I am sure that I am not the only person who took advantage of Boohoo’s Black Friday sale! In the U.S. our promotional offer was for 60% off your purchase! Yes, that’s right, 60 PERCENT! I went a little crazy buying items not only for myself, but gifts for my family as well! For those of you who are wondering, yes the items made it in plenty of time for Christmas. Boohoo is a UK based company so the products take around 3 weeks to make it to Texas.
Here I will share with you a few pieces I purchased, and how I styled them. Enjoy!
This light grey chunky knit sweater dress is so fun and comfortable! I decided to style it casually with Olivia Miller fringe boots and a felt hat. 🙂 To finish the look, I added a black and metallic butterfly scarf from Express. This look was perfect for keeping me warm, and comfortable while running errands around town.
This next look was my absolute holiday favorite! The asymmetrical cropped pants add such a fun and interesting touch to a chic ensemble. Everyone wanted to know where these cool pants were from! For the top I kept it simple with a Boohoo turtleneck. The fitted design kept the look sleek and polished. I finished it off with Jessica Simpson patent heels and a green velvet envelope bag from Nordstrom.
And finally, the dress of all dresses! I am obsessed with this floral print number! Since I am 5’8″ I went ahead and opted for the Tall version, which ended up perfect! This dress offers just the right amount of style, trend, and sophistication. I have a feeling it will be making quite a few appearances once the weather warms up a bit! Here I have paired the dress with matte grey heels from Urban OG, and an Ivanka Trump metallic grey mini bag.
Overall I love my purchases from Boohoo and will definitely be shopping online with them again soon! The quality and style cannot be beat for the price, and the variety of merchandise is unbeatable! As long as you can afford to wait a few weeks for your items to arrive, I totally recommend Boohoo! 🙂
Traveling to a new destination is always fun, and exciting, but can also be very nerve racking. To ease my nerves as much as possible, I reduce the amount of products I travel with. By only taking a carry on, I avoid long baggage check lines, additional fees, and extra time at the airport.
I always thought being prepared for any and every possible situation by packing “everything but the kitchen sink’ was smart, but ultimately I just got weighed down carrying heavy bags, and would arrive with way more than I could ever wear. On top of that, more items means more to keep up with and remember. Honestly, it is much easier to buy an umbrella if it rains, than attempt to pack one and never need it.
As a blogger, I would say I pack more than the bare minimum, but at the same time, do not over do it. For this particular trip, I am packing for a 6 day vacation to Rome. It is January so the weather there is in the low to mid 40’s. I decided chunky sweaters and layering pieces would be my best bet for style and warmth.
The only negative about packing sweaters is they take up A LOT of space. Luckily, I have space saver bags to assist me! The particular bags I purchased come in assorted sizes and do not require the use of a vacuum. (I will link similar bags here if you are interested.)
The first image is of everything I need to bring, clothing wise.
I then removed my travel outfit, boots, and coat, as those pieces won’t actually be packed.
And then I began to place my items into the space saver bags.
Upon finishing, this is what my stack looked like.
Everything fit perfectly into my bag with space to spare! Not only do the space saver bags provide you with more precious luggage space, they also protect your clothing from spills! I personally enjoy that they are clear so you can see exactly what is in each bag before opening.
If you are curious as to where my purse, chargers, makeup etc. are? Those are in my “personal item.” Instead of taking a backpack, I have decided on a large tote to carry all of these items, as shown below.
Traveling “light” has really worked well for me over the years. I am a nervous traveler by nature so anything I can implement to ease my nerves, and make travel more enjoyable, I am on board for!
I hope this is helpful for anyone out there who has difficulty when it comes to packing, and if you have any tips that work well for you, feel free to comment with them below! 🙂
Happy traveling everyone!
- Luggage Bag: Jessica Simpson (similar)
- Luggage Tag: Henri Bendel
This season has been really strange here in Houston when it comes to the temperature. One day it will be 90 degrees, the next flooding and 40 degrees by night! Because of this, my look book is full of layered ensembles which include light long-sleeves, to chunky sweaters. Keeping your pieces versatile, and layerable is best when the weather is unpredictable! Enjoy! 🙂
To start things off, here is my favorite look of the season! It is such a fun ensemble to wear, and different from my regular day-to-day looks. I enjoyed wearing this to holiday parties, and out stopping. Not to mention the beret offers the perfect amount of festive flair!
- Dress: Sharagano
- Vest: XOXO
- Tights: Express
- Beret: Juicy Couture
- Purse: Kate Spade
- Turtleneck: Target
- Booties: Coach
This next look is super casual and comfortable! Perfect for those colder days running errands, or staying close to home. This is one of my layered-looks perfect for mid day temperature changes that require a transition.
- Hat: Forever 21
- Cardigan: Calvin Klein Jeans
- Turtleneck: Target
- Jeans: Calvin Klein Jeans
- Shoes: Muk Luks
- Necklace: Rocksbox
On really really cold days, this is my go-to! This coat is my ultimate favorite for staying warm and stylish! Though it is a few years old, I just cannot seem to find a coat I like as much! It is so flattering and the gold buttons offer the perfect finishing touch.
- Beret: Forever 21
- Scarf: Express
- Coat: Signature Studio
- Boots: 2 Lips Too
- Tights: Express
- Handbag: Street Level
For the office, this look is top notch! Adding a solid color turtleneck under a sheath dress is the perfect way to transition it into winter. This particular dress is really great because it offers pockets and a matching belt to cinch the waist. For extra warmth I layered with tights and a plaid blanket scarf!
- Dress: Banana Republic
- Tights: Express
- Blanket Scarf: V. Fraas
- Turtleneck: Target
- Booties: Coach
- Purse: Kate Spade
Another one of my favorites! This look is so fun, you seriously can’t help but smile when looking at this adorable sweater. Bears are one of my favorite animals, so when I spotted this sweater, I knew I had to have it!
And lastly, a great animal print look! 🙂 I feel like cheetah can be worked into your wardrobe almost any season! For this ensemble, I went with an oversized sweater, leggings, tall faux suede boots, and a super fun pom beanie!
Have fun this season with your wardrobe! No matter the temperature, embrace your style and experiment! I created some new looks this season that pushed my boundaries, and really liked it! It’s always a good thing to broaden your fashion horizon!
So I decided for my first cosmetic blog I would detail my everyday makeup routine. This is my go-to seasonless (face) that complements my features, minimizes my flaws, and beautifies my face in a way that looks like I have on makeup, but in a not overdone way.
So before I jump in with the “tutorial” of what makeup I wear and how I apply it, I would like to first express my “problem areas.” That way, if anyone shares a similar issue maybe my techniques can assist, or if you have any techniques that work, feel free to send them my way!
Problem areas to address:
- Redness around nose and cheeks
- Dark under-eye circles and slightly red upper lids
- Subtle crows feet and eyelid wrinkling
- Breakouts
- Watery eyes
Lets get started!
The first thing I do when it comes to my everyday makeup routine, is I apply my concealer. My current favorite concealer is Nars. This formula is light but concentrated and buildable. It dries smooth with no sticky or cakey texture. I apply a darker reddish shade first (Honey) to cancel out my dark circles then a lighter shade (Vanilla) to cover and conceal. Without the first step I would have grey areas under my eyes where the circles are located.
Next I apply my liquid foundation. I use Estée Lauder Double Wear liquid foundation in Bone and apply it with a beauty blender. This foundation provides all day full coverage for my skin. It covers all redness and leaves me with a smooth and even complexion.
Next, I apply bronzer to the hollows of my cheeks. I use the Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess compact 02-Medium and set with Estée Lauder Double Matte Pressed Powder in 01- Light all over my face. This leaves my skin looking natural and not shiny or overly matte. When applying my powder I start with patting it under my eyes, then move to my nose, forehead, and chin.
Now for eyes. I start off by applying a pearlized white to my tearduct area. This particular color is from Clinique. It distracts from any darkness around my eyes and provides a more awake look. Next I apply a nude shade to the center of my lid, then I add a dark plum color to my crease and slightly over, as I have hooded lids it is necessary for me to go passed my crease for the shadow to show up.
To finish the eyes I apply waterproof liquid eyeliner and mascara. I have discovered liquid liner works best for me because with hooded lids and watery eyes…pencil usually ends up marking my crease and adding a ring under my bottom lashes from smudging. Liquid liner dries almost immediately and says in place all day. For mascara, there are a few I really like but right now I am enjoying Cargo and Clinique. I have very straight, spread apart lashes so I need a mascara that dries repetitively fast, won’t smear, and adds volume and length. These two give me the every day look I desire!
For lips, my every day is usually EOS but I also like to apply Mehr by MAC. This gives me that “your lip color but better” appearance which I really enjoy and doesn’t feather or bleed, which is very important to me.
Now to finish, I go back over one more time with my powder just to make sure everything is just right, and I’m done!
That about wraps up the look! I am able to apply my everyday look in about 10 minutes or less and overall, am pleased with the results. I do not have a face that can hold a lot of makeup, so my goal is to accentuate my features and disguise imperfections in a natural way, and I think this routine does the job.
Thanks for reading and please comment if you have any tips or tricks you have implemented into your everyday makeup routine!
Until next time!
<3
I recently had the opportunity to collaborate with JORD watches, and have had the privilege to wear, and review one of their timepieces. Seriously guys, this is my new favorite watch! Below I am going to explain to you all of the reasons why I am in love with this watch and, why it is the perfect Christmas gift for you to give, and receive this season. AND at the end of my post, check out the link to get yourself an e-gift card from JORD to go towards your purchase! Sounds pretty awesome, right?
To start things off, I will share with you the watch I selected. I have a pretty dainty wrist so I selected the Frankie 35, which is a smaller faced watch, and with with a bright turquoise face for fun and a pop of color. I felt the metallic sheen really stood out against the dark sandalwood. Every watch  JORD creates is downright beautiful, and unique. They offer a variety of faces and woods so that there is something for everyone!
When my package arrived in the mail, I could not wait to open it, and I must say, the JORD watch box is something else! A solid wood construction with magnetic closures, and a bottom pull out trinket drawer for accessory pairings! I was amazed by not only the quality of this product, but also the craftsmanship. Once I opened the box, I unveiled my new glorious watch resting on an embroidered JORD cushion. I quickly slipped off and onto my wrist to get a full take of the watch.
As I mentioned, the watch I selected is made of sandalwood. When I opened the watch box I immediately caught the fragrant aroma of the wood, which to me is greatly appealing! This natural calming scent is yet another bonus to this elegant timepiece. Also, since the amount of metal used is extremely minimal, the watch is very light making bracelet stacking and accessorizing effortless.
For the quality, craftsmanship, uniqueness and durability, I think this watch is offered at an amazing price. Perfect for your boss, boyfriend, girlfriend, parent, or any watch lover in your life! So skip the lines this Black Friday and hop onto JORD.com to get all of your holiday shopping covered! Don’t forget to check out the link to get your $25 e-gift card gift card!!Â
Happy Shopping!! <3
Find your perfect watch here!Â
Giveaway Link:Â https://www.woodwatches.com/g/redrhinestone
Giveaway Info:Â The giveaway will close 12/18/2016 at 11:59 pm. Every person who enters will be instantly emailed a $25 e-gift code to use on the JORD site! Each e-gift code will expire on 02/28/2017.
Check out my Christmas Gift inspiration board of Pinterest!
When it comes to seasonal pieces, I really like to get my use out of them, and what better way to do that than by restyling! Here I will wear a dress two ways, taking it from day to night!
I picked up this 70’s inspired chiffon swiss-dot dress from Stage Stores. I absolutely love the fit and silhouette of this dress, not to mention the color! For my first look, I chose to pair this dress with a cheetah print belt, camel color boots and a small crossbody. This look is perfect for work, church, or shopping with the girls! This lightweight material flows beautifully, and is just the right amount of coverage for this season!
Now to transition this dress to night, I give the look a bit more edge, by pairing it with quilted ankle booties and a scuba skirt. The scuba skirt adds a fun and flirty touch along with the high heel of the bootie! I love how the black against the golden mustard hue really pops! This is the perfect date night ensemble, transforming this sunny daytime dress into the perfect night out look!
This really is a great way to add options to your wardrobe without collecting multiple pieces. Right now I am obsessed with this mustard shade, and since this dress offers such a flattering fit, what better way to get my use out of it this fall than by restyling it different ways?! I have noticed that each season I get really hung up on a few particular shades and buy a lot of pieces in it, only to decide on a new color the next season. Because of this, I have learned to pick and choose the pieces I really like, and get creative with styling those select pieces so that I don’t over do it on a seasonal color that will be short lived.
For accessories I kept the same jewelry to tie the looks together. A simple mixed media watch with some of my favorite Luca-Love bracelets. The gold tones complement the look impeccably!
As seen with this dress, you can easily style up one particular seasonal piece you love in your wardrobe, and give it a fresh look! I hope this short blog has inspired you to take a peek into your own closet and test out your wheel of options when it comes to restyling!
Featured pieces:
- Dress: Stage Stores
- Skirt: H&M
- Boots Hautelook
- Jewelry: Luca-Love Michael Kors
I don’t know what it is, but I have really been into wearing black right now. It just never goes out of style! So for this look I decided to pair a lot of my favorite textures…I know, just because I like it, does not mean it will pair nicely together, but in this case, I would say… SUCCESS!
Here I chose to mix a chunky textured knit sweater, faux suede skirt, fringe and quilted faux leather booties to complete the look. It does sound like a lot going on, but since everything is the same color, it works!
I wanted to create a fun look-something that would be easy to wear, and ideally for night time occasions. Also, something to keep with the current textural trends, but cool enough to wear out with the weather we are experiencing here in Houston, and I came up with this!
For accessories I decided on a clutch from Ralph Lauren and a gorgeous statement necklace from Kendra Scott. This particular piece is actually from Rocksbox! I am loving this subscription service, and cannot stop raving about it! Since jewelry trends move quickly it is really nice to be able to wear quality pieces and try them out before deciding to invest. I will provide a link and code at the end of the blog if anyone is interested in a getting a free month of unlimited jewelry rentals!
And once the temperatures drop, layering a jacket over this ensemble is all you will need! Here I have styled a black faux suede studded jacket from XOXO with this ensemble to add yet another layer of interesting texture and dimension (but saying true to my color palette.)
Details on the look:
Jacket: XOXO brand Stage Stores
Skirt: Joe B. Stage Stores
Sweater: Calvin Klein Stage Stores
Boots: Hautelook
Necklace: Kendra Scott Rocksbox
Click here to sign up for a free month of Rocksbox! redrhinestonexoxo
I am so ready to kick off fall and jump into all of the fun colors, sweaters and boots but Houston doesn’t seem to be with me on this, as the heat is still unbearable! Luckily today’s ensemble is the perfect blend of warm weather meets fall!
This fun sleeveless dress features a laser cut overlay with faux suede texture and nude lining. The mock turtleneck is my favorite neckline at the moment…I cannot get enough of it! Since this dress is a bit short on me I decided to pair it with tall boots. For some reason shortening the gap between the hem of the dress and the top of the boot creates the illusion of a “longer dress” not sure if anyone else uses this trick but it is a lifesaver for me!
These boots are comprised of a dark faux leather and feature a heel and mock fold-over button accent. They have a casual feel, but pair perfectly with a dress! This was a rather quick and easy ensemble for me to put together. The burnt orange shade of the dress paired perfectly with shades of brown. I decided to go with rich chocolates and rose gold accessories to complete the look. Perfect for whatever my day has in store!
So for those who know me, one of my favorite pieces of jewelry to style up an outfit with is a great bracelet. I trend to be an animated speaker so my arm candy needs to always be on point. 😉 When I came across Luca-Love bracelets, I knew I needed to try them out.
When purchasing from Luca-Love you are not only purchasing a beautifully crafted bracelet, but you are helping someone in need. Each and every bracelet is crafted by a Colombian woman, giving her the opportunity of employment, and a skill to provide income to her family. Not only that, but Luca-Love also partners with many non-profit organizations so your purchase goes towards these endeavors as well!
Their website is super easy to navigate and I love how you can get creative when selecting your perfect stack. All macrame bracelets are complementary to one another and are offered in a variety of colors.
I have to tell you, after receiving my order the compliments, and positive feedback began flooding in. I chose a very neutral palette for my first stack and could not have been happier with it! There is a perfect balance between sparkle and natural elements. So you can literally wear them with everything!
Paulina, the brilliant mind behind Luca Love, was so kind as to send me a few additional pieces which I have started to incorporate, and LOVE! The glimmering turquoise is such a fun color and I really enjoy wearing it.
This small statement makes such a huge impact, and I must say, it’s so nice to feel good about what you are wearing. Not only because it is a cute accessory but because each piece goes towards a greater good. Each bracelet tells a story, and you get the privilege to spread the word! Be the change and make a difference this month! Support a wonderful cause and be proud to wear these beautiful bracelets wherever you go. I know I do. <3
Featured brand: Luca-Love
Bracelets featured:
- Baru
- Dani Fatima Hand in Satin
- Ally in Sepia and Gold
- Maite
- Luca Tree of Life in Satin and Gold
- Juan Fish Hook in Turquoise and Silver
Sometimes purchasing a LBD or “little black dress” can be for a special occasion, or just to add that staple piece to your wardrobe, but somehow it ends up in the back of your closet because you haven’t had that “special occasion” come up for you to wear it to. Here I have accessorized a little black dress in an everyday appropriate style so that you can really get your use out of this piece.
First of all, I love how this dress has a collar and button placket. It adds such an interesting and structured feel to the dress. Not to mention it also has pockets so its functional! I love a good dress with pockets, and am usually sold as soon as I notice that feature is included.
So to style this dress in a casual way, I paired it with flats. Flats are comfortable and in my opinion, take away any “sexy vibes” a little black dress can create. To further my trend with the flats, I added a matching mohair cheetah print belt. By matching the accessories, which are printed, draws the eye away from the dress itself and to the details. Personally I love cheetah print. It is so fun and fierce! And the flats with that exaggerated flower just adds a touch of cuteness!
The fun thing about LBD’s is you can accessorize them so many different ways that one dress can seem like 5! Possibilities are limitless with this blank canvas, you just have to buy the right silhouette and style that is best for you. So bring you special dress out of the closet and give it a twirl, everyday can be a special day!
Dress & Belt: Express
Handbag: Henri Bendel
Shoes: Juicy Couture