What's Your Beach Style?

 

I know I'm not alone when I say that I. Love. The. Beach! I love the sun. I love the sand. I love the ocean waves. I love a good cold cocktail in the middle of the day while I'm surrounded by beautiful scenery. But that's not all I adore about the beach...I adore a fantastic sense of "beach style". And that is exactly what I found on my recent vacation to Orange Beach, Alabama. 

I absolutely LOVE the beach style of these two beautiful girls. Everything from the color blocking to the DIY floral headband (tutorial here) to the metallic tattoos (purchase online here). Their beach style was thought out and perfectly executed! Matter of fact, they inspired me, the stylist, to get more creative with my own beach style.

It's so easy for lady beach-goers to slip on a swimsuit, slap on some SPF and walk out the door. What many fail to realize is that style doesn't stop at swimwear. Matter of fact, it's one of the most opportune times for you to dig deep into your style creativity box. Ways to get creative with your swimsuit style, you ask?

Mix and match top and bottoms

Add a colorful sarong

Make your very own sarong with a simple piece of fabric

Rock a stylish cover-up (instead of a t-shirt and shorts)

Wear a fedora or chic sun hat

Wear large hoop earrings

Layer on bangle bracelets

Wear a touch of makeup (just like with everyday clothing, it gives your swimsuit style a "lift")

Wear metallic temporary tattoos (like the ones seen above)

Slip on sandals (instead of rubber flip flops)

Carry a stylish beach bag

Consider the aforementioned suggestions. Make the beach your runway! Take a few cues from the ladies above and see what you can make of your summer swimsuit style.

What to Wear - Caribbean Cabaret 2014

The 2014 Caribbean Cabaret is right around the corner...Saturday night to be exact! Not only does this event support an amazing cause, but it gives you the perfect opportunity to get creative with your tasteful "pool party" wear. From rompers to a new take on maxi skirts, the Summer 2014 trends offer the perfect way to get inspired for Saturday night's attire. Below you'll find event appropriate threads from a few local Little Rock boutiques as well as some ideas on how to give new life to pieces you may already have in your wardrobe.

Lovely Bird Hat / Alice + Olivia Romper / Aldo Belt / Zara Shoes / Asos Limited Edition Earrings /
Shark Tank Necklace via Nasty Gal / Cat Eye Ring by Gorjana / Sydney Zip Clutch by Fossil

River Island Fluro Pink Embroidered Kimono / Stella and Bow Courtney Love Necklace /
Sashi Tracy Long Bar Necklace / Pink Scallop Tank (similar  here) / Black Shorts / Gold Fringe Earrings (similar here)
Michael Kors Zip Black Clutch / Nine West Gladiator Heel (similar here)

Available at E. Leigh's - BCBGeneration

Available at Scarlet

Available at Steamroller Blues in the Heights

All proceeds from the 2014 Caribbean Cabaret will benefit Arkansas's largest shelter serving domestic violence victims, Women & Children First - an organization that empowers those who have been subjected to domestic violence, and their children, to live independently and free from violence by providing crisis intervention, safe shelter, social and legal advocacy, transitional housing, prevention education and support services. Tickets for Saturday night's event are $75/person and can be purchased at www.wcfarkansas.ejoinme.org. To learn more about Women & Children First, please visit www.wcfarkansas.org. 

Spring/Summer Makeup and Accessory Tips

Spring and summer not only bring opportunities to refresh your wardrobe, but just as important, a chance to update your cosmetics. As the temperatures heat up, I begin transitioning to a foundation of a lighter consistency, blushes, eye shadows and lips in cheerful shades, and my Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick never gets a rest. Another vital cosmetic that I change out is my under eye concealer. After trying bukoos and bukoos of concealers, I am finally in a committed relationship with the Mister Light Instant Light Corrective Pen by Givenchy! I love, love, love this pen!! It covers and conceals. It has the perfect weight. It never "cakes" up. It's easy to apply. It's amazing!! Available at Sephora.

While you're here, take a moment to visit the online edition of Lantana Living - a Texas community magazine to which I contribute a monthly style column. Lantana, Texas, is a beautiful, multi-award winning community located on the outskirts of Dallas. This month I address makeup and accessory tips to help with your transition into spring/summer. You can view the article here. 

Arkansas Riverfest 2014 - What to Wear

Lovely Bird Hat / Wildfox "I'm With Dreamy" tee / Fringe Crossbody Bag / Tory Burch Suede Booties /
Joe's Jeans Cut-off Shorts / Gorjana Stud Earring / Gorjana Mesa Necklace / Bauble Bar Double Midi Band /
Bauble Bar Script Name Cuff / Bauble Bar Wrapped Chain Bracelet

Banana Republic Fedora / Hollister Plaid Shirt / Coach Shoulder Bag / Superga Sneakers / River Island Skort /
Large Hoop Earrings / Bauble Bar Bondage Chain Ring / Nine West Statement Cuff

As the single largest event in the State of Arkansas, Riverfest will be celebrating 36 festive years this weekend! (I had no idea that the first-ever Riverfest was held in 1978!) That being said, I can't remember a single year, that it wasn't raining or steaming hot...which obviously makes your Riverfest wardrobe options a little challenging. 

To get your wardrobe wheels spinning, I've placed a couple of outfit inspirations above. You may notice three (3) key things about each set.

1. Each set contains a hat to keep the sun off of your beautiful face
2. Each set contains a crossbody bag to keep your hands free
3. Each set contains a low-heel, closed-toe shoe to keep water, dirt, grass, etc. from getting under your feet

I look forward to seeing your casual-chic outfits this weekend while we enjoy music from artists like Chicago, Hank Williams, Jr., The Fray, Three Days Grace, Lee Brice, and Salt-N-Pepa! I can smell the funnel cakes now.....

A Beachin' DIY Exfoliating Scrub

Polish - CoverGirl Outlast #147 Skylight

I don't know about you, but as much as I have anticipated this spring/summer, it arrived much quicker than I was prepared for. Before I knew it, I had two days until "go time" for the beach and the heels of my feet had no business seeing the light of day. So what's a girl to do but rush to the nearest nail salon and ask for a double pedicure with three repeat paraffin wax treatments and hope for the best. Unfortunately, all that hope wasn't enough as the "Heels of Heather" were still in need of some TLC.

Lucky for me, and lucky for all of you beach-goers, the sand on the beach is a natural exfoliate. By simply walking barefoot on the beach, you can remove dead skin cells from the bottom of your feet. You can also exfoliate your elbows and knees while beachin' around by rubbing small handfuls of sand in a gentle, circular motion. How do you like that?! The beginnings to a DIY pedicure doesn't sound so bad, does it?!

Now, I would say that the aforementioned is as "DIY" as you can get when it comes to exfoliation. However, I love the fact that you can take your beach sand a step further by making it a "moisturizing exfoliate" (which is the kind of exfoliate that my feet were in desperate need of). Curious to know how? Here is what you'll need...

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

• Waterproof container
• 3 tbsp. clean, dry beach sand
• 3 tbsp. sweet almond oil
• 1 Vitamin E capsule
• 6 drops of rosemary oil

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Pour the clean, dry beach sand into your waterproof container
2. Add the sweet almond oil to the sand and stir
3. Poke a small hole in the Vitamin E capsule and squeeze the oil into your sweet almond oil and sand mixture
4. Finally, add the rosemary oil and stir until it forms a thick paste
5. Gently exfoliate and wash with warm water

* Please note, this exfoliate is not to be used on your face.

Or...you can simply stick your feet in the water and let the fish take care of the dead skin cells as seen here in this real life Fish Pedicure:

Happy Anniversary!

When asked what I wanted for my 11th wedding anniversary gift last month, I told my hottie-of-a-husband that I would like a new setting for my engagement diamond as the original setting irritated my finger (aka gave me Wedding Ring Rash). With three diamond bands soldered together, my ring was very beautiful and very wide/thick...exactly what I had originally asked for. However, my ring finger often became irritated as soap and water (from washing my hands, bathing, etc.) would often get trapped under my ring and cause wedding ring rash. (Hahahaha! I laugh every time I say "wedding ring rash"). Anyway, being one that hardly ever takes my ring off, it seemed to happen way too often.

Prince Charming kindly agreed to my wishes and sent me off to our jeweler, Kyle-Rochelle, to design a new setting. Working with Harold and Carol of Kyle-Rochelle since 2002 has not only been such an amazing pleasure, but I love the way that they always make you feel like you are their one and only client and never fail to deliver. Any design you dream up, they can create! Below is the finished product and I couldn't be happier.

And just for fun...click this link to see What Your Engagement Ring Says About You.

Cupcakes and Cashmere for Club Monaco

If you're looking for something to pair the new "Courtney Loves Gorjana" Jewelry Collection with, I have some looks to recommend. Yesterday, Club Monaco launched its delicious Cupcakes & Cashmere capsule collection and it is so perfectly thought through. Taking a few of your wardrobe staples (white button down, black pencil skirt, trench coat, etc.) and adding beautifully special, and in some pieces subtle, touches, I'm loving the updated and easy wear of this collection! 

All that being said, keep in mind that you are shopping Club Monaco so the price points for this collection start at $198. Though I adore the white button down with white leather detailing (the Venetia Shirt), I have to stick with my rule of thumb. If you are going to "invest" in pieces for your wardrobe, "invest" in the classics. Not necessarily the classics with a trendy twist, but the "classic classics". Taking the Cupcakes & Cashmere capsule collection into consideration, the Madie Trench would be one to splurge on as it's a classic piece that has withstood the test of time.

Btw, receive 15% off your Club Monaco purchase through 5/16 (3pm Eastern Time) with promo code CUPCAKES.

Emily Dress (similar here)

Macee Leather Skirt (similar here)

Madie Trench (similar here)

Venetia Shirt (similar here)

(similar here)

Images via www.ClubMonaco.com

Heather Loves Courtney for Gorjana

She's southern and stylish...two of my most favorite qualities...and I absolutely adore her! Courtney Kerr, fashion blogger and television personality of "Courtney Loves Dallas", recently collaborated with with the genius Gorjana to create an uber-fabulous jewelry collection consisting of 21 stylishly wearable pieces. (yes, that was a major run-on sentence ;o)

Aware that the collection was to launch yesterday, I eagerly hopped online to see if my high expectations had been met. Before I knew it, I was wanting to place absolutely every. single. piece. in my bag! The necklaces are delicate, yet edgy. The rings and bracelets make a statement, yet they could be worn on an every day basis. It's exactly what I look for when shopping for accessories! Pieces that I am sure to get plenty of wear from...the kind that are go-tos and you don't have to give a second thought to. Bravo Courtney and Gorjana!! The Cour-Jana collection is impeccable! Though it's difficult to choose, here are a few of my favorites:

Uptown Ring to Wrist Cuff

Tori Midi Ring Set

Fancy Horn Necklace

Bravo Ring

McKinney Necklace

Downtown Layered Cuff

You're Such A Budapest

I love Spring for many reasons:

1. the temperature is as close as we [in Arkansas] will ever get to feeling like California
2. God's creation is blooming with life...flowers, trees, etc.
3. it's a superb reason to update your clothing and shoe wardrobe (not that I need a reason)
4. the colors of spring are so innocently sweet
5. my mani and pedis are given new life...

Tossing the heavy polish colors of winter into the wind, I always look forward to finding my season "go to" polish. This Spring, it's "You're Such a Budapest" by OPI! It's light, cheerful, beautiful, and surprisingly, seems to go with everything I put on!

Blemish Be Gone!

Being the thirty-something young and fabulous age that I am (insert wink), I have tried numerous blemish ointments and gels...and, yes, even toothpaste. Unhappy with what I was able to find over-the-counter, and desperate to kick random imperfections in the tail, I finally resorted to trying make-at-home solutions. Fail, fail and fail again! Just when I thought there was no hope and vowed to never waste my money on a blemish solution again, I was given the opportunity to try     A-S-A-P...Australia's #1 Cosmeceutical Skin Care Range - Clearskin Gel. 

To be honest with you, the A-S-A-P Clearskin Gel sat in my makeup drawer for a few weeks until one night when I was in a frenzy to bid adieu to a stubborn blemish. With low expectations and high hopes, I applied the A-S-A-P gel to my blemish and jumped in bed for the sweetest of dreams. The next morning...I was speechless! Bonnie the Blemish was barely there! Matter of fact, she was pretty much unnoticeable! The A-S-A-P Clearskin Gel had kicked her tail! I have never, in all my blemish years, experienced such an effective solution! And since then, it has worked, without fail, every. single. time...clearing away my blemishes ASAP! Worth every penny, you can purchase the A-S-A-P Clearskin Gel here (and save 20% TODAY with code 4MOM).

*Note: Mrs. Style Seeker was not given any type of compensation to highlight the A-S-A-P Clearskin Gel. This post is based off of a personal experience and recommendation.