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Outfits

Wedding Dress Codes and Style Guide

Wedding Guest Dress Code

Dress: Nordstrom (comes in 7 colors) | Shoes: Steve Madden (ON SALE)

Wedding season is in full force and has been the most requested topic by far from you ladies! This post idea has been in the works for quite some time and I’m hoping that it will serve as a comprehensive guide for all of your wedding attire needs for both brides and wedding guests. Everything from showers to bachelorette parties to the actual wedding weekend, I’ve sifted through thousands and thousands of dresses to find appropriate choices for each of these events. This is a long post but should answer all of your questions when it comes to what to wear to a wedding event whether it’s in a barn, on the beach or a church!

WEDDING DAY DRESS CODE:

BLACK TIE

Black tie and black tie optional weddings are going to be more “gala-like” than a cocktail attire wedding. Men pull out their tuxedos and women are decked out in floor length gowns. The “optional” part in black tie just means that you don’t have to wear a floor length gown if you do not wish to. But hey, after prom how many times do us girls get the chance to rock a gown? Have a little fun with it! For black tie optional, nicer midi dresses and jumpsuits are totally fine just remember to error on the dressier side (like this!). For black tie weddings, keep in mind that renting a ball gown is an excellent option! You don’t want to spend $200+ on a dress chances are you are never going to wear again especially since you know you’ll want something new for the next event! Rent The Runway is a service I have used several times now. They have thousands of designer and name brand dress options. The best part is that they send you two sizing options so that if your normal size doesn’t work, you have  a back up!

He should wear: A tuxedo or formal dark suit and tie

She should wear: A long evening dress or formal cocktail dress

 

COCKTAIL ATTIRE

From personal experience, 9 out of 10 weddings you are going to be invited to will be cocktail attire. If the invitation says “dressy casual”  or semi formal you might as well look at it as cocktail attire. Why there are 500 different ways to say cocktail attire I have no idea. It’s 2018 so people think they are really creative when honestly they are just really confusing.

Basically a cocktail dress is just a fancy term for a “nice” dress that is not a ball gown. If you are unsure of what would qualify as a cocktail dress think about it this way: a dress that you would feel overdressed wearing to a luncheon and underdressed wearing to a gala. While most cocktail dresses usually hit above the knee, midi and maxi dresses can also be worn for cocktail attire. Keep in mind a less formal approach to a longer length dress might be more appropriate as not to look you are going to a black tie wedding. Jumpsuits are certainly appropriate as well for cocktail attire but error on the side of a more formal jumpsuit (like this!). I did an entire post here on why I actually prefer to wear jumpsuits for weddings. Here is just one of several reasons that I gave in the post:

…while every other girl is trying to hike up her dress and awkwardly dance, you are 10 steps ahead of them ready to take on the limbo, cha cha slide, cotton-eyed joe and every other cliche wedding song like a total champ!

He should wear: A suit and tie

She should wear: A cocktail dress or jumpsuit

 

BEACHY FORMAL

Apparently this is becoming a thing guys! News to me too because I haven’t had the pleasure of having been invited to one. *Side note: all of my destination beach wedding friends can come out of hiding now*. The formal term is used relatively loosely here, mostly meaning that a dress below the knees would be best but is not required. You will want to dress for the elements (sun, sand and sweat) so flowy, sleeveless options are usually best.

He should wear: A summer suit with (no ties required), linen pants (or khakis) and sandals

She should wear: A formal sundress at knee length or below with sandals

CASUAL

Generally speaking, casual means anything goes but jeans, shorts and tank tops are probably not appropriate unless they’re specifically noted as acceptable. Keep in mind the time of day for the wedding. Daytime weddings are going to be a little less dressy than a night time wedding. Also note the type of venue. You probably don’t want to wear a nice cocktail dress to a barn wedding and a sundress might be too casual for a nice hotel. If you are still confused on what to wear, I promise this little dress won’t steer you wrong.

He should wear: Dress pants with a button-down shirt or polo

She should wear: A sundress or a skirt with a nice top

ACCESSORIES

No matter what type of wedding you attend, accessorizing is one in the same. 9 out of 10 times you will find me in these nude heels. They seriously go with any and every dress! Not to mention they are great for date night or a girls night out too. Speaking from experience, you honestly can’t go wrong with a pair of Steve Madden heels! Jewelry wise, invest in a couple of fun pairs of earrings that you can dress up or down. This way you can wear them beyond weddings! My gold hoops almost never leave my ears- weddings, date nights, work wear, you name it! If you buy one pair of earrings, make it these. Lastly, if you know you might be cold at the wedding, bring a wrap instead of a jacket as it will look a bit nicer!

WEDDING SHOWER

Attire for showers is completely dependent on location. For locations such as somebody’s house or an informal restaurant, a casual sundress, skirt or even jeans and a nice top will do! If the shower is at a nicer restaurant, church or formal venue, you will want to wear a sundress.

FOR THE BRIDE:

FOR THE GUEST:

REHEARSAL DINNER

Again attire is dependent on location. If the rehearsal is held at a church, you have to be mindful that it is a holy place. Some religions require that your shoulders be covered when inside of the church. I would not advise wearing a skirt or jeans unless the bride tells you this is okay to do so.

FOR THE BRIDE:

FOR THE GUEST:

BACHELORETTE PARTY

Location and what the bride wants you to wear is everything!

For the bride: Most brides tend to want to stick to wearing all white, after all nothing says bride like wearing all white! And if that fails, hopefully your friends also get you an obnoxious sash and penis themed everything to let the rest of the world know it is in fact your weekend.

For the guests: The bride will usually give details on dress code for the party but if not, it is a safe bet to wear black! Rompers are my favorite option when going out (although they aren’t the easiest to go to the bathroom in) because if you like to dance, they are the best option to bust a move in!

Lingerie: If not at the bachelorette, there is usually a lingerie party for the bride. I don’t care how old or mature you are, don’t tell me that lingerie is not awkward to buy. Save yourself the embarassment and buy it online. My go to places for relatively cheap and PG (I personally stay away from gifting anything PG-13 because I’m an inner 5 year old) lingerie are always Nordstrom Rack and Hautelook. They are always running lingerie sales. Brand wise: I like Free People and Sam Edelman lingerie. It is cute and sexy… if that is possible.

Wedding Style Guide: Dress Codes, Etiquette and FAQ
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Outfits, Top Ten

May Top Ten

**CLICK AN IMAGE TO SHOP THE ITEM DIRECTLY**

How are we already half way through the year?! Time is seriously flying and I can’t believe I am coming up on my one year “non-workiversary”. September will make an entire year that I have been blogging full time and it still blows my mind that I get to do something that I love every day.

Continuing on with the monthly top favorites, or the most purchased items by all of YOU, it is no surprise that we have some “repeat offenders”. Several of May’s top selling items were top sellers for previous months as well such as the Gucci belt dupe, Abercrombie overalls, and my tried and true Levi jeans that just so happen to be 50% off!

And as a reminder on how I obtain the monthly top ten data…

I use an affiliate program called rewardStyle. This means that if you click on any link- whether it be from my Instagram or blog- that takes you to a product page on a retailer’s site and rewardStyle is able to track that it originated from me. Some affiliate programs will pay the influencer for every click that they generate from their site. RewardStyle pays per purchase made. This means that if you click on one of my links and then end up purchasing that item, I will get a small commission (usually between 7-12%).  Many bloggers use this same program as part of their revenue source.

Because I use this service I do have access to data analytics. This means I can track what items are clicked on and purchased. I cannot see who clicked on them or what other items might have been purchased. For example, if you click on my Abercrombie shorts link and then purchase a swimsuit and a top in the same transaction, I will only be able to see that a purchase was made and that the shorts link is how you got to the retailer’s site.

These analytics are incredibly important to me because it allows me to see what all of you are liking. At the end of the day, this little blog business of mine is meant to be a resource for all of you so having the ability to track and measure each product’s success is invaluable. Coming from a Finance background, I tend to geek out over the analytics side of it as I find it incredibly intriguing what all of you are liking, buying and clicking on the most! It gets my gears turning because I genuinely want to bring you products that you are going to love and want to buy (at the right price point of course)!

Like I mentioned, this little blog is a full time business for me which means I am so appreciative when you choose to click and shop through my links – whether that be on Instagram or the blog. I have poured everything I have into being a resource for all of you so that hopefully it makes your life a little bit easier. I know that shopping through my links is an extra step for you, but please know it makes all the difference to me. It is how I am able to continue sharing great deals, try on sessions, and everything else. O and it allows me to pay my bills 🙂

All of that is to say, shopping through my links does not cost you anything additional (the item is the same price), the retailer will just pay me a small cut since I am the one that referred you. Please know I am so thankful when you choose to shop through my links and give me credit for helping you score a great find!

Now presenting… May Top Ten!

This jumpsuit was by far the number one seller! Perfect for any Spring/Summer events, especially for a more casual wedding attire. It has a detachable halter strap and pockets! Fits true to size but if you have a bigger chest I would size up.

This criss cross back tank and jeans both made the monthly top ten! The tank is now marked down to just $16 and makes the perfect Summer date night look. It runs true to size (wearing an XS). The jeans are currently 50% off making them just $45 and they also run true to size (wearing a 25).

This little top and shorts combo also made the top ten and probably got the most wear from my closet! I found myself reaching for this tank more than I thought that I would! I’ve worn it with jean shorts, white pants and even tied up with a skirt. It’s also under $25 and runs true to size (wearing a 25). The linen shorts come in 7 colors, are SO comfortable and are currently on sale for just $23.

Y’all must be buying entire outfits this month because again these overalls and watermelon tee were in the top ten! The watermelon tee is one of my favorite Summer staples from last year and is just $10! Make sure to size up. The overalls run true to size (wearing an XS) + come in 4 colors.

Y’all loved this swimsuit that is a designer dupe for this $300 one! I suggest sizing up as it does run a little small length wise.

This little tank has been on repeat! I own it in 5 out of the 7 colors and wear it almost daily. I love tucking or tying it up with shorts or wearing it under overalls. If you plan on drying it, size up!

These matching swimsuits were a HUGE hit and for good reason! They are relatively cheap and super cute. I love the knot detail. They run true to size (wearing an XS in both) but if you have boobs or a butt at all I would suggest sizing up.

And last but not least is the Gucci belt dupe that has been a top seller for 6 months now and is constantly going in and out of stock. Click here for the small Gucci belt dupe and here for the large one!

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Life

I Got Hair Extensions!

Capelli Keratin Bond Hair Extensions

Capelli Keratin Bond Hair Extensions

Capelli Keratin Bond Hair Extensions

I’ve toyed with the idea of getting hair extensions for some time now especially after I accidentally got them in September of last year. Yep, you read that right. After one too many glasses of champagne at New York Fashion Week, I told my hair stylist for the day that I had always wanted long hair. When she turned the chair around, SURPRISE I had hair extensions and not the kind that you can take out at the end of the day. After the champagne wore off, I ended up loving them just as much as I did a few glasses deep 🙂

What kind of hair extensions did you get?

I got Capelli Keratin Bond 20″ extensions. We used 4 different colored bundles for my hair. One lighter, one darker and two close to my natural hair color. Your hair stylist should be able to color match you!

How are they attached to your hair?

Keratin bond extensions are individually fused to your hair in very small sections with a heating tool. The bonds are carefully and strategically applied throughout the hair to camouflage the bonds. This means you should be able to put your hair up and not be able to seem them at all which was NOT the case when I had tape in extensions.

Where did you get them done?

I go to Sharon at Trademark Salon for my cut, color and now extensions. I cannot recommend her enough! I have always been more than pleased with my services. In fact, she is the first hair stylist that I have gone to more than once which is saying A LOT because I had never been happy with my hair until finding Sharon. And I tried five Houston salons before finding Trademark! For those that aren’t in the Spring area, she is well worth the drive! If you are not local to Houston and are interested in Capelli Hair Extensions, you can find a salon near you by using Capelli’s store locater.

Trademark Salon Location:

10300 Louetta Rd #106, Houston, TX 77070

How much do they cost?

Definitely the number one asked question and the short answer is that they are an investment. That being said, the cost really is dependent on the person and look you are wanting to achieve. Cost is determined by several factors the main two being desired length and volume. If you just want volume, this is much cheaper! But once you start adding length, this is where it gets more and more expensive because you have to add considerably more hair so that the hair does not look stringy. Since I wanted to add volume and 6 inches to my hair, my service fell under the most expensive package: $1,200. While the salon does not offer discounts, they do give referral discounts on future hair services!

Do they damage your hair?

The verdict is still out on this one as I have not tried taking them out yet and that is supposedly when they can damage your hair. I have heard horror stories from some of you that when they were removed that you lost a lot of hair. My hair stylist assured me that as long as you have a well trained stylest and good quality extensions, you should not have an issue with hair loss or damage. I will keep you all posted on this one!

Longevity.

While these extensions are certainly pricey, I did my research before committing to them and the number one reason why they beat out other types is because these last 3-5 months depending on how fast your hair grows out. Since my hair does not grow very fast this type of extension seemed best for me to achieve the voluminous long locks I wanted! After the bonds are broken (meaning after they are taken out), the hair is not reusable. So you are looking to pay full price for the next go around.

Comfort.

I was surprised how comfortable these have been from the start! I heard from others that they would feel “heavy”, that they would make my head hurt or that they would take some getting used to. From the time that they were put in my hair, I have never even noticed them! The only thing that took some getting used to was the first night of sleep but after that I was good! You will definitely be able to feel the bonds if you try to run your fingers through your roots of your hair so you do have to be careful there.

Maintenance/Upkeep.

You can wash, dry, brush and style your hair pretty much the exact same way as without extensions. Washing does take a little more precision to get the roots clean but nothing out of the ordinary. I was also instructed to get this bristle brush so that it would not pull my hair or bonds out. Since the bonds can easily get matted, you should brush your hair several times a day. I always brush my hair first thing when I wake up and last thing before I go to bed but also try to brush throughout the day as well! At night, it is best to sleep in a braid so that you don’t tangle or mat the bonds.

Styling.

Unlike the tape in extensions, you should be able to style your hair any way you want for the most part and not have them show: ponytails, braids, up dos, half up-half down, etc. I will say that one thing that has taken some getting used to is that the extension hair is a different texture than my own therefore it holds curls differently. Just something to note. Also, because of how many I have in my hair, I have seen a major increase in the time it takes to blow dry my hair. It used to take me about 5-7 minutes, it now takes closer to 20. Curling my hair takes maybe a couple minutes longer but honestly is about the same.

Products.

I use all of my same products to wash and style my hair as I did before having extensions. The only addition is my brush and it is definitely a must for these types of extensions. Click through below to see the products that I use to style my hair. When it comes to shampoo and conditioners, I honestly trade off between several brands and have not found one that I can commit to a long term relationship with!

I am in LOVE with my new hair. I honestly don’t think I could ever go back. That being said, only time and my current bank account status will tell if it becomes a long term commitment. For those that are maybe thinking about getting hair extensions, this would be my advice for you. If you are just wanting extensions for a one time event (for ex: wedding, prom, etc), a more affordable and less permanent option like clip ins would probably be best for you. If you aren’t ready to make the monetary commitment to fusion bond hair extensions, then tape in extensions might be a good route for you. And lastly, if you are wanting a more permanent solution than clip in or tape in extensions, I cannot say enough good things about my fusion hair extensions. While they are pricey, I 100% think they are worth it. For the amount of overall length and volume I wanted, my two choices were fusion bond extensions or NBRs (natural beaded rows). While I love how NBRs look, the upkeep and price were far too committal for me. Fusion bonds were what worked best for everything that I was wanting and I am SO happy with the outcome!

If there are any other questions that you would like answered about my hair extensions, please leave them below in the comments and I will answer them there!

*This post is done in partnership with Capelli Hair Extensions and Trademark Salon. All opinions are my own.*

The Truth about Hair Extensions
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Outfits, Top Ten

April Top Ten

**CLICK AN IMAGE TO SHOP THE ITEM DIRECTLY**

I use an affiliate program called rewardStyle. This means that if you click on any link- whether it be from my Instagram or blog- that takes you to a product page on a retailer’s site, rewardStyle is able to track that it originated from me. Some affiliate programs will pay the influencer for every click that they generate from their site. RewardStyle pays per purchase made. This means that if you click on one of my links and then end up purchasing that item, I will get a small commission (usually between 7-12%).  Many bloggers use this same program as part of their revenue source.

Because I use rewardStyle I do have access to data analytics. This means I can track what items are clicked on and purchased. I cannot see who clicked on them or what other items might have been purchased. For example, if you click on my Abercrombie shorts link and then purchase a swimsuit and a top in the same transaction, I will only be able to see that a purchase was made and that the shorts link is how you got to the retailer’s site.

These analytics are incredibly important to me because it allows me to see what all of you are liking. At the end of the day, this little blog business of mine is meant to be a resource for all of you so having the ability to track and measure each product’s success is invaluable. Coming from a Finance background, I tend to geek out over the analytics side of it as I find it incredibly intriguing what all of you are liking, buying and clicking on the most! It gets my gears turning because I genuinely want to bring you products that you are going to love and want to buy (at the right price point of course)!

Like I mentioned, this little blog is a full time business for me which means I am so appreciative when you choose to click and shop through my links – whether that be on Instagram or the blog. I have poured everything I have into being a resource for all of you so that hopefully it makes your life a little bit easier. I know that shopping through my links is an extra step for you, but please know it makes all the difference to me. It is how I am able to continue sharing great deals, try on sessions, and everything else. O and it allows me to pay my bills 🙂

All of that is to say, shopping through my links does not cost you anything additional (the item is the same price), the retailer will just pay me a small cut since I am the one that referred you. Please know I am so thankful when you choose to shop through my links and give me credit for helping you score a great find!

Now presenting… April Top Ten!

This little dress won by a landslide! It comes in 3 colors (yellow, white and black) and is just $70! I would suggest sizing up if in between sizes as it does run on the smaller side! The yellow is perfect for any Spring weddings, the black would be great for a bachelorette party or date night, and the white would work for any of my brides!

A very close second are my favorite distressed overalls. I’m so glad you ladies are loving overalls just as much as I am! These run true to size (I’m wearing an XS) + come in 4 colors. My favorite way to wear them is with the high neck tank that placed third in the April top ten!

It’s no surprise this tank made the top 3 purchases because I personally own it in 5 colors and wear it most days of the week.I usually knot it or tuck it in to a pair of jeans but it also looks cute with a neckerchief or under overalls!

These Abercrombie harper shorts have been in the monthly top ten two months in a row now! Y’all are loving this style in every wash! I am wearing the light wash and Kylee is wearing the ripped white. They run true to size (I’m wearing a 25). The Gucci belt dupe that you ladies all know and love is finally back in stock in both the small and large sizes and also one of this month’s top sellers.

These jeans are a long time favorite and got pushed to the top ten this month thanks to them being on sale multiple times. They run true to size and get better with wear. I have owned mine for almost 2 years now!

These matte black star leggings are a $23 dupe for this $185 dollar pair. Every time I wear them I get SO many compliments. They run true to size (wearing an XS).

My wedges come in 5 colors + are under $80! Make sure to size up a half size.

These $52 pants are perfect for work or play! They do run on the bigger side so size down if in between sizes.

A fun and flirty little bodycon dress. Make sure to size up!

April Top Ten

In the top ten two months in a row! This bathing suit is a $25 dupe for this $200+ one. I am wearing a size 4.

April Top Ten
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Gift Guides, Holidays

Treat Yo Self Gift Basket Ideas

one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | eight | nine | ten | eleven | twelve

No matter what age you are, every gal likes to be pampered! And for some reason it’s usually the last thing we spend money on which is why these types of gifts are always appreciated so much! I’ve given some variation of a “Treat Yo Self” gift basket to pretty much every friend and family member over the years and the response is always the same- LOVE LOVE LOVE!

The best part is that you can customize the gift basket to fit your giftee. If you know they love bubble baths, give them a bath tray, bath bombs, and a candle. If they aren’t a fan of baths, customize a mask basket complete with masks for the face, lips and under eyes – aka the works. If they are a homebody, give them a cute pajama set, slippers and throw blanket because lord knows the majority of us will wear an old college shirt before dropping money on a new set of cozies. Do they like game nights? Give them a fun game, a bottle of wine and cute wine glass. Speaking of wine, literally every “Treat Yo Self” gift basket is instantly made 100X better simply by adding your giftee’s favorite bottle of wine or bubbly.

So even if you are last minute, this easy gift basket idea will look like you put plenty of thought and time into hand picking each component – talk about a win win! All of these items can be found on Amazon Prime (2 day shipping), Target (order online and pick up at the front counter), or Nordstrom (order online and pick up at the front counter).

 

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