These Are a Few of My Favorite Things: January Favorites

I share a lot of clothes I love with you guys, mainly because clothing and personal style has become one of my obsessions within the last year or so (no joke, I used to just throw on hats and sweats every day-- okay, I still sometimes do that). But today I wanted to share with you some of the non-clothing things I have been loving for the month of January. 

Favorite Read: Girl, Wash Your Face

Rachel Hollis just might be my favorite person on Earth. She motivates me something serious and lights a fire under my bottom to work, work, work for my dreams. I have been blessed to be able to actually pursue my dream, and she reminds me to own it.

Find it here. 

Favorite Podcast: RISE Podcast

I have become a podcast junkie. I listen to them all the time, especially when I'm working. And of course, this is another Rachel Hollis favorite. This podcast is another huge motivator and inspiration for me. 

You can listen to it on Spotify or Apple.

Hair Necessity: Hot Tools Curling Wand

This is more like a life favorite, but I have definitely been using it constantly this month. If you saw my bun tutorial, you know I typically curl my hair every time I wash it, and then use those curls for the next several days! Occasionally, I will use it for touch ups between then! It creates very loose waves (I don't use the clamp on it), which I love.

You can purchase it here.

Lip Loves: L'oréal Colour Riche Lipstick in Bold Mauve & NYX Butter Gloss in Creme Brûlée

This is pretty much what is always on my lips! I wear these two in combination with each other and it is just a good, staple lip color. The gloss adds a shine to the matte lipstick, and helps keep my lips hydrated during the winter!

Lipstick and Gloss

Food Favs: Simple Truth Sweet Potato Chips & Dove Dark Chocolate and Almond

These snacks have been my guilty pleasures-- and luckily with the Simple Truth chips there is little guilt since they are organic! I'm also not one to say you shouldn't snack on the things you enjoy, so having small Dove chocolates doesn't make me feel bad, and it shouldn't you either! 

You can buy the Simple Truth chips at Kroger, and the Dove Chocolate is sold at most grocery stores. You can also find it online here.

Travel Essential: JBL Headphones

When I fly, these headphones have become a necessity. They are bluetooth and wireless, and so you don't have the cord that gets in the way. But they are also nice for those who prefer the over-ear style of headphones to the AirPods design.
Order them here.

Favorite Jam: High Hopes by Panic! at the Disco
This song is a serious jam! It has been my go-to pump up music this month.
You can listen to it almost anywhere!

Favorite Home Decor Items: Cotton Knit Throw & Hubbard Stoneware Croc
It wouldn't really be a monthly favorites if I didn't tell you my favorite home decor items! I have been obsessed with so many new things we have gotten in at Pin it Co. this month, but this cotton throw and vintage inspired croc have by far been my favorites! I love using throws to layer on couches, shelving, you name it! And this vintage croc is perfect for keeping my kitchen utensils.
The throw is currently sold out, but should restock soon! You can get on the waitlist for it here! You can get the croc here!

I hope you enjoyed seeing what some of my favorite things were this month! Make sure to share with your friends so I know you enjoy these monthly favorites!

Outfits of the Week #OOTW January

My #OOTW series is back for January! This week was bitterly cold, so my style was all about layers, layers, and layers! Warmth and comfort was my motto this week for sure. 

Monday involved two different outfits because I was switching between working on our new storefront and filming videos for the day! (See the switcharoo on @pin.it.co Instagram's "Real Life" story highlight). I had the outfit pictured below tucked away under sweatpants and a jacket at one point-- minus the booties of course!

Jacket: Madewell

Sweater: Madewell

Pants: Universal Thread

Shoes: Madewell

Clearly, I have a bit of a Madewell obsession...

Tuesday I wore a super casual and cozy outfit-- featuring a piece from one of my favorite, fellow #girlbosses boutique!

Sherpa: Jules & James Boutique. My girl Alison Grooms owns this super cute boutique, and I love supporting her! This sherpa was one of her Black Friday deals, and so it sold out FAST! 

Layering Shirt: Universal Thread (this shirt has a knot style at the bottom, but it is similar and the same brand to the long sleeve grey shirt I wore).

Jeans: Madewell (These 10" high-rise jeans are the best for slimming your figure!!)

Socks: Universal Thread

Boots: L.L. Bean (Seriously, my #1 winter essential).

Friday's outfit was channeling my inner lumberjack, or Paula Bunyan, vibes. In all seriousness, I love styling my overalls different ways, and this look kept me super warm with all of the layers!

Overalls: Madewell (These are currently on a HUGE sale right now!)

Jacket: Madewell

Sweater: I got this Ralph Lauren red cowl neck sweater from TJMaxx, but you can find a similar one here.

Socks: Target

Boots: L.L. Bean

I hope you all enjoyed this month's #OOTW! I loved these outfits and had a super fun time styling them! If you purchase any of these pieces, or take inspiration from these outfits, make sure to send me a picture on Instagram @allyturpen so I can see!

xoxo

Valentine's Day Mantel Style Guide

This past weekend I had the urge to create something fresh and fun for the approaching Valentine's holiday! It was so fun to curate this sweet look, and I wanted to show you how I did it, as well as give you tips on how to style a high design mantle for any season!

I always start any mantel, or styling project in general, with the statement pieces! These can be any large, focal pieces that really define your look. I chose a simple blackboard, and layered it with with a framed wood piece that I painted white.

Next, to continue the layered look and begin the Valentine's theme, I incorporated this pennant flag heart banner. One of my biggest tips is to avoid the tendency to make everything symmetrical, centered and straight. Asymmetry is key in high design, and creating a style that looks like a professional created it!

Then I added even more asymmetry with a stack of vintage books! If you saw my last blog post, you know what a fan I am of these. I layered the white, chippy vases on top-- filled with fresh eucalyptus and florals from a local florist shop!

Candle sticks are another great element to add into a mantel, and these worked perfectly with taper candles! I used varying heights, and again, made sure to not keep a symmetrical look by using two on the right side and one on the left side!

I also used some extra eucalyptus as a garland across the mantel! A tip: You can staple your florals so they lay exactly the way you like-- that's what I did with a few of the eucalyptus leaves that wouldn't lay like I desired. 

Finally, I added in this "Home Sweet Home" sign to complete the look and continue the rectangle shapes of the blackboard and wood sign. 

I absolutely adore the way this mantel turned out, and I hope you use these tips and tricks in your own styling adventures!

Style and Stay at Home

Recently my business, Pin it Co., helped one of our customers style their living room area with some products from our live sales the past few weeks! Sydney and Jordan were great to work with, and I love the way this look turned out! I loved it so much that I wanted to share it on my blog with you all in a quick post!

I wanted every element in this look to really draw eyes to the beautiful, large framed photo they had hanging above the couch. So I made sure to position things in a way that would complement the photo and lead your eyes to it. By heavily concentrating pieces to the left side of the couch, it allowed for the frame to really stand out.

I started with this beautiful chandelier! It is a large, white piece and has such unique detail. Statement lighting is an easy way to really make a big impact in a space.

The side table by the couch is funky and fun element that I love using anytime I can to add character to a room! This is an older item that we once carried in store at Pin it Co.

To add layers of texture and create height, I used some vintage books. You can find old books at Goodwill or any local thrift store for a few dollars! These are items I use constantly when styling mantels and shelving, so they definitely are not a waste of your money! On top of the books, I placed this lovely willow jar. I thought the woven casing really tied in nicely with the caged side table. Inside the jar, I used eucalyptus stems for a simple look, but I loved the color and height they added!

The pillows on this couch are probably one of my favorite parts! I combined plum pillows, mustard pillows and neutral color pillows to create a fun combo! I loved the way the mustard pillow complimented the oranges in the photo of Sydney and Jordan! (Those are an in-store exclusive coming to Pin it Co. when we re-open, so keep an eye out ;)).

Finally, I added this round jute rug! I am a huge fan of mixing in a non-traditional shape, and off-centering it! I think it really completed the space!


Styling a room like this definitely gives me major #stayathome vibes! And I hope it shows you that creating a custom space of your own is very achievable! 

If you shop the links included in this post and use these items to style your own space, please send me a picture! I would love to see!

My Signature Messy Bun Tutorial

9 times out of 10, I wear my hair in a messy bun! I've never considered it an actual style statement, but more so a way to just get my hair out of the way and not have to wash it again (I'm sure you all know that dry shampoo is a lifestyle). However, over the past year or so people have come to love the way I wear my hair, and are constantly requesting a tutorial! 

It was so hard at first for me to think of how to do this, because when I do it, I honestly don't think about it at all! But since this hair style has become a defining characteristic of who I am, I am here to provide what you've all requested! I hope you enjoy this quick tutorial, and if you re-create this hair style, make sure to send me pictures!

There is also a video tutorial at the end of this post for easy viewing!

I always start this style with 3 day old hair at minimum, aka my hair hasn't been washed in 3 days. On day 1, after I've washed and dried my hair, I typically curl it with a Hot Tools wand. I wear it down for the first two days, and then it's time for the messy top knot! I also find that this style works best when my hair has some curl in it already. 

First, I brush through my hair with a wet-dry brush and add dry shampoo around my head and at my roots for volume and to de-grease! I love the Batiste dry shampoo, it is definitely my saving grace on many days. 

The key to making sure your hair is super fresh and ready for the bun, actually comes by utilizing a hair dryer on your already dry hair. It sounds odd I know, but it makes a huge difference. 

After letting the dry shampoo sit for a few minutes, use a brush and hair dryer to brush through your hair and allow the dry shampoo to mesh throughout your hair and maximize your hair's maximum freshness potential!

Now, it's time to actually form the bun! I start by flipping my head over so all of my hair is in front of my face. I then gather all of it on top of my head about 4 inches back from my hairline. I don't use a brush for this step, I just use my fingers to smooth out and collect the hair, so it isn't a total mess but also isn't totally slicked back. 

Then, while holding the hair in front of my face with my left hand, I use my right hand to make a fold halfway in the ponytail, creating a bun shape when I lift my head up again. 

Now I use an elastic ponytail holder to tie off the bun. I prefer the thin elastics; however, in this video mine broke and I had to improvise with a regular size one! It still worked out! I wrap it around about three times, and then tuck the remaining hair sticking out around the bun. 

Then comes the most important step of the messy bun-- making it messy and textured! I pull my fingers from the base of the bun down my scalp to pull out loose hairs and loosen the style!

To make sure the bun stays in place, I use a few bobby pins. I use the large ones, and make an almost S-like motion to secure them in place in the bun. I also push the bun down and forward when I bobby pin it in place at the base (near the elastic), giving a more volume once again!

And that's it! You have now created the Ally Turpen infamous top knot!

Find a video tutorial here:

The products and supplies I used: 

Wet Brush

Batiste Dry Shampoo

Hot Tools Curling Wand