6 Self-Care Steps To Manage Your Stress

*In collaboration with Olay.

(That smile!!)

You don’t realize how contagious your attitude is until you spend 24/7 around someone 😜so now more than ever is the time to practice self-care, both for you and for the people around you! I heard a quote recently that seemed pretty applicable to life right now: “Self-care is giving the world the best of you, not what’s left of you.” Even though we might not be out and about right now, it really starts at home. I’ve noticed when I take a few minutes to get ready in the morning or indulge in a hot bubble bath at night, it starts my day and night off on the right foot. Forget the spa or gym – here are a few ways to add some self-care to your routine with just a few spare minutes throughout the day.

Gratitude Journaling: I have loved seeing everyone focus on what they are grateful for lately instead of counting all the ways their life is hard! If you’re new to journaling, I just got the kids a 5-minute journal which has prompts so they can just add a few notes about their days’ highlights. If your day starts off on the wrong foot, take a minute to list out everything you are grateful for. It can be the big things like your home or your health, or little things like still having a box of your favorite cereal in the pantry. Listing them out makes you appreciate whatever you have and can completely change your day around.

Face masks: As much as I love indulging in a full fledged facial, I do face masks at home on the regular. It’s a great pick-me-up for your skin, but also a mood boost to bring a little luxury to your day.

Moisturize: The silver lining of being stuck at home is giving your chance a break from makeup, but make sure you don’t get lax on your skincare regimen! It can be tempting to skip straight from cleansing to moisturizer, but now is the perfect excuse to be diligent with every step of your skincare routine, because you’ll be able to see the results! I’ve been using the Olay Deep Hydration Serum with Vitamin B3 + Hyaluronic Acid. Apply several drops of your serum right after you cleanse and tone so it can penetrate your skin better. I love hyaluronic acid and always notice a difference in my skin when I apply it, both in fine lines and hydration! This Olay serum is super hydrating and feels like a cool drink of water on your skin (also doesn’t greasy feel and is free of parabens, phthalates, and synthetic dyes) Seal in your skincare products with a quartz roller – another luxurious touch to make it feel like you’ve been at the spa.

(My before and after adding the Deep Hydration Serum to my routine, untouched. Olay’s Real Skin Promise is zero retouching for skin on any of their images! They are the first brand I’ve heard about doing something like this and I love it! So transparent and a great way to embrace all skin types.)

Meditation + Stretching: Everybody has their own go-to ways of meditation throughout the day. I love pairing it with a good stretch session and lighting one of my favorite candle. It’s amazing what a little aromatherapy and stretching can do for your mind and body!

Disconnect from Social Media: I think social media is an amazing way to stay connected and build relationships, but it’s also important to know when to disconnect. It’s actually better for your sleeping habits if you can disconnect before bedtime, but also good for relationships too. Cody and I have a no phones rule at meal time and always turn off our phones off before bed so we can focus on spending quality time together.

A Bubble Bath: My faaavorite! Honestly this has become a nightly routine for me for a while. It’s my number one way to relax and those few minutes to myself always help me reset after a long day. If you usually opt for a fast shower over a long bath, it couldn’t be better timing to dip your toe in (literally haha). You might love it! I love adding a good bath bomb and always add baby oil to my bath to make my skin super soft. You can also add epsom salts – super soothing to help you get a better night’s sleep.

XX, Christine

xo, Christine

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BEAUTY LIFE SKINCARE

My 6 Essentials For Working From Home

DETAILS: BLUSH CHAIRS | DESK | PRINTER

Working from home… it can be one of those grass is greener situations, am I right? People who work from home sometimes miss the social aspect of working in an office whereas people who work in an office wish they had the flexibility of working remotely. Whatever your typical setup, I think we all agree home life has changed substantially over the last couple weeks. Whether you are starting to work from home due to Covid19 – or are looking for ways to be productive around the house, here are some of my essentials for working from home!

1. Coffeemaker: First things first, coffee. I used to look forward to stopping and grabbing my cup of coffee with Beckam before I dropped him off at school, but I’ve never been more grateful for a coffeemaker until now. This one is best for easy quick coffee. My dad surprised us with this high tech one and it can make espressos, coffee, mochas, everything, it is pricier but so yummy if your an avid coffee drinker. It’s like having Starbucks in your house ;). Just add a cute mug to start the morning off on the right foot. (Have you guys seen these? So cute!)

2. A Notepad: Although everything I do basically begins and ends with all things digital, sometimes the best way to wrap your head around something is to write it out with good old fashioned pen and paper. I love this cute notepad to keep your week organized (seemingly more impossible now than ever haha) and this desktop calendar (also perfect for putting together a weekly schedule for the kids!).

3. Airpods: Honestly, these are worth every penny. I still haven’t made the transition to the Airpods Pro, although I’ve heard amazing reviews for the noice cancelling affect, but the standard version is amazing. I can’t imagine working from home without them now! Add Siri and ‘Talk to text” and it brings a whole new meaning to handsfree.

4. A dedicated workspace: With a laptop, it’s easy to roam the house and end up working from anywhere you can find a flat surface and quiet space for moment. I’ve found it’s always best to have a dedicated work space to help get you in that working mentality every time you sit down. If that’s not an option, instead focus on dedicated non-working zones. Working from bed might sound like heaven, but it’s best to keep that space dedicated to rest and relaxation so you don’t start to associate the two.

5. Blue-Light Blocking Glasses: If you aren’t used to starting at a screen 40+ hours a week, then let me introduce you to blue-light blocking glasses! Trust me on these – your eyes will thank you. (Another hack to avoid headaches – focus on your posture! Especially with laptops, you usually tend to look down at your screen. Try to find a set up that elevates your computer so your neck isn’t bent all day.)

6. A good candle: If you’re going to be indoors for most of the day, find joy in the simple things! Whether it’s a pretty bunch of blooms or lighting up your favorite candle, adding something a little luxurious to your workday will make it all the more bearable.

Also wanted to mention a few of my favorite apps for working from home! If you have any others to add to the list, comment below for other people to download!

Swipes – This is the best app for your to do list! Just swipe to cross something off your list – so rewarding!
Google Calendar – I live by my calendar! I am always most efficient when I am time-blocking. Just set aside 30 minutes to focus on a single task, and work on it without distraction until the 30 minutes is up. Multitasking is actually less efficient, because your brain has to adjust when you switch back and forth between tasks, so time-blocking is a must, especially when you are dealing with so many potential interruptions during the day.

Below are some other office additions to brighten up your home workspace. You can also read more about the truth about balancing mom and work life and other lessons I’ve learned about working from home here and here.

XX, Christine

xo, Christine

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ADVICE HOME

Not All Tie-Dye Is Equal & These Pieces Prove Why

Enter: the coolest, carefree print to hit the scene since its debut in the 60s (and who can forget the brief revisit during the 90s..) – tie dye! Somehow in all the chaos of 2020 so far, the bright, fun vibe of tie dye seems like the only thing that makes sense right now – who’s day couldn’t use a splash of color? You can find tie-dye everywhere these days, but I wanted to pick out some of my favorites!

Tie-dye is a foolproof way to add color to your wardrobe and it also pulls in unique color combos without overwhelming an outfit or feeling too busy, like this pink and yellow top and these green and blue leggings. I also love the combo of the tan and bright pink in this tee and the open back is so good! And how perfect is this rainbow tee?

The tie-dye trend is also a great opportunity to add texture and prints to your closet. Swap out your stripes and plaids for something tie-dyed. You can tone it down with white joggers or light wash denim cut-offs. Obsessed with this sports bra to liven up a workout look and this bodysuit is amazing. Also how cozy does this sweatshirt and shorts combo look??

Below are some more tie-dye pieces I’m loving!

XX, Christine

xo, Christine

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FASHION INSPIRATION BOARD MY STYLE UNDER 100

Real Talk: What Brings You Here?

Hey guys! Real talk… I don’t post as much as I used to on the blog, and I wanted to see how many of you guys still enjoy coming here for content? This has been such an incredible journey, and even though social platforms are where we spend a lot of our time, I’m forever grateful for you following along, old and new, who read here. It means so much! I like the blog because it allows me to share a lot more and write more!

My blog, like my clothing line ILY Couture, has always gradually evolved with me. For those of you who may not remember, I started ILY when I was engaged and looking for some headpieces to wear to my wedding. I couldn’t find what I wanted, so I decided to make my own! From there, it evolved to jewelry, women and kids clothing and more. I remember when I got pregnant with Beckam, we made our ‘Preggers’ tee, and then our iconic ‘Wifey’ tee. Hello Fashion has been evolving also – initially just fashion, then expanding to include family and lifestyle, beauty, travel, home decor, and more. I feel like you guys are truly friends and I love the community we’ve created, so it feels right to share the natural progression of my life.

After having Ollie I did a Q&A on insta and asked what you missed seeing and people said fashion. I hadn’t even realized it but None of my recent pictures on Insta were in jeans, but then upon a closer look I realized I had barely posted jeans in the year prior (part of that was just living in swimsuits and dresses during my pregnancy 🙂 and it occurred to me how much my brand has grown to be more lifestyle than just fashion. I have always loved fashion and love sharing my new finds with you guys, but as I’ve been trying to reflect on my brand, I wanted to give you guys a chance to weigh in. The last thing I want this to be is asking you guys ‘What content do you want to see more of?” that has been so prevalent this year. But for those of you who read here – what do you love the most? fashion and street style? Or do you prefer the family content at home? I would love to hear your thoughts below. And thank you guys from the bottom of my heart for being here throughout this journey of life. 🙂 Hope you guys are all staying safe during the quarantine!

XX, Christine

xo, Christine

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FAMILY STYLE FASHION LIFE REAL TALK

17 Ways to Turn Quarantine into Quality Time With the Kids

With everything going on in the world right now, one thing I find peace in is being able to be with my kids. Although it can be hard to give them structure, keep up with homeschooling, prepare 3 meals a day, and still keep up with work at the same time. We get so caught up in the things we ‘have to’ do, that we might forget to take advantage of the time together with our family and just play! Here is a list of 17 ways to turn quarantine time into quality time together and maybe even overshadow this chapter of our lives with unforgettable memories together.

Read together: Let your kids pick their favorite books, and instead of squeezing it in before bed you can make a routine out of it during the day.

Exercise: Grab some mats and do some yoga, a quick home workout, or take a walk together! (Anything to burn some energy, am I right?) Side note – a lot of you have asked about my code for obe at home workouts. Use code: CHRISTINEMONTH to get your first month free (valid through March 31st. 🙂

Build a Fort: Build a fort in your living room then have a movie night with popcorn and everyone’s favorite treat!

Play Restaurant: Make a menu and have a 3 course meal. Mara loves playing waitress and serving all of us! You can keep this one up by picking a different ‘restaurant’ every night – one night can be Italian, another Mexican, etc.

Have an indoor rodeo: Get some pony sticks (unless dad is game to participate 😉 and let the kids race each other around the room. You can also add obstacles like couch pillows, etc. for some makeshift barrel racing.

Learn a new skill: Pick up a new hobby! You can learn anything from baking, language, an instrument, etc. Beckam has been DYING to learn guitar so I ordered him a guitar and am going to youtube some basic lessons for him.

Write a letter to their grandparents: No matter how near or far your kids’ grandparents live, keeping them connected the old fashioned way is the way to go, now more than ever! Add some homemade artwork for an extra treat (and probably a soon-to-be addition to grandma and grandpa’s fridge. 🙂

Have a backyard campfire and roast some hot dogs and marshmallows: Any time you can spend outside enjoying some fresh air is a win in our book! For a memorable night, have a spontaneous camping trip in your own backyard or back patio. You can light up the fire pit if you have one to roast marshmallows. It’s also the perfect chance to download a star-gazing app and learn some of the constellations. We love this one.

Have a spa day: Everybody could use some extra R&R right now, so make a day of it and have everyone participate in spa day! You can set out everyone’s robes (this one is my ultimate favorite; also love these cute striped options for the kids) and slippers and arrange multiple stations – a swimsuit bubble bath, fun face masks, a foot massage station – I can’t promise it won’t make a mess but I can promise it will make a great memory!

Pull out your favorite games: From your family’s favorite board games to bring out everyone’s competitive sides. We’ve played probably 15 games of Sorry already and Cody and I love Monopoly Deal! You can also play tic-tac-toe and hangman on the driveway with chalk, or collaborate on a family puzzle.

Set up an at home treasure hunt: For St. Patrick’s Day, Cody and I set up a trail of Lucky Charms that led the kids to find their ‘treasure’. They loved it and it was a welcomed distraction from everything going on. It’s a great way to celebrate birthdays or an incentive for doing chores around the house, etc.

Take a walk to the park and have a picnic: Head outside for some fresh air. Even if you are avoiding the playground, you should be able to find the perfect spot to lay down a blanket and set up a picnic.

Take on a Tiktok trend: We love trying our hand at the latest Tiktok crazes! Some of the ones the kids have loved: learning how to make thread bracelets, hydro-dipping, learning new dances, and trying out the challenges. If you aren’t following already come hang with us on TikTok: @christine_andrew.

Paint: Using your fingers or paint brushes, your kids will love to create something new! It’s so fun to see what their little imaginations come up with. How cute are these little ‘paint your own’ kits? Love!

Movie night: If you haven’t sign up for Disney+ yet, now. is. the. time. 😂Soooo many options and easy to find something the kids will agree on. (You can see more about our Disney movie nights here or sign up for a free 7-day trial here)

Challenge yourself with LEGOS. There’s no time like the present to tackle that intimidating LEGO set the kids have been asking to open.

Let them be the boss for the day: Granted, you might have to add some parameters depending on the direction they go, but let your kids rule the roost for the day! They can have their choice between a few options for dinner, decide on games, activities, etc. – such a fun opportunity to see what they would do on their dream day!

I would love to keep the list going! If you guys want to add some fun ideas below in comments, I’ll add a list of your additional ideas to the end of the post!

XX, Christine

xo, Christine

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ADVICE FAMILY HOME MOTHERHOOD

If You’re Only Buying 1 Thing This Spring, Make It This

A few days, 8 outfits, various occasions, and 100 pictures after I first added this dress to my closet, I realized just what a versatile staple it really is. As if it’s price point (under $100) wasn’t enough reason to love it, I’ve already worn it multiple ways already and I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface of what this LWD can do! Keep scrolling for 8 ways to wear it and why this dress deserves the top spot on your spring shopping list.

When in doubt – just add sneakers! You can never go wrong with dressing down a LWD with a baseball cap and sneakers. To add some dimension to your outfit, layer it with a printed blazer and an unstructured tote. (This black one is one of my favorites! Can’t believe it’s under $100…)

Swap your standard white tee out for this tunic dress to turn an errands outfit into something a little more sophisticated. I love how the length breaks up this denim on denim combo! Just add a sporty slide and baseball cap to finish it off with a casual touch.

DETAILS: WHITE TUNIC DRESS (UNDER $100) | COMBAT BOOTS (ON SALE UNDER $50) | KNOTTED TOTE (UNDER $100) | SUNGLASSES

Sometimes the simplest looks are the ones that make the biggest statement! I love styling higher hems with combat boots and these two pieces make the perfect pair. I love how the white laces tie in the brightness of the tunic to pull the look together and the contrast of feminine ruffles with an edgy combat boot is so good. To keep it feeling like a daytime outfit, add a chic, simple tote.

DETAILS: WHITE TUNIC DRESS (UNDER $100) | CROPPED DENIM (UNDER $50) | STRAW DETAIL CROSSBODY (UNDER $50) | PLATFORM SANDALS ( UNDER $100) | PHONE CASE

Layering dresses and skirts over denim is a huge trend for spring, but if you’re not ready to take the leap, just dip your toe in the water by adding a tunic over a paid of your favorite denim. It’s basically a long-line blouse if you think about it, but I love the effortless, sophisticated spin it brings to an otherwise basic ensemble. Dress it up with some platform sandals and a coordinating bag for a look that can easily go from meetings to errands to Sunday brunch.

DETAILS: WHITE TUNIC DRESS (UNDER $100) | HARDWARE BELT (UNDER $25) | PLATFORM SANDALS (UNDER $100) | PANAMA HAT (UNDER $10) | PHONE CASE

Never underestimate the power of a dress that can go from airport to beach to dinner, all in one trip. This one really is that versatile – it all comes down to shoes and accessories. I love it paired with a belt, platform sandals, and this felt fedora for an easy festival season look just in time for Coachella this spring!

Monochromatic looks always read more expensive than they are – I love the combo of this dress over these flared, cropped jeans. With a baseball cap and sneakers, it brings an effortlessly cool vibe to make this head-to-toe white/beige moment more wearable on the weekends.

DETAILS: WHITE TUNIC DRESS (UNDER $100) | RED BLAZER (ON SALE UNDER $50- COMES IN 3 COLORS) | CONVERSE SNEAKERS (ON SALE) | DIOR BAG | SUNGLASSES

A bold color instantly transforms this dress into the perfect backdrop for a statement-making piece. I love this bright blazer and the white and black balances out the color and tones it down to make it more wearable to the office, meetings, or meeting up with the girls.

Back to feeling beachy vibes wearing this as an easy, breezy swimsuit cover-up. Just add your favorite sandals, a woven or straw bag, and an oversized straw hat.

Let me know in the comments below which look is more your style! Below are a few more of my favorite’s from my Kohl’s spring drop with The Outfit Bar!

And Happy international women’s day!! Excited to share our first capsule on this day – always chase your dreams big or small!!

XX, Christine

xo, Christine

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DRESSES FASHION MY STYLE SPRING UNDER 100

21 Sale Picks That Will Have You Looking Forward to Swimsuit Season

Who else has been stocking up over at the Shopbop sale?! I’ll be totally honest… I thought I had checked out the first day of the sale and then realized two days later that all my items were still in cart. 🤦🏻‍♀️A few had sold out already – so bummed! Needless to say I had a second run at the sale just to make sure I didn’t miss anything. We are heading to Miami this coming week so I am in major swim mode. I love all the various style, silhouettes, and even fabric variation in the suits are Shopbop. They are easily one of my top shopping destinations when I’m heading to the beach or a tropical getaway, so I wanted to share some of my favorites before the sale ends tomorrow – perfect for any of you setting sail to warmer climates this spring break or for swimsuit season!

ON SALE UP TO 20% OFF WITH CODE: SPRING (SALE ENDS TOMORROW!)

Of course I am obsessing over all the chic, neutral swim options. How good is this nude?? Also love this rust colored one-piece and this cute bow style. I wore this one in Hawaii last month and it was one of my favorites – such a flattering cut! I’ve also been drawn to all the bright suits (doesn’t hurt that they make your tan look even darker 😉 This pink one is so good and I love the look of the ribbed material and also this cute sporty striped option.

Their accessories are also sooooo good. I wish I owned everything from this brand – this bag is perfect and this one! 😍 I also love the ribbon tie detail on this stunning straw hat. They also have every sandal you could ever want. I ordered this strappy pair and also love these tan slides.

Below are some more of my favorite sale options from the Shopbop sale just in time for swimsuit season! You can also see my first round of sale picks here. Sale ends tomorrow!

XX, Christine

xo, Christine

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FASHION INSPIRATION BOARD SWIM

Tips to Layering Your Favorite Necklaces

Somedays I’m in sweats, a messy bun, and no makeup and other days I’m dressed up. No matter what I’m wearing or how much time I spent getting ready in the morning, all my looks recently have one thing in common – layered jewelry. I can’t get enough! Whether it’s stacked rings and big hoops with an oversized sweatshirt when you’re traveling, or layered necklaces with a feminine, flirty top, jewelry is the one universal accent that instantly amps up any look! Here are two different ways to layer the same 3 necklaces. These are all staple styles you can wear so many ways!

For a no-brainer necklace stack, I always start with a pendant at a length that hits just above your décolletage. Since pendant chains are typically daintier, I like to break it up with a chunkier chain for the next layer, like this link necklace. It’s most flattering if one of your layers hits are your collarbone and this twisted chain necklace is really the perfect length! It’s probably my most worn necklace at the moment.

The link necklace is actually adjustable so you can wear it long, short, or even as a lariat. So versatile! I’m wearing it longer here and then moved the pendant to the back to layer the dainty chain like a choker. I love the detail on this chain which is more noticeable when you move the pendant to the back.

All of my pieces here are actually 20% off right now for International Women’s Day – just use code: SHINE20 to your cart! I am OBSESSED with this jewelry brand. Their stuff is amazing quality and hands down my favorite jewelry brand!

XX, Christine

xo, Christine

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FASHION INVESTMENT MY STYLE

4 Upgrades Your Loungewear Is Begging For

DETAILS: GREY CASHMERE LOUNGE SWEATER ($10 OFF WITH CODE: HELLOFASHION10 – COMES IN 4 COLORS – WEARING SIZE S) | GREY CASHMERE JOGGERS ($10 OFF WITH CODE: HELLOFASHION10 – COMES IN 3 COLORS – WEARING SIZE S) | COMBINED SET FOR $25 OFF HERE | SLIPPERS (ON SALE UNDER $50)

The older I get, the more I appreciate good loungewear. Not only does a cozy, oversized sweater and jogger combo make for the perfect outfit to wear for a day at home, but you can also split them up and wear them out as separates. I can’t count how many times I’m running errands or heading to the mall in a good pair of sweats and sneakers – they are pretty much my uniform this season! Here are three ways to upgrade your loungewear to make them feel streetwear worthy.

Set it up: There’s nothing better than a matching loungewear set! For me, the most wearable sets are the ones that are neutral and monochromatic. That I can also wear out with sneakers for those mom days I don’t make it out of my sweats haha. I love the matching grey in this set for a simple, sophisticated look. Keeping it neutral also makes it more versatile, so you can split them up are wear them as separates (like in my airport outfit below).
Splurge: I have joggers and sweatshirts at price points all over the board and I wear them all. But there’s something about reaching for a cashmere set that will add a little bit of luxury to your morning/night – even if it’s just catching up on emails before breakfast or reading bedtime stories to your babies. I’m obsessed with this new cashmere sweater and jogger set – so soft and comfortable! I’m sized up to a small because I like my loungewear a little
The Slipper: Last but not least, added a fluffy pair of slippers makes more of a difference than you might think. I posted these yesterday and got so many comments/questions. They are super fluffy and although you’ll only wear them around the house, there’s something about a cute pair of shoes that makes you feel pulled together – even if it’s just slippers! (This pair is on sale right now under $50; also love the colors this similar pair comes in!)
Versatile: The thing I love most about investing in good quality loungewear is when you can wear them with your regular everyday clothes. I wore the sweater from my set on a trip to Milwaukee and got so many compliments on the it. Outfit deets below 🙂

Below are some other pieces that will upgrade your loungewear looks:

XX, Christine

xo, Christine

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FAMILY FASHION HOME MY STYLE OLLIE SPORTSWEAR STYLE UNDER 100

If I Had to Pick My Top 25 Pieces From The Spring Shopbop Sale…

(ALL 15-25% OFF WITH CODE: SPRING)

The Shopbop sale is here!! I always feel guilty when I place a big order on Shopbop outside of their sale (although let’s be real, sometimes I can’t wait haha) so I try to hold off on some of my bigger purchases until their sale hits. You can save up to 25% off with code: SPRING. Honestly I would wear every single piece from Shopbop, but I tried to narrow it down to some of my favorites. Products and sizes already sell out fast, so if you are on the fence then don’t hesitate because pickings will be slim by the end of the sale on the 8th!

I have been really excited to try this denim brand. They are a bit of an investment for denim, so they were one of the first things I looked at when this sale hit. Their silhouettes and washes are all perfection – obsessed with this one! And while we’re on the subject of denim… these denim shorts are so good and I can’t believe they are under $100!

I also can’t keep my eyes off all the beautiful sandals! There’s a perfect pretty pair in every spring color – how cool is this green pair and this blue pair? Also love the strap detail on this pair and this one and the chunky wooden heel on this one. (Can you tell I’m a shoe person!? 😉 I’m also obsessed with the Veja sneakers and need this pair and how amazing

Shopbop always has the prettiest spring pieces and their florals are better than ever this season. Love this top and this swim combo is amazing. Also these sandals are soooo stunning.

Lastly, if you thought there was no way I could narrow it down to just 25 pieces, you were right. Here are some others from the Spring Shopbop sale that I’m obsessed with!

XX, Christine

xo, Christine

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FASHION INSPIRATION BOARD MY STYLE SHOPBOP