Last week, I went to Charleston, SC for Charleston Fashion Week. This week, I've been recovering from CFW and nursing a back injury I seemed to have picked up while in Chas.
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| Charleston Fashion Week Media Center |
See you next week!
Thursday, March 27, 2014
You might be wondering if I've fallen smack off the edge of the earth. Well, I haven't. I've just been busy and in pain.
Last week, I went to Charleston, SC for Charleston Fashion Week. This week, I've been recovering from CFW and nursing a back injury I seemed to have picked up while in Chas.
Tomorrow, I have the pleasure of spending the day with the doctor to figure out what in the hell I did to my lower back. Keep me in your thoughts!
See you next week!
Last week, I went to Charleston, SC for Charleston Fashion Week. This week, I've been recovering from CFW and nursing a back injury I seemed to have picked up while in Chas.
See you next week!
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
What to Wear: Company Dinner
From time to time, I find myself invited to company dinners. It can really be a struggle to decide what to wear. You always want to find the right balance between looking professional and attractive. Here are a few tips to help you navigate the waters.
1. Play it safe. Company big-wigs tend to show up to dinners so unless you work for Glamour Magazine, conservative is almost always the way to go. No plunging necklines or mini dresses. It's important to look professional. If dressing conservatively has you up in arms, play with color, not hemlines!
2. Choose a dress over pants. Unlike my advice on job interviews, a dress works better in a dinner setting. Wearing a dress to a company dinner will make it look like you tried harder. A word of caution, choose a dress that you're comfortable in. Keep in mind that you're going to be drinking and eating.
3. Use accessories to show your style. If you feel like you need more oomph, you can use accessories to show your personality and style. An interesting necklace or stacked bracelets will look great as long as you keep it tasteful and age appropriate.
4. Upgrade the shoes. What I mean by this is don't wear your work sensible shoes. Wear nice, fashionable shoes. You won't be on your feet all night, so you can wear trendier shoes that normally wouldn't cut it all day at work.
5. Carry a classic clutch. Pull your look together with a classic clutch in a neutral tone. If you've chosen a colorful dress and jazzed up accessories, this clutch will pull your look together in a more classic way. If you're wearing black, you'll still dazzle. You really can't go wrong with a simple, classic clutch.
There you go, my tips on what to wear to a company dinner. I'd love to hear what you think!
1. Play it safe. Company big-wigs tend to show up to dinners so unless you work for Glamour Magazine, conservative is almost always the way to go. No plunging necklines or mini dresses. It's important to look professional. If dressing conservatively has you up in arms, play with color, not hemlines!
2. Choose a dress over pants. Unlike my advice on job interviews, a dress works better in a dinner setting. Wearing a dress to a company dinner will make it look like you tried harder. A word of caution, choose a dress that you're comfortable in. Keep in mind that you're going to be drinking and eating.
3. Use accessories to show your style. If you feel like you need more oomph, you can use accessories to show your personality and style. An interesting necklace or stacked bracelets will look great as long as you keep it tasteful and age appropriate.
4. Upgrade the shoes. What I mean by this is don't wear your work sensible shoes. Wear nice, fashionable shoes. You won't be on your feet all night, so you can wear trendier shoes that normally wouldn't cut it all day at work.
5. Carry a classic clutch. Pull your look together with a classic clutch in a neutral tone. If you've chosen a colorful dress and jazzed up accessories, this clutch will pull your look together in a more classic way. If you're wearing black, you'll still dazzle. You really can't go wrong with a simple, classic clutch.
There you go, my tips on what to wear to a company dinner. I'd love to hear what you think!
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Sweet Love Ginger
Hey y'all! Today, I have a great guest post for you from my lovely sponsor Sweet Love Ginger. JC is an upstate New Yorker with a passion for life. Be sure to check her out. OK, JC, take it away!
So I’m here to write a guest post for Jessica. First of all
thank you, thank you, it’s really an honor. I don’t get to do this much so it’s
kind of a big deal to me.
What I realized when I sat down to write this post is that
guest posting is hard.
I mean the point is to introduce yourself to new people
right? To get them to like you. So you want to be all like “WHAM” and “Boom
here I am” without being like “boom, look at me I’m better than you”. It’s a fine
line to tread.
I decided after re-writing this a couple dozen times that it
might be worth just giving you the low down on little old me, all frills aside.
I’m an engineer, working in construction whose engaged to a
hunting, fishing, Harley riding environmental scientist. So basically we are nerds who really like outdoorsy stuff. This is us and Brody, our love child if you will. We are a pretty happy
family, even if we look like a hot mess most of the time.
Most of my world revolves around food; cooking and eating are a big deal. So I share a lot of recipes but there are also quite a few outdoor adventures, friends, impromptu parties, lots of music, some crafts and DIY’s, oh and some jewelry, if I can ever get my life together enough to post it in my etsy shop.
Healthy living is another piece to this whole puzzle that is Sweet Love and Ginger. I think that cooking with whole foods is important, so a lot of my recipes, along with being incredibly delicious, can be considered clean, and healthy as well. I also do occasional fitness posts, that touch on whatever it is I'm into at the time. It changes a lot, but fitness isn't exactly a science and I just like to have fun.
Thanks to those of you who made it through my post and for letting to me yammer on. Also thank you so, so much Jessica for letting me talk about myself on your blog today.
Most of my world revolves around food; cooking and eating are a big deal. So I share a lot of recipes but there are also quite a few outdoor adventures, friends, impromptu parties, lots of music, some crafts and DIY’s, oh and some jewelry, if I can ever get my life together enough to post it in my etsy shop.
Healthy living is another piece to this whole puzzle that is Sweet Love and Ginger. I think that cooking with whole foods is important, so a lot of my recipes, along with being incredibly delicious, can be considered clean, and healthy as well. I also do occasional fitness posts, that touch on whatever it is I'm into at the time. It changes a lot, but fitness isn't exactly a science and I just like to have fun.
Thanks to those of you who made it through my post and for letting to me yammer on. Also thank you so, so much Jessica for letting me talk about myself on your blog today.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Love & Loyally...Behind the Name
I get frequent questions about what Love & Loyally means and how I came up with the name. I'm happy to share the story with photos, but let's remember the photos go back 8 years and the times they have-a-changed! No judgment allowed!
So here goes...
I was in a sorority in college, like all good little southern girls are. That sorority was Alpha Delta Pi (first and finest!). I had a freaking blast! Those girls are the loves of my life and will always hold a special place in my heart.
ADPis sign their correspondence to one another "Loyally" instead of "Sincerely" like you normally see. I noticed our chapter advisors would sign things "L&L" so I asked what it meant. They told me it meant "Love & Loyally." I immediately fell head over heels for the phrase.
"Love & Loyally" pretty much encompasses how I want to live my life...in a loving and loyal way. I just knew it was perfect for this blog. And that's how Love & Loyally the blog came to be.
So here goes...
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| Seniors on Bid Day 2006 |
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| BFF Rush Pref Night 2006 |
ADPis sign their correspondence to one another "Loyally" instead of "Sincerely" like you normally see. I noticed our chapter advisors would sign things "L&L" so I asked what it meant. They told me it meant "Love & Loyally." I immediately fell head over heels for the phrase.
"Love & Loyally" pretty much encompasses how I want to live my life...in a loving and loyal way. I just knew it was perfect for this blog. And that's how Love & Loyally the blog came to be.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Master Bedroom Makeover
Kris and I have been together for almost 8 years, and have lived together for about 7. Although we purchased our first home almost 2 years ago, we have not done anything to our master bedroom. It still looks like it did 7 years ago, except for the king size bed.
I'm a firm believer that a bedroom should be a retreat. It should calm you and allow you to recharge. Our bedroom is neither calming nor recharging. It basically sucks. It's partially my fault; I haven't made it a priority. I've been focusing on the areas of the house other people see.
So my next step is to convince my husband that spending money to make our bedroom an oasis will be money well spent. In other words, happy wife happy life!
I've spent a little time picking out some items I'd love to add to our bedroom.
The total cost of this master bedroom redo would be about $1,200. Which isn't a lot in the grand scheme of things, but not an insignificant amount. Obviously, I wouldn't have to get it all at once, and I could definitely look around for deals. But, the I can't really put a price tag on having a bedroom I love!
I'm a firm believer that a bedroom should be a retreat. It should calm you and allow you to recharge. Our bedroom is neither calming nor recharging. It basically sucks. It's partially my fault; I haven't made it a priority. I've been focusing on the areas of the house other people see.
So my next step is to convince my husband that spending money to make our bedroom an oasis will be money well spent. In other words, happy wife happy life!
I've spent a little time picking out some items I'd love to add to our bedroom.
The total cost of this master bedroom redo would be about $1,200. Which isn't a lot in the grand scheme of things, but not an insignificant amount. Obviously, I wouldn't have to get it all at once, and I could definitely look around for deals. But, the I can't really put a price tag on having a bedroom I love!
Monday, March 10, 2014
29 Things I've Learned About Beauty & Style in 29 Years
29 hit me hard. Hard. The fact that it was my last 20s birthday did not go unnoticed. Trust.
While I still get a little sad thinking about it, I've had about a month to get used to the idea that I'll be 30 next year. And that's not all bad. I mean, I've had time to get comfortable in my own skin. Let me tell you, I'm much more comfortable at 29 than I was at 21. So if we're being 100% honest, I do not envy those 21 year olds that still live in naiveté.
Now I'm not claiming to have my shit completely together, but suffice it say that I've learned some things that make getting through life a lot easier on me than when I was in my early twenties. A hell of a lot easier.
1. Getting enough sleep is the key to looking great. If you only get 4 hours of sleep, everyone can tell. No amount of designer clothes in the world can hid it.
2. Size is just a number. It doesn't define you. Just go ahead and get over it.
3. Know when to put on the yoga pants. Nights at home with my husband beat nights out partying every single time. Period.
4. The higher the hair the closer to God. Go ahead and tease it up, baby!
5. Being more like your mother isn't really a bad thing. She's been through a lot and can help you along the way. Chances are, a lot of your beliefs about clothing and style came from her.
6. If shoes hurt your feet in the store, they will hurt your feet in real life. Except multiplied by 1000.
7. If you're going to be on your feet all day, change your shoes every couple of hours.
8. Just say NO to acrylic nails. Unless you're a mob wife, then work it, girl!
9. Never underestimate the power of a bra in the right size.
10. Lingerie is overrated. It always ends up on the floor, so you're better off saving your money and just going to bed naked.
11. Tanning beds are the devil. Spray tans are the only way to go.
12, If you're uncomfortable in a outfit before you leave home, you'll be uncomfortable in it after you leave home. It will literally ruin your day.
13. Be a girls' girl.
14. Dressing for your body type is crucial. If you have thunder thighs (like me), then those body con dresses aren't for you, honey.
15. If you know about a good sale, share the love.
16. Almost everyone has cellulite. There's no need to tear yourself up over it. And those who don't are probably not the kind of girls you want to be friends with anyway.
17. Dry shampoo is your friend. Washing your hair every day is so 2003.
18. Tell yourself the truth. Yes, you are too old be shopping at American Eagle.
19. J.Crew Factory is better than J.Crew.
20. Target will get your through your darkest days. When you're starting your career, i.e. you have no money, Target will be your BFF.
21. That being said, you get what you pay for.
22. Don't believe the "last season" hype. Who cares if something if last season, wear it if you love it.
23. Trust your gut. If you don't love something in the store, you probably won't love it when you get home. Not sure what you'll wear something with? Well, that's probably because it doesn't go with anything you own. Your intuition about things will almost always lead you in the right direction.
24. Sign up for Kate Spade emails. Her sample sales are the best ever.
25. Buy a pair of Spanx. Do yourself a favor and get the ones with a slit in crotch. You'll thank me later.
26. Expensive hairspray usually isn't worth it. But, when you find a hairspray that is, buy that shit in bulk.
27. Wash your face before you go to bed. If it's the only thing you do, wash your f**king face!
28. Leggings are not pants.
29. Confidence is the best accessory. But, a Chanel bag never hurt anyone.
While I still get a little sad thinking about it, I've had about a month to get used to the idea that I'll be 30 next year. And that's not all bad. I mean, I've had time to get comfortable in my own skin. Let me tell you, I'm much more comfortable at 29 than I was at 21. So if we're being 100% honest, I do not envy those 21 year olds that still live in naiveté.
Now I'm not claiming to have my shit completely together, but suffice it say that I've learned some things that make getting through life a lot easier on me than when I was in my early twenties. A hell of a lot easier.
1. Getting enough sleep is the key to looking great. If you only get 4 hours of sleep, everyone can tell. No amount of designer clothes in the world can hid it.
2. Size is just a number. It doesn't define you. Just go ahead and get over it.
3. Know when to put on the yoga pants. Nights at home with my husband beat nights out partying every single time. Period.
4. The higher the hair the closer to God. Go ahead and tease it up, baby!
5. Being more like your mother isn't really a bad thing. She's been through a lot and can help you along the way. Chances are, a lot of your beliefs about clothing and style came from her.
6. If shoes hurt your feet in the store, they will hurt your feet in real life. Except multiplied by 1000.
7. If you're going to be on your feet all day, change your shoes every couple of hours.
8. Just say NO to acrylic nails. Unless you're a mob wife, then work it, girl!
9. Never underestimate the power of a bra in the right size.
10. Lingerie is overrated. It always ends up on the floor, so you're better off saving your money and just going to bed naked.
11. Tanning beds are the devil. Spray tans are the only way to go.
12, If you're uncomfortable in a outfit before you leave home, you'll be uncomfortable in it after you leave home. It will literally ruin your day.
13. Be a girls' girl.
14. Dressing for your body type is crucial. If you have thunder thighs (like me), then those body con dresses aren't for you, honey.
15. If you know about a good sale, share the love.
16. Almost everyone has cellulite. There's no need to tear yourself up over it. And those who don't are probably not the kind of girls you want to be friends with anyway.
17. Dry shampoo is your friend. Washing your hair every day is so 2003.
18. Tell yourself the truth. Yes, you are too old be shopping at American Eagle.
19. J.Crew Factory is better than J.Crew.
20. Target will get your through your darkest days. When you're starting your career, i.e. you have no money, Target will be your BFF.
21. That being said, you get what you pay for.
22. Don't believe the "last season" hype. Who cares if something if last season, wear it if you love it.
23. Trust your gut. If you don't love something in the store, you probably won't love it when you get home. Not sure what you'll wear something with? Well, that's probably because it doesn't go with anything you own. Your intuition about things will almost always lead you in the right direction.
24. Sign up for Kate Spade emails. Her sample sales are the best ever.
25. Buy a pair of Spanx. Do yourself a favor and get the ones with a slit in crotch. You'll thank me later.
26. Expensive hairspray usually isn't worth it. But, when you find a hairspray that is, buy that shit in bulk.
27. Wash your face before you go to bed. If it's the only thing you do, wash your f**king face!
28. Leggings are not pants.
29. Confidence is the best accessory. But, a Chanel bag never hurt anyone.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
5 Pairs of Shoes That Should Be In Your Closet
Shoes are so much to shop for. I mean, a) they always fit no and b) they are great way to finish off your look. Seriously, you could literally go broke buying a shoe for every outfit. But, you don't have to spend a fortune to make sure you have a shoe that goes with everything. Here are 5essential shoes that should be in your closet.
I'm linking up with Style Elixir.
I'm linking up with Style Elixir.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Everyone likes free
Nothing like a dose of the flu to bring you down when you have every intention of being super productive. Sorry guys.
Monday, March 3, 2014
Mix It: The Vintage Tee
I've defined my style as Classic Casual. What is more classic or casual than the t-shirt? Today, I'm linking up with Lauren from Fizz and Frosting to show you 2 ways to style a vintage tee.
This look would be more appropriate for drinks with girlfriends, while the other is more of a day look. The addition of the blazer gives it a more pulled together appearance. You can see the original post here.
I wore this the other day to run errands and to the salon. The heels weren't the best choice for running around town; flats would have definitely been better.
This look would be more appropriate for drinks with girlfriends, while the other is more of a day look. The addition of the blazer gives it a more pulled together appearance. You can see the original post here.
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