the style du jour

a dash of thrift, a sprinkle of stripes and a whole lot of lovely

Five Reasons to Try Rachel Zoe’s Box of Style

Use promo code STYLEDUJOUR15 to save $15 on your first seasonal box, available here! http://The Box of Style Seasonal Membership

Use promo code STYLEDUJOUR15 to save $15 on your first seasonal box.

We all have our simple indulgences, right? Mine include subscriptions to various fashion magazines, watching reality TV shows and trying beauty and style seasonal boxes. I’ve purchased more than my fair share of makeup and fashion boxes over the years – some delivered monthly and some quarterly – and one of my favorites, hands down, is Rachel Zoe’s Box of Style. I’ve purchased Box of Style seasonal editions over the years and was thrilled when I had a chance to review the new spring 2019 edition. Whether you’re a seasonal box subscription pro like me or an interested newbie, here are my top five reasons to give Box of Style a try this season!

Five Reasons to Try Rachel Zoe’s Box of Style

  • Each seasonal box is curated by Rachel Zoe and her team. If you adore RZ’s effortless California glam style, like me, then you’re automatically sold! 🙂
  • Access to exclusive collaborations. Rachel Zoe works with designers, (often California-based or female run) to create special pieces unique to Box of Style. In the current spring edition, there are three exclusive items including a Chain Luu Silk Scarf, Michelle Campbell Gold Talon Bracelet Set and Tribe Alive Leather Clutch. (See below for more about these goodies!)

Five Reasons to Try Rachel Zoe’s Box of Style

  • Accessible luxury. Each Box of Style edition costs $99, but includes a curated collection of accessories, beauty products and clothing valued at more than $400. I can attest to the quality of everything in these boxes. They are well-made and quality wardrobe additions made from luxe materials like buttery soft leather, silk and gold.
  • No repeats! There’s no need to worry about receiving multiple versions of the same products season after season like many other style subscription boxes. I can tell that each item is carefully and thoughtfully included and unique to each seasonal box.
  • Effortlessly enhance your closet with chic closet essentials. If you go on to purchase more than one seasonal edition Box of Style, like me, you’ll notice that your collection of pieces all nicely complement each other. I love that pieces from this spring 2019 edition can be worn with gold-plated jewelry and a black/white cape from a fall and winter edition I purchased years ago. The pieces aren’t trendy items you’ll wear once and give away. They are timeless and chic with of-the-moment detailing.

What’s in the Spring 2019 Edition?


  • Chain Luu Silk Scarf, available in this gorgeous leopard print or a floral print. A silk scarf is one of my favorite accessories and can be worn a million ways : as a pretty hair accessory (perfect for enhancing a poolside look), tied in a big bow over a blouse or simple T-shirt or wrapped around the handle of a tote bag.
  • Michelle Campbell Gold Talon Bracelet Set. This set is gold-plated and one bracelet has lovely pave diamond details. They’re perfect lovely worn alone or layered with other bracelets.
  • Tribe Alive Leather Clutch. This is a super sleek and minimal clutch or a pouch to stash little items in a larger bag. I also love pairing it with the silk scarf to wear across the body or as a belt bag.
  • Skin Gym Rose Quartz Heart Gun Sha. This skin smoother tool also helps ease puffiness and smoothes fine lines. Keep it in your fridge for an extra skin refresher.
  • Edible Beauty Gold Rush Eye Balm. Simply pat around the eye for added radiance. What makes this product extra luxe? It contains real gold leaf flakes!
I’m excited to make my spring looks and beauty routine a little extra with all of these new items. Have you tried Box of Style before? If you plan to order the spring edition, make sure to use promo code STYLEDUJOUR15 to save $15 on your first seasonal box: http://The Box of Style Seasonal Membership

XOXO,

Emily

Five Reasons We Love Goldfish Swim School During the Winter

For about a year, we’ve been taking weekly swimming classes at Goldfish Swim School. With our own swimming pool in the backyard and Lake Michigan a block away, swim classes have been a priority activity for us and will continue to be for many years to come. With a swim school like Goldfish, we’ll want to stay as long as possible! My husband and I joke that Teddy’s swim class is like a luxury club experience especially during these brutally cold winter months. Here are just five reasons we love Goldfish Swim School:

  1. The staff and instructors are kind, patient and, perhaps most importantly at this stage, make class fun! The kids are always all smiles and high-fiving the instructor throughout the lesson.
  2. Their play-based techniques work wonders. When we started, Teddy refused to put his head under the water while clutching to the wall. Now he swims laps across the pool unassisted and treads water with his arms in the air!
  3. Did I mention the tropical-like water and air temps? We especially appreciate the balmy air and cabanas this time of year.
  4. As a parent of three, I love that they think of the entire family. I forgot my entire diaper bag one day, but was relieved to find plenty of extra diapering essentials available in their spacious bathroom and dressing area. I also love the clean play area which is the perfect distraction for my three-year old during Teddy’s lessons.
  5. This is what I’ll call the “gravy.” From balloons and Bubbles fish toys, to monthly themes and offers (like freshly brewed coffee for adults) and games to free special events, there’s always something new to appeal to the kids and make them even that much more excited for class.

Winter is a looooong season, but with activities like swim lessons, we can briefly escape our snow-filled days.

XOXO,

Emily

*I work with Goldfish Swim School in exchange for lessons.

“Wake Up” Makeup Favorites

Do I look awake to you?? Had you fooled! 🙂

I recently saw a headline that parents of newborns lose something like 50 night’s worth of sleep in that first year. What?! At least I feel validated in my daily battle against exhaustion.

On the mornings I do have a few extra minutes before we race out of the door, I have some go-to makeup picks that help give me that “wake up” feel. Last week, Chicago North Shore Moms was kind enough to feature me in their weekly “Meet a Mom” interview series and in my post I share my trusted trio of makeup products that make me feel ready to face the day: mascara, eyebrow filler and highlighter cream.


While I’m a makeup minimalist day-to-day, I’m a complete sucker for wanting to try the latest products and I’m always eager to know what my friends are using at the moment. So, if you’re like me, here’s a peek at what’s in my beauty bag right now:

Thrive Cosmetics Liquid Lash Extensions – I love how full and long the extensions make my lashes (and last all day). I’m typically a drugstore mascara kind of girl, but this one is worth the splurge.

NYX tinted brow mascara – It’s available in a ton of colors so it’s easy to find just the right hue. I like how it helps shape and fill in my brows.

MILK Makeup highlighter cream – The cream is light and sheer. It blends seamlessly into the skin and creates a nice dewy look. I use it all over – cheekbones, eye lids and nose.

Smashbox Studio 24 hour Concealer – A few dots of concealer under my eye helps to cover those dark under eye circles. Seamlessly blends without any residue!

If I’m feeling a little extra in the morning, I’ll also use:

Mally Shadow Stick Extra (Burnished Bronze) – I love the shimmery metallic hue for the eyes.  No brush necessary!

Glow Face Oil (Like Honest Beauty Face Oil or Superberry Hydrate & Glow Oil) – I add a couple drops to my tinted primer to add a nice layer of hydration. I also feel like it makes my skin look brighter and dewy.

What are your favorite makeup products to help you feel and look “awake” and ready to take on the day??

xoxo,

Emily


Collagen Key Lime Pie Smoothie

With the refreshing flavor of fresh limes, velvety richness of avocado and sweetness of dates, this smoothie is not only delicious, but packed full of nutrition powerhouse ingredients.

This smoothie was inspired by a simple homemade lime yogurt I’ve make at home for years. Simply adding fresh lime zest and juice to vanilla or plain Greek yogurt creates a full- flavored taste reminiscent of key lime pie.

In addition to the obvious ingredients for this smoothie – lime zest and fresh lime juice – I also added some (perhaps) surprising ones: dates and frozen banana for sweetness and avocado for some heart-healthy fats (and nice green hue). I also added a collagen protein boost which you can easily not include if you’d rather and will have no impact on the delish taste of this smoothie!

What’s with all the buzz about collagen??

Collagen has been showing up on everything from beauty products to supplements. Not sure what it is exactly? Collagen is a protein our body naturally makes that acts like the glue or scaffolding for our skin, joints, hair and nails. When it comes to the skin, collagen provides that volume which helps keep skin looking plump and wrinkle-free. With age, there’s a gradual loss of collagen so the idea is that supplementation like in powder form can help replenish what’s lost and improve the look of skin. When it comes to the research, results on the effectiveness of collagen supplements are mixed.* But, if you’re like me and open to trying easy add-ons in my diet to see how they may benefit your skin, then you may want to give it a try!

There are a TON of collagen powders out there, but I’ve been using one my sister recommended and it’s been the perfect fit.** It’s flavorless (I don’t care for flavored protein powders), can dissolve in both cold or hot foods (I also add it to oatmeal) and is one of the more affordable choices (a 7 oz container is $10 at Trader Joe’s).

Collagen Key Lime Pie Smoothie

Makes 2 servings, 250 calories each (14 grams of protein)

Ingredients:

1/4 cup nonfat Greek yogurt

1 cup reduced fat milk (or milk of choice)

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

2 dates, without pit

The zest and lime juice from one lime

1/3 avocado (about 2-3 slices)

1/2 frozen banana

2 scoops collagen (I use Great Lakes Gelatin Collagen Hydrolsate available at Trader Joes or Amazon)

Shredded coconut and graham cracker crumbs (optional toppings)

Directions:

  1. Combine and blend first four ingredients.
  2. Add remaining ingredients (lime zest and juice to collagen). Blend until smooth.
  3. Pour into two cups, top with shredded coconut and graham cracker crumbs and enjoy!

Like all smoothies, you can customize this recipe to your liking. If you prefer more sweetness, try adding a whole frozen banana and/or honey. Like more citrus? Add more lime juice and zest and a splash of orange juice.

Have you tried adding collagen powder to your diet? If so, what’s your favorite way to eat or drink it?

XOXO,

Emily

P.S. If you’re looking for more detailed info about collagen, here are excellent science-based articles that I’ve referenced recently:

*Collagen: ‘Fountain of Youth’ Or Edible Hoax?”

*Can Collagen Supplements Make Your Skin Younger?

**The Best Collagen Powders for Women, According to a Nutritionist

Baked “Old-Fashioned” Doughnuts with Lemon Glaze

When a Polar Vortex keeps you indoors, you end up with dozens of delicious, “old fashioned” baked doughnuts topped with a lemony glaze. Fluffy with just the right amount of spice, these doughnuts were difficult to photograph because we kept gobbling them up! The lemon glaze adds just the right amount of tart and fresh flavor – a hint to warmer days we can only daydream about at this point.

A few months ago I picked up a bagel + /doughnut baking pan on a Target run. I thought it would be fun to make homemade doughnuts and sweet treats with the kids.

A little comfort food was just what we needed last week as temps started to dipped below zero. Yes, I am a registered dietitian, but I love me a delicious doughnut and I’ve eaten more than I’d like to admit in the last year. While I was pregnant with Bash, I had serious doughnut cravings.

I was excited to try a homemade and healthier spin on one of my favorite sweet indulgences. Sloane was happy to be my baking buddy for our first batch and we used Ina Garten’s Cinnamon Baked Doughnuts recipe. Ina is one of my favorite chefs and, on most weeknights, it is likely our dinner is inspired by one of her recipes (which always includes Weeknight Bolognese once a week!)

The spiced flavor of the dough – including cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla – creates the flavor of an “old fashioned” doughnut. Ina’s recipe includes a butter and cinnamon/sugar topper which was delicious.

For our second batch, we made a few adjustments to the recipe based on what we had on hand and added a flavorful lemony glaze which added just the right amount of tart and fresh flavor – a welcomed hint to warmer days we can only daydream about at this point while we’re housebound for a couple days (The current temperature is -24, but feels like – 50 degrees!).

Baked “Old Fashioned” Doughnuts with Lemon Glaze

(Makes 18-24 doughnuts)

Ingredients:

  • Baking spray
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 1/4 cups 2% milk
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Lemon Glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 3-4 teaspoons lemon juice (juice from one small lemon)
  • 1-2 teaspoons of water (as needed for desired glaze thickness)
  • 2 teaspoons of lemon zest

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Liberally spray your doughnut pan (s). (Note: I only have one pan, but would recommend using two at a time)
  2. Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl (use a sifter if you have one). In a measuring glass, combine wet ingredients. Pour the milk/egg mixture into the dry ingredients bowl. Stir until all ingredients are combined (Similar to muffins, don’t over mix the batter).
  3. Use a small spoon to fill each doughnut section (about 2-3 tablespoons of batter or about 3/4 full).
  4. Bake for 15-17 minutes (depending on your oven and batter amount). While the doughnuts are in the oven, prepare the lemon glaze adding lemon juice and water until desired glaze consistency. Remove doughnuts from oven and cool for about 10 minutes. Use a thin plastic spatula (or something that won’t scratch your non-stick pan) to carefully remove each doughnut and place on a cooling rack. Glaze and enjoy warm! Store remaining in an airtight container.

These easy, baked doughnuts are a lighter version than their fried counterparts that deliver on taste! I challenge you to have only one. 🙂 Plus, it’s a fun recipe to involve your little ones especially on these cold, winter days!

XOXO,

Emily

Closet Cleanout Guide: How to Minimize Your Closet and Make Money

January is synonymous with organizing and I’m all about it. Whether it’s the influx of new stuff from the holidays or the release of Marie Kondo’s new “Tidying Up” show, I feel like my closet is overflowing with all the things and I’m itching to streamline, organize and keep only what “sparks joy.” (Thanks, Marie!)

I spent last weekend happily clearing out my closet and separating my clothes, handbags and accessories into piles: giveaway, sell and toss (this is the smallest pile typically designated for solo socks). The “sell” pile is by far my favorite – who doesn’t want to make a little bonus money while organizing at the same time? Plus, it’s important to me how the act of donating or selling my clothing has a positive eco-impact.

It’s no secret that I love to shop at Crossroads Trading to find both on-trend and investment pieces (I talk about this in my recent post, “5 Ways to Buy Designer on Discount), and I’m not alone. I read recently that about 1/3 of women shop secondhand for clothing. As a seller, there’s a huge market to make a little money by selling your previously loved clothing and accessories. Crossroads Trading has a sell by mail option that makes it possible to do that without even leaving your home. I’ve always sold my items in person at a store location, so I was excited to give this a try.

It was so easy to request a Sell By Mail bag online. I received it in the mail days later with a pre-paid shipping return label. Next up: Fill it up, mail it back and wait to receive a shopping credit or check (it’s your choice!). I’m opting for a check this time around.

“When you buy something old and previously-loved, you’re extending its lifespan and reducing its carbon footprint.”

– Emily Farra, Vogue editor

Tips To Help Make the Most from Your Sell By Mail Bag:

  1. Only include pieces you’d want to buy. Check for any missing buttons, snags, holes or broken zippers. Make sure everything is freshly laundered and folded. First appearances count, after all!
  2. Pay attention to the buying guide. Crossroads Trading outlines the styles and trends they are buying this season which, right now, includes denim, silk, plaid prints, metallic, red, slip dresses, embroidery details and neck scarfs.
  3. Keep it on-trend, but don’t forget the classics. Crossroads Trading is known for being a destination for current trends and styles (within a year) so it’s important to keep that in mind when you’re filling your bag. That said, I’ve had success selling classic pieces like a J.Crew blazer with detailing or a BCBG cocktail dress.


I love a good closet clean-out where I can make a little pocket money to reinvest in clothing for the kids. I also feel good knowing that I can contribute to the eco-friendly secondhand solution and help extend the life of my clothing and accessories.

Are you cleaning out your closet this winter? If so, how and where do you donate or sell your clothing?

XOXO,

Emily

*This post is sponsored by Crossroads Trading. All thoughts and opinions shared here are my own.

Small Spaces Decor Inspiration: How to Create a Pinterest-Worthy Small Office

In looking back over this past year of content sharing here on The Style DJ, it’s interesting to see that, for the second year in a row, my most popular post and most pinned on Pinterest is a decor-centered post, “Small Spaces Inspiration: How to Create a Vanity in Your Closet. ” Since then, I’ve continued to slowly work on projects around our house, but I haven’t really shared many updates. So, in line with “Small Spaces” decor inspiration, here is a glimpse at the before and after journey of a small sunroom located off our main living room which I like to call my “office.” 🙂

  • BEFORE: The sunroom when we first moved in.
  • BEFORE
  • BEFORE
AFTER! This wall, which shares the fire place on the other side, is the only windowless wall in this room. To help break up the white space, I went with this bold banana leaf print paper from Accent Wall Customs a la the Beverly Hills Hotel. I like the contrast of the crisp high-gloss white desk and shag rug with a geometric pattern against this vintage print.
Colorful photos are set in metallic frames from Restoration Hardware. I like how bamboo window shades are neutral and let in a lot of light. They make me feel like I’m in a sunny and warm locale (and not in Chicago in the middle of winter!)
A faux fur stool serves as the resting place for my current projects (e.g., Santa’s Workshop!)
  • Some of my favorite decor inspiration books double as a stage for seasonal decor.
  • I use a gold monogrammed glass from Anthropologie to hold my pens.

I adore this vintage palm print removable wall paper so much that I’ll be using it in my next small spaces decor update – a tiny powder room located on our first floor. I can’t wait to share that room refresh with you in the New Year!

Do you have any decor updates planned for the New Year?

XOXO,

Emily