Timeless Optimist

Fashion

5 ways to make yourself look taller if you are petite

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My fellow short girls are loling as they read this title. Being petite since I was 18 years old, I have always worked to find simple (and inexpensive) ways to give myself some extra height when I can. Today, I am sharing 5 simple ways to make yourself look taller if you are petite. Bookmark this page in case you need it later. Trust me, this is a post that is going to be super informative!

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Choose pointed shoes instead of rounded ones

This is a simple trick to help elongate your legs. When you are shopping for pumps, look for ones that are pointed instead of rounded. This simple trick is an easy way to make yourself look taller in dress pants, jeans or any look for that matter!

 

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Photographer: Randy Lange Photography

 

 

Ditch scoop neck tops. Instead, opt for V-necks!

When you pick a V-neck top, you automatically give the illusion that your petite frame is not so petite.

 

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Photographer: Belkin Images

 

Tuck in your shirts

Speaking of shirts, tuck them in! This simple solution is an easy way to make yourself look taller plus shows off your gorgeous petite frame. Even with a massive tulle skirt, tucking in my shirt allows me to not compromise my height!

 

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Photographer: Randy Lange Photography

 

Break out your long necklaces

This is one of the fastest ways to give the illusion that your torso is longer than it is.

Make high waisted jeans and shorts your best friend

I will literally have a meltdown if this trend goes away (lol). High waisted jeans and shorts not only flatter petite frames but they also give some extra height to your look.

I hope this helps you out! And if you are looking for brands who are petite friendly, I have a list that you can check out here.

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Beauty

Timeless lipsticks that I get enough of

Happy Monday loves! Today is extra special because it is National Lipstick Day. As such, I was inspired to share some of my favorite lipstick brands and shades that you can rock all year round.I even shared some of my favorite lipsticks last year which you can read here. Now, let’s dive into this year’s favorites!

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NYX Lingerie liquid lipstick in Exotic

I usually struggle with finding a brown lipstick that compliments my olive skin but that has changed! Exotic has been the perfect shade for me to wear anytime I want to wear a warmer color on my lips.

Urban Decay’s Comfort Matte in Backtalk

This formula is amazing because it gives your lips matte coverage without drying out your lips. Backtalk is my go-to pink color since it goes with literally everything!

STILA liquid lipstick in Fiore 

Summer is still in full swing which means there is still time to rock bright lip colors. I own a lot of STILA liquid lipsticks but I wanted to showcase Fiore because of how unique it is.

AU Naturale satin lipstick in Marsala

Last but not least, I wanted to feature a non-toxic item! The formula has a soothing fruity smell to it and the mauve color is long-lasting. It’s easy to keep on, easy to remove at night and the formula does not dry out my lips!

LORAC liquid lipstick in Berry Red 

Last month I Marie Kondo’d over 15 different red lipsticks! Yep. I have a slight problem. My point: I HAD to hang on to this LORAC red color because of how pigmented it is. It’s the best for photoshoots because it photographs so well! You can see more examples of this color on here (plus photos of when I had blonde biolage).

MAC matte lipstick in DIVA

When autumn comes around, I like to rock a wine-colored lip. I have yet to find a wine-colored lipstick that is better than DIVA. I have bought 3 of these bad boys in the past two years. In the interest of transparency, I will say that lipstick does not last a long as liquid formulas. That being said, you may have to re-apply through the day.

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Best skincare products for summer 2019

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Have you ever spent too much time in the sun only to realize that you FRIED your skin when you got home? I did that a few weeks ago during a trip to the beach. Since then, my skin has not been the same. I got a decent amount of dark spots and early signs of aging. It was time to up-level my skincare for the better!

Before I get into the products I have been using, I want to point out a few things about my skin:

  • It is both oily and sensitive.
  • I have rosacea, which means I have a lot of extra pink pigmentation on my cheeks and nose along with swelling from time to time.
  • I am 28 years old

These factors are important to note as to why the following products have been so helpful for me lately. I have been teasing reviewing my new eye gels on Instagram and now here it is! Let’s begin!

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Skyn Iceland Pure Cloud Cream

Perhaps it was fate that Skyn Iceland reached out to me about testing some of their products. Because after the sunburn, nothing seems to work to moisturize my skin besides their pure cloud cream. It’s so light yet powerful enough to moisturize your skin throughout the day.

Skyn Iceland Hydro Cooling Firming Eye Gels

After my sunburn, I also could not believe the damage that was done to the skin under my eyes! During my product testing, I also got to try Skyn Iceland’s Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels. I’m so grateful I got to test eye patches because they are my latest obsession. You really feel a cooling sensation when you have them on. Pro tip: stick them in the fridge overnight then whip them out the next day. The eye patches feel even more relaxing!

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After trying these two products, I decided to go to Ulta to buy a starter pack that included:

Glacial Face Wash

With the Glacia Face wash, a little goes a long way. The packaging suggested squeezing a dime-sized amount with water to wash your face with. I found I could get away with half that amount.

Cooling Daily Lotion

It felt like I was taking on icebath on my skin but in the most relaxing way! The cooling sensation lasted for about 10-15 minutes. I was worried it would irritate my skin but thankfully it has been gentle on my skin.

Icelandic Relief Eye Cream

That same cooling sensation you get from the daily lotion you also get with this eye cream. I like to use it as a part of my nightly skin routine now, especially on nights when I get home late from waitressing.

Oxygen Infusion Night Cream

Creamy yet light! This is a night cream that has been very forgiving to my sensitive/oily skin. In the summer, I have a hard time with night creams because they clog my pores overnight making way for pesky whiteheads the next morning (gross). So far, this is an issue that I am not having with this night cream!

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Raw Sugar Aloe body cream

You know when your entire body feels like it is burning after you spend too much time in the sun? I found myself struggling to cool down my skin after I got burnt. I used some fresh aloe in combination with Raw Sugar’s Aloe body cream to keep my skin moisturized throughout the day. So far, it has been working wonders as a body cream! Btw, if you are looking for fun ways to stay cool you can check out my recommendations here.

A special thanks to Skyn Iceland for giving me the chance to test our come of their best sellers for this week’s blog post. Please note that there are affiliate links in the post that help support Timeless Optimist to pursue additional creative projects. Thank you all for your love and support! 

 

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Fashion

Nordstrom anniversary sale 2019 try on session

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It’s here! Early access to the Nordstrom anniversary sale 2019 has started. There is a lot of hype about specific pieces and this sale can feel overwhelming. That is why I decided to do a try-on session to see what pieces that are worth the hype from the sale and what are not. And in case you need details on what Nordstrom’s anniversary sale entails, I got you covered here.

WHAT I PURCHASED/WHAT I WANT TO BUY:

CASLON side snap tunic sweater

One of my favorite finds from the Nordstrom anniversary sale! I saw this on a fellow blogger and I fell in love with it the instant I saw it. She pointed out that this sweater is one you can wear with your favorite knee-high boots and a cute hat. It looks so darling with a great pair of jeans as well! I ordered it in a size S because I wanted it to have a little extra room to it. If you want it to be TTS, size down. It does run large.

SHOP THIS TOP

BP Lace Trim Satin Camisole Top

This top is so popular and for good reason! It’s so light which makes it a great transistional pieces to have for summer into fall. The fabric feels so silky too! I ordered it in XS. It’s true to size. If you are busty, I would recommend sizing up.

Something Navy Mid Slip skirt 

I fell in love with this skirt the instant I grabbed it. The silky fabric is so comfortable. I loved that it runs true to size. While I was taking these pics, I was wearing it in an XXS since that was all that was available. I ordered this skirt in XS.

SHOP THIS SKIRT

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Brixton Joanna Hat 

This hat sold out so fast! This is a piece I hope gets re-stocked soon. Brixton has amazing quality when it comes to their wool hats. For sizing, I usually wear S in Brixton hats.

SHOP THIS HAT

Quay x Desi Perkins sunglasses 

I love a good sale on Quay sunglasses when I can get them! I got a pair of Quay glasses during the Nordstro anniversary sale last year and they are still my favorite.

SHOP THESE SUNGLASSES

Something Navy V-neck cardigan 

When colder weather approaches, I pretty much live in cardigans. I’m hoping this beauty gets re-stocked so I can get my hands on it.

SHOP THIS CARDIGAN

BLONDO Nina Waterproof Suede Boot

Nothing beats a pair of shoes that are both fashionable and functional! I am so excited that these beauties are back for this sale. Winters on the east coasts get so brutal so a girl needs to have a pair of shoes that are strong! The Nordstrom anniversary sale is a great time stock on investment pieces like these.

SHOP THESE BOOTS

 

ITEMS I LIKED BUT NOT ENOUGH TO PURCHASE THEM

Halogen Bold Purple and Pink Plaid Coat

I wanted to like this jacket so badly because it looked absolutely charming on Jennifer Lake from Style Charade. Sadly, even in a size XS I still felt like this coat was too big. I looked like a toddler who took her mom’s coat to be cute. 😂

SHOP THIS COAT 

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ASTR THE LABEL Lace Midi Dress

When I got to my local Nordstrom store, there were only two colors I could try: coral or red tannin. I love the color of the wine colored dress. The only problem is that it does run small. I had to take my bra off in order to wear the dress correctly. It’s gorgeous for a date night but I would say not the best for a wedding only because it is a bit busty on the top. In these photos, I am wearing it in a size XS. My biggest diappointment from this year’s Nordstrom anniversary sale.

SHOP THIS DRESS 

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SOMETHING NAVY Leopard Crewneck Pullover

I was really excited to try on this sweater because a lot of fellow bloggers looked so cute with this sweater. I was disappointed when I put it on. The length was super awkward for my petite frame. It’s super cozy and has a darling leopard print. In the end, however, there was too much material for it to flatter my petite frame.

SHOP THIS SWEATER 

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CHELSEA28 Sheer Lace Mock Neck Top

What originally attracted me to this top was the color. I love that it’s a timeless blush pink and the lace itself is made well. The only problem is that it does not come with a cami underneath. That being said, if you do not wear one, everything will show. For these reasons, this top was added to my not purchase pile.

SHOP THIS TOP 

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Have you taken advantage of Nordstrom’s anniversary sale?

 

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Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2019 details

Yay! It’s almost that time of year. Nordstrom’s Anniversary sale will start this week! This is one of my favorite sales of the year because it gives everyone a chance to stock up on fall favorites without spending a fortune when cooler weather arrives. Scroll down to learn what my favorite pieces from last year were, looks and what I will be adding to my cart this anniversary sale.

What is the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale?

Nordstrom’s fall inventory is debut with items at a sale price for a limited time. It’s the absolute best because you can stock up on pieces like shoes and clothes for yourself while also getting gifts in jewelry, beauty and more!

When does Early Access Start for Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale?

This is important to note because you would not believe how fast pieces sell out during early access. The early access sale begins on Thursday, July 12th HOWEVER it is just for Nordstrom cardholders. They have 3 types of cards: Nordstrom store credit card, a Nordstrom Visa Signature card, and a Nordstrom Visa Platinum Card. If you have a least one of them, you will have access to the sale. For more details, CLICK HERE.

When does the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale open to the public?

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale opens to the public on Friday, July 19. The sale ends on Sunday, August 4. Pricing for all of Nordstrom’s new fall inventory goes back up on August 5.

What time does the Nordstrom Anniversary sale start?

Since Nordstrom is a Seattle-based company, it’s no surprise that the start of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2018 aligns with their home time zone. This means that The Early Access Sale will begin at 12:01 AM PDT on July 12 (i.e. 2:01 AM Central / 3:01 AM Eastern). Public Access to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2018 will be at 12:01 AM PDT on July 20. People look forward to this sale every year. So if there is something you really like, I really recommend getting the Nordstrom Card so you do not miss out. I had a jacket that I loved last year that sold out during the early access portion of the sale (and did not get re-stocked). That being said, take advantage of their Pick Up in Store option if you want to avoid long lines.

Will Nordstrom Anniversary restock?

Nordstrom has an amazing return policy. This means that items can be restocked at any minute. Nordstrom’s web team is amazing at keeping up with analytics – making sure that all items available online and in the store are accurate.

Do I have access as to what items are going on sale?

YES! Nordstrom has their Anniversary Sale catalog available online for you to view HERE.

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••••

CECE PLEAT SLEEVE POLKA DOT BLOUSE

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SHOP THIS LOOK

Top: Cece // Jeans: Articles of Society // Bag: LC Lauren Conrad (OLD)

••••

LEITH CARDIGAN 

••••

BLANK NYC MOTO JACKET

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SHOP THIS LOOK

Jacket: BLANKNYC // Sweater: J.Crew

••••

LEITH RIB WRAP SWEATER

SHOP THIS LOOK 

Sweater: Leith (TTS) // Skirt: OLD; similar by Something Navy

•••••

I hope that this post helps you navigate through the sale. Be sure to check back here on the 12th. I will be linking my favorite pieces directly here on the blog. You can check out some of my favorite pieces from last year here. Happy shopping!

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Summer swim favorites

Petite summer

Yay for more days by the pool and the beach! You gotta love summer right? I have been on the hunt for some cute summer swimsuits. That is why I am sharing my summer swim favorites that you can enjoy! Here are some of the details that I am loving in my latest swim shopping haul:

Lace detail one piece

Simple, lace detailing is a timeless way to rock a swimsuit. I am in love with one piece bathing suits being a trend! I hope this trend is here to stay!

SHOP THIS LOOK

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Lemon print one piece

Much like gingham, lemon print is the summer print of the season! This charming print is from this year’s Kate Spade line. I will advise that these pieces run small. Be sure to size up! I am wearing my suit in S but will probably be returning it for a size M.

SHOP THIS LOOK

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Shell print one piece

As part of my summer swim favorites, I have to included this charming seashell one piece! I purchased this suit last year and it continues to be one of my favorite pieces. I was even more delighted to see that Amazon re-stocked this charming piece on their site. This suit runs true to size.

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SHOP THIS LOOK

I hope you like these swim looks! Be sure to check out my post about summer trends that are petite friendly here.

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Petite friendly​ summer trends 2019

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When it comes to fashion trends, they can be overwhelming. If you are petite, it can feel like anything that is trendy cannot be worn. Thankfully, there are plenty of petite-friendly summer trends that you can rock with ease.

Puff sleeve tops

A summer trend that is going no where fast! These tops can create a flattering silhouette for petite frames. Choose a pair of high-waisted pants to help elongate your frame with ease.

Hair barrettes & headbands

Being petite has its perks! Our smaller frame in our faces allows us to wear headbands and hair barrettes with ease. These pieces are on trend and available under $20. This is a petite friendly summer trend that is universal for all shapes and sizes (plus does not break the bank).

Wrap dresses

A timeless look that never goes out of style! Wrap dresses help frame our petite frames without swallowing us in too much fabric. Opt for s sheath wrapped dress for an extra touch of elegance!

Jumpsuits

Much like rompers, jumpsuits are a chic way to look stylish without feeling like you are being swallowed by too much fabric. My recommendation is to stick with smaller floral prints, polka dots or a solid color. If you want to make yourself look even taller, opt for a jumpsuit with vertical stripes. Yet another petite friendly summer trend that is easy to put together!

SHOP MY LOOK

Jumpsuit: J.Crew // Headband: OLD; similar here // Earrings: Majorica

Which of these trends are your favorite? If you are looking to add some cute new swim pieces to your wardrobe, check out my summer swim favorites here.

 

 

 

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