Over the past few months I’ve gone hiking almost every single weekend. I love the feeling of getting outdoors and pushing my body! Although I live in a somewhat flat terrain in College Station, TX I’ve found with traveling a few hours away I can get a completely different geographical setting. This post includes a mix of day hikes, aggressive backpacking and camping ideas for Fall travels. If you are looking for something laid back and shaded I would try Davy Crockett National Forest or Mission Tejas State Park where the El Camino Real begins and dates back to the late 1600’s when the Spanish settled in Texas. For more aggressive hikes try Lost Maples State Natural Area or Goodwater Loop and Trail which both offer stepper terrain! For a waterfall sighting Crockett Gardens in Goodwater Loop and Trail along with Riverplace Nature Trail in Austin both offer a pretty sighting. Below you will find a list and photographs of actual travels over the past few months designed to restore your love for nature in Texas!
Read MoreI’ve always been a big believer that makeup should enhance not hide your features! A little swipe of eyeshadow or a touch of mascara adds emphasis on the eyes without them looking overdone. I love creating simple eye looks that are easy to apply and add just the right amount of glamour. Right now you can grab five of my favorite eye products on sale for 49% off through October 31st! Such a steal! All of the products are backed with a 14-day love it guarantees and is made without parabens, gluten, or animal products. They have 12-hour wear and best of all don’t make my eyes itch like other brands! You can pick from several shades of liquid shadows that can also double on eyes, lips, or cheeks. I have been wearing the color Decisive on repeat these days with my favorite 4D mascara. For an added bonus pair with a fall lipstick to complete the look!
Read MoreAfter being down and out for a week I’m easing back into the swing of things! I spent the weekend giving myself a little rest and recovery after coming down with a case of Covid-19 but I’m happy to share that things have improved! Although I am not back to full capacity, I was able to get a bunch of work done today and feel like a much better woman. I ordered this adorable pair of mary janes in a pretty cranberry color and this velvet black. I have to say, if there’s only one shoe to purchase right now this is it! Plus, it’s at a ridiculous price point. Oh, and did I mention super comfy? Yes, you’re welcome. I paired it with the softest leggings and a classic baby doll tunic for a really simple Monday look. You can shop more of my favorites on my Amazon Shop here!
Read MoreOver the past few months I’ve gone hiking almost every single weekend. I love the feeling of getting outdoors and pushing my body! Although I live in a somewhat flat terrain in College Station, TX I’ve found with traveling a few hours away I can get a completely different geographical setting. This post includes a mix of day hikes, aggressive backpacking and camping ideas for Fall travels. If you are looking for something laid back and shaded I would try Davy Crockett National Forest or Mission Tejas State Park where the El Camino Real begins and dates back to the late 1600’s when the Spanish settled in Texas. For more aggressive hikes try Lost Maples State Natural Area or Goodwater Loop and Trail which both offer stepper terrain! For a waterfall sighting Crockett Gardens in Goodwater Loop and Trail along with Riverplace Nature Trail in Austin both offer a pretty sighting. Below you will find a list and photographs of actual travels over the past few months designed to restore your love for nature in Texas!
Read MoreWhether you work from home or have returned to the office, mental health concerns are still on the rise. Things are just different than they were pre COVID. There’s no denying we live in a different world than two years ago. However, no matter what shape things are in, we can still find ways to connect with our coworkers, create a space and environment we love working in, and enjoy our time doing the things that pay the bills. Although I am a work-from-home employee, in recent months my company has been pushing more face-to-face meetings and company events. Our home office employees have returned as have many of my friends. In a very uncertain time, I find it’s best to stay positive and realistic. Understanding that things are going to remain dynamic as we continue to navigate a pandemic and just take it one day at a time because nothing is set in stone. Here are a few ways I’m managing my sanity as I go back to see people face to face.
Read MoreWith the holidy season kicking off in just a few weeks with Halloween, I am refreshing my makeup! For those of you who have followed for a while you know, I love Younique’s makeup and skincare line. It’s paraben and cruelty-free products have changed the canvas of my skin over the past two years. On top of the products being made of the highest quality - 10% of all sales go to fund The Younique Foundation which provides healing resources for women who are survivors of teenage domestic violence and sexual abuse. Every time you purchase a lipstick, eyeshadow, or mascara you are helping someone get the tools they need to move forward with their lives and heal from the pain of their past. It’s an amazing company and I love everything about its mission, products, and community.
Read MoreThis season I’ve focused on building a new work wardrobe and picked up items that could easily transition from work to play. I love wearing cotton tops underneath a cute blazer during this time of year. Makes it easy to remove the jacket for lunch or dinner after a meeting. Pair with cap toe mules (which I grabbed in beige and brown below) for a polished look. A scarf immediately makes any outfit look pulled together. I love to tie around my bag of choice for the day. Lately, I’ve added more green into my wardrobe. I love the midi skirt below - really lightweight and looks great with over-the-knee boots and a sweater. This shirt dress was an amazing find. I’ve worn with and without a belt. It’s so comfy and great for work or play. Lastly, I added three new cardigans in brown, black, and this super-soft white one with a pretty collar. No matter what the occasion, all of the times listed below are ones I’ve purchased and love wearing!
Read MoreLast week I did a massive closet cleaning. I decided to discard anything I haven’t worn in two years unless it was a special occasion worthy. It was so freeing to remove dead weight in my closet. I feel like my clothes can breathe again. After I finished discarding, I made a list of things to add to my closet. I’ve had more client and business meetings as of late and knew I needed to revamp my work wardrobe (see this post and this post). Building a capsule wardrobe for the season makes it easy to grab and go when you are in a hurry. I added cotton shirts like this one from Hill House Home and these from Amazon. Then, a beautiful blazer is perfect for a meeting over coffee. Finally, adding some basics like dress shorts, a new pair of jeans, and don’t forget a few pairs of shoes.
Read MoreI’ll be the first to tell you that I’ve never been drawn to the shades of black in my wardrobe… that is until now. Usually you’ll find me in every single color under the sun but when it comes to basic black I’ve steered away. Lately, the opposite has been true. Maybe it’s because I am in my late 30’s (weird to say at 36). Maybe it’s just finally grown on me after all of these years. Maybe I’m just itching for another trip to Europe and pre-planning a classic capsule wardrobe (I happened to wear alot of black the last time I went so I would mesh in Paris).
Read MoreOver the summer I had the pleasure of visiting beautiful Vicksburg, Mississippi. This historic town offered the best weekend getaway and if you are looking for a lovely place to stay in the South, I highly recommend a brief trip. Nestled along the Mississippi River there is plenty to see and do for a few days. I loved how much history took place here to include the European exploration and Civil War events. There is so much culture to soak in while you stay and overall one of my top cities to travel to in the past few years. Below you will find few of my favorite spots including where to stay, what to eat and things to see while you are there.
Read MoreSome nights have to be documented. Last week my daughter made all A’s on her first middle school report card and I couldn’t be happier for her! I believe moments like this should be celebrated and so off we went to dinner for a special treat. Golden hour was exquisite so we stopped on the way to grab a few photographs. Over the years, I’ve had the joy of working with photographers, friends, and family to help me take photographs on the blog but my favorite person to work with is my kiddo. She’s developed such a skill set through time and these are some of her best work! I believe if you put in hard work and focus time and time again you’ll find that skill is built over time. Whether it’s good grades, or it’s a series of photographs, repetition increases the ability to get it right.
Read MoreA long walk is just what I need at the end of stressful days. I believe walks at sunset are one of the easiest and quickest ways to connect with your inner self and admire the beauty of the world we live in. After hours of being connected to my phone and computer - getting the chance to disconnect from techonology and reconnnect with nature helps soothe anxiety. Fall is my favorite season for sunset walks. The air is crisper, the breeze is cooler and the earth lights up with strands of gold grass and leaves. It’s truly a magical season and evening walks light up my soul.
Read MoreStatement collars are here for the Fall and I’m so happy about it. It’s an instant way to give character to an otherwise basic blouse. I’ve rounded up a whole bunch of options below but really love this rich brown eyelet top. I plan to pair it with a pair of overalls for a fall activity like apple or pumpkin picking. For a dressier look or work outfit, I plan to pair it with skinny black pants. Today I decided to wear it with a pair of curvy white jeans as we transition from Summer to Fall with an olive green purse and woven pumps. As we get into the heart of the season I'll be switching it up with deeper tones. Even though it’s not really cool here yet, I can still get in the fall mood by adding autumn colors like burnt orange, mustard, olive and walnut. As the season gets colder I’ll start layering trench coats, sweaters, jackets, over-the-knee boots and rain boots.
Read MoreNot sure when this happened but suddenly I’m attracted to the color green. From my recent rain boots and raincoat purchase to purses (like this one and this one), plus dresses and tops I’ve been all over varying shades of green. It’s such a soothing color and perfect for all seasons. I’ve been reaching for soft sages like this adorable skirt and classic puffy sleeve top for this season which will carry me into both Winter and Spring. I grabbed this purse which is available in black and white. Below are some of my favorite picks from sneakers to staple pieces!
Read MoreLet me tell you whenever you are in doubt, pull out a little black dress. It will always work! I went out with a few friends on Friday night to Elixir in the La Salle Hotel in Downtown Historic Bryan for drinks (mine choice a virgin Moscow mule) and dinner. I decided to pull out this dress and pair it with punch brights instead of going with my usual color palette. You just can’t go wrong with a little black dress and I love this one under $30! It’s the perfect length to still look flirty without being frumpy. It’s super soft and lightweight for our warm evenings. I grabbed a pair of high heels and my favorite hot pink purse adding on a swipe of matte pink lipstick and dangly earrings. I love this dress so much I grabbed it in a burnt orange you can see in this post! Below is a round-up of some of my favorite picks for little black dresses.
Read MoreOne of my favorite things about Fall is getting to pile on layers! Recently I refreshed some of my rain gear to include a lightweight olive rain jacket that can be worn over a sweater or layered with a long sleeve shirt. The price point was incredible and the cut is so flattering! Having a cinched waist gives a feminine shape to the jacket without a lot of bulk. Although I love my Hunter rain boots (I have a tan pair of the original tall and then a patent red version of the huntress) I decided to opt for a shorter boot this season. Again, going with an olive green I picked these up from Amazon. After walking around for an hour in them as a test run I was surprised by how comfortable they are! You can shop both my jacket and boots as well as a bunch of other chic options below to brighten gloomy days!
Read MoreFall is approaching next week and I’m here for it! I mentioned recently that we won’t get a true Fall for a few more months, but I am transitioning my color palette and textiles over to Autumn hues like burnt umber, walnut, olive, mustard, and sage. Recently, I’ve been drawn to shades of green and rich browns. If you live in a warm climate like me, you can get into the Fall spirit by incorporating short sleeve or sleeveless lightweight sweaters. I’ve also started updating my work wardrobe for in-person meetings as well as shoe choices to include short rain boots, mary janes, and textured pumps. Below is a quick round-up of my current favorite purchases on Amazon!
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I woke up this morning and stepped out on my back patio to feel the rush of the cool crisp air meet my face. Texas doesn’t get a true fall until about November but we do love our gentle mornings. I quickly made a cup of coffee and walked over to start journaling as I usually do. I felt so grateful in that moment. To be here, in my new house (for years I’ve lived in an apartment) sipping on coffee in sweat pants. It was surreal. Over this past year I’ve experienced a tremendous amount of growth. If I were to sit here and tell you all of the ways you would be astonished, but I am living proof that dreams can come true.
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The island stretches a full 60 miles until you reach the Mansfield Channel that separates South Padre Island from North Padre Island. It’s absolutely beautiful and I look forward to getting the opportunity to come back and camp for a few days. I highly recommend bringing hiking boots so you can explore the beautiful sand dunes and grasslands. You’ll need to watch out for rattlesnakes, but other than that it’s a pretty mild hiking environment. You can watch the sunset over the Madre Lagoon which is one of seven estuaries in the world. I also recommend bringing a cooler with extra food and snacks in the event you were stuck. There’s not a lot of people as you get further down the coast (sometimes miles in between campsites) so keeping enough food and water on hand is essential.
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As we roll into Labor Day weekend I wanted to take a few minutes to reflect on this past Summer. After years of fighting battles internally, I found a freedom I’ve never experienced before. I took my second solo trip to Florida stopping along the way in historic Vicksburg, MS then onto Mobile, AL, and landed in the Emerald Bay in Florida. Meeting up with a friend I haven’t seen in twenty years was just one highlight of this magical season. Summer is the season of living outdoors, of dipping your feet into the sea and laying on the beach listening to the humming of the ocean. It’s a time for lots of SPF, sunshine, and hydration. The season for really living life to its fullest and being as carefree as possible. Road tripping from beach to beach and walks at sunset make this season unlike any other. What was your summer like? Did you find a way to get out of your home? Did you make it to the beach? Did you watch the sunset on the horizon late into the evening while cicadas sang in the background? Here are a few of my favorite memories from my week in Florida.
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