Wedding Wednesday: 86 days to go!

Today's post covers one of the things that I personally love to think about, but am always hesitant to talk about - lingerie! In addition to all of the wonderful events my bridesmaids planned for my bachelorette party, they also planned a mini-lingerie shower as part of the weekend and it was so fun!
I don't know about you, but I don't tend to buy a lot of nice lingerie for myself because I never really viewed it as a necessary expense, and it is obviously something that you aren't going to wear on a daily basis. Well hey, I mean you could, but you're not as likely to, so it is one of those things that I do enjoy receiving because I'm not as likely to buy it for myself. And now, despite (or because of ) all of their wonderful gifts, I am currently addicted and want to fill my closet with many more beautiful pieces!

Like most all clothing items, everything has its season. Which is always a great excuse to update any part of your wardrobe, right? (I am great at rationalizing any purchase.) A few weeks ago I shared how I Winterize My Beauty Routine to prepare for the cold winter and warm tones. So now, I want to share with you some ways to winterize some of the other personal items in your routine. In the summer we all tend to lean towards bright colors. I swear there is something about neon colors that actually makes me look more tan! But as the colder weather comes in and that color starts to fade, I like to tone down the color just a little and have some softer, warmer jewel tones around me.

Adore Me has some beautiful lingerie pieces out right now and these are some of my favorites, which pair great with deep red colors for winter, and some all over warmth used on your face and neckline. While I generally prefer brighter colors, I'll take any excuse to try something new, and changing seasons is always a good one. As much as I'd rather be in bright yellows and pinks, I am at least (usually) aware enough to realize those colors are generally out of place this time of year.

I think my absolute favorite is this green set because the color is so rich and it really sets the mood for a warm romantic evening. Combine that, with some intense eye makeup, like this set from MAC, and you won't need anything else.

Or, this beautiful sapphire blue - and it matches Essie's Fall Bell Bottom Blues to a T!


And my runner up to the green set above, is definitely this Peaches and Cream set, paired with Clinique's Plum Brandy to really pull together that fall or winter look with out going too dark.


Isn't it fun to think about updating every aspect of your wardrobe as the seasons change? It's something I'm still working on myself, but I have really enjoyed thinking about this lately, especially as I transition more in to work and don't have as much variety in my day to day outfits. What do y'all think? And check out some additional makeup combinations below!

It's kind of Friday today, yay! Have a great day y'all! 

xoxo

linking up with:

Wedding Wednesday | Wednesday Showcase 

Winterizing My Beauty Routine

As much as I think I can pull off a "year-round" look when it comes to my makeup, there are still a lot of things that I alter, even if ever so slightly, as winter comes around. The great Commonwealth of Kentucky experiences all four seasons, with all of their extremities, and that can really start to take a toll on your skin. I'll be the first to admit that I am not the best at preventative measures, but in theory, I start trying to prepare myself, and my skin, for winter as early as possible. 

Bronze Palettes

Okay, so I guess this isn't exactly something that makes your skin feel better and stay healthy, but I personally hate to lose that natural summer glow and tend to supplement that with a bronze palate/ all over face color. Although this is something that is actually good for your skin when the alternative is the forbidden tanning-bed, so there's that! A couple of months ago I went to BareMinerals to try out some new foundation - which I love - and the makeup artist also used some "faux tan" all over color, kind of as contouring "light". She made it look super easy, and for the most part it is. Then I picked up this palate from BareMinerals and have since fallen in love! First of all, it comes with a guide so you don't have to know/remember exactly how to apply each shade. Secondly, while it is long, it is very thin and compact and travels very well. And since it's not a loose powder, there is zero chance of it spilling. If you love to have that glow year round I would highly suggest this palate or something similar! This one is currently available - and on sale! 

Moisturize x 100

Body

This is probably the most important thing that you can do for your skin in the winter - well really all the time - but especially in the winter. This is also probably the thing that I am the worst at, basically because I'm lazy. BUT I was recently given the opportunity to try out Curel® Itch Defense® Instant Soothing Moisturizing Spray and I am sold. Y'all this stuff is great. It's a spray, I know captain obvious over here, but seriously, that makes me 100x more likely to use it because it is so much faster to apply in the mornings when I'm usually always running late. Unlike most spray sunscreens you do still have to rub it in a little bit, but still wayyy easier. The only downside I've found to it so far is that the can gets pretty slippery after I've applied the lotion, so I try to spray as much as I think I need before I rub it in. 

Face

Moisturizing my face is the first thing I do when I get out of the shower because my skin is so dry. When I went to BareMinerals that day, I'm pretty sure the girl told me I should be putting it on twice a day because my skin was just that dry. I like to use moisturizer that has SPF in it so that in the summer I don't have to apply greasy sunscreen to my face. It's also a good idea in the winter too because you are usually getting more sun than you realize and most people don't think to apply SPF when its 15 degrees outside. I've been using Aveeno for a couple of years and really like it, but any moisturizer is better than none. 

Staying Hydrated

Basically in keeping with the importance of moisturizing, winter can dry out your skin so much. But, your skin benefits from everything you put in to your body, as well as lotions and other things you put on the surface. Staying hydrated and getting at least 64 oz of water each day is essential to keeping your skin in good condition. Plus, staying hydrated does wonders for your complexion! 

New Nail Polish

As if I need a reason to buy new nail polish. But seriously. have y'all seen Essie's fall shades - I am in love! I haven't picked up any yet because I just can't decide which one I want, but I've got my eye on "Frock 'n Roll" and "With the Band." And honestly, I think if I was confident enough, that "Leggy Legend" is stunning! Have y'all bought any of these yet? Thoughts? 

Changing Out Perfume

Using a different perfume is kind of like the nail polish, obviously, not essential to preparing your body and skin for a new season. That being said, scent is one of the most acute senses with thousands of memories attached to specific scents. Every time I wear a different perfume I'm suddenly taken back to a specific memory that was trigger merely by the scent. And while I think (almost) all perfume smells wonderful, there is still a time and a place for different scents. I love to have a more floral airy scent in the summer, while a soft yet spicy scent is my go to for winter. One of my favorite fall/winter perfumes is Burburry Brit. I wore it for the first time this season last weekend and I just knew fall was here. 

What are some changes you make to your beauty routine as you gear up for winter? 

Have a great day, y'all! 

xoxo

linking up with
Mingle Monday | Wednesday Showcase | Oh Hey Girl | Turn It Up Tuesday 

Wedding Wednesday, 178 days to go: Coming to Terms with a Winter Wedding

photo source

I am literally counting down the days until my wedding. I know that it is going to be the best day and I cannot wait! But, I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little (very) concerned about having a winter wedding.

As most girls do, I've been picturing my wedding day for as long as I can remember. That picture has changed with time, but it has always included all things bright and colorful. I always assumed my bridesmaids would wear pink, the guys would be in seersucker, and there would be pops of yellows and green all around and gorgeous outdoor scenery. This all still sounds like my ideal wedding, except that now I'm getting married in February. There is no colorful outdoor scenery in February. There are no bright shades of yellow in February. And there is certainly no wearing seersucker in February.

(Almost) every decision I make is very well thought out, and very intentional, and our wedding date was no exception. He proposed in November of last year, and we knew it would take at least one year to plan. We also knew that with the bar exam this summer, the months of June and July were essentially non-existent when it came to all of the checklist items. Football season also played a large part in pushing the date past the fall, and by then, I honestly knew I'd be too impatient to wait around all the way until next summer. I mean y'all, if I could have gotten married this February I probably would have. All of this to say, we chose February, but as I am getting deeper into the planning process, it is harder and harder for me to envision exactly what a February wedding is supposed to look like.

I know, I know, Pinterest is where I should be looking. But let me tell you, it is very difficult to find inspiration for a "Winter Wedding" that does not revolve around poinsettias and snowflakes. I am a warm-weather, bright-color kind of girl. There is absolutely nothing appealing to me about a snowflake motif. Although, I will say, some of the pictures of weddings I have seen in the snow are gorgeous. Like so much so, that I kind of want it to snow on my wedding day (I'm sure I'll be regretting this if we end up with another winter we had like last year). But honestly, if I'm going to endue the cold, I think at the least I deserve the pictures to prove it, right?

Obviously at this point the date is set, and by obviously, I mean we have the church and reception venue booked, so we're pretty set on the date. And y'all, I am doing my darndest to reimagine my ideal wedding, but it. is. hard. I always imagined pretty pinks and yellows, short dresses, and warm sunshine. I am now trying to imagine long flowing navy dresses, shades of green, and snow on the ground. I used to consider if I would provide guests with sunglasses, now I'm considering blankets. I used to think that fur stoles were just hmm . . . not something I was interested in, and now, I think maybe it is the only way I will stay warm, and perhaps they are actually really nice. I'm working on it. I literally have a Pinterest board called "Embracing the Cold." It will be the best day of my life, and it will be beautiful, I just don't know what it is going to look like. Yet.

How did you choose your wedding date? Was it convenient, did you want to wait until the venue was available?

Have a great day, y'all!

xoxo

linking up with 

Wednesday Showcase | Wedding Wednesday | The Creative Corner

spring? where are you?

I. Am. So. Over. This. Weather. I know, I know, it could be worse, and Boston and the rest of the north east has been dealing with this for weeks already, but no one here knows what to do when it goes on for this long. Example: remember how I said we were going to start our registry process this weekend? Well. The roof caved in at Belk! CAVED IN. Luckily there is another one about an hour away, but I am very much a planner and had a small bout of anxiety when my friend called to tell me about it.
Anyways, to get over these winter blues I just let myself get lost in all of the spring dresses that I cannot wait to wear! I generally prefer dresses, really year round, because I think it is just so much easier to throw one thing on, rather than having to pick out the whole outfit. Here are a few that I have my eye on (as if I don't already have enough).

H&M
[apparently now sold out, but is available in other colors]

Belk

I love this dress from Belk! I saw it when we were there yesterday and I will say that in person you can see the navy layer underneath a little more, so it is not so pink, but it still look great. And it has pockets - what more could you ask for?

Lilly

The bright colors and contrast on this dress are perfect!

Belk

Like the other dress from Belk, the coloring on this is a little different in person than online. It actually appears a lot more orange in person - but still looks very nice and made me very ready for spring when I saw it.  

Gap

 Gap is so hit or miss when it comes to whether they'll have dresses that are to my taste. I used to love love love Gap and I still mostly do, but sometimes their looks are just a little too much for me - does that make sense? But I am loving this dress they have right now, and I've purchased a few of their fit and flares and absolutely love them! 

Lilly

This is may favorite of all of these dresses. If I thought I had an occasion to wear it, I'd already have it in my closet. I just love how it has such clean lines and is bright, but not over the top. I'm sure I'll come up with a reason to need this sooner or later! 

How are you all dealing with winter? Any spring looks that you're dying to pull out?

Have a great day, y'all!!
xoxo

linking up with:

Celebrate Southern | Living in Color: Weekly Spotlight | Twenties Girl Style | Pampers and Pearls
Thursday Fashion Files  | Penniless Socialite | Oh Hey Girl

winter whites, aka a place holder for spring

As I sit here on this snow day, I can't help but yearn for the warmer days of spring. After five years of living in South Carolina, I think I had let myself forget just how cold and annoying winters in Kentucky can be. The worst part is how long I have to wait to wear my favorite Lilly dresses and pastels. Luckily, winter white has become a real thing and keeps things bright during this dreary season.

Here are a few of my favorites keeping me occupied while I'm waiting to pull out my seersucker :) 

sequin sweater

sequin sweater -- I received this sweater for Christmas (after a lot of well placed hints) and I am in love with it! It is SO warm, while still looking cute and put together. Plus it is such a nice, light white color that it keeps the dreary winter days nice and bright - a necessity in my book

colored cords

colored cords -- I have about five pairs of colored cords and I am always looking for more. Corduroy tends to be considered more of a winter/fall material so it still works well for this time of year, but you can play with that and use them as a great way bring some color back when it feels like spring is an eternity away

colorblock sweater

colorblock sweater -- this piece might be sightly more spring than winter, but it is a sweater, so that means you can wear it now, right?

fit & flare dress

fit & flare dress -- pairing a pastel with black is always a great way to make it work in the winter while still adding a pop of color to your wardrobe and fit and flare dresses look great on everyone!

pixie ankle pants

pixie ankle pants -- How cute is this color?? These pants are currently on sale for $30 and they have them in a dozen colors - what more could you want? 

How do you bring in color to your winter wardrobe? Or do you love and embrace the chance to wear all of the dark colors that the season will allow? 

Have a great day y'all & stay warm!
xoxo 

linking up with: 

Celebrate Southern | Trend Spin | Shop My Closet | What I Wore | Because Shanna Said So | Spotlight Weekly Link Up

Wear-to-Work Wednesday

As it has gotten drastically colder here lately, I've (unfortunately) had to result to wearing pants to work more often than I would prefer. I don't think there is anything wrong with pants, but as I've expressed before, I would much rather wear a dress. However, I am starting to get a little tired of having to wear tights and boots every. single. day. because it is so cold! 

These are a few looks I really love to wear with pants. First is a simple cardigan and top paired with neutral pants. Cardigans are always a great option because you have the ability to take it off at any point in the day if your office tends to run hot. For that reason, I always make sure to wear an office appropriate shirt underneath, i.e. no camisoles. Pants also can give you the option of wearing flats or heels (or wedges) depending on the hem of the pant and what you are comfortable with. 

cardigan | top | flats | wedges | trousers

In addition to easily pairing a cardigan and top with pants, I also love the look of colored pants and a neutral(ish) sweater. These pants, although "colored", I think would still be office appropriate because they are still a darker, classic color.

sweater | trousers | heels  

How do you deal with colder temperatures when you have to still dress for the office? 

Have a Great Day, Y'all!

xoxo

linking up with:

Style Me Wednesday | What I Wore | Random Wednesday | Cappuccino and Fashion 

TGIF, oh hey November

I seriously can't believe we are already one full week into November!

1. Study Schedule

After coming to realization that exams are coming up verrrry soon, I finally sat down and planned out how and what I am going to be studying for the next few weeks. If you are anything of a planner like I am, this can be so beneficial to have it all spelled out in front of you and can really keep you on track. The caveat being, for me at least, when I have something planned out specifically and it doesn't happen I tend to have a (usually) minor panic attack. So - plan some free time and allow for breaks, if you've planned to have a drink then you have to, right?

for some Planning Tips check out this post 

2. This Week is Over

I know I always say it's been a long week, but this has seriously been one of the worst weeks to date. It has finally set in that exams are less than a month away and that brings on its own level of stress. In addition to that, there has been major(ish) drama with the Moot Court Board at school so that was just one more thing to deal with. Luckily that has been resolved, but it was just one more thing, major or minor, that I didn't have time to deal with. Plus I got in a kind of fight with the boyfriend on Sunday night and there is still some lingering tension from that. So when I say Thank God its Friday, I really truly mean it!

3. Running

I am not "a runner" and I'm not sure I ever will be. Running is so hard for me, but I've been really working to build up to certain times/distances that I can do relatively comfortably. This week I ran for 55 minutes. That was a huge accomplishment for a girl who quivered at the thought of having to run for more than 5 minutes this summer - literally. So, I do not want to be one of those people that talks about running all the time because a. it's annoying, and b. I'm not good enough to be annoying. But I just wanted y'all to know, 55 minutes, anything is possible.

4. MY Jacket 

Well L.L. Bean finally had another 10% off sale, which is about the most they ever do, so I finally decided to buy this jacket that I have been eyeing for quite some time now. I am SO excited for it to come in and I will be sure to let you all know if it lives up to the lofty expectations I have of it in my head!

5. Weather 

The weather here has been out. of. control. It goes from 70 to 35 in the blink of an eye and I am not loving it. Luckily it seems to finally be stabilizing, unfortunately that means it is becoming consistently cold. While I prefer sunshine and warmth over the cold any day, I am glad that I can finally pick out my outfit for the day or week and not have to wonder what kind of temperature change I might have to deal with. Plus, I can wear scarves pretty much every day now and not look ridiculous. For the record - I refuse to acknowledge that "summer scarves" are a thing.

How has your week been?

Have a Great Weekend, Y'all!
xoxo

linking up with: Oh Hey Friday | Five on Friday |