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 love getting my hands on a great romper. These one-piece items are really amazing because they can create a stylish look without all of the added layers. If you are like me, and live in a very warm climate, rompers truly are your best friend! I recently had the opportunity to partner with SaraBoo, a Brazilian Boutique offering fashionable pieces to make you feel your absolute best!
One of the pieces I selected was this incredible romper. From the front keyhole accent, gorgeous print and skirt hem, this romper has it all! The fit is perfect as is the length, even for taller girls! I enjoy pairing this piece with glam sandals and sunnies like these Olivia Miller sandals from Stage, and metallic geo sunglasses from Mirina Collections.
I selected this romper in a size medium and it fits just as described. I would say order true to size from SaraBoo. Check out their site for amazing finds for vacation wear, night out clothing and even wear-to-work! Better yet, use code RED20 to get an additional % off your order! Happy shopping!
I recently purchased Charcoal toothpaste from a local Houston Business named: No Crap In It. This is my first time purchasing charcoal toothpaste, though I have been curious to try it for a while. No Crap In It offers products with just that, nothing artificial, or toxic, just natural organic goodness! So if figured if I was going to try this type of toothpaste, this was the way to go!
No Crap In It offers 2 flavors of charcoal toothpaste; Chocolate and Peppermint. I decided to go safe with the classic peppermint this time around.
On my first use the consistency was a bit strange and uneven. I will also say that the flavor is not like regular store-bought toothpaste, it is not as sweet or sticky. The toothpaste is grainy and minty similar to the texture of toothpaste used at the dentist office. When I finished brushing my teeth I immediately noticed a whiter appearance, but what really surprised me was how clean my teeth felt! Similar to when I exfoliate my skin, the teeth felt silky smooth! I will also add I did not have any gum irritation.
I have now implemented this product into my routine using this toothpaste a few times a week to keep my teeth looking ultra fresh and white.
If you are interested in trying charcoal toothpaste, I totally recommend it! Yes, it is weird at first and takes some getting used to but the results and quality of the product are totally worth it! No Crap In It’s charcoal toothpaste starts at $12.99 and at that price, why not try it out? That is way cheaper than whitening kits and much safer for your teeth and gums. So give it a go! Your teeth will thank you.
Click here to shop some of my favorite summer pieces! 🙂
So this top has become one of my total favorites! The lightweight chambray highlighted with embroidery and a tie front make this top perfect for this summers’ trends!
Here I have paired it with black high-waisted shorts and fringe ankle booties for the perfect look to explore the city!
**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!
This summer has been really fun when it comes to color palettes. Traditional fall shades and textures have been re-purposed into summer silhouettes! These shades and designs lend a 70’s feel and I’m loving it!
I picked this gorgeous wrap dress up from Shein.com a fast fashion website featuring the latest trends at amazing prices. This dress was $34.00 and worth every penny. The material is heavy so that it holds its shape accordingly. The faux wrap design is accented perfectly with the sash tie waist and side slit accent. The print is so fun and really makes this piece an eye-catcher! I recently wore this piece to the Pop Shop Houston event at Silver Street Studios and received so many compliments! You can dress this piece up or wear it casual with sandals as I did, the options are limitless!
I purchased this dress in a size M, but definitely think the S would have fit perfectly. The M fits a tad big on me, but it isn’t too bad. I would say order true to size on this piece.
Since it gets pretty hot here in Houston, my summertime wardrobe generally consists of shorts. Because of that, I like to find creative ways to spice up my ensemble with sparkling and fun accessories that maybe wouldn’t normally be paired with shorts. Enter this over the top large and in charge statement necklace from Mirina Collections. I had the opportunity to try out their brand and selected two pieces from their collection. This one is by far my favorite! Pairing such an eye catching piece with shorts, and a solid top really changes the feel of the look.
For added fun and sun protection I paired this look with my current favorite grey faux suede hat, and to coordinate with the texture and shade, I am wearing these on-trend mules by Kensie from Stage. This style of shoe is super comfortable and gives any look a little 90’s throwback.
By adding these accessories to my look an otherwise simple top and classic pair of shorts is transformed into a trendy ensemble that demands attention.
What I’m Wearing
The top I have on is from Romwe. I am actually really pleased with the quality of the piece. The design is well crafted and the fit is on point. This top is only available in one size so I am sure it will fit everyone a little differently, but I do like how it fits!
For bottoms, I am wearing high waisted shorts from Shein. These are currently my favorite pair of shorts! They are super flattering and I can pair them perfectly with my cropped shirts for a modestly trendy look.
My top was only $9.99 and the shorts were just $15.00 so if you are on a summer budget, these pieces are definitely worth ordering as they are transitional and can easily pair with other pieces in your wardrobe!
Once summertime rolls around I always find myself eyeing the racks for the perfect tropical floral piece. There is something about the June heat that really brings forth those tropical floral, pineapple, and flamingo vibes! I recently found this gorgeous dress from Groopdealz and had to get my hands on it!
This lightweight dress features an intense side slit with a conservative internal layer, halter neckline with exposed back and shoulder straps, self-tying back, a comfortable elastic waist and embroidered cut-out accents.
Yes, it sounds like a lot is going on, but this dress looks like a simple wrap dress with a beautiful resort-ready tropical print! I decided to pair it with woven tassel accented flip-flops from Stage, and my favorite straw hat. This complete look is perfect for vacation, the beach, or even brunch! Anywhere the sun is out this dress will have you looking your best and ready for wherever the day takes you!
Groopdealz promo items sell out quickly, so I have found a similar dress from Shein!