Early Sales That are Hella Good (Plus an Outfit) 11.21.2017

I was shocked when I woke up this morning and saw so many amazing sales in my inbox already! So today, instead of simply an outfit post, I'm also giving you the info for some of my favorite sales I've seen so far, as well as some picks! I'd like to knock out some Christmas shopping and "me" shopping today to take a little pressure off of Black Friday since we'll be at a football game!

Shopbop Tiered Sale | 20-30% off Your Order with Code MORE17

I of course have to share when Shopbop has a sale a) because it's one of my favorite places to online shop and b) because now would be a great time to combine some goodies for you and for gifts to get a great discount! You can get all of the sale details and exclusions here. Some of my favorite brands to shop at Shopbop are Free People, BB Dakota, and Moon River. They also have an awesome gift shop this time of year!

Urban Outfitters | 20% Off Your Entire Purchase for Rewards Members
I always look to Urban for unique clothing and gifts, and you can get 20% off your entire order today only if you're a rewards member! 

Express | 50% off Sitewide + Free Shipping
I don't shop at Express super often, but I do find awesome stuff there sometimes, and their sales are amazing! I've included some picks below, and I'm pretty sure I'm ordering this cozy half-zip because it looks like the sweatshirt of my dreams!

Frasier Sterling | 40% Off VIP Sale (Sitewide) w/ Code BLACKFRIDAYVIP
Frasier Sterling is a new-to-me jewelry brand that my friend Bri introduced me to! I have this choker, and their customized necklaces would be a super cute gift idea too. 

H&M | Up to 60% off Winter Wardrobe Pieces Today
You all know that H&M is one of my staple stores (love it both online and in-store), and they have some amazing deals going on all week! Today they have a ton of winter wardrobe pieces for up to 60% off! They also have a lot of great guys and kids stuff if you're shopping for presents, Christmas outfits, or outfits for family photos.

 

Jacket  |  Similar Tees here + here  |  Similar Jeans (mine are old H&M)  |  Ankle Boots

This is one of those outfits that I threw together with stuff I've had for awhile, but I really, really like it! Sometimes I struggle to come up with outfits to blog when I don't have a bunch of new stuff, but there really is something to be said for shopping your own closet and coming up with unique pairings!

Also, how amazing are these peachy-pink walls on a random office building in Columbia?! They're giving me alllll of those pretty millennial pink vibes 👌  

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5 Things I'd Tell My Younger Self 6.29.2017

While I've always been fairly "successful" and put-together for my age, I've still made my fair share of stupid choices and grown from a lot of learning experiences over the years. Over the past few years I've worked through not regretting anything, and simply learning from my mistakes and experiences - whether serious or silly. If you live with the perspective that everything happens for a reason and should be grown from as a result, it will truly improve your life!

Since these are some things I've reflected on over the years, and found myself chatting about with my friends, I thought I would share them here! I think it's such an interesting conversation topic :) 

If the guy you're dating isn't marriage material, don't waste your time.

You've probably heard this advice repeatedly from your parents, but maybe it will sound different coming from me ;) Even if marriage isn't on your radar right now (or ever!), why would you invest yourself and your time in someone who is immature and would not make a good husband or dad? I wish I could answer why I wasted time on stupid boys.

Step away from the tanning bed sista.

I straight up cringe when I think about baking myself in a tanning bed. Nothing ages you faster, not to mention the highly increased risks of skin cancer! After my mom had several cancerous cells removed (and as a result received several scars), it really opened my eyes that I wasn't invincible, and that it wasn't worth it. I'm already thanking myself for quitting a few years back, and know I will even more down the road! 

Don't weigh yourself everyday or count every calorie.

Instead focus on clean eating, healthy portions, and nourishing your body.

I first have to include the disclaimer that these practices are helpful to a lot of people. However, they were extremely harmful to me. I succumbed to disordered eating off and on in high school and college. I was obsessed with being bone thin and would only eat very low calorie foods. I wrote down every calorie I consumed (starting at 15 years old! 😢) and analyzed each night. I obsessed over my calorie counts and mentally beat myself up if I went over my limit by even a couple hundred calories. Unfortunately when I went through this in high school I was dancing 5+ days a week and my strength and overall ability declined, and I stopped having my period for over a year (which messed me up for many years afterward). I'm thankful that one of my dance teachers and one of my best friends noticed what was going on and helped me through it.

To avoid those negative and unhealthy thoughts (which I still struggle with sometimes), I now turn my focus on clean eating, nourishing my body, and healthy portions. If you're someone who fixates, find some healthy goals to fixate on. I actually don't ever weigh myself anymore and instead evaluate where I'm at based on how I look in the mirror, how my clothes fit, and most importantly - how I feel. Sometimes I even ask nurses not to tell me my weight because it's just healthier for me mentally if I don't know. I now try to workout for muscle tone and health rather than "to get skinny" just because it's a much more positive way to approach things.

In summary... Love yourself and take care of your mind, body and soul :)  

Explore LOTS of careers while in high school and college.
I can't even tell you how many interesting careers I've learned about as a working adult that I would have been so interested in when I was younger. While I mostly enjoy my work in communications and PR, if I could go back in time I would explore the nutrition and dermatology fields. My advice:
- Think about things you're interested in, and research all of the careers that tie into those interests
- Take personal strength and career strength tests (there are both free and paid ones) to narrow down fields you may excel in, then explore from there!
- Think about what intrinsically motivates you, and what grinds your gears. What jobs include tasks you hate, and what fields encompass principles that motivate you?
- Do lots of job shadowing, and don't be afraid to simply email or call someone to ask questions either!

Have more fun!
I was always so school and career motivated, and while that's ultimately served me very very well over the years, I often look back on my college years and wish I had had a little more fun and stressed less! I wish I had spent more time with friends rather than studying and working constantly. Not that adult life isn't fun, because it's as fun as you make it, but definitely enjoy your younger years and take advantage of having fun with friends!


Did any of these resonate with you? And what pieces of advice would you give your younger self?? 

Tank  |  Hat  |  Similar Jeans here & here (mine are H&M)

Slides (c/o Lulu's)  |  Sunglasses  |  Necklaces

 And just a quick note on my outfit... You've seen this tank on my Instagram a couple of times because it's already been such a summer staple for me! I love that it's simple and low maintenance for hot weather, but the tie details add a little somethin' somethin.' I also scored this amazing hat on sale for $19 (originally $48)! It has a high end look and feel, and I love the unique color (called 'cinnamon').
 

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5 Instagram Accounts I'm Loving This Summer 6.27.2017

While I have a love-hate relationship with Instagram (the damn algorithm will be the death of my patience), I get so so much inspiration from the many beautiful accounts on there. I looooove the new collections feature where I can make as many mood boards as my little ocd heart desires. Can you believe how much everyone has stepped up their Insta game in the last couple of years? Throwback to the old days when you didn't worry about your theme or layout or what time of day to post haha (miss it).

Anyways, I thought I would share some love for 5 Insta accounts I can't get enough of for that perfect summer inspo!

1 | @sivanayla

I'm actually obsessed with her. She's a total effortless babe, queen of IG stories, has the most flawless skin I've ever laid eyes on, and loves rosé more than anyone. Also lives in the perfect LA home. #goals

2 | @ashbegash

Ashley has been a long-time blogging pal, but her Instagram is the cutest thing ever! The last few weeks she's been on a perfect Italian adventure and I can't get enough of her photos!

3 |  @damselindior

Nothing new here bc I've been obsessed with her for years and her feed is always on freaking point (++ Jacy/Jacey is obviously a fantastic name), but she is really killing it with her summer 'grams. So. Much. Inspiration.

4 | @taylorsterling

Taylor, the Glitter Guide founder, shares so much lifestyle inspo, and has the perfect millenial pink feed👌

5 | @lauracipp

She is a new follow for me, but I've been loving her summer style! I also don't hate seeing little glimpses of LA life... 🌞

Top (c/o)  |  Similar Jeans here & here  |  Hat  |  Heels  |  Chokers

Now onto the outfit... This cropped off-the-shoulder top would be absolutely perfect for the 4th! I think it would be so cute with a pair of overall shorts or a denim mini skirt (as well as with cutoff shorts). I love ordering from Maude Boutique because they have unique pieces that I don't see on every other retailer + they have fast & free shipping!

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Spring Off-the-Shoulder 4.21.2017

Is this not one of the prettiest bushes/trees you've ever seen?? I knew I had to get some photos here, so Brianna and I shot these at the end of a long afternoon of shooting and hit that perfect golden hour glow.

Soooo sad story...

I don't have these mules anymore...

Because my precious little Russell dog escaped while I was at work and ate them. As in shredded them into teeeeny tiny little pieces all over the living room (which I then had to dig through our rug to find) 😓

This is why I can't have nice things.

Similar tops here, here & here (mine is sold out from F21)  |  Jeans 

Mules (similar here & here) |  Choker  |  Similar Horn/Crescent Necklace

I also wanted to share that last week I got to guest post on an amazing women's lifestyle site called The Well! One of the founders is from the sleepy Missouri town we live in and I immediately connected with her fellow creative soul :) I shared a little bit of my blogging background and how it's become such an important part of my life and carried me through a lot of life changes over the past few years. Please check out the post and their site!

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My First Bodysuit + a Giveaway 4.19.2017

As much as I want to wear little spring dresses and shorts everyday, we are definitely still having some cooler days around here, so I've wearing these girlfriend jeans quite a bit! The light wash and raw hem feel so fresh for spring, and they're perfect with spring blouses, graphic tees, and bodysuits.

This is actually my first bodysuit, and I'm obsessed! I love that you don't have to worry about them becoming untucked, and that they just streamline your whole outfit. This one is no longer available, but I love these here, here and here.

Jeans: hold H&M  |  Jacket: sold out Free People  |  Shoes: sold out H&M  |  Belt: sold out from Mango

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Girlfriend Jeans 3.10.2017

Sweater (c/o)  |  Jeans  |  Belt  |  Sandals  |  Bag

Happy Friday! As I mentioned in my March Wish List post, I finally found these girlfriend jeans that I love! They're super high-waisted (they come all the way up to my belly button/natural waist), which is great for me since I have such a long torso (😒). I also love this little bell-sleeve sweater from Chicwish. It's more fitted than I expected, but that makes it perfect for tucking into high-waisted jeans!

We have had such an early spring here this year (yay!), but this weekend we may get some snow! I really hope we don't, but if we do I guess it will be a good excuse to stay nice and cozy inside together :)

Have a great weekend loves!
 

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