5.04.2015





Wearing //
Joie via Nordstrom Rack Blouse, similar here but check stores! 
Topshop Skirt, similar here but I want this one
Kate Spade bag, so cute for Summer!
Gorjana necklace via Rocksbox (get one month free with code beachfirenkxoxo)
Beauty //
Essie nails in Cascade Cool (fingers)






This white swingy skirt is still my favorite thing to wear. You guys have seen it a million times, but I always pull it out when I don't know what else to wear. Paired with my new silk blouse from Nordstrom Rack (and my first Joie piece), I think it really epitomizes the lighthearted feeling of Spring. I wore this to a send-off party. My friend is going back east to work, and he just got married. Poor guy. I hate goodbyes. I feel even worse for his new bride, who has to be without her love for a few months until he can settle back here permanently. I'm sure time will fly. Reassuring people is what I love to do best, and I know that just saying a few kind words here and there makes all the difference when someone is hurting. Given that it's been in the 90's all week, it already feels like August. So, humor helps too right? (Insert a winking emoji here).


4.30.2015



These three beauty products are my favorites right now, but if I have to recommend just one for you to try, it's the Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels.

I used the eye gels before my friend's wedding and it definitely provided an immediate result. It didn't take my fine lines away, but it did de-puff, firm, and brighten my undereye area. Not to mention how incredibly relaxing they felt. They are essentially like stickers that you place under each eye for about ten minutes. One side has the gel that is nice and cooling. I will never be without them. They are perfect for a special event when you need an extra beauty boost, but they are also great for a self-care treat anytime.


I'm really into brights for my nails almost every Spring and Summer, but it's also nice to take a break from those and wear something a bit more subdued and elegant. Plus let's face it, nude polish is just so easy and fool-proof! I have quite a few options in my nail polish collection, but this one by O.P.I. is my current love. I wore it on my wedding day.


Three Summers ago, I purchased Summer Grace perfume by Philosophy and proceeded to quickly use it up. It is described as Summer in a bottle, and I have to agree. I think it has since been discontinued because I've looked everywhere for it, but I found it here. I again will use it all Summer long.



While browsing my giant pile of magazines I need to catch up on this weekend, I was stopped in my tracks by this image:
Hello Lover!
God I love J.Crew shoes. So well-done, and classic but with a modern twist. Precisely my style.




I got my second Rocksbox yesterday, though I think it had been sitting in my mailbox all weekend. Everything was to my liking though, and I can't wait to wear my pretty jewels. I'll be sure to do some outfit posts and show them off next week. It's time I get back to a regular blogging schedule and quit having so much fun (and a life). 

Remember, use code beachfirenkxoxo for your first month free! I hate sounding like a pushy salesperson, but I really do love this company's concept and the designers involved are wonderful. 


What are you loving lately in the style/beauty world? Anything I should know about?

4.27.2015






Wearing //
Express cardigan, similar look here and here
Vince Camuto heels, old
Beauty //
Essie nails in Flowerista





After seeing so many of my favorite ladies wearing their white jeans beautifully, I decided to give them a whirl. I've never worn them. I've adhered to the rule that if you're pear-shaped, you should stick to dark washed jeans for the ultimate flattering effect. So, I've religiously followed this for ages. I love jeans, but they can sometimes feel constricting and when worn in a bright shade of white, that can definitely add some extra fear of looking, well...not so svelte. Who wants lumps and bumps? Not I. However, in my quest to get over myself and my insecurities, I've decided to wear white jeans. They are the curvy skinny version from LOFT, and they are nice and roomy in the bum, hips, and thighs while still being form fitting in the waist and legs. I do wish they didn't bunch up so much at the ankles. I went up a size in hopes of curtailing that and they were too loose, so I went with my usual 28 petite. I love that white is such a trend right now. You can pair anything with it, and it's great for Spring and Summer.

Speaking of which, look at how dry the grass is?! This California drought is in high gear, and it's zapping the life out of all of our beautiful nature. I'm praying we get more rain soon. Fingers crossed.

4.22.2015

I went to my friend's wedding this past Saturday, and it was probably even more exciting than my own. Okay, that might be an exaggeration but I really did enjoy it because for the first time in many months, I was a guest. Being in a wedding is an honor, but it can also be nerve racking! I was happy to just sit back and be an observer this time, especially since my husband was the best man.

I have one more wedding to attend in June. All of this has me thinking about my wedding guest style over the years.


Most recent, photobooth fun.

I wanted to get a good full-length picture of my outfit but I was so caught up that I forgot to ask. 
I essentially wore this, minus the trench, and I paired it with nude accessories: 


My new nude clutch from the brand Halogen (via Nordstrom)

The cobalt blue was perfect because it matched the color scheme of her wedding. 






This blush/peach dress is what I wore in my best friend's wedding, and then I wore it again less then a month later to my own dress rehearsal. 






Now let's go back a few years. This is an Instagram photo because my camera quality was so ridiculously terrible when I first started blogging, that just the photo of myself makes me reach for my glasses. I'm actually embarrassed! But, we all gotta start somewhere, right?
This black Express dress was my choice. I believe I was 25 here, and my friend Nicole was the first of my circle to get married. 






I have NO CLUE what I'll be wearing in June. The dresses I picked out and mentioned in this post unfortunately don't make the cut, unless I can manage the green one. I've been doing some research on Pinterest.





Still dreaming about this one by Eliza J:




This darling little number would be ideal:
Jessica Alba






So what do you ladies recommend? Do you have any weddings to attend this Summer?


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 :)