fall focus: staying in with nautica x amazon fashion.

-sponsored by nautica and amazon fashion.

netflix. good reads. cozy sheets. spiked hot chocolate... everything a truly amazing fall weekend calls for. lately, as the temperatures continue to drop, i've felt myself slipping further and further into hibernation mode—and i'm so here for it. the past few months have been really crazy for me—from dealing with a fire at my old spot to subsequently moving neighborhoods to finally taking the leap and leaving my full-time job—and now that i'm working for myself, i'm excited to set aside some time to really slow down and decompress for a bit. and there's no place i'd rather do that than in my brand new spot in bed-stuy (for the sake of this post, we'll put an emphasis on the bed part, haha).

you guys already know that this is my favorite season, and i always love getting my spot in full-on fall mode. since i'm still unpacking, i'm taking baby steps, but i got things off to the perfect start—beginning in the bedroom. my friends at nautica sent me some cozy new bedding to get lost in this month, and the check print is so on trend for the time of year. also, circling back to our last post, i've been turning down the brightness with darker colors, so i'm loving the navy, grey, and burgundy blend here.

with all the natural light pouring into my room, there's nothing better than spending an afternoon with a mug of bailey's-infused hot chocolate and a nice book—i'm currently in the middle of james baldwin's if beale street could talk. i almost feel bad for my friends... if they're not coming over, they might not see me any time soon, haha.

hit my amazon shop to check out some of my favorite nautica items to keep you cozy this season. if you're not into check prints, they have an awesome striped bedding set that you're gonna love. -j

brand spotlight: clean-cut for christmas with panasonic.

november. movember. no shave november... whatever you call it, it was rough. not because anything particularly unfortunate happened, but because i looked absolutly crazy all month without my usual grooming routine in place (me and long facial hair don't usually mix well). thankfully, panasonic hit me up close to the end of the month to try out their er-gb80- s all-in-one beard, hair, and body trimmer—and trust me, it was right on time. check it out. -j

okay, maybe i buy into the whole idea of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" a bit too much, but i've actually had the same pair of trimmers since i was a freshman in college (i know, i know... 9 years, i should be ashamed)! so, i was totally excited when this package arrived. inside, i found a stylishly sleek clipper, along with three comb attachments to take care of all kinds of hair (up-top, facial, body), a tube of oil to keep things working smoothly, and a little cleaning brush. 

taking a closer look at the designs and mechanics, i certainly got a good first impression. the quick-adjust dial is super simple to use and, to my surprise, has a total of 39 settings, which makes it pretty easy to get the right length you're looking for, whether your buzzing your curls a bit or getting that perfect 5 o'clock shadow. also, the grip is rubberized for a nice, smooth hold, and the overall look of the device is clean and masculine, which is always a plus.

the blades cut pretty smoothly (both the main clippers and the slide-up edgers, which you can use for a more precise line), making for a pleasant experience from start to finish. afterwards, i was able to quickly wash the trimmer in the sink without any worry of damage and get on with my day. needless to say, i've officially thrown my old blades in the trash.

if you're still in the middle of your gift-shopping frenzy, this bad boy will make a great present for the man in your life who's all about well-kept facial hair (and well-kept everything for that matter, haha). you can learn more about it (and it to add to your cart) right here. if you have more questions about my experience with the panasonic er-gb80- s all-in-one trimmer, feel free to DM me on IG (@jovelroystan).

yes, this post was sponsored by panasonic, but as always, any and all opinions, photos, and tips shared are completely my own. -j

from the meatpacking district, with love. 🎁

over the past year, i've had the honor of serving as an ambassador for the meatpacking district here in nyc, and it's a pretty cool position to have. walking along those cobblestone streets as an intern back in 2011 was one of those moments that really made me fall in love with the city, so i'm glad to have a real connection to the neighborhood. last weekend, i did a little exploring around the area to pick out a few of my favorite holiday gifting goods from the shops that make meatpacking all that it is. check out my selections below and start scratching all of those names off your shopping list. -j

allsaints marcel crew sweater
mixing classic breton stripes and a modern oversize fit, this sweater fits into your weekend wardrobe perfectly. the stripes are knitted in two different yarns, one a lambswool blend, the other cotton. $215

why i love it: this bad boy's such a statement-maker—the strong stripes, the slouched shoulders, the oversized fit... it makes looking cool this winter way too easy.

kiehl's age defender cleanser
formulated with moroccan lava clay, this unique charcoal-colored 2-in-1 face wash deeply cleanses while exfoliating to remove excess dirt and oil for a refreshed, younger-looking appearance. for a deeper exfoliation, it can be used as a 5-minute mask, where the formula will break down the toughest layers of dead skin cells, to smooth the appearance of fine lines and improve overall texture. $28

why i love it: i have this face wash at home and use it pretty much every day. it's got the perfect texture thanks to the lava clay, a nice scent, and definitely does everything you'd be looking for from a good cleanser. plus, with the wintertime bringing on those inevitable cozy nights at home, i'm sure using it as a face mask would make for a great at-home spa moment—i'll have to try it out (and you should, too).

rag & bone thank you tee
this lightweight slub knit jersey's made of 100% cotton, comes in a classic fit, and has a sweet graphic print on the front that'll add some cool points to your winter layering routine. $115

why i love it: during the colder months, things in the style department can get a little boring when you're throwing on layer after layer under hoodies, jackets, and coats day after day.  you kind of lose the desire to try... this tee keeps things interesting and will help you stay cool once you shed the 15 other tops you're wearing to survive the brutal nyc weather.

marni stutterheim raincoat for marni
this men's raincoat, created by stutterheim for marni, is made with rubberized cotton and features a snap closure design with patch pockets in front and a hood. the color-block striped pattern makes it a standout piece. $990

why i love it: winter-wear can be a drag when you stop and think about that annoying day when you'll have to stow them away for another 9 months. if you're looking to cop (or gift) any piece of outerwear, i'd go for something that can get a bit more mileage throughout the year. while you can layer this beautiful piece up to make it work for the colder months, it'll also do the job on its own during the spring and fall—not to mention, all those random rain and snow days that unexpectedly plague the city year-round.

the kooples camel suede chelsea boots
these chelsea boots will delight you with their slender line and the finesse of their soles, which adds a certain elegance to the mix. offered in soft supple suede in a bright shade of camel, they ensure an authentic, slightly vintage style enhanced by the buckle at the ankle. $475

why i love them: if you ever ask me to name five menswear essentials every guy should have, you'll definitely find "a strong pair of chelsea boots" on the list every time. i really love the thin belting detail on these, in particular—they add a clean touch of luxury without making them over the top. very nice.

warby parker percey eyeglasses
made of hand-polished cellulose acetate and designed with a thin silhouette, these frames offer a fresh take on a classic round-frame style and come in four different colorways. they best fit a medium-width face, so if you tend to fit most pairs of frames you’ve tried on, then these will be sized well for you. $95

why i love them: i've worn contacts for the past 14 years, but lately, i've really been feeling my glasses again. this pair is super clean and has hella style—especially in the mission clay fade color-blocked option. whether you're on the hunt for prescription frames or just looking for a cool pair of personality frames, these are a totally good option.

MAISON MARGIELA REPLICA fragrance collection
maison margiela fragrances lets you relive previous moments of the past with their replica collection. the range comes with a variety of scents for him and her in the form of rollerballs, travel sprays, candles, and full-sized bottles. $28-126

why i love it: so, for one, i used to work on the fragrances buying team at macy's, so I do know and believe in the value of a good scent, especially gift sets (like the discovery set available at sephora)—they really are steals! secondly, i have four of the full-sized scents, a travel spray, and three of the candles at home—yes, i do use them all the time—so trust me when I say they're amazing.

festive feels in brooklyn.

alright, people... thanksgiving is over, december's here, and it's time to get festive. now that we're in peak holiday season, i finally pulled out the christmas decorations i bought at target a few weeks ago. i live in a cozy little 1br, so i don't have to do too much each year to get in the spirit; however, i did decide to throw out my old decor and bring some new items into play. check out the three simple, easy, and super affordable decor tweaks i went with to help celebrate the weeks ahead.

the holiday squad

so… i used to have these four straw animals that (for some reason…) all of my friends thought were so strange. given their amazing constructive criticism, i thought these guys were way cooler—and stylish as hell, too. check out their little outfits! they were no-brainers, obviously. the best part: each of them was only $3. 👍

*bonus point: holiday candles are a must. this snuggly sweater scent is perfect for this time of year.

4ct dressed character animal christmas ornament set - wondershop™

the furry woodland critters

whenever i’m browsing the home section at target, i always try to think beyond one holiday or moment and look at what could work seasonally. like the fashion-forward crew above, these little critters are small statements that will last well through the winter ahead. i gave them a home on my fragrance bar—looks like they’re liking the new digs. i don't recall the exact price of these boys, but i want to say they were no more than $4 each.

woodland holiday figurines, available in-store only.

the tree.

what’s christmastime without a tree, right? i bought this little guy a few years ago and it’s the perfect size—big enough to make a statement, but small enough to stow in my closet until next year. last time, i used little dinosaurs as my ornaments (click here to see), but i thought i’d take a more classic approach this time around. these handcrafted mini ornaments were a total steal at just $3. you can call that a bargain.

16ct winter mini glass christmas ornament set - wondershop™