Ever since clutches came back in style as The bag size to be carrying around, there are tons of fabulous ones to choose from that don’t look like you’re [...]]]>

Satin white clutches with pearly centers seen at bridal stores totally remind me of Dyeables. Is that really what we’re still pushing these days?

Ever since clutches came back in style as The bag size to be carrying around, there are tons of fabulous ones to choose from that don’t look like you’re a teen going to Prom. I say, think outside the box when shopping for your wedding clutch. Here’s a few.

Something Blue

Something Sparkly

Something Simple 

And yes, that last batch of photos is of white/ivory clutches. But they are hardly the satin and boring kind! A little bit of texture and layering goes a long way, ladies.

Will you be carrying a non-traditional bridal clutch?

It sucks to travel the world and meet those who have little understanding of how beautiful [...]]]>

Today, Arizona is celebrating its centennial. And though I may pick on AZ at times (hey, we all pick on our loved ones, right?) it’s been my home for almost my whole life and I couldn’t be more proud.

Arizona has the best sunsets

It sucks to travel the world and meet those who have little understanding of how beautiful our state is and how amazing the people are. The media just loves to perpetuate stereotypes that I’m not even going to get into, this is a fashion blog, after all. But, there are definitely some fabulous things about living in Arizona that the rest of the country should be jealous about.

1. We Love Style

Stylish Shopping

120 degree weather and heat waves be damned, there is totally a hot shopping scene around here! Prada and Stuart Weitzman just opened at Scottsdale Fashion Square not to mention, we recently welcomed a Barney’s New York too. But it isn’t just high-end shopping that’s a plenty; there’s tons of independent boutiques too. Tempe is chock-full of fast-fashions for the college set and Downtown Phoenix has its own burgeoning fashion scene too. Forget shorts and tanks, there’s definitely desert style around here.

2. We Love Food Festivals

Tasty Treats from the Scottsdale Culinary Festival

The majority of the year, it’s absolutely beautiful out. Which is probably why there are so many great outdoor food festivals. One of my favorites, the Scottsdale Culinary Festival, is just around the corner. And did you know there is also Arizona Cocktail Week, multiple Arizona Beer festivals, Arizona Restaurant Weeks and more? There is plenty to fill up on to keep us busy year round.

3. We Love Pool Parties

Hotel Valley Ho pool

There are pool parties and then there are Arizona pool parties and let’s just be honest, we’ve got tons of practice on how to do it right. If you’re thinking of hitting the pool this spring, check out this list of some of Arizona’s Best Swimsuit Shops.

4. We Love Spring Training

Scottsdale Stadium

Speaking of spring, did I mention Spring Training? I may not be a baseball fan myself, but the Valley is overrun from tourists spanning the entire country to catch a few games for a reason. The weather, the entertainment and all is just lovely.

5. We Love Our Neighbors

Sin City, Baby!

It’s a quick 5-hour or less drive to sunny Los Angeles, San Diego beaches or dancing the night away in Sin City. Seriously, could we ask for any better neighbors than this? (Speaking of Sin City, check out this guide on What to Wear to Las Vegas if you’re planning a trip.)

6. We Love the Outdoors

Conquering Camelback

While I’m personally not a hiker, it would be a lie to say Arizona isn’t known for and absolutely loved for the beautiful weather and chance to go exploring the outdoors. From a Saturday morning Camelback Mountain hike to horseback riding, running the canals and more, outdoor adrenaline junkies can easily get their fix here.

Really, the list could go on.

By the way, if you’re looking for some cute memorabilia to show your love for Arizona, check out Jaimee Rose’s blog for some cute picks today.

What’s your favorite part about living in Arizona?

For constant style and beauty chatter, connect with me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter and Pinterest. 

It’s not like camel toe. But it isn’t like breast cleavage either. In fact, there are usually people who are either totally for toe cleavage and call it “sexy”(that’s why, my friends, Louboutins are so narrow in the toe) and those that think it’s just so totally gross.

What got me thinking about [...]]]>

Toe Cleavage.

It’s not like camel toe. But it isn’t like breast cleavage either. In fact, there are usually people who are either totally for toe cleavage and call it “sexy”(that’s why, my friends, Louboutins are so narrow in the toe) and those that think it’s just so totally gross.

What got me thinking about all this? The visible side-toe cleavage on Alicia Keys at the 2012 Grammys last night.

Alicia Keys at the 2012 Grammys

I’m O.K. with a bit of toe cleavage, it’s like a sexy “peek-a-boo” in a nice pair of pumps. Here’s some Blake Lively toe cleavage I can handle.

Blake Lively toe cleavage

What I can’t handle, however, is all out my-poor-toes-are-stuffed-into-these-shoes-like-sausages toe cleavage. Poor things look like they are crying out for help.

Thinking, just a little too much toe cleavage...

What say you? Are you into toe cleavage or does it totally freak you out?

For constant style and beauty chatter, connect with me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter and Pinterest.

Yes, “Trash the Dress”, “Rock the Frock” or whatever you wanna call it [...]]]>

You’re engaged, you shop for and buy the dress of your dreams! You have your beautiful Big Day and the next day, a photo shoot with a professional photographer capturing moments of you rolling around in the mud/sand/water/whatever destroying your wedding dress.

Trash the Dress

Yes, “Trash the Dress”, “Rock the Frock” or whatever you wanna call it is apparently a huge growing trend. Forgive me for saying this but, am I the only one who just doesn’t get it?

Why, under any circumstances, would I want to don the Most Beautiful Dress and probably most expensive dress I will wear in my life for what’s likely to be one of the Best Moments in my life ever and then have someone take pictures of me destroying it. I mean, really?

It's trendy to take your several thousand dollar frock and go swimming in it.

The idea is to wear your dress “one last time” and do something that shows off your personality. That and to get magazine-like editorial photos of you in a stunning dress and an odd locale. Maybe I’m the odd one out, but I have a few issues with this.

1. It feels a little narcissistic

Look, I’m probably as narcissitic, vain and self-involved as they come. I’m an only child. I have a blog. Really, the list could go on. But even I can recognize that when I actually sit down to think about it, what the heck am I going to do with a bunch of pictures of myself in a pool with a wedding dress on? It isn’t the kind of thing you can really frame 10 photos of and put around your house. You’ll have your actual wedding photos, for one, and eventually family photos which will far supercede these and most any wedding pictures anyway.

Not sure I really need photos rolling around in paint...

2. It feels kinda greedy

O.K. The odds of you wearing the dress again are nill. And the odds that your daughter or other family member will want to wear it are pretty slim also. That’s fair. Who would want a dress sitting around collecting dust? But ya know, there are other things you could do with it. Really, if you have thousands to drop on a wedding dress and another thousand or so to spare to have a day-after photo shoot, wouldn’t it be a much better deed to donate the dress to someone in need who isn’t as fortunate to be able to have these things? Just something to think about…

Pretty picture, but is it worth trashing the dress for?

3. It feels kinda disrespectful

Call me old fashioned, but I feel like at least some things should be sacred. Again, you don’t have to box the dress and hide it, but finding a better use for it than tearing it apart may be an idea worth exploring. And speaking of better use…

Poor dress.

4. It feels like you could use it for something else

Like say, your first child’s christening gown. Maybe somehow incorporated into your future daughter’s wedding dress or Prom dress. Even selling the dress on sites like eBay or RecycledBride.com seem like a much better option.

What do you think? Are you feeling the Trash the Dress/Rock the Frock photography trend?

For more bridal bliss, follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

But whether you choose to do just a small accessory or keep it hidden (with some [...]]]>

I’ve never been huge on wearing red for Valentine’s Day. Sometimes I do it, sometimes I pass. Other times I wake up feeling like, “who the heck decided I should wear red or pink today like everyone else anyway?!”

But whether you choose to do just a small accessory or keep it hidden (with some lingerie, of course) one thing is true: Men Love Red. Love.

Classic red dresses and lingerie are always a win

For a fancy night out, keep things classic with a plunging red dress or this sassy lace one. Don’t forget about flirty undergarments–that’s more than half the fun!

Pretty in pink

For something a bit more demure yet romantic, I like to keep things pretty in pink. And for those that can never see themselves in allover pink, an accessory works great. I love the nude look above with the pretty pink clutch as an accent. And as far as gift ideas go guys, that pink leather card holder or Marc by Marc Jacobs pink bracelet are two can’t-go-wrong options.

Bold, tough accessories in red are always fun

Red can be tough too, like in these gold-accented accessories or paired with a slick leather jacket. It’s a different way to wear the color that’s funky and powerful.

What do you think? Will you be wearing a bit of red or pink this Valentine’s Day?

For constant style and beauty chatter, connect with me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter and Pinterest. 

Thing is, Monday is like a clean slate, every week! Or if you really wanna go far, like another New Year’s day. It’s the perfect time to plan the week, reasses your goals and make it your Best Week Ever.

This weekend [...]]]>

I hate that people hate Mondays. (Not saying I’m not included on occasion.)

Thing is, Monday is like a clean slate, every week! Or if you really wanna go far, like another New Year’s day. It’s the perfect time to plan the week, reasses your goals and make it your Best Week Ever.

This weekend was a bit mellow over here. We spent some time with the family on Saturday night and did not even pretend to watch the Super Bowl. We did, however, get to watch Madonna’s half time show, wasn’t it amazing??

Yes, let's Vogue.

I also finally got around to getting into a little Martha Stewart DIY project I stumbled upon online. You all know that I have about zero skills when it comes to anything DIY. But this looked easy enough to take at least baby steps.

We have been growing a bunch of herbs on our balcony and I wanted to spruce up our planters a bit. Here’s a few pics of what the finished project should look like:

Cute, right?

Super cute, right? It’s literally just chalkboard spray paint, which you can pick up at just about any hardware store. If I can do this DIY project, that means anyone can. And by me, I of course mean washing the pots, taking them downstairs and handing the fiancé a can of spray paint.

Work in progress!

Friday nights have also turned into new recipe nights around here. And when it comes to cooking, that’s not something we take baby steps about. This Friday, we dove right in by making a paella with no recipe. We literally just drank some wine, threw some ingredients together and watched the thing cook for what seemed like forever. Did I mention we drank some wine while we did this? (Paella’s take about a million years to cook.)

I’m not going to lie, especially for our first time and considering we didn’t use a recipe, the paella was pretty good. With some refinements and a little more practice, I’ll be sure to share some Paella highlights on a future Foodie Friday!

Anyway, here are some good must-reads for your Monday reading pleasure:

Mashable: 3 Shoe Brands Kicking Butt with Social Media

Refinery 29: How to Dress for a 6-Figure Job on a Normal Person’s Budget

Hubspot: How to Effectively Use Pinterst for your Business Marketing

Did you do anything fun this weekend? What’s on your agenda for the week??

For constant style and beauty chatter, connect with me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter.

What [...]]]>

I love a good salmon salad. It’s simple, refreshing and so easy to make. It’s one of my go-to foods when I feel like I should be eating healthier, without feeling like I need to compromise on flavor. (Hello, wedding diet!) Plus, anything I can throw together in under 10 minutes is a win-win.

What you’ll need:

4 ingredients for a simple salmon salad

Tomatoes, hard boiled eggs, some spinach (or other greens) and a can of pink salmon is all you’ll need. I’ll occasionally use red onions too, if I happen to have some around. For canned salmon, the Bear & Wolf brand (pictured) has good, premium chunks that aren’t very fatty. You can pick up a case at Costco for pretty cheap.

Dice the tomatoes and eggs, chop the spinach and toss together. For dressing, keep it simple with salt, pepper and olive oil–that’s it! You’ll have a delicious, simple salmon salad that’s ready to go in just a few minutes.

Simple, healthy and delicious

I’ve also served this salad as part of a main dish with lots of chunks of salmon and a side of white rice and black beans–yum!

What are you having for dinner tonight?

Like this post? Please share the love! A simple, tweet, Facebook share or +1 goes a long way in my heart

If it’s your first time going, or you need a bit of a refresher, you’ll definitely notice that the Phoenix Open is one of those events that’s a [...]]]>

This is easily one of my favorite posts of the year. What should you wear, and not be wearing, to the Waste Management Phoenix Open?

If it’s your first time going, or you need a bit of a refresher, you’ll definitely notice that the Phoenix Open is one of those events that’s a fashion catastrophe. Some people go in shorts and tennis shoes, some bust out their golf gear and some think it’s The Mint at midnight and go all out in stilletos and little black dresses. No, I’m not kidding.  To be honest, it’s one of those events where fashion watching for disasters becomes a total spectator sport.

The Open is a daytime drinkfest golf event so it should be no surprise that daytime appropriate clothing is the way to go. And, more than likely, you’re going to be outside. So please by all means, plan accordingly.

Long loose pants are comfy and stylish

Long loose pants are totally appropriate and stylish too. They’re great because they breathe much better than jeans and if you’re going to be outside all day, it’s going to get hot. Trust.

When running around all day, especially in the daytime, stilletos are an absolute don’t. You do not by any means want to be that girl whose heels are sinking in the grass. For some height, especially with shorts and long pants, try some wedges instead. These Lanvin cork wedges are quite fabulous.

If you're looking for some height, try wedges and leave the stilletos at home

It may be February, but this weekend it’s going to be  in the 70s. That’s definitely cool, breezy weather but when you’re out in the sun all day, it feels much hotter than you’d think. So if you aren’t as afraid of wearing shorts as I am, they’re definitely a good way to go for the Open.

Yes, it will be warm enough for shorts

Don't forget your sunglasses!

Personally, I love to go in sundresses. They translate well from day to night and won’t stick to your legs like jeans. I’ve made the mistake of wearing leggings in the past and trust me when I say, you’ll be the only one in them! Here’s a few cute picks and other outfit ideas that are totally Waste Management Open-appropriate.

Casual cute is the way to go to the Phoenix Open

Isabel Marant sateen drawstring pants, $655.  Lanvin rope and snakeprint cork wedges, $1,190. Michael Kors strech purple shorts, $495. Etoile Isabel Marant top, $535. Sonia by Sonia Rykiel striped dress, $295. Aubin & Willis gray cardigan, $135. See by Chloe printed cotton jersey dress, $170. Juicy Couture Racerback dress, $130.  Claudia Schiffer linen plaid dress, $500. Aubin & Willis T-shirt, $65.

Are you going to the Waste Management Phoenix Open this year? If so, what are you wearing?

For constant style and beauty chatter, connect with me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter.

To say January was a busy month is a total understatement!

There was an engagement party.

A BabyQ.

And my friend Sandra’s Bridal Shower.

We gathered together on a beautiful Saturday afternoon to shower her with gifts. And indulge in the cupcake cakes, of course! Here are a few of my favorite pics [...]]]>

To say January was a busy month is a total understatement!

There was an engagement party.

A BabyQ.

And my friend Sandra’s Bridal Shower.

We gathered together on a beautiful Saturday afternoon to shower her with gifts. And indulge in the cupcake cakes, of course! Here are a few of my favorite pics to inspire you and any bridal showers you may be having or throwing.

Tea lights, stones and a patterned table runner set the tone

A beautiful message on every plate

Before Sandra becomes a Mrs.,

Let’s shower her with love and good wishes.

Their love started with a kiss,

and now it’s come to this.

Love, joy and beautiful things,

are all the things a marriage brings.

We’re all grown up

but still giggling with glee

as we gather to honor the beautiful bride-to-be

Congrats and Best Wishes

for the soon-to-be-Mrs!

The bride and some of her bridesmaids

The theme was purple with black and white accents, just like her wedding will be this March in sunny Puerto Rico. We used purple as the base linen with a black-and-white print table runner and coordinating elements.

Of course, there was a candy station too! Cute martini glasses decorated the space and we wrapped an elegant box so people could leave their love advice.

Of course we had a candy station

The bride with her mother and sister

Are you throwing or having a bridal shower anytime soon? What kinds of ideas do you have to share?

For more bridal babble, follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest, too.

This week, I’m excited to share I was featured in IFB’s Links a la Mode again alongside some other very talented bloggers. It’s always an exciting honor to make the list! Please enjoy this week’s top posts below!

Edited by: Fajr Muhammad of Stylish Thought

Can you believe [...]]]>

This week, I’m excited to share I was featured in IFB’s Links a la Mode again alongside some other very talented bloggers. It’s always an exciting honor to make the list! Please enjoy this week’s top posts below!

Making a Connection

Edited by: Fajr Muhammad of Stylish Thought

SPONSOR:

Shoes at Shopbop: Frye Shoes, Yosi Samra Flats, See by Chloe Shoes, Tapeet, Ash Sneakers, Sam Edelman Sandals, Steven, Wang Shoes, Pelle Moda, Vanessa Mooney, Loeffler Randall, Dolce Vita Shoes & Hunter Boots