Valentine's Day Gift Ideas {Almost} All Under $100

January is coming to a close and you know what that means...Valentine's Day! If you're having trouble finding something, these gifts can be used year-round and are a great way to treat the lady in your life (or yourself...) and all but one of these is under $100! Three cheers for giving an awesome gift and not breaking the bank!

Miss Dior Perfume - This iconic perfume is the embodiment of romance and femininity with notes of Italian mandarin, Egyptian jasmine, and Indonesian patchouli. It smells amazing, but is still soft and not overpowering.

 Kate Spade 'Love List' Pavé Heart Studs - Simple, sparkly, and beautiful. And under $50.

Kate Spade Telephone Dial Compact Mirror - This vintage-style compact mirror is adorable and perfect for when she needs to check her lipstick.

Nine West Leopard Pump - You can never go wrong with leopard accessories. Leopard pumps are a must-have for any fashionista's closet.

Kate Spade Gold Stripe Thermal Mug - Perfect for heading to work or class with coffee in tow. Plus, it's only $18! I will take one filled with Reese's cups, please.

Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Colour - Every girl needs a red Chanel lipstick. 

Kendra Scott Elle Earrings - These vibrant earrings will add a pop to any of her outfits and come in tons of different colors.

Kate Spade 'Heart' Leather Coin Purse - Is it obvious Kate Spade is queen of Valentine's Day yet? You can't go wrong with this coin purse, which is perfectly fitting for the holiday.

Hunter Original Tall Gloss Boot - Another closet must-have that she can enjoy for years to come. This pair is on sale for only $104! I may be placing an order later...

What are you giving this Valentine's Day? What are you wishing for...

TGIF and thanks for reading!

Dreaming of Spring...

• one • two • three  • four • five • six •

While I love the big sweaters, boots, and white hot chocolates that come with winter, the cold can get pretty dreary and depressing after a while. And even though it's only January, I'm still thinking of flowers blooming, bright colors, and *gasp* sunshine! Today I decided to share some of my favorite colorful items that have me dreaming of spring...

I am so in love with the two gorgeous bags on this list! The scalloped tote from Kate Spade is the prettiest bag ever and the perfect size! And the Rebecca Minkoff tassel crossbody is a great way to add a pop of color to an outfit! I will possibly look into getting one this spring...

I've also been drying for some Hunter boots. I still don't have a pair! These pink ones are so vibrant and perfect for those spring showers. My favorite color is actually on sale right now in the Classic finish!

Below are some of my favorite springy pictures from Pinterest...

Are you feeling the spring fever yet?

Are you ready for spring? What are your springtime must-haves?

Thanks for reading!

My Blogger Inspirations + A Message

Like pretty much every fashion blogger, I was inspired to create my own blog by reading other blogs. Seeing other girls like me expressing their style through fashion and sharing their passion with the world definitely inspired me and still inspires me!

For today's post, I'm sharing three my favorite bloggers. They not only have great style, but are great writers and very inspirational to my journey as a blogger and inspire me to keep dreaming big.

1. Wesley from Have a Wesley Day

This lovely lady and fellow Alabamian was the number one inspiration for me to start my blog. Not only does she have the most adorable, classy style and gorgeous photos, but she's a fantastic writer and super smart! Pretty much every post she makes gives me an awesome piece of advice that really resonates with me. Her posts always give me a ton of encouragement to keep following my dreams and shooting for the moon.

2. Caitlin from Southern Curls & Pearls

Ever since I discovered this blog, I have been practically obsessed with it! Her posts are my go-to for fashion inspiration and adding new items to my ever-expanding wishlist. Her outfits are easy to recreate and perfect for the everyday fashionista. It's also really cool to read her older posts and see how far her blog has come since then. And her hair is #goals, of course.

3. Morgan from Mostly Morgan 
When I need help on improving my blog and making it awesome, I turn to Morgan, the boss-lady from Mostly Morgan. She's gives the best advice on everything from school to blogging to life in general. This blog probably wouldn't exist without her!

These three ladies, as I have said many times throughout the post, are huge inspirations not only for my blogging, but for life in general. They inspire me to never give up and keep following my dreams. But while the encouragement from these awesome women is a huge driving force, it's up to me to forge my own path to success.

When it comes to blogging, there are two major issues I often face: comparison and caring too much about what others think.

Sometimes it's hard to not compare your level of success and achievement with others'--trust me, I know. It can be a struggle to not get envious when you see someone living what seems to be the dream life, not just when it comes to blogging, but pretty much anything in life. But comparison will kill you. We all come from different circumstances and have different stories. And our paths to success are all different, as a result. It's easy to feel hopeless and give up on your dreams, but it's rewarding to do the opposite. When life gives you every reason to give up, show life who's boss. Keep working hard. Keep following your dreams. And the reward will be that much sweeter in the end.
Another challenge I face as a blogger is caring about what others think. Being a fashion blogger is a fair bit of work no matter where you live, but....I live in Alabama. Now don't get me wrong, I love Alabama and it will always be my home. But it's safe to say that it wouldn't be considered the most fashionable state. There aren't many fashion bloggers and as a result, there are very few resources and  local opportunities for us here, even in my hometown, Birmingham. And to be honest, I don't feel like any kind of "creative" career path is taken seriously sometimes, especially where I live now, in rural Alabama. I shouldn't have to feel embarrassed when telling people I'm majoring in fashion merchandising or dressing up to roam around town when everyone else is wearing jeans and a t-shirt. But then I think to myself, "I should be proud to stand out." And it's true! You can be yourself and do what makes you happy no matter where life puts you. And why not be a flamingo in a flock of pigeons? (Or however the saying goes...)

*drops mic*

Who are you inspirations? What's your favorite bit of advice?
Be sure to check out these awesome ladies and have a blessed Sunday!

Totally Tortoise

hoops / / chain link bracelet / / studs / / bangles {skinny}{midi}{chunky} / / bobby pins

It isn't just for sunglasses anymore! Without a doubt, tortoiseshell is my number one obsession of the moment. And who can blame me? It's such a classic, beautiful pattern that goes with pretty much any outfit. Just adding one of these gorgeous pieces to your outfit will instantly give it a sophisticated touch and will instantly upgrade your jewelry collection. Here are my faves!

Judson & Co. Tortoise Hoops - Upgrade the outdated hoops trend with a pair in a tortoise finish!

Baublebar Pavé Link Tortoise Shell Bracelet - Baublebar's famous pavé link bracelet, with a twist.

Kate Spade Small Square Stud Earrings - You can never have enough Kate Spade studs...or anything, for that matter.

BaubleBar Tortoise Bangles - Wear them individually or stack 'em!

Charming charlie Tortoise Bobby Pins - For a tiny pop of tortoiseshell in any outfit.


I am so adding that Baublebar link bracelet to my wishlist!

What's your take on tortoise? Current obsession of the moment? 
Thanks for reading!

Denim Dress + Sweet Start To 2016 Giveaway!

Dress: Forever 21 / / Scarf: Old Navy {similar} / / Boots: MIA (old) {similar} / / Necklace: Rue 21 {similar}

Long time no see!

Sorry for my disappearance for the past week! My dorm's wifi does NOT like my laptop...but I will continue to post as much as I possibly can!

Today's outfit is my favorite that I've posted so far. I had been looking for a denim dress for a long time and my prayers were answered in a trip to Forever 21. This dress is under $20 and the perfect, appropriate length-such a great find!

Apartment Decor Ideas & Inspiration

It may be too far away for me to be excited about, but I'm moving into my first apartment this August for my sophomore year of college! *fireworks go off*

I'm rooming with my best friend and another friend so I'm beyond excited! My own space, no community bathrooms, no expensive meal plan...and I get to decorate it, of course!

It's been tempting to start shopping for the apartment, but I've held back to just pinning things for the moment!

But, today I decided to share some of my favorite apartment decor tricks and ideas that I've pinned! Two of these could work for a dorm, too!

1. Use a Bar Cart as Decor

Believe it or not, a bar cart's only use isn't just a bar cart! You can turn it into unique and pretty storage/shelving!

{source}

All you need is spray paint (make SURE it's Rust-oleum so the metal doesn't rust over time!) and cute stuff to adorn your car with!

Some awesome things you could include on your cart are jewelry, makeup, shoes, books, stationary, or just cute little knick-knacks! You could also make this cart more functional and use it to store electronics or even move it into the kitchen and use it for it's original purpose!

2. Revamp your Side Table

{source}

My apartment will come with side tables already, which may be a plus, but I really wanted to try this DIY! To you ladies that won't have to worry about not getting your security deposit back, This DIY is genius! 

All you need for this one is white paint (optional) and marble contact paper 

3. A Mirror Tray

{source}

All you need for this one is a small mirror! If you don't have a mirror try or can't find one, a small round mirror is perfect for making a lovely tray for all your pretty things. This trick will make your space look more expensive, but on a dime.

Thank you for reading!

Denim + Denim

 Top: Target (similar) / / Jeans: Hollister / / Boots: Charlotte Russe / / Necklace: Forever 21 (similar)

A full-denim outfit is one of my favorite ones to wear. What can I say, I love jeans, chambray tops, and pretty much anything denim! It's versatile and goes with anything! The key to this trend is picking two completely different washes or styles of denim to avoid the "Texas tuxedo" look.

. If I look kind of chunky in these pictures, it's because (other than eating way too much over the holidays) it was freezing outside today and I had to wear a thermal shirt underneath. I wish you guys could see some of the outtakes from this shoot--everytime the wind blew I had to run into the sunlight for warmth! 

Furthermore, I'm guessing my new "signature pose" is looking down at an angle with the wind blowing my hair...so majestic...
Want more ideas on how to wear a chambray top? Check out my Chambray 3 Ways post!

Thank you for reading and Happy Tuesday!

~ Photographed by Kaleb Sweat

Sweet {20}16 + New Year's Resolutions

 

 Sweater: Forever 21 {love this one} / / Vest: J. Crew Factory / / Jeans: Hollister / / Boots: MIA {similar} / / Earrings: Claire's {similar}
Rings: Charming charlie / / Bracelet: Charming charlie / / Lips: the Balm Meet Matt(e) Hughes in "Commited"
Nails: Essie "Fiji"

Happy {belated} New Year! 

So, I finally got to take my pictures with something other than my iPhone! Yay! My boyfriend's mom kindly lent her Canon EOS Rebel T5 and it takes great photos, even with the stock lenses!

But on another note, this was the outfit that I wore for New Year's Eve. I never really go to formal New Year's Eve parties, so I usually dress pretty casually, but I do like to incorporate some sparkle for the occasion. That's pretty much a requirement, right? This sweater from Forever 21 has been lurking in my closet for a while, unworn for some reason, and I thought it was perfect for a more casual look for NYE. Also, this J. Crew vest is actually a men's extra-small...and it was on clearance for $16! { All sale items are an additional 40% with the code "HEY2016" at factory.jcrew.com } So I just couldn't pass it up. I added these pink J. Crew-inspired earrings from Claire's for a pop of color and kept it simple with the jewelry-some dainty rings and a gold tassel cuff.

New Year's Resolutions

2015 was a year of many changes. I started college, started my job, and started my blog.

But I want 2016 to be the year of improvement. I have lots of things going at once right now, but my goal is to do everything to the best of my ability and take everything to the next level. Here are my new year's resolutions:

1. Improve My Blog

I have a lot of goals for my blog this year. I'd like to focus on creating better content, improving my photography, and connect with more bloggers like myself.I'm aiming to fine tune my blog into something organized and consistent and something I can really be proud of and proud to promote!

2. Improve My Health

This is pretty ironic since I just got back from Five Guys, but I want to focus on getting myself more in shape. My diet and exercise habits could definitely use some work. I plan to do more walking and running, visit the gym more, and start eating healthier.

3. Improve My Life

I've had a lot of ups and downs in my life, but it's been a pretty awesome one, too! But I could always use some work being happier, more determined, and less pessimistic. This year, I want to work on never losing sight of my goals and never giving up when the going gets tough.

In closing, I want to thank everyone who has been reading my blog, whether I know you or not, it means a lot to me! I know my blog is only two or three weeks old, but I've already had so much fun playing around with the design, creating posts, and sharing my love of fashion with the world! I created this blog mainly as a way to gain some experience for a future internship or career in the fashion industry, but it has become an awesome project/hobby at the same time.

What are your New Year's resolutions? Tell me in the comments! 

 Happy Saturday and thank you all!