Summer winds to an end shortly as the kiddos head back to school and I know so many of you have end-of-summer vacation plans. I figured it was time to pull out a few of the pieces I’ve been saving for a vacation and share them with you guys! First up is this slimming black cut-out dress. I love how it flatters the curviest bodies. I recommend wearing a grid bra if you are fuller chested since the dress offers little support. It’s such a steal at under $25. Below I rounded up a ton of other cute summer options if you have a vacation. Don’t forget to add embellished earrings, a cute pair of sandals, and a statement bag like this one!
Read MoreIt’s that time of year! Finally, Texas bluebonnet season. If you’ve never been to Texas during this time of year then it’s time for you to plan your next trip! In late March and early Spring, the entire state becomes alive with wildflowers. Specifically, the Texas Bluebonnet which is our state flower. For years, my family flocked to find the best fields for photographs. It’s perfect for bridal pictures, senior college or high school pictures, family portraits, and of course, blog photos! I decided to round up a list of some of the top locations to find these bluebonnet fields!
Read MoreIf you are looking for your next Texas vacation then you need to check out Port Aransas! Nestled on the Texas Gulf Coast between Galveston and N Padre Island is the charming island and beach town called Port Aransas. Filled with pastel shops, stores, and restaurants this makes the perfect family vacation! I spent a couple of days here and put together a weekend guide for you guys! From Instagram spots to a restaurant that has presidential history, here is a guide to spending the weekend in Port Aransas and the neighboring city Corpus Christi.
Read MoreWith Spring Break happening over the next month, I thought it was the perfect time to share a few Resort Wear picks! I love being able to get away even if it’s just for a few days this time of year. The weather is mild compared to the past few months and it’s so fun to get to visit the beach, a lake, or just get outdoors more! Jill by Jill Stuart makes some of the most beautifully cut dresses. This one is cut on the bias which gives the skirt a free-flowing shape. You find similar options here and here! I paired it today with my favorite nude pumps and a simple nude clutch. When I’m on holiday I like to bring the smallest clutch possible to dinner. No one wants to lug around a mommy purse in a dress like this! I added touches of gold jewelry and a medallion statement necklace for the final touches! See below for all my favorite resort wear picks! Also, where are you heading for Spring Break? Staycation, beach, mountains, or just a normal week? Also, don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter and win a free Younique MOODSTRUCK EPIC 4D Mascara!
Read MoreI shared a little last week in this post about my trip to South Padre Island. This is the perfect Spring Break location if you are looking for a tropical paradise in Texas. The water is incredible, the beaches are soft with rolling sand dunes and the island is filled with turtles, birds, dolphins, and other wildlife. It’s a welcomed oasis in South Texas. While I was on the island I drove over the bridge to Port Isabel where one of the most beautiful lighthouses on the gulf coast resides. The lighthouse sits in the middle of Port Isabel’s town square with a multitude of shops and restaurants. The lighthouse is open to tour so make sure you check their website for hours and cost for admission. Since I knew I’d be walking a lot that day I pulled out my favorite pair of flats!
Read MoreI am so happy that Spring is just a few weeks away! After the past week of temperature drops each night, Texas is finally looking up! Today it’s a full 77 degrees and sunny. I’m going through my closet this weekend to push my Winter items towards the back and rotate all of my spring dresses to the front. Florals, solids, and ginghams all take center stage in wardrobe over the next few months. Today I’m sharing a gorgeous wrap dress that would be perfect for a wedding or formal event. Look for pieces with special touches like this asymmetrical ruffle hemline! I rounded up almost 100 dresses for you below to shop! As low as $17 and ranging up to luxury fashion. You can shop all of them at the bottom of this post!
Read MoreThe week in Abilene and Amarillo flew by! I decided to do a quick round-up post of all of the outfits I wore in both cities. Keep it mind it was either sunny and 70 or below freezing and windy. I did my best to pull together looks to inspire but were also somewhat practical. I spent so much time outdoors so you’ll see a few options for activity-related outfits. I also spent a good amount of time catching up with friends and having amazing meals. I wore a few nicer outfits and then a few cozy things as well. You can check out my prior posts on Caprock Canyons, Abilene, Palo Duro Canyon, my stay at the Big Texan Motel, and finally the cutest dress for date night or girl’s night out!
Read MoreOh my goodness what a great weekend! Felt like the first weekend in a long time that my daughter and I had the chance to just kick back and spend time home together. On Saturday, I got dolled up and took us out to brunch at 1 pm at The Cookshack which opened recently in College Station. Somewhat limited menu, revolving around chicken and waffles, cute modern atmosphere, and huge portions. You could easily split a portion if you eat on the lighter side. We both got the chicken and waffles and picked our sides out accordingly. I recommend stopping by one of these if you live near one! I wore the cutest pink and mocha ensemble. I paired this roomy baby doll tunic top with a rose-colored coat. I love the combo of rose pink and mocha brown. They compliment one another so much! I paired it with an oversized envelope clutch, over-the-knee boots, and vegan leather pants. I have to say, this pair of leggings has gotten a lot of use this season. They are lined lightly and feel great on chilly days. Hope you all had a great weekend! I’ll be back to share more travel and spring break inspo as the week goes on!
Read MoreI cannot believe Spring Break will be here in just a few weeks! One of the top destinations in Texas this time of year is the same location featured in today’s post: South Padre Island! The whole area will be covered in young adults, parties, and tourists. I opted for quieter adventures and drove down last month for MLK weekend. Although it was a little chilly at times, it was the perfect getaway for a long weekend. I brought a bunch of dresses to shoot while I was there, but made it over to the sand dunes on the northside of the island. I wore the cutest swimsuit from Target! It comes in several colors and I’ve been loving this lilac shade. I paired it with a sweatshirt bought one of the local souvenir shops and a pair of sweater shorts. I went ahead and rounded up five swimsuits under $50 from Target for you to shop!
Read MoreCan you believe we are a month away from Spring? With Spring Break just a few weeks away I’m already getting together my Spring Wishlist! My top priority is to go through my current shoes and get rid of anything that’s uncomfortable. Since I found Sarah Flint, I’ve decided I walk too much to wear shoes that hurt. Secondly, I’ll assess any damage like heel tips that need to be replaced or boots that need new soles. It’s always a good idea to go through your wardrobe a few times a year and get rid of, repair, or donate unused items. Next, I make a list of things I need and things I want. As I go through the next few months I can refer to my list as my budget opens for new additions. Then, I have made intentional purchases I know I’ll love.
Read MoreI’m going to be sharing more content around how to start a blog! A few weeks ago, I created the first post in this series and share five ways to make money blogging. Today’s topic is going to build on the next step in creating your blog. You’ll need to do some basics like choosing a platform, registering a domain name, and setting up social accounts. Don’t worry, all bloggers got started doing the same thing you are doing right now. Use this blog post as a checklist and schedule time in your calendar to complete each task. Before you know it, you’ll be posting in no time!
Read MoreOn this trip, I layered a cream-colored turtleneck under a chunky knit color block sweater. Being able to layer and remove pieces as needed is always a key when hiking. I also sported a pair of sweater joggers and brought both my hiking shoes and a pair of sneakers. A must-have on a hiking trip is a good backpack and a pair of sunglasses. My recommendation is to get a pair that’s polarized to keep the glare down. For your backpack, lots of pockets help you stay organized and padding on the straps is a must-have. I always carry a few meal bars and a backup battery for my cell phone. If you can grab or print a paper map that’s a good idea. Most state and national parks have minimal cell phone services.
Read MoreThe past few months I’ve traveled back and forth to Dallas often. It’s an area I haven’t spent a ton of time in the past and I’ve really enjoyed getting to see the different parts of the city. Recently I decided to make it a point to stop by the Dallas Arboretum. The day I chose to go it actually snowed on me a while I was walking around. This garden is known for being one of the most photographic spots in the city. Each year the grounds are covered in flowers and blooms all Spring long. You will need to purchase a ticket online in advance and make sure you also purchase parking. You’ll pick an arrival time and you are encouraged to bring a picnic and spend a few hours there. I cannot wait to make a second trip over the Spring and share more about it with you guys!
Read MoreThe past 6 months I have traveled every few weeks somewhere for the weekend. Work, events, and campaigns have taken me all over the place. When you are in a constant travel mode you get accustomed to having some sort of system to pack or you won’t know your right from your left hand. I’ve curated a list of must-haves for most of my trips regardless of the climate. I recommend always bringing something for warm weather (places heat up) and something for cold weather (cold fronts happen). I’ve written a bunch of posts over the years on packing here but today I’m going to focus on classic items you can bring for your next weekend getaway.
Read MoreHere we are smack dab in the middle of February and it’s always a challenge to decide what to wear. For some, it’s still ridiculously cold. Not quite Spring, but definitely time to get out of the holiday glitz of the past few months. I find that having a few classic pieces to mix in and transition my wardrobe from Winter to Spring makes getting dressed so much easier. A lightweight turtleneck in soft gray, punchy yellow pieces, a black shirtdress, and straw bags are all perfect pieces for this time of year. I recently picked up a cotton black shirt dress from Amazon the Drop. It will be perfect with tights and a trench coat now then with wedges during the Spring. I put together a list of some of my favorite things to stock up on right now.
Read MoreIt’s approaching that time of year in Texas when the thunderstorms will be rolling in regularly. Late Winter and Early Spring include weather that fluctuates on an hourly basis sometimes. Having a raincoat and boots handy for those drizzly mornings or evenings makes leaving the house that much more enjoyable. I find that rain gear is something I don’t think about needing until the moment I really need it. And then it’s like I needed it yesterday. This is your sign to do a quick inventory in your household and make sure you have working umbrellas, rain jackets, and boots ready for those March, April, and May showers. Open each umbrella to make sure it’s operable and then discard or donate items that no longer fit or have been damaged. Trust me on this, you’re much more likely to be productive if you don’t have to fight the weather while doing so. A few other things I like to have on hand for rainy days include extra hair ties or a headband, mousse to keep frizzies at bay, and a setting spray for my makeup. It’s the little things in life that can help increase the quality of every day.
Read MoreGosh, I love the ocean. I have to say out of all of the places I lived and visited in my lifetime, I feel most at home when I’m near the ocean. There’s something so soothing and powerful about the water. The waves hold so much force as they push and pull against the grains of sand on the shore. Soft powdery sand that feels like you walking on powdered sugar makes for the best walks. The sunsets are unbelievable and when a storm rolls in…well, as frightening as they are - they also carry so much strength. Today I’m going to share a whole bunch of date ideas, but if you are single… I want you to know it’s okay to do any (or all of these) activities by yourself and show yourself some love. I say that because some of my best memories of my happy place were spent in times of solitude. Valentine’s Day whether you’re in a relationship or not is a day to celebrate love. A day to bring forth self-love and care if you are single. Here’s a word for all the single ladies on valentine’s day if you are looking for some ideas on how to spend your time! Highly recommend some of the tips here! If you are in a couple, I challenge you to take time over the next week to figure out a way to show your partner that you adore them. Brainstorm a few ideas and make the event special. The effort will be worth it!
Read MoreMental health. I’m so glad this topic has been on the rise especially since the pandemic hit. Now more than ever more and more people need resources. My anxiety journey began about 10 years ago. Through a series of trials, errors, and lots of therapy I am now able to manage panic attacks and anxiety without medication. This post is in no way meant to replace medical advice. If you are struggling I absolutely recommend seeking professional help. Today I’d like to share a resource I use in my own mental health toolkit called a “Coping Checklist.” I’m going to share with you guys a few benefits of having one and the science behind it, how to create one, and when to use it. The biggest key in your coping checklist is to use it as soon as you feel anxiety come on. The more you go through the sequence the easier the panic becomes to manage.
Read MoreIf you are new around here you probably should note that I still go on hikes often because I love the outdoors so dang much! After spending a few days in West Texas hiking and driving through both Caprock Canyons and Palo Duro Canyon I decided to head more north to celebrate New Year’s in Colorado Springs, CO. I’ve made several trips to Colorado over the years with friends but this was the first time alone. I decided that if I only did one epic activity it was to get to Pikes Peak Summit. I quickly researched the ways to get to the top - you can hike about 14 miles… um… no thank you. That’s pretty aggressive to get to one of the tallest peaks in the US. You can drive it but winds a lot and steep grades. It is Winter… and again… no thank you. Then, I stumbled across the train! You can take a three-hour round trip up 9 miles on a train to reach Pikes Peak Summit. That I could manage!
Read MoreA few weeks ago I made a short trip to Dallas where I visited the Sarah Flint store. My daughter and I were having a girl’s weekend and decided while we were there to see the beautiful decor at the Sarah Flint pop-up shop! I was so impressed when I arrived. It felt like I was stepping into Sarah’s living room. In fact, the decor was inspired by her own home! We were quickly greeted by the sweetest associate who offered us fresh chocolate chip cookies and tea. The recipe was from Sarah’s grandmother! I love to shop but this was a completely different experience in all the good ways! We took a stroll around the store and admired the beautiful floral wallpaper, soft seating to try on your shoes, and the classic gold shelving that displayed all of the Sarah Flint accessories like scarves and barrettes. No stone was left unturned in the store!
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