instagram round up

Sweater (obsessed) // Shorts // Booties (back in stock!!) // Bag

Marcell Collar Necklace (less than $40!) // Rebel Pendant (so versatile, probably my most worn necklace currently) 

Both available here.  

Dress (back in stock!) // Booties (not exact, but similar) // Bag 

Floral Sandals // Lace Ups

Hat // Crosby Hobo Bag // Shoes - sold out, similar // Jeans // Top // Frances Pearl Statement Necklace

Dress (similar, this is from Stitch Fix which you can sign up for here)

Crosby Hobo Bag // Shoes

Hat // Top - sold out, similar // Planner // Jeans

Top // Jeans // Shoes // Bag 

Bag // Shoes

books & baubles

Tee // Hat // Shoes // Jeans // Bag // Necklace // Sunnies

I have always loved fashion, as some of you MAY have noticed by now. It has always been a part of my life. I feel more confident and energized when I take the time to put effort into what I am wearing, and get excited finding new ways to style my current wardrobe. . And what is my favorite part of fashion? Well, the accessories of course! I'm a basics and jeans kind of girl (or I employ one of my many floral dresses) and accessories are kind of like the icing on the cake!

Although relatively new to Stella & Dot, I fell head over heels at my first trunk show.   I knew the jewelry was not only beautiful, but also extremely well crafted. How stunning is the Statement Necklace I'm wearing above?

I also learned that the company mission aligned with my ideals. But I did not know just how amazing being a stylist would be.

What I find most amazing about Stella & Dot is their drive to empower women to style their own lives. By becoming a stylist, you have the ability to set your own schedule. I for one, obviously work full time already and run this blog - my Stella & Dot business will be more focused on "small and fun!"  Are you interested in having a bit of extra spending money each month? Wonderful, host a trunk show or two each month! Are you interested in making this your full time job? Well then by all means, dive on in!

I very recently became a stylist (PS- you can see my personal Stella & Dot page here so I can assist in styling your fabulous self!)  

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a stylist, what it means to have a sponsor and become part of a team,  I would be happy to chat with you! And of course, I would love to add you to my already amazing Stella & Dot family of other stylists, because styling is more fun when you get to do it with friends!

Are you interested in Stella & Dot, but aren't sure if you want to make the commitment to become a stylist yet? Well, good news is that you can also benefit by being a hostess of one of my trunk shows! 

If you are in the St Louis or Southern IL area, I would love to host a Stella & Dot trunk show at your wonderful home with all of your friends. You will earn free accessories as the hostess, and will get the chance to see a selection of Stella & Dot jewelry in person!

Not in the St Louis or Southern IL area? Have a blog or lots of Facebook friends who love to shop? Good news- you can also host a virtual trunk show on your blog or Facebook event with me, and you will still receive lots of free accessories for hosting and sharing with your readers!

I am only a few days in with being a stylist, and already have big dreams for what I can do! I have created a new page on my website called SHOP THE GEMS, which I will constantly be updating with any new stylist or hostess information, as well as sales and charitable donation information. You can also find my Facebook group for buying and styling , which is a little more personal and close knit, and join it here!

I cannot wait to see what amazing connections I make with y'all and with other amazing women around the world! Please feel free to contact me if you have any more questions at all about Stella & Dot!

the weekender

Our weekend started Friday when Darrell got home and we decided hey, cooking is for the birds, let's get tacos!  

After we persuaded our crazy child (who said she didn't want tacos, like, whose child is she even) to go to Fuzzy's Taco Shop - which is amazing - we only managed to get her out the door in a Sofia dress and shoes of her choice.  She made friends with nature like a true Disney Princess and also decided to take her Minnie Mouse guitar in case she needed to break out into song.  Lest you think we were even slightly embarrassed by her outfit decision, rest assured that she was NOT THE ONLY PRINCESS at Fuzzy's that night.  There was a little girl of similar age in full Sleeping Beauty regalia.  Sympathetic looks were exchanged all around.  Margaritas were consumed.  All in all, a successful Friday.  

We were awoken Saturday morning with the traditional toddler method of awakening, "clap your hands in mommy's face until she sits up and pays attention to you."  It's much cuter than it sounds.  

Since we were up anyways, we decided trips to the library and playground were in order before naptime.  So we packed up and headed to the local library where we *finally* got Claire a library card. She is currently sitting in a massive pile of books next to me.  Did you know they lifted borrowing limits on library books sometime this year?  It used to be around 7, as far as I knew, but now you're just responsible for as many as you want to be, up to like 100 or something crazy!  

That night was a friend's surprise birthday party, so we headed out to celebrate!  

Thankfully, the party started around 6 so it was super kid friendly and Claire had a total blast.  

I debuted some new blonde hair I'm pretty excited about (also pretty excited about these shoes, which are under $40!!) To Darrell's dismay, I'm thinking of going even blonder next time - thoughts?!  

Top // Necklace // Shorts - old but simliar here // Shoes

Can you get over the cuteness?!  Also, getting 3 toddlers to smile for a photo = impossible. This was our best effort.  

Elly was only willing to smile as a solo subject :)  

Shoes are here, but I found a dupe here for less than $75!  

Dress is from Stitch Fix - which you can sign up for here!  I found a really similar one here though.  

Last but not least, Claire & I went to church Sunday morning where she had a blast (as always) and I got some good motivation for my week!  We definitely bribed her with a gummy vitamin to take these pictures, and it definitely worked.  

Hope you're all having a great week so far!! 

date night white

Dress - this one is v similar and only $40! // Necklace // Bag - sold out, linked similar! // Shoes - similar and even cuter, only $75!

We stopped to take some pictures in front of city hall prior to date night the other night, mostly because it's a pretty little plaza but it ended up being a funny coincidence that my dress could double as a somewhat low wedding dress and city hall...

It was just a more romantic shoot than we had originally planned on!  We got married in a big museum wedding, which was fantastic, but it was kind of fun to dream about the more simple alternative :)

This dress is so gorgeous but I couldn't find it anywhere online, so I linked a super similar one!

Hope you're all having a lovely Monday!  

friday favorites

Favorite Quote: 

“Anyone who writes down to children is simply wasting his time. You have to write up, not down. Children are demanding. They are the most attentive, curious, eager, observant, sensitive, quick, and generally congenial readers on earth.... Children are game for anything. I throw them hard words and they backhand them across the net.”

I love this quote so much I cannot even tell you.  I constantly find myself doubting what to say to Claire, how to make her understand something, and she surprises me each and every time.  The other day at church, she asked me what an art installation hanging from the ceiling was, and when I balked and couldn't think of anything to say besides "an art installation" she just repeated quietly "an installation" and now can identify one in any museum or store we go into.  It's uncanny.  

Favorite Blog: The Balanced Life

I first heard about The Balanced Life on the podcast "Coffee & Crumbs" and have been hooked ever since.  It's a pilates and lifestyle blog by Robin Long, and the whole philosophy is "grace over guilt" which frankly, is something I need in my fitness routine.  Between working full time and trying to spend as much time with Claire as I can, I don't always have time to drive to the gym, work out, and then shower & get ready AGAIN.  

Favorite Verse

Just because it's lovely and true.  

Favorite Food: Nugo Slim Bars

These have the UGLIEST packaging ever, but they are so delicious and have a really good nutrient balance! Totally vegan, grab the chocolate pretzel flavor if you can find it - i see them at more stores all the time lately!  I've always got one stuck in my bag haha!  You can also buy them on Amazon.  

Favorite Gem

Major necklaces with basic tops, like this one.  Also obsessed with this one, but its a major splurge!  So many other cute ones here.  

Favorite Handbag: Stella & Dot Chevron Weave Convertible Hobo
(ps - message me through the link if you want to get it for half off!)

Hat // Top // Necklace // Jeans  // Shoes

This bag is so versatile, it matches almost everything and the strap can be worn three different ways, which I love.   It's super sturdy and can fit my entire iPad pro and my Day Designer, which is essential on work days!  

Favorite Flowers

Not going to lie - I didn't even really know what a dahlia was before this summer!  I think they're sort of newly trendy?  Either way, I cannot get enough of this whimsical and slightly audacious bloom.  

Favorite Shoes

 

This shoe is surprisingly comfortable, looks great with everything, and is REALLY affordable.  I have the sand suede (that I obviously wear a lot...) but I could pretty much collect every color and only wear these.  I have my eyes on the blush patent and the baby blue suede too!  

They also come in a rad leopard print (half off!!) but only a few sizes are left.  

Favorite for Claire: Matilda Jane's Once Upon a Time Dresses

I couldn't resist these two sweet dresses (and the knee socks!!!) for her for school this autumn.  They just have so much personality and life.  Sometimes I like dressing Claire like a mini-me, but other times I really enjoy when she looks as much like a child as possible, and these dresses just scream childhood and play to me.  Bonus - the fabric on both is extremely high quality and soft.  

MJ is one of those lines you have to order through a consultant, I order through my friend Nikki whose trunk keeper # is 1187, and her Facebook group is here.  

Or you can email her here and she'll help you get anything you like from this collection.    

(ps - although some links in this post are affiliate links, these are not - this is just who I buy from and I wanted to share!)