Savvy Sequins

- photo details -
photographer || Reed Ewing
location || OKC Downtown
occasion || date night

- outfit details - 
top || Forever 21
shorts || Old Navy
heels || BGBGeneration (via Ross)
bag || Francesca's Collection (similar)
watch || Michael Kors

If you've been following my blog for any length of time, you'll notice that I'm a pretty budget-conscious girl when it comes to clothes. Many of the fashion blogs I follow showcase clothes from stores & brands I rarely buy from, if ever. For my current stage in life, I simply find it hard to justify spending hundreds of dollars on certain styles when I can recreate such similar looks for so much less! 

For example, the following sequined top featured on Pink Peonies (one of my favorite blogs for inspiration!) last week is from All Saints. 

On the website, that top is currently on sale for $181 (originally $258). The sequined top I'm wearing in this post was on sale for $5 at Forever 21 at the end of this past winter. So for anyone who ever feels frustrated over a small clothing budget, it IS POSSIBLE to stay fashionably current without spending even close to a fortune! Shopping at the right stores at the right time can do wonders for a budget-conscious wardrobe! 

Also, before I conclude this post, I have to give a shout-out to my amazing, handsome husband, REED! :) He is the photographer behind the majority of my posts & is unbelievably supportive of me in every way! I love & adore him! Yesterday marked 2 months of marriage for us! :)

As always, thanks for stopping by! I encourage you to follow this blog, share your feedback on the posts & invite your friends to come visit! Have a blessed day!

Peach + Polka Dots

- photo details - 
photographer || Reed Ewing
location || Ocean Maya Royale (Playa Del Carmen, Mexico)
occasion || honeymoon dinner #5

- outfit details -
top || Forever 21(similar)
shorts || Target
heels || Charlotte Russe
clutch || Francesca's Collections
watch || Target
necklace || Francesca's Collections (similar)

This is the last of the "honeymoon dinner" outfits (see others here: 1, 2, 3, 4) I've been posting over the last couple weeks. It was fun dressing up every night after lounging by the pool & beach everyday. Those polka dot shorts are the most comfortable pair of shorts I own! Also, this outfit totally channels my wedding colors, peach & mint!

style tip || Another way to style a statement necklace is to wear it around the collar of a blouse buttoned all the way to the top - this creates a classic, clean look & really puts the focus on the statement necklace.

style tip || Balancing athletic & feminine throughout a look can provide a nice contrast - in the look above, the shorts & watch bring the "athletic" element & the sheer blouse, necklace & heels balance out the "feminine" element.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a blessed weekend!

Little Black Dress {summer edition}

- photo details - 
photographer || Reed Ewing
location || Ocean Maya Royale (Playa Del Carmen, Mexico)
occasion || honeymoon dinner #2

- outfit details - 
dress || Forever 21
heels || Charlotte Russe
clutch || Francesca's Collections
necklace || H&M
bracelet || BCBGeneration
watch || Michael Kors

The "little black dress" {LBD} - a classic & must-have for every girl's wardrobe. My favorite thing about LBDs is the variety of ways to style them! Summer + being in Mexico inspired me to add pops of orange to my LBD for this particular look. Once again, you'll notice the versatile white clutch from previous posts from the honeymoon (here, here & here).

style tip || Choosing accessories in similar shades help create instant outfits on neutral canvases {ex: a LBD}.

hair tip || When you want to highlight a necklace &/or neckline, go with a ponytail. For a sleek look, add volume on the crown, creating almost a faux-hawk, & wrap a strand of hair around the elastic.

 Happy Monday! :)

Blue Gingham + White Denim

- photo details - 
photographer || Reed Ewing
location || Ocean Maya Royale (Playa Del Carmen, Mexico)
occasion || honeymoon dinner #4 (May '13)

- outfit details - 
top || Old Navy (similar)
shorts || Old Navy
heels || Charlotte Russe
necklace || Charlotte Russe (similar)
cuff || BCBGeneration
bag || Francesca's Collections

This outfit is probably my favorite from the whole honeymoon because it involves several of my favorite summer fashion elements...

• Blue is by far my favorite color! I'm drawn to all different shades, but royal blue usually catches my eye the most & seems to compliment my hair & skin tone the best. Needless to say, the blue cuff that has been appearing all over my honeymoon outfit posts (seen also here & here) is one of my favorite accessories - so versatile! 
• Statement necklaces are definitely my necklace of choice (I just don't feel like I pull off "dainty" jewelry very well). I love the pop of color on this coral one I picked up at Charlotte Russe a while back. Normally I'll wear statement necklaces on the outside of collared shirts, but to keep with the casual feel of this look, I wore it "underneath." Even a statement necklace can appear more understated when styled in a certain way.
• White denim = summer. Shorts, jeans, dresses, etc. - I love wearing white. It goes with everything & brings such a freshness & crispness to any look. 
• Gingham is such a great print that works on pretty much everyone in my opinion (Reed has a blue gingham shirt just like mine and I LOVE how it looks on him!). It works great with both solids & mixing with other prints. Also, wearing white with gingham will definitely make the print pop even more. 
• Heels. Obviously I'm a fan :). I realize with the casual nature of the pieces I chose for this outfit that most people would opt for flats, but I couldn't resist wearing my favorite heels of the moment, especially with how great they tied in with the statement necklace. Also, with my shorter frame (5' 3"), I just feel better in heels when I'm wearing shorts. 

side note ||  The bag in this post is actually the white clutch that has appeared in previous posts this week (here & here), only in this post it's pictured with the added strap.

Thanks for stopping by! I'd love to hear your feedback! Have a fabulous Friday! 

"Thunder Up"

- photo details - 

photographer || Reed Ewing
location || Ocean Maya Royale (Playa Del Carmen, Mexico)
occasion || honeymoon dinner #3 (April '13)

- outfit details - 

tank || Old Navy
skirt || Francesca's Collections (similar)
necklace || Nordstrom
wedges || BCBGeneration (via Marshall's)
clutch || Francesca's Collections
cuff || BCBGeneration
watch || Michael Kors

Being from Oklahoma City, Thunder basketball is a big deal! People give me a hard time for being a Thunder fan because I'll cheer for the Lakers/Kobe Bryant whenever they play against them (I had to cheer for someone before OKC got an NBA team, right???). Any other time though, I'm Thunder all the way! Needless to say, Thunder blue & orange inspired this outfit! The skirt is one of my absolute favorites - I love the tribal pattern which is definitely on trend for this summer, as well as the bright royal blue color! You'll recognize the cuff & clutch from an earlier post this week. Having accessories that I could use repeatedly during the trip made for easier packing and outfit coordination!

Have a lovely Thursday! Feel free to share your feedback & follow this blog if you aren't already! Thanks for stopping by! :)

Summer Rompin'

- photo details - 
photographer || Reed Ewing
location || Ocean Maya Royale (Playa Del Carmen, Mexico)
occasion || honeymoon "beach day" (April '13)

- outfit details - 

romper || Forever 21
head wrap || Apricot Lane
tote bag || Target
flip-flops || Old Navy (similar)
sunglasses || Betsey Johnson
ring || (can't remember!)
bangles || South Africa souvenir & Dillard's
necklace || Target 

Rompers are a great option for summer! I love the simplicity & comfiness of the one pictured above because it works as an outfit as well as a beach/pool cover-up. Since I wear my hair "up" a lot in the summer, it's nice to switch things up with different hair accessories like the head wrap. I found the one pictured above at an Apricot Lane boutique a few years ago & have experimented with different ways to wear it -- the bun is my favorite so far!

Reed & I spent a lot of time lounging by the pool and the beach on our honeymoon - it's by far my favorite way to relax & spend a vacation! Already wishing we could go back! :)

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Little Red Dress

- photo details -
photographer || Reed Ewing
location || Ocean Maya Royale (Playa Del Carmen, Mexico)
occasion || honeymoon dinner #1 (April '13)

- outfit details -
dress || Forever 21
wedges || BCBGeneration (via Marshalls)
clutch || Francesca's Collections
cuff || BCBGeneration
watch || Michael Kors

The "little red dress" -- arguably just as versatile as the "little black or white dress." I remember paying around $12 for this one at Forever 21 probably a year ago. I love the overall fit and where the neckline and hemline hit (both feminine and modest!). The accessories I incorporated into this look - specifically the white clutch and the blue cuff - will be making several appearances in upcoming posts. I never realized how versatile they were until I started planning outfits for the honeymoon!

{side note} I can't believe it's been almost two months since my last post - to say life has flown by since the wedding is an understatement! I'm looking forward to getting back into a blogging routine though! Stay tuned for new posts all week!

"Happy Monday" and thanks so much for stopping by!