Best purchases: Veronica Beard white top | L’Agence sandals
No question … these were the best purchases of 2022!
… and they’re still available
Several years ago (four to be exact), when I started this little fashion website journey, I was devouring every podcast, YouTube video, and blog post possible. I wanted to do my own research! One of the first things I listened to was the “How I Built This Podcast.” In particular, it was the episode with Emily Weiss, the founder of Glossier. She wasn’t a beauty artist or a businesswoman initially, and also wasn’t proclaiming to know everything. However, since she was doing lots of photo shoots, she was discovering amazing makeup products that, in her words, were “too good to not share.”
Well, that’s exactly how I feel. When I started, I was a personal stylist working out of Room 3 at Nordstrom, helping clients one on one with whom I had built relationships over years. It was a dream job, and I loved every minute of it. When a new arrival would roll in, if it was good, all the stylists would grab it! If I liked it and wanted it, all the clients I helped that day went home with it as well 😉 It was too good not to share, and that’s what this blog is all about.
Today’s post is about the best purchases of 2022. I love featuring items that are bound to sell out, that will stand the test of time, and that will help you all get dressed every day and feel stylish and confident. For this post, I walked around my house looking at everything from the Target frames to my favorite candle to all the cool things in my closet, and have included them. This has been my most fun post to write so far, and I hope you enjoy it too! Happy week before Christmas ❤️ Susie xx
Dresses I wore this year on repeat
Left: Green tennis dress | Middle: Norma Kamali dress | BlankNYC jacket | Right: Zimmermann dress | Gold sandals
When the weather warms up, dresses are my favorite wardrobe staple. They’re easy, stylish and usually pretty comfortable. Here are three dresses I wore non-stop. And, I can hardly wait for an opportunity to wear them again!
#1 – Kule tennis dress – This terry cloth number is so cute! The shade of green is perfect, it’s super comfy for running around and, I suppose you could wear it for a light game of tennis. It will forever remind me of our Italy trip last summer because I wore it every other day! Wearing an xs.
#2 – Norma Kamali strapless dress – This $125 LBD is such a deal and is so chic! For starters, it can be worn most seasons, and many many different jackets work nicely over it. For reference, I have the size small, and didn’t do any alterations on it. For undergarments, I only wear the Wacoal Red Carpet Strapless Bra, and these shape wear shorts for smoothing. Click here to see a styling video. Wearing a small.
#3 – Zimmermann floral linen dress – I splurged on this dress (size 1) for a special trip I took to Dallas this past September to attend the LTK conference. Looking back, I can say this was the dress I felt the best in. It’s flirty, fun and flattering.
Best purchases: Useful totes and party bags
Left: Blouse | Denim | Chloe tote | Middle: Vince dress | Gold clutch | Right: | Sweater | Paige denim | Naghedi tote | SW boots
Bags and totes complete every outfit, and investing in a few you wear over and over again, is worth every penny!
#4 Chloe Woody tote – This is the one tote that I have found to be super useful, AND the logo taping detail adds a little pattern to your solid outfits. I can fit many things in this compact tote, including an iPad, laptop, and a zippered pouch with all my necessities. This is in the love category 😊
#5 Naghedi woven tote – I’ve seen everyone wearing this simple but chic tote. It’s understated, a little stretchy and holds a decent amount of things, making it perfect for traveling or day to day errands. It’s kind of like a handbag substitute. For reference, it’s the St. Barth’s medium tote.
#6 Rebecca Minkoff clutch – I purchased this early in the year in gold, and initially I thought the gold was too shiny so I put it in my return pile. But I kept asking my trusted friends, and they loved it. So, I plucked it from my return pile, and immediately started wearing it! Talk about compliments, this bag is a great piece.
I gave myself a jewelry update!
Vince silk blouse | Frame coated denim | Mansur Gavriel bag | Bony Levy pearl pendant necklace
If you’ve been following me for awhile, you know I’ve worn the same necklaces every single day for quite a while (above photo). So, several months ago, I decided it was time for an update, and it was the best thing I did, because now I’m wearing these every day!
#7 Gigi Clozeau necklace – This dainty necklace with tiny white resin beads is pretty and goes with all my other necklaces. I have the white/rose gold chain version, which you wouldn’t think would work with my other gold necklaces, but it does. My friend Paul at Twist in Portland helped me with it, and it looks great with everything!
#8 Gorjana pave disc necklace – This is another favorite that I picked out at our local Gorjana store with a gift card. It layers nicely with everything, and these are the two I absolutely love. And, they aren’t coming off any time soon!
I’ll never travel without using these two things
Varley 1/2 zip | Beis Weekender bag | Paravel luggage
I went on a lot of trips last year, possibly too many! Safe to say I tested a lot of luggage and tote bags …
#9 Beis Weekender bag – You’ll be shocked to know how much this compact bag holds — it’s crazy. There’s a zip compartment at the bottom that’s meant for shoes, but I always put my cosmetics bag and hair dryer in this section. The trick to carrying it on board is to not over pack it, so it squishes under the seat in front of you. I wrote all about it in this post. It also comes in a smaller size, and I’ve been thinking about getting this one as well. It’ll be ideal for shorter trips.
#10 Compression packing cubes – Last summer, I attempted 15 days in a carryon (read about it here)! While it didn’t exactly work out (see the results here), the compression packing cubes were the only reason it could be done in the first place. I highly recommend them and they do work!
Gucci go-to’s
Left: Milly dress | Gucci sandals | Cult Gaia bag | Right: Sweater | Frame coated denim
If you’re up for a splurge, keep reading! I have found Gucci splurges to be some of my best designer purchases. Last year, I purchased this tonal belt, this scarf and these rubber sandals, and I still love and wear them all the time!
#11 Gucci sparkle sandals – I tried these gorgeous sandals three different times in three different cities, before I decided they would be perfect for a very special event. I’m SO glad I got them, as these are the prettiest shoes in my closet. Surprisingly comfy, these black strappy sandals go with everything and I plan on wearing them every opportunity I can!
#12 Gucci Horsebit sandals – A block heel sandal is really easy to wear, and these sandals are super versatile. This past fall, I picked up the blush color. They’re also very very pretty!
Oversized cotton poplin shirts
Left: Penny shirt | Frame denim | Right: Kayla shirt | Mother denim
Bottom: Rails pink shirt | Mother Hustler | Chloe tote | Vince sandal
A simple oversized cotton poplin shirt is one of my favorite trends and is really easy to wear
#13 Kayla long sleeve shirt – One of my favorite purchases, I got this in navy (in XS) and wore it on every trip all summer long. If you layer a sweater over it, you’ll be able to wear this most of the year. I forgot to mention the Rails shirt, similar to the Kayla, was another one I wore on repeat!
#14 Penny short sleeve shirt – The other day, I noticed that this khaki shirt is back in stock. This is another one I wore non-stop, and I brought it on almost every trip! Wearing an XS.
Rag & Bone blazer
Rag & Bone blazer | Mother Dazzler | Golden Goose | Beis Weekender bag | Paravel luggage | Gucci bag
The day before leaving for London, I spotted this new arrival and quickly snapped it up. It has ended up being one of my favorite blazer purchases this year, and everyone who tries it loves it too!
#15 Rag & Bone Slade blazer – I wear the size 4, and have been lazy with the sleeves. Instead of having them altered, I just turn them up 😉 Wearing size 4.
Shoes, shoes and more shoes
Left: Stripe sweater | Vince sandals | Aritzia trousers | Right: Veronica Beard white top | L’Agence sandals
The right shoes makes all your outfits come together! You don’t need a ton of shoes, just the best ones 🙂
#16 Golden Goose Ballstar sneakers – I’ve worn these pretty much every day since I bought them last spring. They’re very comfortable — more so than the Superstars — and I think they’re a bit cooler-looking.
#17 Vince Pia – This wedge sandal is so comfortable, you won’t even notice they’re a little on the higher side! These are so good, and I love them with trousers.
#18 L’Agence sandals – The detail I like the most about these versatile sandals is the pointy toe. I wore the nude ones so often that when I spotted the black in stock the other day, I grabbed those as well. They work with denim, trousers and almost any style of dress. They’re now one of the best purchases I made all year.
Striped sweaters
Left: Black striped sweater | Right: Camel striped sweater – grey here
I’ve been going on and on about stripe sweaters, but they really are so stylish this season, I think everyone should try a version!
#19 Rails striped sweater – A camel sweater is a classic, and when you add a bell sleeve and a few stripes, it’s even more stylish. I have the XS, and when the long sleeves start bugging me, I just roll them up. It’s also available in gray here. Hands down, one of the best purchases of the year.
#20 Lilysilk striped sweater – The other day on my IG Live, I mentioned that the Toteme sweater is the cool girl one to own. The thing is, it’s a little spendy and it’s probably ideal if you’re taller than me! Now I’ve seen lots of other versions, including the Lilysilk one I purchased, this Veronica Beard one and this & Other Stories one. They’re all good. Wearing xs.
Pretty things for your home
Left: Serena & Lily stool | Weezie towels | Wiliams & Sonoma bath mat | Right: John Derian book
I love working on my home! It’s my favorite thing to do when I have a little down time. I’m pretty picky, and will often wait until I see just the right item for the space I’m working on (which is usually several at any given time). As my friend once said, my house is in a constant state of re-merchandising. It’s true 😉
#21 Serena & Lily vases – I spotted these on a trip to LA, and immediately knew they’d be perfect in my house. So, the minute I got back, I ordered the large and small ones. The scale of the large one is perfect. You can either use them together, or split them up in different rooms. Either way, they’ll add style to your space!
#22 Williams & Sonoma bath mats – This sounds funny, but my designer friend told me to get these, so I immediately raced out to buy them. I picked up two, and they’re both in our newly remodeled bathroom. Since I step on one every day, it’s important (to me) to have something I love there! They are one of my favorite purchases of the year.
#23 Target frames – Last month, I shared a DIY project I did in my Instagram office. All you need is simple white frames, this John Derian book and a little empty wall space. Click here to see the ones I picked up, and watch this video to see my IG office. It’s my happy place!
New beauty finds
Most of us love beauty products, and I’m always trying something new
#24 La Mer eye cream – My friend swears by all the La Mer beauty products she purchases, and I’ve been wanting to try them out for myself. This eye cream was a total splurge, but so far, it’s incredible. It’s creamy, and I use it both morning and night. The special silver-tipped application wand is soothing on the skin.
#25 Rouge 540 perfume – I love this fragrance SO much, and this year I graduated from the body oil to the perfume. The perfume is one of the best purchases I made all year! I spray it on most mornings, and it leaves my bathroom smelling nice for the remainder of the day 😊
Thank you for reading xx
