12 Cool Things You Need to Click On Today

If you follow me on Instagram, you already know that, last week...I MET MADONNA! I repeat: I MET MADONNA! You guys, I want to play it cool, but it was everything. Here's how it went down: I was invited to the launch of MDNA Skin, Madonna's new skincare line. We were told Madonna would be there, but you never really know. Still, I was SO nervous in anticipation. In my career, I have been fortunate enough to meet many celebrities through their beauty launches, but (and no offense to Katy Perry, Usher, Celine Dion, Justin Timberlake, etc) this was MADONNA. Totally different level.

I mean, I listened to her True Blue cassette tape and watched her videos on MTV constantly as a child. I even dressed up like her for Halloween. So, I was so freaking nervous the moment she walked out in front of the crowsd. She spoke about her line for a long time (funny enough, she actually sounded nervous while speaking up there!), and then stayed for a full hour after the presentation taking photos with everyone there. (And chatting with you while you were photographed with her! I just basically said "Uh huh" and nodded during this time, because I was about to throw up from nerves.) But I love the photographic souvenir I have now--and I really love that they retouched my skin and made it all glowy, too. Gotta love PhotoShop.

So, what are you up to this weekend? I'm not hanging out with Madge, sadly. Nope. Ours is going to be pretty low key--kids' parties, playdates, a date night. But whatever you're up to this weekend, I hope you have a great one. Here's a few fun links to check out in the meantime...

• Banana Republic is having a 40 percent off sale right now! And I really think they have gotten so good in the last year or two. I just bought this sweater in two colors (pink and yellow) and this supercool blush-colored camo sweater, which I LOVE. I also have my eye on this jacket. It's so cool!

• I gasped when I saw this slouchy Frye boot, because 1) It looks almost identical to one of my all-time faves, this Jimmy Choo boot--also pictured on me here (Oh my god! Look how young my daughter looks in that post!). 2) It costs about $1000 less than those Jimmy Choos! and 3) It's on sale!

• I'm ordering this: a puffer jacket that actually looks flattering and it's in an amazing color and it has gold buttons! (Plus, it's already on sale and you can get an additional 20 percent off with code MORE.)

• This is my new favorite skincare thing: Strivectin Advanced Acids Rehydrate + Replump Hyaluronic Dual-Response Serum is a hydrating serum that feels super light and totally not greasy. (It feels like you're hydrating your skin with water--not with oil.) I wear it morning and night under moisturizer and sunscreen and it's keeping my face so much softer.

• This vegan-leather dress is kind of sexy and SO cool (but still work appropriate)! At first I balked at the price, but Rebecca Taylor is having a 25 percent off sale right now, so I'm definitely considering it! Use promo code 25FAMILY for the discount.

• Random but awesome find: I make smoothies almost every morning and was starting to stress out over the number of plastic straws I was going through--and then discarding. So I found these reusable metal straws on Amazon and I love them. Simple to clean and now I'm putting much less plastic into the landfills.

• I'm thinking about getting this framed art piece for our guest room. Isn't it fun? Love the top knot and the bright pop of color!

• This week, I shot a fun Facebook Live with hairstylist Marcus Francis and Suave for Total Beauty. If you'd like to watch--and learn how to create the easiest-ever braided updo--you can check it out here.

• If you haven't been reading Dear John--the L.A. Times true crime serial that is drip, drip, dripping out one chapter at a time--you must start! It's basically a great Netflix doc...in print! The final installment comes out Sunday. In the meantime, here is the first chapter if you want to check it out. (You'll be hooked!)

• I can't tell you how many people shared this on my Facebook feed, but when I finally clicked on it, I was so glad I did. The author talks about how women expend a lot of "emotional labor" in a relationship--especially when they're moms--and oh my gosh, it rang so, so true.

And in case you missed it...

• My daughter got a major haircut...and I'm the one who freaked out.

• I shared a deal for free home products--in yummy fall scents. (FYI, the promotion technically ended, but insider tip: I'm pretty sure you can actually still get freebies if you click on the link!)

Have a great weekend!

SHOP THE POST

My Favorite New Dress (Plus the Cutest-Ever Photobomber!)

On me: Dress, Club Monaco; boots, Steven Madden (plus similar here); bag, Loeffler Randall; necklace, Lulu Frost (old, similar here and less expensive here) On mini-me: Top, Crewcuts (old); skirt, Target; boots, Clarks (on sale!).

Photos by Brenda Armendariz

Imagine this: It's a Sunday afternoon, on an unseasonably warm day. You're in the middle of an outfit post shoot and it starts out normally. You take a few shots, standing awkwardly on the sidewalk. Then, suddenly, the littlest, cutest photobomber comes onto the scene. She's dressed in her closest approximation of a mini-me version of your outfit and she's got quite the bag of posing tricks up her eggplant-colored sleeve. 

But, really, if someone's going to steal my thunder, at least she's pretty cute, right?

So...on to the outfit. This is probably my favorite new dress. I love how it looks like a sweater and skirt that I just happened to artfully style myself (ha), but it is, in fact, a (super-comfy) dress. I wear it with these combat boots on days when I'm going to be running around all day to events. For a dinner out, it's also cute with heels or my favorite heeled boots. 

And the bag! I lusted over this studded-black hobo bag for ages and finally broke down and bought it. Finally, can we just talk about my daughter's boots? They're from Clarks and I'm obsessed. She is, too.

What do you guys think of the outfit? And how about my little photo-bomber?

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Mommy and Me Fashion: Welcome to Boot Season

This post is sponsored by DSW Shoes.

Hers and hers: Rampage Amanda Girls Boot and Steve Madden Fame Combat Boots

Clockwise from top left: Guess Riding Boots, Steve Madden Girls' Riding Boots, Report Mathews Boot, Nine West Girls' Riding Boot, Minnetonka Hello Kitty Fringe Youth Boot, Minnetonka Fringe Western Boot, Nina Girls' Boot, Unisa Over the Knee Boot

Somehow, independently of one another, my daughter and I have both seemingly declared Fall 2015 to be The Season of Boots. We're both obsessed with them. We love them with jeans, with dresses, with leggings. We're loving them with anything and everything. Go figure: I hate the cold, I don't get particularly excited about Sweater Weather, but man, do I love me some Boot Season.

Luckily, there are loads of cute ones out there right now. DSW Shoes recently sent us each a pair to try out. Hers are slouchy black suede boots that she is VERY protective of. (If there is a cloud in the sky, she actually carries them to school in her backpack so as not to risk getting a drop of rain on the suede.) Mine are a pair of black combat boots that I can't wait to use to add a little edge to all my favorite dresses. 

My daughter has long been really into dressing up like me, so this is a fun way to wear something similar, but not crazy matchy-matchy. So, going along with that theme, I've also selected a few favorite mommy/daughter pairs that we've got our eyes on next. (Check them out above!)

Are you as boot-obsessed as us right now? Which style is your favorite?

At DSW, we believe that shoes have the power to bring out something great in everyone. So no matter who you are or how you dress, we've got just what you need. Shoes say a lot about you. Spend a little, say a lot.