Why I Could Never Cut it as a Fashion Blogger

There is so much involved to a fashion post, and it's not something you think about until you actually attempt it. 

"I need to do my hair and makeup on a Sunday!?!"

"The backyard probably isn't the best spot to take these pictures, where is the nearest location that would enable me to take 'WOW' pictures?"

"I have the camera, which is great, but no photographer, unless I dress Dave up, or teach him to take pictures the exact way I envision them."

"Do you think Dave will go for being dressed up? No, no, I would definitely get side eyed for even asking"

"Still, would the dress fit him? That way I could take great pictures....then photoshop his hairy legs out and impose my face on him....no, no, he would definitely side eye me for even thinking this..."

"How do fashion bloggers do this every day? I mean I don't even put this much makeup on or put this effort into my hair for regular work days. And how the heck do they always have good locations AND photographers?"

"Aw crap, I ran into a spiderweb trying to find my perfect location. Aaaaand now I'm going to have to worry about some massive spider running around this pretty dress. I bet you fashion bloggers don't run into spiderwebs." 

Said look is spiderweb regret

Luckily for me, one thing I didn't have to worry about was the dress itself. eShakti graciously sent me this dress to try out for a review, and I love it. My favorite thing about the dress is that it was made for my height. I always wondered that when I went to a store, how someone my height (5'3") could share a dress with someone much taller and get the same results. 

The answer? You don't. 

This is why eShakti is great, because you can have the dress customized to your specific measurements. Unfortunately, I didn't go the full customization route and I wish I had because while the dress fit really well in most places, it was a bit tight in the chest area. Even though I didn't do the whole custom shebang, the site still asked me my height and made sure the dress was cut to that specification. 

My second favorite thing about this dress? Pockets!!!! I love a dress with pockets. From what I can tell most, if not all, the dresses on eShakti have pockets. And what's even better is that if you hate pockets on your dress, you can have the dress customized without them!

I really could go on and on about how much I like this dress, but I won't. I will say one last thing, this dress also came with a piece of fabric sewn into the shoulders so I could clasp it around my bra. I truly wish all of my shirts/dresses had this option because it makes for wearing the dress so much better. No bra straps to worry about? Yes, please!

I would highly recommend checking out eShakti, especially if you have trouble finding clothes that fit you perfectly. You can also check them out on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest to get ideas for the best outfit for you! 

I received an eShakti dress as a form of compensation for my honest review. 

Weekend Haul

This weekend Dave and I headed to the mall to try and find some new shirts for me. I don't know about you guys but whenever I feel under the weather for an extended period of time, it always ends up doing some major damage to my self esteem too. Shopping with the hubs and grabbing a few shirts always seems to do some wonders when it comes back to righting the wrong. 

We stopped by The Limited, and they were running an awesome BOGO sale. Here's what I picked up on our little spree:

Glossy Split V-Blouse

Pintucked Layering Blouse

Spirograph Cami

The Ashton Blouse

Shadow Dot Layering Blouse

I don't know how long their sale is going on for, but you can't beat BOGO!

On a side note, did you know that Williams-Sonoma smells like bacon? I'd sit in that store all day for the smell alone. 

                                       

Makeup/Fashion "Rules" I Think are Absurd

I was reading Glamour the other day and I saw their "Hey It's O.K." page. One of the things they said was "Hey it's okay to not have a signature fragrance by the time you're 25" and for some odd reason it annoyed me. 

First off, it's okay to not have a signature fragrance at any age, because some of us don't really wear perfume AND I can't afford to drop buku bucks on many different fragrances to have a "signature" one. Secondly, my experience with anything beauty at 25 was nil. I'm sure Glamour meant well by telling me and all it's other reader's that "it's okay" but quite frankly it only made me question myself even more.

And so that is what inspired today's post, "Rules I Think are Absurd". Without further ado, other absurdities, aside from needing a "signature fragrance":


1. You should always buy the high end brand, because the more expensive it is, the better it works. 

I'll be the first one to admit that there are certain things I feel work better from high end brands, like my foundations. I think every girl is different, some girls can work the Cover Girl foundations, I just can't. I find that sometimes high end doesn't always mean better. My favorite eyeliner? Ulta brand. My least favorite? Urban Decay. Mascara? Pretty sure the pink and green tube is still women's #1 favorite go to.  So, no, high end does not always equate better results. 

2. If you wear open toed shoes you MUST have your toenails painted.

I just want to scream "Bite Me" when people say this to me, or criticize me for not having them painted in the summer. I get that you want your toes to look nice if they are on display, but they don't have to be. Here is my routine if I wear open toed shoes:

Someone once said to me, I have to have my toenails painted, what if I get into an accident? Yes, because the EMT will take your shoe off and call in it "Sorry guys this one's a lost hope, her toenails aren't painted". If you want your nails painted, great. Do they have to be? No.

Same goes for fingernails. I don't have time or patience to keep up on my nails. In the rare event my nails are painted, the paint stays on until it chips off, so yeah...

3. When applying makeup you MUST do up your entire face, foundation and all.

Eh, no. Makeup, in my opinion, is supposed to conceal and enhance. If you don't need to conceal anything you don't have to have a full on Braveheart war paint, if you choose not to.

Source

If you're lucky enough to not have to cover up pimples or uneven skin tone and you skip foundation and move on to blush or whatever, or if you just want to do up your eyes, feel free. If the makeup police come, we can riot and burn our bras together. 

Just not my good Victoria Secret bras, girl is on a budget!

4. Your purse MUST match your shoes.

Pretty sure I'd have to change out my purse everyday for this one, and considering said purse is a literal black hole for all my belongings, that is not happening. 

Now excuse me while I go coordinate tomorrow's outfit with my car.

Source

5. You cannot wear white after Labor Day.

What is this the 80s? 

Source..P.S. Serial mom is a great movie. That is all

The only concession I will make to this rule (and this is my personal concession only) is white pants. But then, I never wear white pants even before labor day so it's not even a concession. 

The point I'm making in all of this is that makeup and fashion is supposed to enhance your beauty. The only rule you should abide by is that you wear what makes you feel confident, beautiful, and comfortable. 

And don't worry if Glamour doesn't say if it's okay or not, they always put black bars on their "don'ts".

Source

What are some "rules" that you can't stand?


                                        

Pretty in Pink

First things first! Happy Memorial Day!

I normally don't dress up for work, pretty much roll out of bed, do as little as possible to look presentable and then head out the door. Why? Because I'd rather spend the extra 30 minutes in bed than getting dressed up. I know, it's a terrible habit that I need to break but from what I understand when I have kids I won't get any sleep anyway, so why not get all the sleep I can get now? The day that I wore this outfit was one of those rare instances that I wanted to dress up and look snazzy. It probably had a lot to do with the fact that I just got my hair done and my hairdresser taught me a new way to style my hair that I wanted to try out. 

I don't wear skirts very often. In my opinion, there is just something awkward about wearing them. I can't explain why but I'm never really comfortable in a skirt. This particular skirt pictured is the exception to the rule. It's just the right length and its very comfortable, not too tight, not too loose. I love the color too!

I love that it has pockets. There really is nothing bad I can say about it. I would highly recommend it to anyone who was in the market for a one, plus it has a bunch of different colors! I found the skirt because Kate at The Small Things Blog recommended it here, and if she hadn't suggested the gorgeous pink I would have never chose that color. I'm really glad, it just adds a pop of brightness to the day.

Plus, if you get it today, its 50% off! Can't beat that!

Skirt: J. Crew Factory

Cardigan: old

Shirt: old (similar)

Heels: Forever 21 (no longer available in coral)

What's Black and White and Lace All Over?

Ok well not really but I really like the title and thought it was creative, just work with me here, ok?

Anyway, have you ever had a particular outfit, shirt, pants, shoes, whatever, that just made you feel like you were owning it? This little get up here was doing that for me the other day:

I know its not much, but it was so comfy and cute, plus I got a bunch of compliments for it. So this was a great outfit day, and it made me feel good, so I had to share it. It was the end of the day so I had taken off all the accessories I wore with it, which were a watch and earrings, and of course, my wedding rings. I keep things pretty simple.

I love having days like this. If you are rocking a great outfit, or hairstyle, or whatever, it just boosts your self esteem, which automatically puts you in a good mood. Its like having a shot of endorphins just coursing through your body to make you happy all day long. Think about it, if you have a day where you are just feeling gorgeous, what are the chances of that day going bad?

Top: Kohl's

Bottoms: Banana Republic

Shoes: Ebay

P.S. The placement of the pic and the way I'm looking makes it look like I'm gazing lovingly at myself in my "about me" pic....which is hilarious.