL BAG

This dress was one of my favorite buys for NYC. I love flirty, flowy dresses in the summer – especially with the bump. The only dresses that really work right now have to have a stretchy waistband so they aren’t too uncomfortable to breathe. 🙂 For any of you fellow expectant moms who are avoiding maternity clothes, just look for dresses with an empire waistline, stretchy fabrics, or that are flowy enough to fit your bump and size up as needed! Throw on pumps for a flirty night-out ensemble or dress down with sneakers like these which have been on repeat. I know I talked about them in this post, but they are one of my favorites right now. They have lots of color variations that are still white but with different accent colors, like these black and white ones.

Here are some more cute dress options that work with or without a bump:

XX, Christine

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DETAILS: LEOPARD CAMI (RESTOCKED! UNDER $50) | PLEATED LEOPARD SKIRT  (SIMILAR HERE) | SANDALS | CHANEL BAG | SUNGLASSES

It’s been a minute since my last style diaries post, but wanted to share this NYC summer style look. After one quick post of this outfit in between meetings yesterday, I got a ton of questions and comments on these pieces so wanted to put together a quick post to share details!  It’s actually two separates: this leopard cami which I have in multiple colors and is one of my favorite layering pieces! It sold out quickly during the anniversary sale, but it’s fully stocked again and under $50! The skirt was another find from the anniversary sale (last seen in this post). There are only limited sizes but I have a feeling it will be restocked soon. Leopard skirts are huge this fall and I love combining to different prints for fun pattern play! I love this one because it has a stretchy waistband so I can adjust it over my ever-growing bump.

Also wanted to share these sandals – I’ve worn them non-stop this summer and they are actually comfortable enough to wear walking blocks and blocks around the city. Aaaand they are on sale! I think I might need the black now too…

Below are a few more leopard pieces to mix and match for more NYC summer style looks:

XX, Christine

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It has been a sneaker summer, now more than ever! I can go a good ten minutes in heels these days, but not much beyond that. So needless to say, my sneaker collection has grown considerably. This summer it’s been white sneakers on repeat! I wanted to share some of my favorite white sneakers styles right now across multiple price points.

REEBOK C-85s

I love a good classic throwback sneaker! These are the perfect mix of athletic and street style, so they are really comfortable but also versatile enough that you can wear them with anything. If you missed it, I shared 3 other ways to style these sneakers in this post. They have the same style for men and kids too, so they are perfect for twinning with your S/O or kids!

HIGH-TOP SNEAKERS

Converse is one shoe that never goes out of style and they are always launching new styles! I have both the classic high top and low top, but had to get this pair when I saw it! I love the graphic lines that give an otherwise staple white sneaker and extra something.

VINCE CANVAS SNEAKER

This is one of the newest additions to my white sneaker collection. I’ve always loved Vince sneakers! They are really high quality and super comfortable. My favorite part of this sneaker is the tan detail on the back – such a pretty touch and I love how it ties in all the camel tones I’ll be wearing this fall!

VEJA SNEAKERS

These have been on repeat! I saw them first when Megan Markle wore them and that’s when I became obsessed! They are a great minimalist vibe and another really comfortable pair. Love the 90’s vibe of these too!

Below are some other white sneakers that I’ve had my eye on.

XX, Christine

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*Sponsored by Ray-Ban and Shopstyle.

DETAILS: SUNGLASSES

I wear my sunglasses all the time. They are in constant circulation and are one accessory that you can wear with no thought to the season or dress code. You wouldn’t think that sunglasses could change the vibe of an outfit but they 100% do and no ensemble is fully complete without a good pair of sunnies. Ray-Ban has forever been one of my go-to brands and they have tons of different silhouettes. They just launched their Proud to Belong campaign which I love because it’s all about feeling confident in your own skin. I think the older I get, the more comfortable I become with who I am and standing up for what I believe in, but as a mom I always hope my kids feel that same pride and know that they are special and belong. ❤️ Keep scrolling to see my 5 favorite sunglasses silhouettes of the moment:

The Iconic Cat Eye (The Nina)

Cat eye frames are flattering on any bone structure and the perfect style to add dramatic flair to your outfit.

The Sporty Black Oval

One of my favorite trends right now is the sporty, street-ready silhouette that’s so reminiscent of the 90s. I love the sporty feel of these oval frames that pair perfectly with an athleisure look.

The New Aviator:

Switch up your standard, go-to Aviators with a fresh take on the classic favorite: a flirty hex. I love the lines on this pair for an updated spin on traditional Aviators.

The Essential Tortoise

No matter how many pairs of sunglasses I have, my tortoise ones are always my most worn. I love bringing in the timeless print in such a subtle way to add something extra to even the most basic looks. How good is this pair!?

The Colorful Crowd Favorite

No sunglasses collection is complete without a colorful pair to break up the sea of neutral frames. I love this blue pair and the lenses are also polarized which is a must-have for sunglasses when you are driving or spending the day on the water.

Check out a few more great sunglasses styles below!

XX, Christine

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One of the greatest perks of my job is having access to all of you guys’ knowledge! Anytime I have a question I share it on stories and always get tons of helpful responses! I am honestly so thankful for this community!! Most recently, I asked if you guys had any tips for dealing with pregnancy mask (also known as melasma), which is facial hyperpigmentation that some people experience while they are pregnant. I had tons of answers and also a lot of people DM me asking what the recommendations were, so I wanted to compile a list of the most common answers! Also want to add a lot of the people who responded were dermatologists or worked at med spas – obviously always check with your doctor if you have questions. Below is a picture of my skin before pregnancy and what it’s like now. I had no spots at all before pregnancy – now they kind of cover my cheekbones, and across my lips, I know they seem kind of light in the photo but I feel like you can see them better in real life.

With that, here’s some suggestions and tips I got that I’m going to start doing:

First of all, a few of you mentioned that anything heat related can make the hyperpigmentation worse which actually makes sense because after I had a Hydrafacial the other day (which involves hot steam) Cody said my hyperpigmentation spots were more noticeable, so if you are dealing with pregnancy mask, of course try to avoid the sun, but try to avoid heat and warm steam too.

A dermatologist told me that I need to be using at least SPF 50 on my face. A lot of times I just rely on the SPF in my tinted moisturizer, but tons of you recommended this one and it’s been working really well since I started trying it. I have super sensitive skin and no break outs so far!

This is another product that helps to brighten and even out skin tone, and a lot of you have said it will help with hyperpigmentation too. Tons of you recommended this one. I have actually used it off and on for a couple years (in general I test so many products out, but this one always comes back in rotation). Here’s a more budget friendly Vitamin C serum that works well too. I’ve used both of these and they are both great.

I started using this serum recently and it’s helped with evening my skin tone. I was posting about how much I liked their serum and became friends with the Algenist team, and asked if they could help recommend anything for pregnancy mask –  this one (use on clean skin) along with their vitamin C serum followed by a moisturizer. I just got it in the mail – so I will keep you posted on my how they work 🙂

A lot of you also said that pregnancy mask is something that just goes away with time (3-6 months post pregnancy) and other said that you can’t really start using effective treatment until after the pregnancy and after you are done breastfeeding, like microneedling, AHA/BHAs, (can’t wait to be able to use this one again!) a retinol (another Sunday Riley favorite), etc. So if you are first time mama, or first time getting pregnancy mask – it may just go away with time!

Apparently low levels of folic acid in your diet can also lead to pregnancy mask, so eating things like oranges, whole grain bread, and leafy greens can help too. You can also take vitamin supplements to increase your folic acid levels (but always consult a doctor first :).

I had hyperpigmentation spots a few years ago from a different laser treatment that went bad (more to come on that in a later post!) I got hyperpigmentation spots all over after and looked everywhere to find a good doctor to get rid of it. I ended up doing a laser that specializes in hyperpigmentation. It’s definitely more of an investment, its expensive, so I would say try the other stuff first. I had AMAZING results so I wanted to share for those of you who might not be able to get rid of the symptoms with these other recommendations. A lot of you said not to try lasers after pregnancy mask because it will make it worse, but the doctor that I went to to for my hyperpigmentation told me there’s so many different types of  lasers, and the one he used is specifically for hyperpigmentation and it completely fixed it. This is definitely one of those times you want to make sure you don’t skimp on a dermatologist or just use a coupon to get the cheapest deal – lasers can do a LOT OF GOOD but also a LOT OF DAMAGE. Please please please make sure you are going to someone who knows what they are doing, ask around, read reviews and make sure they are a reputable company!

Here’s a quick snapshot of all the products I mentioned above – a couple are post pregnancy so make sure you reference below and above before using 🙂

DETAILS: 1. SKINCEUTICALS SPF 50 | 2. SUNDAY RILEY BABYFACIAL (POST PREGNANCY) | 3. SKINCEUTICALS C E FERULIC ACID | 4. SUNDAY RILEY RETINOL OIL (POST PREGNANCY) | 5. ALGENIST LIQUID COLLAGEN | 6. ALGENIST VITAMIN C SERUM | 7. VICHY VITAMIN C SKIN CORRECTOR | 8. ALGENIST BARRIER SERUM | 9. FOLIC ACID VITAMINS.

If any of you guys have suffered with hyperpigmentation or any of these fixes have worked for you, let me know below in the comments!

XX, Christine

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Guys, the 90s called and they are giving us overall shorts back!  I wanted to share my try-on haul for this pair I have been wearing non-stop plus a few ways to transition them between seasons.

DETAILS: OVERALL SHORTS (MORE SIZES HERE) | STRIPED TEE

Bring a classic, summer ready print into your look with a striped tee. I also love this tee paired with a light denim wash in these overalls.

DETAILS: OVERALL SHORTS (MORE SIZES HERE) | KNIT PULLOVER SWEATER (old you can really do any cute white sweater under – love this one under $20)

One of my favorite ways to style overall shorts is with a cropped knit sweater underneath.

DETAILS: OVERALL SHORTS (MORE SIZES HERE)| BLACK TANK | NUDE CROSSBODY | SNEAKERS (OLD – SIMILAR HERE)

For a simple, seamless summer uniform, just add a fitted tank!  This one is great quality and comes in both black and white.

DETAILS: OVERALL SHORTS (MORE SIZES HERE)| PLAID BLAZER (ON SALE UNDER $100 – SIMILAR HERE)  | BLACK TANK | BROWN OVER-THE-KNEE BOOTS | BLACK TOTE | SUNGLASSES (SIMILAR HERE)

My overall shorts (on sale under $100) have been a huge player in my summer style line-up, but that doesn’t mean I have to pack them away at the end of summer! Get creative with some of your colder-weather staples to make your overalls work well into fall. Here are three pieces to pair with this summer staple to make a smooth transition into next season:

A structured blazer: I’ve always loved the look of an oversized blazer layered over overalls. There’s something so fresh about the tailored sophistication of a blazer with the casual, throwback feel of overalls. Add a long blazer over these shorts for an updated twist.

Over-the-knee boots: The secret weapon to be able to rock any higher-hemmed items into autumn – over-the-knee boots! I have them in multiple colors, heel heights, and styles but they all still get a ton of wear. Love the color of this pair!

Cropped Sweater/Sweatshirts: For a more casual vibe, I love a cropped sweater or sweatshirt layered under some overall shorts. It’s the perfect pair of sleeves for those indian summer nights.

Below are some other styling ideas to transition your favorite summer shorts to fall:

XX, Christine

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