Style

Indyx Style Workshop: Week 1

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I recently have become obsessed with the Indyx app. It’s a tool that helps you index your entire wardrobe, create outfits, and track how much you wear, all for free. It also has paid features that include a personal stylist and support for setting up the app (if you sign-up use my code GINASTOVALL and we’ll both get $10 credit for styling services).

Since I started using it about a month ago I have gotten so creative with my existing wardrobe. And that’s the whole point of the app… to show you what you own, and inspire you to get the most out of you wardrobe hopefully encouraging you to buy less and more intentionally.

Another free feature of the app is a multi-week style workshop. I started it last week and thought I’d share here as a sort of accountability measure and for posterity! Week 1 was all about setting intentions for the workshop, here are mine below…

Set your intentions

  • I want to use more of my wardrobe.

  • I want to have fun getting dressed each day.

  • I need to eliminate clutter in my wardrobe, it just makes me anxious and makes it harder to see what I own.

  • I want to (re)discover my personal style postpartum.

Set a commitment

I won’t fall for the the sunk cost fallacy and keep things in my wardrobe I don’t love and use.

Identify and release any negative or counterproductive beliefs or “rules” 

I am releasing the idea that a versatile and efficient wardrobe ias filled with basics and neutrals. I want to get comfortable injecting a bit of added interest through color, pattern, texture, and silohuette.

Unfollow accounts and unsubscribe from emails that don’t support this journey 

I recently unsubscribed from nearly all marketing emails and have been maintaining “inbox zero” for a few weeks. My next step is to audit the social media accounts I follow to make sure they align with the type of content I want to consume and aren’t just selling me on things I don’t want.

Spring Wishlist: 2024

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Spring has sprung and I am in the midst of rediscovering my personal style post-baby. Nearly 16 months postpartum I am finally feeling more like my pre baby self, physically at least!

I’ve been lusting after a few new things in my wardrobe and I think to celebrate my second Mother’s Day I may splurge a bit. Here’s what has caught my eye and stuck in my mind.

Everlane Day Glove: I wanted a earth tone alternative to my black pair that I’ve been wearing all winter. I have a caramel color that I’ve nearly worn into the ground so this cocoa color is the perfect new addition. (Spoiler, I bought them!)

Emilia Dress: this dress looks like the perfect throw on piece and the color is just stunning.

Madewell Crystal Tennis Necklace: I may have been influenced by this one. I am really into layering necklaces and think this would complement some of the pieces already in my little collection.

GLDN Poet Pallete Studs: I have fallen head over heel for these studs. The colors and the romantic shapes tugged at my heart strings. I sat thinking about them for two weeks before deciding this would be my official Mother’s Day gift to myself this year.

Le Filet Market Net Tote: honestly I just want a new one as my old market bag in the natural color is pretty stained. This vintage blue color caught my eye and would be a find little pop to my neutral outfits.

Massimo Dutti Woven Bucket Bag: I definitely do not need a new leather bag, but I definitely do want a woven leather one and I am a huge sucker for green bags overall. That coupled with the unique shape and clever closure has me one click away from ordering.

French Hemp Fisherman Sandal: These shoes are all about the nostalgia. I’ve been considering a pair of Gardenheir clogs for a while but have been unsure of how I would style them. These sandals I could immediately imagine going with tons of summer looks I already own. And as a bonus they come in kids sizes too so I’m seriously considering getting my son a matching pair!

Cozy Slipper Round Up

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A friend of mine recently asked me about slippers and let’s just say I had way more opinions than probably warranted.

My partner calls me the “queen of cozy” because I take being cozy very seriously, particularly in the winter. Name a clever little book on hygge and I’ve probably read it. Ask me about my tea drawer, I’d love to walk you through it. How many throw blankets is enough? That’s a trick question because there is no such thing as enough throws. So slippers, of course I had a few recommendations and so I thought I’d share them here too!

My current favorite are these Parachute waffle booties and they are currently on sale! These ones are a close second. Not only are these cute and keep your ankles warm, but the insole is memory foam. Simply divine.

If you are feeling spendy then splurge on these shearling Moroccan slippers are it. These are a classic and mine lasted surprisingly long (over 2 years) for being white and having a leather sole!

On the opposite side of the spectrum, Muji offers the best slipper under $15! They may not last season after season, but they truly are comfortable while they last. I like to get these for house guests.

If you are looking for something that could work indoors or outdoors these shearling slides from TKEES are it. These are also good if a super warm bootie isn’t up your alley.

I haven’t tried these but they are on my list for next time I need a pair. I have been very impressed with Quince thus far and have high hopes for their shearling slides. They just look so luxe and I am smitten with the greyish color.

New Year, New Goals

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Last week I shared my intentions for the year, and today I have been thinking about concrete goals. There are a few areas I want to focus on this year home, money, hobby, health, and style. Family is notably missing because so much of my life is about my little nuclear family and creating time and memories with extended families that I do t think I need specific goals at the moment. These other areas have been somewhat neglected and I have some concrete things I want to accomplish which I’ll dive into now.

Home

I have the goal of making our rental our own this year. We’ve been here for three years and plan to stay for several more so I want to invest in some cosmetic changes that do more than what furniture and decor can do. First on my list is my en-suite bathroom which is the epitome of builder grade.

Money

Ever since getting pregnant and especially having my son I have paid very little attention to my spending. My shopping is typically pretty intentional, but it exploded with buying things for the baby and I have deeply evaluated how much of that is necessary, convenience, or now frivolous. I want to start with a low buy challenge to slow down a bit. And I plan to reconcile my 2023 budget with my actual expenses to see exactly where my money is going. Fingers crossed!

Hobby

Last year I knew all hobbies would need to go on hold to survive the baby phase but this year I want to start dabbling again. Particularly with more writing (and reflecting). I write a lot for work and want to strengthen my creative writing muscles.

Health

As with many things I mentioned above, fitness was put on a bit of golf last year. In particular this year I want to get back to daily stretching, some strengthening, and a steady and sustainable routine.

Style

The last goal is about clothes and styling what’s already in my closet. My body seems to have normalized a bit and I am fitting back into some of my pre-baby clothes and culling some that not longer serve my needs. I want to have fun with my wardrobe again and rediscover the pieces I have so getting dressed and sharing that is on my list for 2024.

Modern Folk + Other Pretty Things

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I think the cottagecore bug finally bit me. I couldn’t resist the cornflower design on our holiday cards this year, and now I’ve just ordered this floral embroidered sweater (no regrets). Before I know it I am going to be ordering ruffled collared shirts and the hyper-trending mary janes!

But in all seriousness, those pieces are cute on many but my take on cottagecore is just enough to satisfy my desire for the cozy, feminine, and wholesome feel it exudes while still fitting into my classic and curated wardrobe. Here are a few cottagey and granola pieces I’ve added in the past year and love.

Sézane New Additions

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Sézane continues to have a special place in my heart and wardrobe. These are the new pieces I’ve added to my collection over the past few months!

From left to right:

  • Clément Sweater - I have long had a thing for stripes, and a classic navy and white Breton stripe is my favorite. This sweater caught my eye because of it’s versatility pre- and post- pregnancy. Plus the beautiful buttons up the side seams are both a unique and functional design feature.

  • Large Alfred Card Holder - I’ve been gravitating to carrying more kid-sized bags and with that I felt I needed to add a card holder to my collection to save on space. The Alfred car holder is small but highly functional with 3 card slots, a zipper pocket, and slit pocket. The leather is stunning and will patina beautifully over time and I was thrilled to get my name embossed on it!

  • Mederick Coat - I have wanted to add a stunning double face wool coat like this one to my wardrobe for years. I always thought I’d add a camel color, and Sezane carries one, but then I fell in love with this olive color. I wear a lot of neutrals but always love a pop of green where I can add it.

  • Cleopatra Scarf - I have a small collection of silk scarves that I love, but have never found a floral that I truly love, until now. The colors and print of this scarf feels classic while still interesting and not too basic. I can’t wait to style it throughout the spring months too!

  • Seraphine Scarf - This classic houndstooth is softened in this camel and white colorway. I think this classic pattern in a high quality wool will serve me well for many many years to come.

  • Canvas Tote Bag - I saw this tote bag and just loved the materials and proportions. I immediately thought it would make a great and inconspicuous diaper bag with its generous size and tactical pockets.

Polène Paris Umi Bag

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I recently shared in my Mansur Gavriel bucket bag review that I have been refining my bag collection (especially since my wardrobe has been pretty drab all year throughout my pregnancy). One brand I recently discovered is Polène Paris and after falling down a YouTube rabbit hole I really wanted to own one of their bags.

I ended up falling for the Umi Bag, mostly because I wanted a medium sized shoulder bag and the clever strap design won me over. I love the rich camel color (although the clay was hard to pass up), and opted to pre-order it since it was not available in October/November when I went to purchase.

Unfortunately for several reasons that I share below and in my unboxing video I ended up returning this bag (and replacing it with something I absolutely LOVE and have been getting ample wear out of!).

Pros

  • Versatile with the two srap options and very clever strap design

  • Lovely hardware that isn’t a typical buckle

  • Minimal branding and an elegant logo

  • Beautiful pebbled leather that will likely wear well

Cons

  • The interior feels unfinished with the construction of the bag being so clearly visible

  • The zipper is stiff and not effortless to open

  • The bag opening is a bit tight to get things in and out

  • Adjusting the strap was difficult and the leather loop meant to hold the excess strap was a bit too small and rubbed harshly on the glazing. Overall it felt like an afterthought and not the best design

  • The customer service is pretty abysmal. I didn’t receive a shipment notification for my pre-order and after inquiring it took nearly a week to hear back from Polène who blamed it on DHL for not sending. Returns are also not free which sucks for a brand you can’t see in person, but that is stated on the website and understandable.

What's In My Bag | Mansur Gavriel Mini Mini Bucket Bag

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This year I haven’t added much to my wardrobe. Given the current flux my body is experiencing with pregnancy, clothing hasn’t been something on my mind. I like to add pieces I know I will love for years to come, and since I have no idea what my body will look like week to week, much less postpartum, I have skipped garments and instead thought more about the accessories that jazz up my pretty basic outfits.

A new addition to my slowly developing bag collection is a beautiful smooth leather bucket bag in a neutral taupe-tan color. The Mansur Gavriel bucket bags have been on my wishlist for many years, initially I envisioned adding a black one to my collection but instead I added the Jenni Kayne bucket bag in black a few years ago. I absolutely love my JK bucket bag but one thing I have realized is that a large sized bucket bag is not my favorite. I love the look but I am not disciplined enough to not overstuff it and weigh down my shoulder. I also find manuevering a large, structured bucket tote a little cumbersome throughout the day.

All that said, this is why I started looking at the smaller Mansur Gavriel bucket bags. I had been eyeing one for summer but when this one popped up on sale for Black Friday in my preferred color, I had to pull the trigger.

Mansur Gavriel Mini Mini Bucket Bag on sale at ShopBop. Shop all the colors here.

The Perfect Cashmere Turtleneck

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Sweater season is upon us and bundling up in one is something I look forward to as soon as temps drop below 70. This year I have found myself reaching for what I am now calling the perfect turtleneck sweater. Just the fact I am writing a review about it speaks volumes as I don’t typically review a single clothing item unless it is truly something to write home about.

Last year I picked up my first in ivory and no fail, everyone I wore it I received an unsolicited compliment. It’s such a luxe and chic sweater that immediately makes me feel like I should be a character on Big Little Lies. This year I grabbed a neutral sandy brown version in a size up (Medium) to accommodate my bump and surprisingly it is the perfect sweater to go a little incognito pregnancy wise. I wear it over dresses and leggings and under my favorite outerwear for extra warmth.

I think the cut combined with the ribbing, generous neck, and perfect length lend to this sweater being a timeless investment piece. I particularly love that The cashmere feels substantial and I have not had to depill or wash either yet! All in all a sweater worth of a little extra praise.

Sézane Summer to Fall Transitional Styles

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Summer has come to an end, but I wanted to share the Sezane pieces I picked up this summer. The beauty of all these pieces is that they are all perfect for the transition from summer to fall.

From left to right:

  • Gaspard Jumper - I love this classic cardigan tucked in as a top for the very French laid back look. It will be perfect for layering as the temperatures start to drop and top with a contrasting jacket.

  • Marcelo Top in white - this tank is the perfect base layer. I love how thick and structured the rib knit is. The white is classic and will go a long way underneath button-ups and sweaters this fall.

  • Striped Tomboy Shirt - what I love most about this shirt is how well tailored and timeless it is. The fabric is high quality and I can see this wearing in beautifully over the years. I often like to thrift well made mens shirts, but inevitably the fit is a bit too oversized. This shirt is cut and finished like a man’s but with a woman’s body in mind giving the best of both worlds.

  • Marcelo Top in grey - I loved the white tank so much I naturally had to have this tank in another color! The greay is great to wear alone, but I am sure I’ll layer with it until the weather is warm again.

  • Gatsby Marinière - I love a breton stripe, it just screams summer by the sea. But I also love a classic through the fall, winter, and spring as well. The Gatsby is a boxy breton with a perfect placket with tiny buttons down the front so you can switch up the neckline. You can event layer collared shirts underneath which I am planning to try this fall/winter. I think it will hold well with under layers due to the very structured organic cotton knit, anything lighter-weight or stretchier would become crumpled and messy looking with under layers.

  • Dorine Top - Last but not least, the Dorine Top. I think this lovely open crochet crop top will look fantastic layered over body-con dresses and turtlenecks. I feel like that will be the perfect way to add a bit more outfit interest and a tab more warmth as well!

September New Additions

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September is my birthday month and this year it truly snuck up on me. I had just gotten back from a wonderful road trip and visit with family so I wasn’t in much mood to do anything. Instead, I decided to treat myself to some new wardrobe items!

I have to thank Instagram for serving me a very convincing ad for my first purchase, the One Quince leather moto jacket. I have always found a classic black leather jacket to be a closet staple, and unfortunately my last one had to be passed on to my sister when I sized out of it. Ever since I have had a small gap in my jacket collection… until now. This one is super affordable, lightweight, and the perfect balance of fitted but roomy enough to layer with.

I also picked up a couple of maternity items to accommodate my growing bump and were super pleased with this super soft striped dress and this lounge set. Both of these will (hopefully) also work postpartum. I typically try to avoid H&M, but tbh I didn’t want to invest much in clothing I may not wear for very long.

Last year I fell in love with my black Brooklyn Lug Boots, so this season I jumped at the chance to get them in this brown color. These boots are incredibly comfortable and a practical yet timeless take on the chunky utility boot.

Lastly, although late in the season, I finally got myself a pair of Birks! I desperately needed comfortable everyday shoes, and since I live in LA these Arizona Sandals are essentially wearable year-round.

My Sezane Collection | Spring 2022

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I've recently fallen in love with Sezane and built up a small collection. Today I will share my spring pieces including some try-ons! Links to each piece are below as well as the sizes I own.

 
 

What I Wore Last Week

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Another week of outfit documentation! This week I made an effort to wear pieces I haven’t reached for lately and style them in new ways.

Outfit 1: Two Days Off Vicki Pant in moss, Universal Thread shirt, and Eileen Fisher mule slides.

Outfit 2: Two Days Off Two Days Off Okaasan Tie Top, Arq Tank Top, and Zara Jeans.

Outfit 3: Two Days Off Kaneko Dress in natural linen worn as a duster, Arq Tank Top, Aliya Wanek pants, and Jenni Kayne bucket bag (15% off with code GINAS15).

Outfit 4: Two Days Off Koto Skirt in black linen, Aurorei Yuna Top, and Kaneko Dress in natural linen worn as a duster, Jenni Kayne crossover sandals (15% off with code GINAS15).

What I Wore Last Week

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Another week of outfit documentation! This week I made an effort to wear pieces I haven’t reached for lately and style them in new ways. It’s a bit of a test as I get closer to October (when I am planning a huge closet clear out!).

Outfit 1: Two Days Off Olivia Top in ivory over my Jenni Kayne slip dress (15% off with code GINAS15). Tree Fairfax extended half moon bag, and Wilder Maude slides.

Outfit 2: Two Days Off Suki Dress in clay linen, Elizabeth Suzann linen vest, and Wilder Maude Slides.

Outfit 3: Two Days Off Suki Top in black linen, Universal Thread jeans, ABLE Amber Boots (20% off with code GINA20), and Irro Irro naturally dyed tote bag.

Outfit 4: Two Days Off Kaneko Dress in natural linen worn as a duster, Jenni Kayne tee dress in sage (15% off with code GINAS15), my well loved Eileen Fisher mule slides, and my A.P.C. half moon demi bag in nut brown.

Outfit 5: A relaxed Friday repeat from last week. My Two Days Off Mioko Duster in natural linen, ARQ tank top, Madewell double gauze pants, and my beloved Jenni Kayne Shearling Slides (15% off with code GINAS15).

What I Wore Last Week

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Last week was a great week in outfits for me, I wore what I love and felt like myself! Here are my favorites (and why) with details.

First up, a beach look. I have been reaching for my Two Days Off Koto Skirt because it is light, easy on and off, and has the most perfect slits for that beach breeze. It’s precisely what I always wanted to wear on my “two days off.” And of course I wore my tried and true Joss Hat from my friend Candace’s shop, Selah (currently on a break).

The second look was what I wore on my birthday outing to the Getty. I added my Okaasan Tie Top over a black jumpsuit I got on Amazon of all places. My shoes are my beloved Maude Slides in black from Wilder, my bag is a new favorite from Cuyana (the Double Loop Tote I reviewed in this video), and my watch is my classic Nordgreen Native watch with the brown leather strap.

In this third outfit I was cozied up at home all day (bliss). I wore my all time favorite head scarf from a shop my friend Jakiya used to have, an ARQ tank top, my Two Days Off Mioko Duster in natural linen, and some old Madewell double gauze pants. My slippers are new and lined in shearling from TKEES, ultimate cozy.

I loved this fourth outfit so much I wore it twice! My dress is a relatively recent addition from COS, topped with my black linen Mioko Duster and Jenni Kayne slides.

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Finally, this last look is another version of the earlier beach look in different colors. I am wearing a Kordal knit tank I bought second hand on Instagram, my natural linen Koto Skirt, and my Joss Hat.

I hope you enjoyed this little round up! I am hoping posts like these will remind me of all the clothes and looks I like to wear! And for discounts at some of my favorite shops like Two Days Off, Cuyana, Jenni Kayne, TKEES, and Nordgreen check out this list. Some of the links there will give me a small commission if you do end up purchasing so it’s a win-win!

Cashmere, Linen & Check-in

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What a year, and there are still nearly 2 months left. More than ever I am craving peace of mind, slowness, and solitude. My life seems to have become a never ending rotation of mindfulness rituals that even I sometimes wonder if I will tire of. But so far, no, having something dependable to rely on every day is just what’s needed during such tumultuous times.

GinaStovall
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What I’m Wearing:

Two Days Off Kaneko Dress

Jenni Kayne Cashmere Fisherman Sweater

Aerosoles East Side Loafers

What I Wore: Week 3-4 of the May 30x30

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