On 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 MoreAfter years of searching for a classic black shirt dress leave it to Amazon the Drop for creating what I consider the perfect one! I recently ordered this beautiful piece and put it on as soon as it came in. I recommend sizing down one size if you want it to be more fitted like I am sharing in these photographs. The dress is under $60 and comes in three colors. It took everything in me not to order a second one as soon as this one arrived. The fabric is made of lightweight but good quality cotton that’s breathable. It has a pretty cutout in the back and can be worn without a belt. The cutout has an elastic waist so it conforms to your body. I have more of an hourglass shape so a lot of shirt dresses gape at the chest and are baggy around the waist. Not this one! It fits just right in all the necessary areas.
Read MoreThis week has already started with a crazy change in my life. Sometimes change is expected and sometimes it hits you like a freight train. This week, it was the freight train for me. The one thing I’ve come to realize as I grow older is that change is inevitable. Nothing in life is static and the key to inner peace and happiness is being able to go within yourself instead of depending on your exterior circumstances. Relationships dissolve sometimes, companies make directional changes, and new opportunities will present themselves. The best thing you can possibly do for yourself is to take care of yourself. Here are a few ways I’ve found navigating change to be more digestible in life.
Read MoreAfter years of wearing heels at all hours of the day and night for work, fun and special occasions I am here to tell you I think I found the mecca for shoes. Ah-em… welcome to Sarah Flint! A few years ago I came across Sarah’s pumps when I was following another blogger. The brand claimed they have the most comfortable heels period. When Sarah reached out for me to meet her PR team, I was elated. I had been toying with the idea to buy a pair. Let’s just put it this way… I’m now on my fourth pair. The shoes absolutely lived up to what they said they would be. Whether you are looking to wear as a guest to a wedding or maybe you have an important interview coming up these are the pumps that will let you walk like a woman!
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 MoreConfession: I’m a morning person. Yep, I know several of you reading right now are rolling your eyes while others are giving me a virtual high-five… but it’s true. I’ve always been a morning pop tart rising before my family. I understand now that not everyone starts their morning at the same time as I do, but we all have to eventually get up and get going. Those first few hours are important if you want to lay a foundation for a positive, productive, and intentional day.
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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 MoreMy daughter and I headed out last night for a girl’s night complete with a trip to Hey Sugar and then crepes from our favorite place in town called Sweet Paris. We love coming to this little area in town. The candy store carries almost everyone treats you could possibly imagine and they even have gelato! I thought it would make the perfect background to share this colorful striped shirtdress. A classic shirt dress is one of the best pieces you can invest in for Spring. This dress would be perfect for a baby or bridal shower, a daytime wedding, brunch with the girls, and even a picnic. It has just the perfect amount of volume and is cropped to show off whatever shoes you fancy. I decided to pull out my new Sarah Flint perfect 85 pumps in a classic nude. These pumps are made to walk in all day with tons of cushion and a reinforced heel.
Read MoreFor years I tried on different lifestyles trying to figure out which one was mine. I tried being the housewife, the adventurer, the breadwinner, the holistic momma, the corporate go-getter, and much more. I needed to go through an elimination process to figure out what I wasn’t before defining what I would be. I think that’s okay. Not all of us come out of the womb knowing our life path. Four years ago I began a journey of self-discovery. I spent more time alone than I ever have to learn about myself, other people, noting what I liked and disliked. I explored destinations alone and reflected in a new journal every month. Pages upon pages were written trying to connect the dots of who I used to be to who I am now. I am told that only a small percentage of people are self-aware. I yearned to be a part of that group. The more I discovered about myself the more I became intentional in my choices resulting in more peace and joy than I knew before. If you are at a similar place in life where you just ache to be more of who you are here are a few things that might help.
Read MoreAfter a really long week and working from home, I threw on an outfit to head out on Friday early evening. We’ve been under a Winter Storm watch all week so I knew I’d have to get home pretty early but a few hours out was better than being cooped up all weekend. I decided to throw on one of my cozy sweaters. This baby is a steal! I’ve worn it recently with this silky skirt in this post for a dressier look. I paired it with my favorite vintage low-cut western boots from Feather’s Boutique in Austin, TX. I’ve been going there for over 15 years and always come out with something in hand. They have an online shop with a curated selection but if you are in the area I recommend stopping by! It’s incredible. You can grab a bite to eat afterward at Guero’s - another favorite of mine! A few months ago I ordered this top-rated pink suede hat on Amazon. It came packaged with a hat mold for storage and is really good quality. These Levi jeans were another buy on Amazon. They are the perfect fit for someone who is looking for a straight leg cut with a defined waist. Hope you guys are having an awesome Sunday!
Read MoreI cannot think of a better way of treating yourself this year than buying yourself a few things you may have been eyeing! After being a mom who struggled for YEARS giving herself time, energy and self-care I now make it one of the biggest priorities. I listen to my body and feel more than I ever have so I can make sure I take better care of myself. That includes getting myself little treats. Each year for my birthday I like to pick out a new handbag. When I am out Christmas shopping for others, I see no problem in grabbing something for myself, too. If you feel guilty every time you go to grab something that’s just for you or feel like it’s selfish - I’m here to tell you it’s not! You can help others, love on others, give to others and give to yourself. I wrote a post for all the Single Ladies on Valentine’s Day a few years ago and packed with self-care tips! I was actually in a relationship at the time but remembered what the year prior was like when I was single. It’s okay to take solo trips, buy a ridiculous thing for yourself or just spend some time alone. Remember, you have to live with yourself longer than anyone else so make sure to take care of yourself! Here are a few things I’ve personally treated myself to these past few months!
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 MoreI have been dying to share with you guys my living room for some time now! I moved into this house over the summer and life has been a blur ever since. I did an insane amount of travel the past six months and am finally spending some time at home. I actually decorated the living room right when I moved in, but I didn’t love the layout. After the Christmas decor was finally put away mid-month I configured a better layout for the space. Sometimes you need to spend time in a space to really see the best way for it to be used. I’ve been making it a point to paint more often and finally added a newly finished painting above the TV and entertainment wall. It’s been so therapeutic to play around with color when I’m home. I’ll share a few tips about creating a colorful living room of your own. Not a single new item (outside of the canvas for the painting) was purchased for this space. I actually used things from my last apartment which was very modern and chic - you can see them here for yourself. I added pops of color throughout the space to give this huge open floorplan character. One last thing before we get started, I made no structural or textile changes to any of the surfaces. All tips below are perfect whether you are renting a home or you are a homeowner!
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 MoreSlip skirts are in my opinion an undervalued item. Most people don’t own one and they are such a versatile piece. You can wear with tights, a sweater, and boots for the Winter and then in Spring/Summer pair with a blouse, shell or even a cami and flat sandals. The key is to find a skirt that skims the body’s shape without being too tight. I picked this one up (on clearance now!) before Christmas at Target in-store. It came in both a deep teal and this rosy shade of pink. I love the way it pairs with brown like this plush coat from Amazon the Drop and a pair of leopard ballet flats. Just adorable! I’ve rounded up several options for silky slip skirts that are under $100 below! Happy Shopping!
Read MoreLately, I’ve been getting a ton of questions about starting a blog and how to make money on social media. I figured it was a sign to start a new series here on Three Heel Clicks to help answer these questions I’m getting in my inbox. I love hearing from you guys! Please keep the questions and comments coming - it brightens my day so much! Here we go into a new journey together titled, “How to Blog” - this is the first of many posts. I’ll be sharing more about my blogging journey, what tools have helped me grow and what the industry looks like right now. I will also share with you how-to guides to build your blog, monetize it and build a business around it. For exclusive content, post updates, and more you need to subscribe to my newsletter ASAP! You’ll get access to content I will not be sharing anywhere else. You can sign up here or use the form below! Okay now, let’s look at how to monetize your blog. I’m jumping ahead in blogging because most people want to know what the money looks like to see if it’s worth their time and energy as a trade-off. I’m breaking down monetization for your blog into five basic categories below.
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 MoreCan you believe it’s almost February? Goodness! This month has been amazing but flying by quickly. I don’t know about you, but these days I spend a good amount of time cocooning at home. I travel so much that when I’m home, I’m home. One thing that really helps my mental health is having my home in order and full of things that bring a smile to my heart - fresh flowers, my vintage ashtray that holds a deck of pink playing cards from Rosemary Beach, and soft cozy throw blankets. Lighting a single candle on my coffee table or flipping through a stack of interior design magazines are little joys that make it perfect for a cold, rainy day. When you find the right person, snuggling up in the cocoon of a home makes it even better. Here are a few ways to make a stay-at-home date night perfect this Valentine’s Day!
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