When I think of plaid, usually fall and winter come to mind, but I recently received this dress from Shein, and have changed my perception! This white plaid t-shirt dress is lightweight and short sleeved, making it the perfect choice for the summer months. I also think it is a perfect back to school piece!
I have paired this lightweight dress with ankle booties and a fun navy hat. With the Houston heat at its peak, I find myself reaching for hats pretty frequently to protect my face and hair from the harsh sun rays. Not to mention, hats totally add a special finishing touch to any look!
This dress is unlined so I recommend wearing a slip with it, or shapewear for a smooth finish. The length is perfect for a more conservative look and the silhouette screams fun! The best part of all is this dress is only $14.00! At that price I think it is a must for summer and early fall!
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!
I am always on the hunt for quality skin care and hair care products, so when Hilltop Gardens reached out to me I had to give them a try!
First of all, they are a Texas based company, which is actually an aloe vera farm, and one of the first in the United States! What interested me in the brand and product line is that they practice sustainable agriculture on the 700+ acre farm, and the products are organic.
Growing up, we always had aloe vera plants potted in the backyard and would snip from it when we had a burn, or sunburn. Little did I know there are so many other uses for aloe vera!
**Giveaway and site coupon code available at the end of this post!**
Borrowed By Design is an online dress retailer that sells and rents dresses. What makes the unique is that they also offer the option to donate to dresses to them and percentages of purchases made gets donated to non-profit organizations!
I was offered the opportunity to review the website and product selection. I chose 3 dresses from the site and anxiously awaited my order. All three pieces arrived separately which was to be expected as it explains on the site. The pieces were well packaged and as described.
This dress in particular is a summer must-have! The length and fit are perfect, and the material is light and breathable. I especially love the striped print and layered design. And at $25.99 you have no reason not to pick this one up!
