For a fun day out in NYC; eating at some of the funnest dessert places like Rice to Riches, and Beard Papas along with walking the Brooklyn Bridge I wanted to wear a classic black and white ensemble with a touch of edge – it was Fashion Week after all! So this is the OOTD I came up with.
This white cozy sweater and chunky heeled boots are both from Express. I scored them during a 50% off sale and absolutely love both of these purchases. My skirt is from Tobi and is made of a faux suede material and features a snap front with brass tone stud accents. Tobi runs special promos all of the time so be sure to check out their site for some amazing deals! For an added touch of texture, I decided to wear black pantyhose with black fishnets over top. This creates such a unique look! For accessories, I have my favorite black sunnies, a knit beret, these super fun black and white floral drop earrings, and for a pop of color this beautiful tassel clutch from Stella and Dot.
I’ve noticed that monthly I get hooked on a certain color and in January it was this rusty red shade. Because of that I wanted to create a quick lookbook to show you some of my favorite pieces in this color and the outfits I created with it.
First has to be this amazing corduroy romper from Boohoo! It is actually offered in a few other colors which I love and sort of want to order as well, but I started off with this color. To create the look I styled, all you need to add is a turtleneck top, OTK boots, sunnies and for fun, a beret!
Next is this little shorty from H&M. The print is what really drew me to this dress. It is just so fun and the material is great! The dress is constructed of a thick stretch material, perfect to keep away wrinkles and provide a flattering fit! So I dressed up this look with heels, my favorite Quay sunnies, and, depending of the temps, this dress can be transitioned by adding a long tan coat and fuzzy blanket scarf.
When you have only a day to visit the nation’s capital, what all do you have time to see? What do you wear? Are all of the locations easily accessible? Well I am here to answer those questions!
First of all, I’d like to start off by saying I think January-February is a great time to see D.C. because there aren’t lines! This really optimized how many stops we were able to fit into out day trip, not to mention that the weather is PERFECT! All you need is a sweater and maybe light jacket.
On our trip to D.C. we were able to visit:
- The White House
- Lincoln Memorial
- Reflecting Pool
- Smithsonian Air and Space Museum
- National Archives
Honestly this was a lot of stops to fit into one day, but with no lines or crowds it was totally doable!
But, what do you wear?
So when touring you want to be comfortable, BUT you are going to be capturing pictures you are going to keep forever sooooo you want to look nice, AND be able to go from museum to dinner without having to change. The ensemble I selected was not only comfortable but on trend and so stylish! I was warm, my feet didn’t hurt, and I never looked underdressed.
I choose a soft knit sweater from Express, oversized Quay sunglasses, a metallic accordion pleat skirt, a knit beret, and over the knee boots. I think the skirt color, along with pleating detail is what really dresses up this look, along with the crisp white. I was able to comfortably walk everywhere and never felt underdressed while out and about. So I think this style is perfect for travel and transitioning from day to night.
Now on to what all we did!
Note to self: Monuments are open 24/7
This is important to keep this in mind, as you have no time restraints when planning out tours and stops to these locations. That means you can stop at the memorials very early in the morning before the museums open, or late at night when everything else is closed – depending on if you are wanting pictures during the day or not. We chose to fit in the monuments after touring the Smithsonian and National Archives.
Museums are only open from 10-5ish with last tours starting around 30 minutes prior to close.
I am pointing this out because the museums are only open for a short timeframe so you have to time them right if you are wanting to visit multiple locations in a day. There are also no tickets to be purchased because everything is free. That is why I think it is important to map out your route, and have a game plan before heading out.
Okay so now that all of that is out of the way, here is how we spent our day!
9:00AM Breakfast at the Juniper.
The Juniper is the restaurant located in the Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown which is where we stayed. For info on the hotel and our accommodations click here!
10:00AM Smithsonian Air & Space Museum
We decided to conserve our energy and Uber to our first stop for the day. The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum was awing. The sheer size of some of the pieces they have will stop you in your tracks! Jhonathan was like a kid in a candy store, and I felt like I had to pry him out of there just so we would be able to make our remaining stops for the day. The museum is cataloged and organized so well! No matter what era of aviation interests you, they have it! Not only that, but they have artifacts and pieces that transport you through time….not literally but, you know what I mean. We even took a spin in the flight simulators they have available! Here you can do barrel rolls, fly a jet and even be a gunner! Needless to say we both very much enjoyed all this museum has to offer.
12:45PM National Archives
Just a short walk across the street we arrived at the National Archives, and after a brief security scan we were inside. Sadly, there is no photography allowed in the Rotunda but getting the opportunity to see the Declaration of Independence, United States Constitution, and Bill of Rights with my own eyes was such an incredible experience. There are many other historical documents and rooms to visit while in the Archives building, but as we has a lot to still do, we only attended the Rotunda. I also recommend stopping in for your souvenirs while at the National Archives because there is a little bit of everything D.C. related available in their shop and its fairly priced.
2:00PM Joe’s
It’s about a 15 minute walk from the Archives to the White House so we decided to hop over to Joe’s on the way. I ordered mint ice cream with hot fudge and chicken wings – yes I know, what a combo, and Jhonathan also ordered a mule. The architecture of this building is exquisite, and so welcoming. After a rejuvenating snack it was time to see the White House.
3:00PM The White House
We walked by the White House and took pictures, but did not tour or stay in the area for long. There were many protestors out, and the grounds were double barricaded. I really only wanted to see it in person, so I got to do that and check it off of my list.
3:45PM Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool
We Ubered from the White House to the Lincoln Memorial as it would have been a 25-minute walk. This is totally walkable, but we didn’t want to loose sunlight so we opted for the 5 minute Uber ride. I definitely think the monument was the most moving thing I saw on the trip. The sheer size is overwhelming and the words, so meaningful. This is a MUST for anyone traveling to D.C.; I think all of our stops were, but this one even more so. We stood atop and looked out to the reflecting pool with a beautiful clear blue sky as the back drop. Such a perfect way to end the day. On our way out, we spotted a lady taking pictures of her two golden retrievers so I had to snap a pic of the cuteness.
6:00PM
We finished the evening back at our hotel, the Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown for dinner in their lounge. The perfect ending to a lovely day!
There is so much to see in D.C., and I am definitely interested in going back to see more; but for one day in town, I think these stops are a must if it’s your first time in the city. Thanks for stopping by, and look forward to my upcoming NYFW posts as I will be traveling there in ONE WEEK! <3
Some of the cutest finds currently available at Romwe! Check them out for the best current fashion trends at the most affordable prices!
Also, if you are looking for the top I am wearing, I have linked it here, and its only $8!! Enjoy and happy shopping!
So you are thinking about entering the blogging world. There might be many questions keeping you from dipping your toes into this industry so I am here to answer a few of them for you.
I get asked pretty often how did I grow my following? How does one start in this business? And, are there any tools available to be successful? That got me thinking, I should share a quick reference guide for all of these answers!
Though I would like to add that these are my own opinions to success in blogging, I know there are many other ways, I just wanted to share a few quick tips and tools that I wish knew from the get-go to help anyone just starting out. So let’s get started!
Focus on your brand, and who you want to be.
This is something I don’t feel I paid enough attention to when I started. Branding is really important and something you don’t want to exactly rush yourself into. Now I’m not saying you can’t change your mind, but it’s best to start with a name you love, is unique, you can identify with, and that you will keep. This helps you when it comes to SEO and where you will populate through google searches. Also you want it be catchy and easy to spell so people will remember you, and you will be easily searchable through Instagram.
Photo Time! Find your angle, literally!
When taking pictures I started off by looking at bloggers photos that I admired. I would screenshot photos I really liked based on pose and background for reference, and then reference them when prepping for a photoshoot. This is not an exact science as everyone has different flattering angles and it takes practice to find yours, but it’s a good start!
Before shooting examine yourself in the mirror and pretend it’s a camera. Watch your hands, feet and slowly change your positioning. As you do this, take note of expressions and angles you like and try to memorize that position. From there, you will start to find what feels most comfortable at your shoots and also the more experience you have, and the more photos you take, it will come more naturally, and you will grow from your own critiques. I am sharing some comparison shots of myself from when I first started next to a more recent image. Slight changes in posture, foot positioning and face angle can make such an improvement!
I am still constantly learning and evolving which is one of the great things about this industry, there is always ways to improve and grow! This is just a quick glimpse at how much improvement can happen over a short period of time.
Be consistent
Once you start blogging and posting to Instagram, get it the routine of posting at the same time and same days. For example; once you determine what time of day you receive the most traffic, continue posting at that time like clock work. Your followers want consistency and will look for your post, let’s not disappoint them!
Planoly – This is a monthly service I use to help me determine what I want to post and when. This is important because the way your feed looks is extremely vital to grow your following. You want your feed to look clean and even. It should tell a story through color and consistency. Using services like Planoly you can move around your images to plan out the perfect layout before you post your images.
Hashtags
Now this is something to check up on pretty often. Keep up with the most commonly used hashtags for your genera. Do your homework to see what hashtags local bloggers are using, and which “big” bloggers are using. You will notice a traffic spike once you find the best hashtags to use for your posts. Stick with those, but always keep an eye on new trending hashtags.
Affiliates, Education, and Community
If you are a style, fashion, beauty or lifestyle blogger Style Collective is a MUST! This community is filled with bloggers from all over the world working together to build their businesses. One of the most exciting offerings is NYFW. They create a forum with all of the tools you need to get there and even help to set you up with hotel roomies!
SC provides you with the educational tools to build your best business and supports you along the way. From creating your media kit, to sending the perfect pitch, and your first invoice! Sign up for it HERE or from the banner on my homepage.
Next become part of the BFrow fashion community! This is an additional space to share your blog posts for additional exposure, along with having the opportunity to meet and connect with an amazing community of fashion bloggers, just like you!
Community
Find out who is blogging near you! Meet up for brunch and share ideas! This is the most beneficial tool I have found in this industry! You will soon be attending local events on a regular basis, and will become a part of your local blogging circuit. Having friends close by provides opportunities for collaborations, photoshoot buddies, and amazing friends that do what you do! Blogging can get pretty lonely so it is nice to know there are others who understand what you are going through and get the business! You can inspire and learn from each other to be successful and grow in the industry.
Marketing Companies to check out for collaboration campaigns
Reward Style – This is an invitation only, commission based platform that gives your following the ability to shop your posts via blog and Instagram.
Shop Style – This platform is also commission based but does not link to your Instagram, only blog or insta story (via swipe up function) The added bonus to this services is you actually can make commission off of clicks, not just purchases.
Fohr Card – This company feeds straight from your social platforms are generates analytic data verifying your following and offers campaign opportunities.
Octoly – This marketplace offers you the ability to pitch to top beauty brands who can send you their products for review. *You must have 10,000 followers to apply.
TapInfluence – This marketplace is used by influencers and brands alike to collaborate together on campaigns. You simply create a profile and sync it to your social media platforms and brands will reach out to you for work based on their criteria.
Investments
Purchase your domain name. This is really important because it can be seen as an investment in your brand. Purchasing your domain gives you opportunities to make commissions from your site and looks professional when reached out to companies.
Set up a business account through Instagram – more and more companies are requesting analytic data the easiest way to fetch this for them is with Instagram analytic tools.
Purchase a DSLR, and a 50mm lens. Now I held off on this as long as possible but seriously, if you are wanting to do this…you need one. The lens is important because it is what gives you those well-lit images with the blurred backgrounds.
That’s it for now…
Okay, so I know this post was quite long, but I wanted to provide as much information as I could! I truly hope this helps to answer some of your questions and motivates even one person to turn their dream into a reality!
- Sunglasses always make a great gift and my favorite trend right now would have to be the wooden frames! This pair is super affordable and so stylish.
- For the GOT man in your life, this limited edition Monopoly will make the perfect gift.
- I actually came across these boots at Express and think the mixed material style looks really sharp!
- For the fragrance buff, you can’t go wrong with Chanel!
- If you are looking to splurge, a Bulova timepiece is an excellent option for an everyday and special occasion watch.
- If the man in your life is a frequent traveler, think about a nice weekender bag. This is something no man is going to invest in for himself but will definitely use!
- To add a staple clothing piece to his wardrobe, I recommend a long sleeve Lacoste polo. They are made from a soft comfortable cotton and offer a slim fit.
- For a gift that keeps giving, here is the Goby! This electric toothbrush is super affordable and offers a subscription service to receive your new brush heads by mail.
- A great pair of headphones is ideal for every man. These bluetooth headphones are sweat proof so he can use them at the gym or to make business calls. With an 8 hour battery life he can use them all day!
- The perfect modern home electronic! I sort of think everyone needs an Echo product.
- For a glamorous scent in a beautiful bottle I would suggest YSL’s Black Opium.
- I can’t speak more highly of the Daniel Wellington watch brand! All of their styles are lightweight, comfortable to wear, and are so elegant! They are also super affordable and would make an awesome gift for any bossbabe!
- If luxury is what they crave, opt for small leather goods! I love this card holder from YSL! It is perfect for when she doesn’t want to carry a bag.
- Wrist candy! This mesh and screw style wrap bracelet by Henri Bendel is perfect for layering or wearing alone, and goes with any style.
- Booties are a must, and these suede ones from Yosi Samra are super comfortable and stylish.
- This Henri Bendel bag is a classic, and would be perfect for just about anyone! I love the size and style of this bag, plus it is perfect to carry year-round!
- For the makeup lover a Huda Beauty palette is a must. These blendable and highly pigmented shades are gorgeous!
- So I am in love with this headphones brand! The Vasa is offered in a few colors and are under $100! They are wireless, stay charged for 8hours are have a microphone so they can be used for phone calls too!
- NARS always makes a great gift, and these essentials are under $25 so they are perfect your besties!
- This Karl Lauderfeld candle is the coolest, and an amazing gift for that friend who has everything!
- A small touch of glam! These earrings are the perfect neutral shade to go with everything, offer the must-have tassel trend, and are super affordable! Gotta love Baublebar, they always come to the rescue with the perfect pieces of jewelry!
This past weekend myself, Kristine, and Alessandra went on a girl’s trip to Dallas for StyleCon. We had the pleasure of staying at the Fairmont Dallas for the weekend which was not only convenient, as it was located right across from StyleCon, but also a luxurious and relaxing getaway for the three of us!
Upon arrival, we were welcomed to a table of evening snacks and a bottle of wine. The traditionally appointed rooms are spacious and decorated elegantly leaving a relaxed at-home feel. One of my favorite special touches was the personalized toiletry items!
Since we are bloggers we travel with quite a bit of accessories. To keep everything organized, here is our shoe and handbag set up! We found the best space for these items to be the living area. I will also add the closets are spacious and provided enough hangers for the three of us to hang all of our clothing!
We stayed in an adjoining King Suite and a Double Room. The bedding was plush and extremely comfortable. When I stay at a hotel usually the first night I cannot sleep well just because I am in a new place, but at the Fairmont I fell asleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow!
In the morning it was just a short elevator ride and hallway walk to Starbucks! We loved that there was one conveniently located in the hotel, perfect for getting the morning started on the right foot!
After that, we spent the day at StyleCon, which I will chat about in a separate post. Once we arrived back at the hotel, we found lemonade and sweets in the entry to welcome us back, along with a beautiful fresh floral arrangement. After refreshments it was back to the room to change and get ready for dinner!
We met up with our fellow blogger friend Zaira at Mercat Bistro, a short 0.4 miles away from the hotel. We dined in the gazebo on steak, beet salad, shrimp ravioli, bread pudding, and creme brulee! The French inspired restaurant was beautifully decorated and elegantly appointed with printed china, linen table cloths, string lights and dark green rot-iron scrolled posts.
I would also like to add in the evening turn down service was provided by the hotel including a fresh bag of ice and a bottled water.
Since the weather was so beautiful while we were at the Fairmont Dallas, we had the opportunity to check out the amenities on the Terrace floor. Here they have lovely gardens and a sparkling pool overlooking the Dallas skyline.
If you are planning a trip to Dallas, or just want a relaxing weekend getaway, this is the place to stay! You will feel comfortable, welcome and leave well rested! Thank you Fairmont Dallas for the wonderful stay, be back soon!
So this month marks one year since I started blogging. That’s right, one whole year! Where did the time go? I started blogging and sharing my interest for fashion, travel and beauty through Instagram for so many reasons; to face my fear of the unknown, of being shy, and to create an outlet for fun where I could chat with others about things I am passionate about! Over the past year I have grown immensely as a person, and have learned so many things about myself, as well as this business, I did not know before. So in celebration of reaching this one-year milestone, I wanted to share some of my most favorite collaborations, places I have traveled, and amazing people I have met along the way! I also wanted to take this time to share some tips, for anyone who is thinking about entering the vast world of blogging…the things I think I would have liked to know one year ago, so enjoy!
Before I start…
A special shout out to Sarah-Jane of SarahJaneReign! She is a big reason I finally took the plunge to start my blog! I was really nervous to start this journey, of blogging and sharing on Instagram, (even though I had always wanted an outlet to share my interest and thoughts) I just didn’t know where to start. She assisted in showing me that it is totally possible and if I wanted to make it happen, I could! She gave me the nudge I needed to start my blogging adventure, and I slowly paved my way to where I am today! I gratefully thank her for believing in me so that I could, in turn, believe in myself. Giving me the boost of confidence to take the leap, and make it happen!
So here it is! My First Year Highlight Reel! I decided the best way for me to commemorate this day would be with a reflection of the past year, and where it has taken me. I have shared three photo galleries spanning the past year through favorite collabs, places I have traveled, and the wonderful people I have met along the way. From the bottom of my heart I want to thank everyone who has come along and shared this journey with me. Your support, guidance and wonderful words have paved the way, and have given me a place to truly be myself and fulfill my dreams.
To start things off, here is a gallery of a few of my favorite partnerships and collabs that I was so lucky to take part in this past year. Partnering with companies and reviewing their products is what being a blogger is all about. These opportunities are what help you to grow and curate content. Which is why I want to say a special thank you to all companies I have collaborated with, for taking a chance on me and trusting me to represent their brand and products. It is always a huge privilege, and I am so thankful for each and every partnership.
Featuring: Coach, Luca-Love, Jord, Heavenly Organics, Origins, Shein, Panda, Coola Suncare, SaraBoo, Smile Brilliant, Mirina Collections
Here is a quick look back on a few places I traveled to this past year, and was able to share with you all through my blogging experience!
And last but certainly not least, my fellow bloggers! These ladies motivate me daily and seriously I am so blessed to have crossed paths with each and every one of them this past year!
A shout out to few blogger babes I have had the pleasure of meeting over this past year: Elly of Uptownwithellybrown Lily of daily_craving Margaret of Stylethegirl Allison of Bayoucitylifestyle Sarah-Jane of Sarahjanereign Alessandra of Alessandrealaura Kristine of Kristine’s Kaleidoscope Alisee of thisisaboutstyle Chanell of essenceofchanell Lan of thelanline Stephanie of stephanietaylorjackson Laurie of lrosebylaurie Megan of styleyourlifepretty Tracy of tracedwithtaste and Ameerah of brunchandslay
Words of Advice
My advice for a blogger just starting out is
- Be consistent and honest
Once you decide to go for it you have to commit to it.
- Believe in yourself and your vision
This is what will make all of the difference. Once you determine what you want to share, stick to that. If you don’t know why you are blogging, chances are, no one else will know either. You have to have a clear cohesive message, and stand behind it.
- Pave your own way, because there is no exact science to this.
Social media is always evolving and so is this business. These is no exact formula for success. You just have to give it your best shot and see how it goes. There is a lot of trial and error involved, but it isn’t anything to get discouraged about.
- Have fun!
Okay so this is most important! I sometimes get really stressed out, wanting to take the perfect picture, but have noticed my best work comes when I am in the moment. Every project I have worked on has been very enjoyable and fulfills my need to be creative. Every experience has been fun, so I think that is something to take note of. If you aren’t having fun, its time to switch things up!
So before I end this post I wanted to add that, sometimes all it really takes to get you going is to have someone believe in you! So if you are reading this, and have wanted to start blogging, but were not sure if you could do it, just take the plunge! You will never know until you try! And, chances are you will make some amazing friends along the way! So cheers to 1 year! I totally cannot wait to see what year 2 has in store!
