Don't Forget to Shine

I’ve been on a conquest to get to the root of my being. For the past few months, I took time throughout each day for inward reflection… Constantly asking myself if what I am currently doing is what will lead me to the highest version of myself. I examined forward and backward each small habit, every conversation I would partake in, and each movement I would choose to make. We are a sum of all the little choices we make throughout the day. Our character is a combination of actions we choose. After years of feeling obligated to do certain things, have certain jobs, and run what you would consider the rat race I decided I couldn’t do it anymore. My soul just needed more.

End of Summer Resort Wear Finds on Amazon

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!

Three Techniques to Get Out of a Mental Rut

The mind can be a battlefield. If you’ve ever experienced a panic attack you know firsthand what mental hell is like. In my late twenties and early thirties, I had panic attacks all the time. I mean on the daily and oftentimes multiple times a day. I would freeze and feel like I couldn’t drive my car. I didn’t want to go very many places for fear of getting overstimulated. Being extroverted this felt really difficult. I was torn between what my soul and body wanted to do every day. I needed to bring my body out of fight or flight but being stuck at home to do so in a calm environment was torture in itself because then I was alone with my thoughts. Over time I would get therapy and begin working on training my brain to focus on new things. I would learn different coping techniques that were not full proof but would oftentimes get the job done. It took work. Each day I’d start going down the same worry wormholes and I’d spend time and energy pulling myself out. I figured some of you might be dealing with this, too. Here are three coping tools you can use when you go down a negative mental path:

Amazon Prime Day Back to School and Fall Picks

Can you believe we are already halfway through Summer? Oh my goodness! Time flies. I shared a bunch of my favorite summer items for Amazon Prime Day in yesterday’s post. Today I decided it was time to round up a bunch of my back-to-school favorites and Fall items. I love the earthy colors, classic shapes, and workwear. You can even grab a couple of party dresses to have on hand. I also love mixing in things like scarves, cap toe mules, and teddy coats. Corduroy skirts and sweater dresses are must-haves for the early Fall chilly evenings! You can shop a ton of items at the bottom of this post along with ways I’ve styled each look!

Amazon Prime Day Summer Picks

Amazon Prime Day is tomorrow! I am rounding up tons of looks on my Instagram and Facebook stories today and tomorrow to share with you guys. This post is sharing a few of my Summertime favorites and then I’ll do a second post with Fall favorites since school is back next month! I love Amazon and with Prime, you can order items with a 30-day return policy. No cost for shipping them back! Makes trying on at home easy. Sometimes I’ll even order two sizes and send the one that doesn’t work back since I rarely have to package. Just hop over to a UPS and they will do it for you! So easy. Below you will find a ton of looks I’ve worn over the past year and their corresponding Amazon products. You can also shop the entire list here! All items fit True to Size and I’m wearing a Small or XS (if it’s made by The Drop).

Sustainable Shoes With Sarah Flint

It’s no secret around here that I’m an earth lover. As much as I am kinda girly I have this adventurous side that loves to get outdoors no matter what. I feel the happiest laying in the sunshine and feeling the soft breeze blow across my face. I was so excited to partner with Sarah Flint - a woman-owned company that specializes in Italian shoes because of the company’s mission to provide products made in facilities with sustainable materials. The Sustainable Steps Collection from Sarah Flint breeds the best of luxury fashion with sustainability. You don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort anymore! Each pair is hand crafted in Italy by artisans using the most eco-friendly materials.

The Perfect Black Summer Dress

Summer is in full swing around here with sunset walks, day trips to swimming holes, and a relaxed approach to bedtime. Being a Leo, summer is my jam. I love the long days and the warm air hitting my face in the evenings as the sun drops below the horizon. I love all the sandals, bare feet, sundresses, and straw bags that come along with them. When I saw this dress on the hanger at the store, I knew I found a classic affordable piece I could wear all summer long. Whether it be a vacation, backyard BBQ, or just lounging around the house - this baby fits all the occasions. Coming in at just under $30, I bet your last bag of groceries cost more. Here are a few tips on how to style it!

Summer Beauty Favorites

Summer is almost here and I am so pumped! I love everything about the long days, late sunsets, warm weather, pool and beach time, travel, and generally the vibes everywhere you go. Texas is ridiculously hot so I have a few things I try to keep in stock at my house to help keep my makeup in place and skin clear from sweat. I also have a few new anti-aging body creams that are making a huge difference that I had to share! You can shop all of my favorites below!

Build Your Dreams Daily

Time is precious. It’s the one form of currency we cannot get back. Over the past few years, I’ve grown to be more and more intentional with how I spend my time. Taking out and saying no to activities that are energy draining. Spending time doing the things that bring me joy. Intentionally carving out special moments with people I love and care about. As I’ve done this day after day I realize most days I am living a dream I had years ago. Back in 2017, I went through a period of life that was incredibly trying. During that time I remember having a vision where I spent my time as much as possible in nature and traveling to see things I love. It was a peaceful vision. I’m happy to report that five years later much of my free time is spent doing just that. If you want your life to change, start taking small daily steps towards that life. Here are ways to build your dream life every day.

My Collagen Journey for the Past Six Months

Over the past six months, I’ve been taking collagen daily. Although I’ve personally seen results throughout the past few months it wasn’t until last week that I realized just how big of an impact it’s had on my overall physical health. From my hairdresser commenting on how thick the back of my hair has gotten to diminishing cellulite - I’m here as proof that this magic stuff really works. A few months ago I wrote a blog post on the benefits of collagen. You can check it out here for an introduction to what it is and a few benefits. Today I’d like to focus on how it’s specifically impacted me and my own results. Here are three ways my body has transformed since I started taking collagen.

Three Key Communication Strategies for Relationships

A few weeks ago, I announced on my Facebook page that I would be opening a dialogue about insights into effective relationships. As I currently write this I want you to know this is meant to be a dialogue between us. A place where you can feel free to comment openly about your own insights into relationships. Things you’ve learned from failures and successes. Please reach out below or by commenting on any of my social media platforms - my handle is @threeheelclicks. Let’s dive into today’s topic on communication strategies. The root of so many disagreements, alienation, tension, and isolation begins with a misfiring of communication. As I continue to grow and develop in my interactions with people, how I communicate is a priority and responsibility if I am seeking healthy connections. Here are three strategies you can immediately implement for better communication.

Postcards from Las Vegas

If there’s one city you know you will be worn out when you leave it, it’s Las Vegas, Nevada. Oh my goodness! I haven’t been there in a couple of years and let me tell you… this thirty-eight-year-old came back wiped out. The funny part is I just got back from round two and haven’t posted about either trip.

Over the past two months, I attended a couple of conferences. I was lucky enough to get a little time while I was out there to grab dinner and sightseeing. I had amazing lunch at Mon Ami Gabi and dinner at the Cafe Americano in the Paris. I stayed at the MGM Signature Grand which had suites for rooms and a giant jacuzzi tub in which I added the most amazing bath tea bag and fuzzies to it from the adorable shop downstairs.

Tangerine and Blue Dream

Yesterday was Earth Day so I made sure to get out for a late evening walk before heading to hibachi with a group of my friends. I grabbed this adorable set from Target in the most beautiful tangerine color along with the most comfortable headband and earrings to add a pop of blue. Target has the cutest stuff in right now! I recently grabbed these Sarah Flint Grear sandals that just launched in a beautiful orange for summer! You can save $50 off your next pair of Sarah Flint shoes when you shop using my link. I love love love the craftsmanship in these Amalfi made sandals. Each pair is handcrafted in Italy by artisans. The soft ties do not rub blisters and the leather sole makes them so comfortable to walk in all day. To finish off the entire look I added a vintage straw bag for the daytime and swapped it out with a white satchel for the evening. I hope you guys are having the most amazing weekend. You can shop all my favorite tangerine and blue finds below!

Dreaming of Italy with Sarah Flint

I am so excited to share with you the new Italian-inspired collection from Sarah Flint! More releases are dropping over the next week but this collection is perfect for every occasion you have to attend this summer. I’m breaking down my picks and sharing a $50 off code for you to use when you order. Sarah Flint has luxury Italian crafted shoes for direct-to-you prices. Each pair is handcrafted by artisans and designed for women by a woman. From luxurious fabrics and details to the amount of padding put into each shoe you will never sacrifice comfort for style again! Seriously, the best on the market when it comes to stylish, comfortable shoes.

Dress Guide for Spring Baby and Wedding Showers

I have to tell you this time of year is always so exciting but equally tough with a constant rotation of events! Showers are no exception. Whether you are attending a baby or bridal shower there’s no lack of things to do that require a lovely dress. A new to me brand that I’ve been loving these past few months is Shoshanna. Each piece is made with the most beautiful fabric and fits like a glove! I love this adorable daisy printed dress worn in today’s post. I paired it with my sky-high Jay 100 Pump Sarah Flint heels and a statement necklace to bring out the turquoise in the dress. You can save $50 when you use my link. One of the good things about having a few dresses on hand is being able to grab and go quickly without a lot of thinking. Swap out shoes and accessories depending on the season and occasion. I could easily wear this same dress with a pair of sandals and a straw bag instead. You can shop a bunch of my favorites Spring items below.

How To Blog: Photography Tips

If you missed my first post in this How to Blog series I talked about five ways you can make money on your blog. You can read that post here, and today I’m continuing the series to share more tips and tricks with you. A key element for any blog is photography. Whether you are snapping pictures of food for recipes creating or you work in the tech world and are delivering copy on wide area networks you still need pictures for your posts! There are a few reasons - first, it helps optimize your page when you add alt text behind graphics. That allows search engines like Google and Pinterest to find your blog. Spiders will crawl your page to look for strings of keywords that are relevant searches, but images help boost your visibility!

Spring Capsule Wardrobe from Amazon

It’s finally Spring and I’m so happy about it! We’ve had such pretty weather over this past weekend it really got me excited about the next few weeks. On top of the sunshine, early Spring wildflowers are beginning to bloom. I decided it was time to put together a Spring capsule wardrobe. I’ve recently picked up a few basics and neutrals from Amazon that I wanted to share with you! Each piece fits like a glove and is made with incredible quality. Check out all my favorite finds below!

Classic Casual Spring Outfit

You have no idea how happy I am that it’s Spring! The next six months are my favorite part of the year. I live for swimsuit weather, and we are so lucky to get warm weather early here in Texas! Since we are officially in the spring season I am busting out all things white in my closet. I recently picked up these incredible pants from Target (I’m wearing a kids 14-16 an XL which is an XS in adults). If you normally wear a medium and have shorter legs you could easily wear the next size up! They are the best pants. They have a built-in lining and they are the most breathable cotton. I paired them with a favorite top I grabbed recently from Hill House home on major sale and my new white Senreve bag. I bought this back as a celebration of being alcohol-free for 3 years! You have to celebrate life victories! To add a few finishing touches I grabbed a pair of the most comfortable platform sandals and a cardigan for chilly air conditioning or evenings.

Thoughts on Rest and Play (and Why You Need It)

I spent the weekend resting, relaxing, and playing. The past month of my life was a whirlwind. My role at my job changed, a trip mid-month for a work conference in Vegas took place, and then when I returned it was a non-stop follow up from the trip. I worked twelve days straight without taking even an evening to myself. It was absolutely necessary, but at the beginning of last week, I started to feel really heavy. I dreaded Monday morning and felt like I had zero time to decompress. That was it for me. I knew it was time to take a break. It was suggested I take a full day off and just do what makes me happy, so I did just that. It can be a HUGE challenge to work full-time and run a blog and a business on social media. Although I’ve been doing all three for years, this month was particularly tough. I struggled to bounce back with energy. One thing I have learned about life is that I am the only one responsible for my life. If I want to live a life with clarity and calm I have to create that environment. I also know that I am prone to maxing myself out. Here are a few things I’ve learned about the necessity of rest and play.

A Classic White Blazer

I am so glad it’s finally Spring! The past few months have been incredible, but nothing is better than fresh blooming flowers and a beautiful breezy cool night. I love this time of year so much! During the daytime in Texas the temperatures rise enough most days so you can get away with a dress and sandals. Come nightfall, you’ll need a lightweight jacket or white blazer to stay warm. I have been eyeing this one from The Drop that’s under $80! I already own it in tan and think the white will be perfect for this time of year! You can wear it over dresses or layer over a button-up with jeans or shorts. It’s one of the most versatile options!