Thank you Brooks for partnering on this post!


Brooks Glycerin 17 Running Shoes c/o | Brooks Greenlight Running Tights c/o | Brooks Fly-By Hoodie c/o | Brooks Cascadia Thermal Vest c/o | Brooks Pick-Up Tank Top c/o | Brooks Hot Shot Sports Bra c/o | Brooks Glycerin Ultimate Cushion Running Socks c/o

Today I run.

In graduate school I turned to running for stress relief. Again, today, in this strange new world we are living in, I am running. Partly because, with our current restrictions for those of us under stay-at-home orders, running is one of the few forms of exercise allowed outdoors (also, walking and bicycling) while maintaining social distancing. And also, because I really love running.

Running is a form of exercise I truly enjoy that provides oh so many mental and physical health benefits, including improving cardiovascular fitness, helping with sleep and improving immunity, among countless other benefits. I also love being outside.

I started running in 7th grade. I competed in both track and cross-country in middle school (on the district winners podium in 8th grade) and in high school (varsity and lettering as a freshman and team captain as a sophomore). By college and my 20s, running turned recreational and now I no longer compete. But through my 30s (and soon to be 40s!) I still find myself running.

With many years of running now under my (running) shoes and as something I find brings me joy, I thought I would take this time to share with you a few tips to start running today if you're a beginner (or not!) I've partnered with Brooks to share with you 10 Tips to Start Running Today For Beginners. It's time to Run Happy!

Run Happy: 10 Tips to Start Running Today For Beginners:

Weekend Reading and Inspiration 1.31.2020

Well, it is officially the last day of the first month of this new decade. As we depart January 2020 and head into February tomorrow, Seattle is continuing to experience more and more rain. To avoid the dreariness overtaking our city, I've started planning some fun travel adventures for the year (including at least one trip abroad, stay tuned for destinations!) and dreaming of attending Copenhagen Fashion Week someday.

With a focus on sustainability, Copenhagen Fashion Week is Scandinavia's only fashion week, taking place twice each year (Jan/Feb and August.) Cophenhagen Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2020 (CPHFW AW2020) took place this past week (1.27-1.31, 2020) and I have been obsessing over all the new designs on the Vogue Runway App.

On January 28, 2020 Copenhagen Fashion Week launched their Sustainability Action Plan 2020-2022: Reinventing Copenhagen Fashion Week, presenting how the event will transition to become more sustainable, implement sustainability requirements and new standards for participation, to push the industry toward necessary, comprehensive change.

How Ganni's Fall 2020 Collection Set The Mood (& Trends) For The Next Decade

Have you heard the news?! Nordstrom Launches Secondhand Clothing Sales and I am so curious to check this out!

This is the Cost of Your Beauty Routine and tips for a more sustainable one!

Davines LOVE Shampoo and LOVE Conditioner and The Renaissance Circle Hair Mask are saving my hair this winter. I love that Davines is sustainable and uses only the best ingredients in their products.

Trickling down from outdoor retailers to now all corners of the fashion market, fleece is now everywhere! Is the Fleece Trend-Bubble About to Burst? Or is fleece a fashion forever?

Speaking of fleece (for me, a forever!), the Outdoor Voices MegaFleece Half-Zip Hoodie is on my wish list (and currently 20% off!) so I just might be adding to my shopping cart this weekend. Also, for a limited time only, score a FREE! Outdoor Voices Doing Things Hat with purchase of an Outdoor Voices bra or croptop! Perfect for DOING THINGS this spring! Want 20% off your first Outdoor Voices order? Use my referral link, because Doing Things is more fun with friends!

Leaves, Mushrooms, Bark and More: 6 Innovative Eco-friendly Leather Alternatives

The Nadaam Winter Sale is going on right now! Which means up to 50% off sustainable cashmere! The Nadaam Wool Cashmere Sweatshirt Dress in dark ginger is SO GOOD and it's currently on sale for $97! I've also got my eye on the Cashmere Lounge Pants and Luxe Cashmere Ribbed Hoodie.

Interested in shopping sustainable, ethical jewelry? 5 Sustainable Jewelry Brands + Tips for Buying Ethical Pieces

Are you a Pacific Northwest based Fashion or Style Blogger? The 5th Annual Gossip & Glamour Seattle Style Summit is THE must attend of the event of the year for PNW and Seattle Fashion and Style bloggers! It's on April 10, 2020 at the W Bellevue and tickets just went on sale!

I am pretty much wearing this sweater every single day right now (it's currently on sale!)


Affiliate links are occasionally used throughout this site, which means I might make a small commission if you click on a link and make a purchase. Thank you for supporting Story of My Dress!  Find more information in my Disclosure statement.

The Best Winter Sweaters Under $200

17. Everlane Cashmere Crew Sweater | Vintage Levis 501 Jeans | Moorea Seal Sunglasses c/o (sold out, similar) | Bembien Marfa Bag | Courage Coins Necklace c/o (sold out, similar)

Winter weather means sweater weather! As much as I wish Spring was just around the corner, the reality is we're still looking at almost 2 months until the change of seasons. February can even be one of the snowiest months (hello Seattle Snowpocalypse 2019!), so sweater season it is!

This year I am all about sweaters that will will be not only perfect through the rest of winter, but also transition well to spring. That might be a short sleeved sweater I wear now over a long sleeve turtleneck base layer and alone once spring appears. Or a heavier sweater now for the warmest of days that I wear over a light skirt or shorts once the sun reappears. I'm also looking for sweaters that will last over time and not need replacing after only a few wears, as I continue to curate a more sustainable closet.

Perfect for aprés ski, strolls around town and cozying up by the fire with a cup of cocoa and good book, I've rounded up my favorite sweaters for winter (also perfect for spring!) for under $200. It's sweater season!

xoxo

Weekend Reading 1.24.2020

Happy FriYay! Can you believe we're almost already through January and the first month of the new decade?! It's been a pretty dreary and rainy week here in Seattle and the forecast for the distant future is calling for same same, which is honestly getting a little hard to deal with.

As such, I've been in search of all things that slightly resemble "sunshine." That has included a walk through Target (seriously the lighting in this store has a magical pick me up), buying a giant slice of Funfetti cake and requesting all the library books for sunny places such as Ibiza and the Caribbean. I am now about to purchase some SPF in the form of Glossier Invisible Shield. Please send sunshine!

This weekend I'm going to do my best to get outside, even if it means donning a raincoat, grabbing my rain boots and splashing through puddles. I'm loving these Everlane Rain Boots and they're only $75!

Could the future of sustainable materials be milkweed floss? It grows like a weed, is six times warmer than wool and offers a plant based alternative to down. The plant was once valuable to the United States during WWII because it's silk fiber floated in water and was used to fill life vests. It fell out of fashion after the war, regaining popularity as "just a weed." But this weed plays a crucial role in the monarch butterfly life cycle and has untapped potential as a material for fashion. Sustainable, vegan, and with amazing thermoregulatory properties, is The Future of Sustainable Materials: Milkweed Floss?

Speaking of sustainability, my friend Joanna (and fellow Seattle Blogger) shared this week a round-up of 6 Eco-Friendly Activewear Brands to Shop Right Now. I can personally attest that PACT, Outdoor Voices and Patagonia offer amazing active wear options and I look forward to checking out the the other brands. I am particularly loving this Patagonia Fleece Vest this winter!

The newest Nordstrom Pop-In is an ungendered capsule collection by Eileen Fisher that marries the sustainable ethos of Eileen Fisher with the future forward vision of Nordstom's Olivia Kim. With a focus on organic and recycled materials, this is a future where what you wear is whatever you want and collections aren't for him or her, they're for us! The organic cotton nylon fishtail anorak and this tote are both on my wish list.

Is your skin like mine and go absolutely nuts in the winter? This Skin Regimen Moisturizer is absolutely saving my skin this winter season. Other winter skin warriors I am loving include the Skin Regimen Cleansing Cream, Thayers Rose Petal Toner and Skin Regimen Microalgae Essence.

The Cuyana Spring Preview is just so lovely! Such a beautiful color palette with such lovely silhouettes.

I've got my eye on this cropped alpaca cardigan sweater for $100. I can't decide between the almond and pomona green. Isn't it perfect?!

The Creator of American Sportswear Who Time Forgot. Her legacy still dictates how women dress.

Affiliate links are occasionally used throughout this site, which means I might make a small commission if you click on a link and make a purchase. Thank you for supporting Story of My Dress!  Find more information in my Disclosure statement. 

The Best Boots for Winter Under $200

17. EMU Australia Roadside Boots c/o | Sezane Sweater (sold out, similar) | Floral Maxi Dress (sold out, similar) | Moorea Seal Hat c/o (sold out, similar) | Longchamp Le Pliage Club Tote

Snow, freezing temperatures and après ski call for all the winter boots please!

We are experiencing our first snow of the season in Seattle right now and it's beginning to look a lot like a winter wonderland in our City. But with that winter wonderland comes slippery sidewalks and snow to trudge through, requiring the perfect pair of winter boots to beat the winter elements.

This year I am all about winter boots that will keep my feet warm and dry and my toes nice and toasty for the winter season, but are also oh-so-stylish. I'm also looking for boots that will last for years to come and not need replacing next season, as I continue on my quest for fewer, better things and a more sustainable closet.

Perfect for ski towns, city strolling and/or cabin getaways, I've rounded up my favorite boots for winter all for under $200! Winter days call for winter boots!

xoxo

Delight Beauty Skincare Brings Delight To My Daily Routine

This post is sponsored by Delight Beauty.

I am a big fan of an uncomplicated skincare routine. Seriously, life is busy! With often just a few precious moments a day to myself before heading out the door or at night when things quiet down, it's so important to take those moments for some self care, pampering and practical indulgence to start and end my day with delight. Which is why I'm super obsessed with new skincare line Delight Beauty!

Delight Beauty, available on Amazon, believes that everyday skincare should be a pleasure and that caring for your skin, while essential, can also be truly enjoyable. Yes, please! As uncomplicated as it is unexpected, the world of Delight Beauty offers a skincare routine and beauty solution that is simple, effective and delightful. Exactly what I want to start and end my day and what I need to bring delight into my daily routine.

With products that both indulge your senses and enhance your complexion, there are absolutely zero questionable ingredients! Seriously, every product smells incredible, feels amazing and is formulated with only the good stuff. All Delight Beauty products are cruelty-free, vegan, dermatologist-tested and are clinically proven to be non-irritating. Perfect for skin pampering and delightful for skin!