4.16.2015

In my first edition of the style blogger series, I mentioned that I wanted to make it a bi-monthly post. That one was so much fun to create. I got such wonderful feedback and lovely emails, that I knew I had to keep my word and continue showcasing my favorite ladies. I follow so many of you, don't be surprised if you receive a request next!


I reached out to five ladies last week, and luckily four of them replied back and agreed to participate. Two of these ladies I've been closely following for quite some time, and the other two are more recent inspirations. All have beautiful, attainable style.





First up is Tara, who I've been following for years now. What first drew me into her blog was her profession - a school teacher. I love women that work with children. It's such an under appreciated job, one that has a true impact on the future. I also work with children, and it's such a difficult position at times. I love that Tara shows us how to look professional and polished, yet still youthful. Her style is colorful and playful, and instead of following the whole stereotype of how a teacher "typically" dresses, she completely goes against that and has made me realize that you can have fun with your work wardrobe! Her use of color and pattern mixing always provide me with new ideas.




(formerly Kacie's Kloset)

Next is Kacie, a fellow California girl. I've also been following her for over two years now, and she is just stunning! Her style is so chic. She wears the perfect jeans, and then uses them to either dress up or down the rest of her outfit. She is one of the ladies who also inspired me to cut my hair! I loved her haircut so much that I actually showed her blog to my sister-in-law and had her try to replicate it. Did you know that, Kacie? I also admire her photography skills. She takes her own pictures, something I honestly don't think I could ever be talented (or patient) enough to do. She has an eye for styling, and she comes across as very professional about it. Her look is the epitome of California cool in my book. 






I found Rachelle's blog through my friends Gina and Carylee. I'm not really sure how it happened though. I kept seeing her featured on their blogs, and then I decided to click over to Pink Sole and was immediately hooked. She loves Express just as much as I do, and she has a beautiful way of putting things together to give me fresh ideas on how to pair them. She strikes me as a very capable and confident woman, something you all may know I'm struggling with as of late. Her confidence really shines through on her blog, and her smile makes every outfit she is wearing that much more beautiful. 






Carolina is my newest find. I hope that doesn't come across in the wrong way, but when I discover a blogger that really inspires me, it's like finding a diamond in the rough! The blogosphere is bombarded with new ladies every single day, and although I think there's room for everyone, I often see the same type of style. Carolina is how I long to dress. I literally want to raid her closet and wear everything she owns. She is insanely beautiful, and her style is impeccable. She looks modern but classic at the same time if that makes sense. She looks effortless but still very put-together, and that's something I always appreciate. 




I hope you will visit their blogs, if you don't follow them already. 

Thank you for reading!

4.14.2015






Wearing //
Olivaceous dress here and here
Zara kitten heels, similar here (I have then in coral) and here 
Beauty //
Lips: Lancome Lip Lover # 340 mixed with CoverGirl gloss in Plumlicious
Benefit blush  (one of my favorites)





This is the dress I was hoping would be great for a friend's upcoming wedding. However, the material is super flimsy and one false move and my lady bits will be on display. Not exactly appropriate for a wedding. Hell, not exactly appropriate anywhere! I'm very modest as you ladies may know, and I just can't imagine wearing this on its own. It's such a shame because it's beautiful! The soft layers flow around the body in a very feminine way. The color itself is extremely vibrant, and you know cobalt is my absolute favorite shade. I think I'll stick to wearing it like a tunic though, or perhaps over a bathing suit in the Summer by the pool. It's quite revealing, and I'm just not prepared to reveal. I don't regret buying it because it takes me out of my comfort zone. And, it was on sale :)



4.08.2015


Wearing all white is probably my absolute favorite "trend" for Spring. Once afraid that I would look like a giant sack in this ethereal hue, I now am crazy about it. I really blame my wedding for this love affair. I felt so special that day in my gown, that I think it's carried over into my daily wardrobe. It brightens my complexion, lifts my spirits, and is the perfect canvas for jewelry. I like to use it just as I do with black, meaning I let my accessories be the stand-out, or I just go with it and keep everything very simple and understated. The look is crisp, youthful, and chic. You'll be seeing me in similar outfits all season long. Light and bright! The epitome of my Spring wardrobe.




Wearing //
Express druzy necklace, check stores



And now for something exciting, something I've been itching for! Once upon a time, I used to participate in a monthly must-reads series. If you've been following me from the beginning, then you have undoubtedly read those, and if you are new to my blog, just type in "monthly must-reads" in my search category and they will pop up. I started blogging in 2009 and during this time, I met some of my best blogger friends. It feels amazing to do this once again with them! I love them to pieces. If you haven't checked their blogs out, I suggest you exit this page and do so immediately.


A warm hug to Zeba for putting this together, as she did back then :)












4.06.2015






Wearing //
Steve Madden flats, love these
Loft jeans, similar
Nordstrom necklace, similar
Beauty //
Essie nails in Watermelon





This post is entirely dedicated to Carylee. After seeing this knot tee on her and a handful of other bloggers that I think she inspired, I had to give it a try. Not only are these tees supremely soft, but the detail on the hip makes it feel a little more special than your run-of-the-mill version. I'm constantly on the search for new tee-shirts I can live in during the Summer. I've had some luck with LOFT, but they do wear pretty easily after a couple of seasons so I'm always on the hunt to replenish each year. There are some days where you just want to feel comfortable, and a great tee and jeans is my uniform for those times. Now I'm tempted to get another...maybe white. 

A small rant before I go. I HATE mosquitos! Hate them. I got attacked by one as you might notice on my arm and it turned into a giant welt. Those little suckers always seem to find their way to me. Buzz off guys! Okay, rant over. 

How was your Easter? 


Linking up with Carylee and Gina

4.02.2015






Wearing //
Express necklace,  recent (check stores)
Steve Madden sandals (old) but love these
Beauty //
Lips in Lancome Shine Lover in 340 (love)
Finger nails in Chanel "May"
Toes in O.P.I "Lincoln Park at Midnight"



Nate and I accomplished three things last weekend: We went for a hike, we finally did our taxes, and we had our first real beach trip of the year. To say the weather was gorgeous would be an understatement! I knew the water would be cold so I didn't wear my bathing suit, but I did manage to get a little color on my skin after these pictures were taken. I love wearing a soft, flowy maxi dress to the beach when I know I'm not going to jump in the water. It looks put together and polished, but still casual enough to take a stroll along the shore. I just held the bottom up while I trudged through the sand. It actually reminded me of our wedding day when I did the same thing with my gown! Not pictured was my trusty fedora. I got one at Target a few weeks ago and it's perfect for keeping my freshly colored locks under cover. I feel silly in hats, which is why I never photograph with one on but I do wear them whenever I'm outdoors for a long period of time. Sun protection is a must! A fun tote and bright pink lips are also must-haves for me at the beach.

What are your beach must-haves?

Linking up with Tara today!

P.S. - A giant hug and kiss to those that took time out of their day to leave such beautiful, supportive comments on my last post. Most of them actually made me tear up because, well, I'm a nut case ;) But seriously, thank you all so much. I love you guys. 

3.31.2015





Wearing //
Asos dress, similar here and here
(use code beachfirenkxoxo to get your first month free)




I wasn't sure what to title this post, so I decided to name it the thing that's been on my mind a lot recently - body confidence. Having a personal style and beauty blog is an odd concept. It's a great way to memorialize a period of time in your life. It's allowed me to recognize how my style has evolved over the last five years, and it's been such a helpful tool in that sense. I see it as a scrapbook or journal of sorts, one that makes me smile, laugh, and reminisce when I look back at older posts. But, it's also put some pressure on me to look a certain way. The internet can be a vicious place, one in which strangers feel compelled to point out every little flaw and pick people apart in the comfort of their own home and behind the veil of anonymity. Now I personally have been very fortunate. I've never really encountered any nasty comments on my blog, and I feel very supported in this community. I'm sure if I were a "bigger name blogger", I would have experienced some negative comments over the years. I cringe when I see what some are going through. I didn't know when I signed up for this that a pre-requisite included being a size 0 and looking like you flew off the pages of Vogue. If I had known, I would have just picked up an issue on the newstand.

 I think I've just begun to put pressure on myself. It's no secret that I'm struggling with my weight right now because I've disclosed that, and I second guess every single picture I put up on my blog. That shouldn't be the point though, right? I'm not a model, just a regular person with a regular job, a husband, friends, family, a dog. I live in a condo, I dream about traveling and starting a family in the next two years. I doubt myself all the time and question everything, and this is coming from someone who studied and now works in the counseling field. I see a therapist because I have horrible anxiety. I'm now on medication for it. Why am I telling you all this? Well I'm not sure really, I just don't always want to write a simple blurb about what I'm wearing and how fabulous everything is. I've been struggling lately, and I wanted to throw that out there. Not for sympathy, because I'm okay! But just to let you know that confidence is so important in life, and mine is faltering at the moment. I know it'll pass. I know I'm taking the steps necessary to head in the right direction, and I'm looking forward to a future blog post where I can talk about that. But for now, let's all just be kind to one another. I firmly believe you can be stylish at any height, weight, or size. Let's just keep reminding ourselves, and each other.