Carrie Bradshaw Lied

Sleek

I’m ready for a night out on the town in this number! Wearing this top and bottom together makes quite a statement, but I think they would look equally fabulous mix and matched with other pieces – like the skirt with a simple knotted tee or the top with a high waisted floral skirt.

The best part of this look is that it’s from the dream team behind Long Tall Sally – a shop that is dedicated to providing clothing and shoes to tall gals 5’8″ and taller for over 30 years. How brilliant is that? I don’t have very long legs, but I do have long torso which can make finding shirts that fit just right a bit of a challenge. Crop tops are cute, but tops that aren’t meant to be crop tops showing midriff… like a blouse? Not so cute. In high school when I would come downstairs showing any amount of midriff (even if it was just when I leaned over) my mom would call me Britney Spears. And she did not mean it as a compliment.

I’ve also got big feet. As in I have nightmares about becoming pregnant and my feet growing (a rumor I hear and still do not know if this is true or not). The horror!!

So for the tall girls out there – this shop is for you.

photos by Jason Huang

Thanks so much for reading and you tall gals – check out Long Tall Sally and tell me what you think! XO –

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West Coast Vibes

If any of you have been reading this blog for a little while, I’ve shared my love for maxi skirts multiple times. This Morning Lavender beauty stole my heart the minute I laid eyes on it. I’d like to think at this point in my life I know how to dress for my body, and a midi skirt or maxi skirt is definitely one of my favorite ways to highlight my waist and camouflage these thighs my lovely grandmother Bette passed down to me. Thanks girlfriend!

These heels actually have a great story. I work with a gal who’s mother works with the Kardashian clan in Calabasas (mostly with Kris). Every now and then, the Kardashian/Jenner girls will hand over some things from their closet to my friend’s mom to give to her girls. These shoes were Kendall Jenner’s and didn’t fit my coworker, so they have now ended up in my closet!

photos by Jason Huang

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

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Friday’s Five

– scrunchie heaven thanks to Twistband – more on my scrunchie vice below –

– touches of pink –

– breakfast on the patio solo after rising early with my sweet –

tray c/o | mug c/o | spoon c/o

– I’m obsessed with these candles and seeing what piece of jewelry is hiding in there for me! –

– trying out Sole Serum for my most beautiful and also most painful stilettos –

Welcome to the weekend! It kind of blows my mind that we have only two more weekends until we are in Hawaii… and my body does not feel prepared. I have been working at a pretty fast pace lately and attending after-work events at least 3x a week which means my exercise habits have fallen down the gutter. Not to fear, I’m kicking it in high gear next week so that I can feel confident living in a swimsuit for a week, with my collection of coverups of course (more on that here in case you missed the post about my love affair for cute coverups!).

Can we talk about my new velvet scrunchie (in the first photo)!? So when I was in the fifth grade, I had a lavender floral scrunch + matching top combo from the Gap that I was all about. Somewhere down the road the shirt was tossed, but the scrunchie has escorted me through high school, college and my now married life. Along this road, sure I’ve had haters criticize my bedtime beauty accessory, but no comment could ever break up this love affair. I always say I have hair like a six-year-old – it’s really fine, straight as a board and creases extremely easy. For this reason the scrunchie will always be my bedtime companion. Thanks to my friends at Twistband I have now upgraded from my fifth grade selection to this sleek black beauty. One day you guys will get an action shot of my scrunchie love – I shall not deny you of this pleasure.

Who else has a 1998 beauty/fashion accessory they cannot live without? I kind of feel like my scrunchie is on par with like… your jr. high retainer or something (mine was tie-dye so cool). Thank y’all so much for reading and having a beautiful weekend!! XO –

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On the Rocks

Another swimsuit post (the first one here)… I’m not going to lie, it’s so nerve-racking to share these. I’m not a model, definitely not a swimsuit model, and with my day job + blog schedule, I never get to exercise as much as I’d like. But I love to see real girls with their real curves showing their swimsuit style. So here we are – baring all!

I don’t feel comfortable in teeny tiny Brazilian bikinis, nor do I feel comfortable loungin’ all day in a swimsuit in front of strangers. This is where a big, floppy hat and adorable coverup come into play. I always like to accessorize my suit with a flowy, open coverup so I can still get some sun while showing just enough skin. If I’ve got the right accessories, I go from self-conscious to confident in a beautiful coverup that flows with the breeze. This floral one is catches the beach winds so well and I loved wearing it during our little Laguna staycation.

photos by Valorie Darling

Below are some of my favorite coverups for summer. What makes you feel confident when you’re baring all in a swimsuit? I’d love to hear – I welcome all of your feedback! Thanks so much for reading – XO –

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Black and White: Day to Night

I can’t get enough of these distressed jeans. I love wearing them casually as well as dressing them up for a date night, so I thought I would show y’all how I take these babies day to night!

It’s all in the shoes. These perforated loafers are my latest obsession, and during the day they are so comfortable that I’m not even thinking about my feet. To amp up the same ensemble, I just slip on mule wedges and that’s it! So easy and so comfortable for an all-day look.

photos by Valorie Darling

Thanks so much for reading! What are your favorite shoes that are both stylish and comfortable for an all-day look? XO –

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Friday’s Five

– submitting this guest bedroom to the Gatehouse Home Store’s “Win a Room” contest to win a $2500 gift card to Gatehouse along with free design services from the owner. You can enter by following Gatehouse on Instagram and Facebook and sharing a photo of the room you want to makeover, the reason why and tag #winaroomwithgatehouse! More info here. And can we talk about this adorable mug? –

– finishing my one-month trial with ClassPass –

– candy goodies from my friend who just traveled to Japan –

– this colorful gem of a photo with my blogger babes My Style Diaries, Haute off the Rack and A Pinch of Lovely that makes me want to live in a Yurt on the beach –

– fresh berries and coffee on the patio –

We had a fun week babysitting my brother and sister-in-law’s miniature dachshund, Pollack, and joking about becoming a “family of five.” I’m not even kidding, I felt like I had kids! Waking up earlier to take each dog out on leash, they each have different routines, trying to keep Polly from harassing Lula LaShonda (a three-legged cat can’t really swat at a pestering dog… so the poor thing just looks at me and we communicate through her expression, “help me!” which means take me to your room so I can sleep on the bed away from these minions), the list goes on. It was fun to keep her and Bailey most definitely loved the company.

This week I finished my one month trial with ClassPass, and I have to say it was a very cool experience. For $79-$99 a month (it varies by your city) you have access to a plethora of exercise classes in your area. I tried out two different Pilates studios, a Yoga studio and Spin class. The site is extremely easy to use, and it was really fun to try some studios and gyms I may have never otherwise visited. It does cap you at three visits per studio in a month, which really does force you to try new places. You can read more about it on their FAQ page. Have any of you tried ClassPass? What did you think about it?

We’re heading to LA this weekend to celebrate my brother’s 30th birthday, and don’t tell him – but I’m really most excited to see my niece and nephew! Edie is obviously a fan favorite and Rowan is just a chunky five-month old. Those two are so squeezable it’s delightful.

What’s going on this weekend? And who else wants to cover their body in flash tattoos like the above group pic? Obsessed. Thanks so much for reading and a triple thank you to all of your incredible comments on Wednesday. You guys are so inspiring! XO –

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Comparison

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“Let everyone be sure to do his very best, for then he will have the personal satisfaction of work done well and won’t need to compare himself with someone else.” – Galatians 6:4

When I saw this quote for the first time a year or so ago, I practically started clapping. How true is this? And why is it that even though we know it’s true, we all still struggle with it?

When I decided to compete for Miss Mississippi Teen USA (what feels like forever ago, proof this really happened here), my initial reason for competing was that I could meet girls from all over the state. Once I was selected to represent the state at Miss Teen USA, I had a privilege of making friends from all over the country! Ten years later, and I live in the same town with Miss Ohio and North Carolina. I’m even meeting up with Miss New York for coffee in LA this weekend! The experience, if not just for meeting so many ambitious and talented women, was one I’ll value forever.

Amazing as it was, it also introduced a new level of body image, self consciousness and comparison. This is by means no one’s fault nor do I feel pageants are to blame – it was all in my own head. At 18, I was around some of the most beautiful and talented teenage girls in the country, and I would by lying to you if I said I didn’t compare my body and appearance to theirs. Why can’t I change this flaw or be more like her? Why can’t I be more photogenic and more natural in front of the camera? I wish my hair was as pretty as hers or my legs as long and lean as hers. The list goes on.

I’ve felt this way in the blogging world as well. Would I get more comments, followers or likes if I was more like this or that? And when I feel this way, I force myself to unplug. Put the phone in a drawer. Put away the laptop or iPad. Stop for a moment and reflect on the relationships and opportunities I’ve been fortunate to have rather than compare myself to someone else’s success. As Rick Warren says, “You cannot be happy and envious at the same time.” Choose to to be happy. You can’t focus on your purpose and God’s purpose for you while comparing yourself to others. And for me, while the comparison and envy may not disappear, I have to actively stop myself and remind myself to change my perspective.

Never forget that social media (and often blogs) are highlight reels of the best moments. No one is instagramming their flat tire or microwaved frozen curry dinner (trust me, I’ve had both and neither made an appearance on social media… although this did and it still makes me laugh)! I try to actively change the way I look at things, which helps to change my state of mind.

What do you do to prevent yourself from the unhealthy and tempting game of comparison? I’d love to hear. Thanks for reading and sharing! XO –

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Laguna Beach Staycation

When Christian and I first met and starting dating, I was in college and all about the color. Everything I wore was full of bright, cheerful color. And 800 bracelets (I was like a gypsy – lovin’ it). He recently pointed out that for the first few years after college (when I was working at a magazine and a bank’s headquarters), I wore all black all the time. Flash forward to these days in Southern California and I wear solid, breezy whites and light colors nonstop. I think I’m going through phases of the color wheel over here, are any of you like that?

This beach ensemble from our Laguna Beach staycation reminds me of something I would 100% have worn in college. Combine the colorful kimono with this trendy suit (I’m all about the retro suit this summer), and Orchid Boutique has become one of my favorite spots to shop for designer swimwear. Not to mention this coverup is just the piece that I can’t wait to take to Hawaii next month!

photos by Valorie Darling

What’s your beach style? Thanks so much for reading! XO –

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Friday’s Five

– the most awesome spoon ever –

– I cannot resist a good sale –

– I love some pink and red –

– bright beach accessories with the most adorable tote –

– a balcony sunset that I could’ve watched for hours –

This week went by in a blur. I was actually listening to a podcast on the way to work this week and the interviewee was saying, “you know how a year felt like SO long when you were younger and now it feels like no time at all?” I was all (insert praise hands emoji), right? California looks and feels almost the exact same every day of the year, so it’s like Groundhog Day over here. When I stop to think about the fact that we’ve almost lived here two years, my jaw practically drops. I want to do a Zack Morris and freeze time so I can stop to enjoy the days rather than breezing through them! #firstworldproblems

Moving on, this weekend Christian and I plan to slow down. We’ve been getting home at 9PM or later, and Christian has stayed up late working while waking up at 4:30AM to head to the hospital. The poor guys is a walking zombie, so we’re going to put all those “to do’s” on hold and have a major breakfast in bed Saturday and wander over to do some strawberry picking at a local farm in the afternoon. I haven’t started off a Monday feeling refreshed and revamped in quite a while – so that’s this weekend’s mission!

How do you slow down when you’re feel like the Tasmanian Devil (am I the only one who uses that reference when I’m feeling spastic)? I’d love to hear. Thank you guys always for reading and sharing – I love your comments! XO-

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Beach Maxi Dress

Sometimes, there’s nothing more fun than being a tourist in your own city. When some blogger friends of mine came in town from Louisiana, it was the perfect excuse to bunk up in Laguna Beach and enjoy a little staycation. I knew this breezy number would be just the perfect beach dress. Y’all know I’m a sucker for a maxi dress and they are always my go-to for tropical trips. I love how they catch the wind on the beach and there’s something ethereal about this blue Calypso St. Barth piece.

Luckily for you guys, from now until March 16^th, Calypso is offering $50 off $300, $150 off $600 and $300 off $1000 when you shop their site. We’re talking dresses, beach cover-ups, swimwear, denim and cashmere – yes, please! I’m stocking up for my summer wanderlust plans.

photos by the oh-so-talented Valorie Darling

Use the promo code GCSPRING2015 by 3/16 to jump in on Calypso’s spring collection and tell me, what vacations do you have planned this summer? And more importantly… can I come?

Thanks for reading! XO –

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Winter Wonderland

Christian and I have unintentionally created an annual February ski trip, and this year we had the pleasure of taking an extra-long weekend trip with Christian’s little brother who was visiting from Mississippi, Timothy! It was so fun to ski with the two of them, and it definitely made me nervous watching them race each other down the mountain as I kep a snail’s pace behind them. Thankfully we had a great trip with no injuries (other than my usual bruises on my shins from ski boots – is anyone else like that?).

A snowy weekend was just the excuse to pull out this fur-trimmed beauty that’s been staring at me from my bed everyday. I’m a sucker for a fur-trimmed anything and this jacket has such a great fit! I love the mix of leather sleeves, zippered detailing and fur – it’s definitely a statement.

And yes, I’m in heels in the snow – but in my defense this was about seven feet outside our cabin door and the fresh snow was just too gorgeous. Plus, the toe-capped heels make the outfit – and What would Carrie do? She would definitely choose the impractical heels that completed the outfit, right?

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

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Friday’s Five

– dreaming of this perfect snow day last weekend –

– a quick stop by the gorgeous Convict Lake (scary name, I know!) –

– celebrating Christian’s birthday cooking together and watching Modern Family (this was his birthday cake of choice) –

– jeweled sandals that are going to live on my feet this summer –

– coffee just tastes better when it’s cold, don’t you think? –

Hey Friday! The week following a vacation is always a little sad, am I right? We had such a blast skiing (and thank you for the recommendations! We didn’t make it to the brewery but did make it to Gomez’s – YUM), but I came back with a nasty cold that has slowed me down more than I’d like to admit. NyQuil has been my bestie, although I wake up in a cough syrup haze. I felt like Meg Ryan in You’ve Got Mail (PS – check out that website if you want to travel back in time) when she’s in her bed surrounded by tissues.

I am excited to welcome my blogger friends from Louisiana to California, and we have a fun staycation planned for the weekend – more on this next week!

Lastly, I wanted to share this article on CBL from the fabulous online magazine, Established California. Love what this entire site is all about, and it was my privilege to be featured. Another thanks to my friends at INPink for this sweet mention!

I hope you guys have an amazing weekend! Thank you so much for reading – XO –

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Explore The Blog

Shop Around

Sleek

West Coast Vibes

Friday’s Five

On the Rocks

Black and White: Day to Night

Friday’s Five

Comparison

Laguna Beach Staycation

Friday’s Five

Beach Maxi Dress

Winter Wonderland

Friday’s Five