10 Alternative Uses For Coconut Oil

Image via Rip and Tan

The benefits of coconut oil are pretty much endless—and with a wide array of health benefits from beauty to baking, it's safe to say this all-natural oil is a staple in our pantry.

Coconut oil is made from the the fruit of the coconut palm tree and boasts a unique combination of fatty-acids that your body can use for energy, to curb your appetite and even boost immune function. It's also been proven to support a healthy heart.

Naturally gluten-free and vegan, this superfood is surprisingly versatile. Below, find some of my  ways to use coconut oil:

1. Cooking Oil—I like to swap out conventional cooking oils or butter for this healthy alternative, whether it's in a stir fry or slathered on toast. This is an easy and delicious way to start adding more coconut to your diet. You can find organic, virgin coconut oil at most grocery stores. We love the Dr. Bronner's and Trader Joe's brands. 

2. Deep Conditioner—A natural, affordable alternative to expensive deep conditioning treatments, coconut oil makes a fantastic hair mask. I like to leave it in my hair for 15-20 minutes before showering so that my hair really soaks it all in. I then shampoo and rinse as usual. The result? Silky, smooth locks that feel like I just left the salon.

3. Body & Facial Moisturizer—When used topically, coconut oil can help prevent free-radical damage and premature aging. It's particularly great for those with sensitive skin.

4. First-Aid Remedy—Coconut oil boasts anti-bacterial properties which makes it a safe, natural remedy for small cuts and scrapes. It can also help aid in the of healing of scars, bug bites and sunburn.

5. Oral Rinse & Teeth Whitening Aid—Oil pulling is an ancient, Ayurvedic practice for both cleansing and whitening your teeth. It involves the act of swishing organic, cold-pressed coconut oil around your mouth to draw out (or "pull") impurities and toxins from your teeth and gums. Prior to brushing, swish a spoonful of oil around your mouth for between 5-15 minutes, then spit the oil out. It's important that you not gargle with or swallow the oil, as it's now filled with the toxins and plaque that you just "pulled" from your mouth.

6. Digestive Aid—A spoonful a day keeps the doctor away. Coconut oil is packed with essential nutrients and vitamins that help aid in healthy digestive function. Try adding a spoonful to your coffee or tea to reap all of the benefits.

7. Makeup Remover—Coconut oil is a gentle, incredibly effective makeup remover. I like to use it before cleansing to remove stubborn eye makeup. You can mix in some skin-safe essential oils or honey, or use it alone.

8. DIY Lip Scrub—I mix a little bit of coconut oil and brown sugar together to form a paste and then use it to scrub off any dead skin or rough patches on my lips. The result? A soft, smooth surface. It's a great way to prep your lips for balm or lipstick.

9. Household Cleaner—Coconut oil is a gentle, effective way to remove dirt and impurities from your home. I like to use it as a dish cleaning aid, to remove soap scum and grime from the bathroom and as a stain polish. 

10. Pet Wash—Our puppy has sensitive skin that reacts to a lot of chemical ingredients. We like to use coconut oil as a natural and safe alternative to sulfate-filled shampoos. It helps keep his coat shiny and clean.

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Dr. Bronner's Coconut Oil / RMS Raw Coconut Cream / Mountain Ocean Skin Trip Coconut Soap

My Favorite Sustainable Brands

With Earth Day just around the corner (tomorrow to be exact), I thought it was the perfect time to talk about my favorite sustainable brands. I've been making a conscious effort to pare down my wardrobe and makeup bag to the essentials, choosing quality over trendy details and a low price tag. In part, I've been gravitating towards designers that use sustainable materials and organic, natural ingredients. Whether it's the fabric they use, factory practices, or low-waste packaging, I'm doing the best I can to not contribute to the problem. 

The good news is that the options these days abound. Here I rounded up some of my favorite sustainable brands and my top picks:

Reformation

Everlane

Mara Hoffman

Stella McCartney

Levi's

Earth Tu Face

Rahua

Tata Harper

Another tip? Buying vintage or pre-owned is also a great way to cut down on your consumption. I often find really cool, one-of-a-kind accessories and home decor at local thrift and consignment stores.  

What are your favorite sustainable and ethical brands?

Best Bet: Straw Hats

If there's one thing that can elevate a Spring outfit, it's a straw hat. 

Over the years I've accumulated quite the collection. Janessa Leone is one of my favorite designers—and that's because she just gets it. She has a carefully curated selection of classic toppers with chic, of-the-moment details. The moment you put one on, you feel instantly cooler. I'm dying to check out her Los Angeles showroom, The Edit, but until then, I shop her selection online. I find them to be true-to-size, but measure the circumference of your head for the best fit. 

Other brands I love include Rag and Bone, Indego Africa and Hat Attack. But my best tip? I often hit up the Goodwill or vintage stores to find lived-in, one-of-a-kind pieces that I use in our home decor. Most beach towns will have some good ones to choose from.

 

        

11 Woven Pieces To Buy This Spring

I'm a big fan of woven materials and natural textures, so this season's woven accessories trend has me all heart-eyed.

There's something really cool and laid back about the look—it's very reminiscent of summer, the beach... And who isn't relaxed when they're on vacation?

I recently picked up a macrame tote from Shopbop for my trip to Charleston (similar here) and it doubled as my camera bag for the week. It's neutral color and cool texture looks great with any outfit and I can't wait to get more and more use out of it. (How cute would this be as a farmer's market bag?)

I've rounded up my favorite woven pieces in all shapes and sizes so you can get in on the trend: 

Sweater Weather

I hope you're all having a wonderful week! I am so tired from all of the fun, but I'm excited for the weekend. We had a lot going on this week, so I'm excited to kick back and relax with my feet up and enjoy this wonderful Southern weather.

It might seem strange that I'm posting about sweaters after a week of 90 degree weather, but hey! It’s almost fall, so why not start stocking up on the good stuff? Sweaters are a staple in my closet, they’re the key to the cool months and for braving chilly office temps. 

I have a thing for hunting down knits that make a statement, so I thought I would share a handful that I’ve added to my list. There’s nothing quite like being wrapped up in something cozy, is there? 

I picked up a couple recently to kick off my collection this year, that I can see myself mixing and matching with multiple outfits. I like to invest in 3-5 sweaters every season that are classic and I know will stand the test of time. I don’t bother with anything cheap, because I feel like the quality really shows in sweaters. Pilling is never a good look. My favorite places to look for quality, investment pieces are Net-a-Porter, Everlane, Jenni Kayne, Need Supply, Cuyana and, surprisingly, Zara. You can also find some amazing wool pieces at your local thrift store!

Shop my favorite classic sweater styles (plus a few on-trend) below:

How to Transition Your Straw Accessories Well into Fall

And like that, Summer is over—for most of us anyway. Down in Charleston, we're still enjoying a few late sunsets and endless beach days.

I will say, however, it did feel like this season went by in the blink of an eye. Admittedly, I’m excited to get out my fall favorites—ankle boots, denim jackets and start stocking up on cozy blankets and textiles for the home. But I’m still trying to get some last-minute wear out of my new Summer pieces while I still can.

I recently got a pair of gorgeous rattan slides from Carrie Forbes and I haven’t been able to stop wearing them since. They're the perfect accent to my end-of-summer outfits and looks good with anything, even more structured pieces. It's spurred somewhat of a straw and rattan addiction. I keep spotting woven pieces on Pinterest and while I'm out shopping. I just can’t help myself—I even want to start introducing some rattan into the home!

From hats for you to baskets for your home, I’ve rounded up some of my favorites here.

The List: 5 Trends I’m Most Excited About For Fall

Fall clothes are something I look forward to each year. Even though I'm no longer in school, the season always feels like a time to experiment and reinvent my style. I love chunky knits, perfectly worn-in denim and a solid pair of leather boots. This year, I’m more excited for the shift than ever before. Living in Charleston, our Fall season pretty much extends until Spring. I'm excited to wear my layers without having to hide underneath bulky coats and gloves.

I'm usually one to lean towards neutrals, but for some reason I'm all about color and pattern this fall. I love a pop of cherry red against tan or white. It gives your outfit a punch and personality.

Here are some of the trends I'm most excited to wear this season:

1. Mules—A good slide can make even the most basic outfit feel fresh and fashion-forward. I'm loving a good menswear inspired mule. So chic when paired with a feminine and flirty mini skirt.

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2. Updated Basics—Blazers, plaid, a cashmere tee... I'm all about elevating the everyday basics this season.

3. Florals—I love a good floral for Fall. I'm especially into rich, deep colors and shades that pair equally well with worn in denim.

4. Silk—There's something about silk that feels so elevated and luxe. To me, it screams Fall. I can't wear to layer silk tops with chunky knit sweaters. Something about the juxtaposition of the materials is so cool and effortless. 

5. Rounded Details—Give me all the rounded handle bags and buckles. I'm seriously crushing on all things round this season, bonus points when paired with this season's other trend, polka dots, for maximum impact.

What are you most excited to wear this fall? Browse all my favorites in the shop!

On My List

With Summer coming to a close, I've been feeling a bit bored with my wardrobe. The Charleston heat isn't for the faint of heart and I've been living in cut offs and tees to stay cool. What I'm looking forward to most is the Indian Summer that seems to last well into Winter. That means I can get much more wear out of my favorite pieces, from statement blouses to open-toed shoes. 

Right now, I'm gravitating towards jewel-toned pieces mixed in with neutral tones and materials. Pieces that stand out, but are still classic if you know what I mean.

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01. Blouse―Ulla Johnson / 02. Sandals―Ganni / 03. Scarf―Janessa Leone / 04. Perfume―Byredo / 05. Jeans―M.I.H. / 06. Anklet―Ariel Gordon / 07. Mules―Robert Clergerie

The Lean Closet Edit

I love the feeling of a freshly edited closet. However, I know how hard it can be to part ways with items that often hold sentimental value—or worse, impulse purchases and those pieces that you save for "when it fits."

Paring down your wardrobe to the items that you actually love and wear is an incredibly liberating feeling and a great way to get ready for Spring. So set aside a low-key evening, grab yourself a glass of wine and get your plastic bins at the ready. Here are my tips for lightening up your wardrobe.

Take it all out

First things first. Pull everything out of your closet and drawers, and I mean everything. You can't sort through things if you can't see them. This also gives you a better idea of how much stuff you actually own or forgot about.

Pull and sort

Next, you'll want to go through your items and group them by category—clothing, bags, accessories, shoes. This is the best way to make sure you don't lose sight of anything. I usually go a level further and sort by item type, i.e. jackets, tops, denim, etc.

Grab a friend

Enlist the help of a trusted friend or partner that can give a valued opinion. (It helps to lure them over with pizza or beer.) It helps to have someone who can be honest with you and knows your lifestyle. You're going to need someone who can talk you out of keeping those boots you haven't worn since college.

Prep your tools

Set aside three bins to help sort and manage your edit. One for keeps, one for reselling and one for donating. I buy mine from The Container Store or Target.

Divide and conquer

Start with clothing, as this takes up the bulk of your wardrobe. Ask yourself some key questions: Does it fit? Does it make you feel good when you wear it? Are there any rips or stains? Your answers to these will help you make an honest call about where they should go. 

Resell

Any items that don't fit properly but are in great condition can be consigned or resold. (If you really love them, there's a chance they could be salvaged by a good tailor.) I use The RealReal for high-end and designer items and Poshmark for more casual brands. I used to work at a consignment store, so I have a pretty strong understanding of the types of items that have resale value.  I've made over $10,000 selling my gently used clothing! (I plan to write a post spilling my secrets soon.)

Donate

Give your items a nice home to people who could use them. We recommend Goodwill, United Way and Dress for Success. Pieces with rips, tears or stains can still be salvaged—many thrift stores will take pieces and sell them as bulk fabric. Not only will you have a cleaner, more organized closet, but you'll be doing good in the process. 

Rinse, repeat

Repeat these steps with all of the categories.

Keep an eye out

Start to notice any trends or gaps in your new wardrobe. This will help you find balance. Do you have a penchant for stripes or floral prints? Are you in need of a pair of jeans that fits properly? Think about your lifestyle and how your wardrobe fits into that. I spend 70% of my time at work, so the majority of my closet should reflect that.

Take a break

It's understandable that some items will be harder to part with. For those pieces that you just can't be without, store them away in a separate bin or suitcase and stow them away in the top of your closet. Revisit these items in six months to see if you still feel the same.

Store Properly

For all of the pieces you've decided to keep, try finding a more organized system to make sure all of your items have a proper home. The phrase "out of sight, out of mind" holds true in this case—it's easy to know what you have when everything is displayed nicely. I use a simple white bookshelf to give my closet a custom look for a fraction of the cost. Artfully arrange your pieces to decorate and bring in a boutique-like feel. For any items that hold sentimental value or heirloom pieces like jewelry, store them away in a where they'll stay protected and free of tangles.

Fill in the gaps

If after your closet detox you still feel like you have gaps in your wardrobe, check out my roundup of capsule items that every wardrobe should have:

What pieces are you adding to your wardrobe this season? I'd love to hear!