Friday Favorites: Top 12 Looks Of 2019

Considering the fact that we're already mid-January,  my top looks are arriving fashionably late (pun 100% intended) to the blog party. However, I'm still working through my goals for the new year and wish to savor Favorite Fashion Moments,  before I move on to 2020. It was my hope for last year to grow in this space with you, and it is the same for this year. This beautiful community is supportive and I believe we all encourage each other to be embrace our own unique styles and SHINE.

Here's to another year of evolving, overcoming and cheering one another on!

The New Pants I Love To Repeat by XCVI Official

Hello, my friends! I'm currently sitting at my mom's kitchen table flanked by sisters. It's the evening so the younger cousins are settled. Hubby is foraging for dessert and momma is already in bed. Conversation ebbs and flows, so I'm stealing a moment to meet you in cyberspace. Ironically, I'm wearing this exact outfit, down to the boots, after returning from dinner out with friends.  And in full disclosure, these pants have been on repeat since they arrived last weekend.

Is it the elastic waistband in the back, perfectly timed for the holidays, and soft material that makes them a current favorite? Or is it the stylish front pocket grommets and fashion-forward fringe across the front of the leg that reveals the designer's love for detail? The moment I pulled this outfit out of the package I was impressed by the quality of these garments.

For these reasons and more, I'm honored to introduce you to XCVI clothing company out of California. Family owned and operated with the "real" woman in mind, they are not about fast fashion. The high quality and contemporary styles are designed to move with you as you go about your day - and LAST!

Friday Favorites: Date Night Beauty Edition

As I mentioned in a previous post, the hubs and I are officially dating. In other words, we spending time with each other, apart from the children, on a regular basis. Older teens and gift cards came together to make this possible. Now is it a coincidence that this is also a more difficult time in life? For example, we're still grounding ourselves in a new place, we're farther from family, we have one teen graduating this year and another learning to drive, etc! There's of course more, but this will suffice for now.  I'd say this is a good time to strengthen our relationship and work on being a united front.

So with dating on the brain, today's favorites stem are a mash up of beauty products and date worthy outfits I use to be all pretty. ;)

My Favorite Fall Looks & The Style Six Link Up

Hello and welcome to the first Style 6 weekly link up! How did the Style 6 come about? Well that's a long story, but I'll sum it up by saying that the blog world can be full of adventure and surprises. It better be for all the work it requires to keep up, right??  Anyway, I've engaged with a few of these ladies through commenting and then one trip to Nashville brought all of us together.  You can read about that adventure HERE. After the Nashville trip (and many conversations on the Marco Polo app) this link up was born! And what better time to dive right in than the fall season?

And speaking of fall, have you glanced over the Pantone color chart for fall/winter? I gave it a once over for the first time while enjoying girl time with my mom - my first pedicure in Florida!!!

Here's the chart (other charts had small differences, but I like this one...)

The color polish I went with...

Tips For That Next Photography Shoot

Thinking about hiring a photographer for head shots, blog pics, or Instagram?  Fantastic! I think that's a great idea! One that you won't regret. In fact, with the right amount of planning, your experience can be an investment that you thoroughly enjoyed.

When it comes to hiring a photographer my biggest issues are budget, schedule, planning outfits, and choosing what pictures to use once the shoot is over! However, with lessons I've learned along the way, I have tips to share, as well as some PRO tips from photographer friends that you'll find sprinkled about this post!

Minimalist Wood Watch & Giveaway

Hello my friends. It's all smiles here on the blog, for today's post features the giveaway I mentioned on Monday with JORD, a maker of wood time pieces that I've admired for years! Perhaps you've seen these watches as well, or maybe even own one yourself. If that's the case, then you know why I'm so excited. However, if you haven't heard of them, you're in for a treat! Either way, I'd love for you to join me for today's wrist candy love, complimented with boho feels for summer - it's truly the perfect minimalist watch.

Red, White, Blue & You: All Things Patriotic Link Up

When I think of the 4th of July, of course I think of our country's independence, but from there I move on to all the summer sentiments. From childhood on, the 4th makes me feel like summer is in full effect. There's barbecues to be had, country music to listen to, vacations to reflect on, family and friends to laugh with. So in a sense I feel as if I'm celebrating with gratitude as I'm indescribably grateful to be alive and share moments with those I love.

All that being said, today's post is going to be a conglomeration of fashion and sentiment with a few other miscellaneous goodies for this fabulous "Red, White, Blue & You LINK UP with some sweet blogger friends. Please feel free to link up your posts with red, white and blue...fun 4th Inspirations!

Friday Favorites: Tea House, Sea Salt Spray & A Surprise

This weeks favorites are all about food, fun, friends, fashion and a sneak peek at a supremely personal item I'll be reviewing on the blog soon! Also, I'm partnering with Simply Earth for this month's June box giveaway. See what that's all about below!

Friday Favorites: Red Shoes, Smoothies, Pizza Crust And Wildflower Fields

Hello and welcome to another edition of the Friday Favorites! How fun it is to share quick recaps of places visited, beauty products we love, fabulous food picks and more with each other weekly! And this week is no different. Today I'm featuring red espadrilles, a healthy pizza crust you will want to try and a quick visit to the wildflower fields! I'm so excited to have you here!

Cotton Boyfriend Overalls: A "Lucky" Find

Lucky Overalls

The overall hunt is over. Admittedly, I only tried on a few pairs with no success before adding this pair to an online shopping cart. At $40 these overalls were more than I wanted to spend, but I wasn't worried. Chances were, I wouldn't like them anyway and I needed enough items for free shipping. Afterall, I was shopping online for THE summer dress. Allow me to explain...

Summer Tunic Tank From Amazon

Swinging into summer with my first piece of clothing from Amazon, where clothes shopping becomes increasingly more popular now that there's less risk and hassle to return unwanted items. Right? Admittedly, I still like a good try-on session in the store to get an idea of how the brand is going to fit. However, when a seller reaches out to me for a review in exchange for a refund on my top, I'll go for it. Risk eliminated. Then I can share my thoughts with you, decreasing your purchase risk in the process! ;)

Target "Jenny" Slides: Is There Anything They Won't Work With?

 Hey, hey! I'm coming at ya with another Target shoe find - the Jenny Slides by Universal Thread. They were a lone box in just the right size on the clearance section and my heart went out to them.  Oddly enough they're not clearance online, so they must be an online return!  Needless to say, they came home with me, adding lots of options to my closet. I tried them with summer dresses, shorts, baggy jeans and fitted jeans. They look great with everything so if you haven't picked up a pair, these may be your next thang! Here's two looks to start off the spring/summer season on trend!

Cami Floral Dress, The Sunday Showcase & A Birthday Link UP

Hello! Today's Sunday Showcase features my GAP cami, floral print dress, which I hinted at bringing home with me on my Wednesday Fashion Post. Also featured is aspecial Blog Link Up Party for Ada's Birthday! Ada is passionate about women connecting and supporting each other. She loves fashion, not only for herself, but also for her daughter Vivian, and loves a good link up party! Happiest of birthdays to you Ada! It's a pleasure to join in on the birthday fun, sharing our pink or coral looks!

GAP Drawstring Linen Joggers, Styled Two Ways

 Linen Joggers/Floral Top/Target Shoes

Hey friends! I'm making it short and sweet tonight. You may remember these GAP linen joggers from a previous post (catch up HERE)! Well, I'm delighted to share two more looks that I enjoyed. As you may already know I love to get as much bang for my buck, especially when it comes to trendy-like items. Though joggers began appearing a few years ago, who knows how long they will stick around. Until then, let's have fun with them! They are lightweight and more comfortable than a pair of jeans. However, like jeans they can be worn dressed up or casually.

Friday Favorites: Sarasota Local Spots, SUPERSEED Well, Target Slides & More

Hello and Happy Friday! Today's features are everyday favorites, though I feel like they usually are, with the exception extraordinary adventures! So, in the light of everyday common-dom, I eagerly share my favorite fashion addition, a healthy & beauty item I use on the daily, my latest healthy snack adventure and a local spotlight!

GAP Midi Wrap Dress & A Few More

 Short Sleeve Midi Dress/Hat/Shoes: Old/Purse: Old

Hello! My hubby and I went shopping together this weekend! I told him I'd like to shop for dresses and he volunteered to go.  Surprised but happy to oblige, we hopped into our family mobile and headed to the mall. Since I had a $30 credit at the GAP we stopped in there. Success came quickly (thank goodness - he isn't as patient as my MIL), starting off with this short sleeve midi wrap dress. Boy is that a mouthful! My husband liked this one immediately and seemed a tad disappointed that I wanted to try on ALL the ones I pulled of the racks! I'm giggling right now. He didn't understand the concept! And his commentary on the dresses that followed cracked me up.

Meadowlark Leggings: Eco-Friendly, Elegant & Comfortable

 Hello beautiful, sweet friends reading this post! You being here makes me want to reach through my computer screen and hug you (except for creepy, anonymous dude - I don't want to hug you).  Thank you! Alright enough of that! Now if you love leggings, you're in for a treat! You may have seen the Meadowlark Clothing Brand of leggings featured around the blogger block here recently.  Well, I'm thrilled to confirm the praises I've read thus far. From a beautiful design to a fit that will make you forget you're wearing pants - these leggings are worth their weight in eco-friendly polyester (keeping with Earth Day coming up)!  I've worn a LOT of leggings before and sang their praises, but now I'm singing a new song.

Buffalo Denim Jacket From Costco For The Win

If you've seen one denim jack post, you've seen another, right? Well, I would agree. However, in the off chance your jacket was run over, chewed by the dog, left at the park or eaten by moths, Costco has one by Buffalo Denim for just $15.00! Say what? Yes, until April 12th the $19.99 price is discounted by $4.00 and is available for purchase online with free shipping. 

Also, I noticed that there's one in white available, which I'm seriously tempted to order for myself.  This jacket is surprisingly soft and just the right weight for spring and summer air conditioning. As for the rest of my outfit, I was back to shopping my closet - pulling my favorite ripped up green jeans, striped top with fun fringe and these Sam Edelman Nordstrom Rack sale find wedges. I was in a hurry and went for the basics.

The LOFT Try On Adventure With The Sunday Showcase

Hello! And welcome to April, right? Today's Sunday Showcase with Ada and Kellyann is all about the LOFT. The three of us went to our local Loft stores for a little try on adventure. We thought it would be interesting to see what each of us picked to try on and feature. I haven't shopped at the LOFT for over a year so this outing was pure style research. Another great bonus was Kim at Fierce Fashion met up with me! More to come on that in another post, but in the meantime keep an eye out for her in these pictures.

Friday Favorites: Spring Is In The Air

Hello! And a happy Friday to you! Today I'm THRILLED to share with you a few of my recent favorites. Most of them are "new to me", which is probably what's got me all giddy. From an item that brings on nostalgia for an era I never lived in, to a product that makes me feel like I'm walking through the heavenly gardens, I hope you'll enjoy as much I as do. And be sure to look for a 30% off coupon code for my fave new kitchen item!!!