Lifestyle Archives - Twenty Something Plus

April 6, 2023

The 5 Best Belt Bags and Fanny Packs of 2023

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Like any other fashion trend handbag trends will for sure come and go. I often reach for bags that are more functional and practical, over the latest most popular ones. That said, belt bags (or fanny packs) are now back in a big way!

1. Louis Vuitton Monogram Bumbag

There’s a reason you see this bag on everyone from celebrities to street style fashionistas, and why it sells out so quickly after it’s back in stock. If you’re looking for a designer everyday handbag, I can’t recommend the Louis Vuitton Monogram Bumbag enough! Shop it secondhand via Fashionphile.

2. Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag

I almost hate how much everyone everywhere loves this bag. But I cant, because I absolutely get it. The Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag is the perfect on the go bag for when all you really need are the basic essentials.

Grass Metro Sling Bag — image via MZ Wallace

3. MZ Wallace Metro Sling Bag

I don’t personally own this one (yet), but I do love my MZ Wallace tote and how much it holds so when I saw it on Ashley of Everyday Pursuits’ Instagram, I immediately added it to my wishlist, same color and all. Whether you’re a mom or not, if you have a lot of stuff, the MZ Wallace Metro Sling Bag is for you.

CALPAK Luka everyday Belt Bag with puffy exterior in pink — image via Calpak

4. Calpak Luka Belt Bag

This is another belt bag on my radar thanks to Instagram. I use the Calpak packing cubes when I travel and their Luka Belt Bag looks perfect to add to my travel essentials.

5. Dagne Dover Ace Fanny Pack

The Dagne Dover Ace Fanny is my favorite of these belt bags picks for the minimalist. It comes in 6 different core colors, and has enough pockets to stay organized.

Are you here for the return of the fanny pack trend? Which belt bag best suits you? Let me know in the comments!

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January 10, 2023

Ways to Wear Matching Sets

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

It should come as no surprise to learn that I love matching sets. I am all about versatility. Pieces that are easy to wear multiple ways? Too perfect!

As Is

The easiest outfit ever, is to wear a matching set as it is. If I’m not sure what to wear, I know that outside of a jumpsuit, a matching set is my safest bet. This Free People set is currently trending—

The other set I reach for often is this Cynthia Rowley set—

Switch The Top Out

Regardless of the type of set, I’m a huge fan of swapping out the top for a bodysuit. Skirts, pants, you name it, I style it with a bodysuit. And if not a bodysuit, it’s usually a basic or graphic tee, but you have options. Tons of them!

Wear It With Different Bottoms

As for the bottoms, I’m not opposed to switching those out as well. Jeans are typically my go to for this, but again there are tons of options.

Add Something To It

Given that I life in New England and the weather here is usually cold, I often add layers to my matching sets. Typically a jacket, be it denim or otherwise that I can easily fit under a coat in the winter, or take off in the summer.

If you don’t know what to wear, you can always follow me on Instagram, or go with a matching set. I also love one styled with a puffer vest!

How do you feel about matching sets?

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December 8, 2022

Gifts I Love Gift Guide

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

The ‘Gifts I Love’ gift guide is one of my personal favorites, because it’s gifts I’ve received and absolutely love!

Not a single gift on this list is one that I don’t still use or wouldn’t love to get again.

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December 7, 2022

Luxury White Elephant Gift Guide

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

I recently had the pleasure of joining Neiman Marcus Boston for their annual influencer holiday party. We shopped, sipped, and celebrated with a white elephant gift exchange! Here were some of the most coveted white elephant gifts—

Can you guess which of these gifts I went home with? Which one would you have wanted?

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November 11, 2021

8 Cute Picks to Wear to Your Next Football Game

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

While my favorite kind of football will always be soccer, seeing as how I did play in both high school and college, that doesn’t mean that I don’t love my New England Patriots something fierce. There’s hardly anything football related that I love more than showing my support for them in style with cute football game outfit ideas, even if I do tend to stay at home on game day.

If you’ve ever found yourself trying to figure out what to wear to a football game, this blog post is definitely for you!

Regardless of whether you’ll be in a stadium or on a couch, or watching college or NFL, here are three cute outfits to wear to a football game—

And here are eight picks to wear this season—

I already own a some of these items, and all the others are on my Christmas list!

Please don’t think that you need to run out and buy team apparel just to look good at a game. If there’s anything in your closet that already own in your team’s colors that will work just perfectly as well. I know for other sports, I’ve also been known to rock and all black look.

Do you have any upcoming football related plans?

November 8, 2021

Lightweight Fall Pieces I Love A Lot, Perfect for Transitional Dressing

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and features gifted product from Dick’s Sporting Goods.

The weather in New England can be pretty unpredictable, especially in the fall. The key to being prepared for the changing of seasons is lightweight fall staple pieces that you can layer differently throughout the day.

The number one lightweight fall piece that I love for transitional dressing is a fleece. Dick’s Sporting Goods has so many great options in this category, including my personal favorite, which is The North Face Denali Fleece.

Not only do fleeces make the perfect jacket for this time of year, they look great with everything from a tank top to a turtleneck. And if you have a thin enough jacket or vest, you can layer one under your fleece as well.

Shop fleeces—

In addition to lightweight layering pieces, another way that I like to adjust to the dropping temperatures is to switch up my footwear.

Shop footwear—

Just add crew socks and a beanie, and you’re good to go!

Plus with the holidays just around the corner, it’s worth noting that these cold weather accessories also make great gifts! Dick’s Sporting Goods has blankets, tumblers, and whatever else you might need for your next adventure.

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February 10, 2021

Two Valentine’s Day Outfit Ideas

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Valentine’s Day Outfit Ideas

Valentine’s Day this year, like so many other things, is looking different than it has in the past. Andrew and I tend not to go all out for most holidays, but last year we enjoyed a candlelit dinner for two at Ciao Bella in the North End of Boston. I’d hoped that (or at least something similar to it) would be a new tradition for us. This Valentine’s Day, however, we will be continuing to stay home. And having a candlelit dinner for two in the comfort of our apartment, with delivery.

But just because Valentine’s Day won’t be the same this year, that doesn’t mean that you can’t dress for it! I mean, will probably be in sweats all day, to be honest, but if I were going to dress up, here are two Valentine’s Day outfits that I would wear.

The first look is actually inspired by The Everygirl. They’d featured it in an article titled, 7 Non-Cheesy Outfits for Every Valentine’s Day Occasion. It was the suggested what to wear for a casual date with you long-term boo. And honestly they nailed it! This look is exactly what I would wear out with Andrew. I switched up the red satin top style a bit, for a slightly sexier vibe. And ditched the chain belt, because I forgot I had a purse chain strap I could use.

For the second of my Valentine’s Day outfits, I wanted to share something that is a little bit more of what people have in mind when they think of Valentine’s Day looks. A little white dress (that I’ve worn before, and was excited for the excuse to wear it again) and a pop of red! I love these heels and with the dress it’s just such a cute dressier look to wear to celebrate love.

How dressy will your V-Day attire be or are you keeping it very low key? Let me know in the comments below!

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January 18, 2021

New Year, New Beauty & Hair Care Goals

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Nordstrom and ShopStyle, and contains affiliate links.

I’ve never been all that big on New Year’s resolutions, and this year I’ve been even more hesitant to set one. That doesn’t mean that I don’t have goals, and some pretty lofty ones! Since I’ll be continuing to stay home at this time, I figured I would make the most of it as much as I could, by trying to refine my makeup, skincare, and hair care routines. For makeup and skincare, my goal is to get better at applying the products I already know that I love to create Instagram-worthy beauty looks. And also pin down routines that work, so that I can be more consistent with them.

Now, with hair care it’s a bit different. If you’re at all familiar with my hair journey, then you know that it is all over the place. But you also know that I’m not good at doing hair, my sisters usually are the ones to do mine for me, and when I find something I can do, I do it on repeat (hello, slick ponytail, that involves A LOT of gel)!

After checking out the Allure Best of Beauty 2020 winners, and scoping out Nordstrom’s new beauty arrivals, I decided to give a few things a try, including the Sigma Beauty F79 Concealer Blend Kabuki Brush and T3 Lucea ID 1-inch Smart Straightening & Styling Flat Iron.

Having used the flat iron a few times now, I 100% get why so many bloggers and influencers rave about it. It’s that good! I really want to try one of their curling irons next! I’m still getting better at doing my own hair, especially since going natural, and have a ways to go. But being able to straighten it with ease means I can try more styles, which is the goal.

What are your 2021 beauty goals?

No matter what you hope to achieve this year, Nordstrom has all your beauty needs to help you accomplish it. And with The Nordy Club, you get some pretty great perks, like earning points towards Nordstrom Notes when you shop, that you can use on future purchases. I’ve used a few already!
Not sure where to begin? Here are my current top Nordstrom beauty picks:

December 15, 2020

Nordstrom X UGG

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Nordstrom and ShopStyle, and contains affiliate links.

Ugg boots are iconic. And this holiday season you can catch me inside, in head to toe Ugg. That’s right, UGG has so much more than the boots we all know and love them for!

In addition to their boots, I love their slippers, but did you know that they also have loungewear and the coziest sweaters? It’s the leggings for me. This pair is double knit, so they really keep you warm when you have to step outside.

These two looks are perfect for staying in, and most likely what you’d find me in, on my couch or on a quick coffee run. I styled the UGG Fuzzy Logo Sweatshirt here with jeans, but they would go just as great with leggings, lounge pants, or joggers. And UGG has you covered for outerwear as well, with jackets and coats that you can bundle up in.

Staying in all day? I love my Phoebe Wrap Cardigan, which can also be worn as a robe over one of the UGG pajama sets.
The best part? UGG is available right at Nordstrom, so if you’re signed up for The Nordy Club, you can take advantage of all your free perks, and earn points towards Nordstrom Notes when you shop, which you can use to buy even more UGG goodies later!

November 30, 2020

Nordstrom Gift Ideas Under $100

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Nordstrom and ShopStyle, and contains affiliate links.

When it comes to gifts, Nordstrom has way more than just clothes and beauty. I find myself turning to Nordstrom for most of my purchases throughout the year. And the holiday season is no different. Regardless of who you’re shopping for, chances are you can find them something that they’ll treasure at Nordstrom.

Stumped on what to get? Here are some gift ideas, and they all happen to be under $100!

Scented Candle

Candles are one of my absolute favorite gifts to give. The best are the ones that you can smell without even having to light, and the fact that you can reuse the vessel afterwards is a bonus gift! Still feel like you need a little something extra? Bundle it with a wick trimmer and candle snuffer.

Bluetooth Speaker

We got this Bose speaker for Christmas a few years ago and it’s still the one that we use the most. It’s small, so you can toss it into your bag when you’re on the go, but loud enough to make any room feel like a dance floor.

Scarf Watch Band

I’m fairly new to the Apple Watch club, but the basic watch band that it comes with just isn’t it for me. I really loved this fun colorful option, but if it’s not what you’re looking for, Nordstrom has options!

Sleep Mask

I swear by the Slip Silk Sleep Mask, and recommend it for everyone. Last year I lost mine after a flight, and immediately went and bought another one. Yes, it’s that good.

Skin Care Set

Even if you’re not sure what to gift someone, you really can’t go wrong with a skin care set. Especially during these times, everyone can use a little extra calm and self care.

Duffle Bag

Purses are something I prefer to gift myself, but when it comes to the gym or travel, I realized that I don’t usually think to buy a quality duffle bag. And I know I can’t be the only one.

Moccasin Slippers

Another Christmas gift that I’ve received and loved! These moccasins are my around the apartment slippers to stay cozy.

Face Mask Chains

Much like the Slip Sleep Mask, their silk face mask is amazing, so much so that I bought three different ones. I’m sure we all have our share of reusable face masks, but how about a face mask chain to elevate our new everyday essential?

Cashmere Scarf

In New England the temperature is dropping and snow is on the horizon. A scarf is such a classic gift to give, one that anyone can use to wear throughout the winter.

Record Player

Something about vinyl just makes me so happy, the sound, the nostalgia, I don’t know. But it’s great to have, and you can also gift it with a record or two.

No matter how long your list is, if you haven’t already, you really should sign up for The Nordy Club! Not only is it free to join, you earn points towards Nordstrom Notes when you shop, which you can use to spend with Nordstrom later. And don’t forget they also have free shipping and returns, as well as curbside pickup. Plus, for Cyber Monday get up to 50% off and an extra 25% off clearance!

What gifts are you hoping to get this year?