Hillary to Paris

Leopard for Fall

September 20, 2018 by Hillary Wortham Leave a Comment

The fall trends are keeping my mind busy and off of counting the days until our baby girl gets here; I am thankful for the fun window shopping because most waistlines don’t fit anymore. Leopard is everywhere this season and you may have already noticed it popping up in catalogs and best seller lists. Neiman Marcus had their lookbook cover devoted to the trend this season with leopard mixing on all three models. Leopard is a fantastic texture to work with and can be done up big or small. A little leopard can go along way so if you have pumps or a handbag perhaps dust it off and wear it out this weekend. One other trend that I ever so slightly mixed in with this look was the trend of ‘electric hues’. This season, in magazines and on the street, you will see bright colors paired with electric knits. I had a touch of classic fall with Hunter green but brought out some exciting pinks hues in accessories. Keeping up with the trends from season to season can be a headache for any woman who isn’t professionally grounded in the fashion industry. Here is a quick guide on what you need to know about the fall fashion buzz and where to find the most current information without extensive leg work. I have a two go to resources for a quick and current trend education. The first place that is just a step down from full out runway fashion is TheBlondeSalad.com Chiara the founder consistently keeps up with new designers highlighted in Fashion week and all the foundational fashion houses for an accurate meter of what is ‘in’. These tips and trends may not be as street ready but you’ll know what to expect for this season and the next with small style adaptations for your functional wardrobe. One more site that is trend spotting but also Ready-to-Wear is ShopBop.com This site has up to date information under “The Fall Checklist“on the trends that will catch your eye this season and has a variety of options in how to wear it and at what price point so you don’t fall behind. With these two sites in my back pocket is how I start shopping for the season with knowledge on the current trends without doing lengthy and time consuming research. We all have a list of things we need to get done that seems endless so getting the scoop on fall fashion in minutes can be helpful. Chances are after reading you’ll find you already have what it takes in your closet to rock these trends with mixing prints and colors you own. Rediscovering preloved pieces is one of the best ways to prepare for the season. Thanks for stopping by!

Dress / Trench Coat / Heels, old similar here / Handbag

Thanks for stopping by!

-Hill

Photography by Shelley Foster

The Skincare Guide

September 12, 2018 by Hillary Wortham Leave a Comment

Skincare has been my mission and purpose this year combating changing hormones and skin inconsistencies with combination skin, being oily and dry. My skin tone was uneven and breaking out one day after another. I decided to dedicate myself in finding a skincare routine that would help clear and prevent all unwanted blemishes and skin inconsistencies. I am happy to report that eight months later I am proven successful. All skin is different and this routine may not be the answer to your prayers but the method is magic. Your products may differ depending on your complexion needs.

First things first, know your skin. Your skin has needs and it can speak to you depending on what it does from season to season or day to day. Oily, dry, or combination skin we all have the same skincare goals in mind; Clear, radiant, and ageless skin! Talking with my facial esthetician at a local spa taught me what my skin needed and how I could incorporate a routine that worked for me. At first I was intimidated by what I didn’t know and the products I didn’t understand but they all serve a purpose.

The Daily Routine

1.) CLEANSE: Morning routine should include a wash. I wash my face with one of these two cleansers and feel it is important to alternate so when one runs out I switch.

Perricone MD Face Wash / Purity Face Wash by Philosophy

2.) TONE: Daytime routine requires a glycolic acid toner which helps to avoid future blemishes by preventing oils from building and settling on your skin throughout the day while also fighting build up in pores before it becomes a problem. I top it off with a facial spray for a scented polished feel. Your skin will be working for you while you run errands with this ritual.

Glycolic Acid Toner / Facial Spray

3.) SPF & COVERAGE: Sun Protection Formula is crucial if you want to age with grace and save money on a face lift or pricey skin treatments in later years. Our face naturally exfoliates faster than we can build a tan so any sun you’re getting is not worth the damage. If you have a foundation makeup that you love make sure it has SPF in the mix. I highly recommend Giorgio Armani’s foundation and getting color matched at the makeup bar. I went to Neiman Marcus to get mine and they did a great job getting me a precise color match. I have used the foundation for the past year always applied with a beauty blender, and not finger tips, with great results. If you do or do not use foundation I recommend a setting spray. If you wear makeup this will help your foundation to stay fresh throughout your day and add additional SPF. If you don’t wear any facial makeup this setting spray will be your dose of Sun Protection Formula that is lightweight with powerful protection without the use of your oily fingers for application.

Giorgio Armani Foundation / Beauty Blender / Supergoop SPF Setting Spray

4.) NIGHTLY RITUAL: When evening comes make sure to wash your face getting all of the product off of your skin for it to breathe and refresh overnight. Depending on the amount of product you have applied a simple face wash with a tool such as the FOREO or a quality microfiber facial cloth will be enough. For days you have makeup to remove I love to use the Goop makeup remover cream that works well to erase all residue with one low energy wash as it works by leaving it on for a few minutes and then rinsing it away.

Purity Face Wash by Philosophy / Foreo or Microfiber Facial Cloth / Goop Melting Cleanser

5.) LOCK IN THE MOISTURE: Before bed routine varies as our skin needs different intervention from day to day. If you notice blemishes pop up during the day I would choose a overnight facial cream such as the Perricone MD overnight mask which has delightful brightening and toning results; but if you feel an oncoming dry spell today I would be generous with face moisturizer instead. Our skin will try to correct itself and overproduce oil to combat dry skin so you won’t do yourself a favor by letting your pores clog up overnight. Eye cream is something you cannot live without. Budgeting for these products can get tricky as I have already given you an army of options. However, your big budget item should always be your eye cream. You don’t need to spend frivolously as we all have limits but be sure you rearrange your budget generously for these items which are investing in your skin long term.

La Mer Eye Cream / La Mer Facial Moisturizer / Overnight Facial Cream by Perricone MD

Calendar Routine

6.) THE SPA QUALITY FACIAL: Your daily routine will take care of skin consistency as you are consistent. Your results can only be as good as your diligence in keeping to the routine. Your skin will thank you for your dedication, I promise. If I forget to wash my face in the morning or apply toner before going out I undoubtedly see a blemish within the week. The routine is to have our skin work for us the way we need it to. However, your skin will have more needs from a distant calendar view. It is important to exfoliate each week. There are many good options for at home facials that exfoliate, clean pores, and replenish moisture. I have linked a few tried & true favorites below. The Goop Instant Facial is a powerful one that will take off dead skin with fierce power, it even stings a little but you can feel it work. The Leaders Daily Wonders Sheet Mask is gentle but brightening and tones your skin in 15 minutes, just long enough to enjoy a warm bubble bath. As far as getting a facial I believe quality over quantity is key. Make sure you select a spa that has good reviews and a trusted Esthetician. Do a little bit of leg work to ensure your hard earned money and sacred time will be worth the cost. For local gals I love Hiatus Spa + Retreat and recommend their Perfectionist facial. I went in for a different selection but after talking to Aleaha my Esthetician of the day she recommended a peel for my skin and the perfectionist for my skin’s current state. Listen to their advice but let them know what you are willing to spend. A monthly facial is healthy but every three months is fine for the purpose that is serves of getting your skin back on track. A quarterly facial could be at the start of every season and would help with skin as it reacts to the weather change.

Goop Instant Facial / Leaders Daily Wonders Sheet Mask / Charcoal Sheet Mask / Hiatus Spa + Retreat

This is my take on skincare and it will change from year to year as new methods and products are discovered. The key to improving and evolving is to know your skin and how it’s needs change but also to know your products and their effectiveness. What you are using is just as important as how religious you are in use. Make sure your products are good quality and fit your skin type and complexion goals. I hope you benefited from my months of research and experimentation. Thanks for stopping by!

-Hill

Dark Places breeding Kindness

September 5, 2018 by Hillary Wortham Leave a Comment

What a beautiful gift being pregnant is. I share these pictures of success in fertility with ease, just as we all can casually share our ‘ideal self’ on social media with a pretty picture; but I would like this text to remind us of the not so pretty days in our lives and how they shape us. The days of infertility plagued me with tears and emotional exhaustion trying to continually find peace with what I felt God was denying me. It is always blurry in the middle of a trial and after the smoke clears we can begin to be thankful for the scars it leaves us of enhanced empathy and compassion, but sometimes trials last longer than we feel we can bear. Once this baby is safely in my arms I feel I can shed the skin of infertility but the perspective it has left me with will continue to be apart of who I am and what I know I can do. The hard things we have done create confidence and character. This phase is miraculous to me as doctors gave us hope only for IVF with repeated dead end tests. I can only cling to each moment of pregnancy with delight that I AM HERE. This is where so many women long to be, and I have not stopped praying for them knowing their heavy hearts and dark places. If we all remember our dark places and our hard spots in life, even when someone requires ample patience to be understood, this world would be a kinder place. We don’t share our demons lightly and usually we don’t share them at all. I’ll share the reminding quote we may have all heard “Be Kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” – Wendy Mass. This quote rings utterly true and it always will. Be kind, do good, and give patience because life is hard and there are days we can only handle loving words. Thank you for stopping by!