I am a neutrals gal through and through but there is something about Spring that makes me want to wear ALL the color. LOL I also love matching sets and athleisure outfits that are comfy yet still look chic and polished. I love putting outfits together when I’m getting dressed to go somewhere but when I need to run errands or not think about what I’m wearing, I will always gravitate towards matching sets or pieces that easily can be styled together with little to no thinking. I make too many decisions on the regular to think about what to wear on the weekends. LOL So if you need some casual outfit ideas for spring, here are some that I have worn and love.

Colorful Casual Spring Outfits

Crewneck Sweater and Knit Shorts

Sweater | Shorts | Bag (similar) | Shoes (similar) | Sunglasses

I have a few different pairs of shorts from Varley and they are hands down my most worn during the spring and summer. While they are more of an athleisure/athletic style of shorts, they still look super chic and polished. This is their shortest length but still long enough to feel comfortable bending down. LOL It matches perfectly with this crewneck sweater which would also look great styled with a pair of white denim for a slightly more dressed up outfit. I love Varley knits because the styles are casual but can easily be dressed up or down.

Long Knit Shorts and a V-Neck Knit Sweater

Sweater | Shorts | Sandals | Bag (similar) | Sunglasses

This pair of shorts is the longest style that Varley makes and they are SO COMFORTABLE! If you struggle with shorts being too short and you want something that allows you to move around a ton but still feel a bit more modest, this is the style to get. This short sleeved knit is one of the pieces that I regularly wear with jeans or a pair of trousers because it is a bit more elevated than a regular sweatshirt. An outfit like this is a step above pajamas in terms of comfort but I can add some jewelry and sandals and wear it out to lunch with a friend.

V-Neck Knit and Athleisure Shorts

Sweater | Shorts | Sneakers (similar) | Bag (similar) | Sunglasses

This length of these shorts is in between the pink pair and the purple pair I am wearing in the prior photo. Varley offers different lengths in their casual shorts so everyone can find a length that fits their needs. This blue knit sweater is also the exact same as the cream one in the prior photo but I love how it looks worn with the same color shorts for a monochromatic moment.

Cropped Tee and Skort

Tee (similar) | Skort (similar) | Sneakers (similar) | Bag (similar) | Sunglasses

Spanx is one of my other favorite brands for chic athleisure looks that are still incredibly comfortable to wear. This looks like a skirt but has shorts underneath that are attached! If you are someone who likes to play tennis or pickleball, this would be a great look to wear.

Half Zip Pullover and Joggers

Sweatshirt | Joggers | Sneakers (similar) | Sunglasses | Bag

I actually wore this exact outfit to a birthday party recently with my son and had so many compliments on it! The oversized knit is insanely comfortable and I love the simplicity of the style – just a simple half zip pullover. I have a few pairs of Varley joggers and they are my absolute favorite because of their slim fit. They are comfy yet don’t look sloppy or frumpy. There are also different inseam lengths to choose from and this new pair has a cuff at the bottom which really helps to elevate them a bit more. That added cuff makes them look more like a casual pair of pants rather than sweats.

I am a skincare lover through and through but I do have my favorites. And I don’t just mean favorite products – I mean favorite ingredients. Many readers will ask me how I am able to test different products regularly and not have any reaction. The answer to that is I often will test products with the same active ingredients so the benefits are the same but the formulations may be slightly different. I test different vitamin c serums to see which texture I like best or which peptide serum provides the results I am looking for.

Once you have identified those particular skincare ingredients that you find work well for your skin, then you can test various brands to see which texture and formulation you like best. I’ve identified a handful of skincare ingredients that work really well for my skin and I use them in my skincare routine regularly. Most of these ingredients are well known and widely used by most brands. I am sharing my top 5 favorite ingredients to use and my recommendations of specific products that I love in each category.

My Favorite Skincare Ingredients

Vitamin C

I’ve been using Vitamin C serums primarily in my routine for nearly 15 years and love the benefits they provide. It’s one of the best ingredients to add to your morning skincare routine especially because it’s an antioxidant that helps to neutralize any free radical damage.

Evens out skin tone

Vitamin C helps to reduce hyperpigmentation and dark spots leading to a more even toned complexion.

Boost collagen production

We lose collagen as we age so vitamin c helps to boost collagen production which can improve skin elasticity and reduce fine lines/wrinkles.

Improve skin texture

Vitamin C can help smooth out the texture of the skin while also working to reduce inflammation.

Protection Against UV Damage

The reason why I primarily like to use Vitamin C in my morning skincare routine is because it helps to boost the skin’s antioxidant defenses which can aid in protecting against UV damage.

Vitamin C serums I would recommend: Timeless Skincare 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum, Medik8 C-Tetra Luxe, Educated Mess Golden Hour (code: MAREE10)

Retinol

Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A and is one of the most important parts of my skincare routine especially as I enter my late 40’s. I don’t use prescription strength retinol (commonly known as tretinoin) but I still receive great benefits from over the counter formulas. The main difference in the various types of retinol available in store is that it is a less potent form of vitamin A and you do not need a prescription from your doctor to use it.

Cellular Turnover

As we age, our cells turn over at a slower rate thus resulting in skin that loses firmness, appears more dull and has less elasticity. Retinol can help to speed up this process and your cells will turn over faster giving the skin a more youthful and radiant appearance.

Unclog Pores

Retinol is often uses as a recommendation to those struggling with acne or clogged pores because it can help regulate oil production and unclog pores leading to less breakouts.

Stimulate Collagen Production

This is one of the main reasons that so many people love retinol is its ability to stimulate collagen and elastin production which helps the skin stay firm and supple. Fine lines and wrinkles are reduced and the skin can appear much more youthful and smooth.

Skin Tone and Texture

If you struggle with dark spots or hyperpigmentation, retinol is an ingredient that targets these and can help to drastically even out the skin tone.

Retinol treatments I would recommend: Medik8 Crystal Retinal, Somme Mi Intense Retinol

Peptides

I have only discovered the benefits of peptides in the past year and love how much they have helped my skin. I have found them to be particularly beneficial in my mid 40’s because they really help to target firming and plumping the skin.

Stimulate Collagen Production

Along with retinol and vitamin C, peptides are great for helping to stimulating collagen production. This directly helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, firm the skin and give it that youthful “bounce”.

Improves Skin Texture

Skin texture goes hand in hand with skin barrier function. A healthy skin barrier often means your skin texture is smooth, firm and supple. Peptides can aid in this and depending on the formulation of the peptide serum, can also help to reduce the appearance of enlarged pores.

Increase Skin Hydration

Peptides can attract and help retain moisture in the skin leading to increases in your skin’s level of hydration. By increasing the level of hydration in your skin, it will appear more plump. Skin will also look more plump and bouncy by the increase in collagen production that the peptides will stimulate.

Peptide serums I would recommend: Educated Mess Freeze Frame (code: MAREE10) , OneSkin OS-01 Face Supplement (code: MAREE15) , INNBEAUTY Elastic Skin, Medik8 Liquid Peptides

Ceramides

One of my consistent focuses with my skincare routine has always been to protect and strengthen the skin barrier. If the skin barrier is damaged, most other active skincare ingredients cannot properly deliver the benefits that they are designed to do. The skin barrier can be damaged from various things such as over exfoliation, environmental damage, medication or underlying health issues. Using products that contain ceramides will help to repair, protect and continue to the strengthen the skin barrier. Even when the skin barrier is healthy and strong, it’s important to still use products that help to support it. Ceramides are one of the best ingredients to help with this.

Improve Hydration

By forming a protective barrier on the skin, ceramides allow for less moisture loss leaving the skin well hydrated.

Barrier Support

Ceramides are best known for helping to strengthen and support the skin barrier by protecting it against various stressors and irritants.

Reduce Inflammation

If you struggle with skin that gets easily irritated, ceramides are a great addition to help reduce inflammation, redness and overall sensitivity.

Ceramide serums/moisturizers I would recommend: Naturium Barrier Bounce, TirTir Ceramic Milk Ampoule, Mother Science Molecular Genesis (code: MAREESYE), Medik8 Advanced Night Ceramide

Glycolic Acid

There are a ton of different acids available in skincare products to target exfoliation but my personal favorite is glycolic acid. Glycolic Acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid that provides exfoliation benefits for the skin as well as maintaining the skin’s lipids. This has always been my preferred acid to use because it addresses so many concerns while not stripping the skin. My favorite way to add glycolic acid into my skincare routine is usually through peel pads that I use 2-3x/week.

Removes Dead Skin Cells

Exfoliation is extremely important for healthy skin but especially as we get older. Physical scrubs or exfoliants are too harsh for me so I have found the most success with chemical exfoliation in helping to remove dead skin cells regularly.

Unclogs Pores

In removing the dead skin cells, glycolic acid helps to unclog pores leading to less breakouts and smoother texture.

Improves Skin Tone and Brightness

Glycolic acid helps to promote cellular turnover so which will even out and brighten the skin tone with continued use.

Glycolic Acid products I would recommend: YSE Beauty Your Favorite Ex Exfoliating Pads (code: MAREE20), Colleen Rothschild Glycolic Acid Peel Pads