Instagram lately: sneakers style + DIY chocolate strawberries

Nike Free sneakers (also sold here) sz 6 - runs small, J.Brand jeans sz 24 (hemmed)

H&M scarf (similar - 50% off), Gap jacket (similar in petite), Talbots tee, Goyard bag

Rounding up some photos & answering questions from my Instagram lately - I don't think I've ever blogged an outfit in sneakers (except for Nick's spycam proposal photos where I was in pretty much the same outfit) but I'm reaching for them more and more outside of working out. My go-to lazy day outfit is black leggings or skinny jeans with these sneakers, which help visually lengthen the legs a bit despite being in flat shoes. And if you don't have a staple camel scarf by now, this Topshop one just went on markdown for half off with free shipping!

Ann Taylor dress c/o + necklace (on sale!), Talbots tee (similar), Manolo BB pumps

Just got this dress back from the tailor, whom I had slim the hips about an inch or so. I want to echo from my prior review it's a solid quality piece and I'm loving the subtle piping detail. It's currently on sale for 40% off with all sizes in stock, and my necklace is still available on extra clearance! There's so many layering possibilities with a classic crewneck neutral sheath dress - you can do collared shirts, long-sleeved tees like I did here, tie-neck tops, cropped sweaters, etc.

Oh my goodness, we might've over-indulged in these just a bit but they were SO good. They also make great little Valentine's Day gifts boxed up - my friends kept asking where they were from! I have a history of more Pinterest fails than successes, so if I can make these at home I'm pretty sure anyone can. Here's a few tips after my initial struggles (needed a hot shower after being covered in chocolate):

- This YouTube tutorial was my favorite! Toothpicks kept sliding off my berries, so I just hand-dipped then placed on parchment paper to harden.

- Since very few ingredients are involved, quality ones are key. Strawberries are sadly not in season here but I splurged on some juicy looking ones at WholePaycheck err Wholefoods. We had both Ghiradelli and Nestle chocolate on hand which were equally tasty.

- Make sure your berries are bone dry before dipping, since a drop of water in the melted chocolate could make it seize up. I washed mine ahead of time and laid out to pat dry on paper towels.

- Use large pieces of chocolate, or big chips or chunks found in the baking aisle for melting. I accidentally had a bag of mini chips which would not melt smoothly.

- I tried both a double boiler and microwave for melting my chocolate and they came out the same. Microwave was a lot easier so I stuck with that method. Make sure to have your power level on half and heat up in 30-second increments, stirring in between, to avoid burning your chocolate. Maintaining that silky consistency is key for easy dipping - I had to re-heat my chocolate several times whenever it started to thicken up.

- The ones that you mess up dipping are perfect for covering in nuts! Or eating immediately : )

Ending this post with Nick's colorful fruit & yogurt bowl...quite yummy even though I'm not the biggest fan of yogurt from some childhood trauma. My mom and grandparents LOVE making their own yogurt (which my friends eventually lovingly dubbed "couch yogurt"). This involves an incubation process at a lukewarm temperature, which they found the living room couch with all its cushions and throw blankets to be the perfect vehicle for. One too many times I tiredly plopped my butt down on the sofa only to find a yogurty surprise...

Birds of a Feather

Banana Republic skirt xsp (waistband folded over), Ann Taylor jacket 00p c/o

Halogen leopard heels sz 5, Talbots audrey cashmere sz petite p (similar in camel)

Ann Taylor crystal necklace, Chanel bag, Bobbi Brown lip color in "Brownie"

I hope those who celebrate had a very merry Christmas! We're on the West coast with family, and I'm thrilled that my grandparents were able to come visit the Nelson residence. They don't speak the same language at all, but communicate through good cooking and warm hugs : ) I had this outfit on for some festivities with friends, but ended up swapping bare legs for black tights and booties since it was so chilly! The feather-like fringe on this skirt makes it instantly party-ready (see other pairing ideas here and here), but can be dressed down a bit with neutrals. I hoisted the length up for nighttime by folding the wide waistband over - just make sure to remove the tag from the inner back.

Most retailers snapped into clearance mode the moment Christmas was over... almost everything in my look here is on sale! Ann Taylor is having a big promo which includes both my jacket (also worn here) and necklace. I've been reaching for this piece quite a bit; it has a good weightiness to it, and I like the crystal aspect for pairing since it takes on whatever color you're wearing underneath. Also for fellow lovers of Stila sun bronzer (I'm wearing it here), I stumbled across a few in the sale section of Sephora w/ EXTRA20 for another 20% off. I stocked up but am so sad to see yet another favorite being discontinued! I guess many users didn't like the red/orange tint, which I prefer to just brown for a warmer look.

I love seeing everyone's tree styles, and mama Nelson's never disappoints decked out in pearls and poinsettias. Don't worry, Misty knows not to snack on them! I got a few questions on IG about her PJs, but it's actually just a roomy human flannel shirt ; ) My comfy thermal sleepshirt however is from this post and just went on sale in all 10 colors. It was super easy to get a price adjustment via online chat, so don't be afraid to ask for one if you got it recently.

I snapped this Instagram before we left Boston, from a small holiday gathering at our place. The Cheers glasses are from my post here and now also on sale! The antler straws were found in the dollar bins of good ole' Target. PS - I also wanted to mention my leopard heels in this outfit are from years ago, but got restocked earlier this season starting in sz 4! I love the slightly lower heel and "normal" leopard print. They do run big though per the listing, so I'd echo trying half a size down.

Winter Pink + Gray // Portland, Freeport Maine travel + food diary

Sorel Winter Fancy boots c/o, H&M coat, mug, YSL crossbody bag (review)

Banana Republic jeans, Talbots tee, Macy's sweater, Old Navy mittens & hat

We love heading up to Maine every so often for a change of pace, and more importantly, the food & drink! The food scene in Portland is amazing with a lot of fresh ingredients and creative culinary minds. We like gorging at restaurants there but staying somewhere with a little more rustic charm, like Freeport. It�s a small town about 20 minutes north, home to a big outdoor outlet mall for all your holiday shopping, a 24-hour LL Bean flagship store (because you might need duck boots at 3am), and don't forget the Maine Beer Company tasting room, Nick adds!

Packing essentials: ASOS plaid blanket scarf / wrap, Sole Society Cassidy bag 

Hunter foldable rainboots (the best! also  at Zappos or Bloomingdales), Sorel snow boots

Here we are toasting our feet back in our room at the charming Haraseeket Inn, after stuffing ourselves during their complimentary tea & treats service. I adore a room with a good cozy fireplace & reading nook! Nick's tartan PJ pants are a bargain from Old Navy (he also has the snowmen print I stole here which several of you guys asked about). They're 100% cotton and shrink a bit if machine dried, so size up for your men. My husband gets quite riled up when I borrow his favorite PJs, but they're just so comfy and festive I can't help myself : ) Btw, I also picked up these cable mittens & pom pom hat while at ON - the mittens are soo soft and cozy with fleece lining on the inside!

Men's flannel PJ pants (lots of prints), Target sweater leggings

On to Portland food�our first meal was at Eventide Oyster, co-founded by a chef who worked at Clio in Boston. They make a mean brown butter lobster roll on an Asian-style pillowy bao bun. Out of all the ways to have lobster, I prefer mine in the shell (Cantonese style over noodles! mmm...see my family recipe) but if I have to have a roll, this wasn�t bad at all. Nick on the other hand is all about the lobster rolls (and any Asian bao, pretty much), so naturally this one ranked pretty high on his list. The oysters were also oh-so-fresh and briney�it kills me when I go to places and they pour out or spill the brine before serving!

For brunch the next day, we were back in Portland at a spot called Central Provisions. The cornbread with bacon & filled with an egg was TDF! This dark photo doesn't do it justice...I'm still dreaming of all its crispy bits and runny goodness. Nick has been working on perfecting his recreation of this back home. 

I did manage to get my lobster pasta fix at Street & Co, which has been at the top of my to-try list. Apparently they take reservations 2 to 3 months ahead of time (nuts!) but thankfully also have some space for walk-ins. Their famed lobster diavolo was served piping hot & fresh, with all the seafood cooked to tender perfection for about $30 less than The Daily Catch's version in Boston. It's listed as "for two" but we made about two more meals out of the leftovers alone.

Aside from the yummy food, another common theme during our Portland trip were the strong drinks. I can usually do a few cocktails before needing to call it a night, but was a 1-drink wonder everywhere we went there (cheap date for Nick!).

You guys may remember this mock-neck sweater from this post tucked into a skirt and this post styled under a vest. The cropped length lends itself to so many different layered looks, including being worn over a longer button-up plaid shirt or patterned tee like I did here. They sell a lot of tops with that faux 2-in-1 look, which is very easy to create just with two shirts of differing lengths. 

Would love to hear some of your favorite towns & places to visit in Maine for our next trip!

Holiday gift guide: Beauty under $50

J.Crew Factory dress, Talbots necklace (last worn here)

Today I'm sharing a few picks from Ulta Beauty's holiday gift guide that are each a great value, perfect for holiday exchanges with your girlfriends or a small present-to-self to get ready for this season's parties! First up on my list is the Tarte Dressed to the Nines LipSurgence Lip Creme set with nine mini tubes of color. They're super creamy and easy to glide on, and the colors range from light & buildable to bold - I'm testing 4 of the limited edition shades up above!

Ann Taylor bow heels (last worn here)

I like that they're packaged in sets of 3, so you can gift as a whole set or break it up. I own a full-size lip creme from them which is $24 a piece, so thought the variety set was an awesome value for $34. I see this set just sold out online, but was told Ulta Beauty stores should have it in stock.

Another product on my gifting list is one that I started using this year at the recommendation of a friend - the popular Anastasia contour palette. I use the "light to medium" powder palette and would love to hear anyone's thoughts on how it compares to the cream version! My daytime makeup routine is pretty minimal so I usually reserve this for going out at night, or times when I know I'll be in a lot of photos. Here's a before and after:

After applying foundation, I just do a little contouring along my nose and cheekbones to give them more definition. You can use a variety of brushes, but a denser one like this Real Techniques flat contouring brush works well for precision shading along the cheekbones. And for the nose bridge I simply use a small eyeshadow brush. Definitely start with a light hand and just accentuate your natural features; a little bit goes a long way - it's easy to be overzealous with shading and end up looking like a patient on "Botched" ; )

Next up is this cute TOO FACED "La Petite Maison" eyeshadow palette with a good mix of smokey neutrals and highlighting shades. I made one of my first smokey eye tutorials with my other Too Faced palette which lasted me for years. This one comes nestled in an Parisian-inspired box along with a small tube of their "Better than Sex" mascara, which a few of my friends swear by.

Last but not least, I love a good mini polish kit, especially with holiday colors that you're not likely to use up a full bottle of. My tip is to search on Google images for swatches beforehand, so there's no surprises of how polishes look when applied! The OPI All-Stars 4-piece mini set has a nice variety for this season ranging from a true festive red to a deep, rich plum and two metallics. The champagne silver is probably my favorite, esp. with a coat of Essie Luxe Effects glitter topcoat layered on.

(left) "Love is in my Cards" and (right) "Press * for Silver," both with glitter topcoat

Thank you to Ulta Beauty for partnering on this post! Would love to get some more ideas for my makeup-loving friends...please share some of your favorite beauty gifts to give (or receive)!

Cozy layering + Talbots Friends & Family sale

Pearl & gem necklace, cable sweater sz Petite P, Laura Mercier "Red Amour" lipcolor

A-line skirt (0P altered), tights in grey, cashmere scarf - outfit c/o Talbots

Talbots' friends & family sale just kicked off - from now through 11/9, take a rare 30% off your entire purchase with code FRIENDS30! It's a little early, but I figured I'd share a holiday look that I styled for their petites page in time for this promo. The base of this outfit is a simple, warm pairing suitable for the office, and can be spruced up with a statement necklace or patterned scarf for holiday festivities.

For extra petite ladies, Talbots' numerically-sized items (pants, skirts) start at 2P, sometimes 0P so will probably not fit without alterations. I usually recommend checking out their letter sized-items instead like sweaters and tops which start in Petite P, their good quality accessories, and shoes that start in size 5. One of my favorite pieces of all time is this 100% pima cotton striped tee (which you guys have seen on me here, here, here, and here just to list a few) that's now less than $25 with the sale! I own my fair share of striped tees yet keep on reaching for this one because the material and fit feel the most comfortable. The sleeves of a Petite P were long on me off the rack, but after machine drying they shrunk to a good fit. Here's another striped pima cotton option with 3/4 sleeves, also on sale.

Another wardrobe favorite of mine is their opaque hosiery - not a glamorous item but a must for those who like to wear skirts and dresses in cooler weather. They're the right amount of opaqueness for me but still lightweight with a hint of sheerness, and the best part is they're nice and short for petite legs so no bunching! I own each of the 4 colors (most-worn is navy) which is a good starter kit for anyone tights shopping for a range of outfits. I stock up during sales to have extra pairs in-between washes, but very rarely have had to replace a pair due to wear and tear. I used to buy most of my tights at H&M but these are better quality, pilling less and with a better fit.

This cable button sweater comes in a host of colors and is a layering basic. I'm wearing Petite P which gives me room for a shirt underneath. It's a lighter weight knit and the cables go all the way around to the backside. This A-line skirt starts in sz 0P and runs generously, designed to sit lower near the hips - skirt waist measured 14" across, hips 17.75" across, length 18." I had my tailor take in the waist and along the sides, but note you can't take in this skirt too much otherwise the pockets will end up on your sides (something I realized after the fact). I like the heathered gray stretch wool blend, the cute angled pockets, and the invisible back zip and full lining, so would recommend this to those who can fit the sizing without alterations. Definitely size down if you like skirts to sit higher at your waist and not hips.
My favorite part of this look is the faux pearl & gem necklace...have gotten lots of compliments on it and people are always surprised to hear it's Talbots. I've collected several pieces of costume jewelry from there over the years, and they've held up well and are slow to tarnish (I also keep many of my pieces in zip-locked baggies to minimize oxidation). This one has good weight to it, and is a pretty accent on winter outfits plus would make a great gift. I've also been eying this green jeweled statement necklace but haven't yet seen how it looks in person.

Happy shopping! Would love to hear any of your favorites & recommendations from this sale!

Fall staples + how to get hats to stay on your head

J.Brand Maria jeans "vanity" sz 24 hemmed, Bobeau cardigan sz XSP "light grey"

BP Trolly booties, Talbots tee (also worn here), Hinge wool hat in "heather camel"

I sometimes hear pairing brown with black (also navy with black) as a "don't" and can't imagine why! I think the two work together harmoniously, which inspired this outfit comprised of four of my favorite neutrals. This is my second Bobeau cardigan and the "light grey" knit is a heathered one that goes with everything. I've gotten some questions on the differences between Bobeau's regular fleece cardigan (which I've shown often in "mink") and their fuzzy which I have on here. The regular has a smooth outer and is lined in a traditional fleece material as most of us know it, while the fuzzy fleece is a thinner knit material that is smoother on the inside and with a very fine fuzziness on the outside that feels suuper soft and not really fleece-y. I found the fuzzy to run a little tighter in the arms thus sized up one.

This outfit prompted me to also share a little tip I've been using to keep hats secure on your head! After having one too many gusts of wind leave me chasing after a hat, I came up with these super easy hairpin loops made of thin elastic. Simple sew two (one near each ear) pieces of elastic by hand into the interior of a hat band, and use them as loops to secure bobby pins to. If needs be, seal the cut edges of the elastic with clear nail polish to prevent fraying. I am slowly in the process of adding these to all my hats, especially the lightweight ones from summer!

Sizing-wise, this hat is more generously sized, but I kept it out of several I tried because it actually encases most of my head and keeps it warm. I've been using it more as a functional rather than fashion accessory (rumples hair up much less than knit hats), but it doesn't hurt that it's in a cute panama shape. If you have a hard-to-fit head, I've mentioned before on IG that H&M has sized hats in S/M/L and the S fits pretty small (I'm a M there).

Black skinny jeans are high up on my fall/winter staples list, as they're so flattering especially with booties. Nordstrom has a big selection at all price points starting in sizes 23 / 000, and I like to filter by size plus "ankle" length for ones that may require no alterations on shorties. The J.Brand "Maria" cut is an old favorite of mine despite a regular length that did need to be hemmed. It's a high-waisted style that fully covers my lower belly, which some may be averse to but in my older age I love how it holds everything in and flattens that area. The material of these in "vanity" is a substantial-weight denim (please note that I've found materials to be quite varied based on the color code, even within the same style from the same brand). Color is a regular black, not as jet black as these photos depict.

If you're looking for more of a jegging, I love the feel of CoH's popular legging jeans in "axel." I remember a while back I was sick in bed and less than enthused about getting dressed for an event. I was staying with a friend, who loaned me her "axel" jeans and I couldn't believe something so stretchy, soft and comfortable could look reasonably formal! I like my ankle area to be super skinny however and these have a slim but slightly wider opening than my J.Brands. A sz 24 in the CoH's fit well everywhere except length, so I didn't find them to run small like the item listing notes.

Thank you to Nordstrom denim for sponsoring this post!

PS - restock alert - my wool blend plaid scarf from this post is now all sold out on Sole Society, but I noticed Nordstrom just got stocked the "hunter green" one I have!

Pumpkins & Ponchos

J.Crew turtleneck, Talbots wrap c/o (color sold out; last shown here)

Vince Camuto booties (love! I'm usually between 5-5.5 and took the latter), J.Brand jeans

I wanted to share some quick photos of this striped turtleneck tee from my Columbus weekend sale post (*update: unfortunately, the striped version is now shown as excluded from sale). I rely on these lightweight tees to help prolong wears between washes for pieces like sweaters, blazer, and coats (where makeup transfer or perspiration can discolor the inside of collars). They come in a myriad of solid colors and four striped options - the ivory and navy stripes are always classic, but the redwood will pair with more things than you'd imagine. I'm wearing xxs regular which is very slim-fitting, and considered sizing up. The sleeves are long on short arms but don't bother me for a layering tee.

Apple cider donuts are one of my favorite things ever about fall in New England - maybe the aroma even more than the taste. We went with friends to grab a dozen with hot cider and polished them off before making it back to the car.

I also dusted off my favorite fall polishes, amongst them Essie's "Hot Coco" (a taupe brown) worn below - an oldie but goodie. I'm always looking for new shades to try so would love to hear some of your seasonal favorites!
This colorway of my wrap sweater is now sold out, but I've linked to a few other affordable options below in versatile prints. I know many petite ladies are afraid of large, billowing garments, but I think it can look fine if you simply balance out the rest of the outfit with slim, fitted pieces.

Petite-friendly narrow-calf leather riding boots: Ariat York

Ariat "York" riding boots, also available at Zappos or Amazon in brown, black or 2-toned

ASOS blanket scarf, Talbots striped tee, J.Crew wool mini (current season's), Coach bag

Tall boots are hands-down the most frustrating item I shop for, but it makes it all the more rewarding when winners are found! For newer readers, my trouble areas are both boot shaft height and calf width. For reference, my calves measure ~12.5" around and my lower leg is ~15" high, resulting in most "knee-high" boots hitting uncomfortably at or over my knees. It's admittedly been easier to shop for over-the-knee style boots for a little more leeway on height. You can find past reviews on the few options I've found that are a good fit: Stuart Weitzman's stretch boots, select Aquatalia boots, and also a style of stretch Cole Haan boots. These each cost a pretty penny, but quality boots should last many years so could be worth the splurge for those with similar fit struggles.

I've been wanting a pair of brown riding-style boots for years and decided to look into an actual equestrian brand. I came across a few scattered reviews for Ariat's "York" boots indicating the calves fit slim, although you wouldn't guess based on the 15" calf circumference listed online. I was pleasantly surprised by the great fit and couldn't wait to take them out for a spin!

The leather feels thick and durable (slightly on the stiffer side compared to thinner, more supple leathers) and the soles have rubber traction. They are lined and have a full interior side-zipper entry. The "maplewood" color is a medium cognac brown, and these also come in classic black and a few two-toned options. The York boots are also sold direct on Ariat's website, where you can find more specifications as well as a video on how to clean your boots. I ordered mine from Nordstrom for their customer service / easy returns in case of any issues down the road.

As you can see in the photos, there's minimal gapping at the calf circumference on me, enough room for jeans or boot socks. There is a small stretch gore panel on the inside at the upper calf to help with a comfortable fit. The shaft hits about 1.5" below my knees which is very rare for a tall boot. The ankles are not baggy on me, which is another problem I tend to find on boots that might fit otherwise. The price point is very fair for leather boots that fit (esp. compared to others in my collection), so I would definitely recommend while sizes are in stock! Unfortunately for small-footed ladies, the smallest size is a 5.5 which I found to be a snug fit with socks on.

Measurements of a size 5.5: 13.5" boot shaft height excluding heel, 13.5" calf opening circumference when measured along the interior, 4.5" across ankle width from the exterior, 1.25" heel. Please note that as with all boots, these measurements will likely decrease / increase with the shoe size.

Per your requests, I also have some leather & suede care posts planned for this season (finally ordered myself some protectant and cleaner brushes!). As always, if you guys have petite-friendly boot recommendations, please share below in the comments!

Instagram outfits lately + Uniqlo flannel and vest reviews

Talbots sweater c/o (25% off! reviewed here), Jolt girlfriend jeans sz 00

Vince Camuto booties, Tory Burch robinson bag (old color), MAC "charismatic" lip

Tomorrow is the last day of Tory Burch's annual buy more save more fall event - get up to 30% off your order with code FALLEVENT. Some exclusions apply, including on their Revas and York totes. My favorite collection is still the Robinson collection (all the satchels usually come with a convertible shoulder strap) but I'm bummed they didn't bring back this burgundy tote from last year! On another note, a few of you have asked what socks to wear with booties like this with a dip. I sometimes go sockless, but you can find those no-show footie socks at any department store, or I also don't mind a little bit of (non-white tube) sock showing.

J.Crew vest and wool miniskirt (old; current version), vintage Coach bag (review)

Vince Camuto booties, J.Crew Factory shirt

We were shocked upon our return to Boston that Fall felt like it was over before it begun! It was in the upper 40's and wet, too cold for bare legs with booties which is one of my favorite looks. Next week looks a little more promising, but I'll also be wearing this same outfit above with ribbed grey sweater tights and a long coat over it all into chillier weather.

First & I poncho (reviewed here; low in stock), J.Crew tee, T&B jeans, Goyard tote

And here's the burgundy bag, booties & Jolt jeans combo yet again. This faux-layered Treasure & Bond sweater (reviewed here) was one of my favorite purchases back in July when shopping for fall seemed nutty. Unfortunately it looks to be sold out since then, but the look can easily be recreated with real layering using a flannel shirt (check out the Uniqlo ones reviewed below) and a shorter sweater.

Uniqlo flannel shirt sz XS (all other patterns)

Ann Taylor sweater dress c/o (review; shrunk it in dryer) and tote, AC necklace

I've gotten a lot of recommendations to try Uniqlo but had never really found anything, however a recent online search for a flannel shirt led me back to this brand. The XS in their womens flannel is a slim casual fit through the shoulders, torso and sleeves. The sleeves are long since it's regular sizing, but I usually wear my button-up sleeves double cuffed anyways (step by step shown here). The 100% cotton flannel felt soft and comfortable. This will be a good layering piece for casual outfits, and can also be dressed up for work like under this AT sweater dress.

Uniqlo ultra light down packable vest in XS, navy vs. beige (13 colors)

While there, I also checked out the plethora of down puffer vests (evidently there are many, many more options on their website)...the two above are the lightweight packable ones that come with an attached little nylon bag that the entire vest can be packed into for traveling. I will say the vest felt really non-substantial when I was lifting it up on the hanger, however after putting it on and roaming around the store for a bit, I could feel that it provided notable warmth and insulation. The XS was pretty petite-friendly as you can see above (please ignore the shorts! I swear we go straight from summer to winter here in Boston).

And this was a heavier and warmer stretch down vest (7 colors) that I tried on in size S. It also comes in XS, which I think would be snug on me but the material does stretch. I love that it has on-seam zippered pockets and a functional removable hood. I'm happy to find these petite-friendly alternatives to the J.Crew one that are also a little more affordable. Relatively, I'd estimate the J.Crew vest falls in between these two in terms of down thickness and is also on the matte side.

Find me on Instagram (@extrapetite) for daily updates!