Showing posts with label Blog Love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blog Love. Show all posts

9.14.2016




I have been so touched by the comments, emails, and private messages that I have received over the past week. I can't remember the last time I felt so loved...simply for being born! So I want to do a little something special to express my gratitude and appreciation. I haven't done a giveaway on my own in quite some time, so here is my opportunity! As a Stella & Dot stylist, I'm really excited for their new collections this Fall, and I think you will be too. I'm giving away a $50 dollar E-gift card to one lucky reader. It'll be the perfect way to update your wardrobe.

Open to US and Canada only. The giveaway will run through midnight PST on Monday, September 19th  and I will announce the winner on Tuesday September 20th. Enter the Rafflecopter below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


6.09.2016


 Nicole has been a dear friend of mine since high school. We have been there to witness each other's ups and downs, happy times and bad. When I asked her to guest post for me while I'm on vacation, she immediately said yes and I'm so excited to have her here. Please show my "red" some love!

~ Noelle




Hello Noelle’s beautiful readers!
What a fun thing it is for me to be able to write a guest post on beautygirl24. A little about myself, I am the daughter of my heavenly father, I am the wife of almost 6 years to an amazing man, momma to twin three year old boys and a newish blogger. I’ve had my blog (fittobetwinned) for a few years actually and before this one, I had another one. It wasn’t until recently I really decided that I wanted to write more, share more (but hopefully not too much) and have something to call mine. I’m a stay at home momma and that transition from Bachelors degree working woman, to stay at home mom was a tough one for me, but having this little space helps me feel like I’m doing something. My hope is that people can relate to my stories, learn something, laugh, or just feel like someone else in the world gets whatever it is you're going though. That’s why we all like to follow blogs, right?


When Noelle approached me to write a guest post I was so excited! My mind started reeling with what I could write. She left it wide open, and even though we shop at the same places and I love all of her pieces, my concept of getting dressed up is skinny jeans, a black top and a nice necklace, which is few and far between these days. However, in thinking of what I wanted to write my sister came up with an awesome idea. She suggested I talk about why it’s important for me to get ready every day.


Before I was a stay at home mom, my vision of a stay at home mom was that of non stop fun, sleeping in with snuggly babies, staying in yoga pants all day long, no schedule, the list goes on…well, let me tell you…sleeping in with snuggly babies is nearly impossibly when a small child (who is no longer a baby) sneaks into your bed in the wee hours of the morning and spends the next 2 hours kicking you in the back! Staying in yoga pants happens on some days but makes me feel lazy. That whole "no schedule" thing is a laugh because your entire life is a schedule with small children. Last but not least we do have a lot of fun but it’s equally as much work to do anything fun at all.




I decided early on that I had to do one thing for me to just help me feel productive and if that’s putting on makeup and doing my hair so I can just make meals all day, break up fights and love on my sweet boys, then that’s what I’ll do. When they were small this was really hard and I totally understood how someone could go a day or days without showering or getting ready. I struggled with PPD, although not officially diagnosed, I know what I felt wasn’t normal after having a baby or two! I felt secluded, anxious, and like my life was never going to feel normal again, I felt like I was never going to feel like myself again. Yes, I did change, I became a mom but that didn’t mean I had to give up all things that make me happy. One of those big things was just waking up, taking a shower, getting in clothes other than yoga pants, doing my hair, and putting on makeup. When I started that routine, it just helped. It might sound funny, but fighting for that part of me and having me time was so important. Do I still have my days of workout clothes, messy hair and not showering until after 1pm? Absolutely! Life happens and I have twins! But just having that little bit of time to get ready helps me face the day ahead.


So ladies or even men, if you have kids, want kids or are waiting for your special gift from above, just know that yes your life will change, but you don’t have to give up everything about yourself. When you become a parent, your life is that baby. It is so easy to get wrapped up about caring for them and your spouse but don’t forget about you along the way. It’s not selfish, you’re not a bad parent, but you will not be happy unless there is a bit of yourself for just you!


Take Care Everyone,

Nicole



Nicole's blog can be found here: http://fittobetwinned.blogspot.com/

10.06.2015

 This was supposed to go live yesterday, but my internet is down so I'm working from Starbucks. Can I just say, I love it! Why don't I do this more often? Not only can I get free wifi, but I can also grab a cup of iced coffee or green tea. And, there's no puppy whimpering at my feet begging to play. Genius.

Anyway, I posted my Fall must-haves last week, and now as promised, it is time for my blogger friends to share theirs as well. Here we go!



From sunny San Diego, Gina: Her blog is On The Daily Express
In Southern California, Fall feels similar to Summer but with less daylight and generally cooler evenings. That means the knee boots and blanket scarves that are popular on blogs this time of year are completely impractical here. I can still wear all of my summer clothes, but I do like to modify my style a little bit, and this year my fall must-haves can be summed up by this picture: Olive and Wine:

Image: Source 

I'm wearing the same lightweight fabrics and cuts as I did in the summer but I swapped out my usual greens and pinks for olive green and red wine-inspired shades.

I wear my white jeans year round, but for Summer I paired them with my Barcelona cami in coral: 

I've worn virtually the same outfit recently, but just by switching to a burgundy cami instead it makes me feel like I'm wearing a Fall outfit:

In the spring I opted for this bright green Portofino Shirt with jeans and leopard pumps:

Then I took the same outfit formula (green top + jeans + leopard pumps) but changed the top to olive green to give it a Fall look:

I'm wearing the exact same shirt and pants in the next two outfits, but changing the shoes from pink to burgundy (of course!) and the bag from yellow to leopard took me from Spring to Fall:

The Fall version:

So for me, my fall must-haves are more about color than anything else. Even if the climate doesn't change much it's nice to feel current just by making a few simple color changes to my outfits!




Next up is Rachelle from Florida. Her blog is Pinksole

Berry lips that I achieve with Estee Lauder Pure Color envy lipstick in plum berry and Nars lipgloss in sixties fan. Wearing both here:

I love any shade of deep red, so I am obsessed with my deep garnet bucket bag from J.Crew.


A utility vest is a must for Fall. I live in South Florida so this is perfect to layer without dying of  a heat stroke.


Last but not least, I love a nice pair of cognac booties, I have my eyes on this pair.





Carylee is from St. Louis and her blog is More Pieces of Me

Plaid shirts because anything plus plaid = an outfit!

Booties! All of the booties! My favorite are the Sam Edelman Petty boot. I have them in three colors - wine, putty, and leopard. They're perfect with skinnies, or even with bare legs when it's not quite cool enough yet!

The puffer vest. Oh my goodness, I bought the infamous herringbone one last year, and quickly added a few more to my collection since then. They're such a great layering piece, and surprisingly warm despite not having any sleeves!

Wine colored skinnies - I have five pairs in slightly different hues (maybe more) because they are on such high rotation.

The chambray - I do wear chambrays year-round, but I reach for them a lot more as it starts getting cooler for layering. It's lightweight but still provides enough extra warmth.





And last but not least, Zeba from Canada. Her blog is Ella Pretty Blog.

1. Shirt Dresses

2. Blanket Scarves


3. Tweed Jackets



4. Ginger tea and a good book




5. Lots of plaid!



I hope you enjoyed reading, and I also hope these lists inspire you to incorporate some of their favorites into your Fall season!

7.23.2015



I've followed Tara for quite some time now, and I've always admired not only her style, but also her authenticity. Although I've never met her in person, I feel like I know her because she seems so down-to-earth and genuine on her blog. Her link-up posts are a great way to connect and network, so when I saw that she was having guests co-host with her this Summer, I jumped at the chance to be a part of one. Being the sweet person I know she is, Tara said yes and I'm so excited to join her this week. 


I originally ordered this dress because my best friend owns several of them in different colors. I admired them on her, so I decided to try out the cobalt blue shade for myself. I'll admit that I'm not used to showing this much skin. I'm pretty modest, but given the fact that it's Summer and it's so hot and humid, I think it's the perfect little dress to throw on with some strappy heels and delicate jewelry. It's one you can dress up as I did here, or dress down. Put a bathing suit on underneath and it is a wonderful beach cover-up. Versatility is always key for me, and I think Tara would agree with that.



Wearing //
Olivaceous Dress, here & here
Halogen bag, similar here
Sole Society heels, similar (I own these too) 
BP Nordstrom necklaces  1 & 2
Beauty //



Speaking of pretty little dresses...





Summer Style Weekly Linkup guidelines:
1. Follow Mix & Match Fashion via bloglovin’ and Beauty Girl Twenty-Four via bloglovin'

2. Please link from today’s specific blog post, not your blog’s homepage.

3. Use the button below to link back to this linkup on your blog post, or use your own link if you would like.
Mix & Match Fashion


4.16.2015

In my first edition of the style blogger series, I mentioned that I wanted to make it a bi-monthly post. That one was so much fun to create. I got such wonderful feedback and lovely emails, that I knew I had to keep my word and continue showcasing my favorite ladies. I follow so many of you, don't be surprised if you receive a request next!


I reached out to five ladies last week, and luckily four of them replied back and agreed to participate. Two of these ladies I've been closely following for quite some time, and the other two are more recent inspirations. All have beautiful, attainable style.





First up is Tara, who I've been following for years now. What first drew me into her blog was her profession - a school teacher. I love women that work with children. It's such an under appreciated job, one that has a true impact on the future. I also work with children, and it's such a difficult position at times. I love that Tara shows us how to look professional and polished, yet still youthful. Her style is colorful and playful, and instead of following the whole stereotype of how a teacher "typically" dresses, she completely goes against that and has made me realize that you can have fun with your work wardrobe! Her use of color and pattern mixing always provide me with new ideas.




(formerly Kacie's Kloset)

Next is Kacie, a fellow California girl. I've also been following her for over two years now, and she is just stunning! Her style is so chic. She wears the perfect jeans, and then uses them to either dress up or down the rest of her outfit. She is one of the ladies who also inspired me to cut my hair! I loved her haircut so much that I actually showed her blog to my sister-in-law and had her try to replicate it. Did you know that, Kacie? I also admire her photography skills. She takes her own pictures, something I honestly don't think I could ever be talented (or patient) enough to do. She has an eye for styling, and she comes across as very professional about it. Her look is the epitome of California cool in my book. 






I found Rachelle's blog through my friends Gina and Carylee. I'm not really sure how it happened though. I kept seeing her featured on their blogs, and then I decided to click over to Pink Sole and was immediately hooked. She loves Express just as much as I do, and she has a beautiful way of putting things together to give me fresh ideas on how to pair them. She strikes me as a very capable and confident woman, something you all may know I'm struggling with as of late. Her confidence really shines through on her blog, and her smile makes every outfit she is wearing that much more beautiful. 






Carolina is my newest find. I hope that doesn't come across in the wrong way, but when I discover a blogger that really inspires me, it's like finding a diamond in the rough! The blogosphere is bombarded with new ladies every single day, and although I think there's room for everyone, I often see the same type of style. Carolina is how I long to dress. I literally want to raid her closet and wear everything she owns. She is insanely beautiful, and her style is impeccable. She looks modern but classic at the same time if that makes sense. She looks effortless but still very put-together, and that's something I always appreciate. 




I hope you will visit their blogs, if you don't follow them already. 

Thank you for reading!

2.04.2015


Today I've decided to do a little something different. One aspect of blogging that I really miss is the opportunity to have more interactions with ladies whom I admire. I used to participate in a monthly collaboration with a few fellow bloggers, and although it wasn't that long ago, it feels like ages. It was quite popular, and some of those "monthly must-reads" remain my most viewed to this very day. Honestly, the internet can be a lonely place. Anyone can start a blog, but I've always felt that there's something vacant about it all unless you're really connecting. So, in an effort to showcase more of that in my own little corner of this community, I've decided to share with you some of my favorite style bloggers. Two I've met in person, and three I would desperately love to! All five of these beautiful women have greatly inspired my personal style, especially over the last year or so. When I'm having a rough day or feeling particularly annoyed with my body and my clothing, I look to them for a pick-me-up. They've all been very kind and supportive of me on their blogs, so now it's my chance to return the favor.



First up is my friend from Canada. We go back a long way, as hers was one of the first blogs I can remember reading and genuinely loving.


I absolutely love her style, and we have deemed each other "style twins" because we have similar taste in clothing, makeup, and especially handbags. In fact, Zeba has quite a collection of bags that I am completely envious of. She always looks wonderfully put-together, but in a very easy and effortless manner. She never comes across as uncomfortable or stuffy. Her style is attainable, and that is something we can all appreciate. 







Next up is a gal I met recently over the Holidays when she was in town visiting family. I loved getting to know her a little bit more, and we are planning on making that little get-together annual.


Carylee is so skilled in remixing her wardrobe. In fact, she is currently doing a wardrobe challenge on her blog called RemixFix2015, where she uses different staples in her closet to create different looks instead of going out and spending money on more clothes. This idea is great for those of us who want to cultivate a more functional and practical way of looking at our closets. She loves the same stores that I do (Express and Nordstrom) come to mind. She's also my height, so I can always get a good sense of how something she wears may look on my frame as well. 






Skylette is another blogger that I feel a kindred spirit with. We both started our blogs roughly around the same time, and I've enjoyed her signature style ever since. Not only is she physically stunning (look at that gorgeous long hair and beautiful eyes), but she also comes across as a very sweet and down-to-earth person who loves her family as much as she loves fashion. 


She wears a lot of very feminine and classic pieces, but with a modern and sexy twist! Her J.Crew shoe collection usually has me dreaming of my next pair, and she's actually the person that inspired  my first set of their pumps. 
It was actually Sky's birthday recently, and I encourage everyone to read this post that her husband wrote about his wife. 





What can I say about my witty, sassy friend Gina? I first was introduced to her while on my honeymoon! I was walking in the parking lot of our hotel in Maui when I looked down at my phone and saw I had an email from a reader who kindly asked if she could use one of my images on her blog. I was so flattered that she took the time to do that, and I have been a loyal reader ever since. When I met her over the Summer and discovered that she lives in San Diego, I was thrilled! She is as sweet and genuine as she is smart and beautiful. 


What I love about Gina is that there isn't anything pretentious about her OR her style. She of course loves Express, and given that half of my wardrobe is from our favorite store, we definitely have that in common. She looks to celebrities and Pinterest quite a bit to gather style inspiration, and she recreates those looks so perfectly. I like that she gravitates towards clean, simple lines. Her collection of blouses, little jackets, tailored jeans and pants, and fun shoes really reflect our southern California lifestyle. Polished, but casual. 





Last but certainly not least is a blogger that I only discovered a few months ago. How did I not know about Amy Ann?! Such a travesty! 


Amy Ann's style is one I can imagine myself working towards. She wears pieces that I'm not sure I could entirely pull off (like her beautiful hats and over the knee boots) but I sure would love to! She exudes a confidence on her blog that I struggle with myself, but that is so inspiring to me. Her photographs are high quality, and many of them look like they belong in a magazine. In fact, she has been featured in People StyleWatch! I always look forward to seeing what she comes up with next. 





I hope you enjoyed this! I encourage you all to check out these ladies if you haven't already. I think I would like to make this a bi-monthly feature, so hopefully I can find other bloggers to participate. There are so many of you that I love. And thank you to all five of my beauties for allowing me to show you off :)

7.29.2014



Wearing //
Chanel bag (jumbo double flap in caviar leather), similar



I went back to school last Thursday night. As a perpetual student, the idea of sitting in a classroom once again excited the hell out of me. I miss college. It's been over four years since I graduated with my Bachelors's degree, and although I keep telling myself I should go back to get my Master's, time has been passing too quickly and I still have yet to apply for grad school. So when I was invited to Rewardstyle's school night in sunny San Diego I was elated to attend and learn more about using social media and other tools to improve the quality of my blog. I met so many lovely ladies! I'm not in touch with San Diego bloggers, as most of my close friendships are with those of you on the east coast and beyond. It was great to touch base and see just how many of us SoCal girls are out there blogging about beauty and style. I even got to meet one of my favorites, Gina from On the Daily Express. I had no clue she lived in SD (I thought she was an OC girl). I'm so thrilled I got to speak with her in person. She's gorgeous by the way, and very sweet and down-to-earth!


Gorjana was the guest speaker, and her beautiful jewelry was on display. I'm definitely going to add a couple of her pieces to my wardrobe. I love her motto of "live, love, layer".

I loved our "school supplies". Everything was so well done! The Gorjana team even gifted us with a gold bangle, which I happily wore all weekend. 



This is my favorite photo of the night. Can you spot me in the front row? I sat next to Jodi, and she is also such a sweet person. 

The event was held at UCSD in La Jolla. Hubby caught this picture of the sunset. 

On a more personal note, I'm very proud of myself for going to my first blogging event. I've written about my anxiety before, but it's been awhile since I touched on it here. My social anxiety often prohibits me from putting myself out there and meeting new people. I even contemplated not going to school night, even though I was fully prepared all week. I almost backed out. My husband was super supportive and wanted me to go no matter what, so he took off from work an hour early and drove me to the event.  He dropped me off and grabbed dinner at one of our favorite Mexican spots while I became a student again. It would have been so easy for me to back out and stay home, but I didn't let my fears get the best of me this time. I'm so glad I just went because I would have regretted it. So...a blogging conference might be next on my list? I'm ready! Sort of.

Have you attended a blog event? They seem addicting!

7.15.2014







Wearing // Asos dress
J.Crew pumps, similar for less!
Kate Spade bag, similar
Nordstrom Rack earrings, similar by Kendra Scott
Midi ring, love this

Beauty // Essie nails in "Bikini so Teeny"
Lips by M.A.C in Peach Blossom




Exactly five years ago, I started Beautygirl24. I had no idea what I was doing (I still don't really), but I was so excited about having my own little space to write about things I love. I didn't take into account how it would change my life. I didn't know it would give me more confidence, and I didn't know just how many girls I would "meet" or how many friends I would make. In fact, I never imagined I would attract a single reader. I originally only planned on doing beauty reviews and shopping posts, and then my blog transformed rather slowly into what it is today. I was passionate about it then, and I'm still passionate about it today. The blogging world has changed so much in the past five years, and I'm so fortunate that I can be a part of it in my own small way. Today, I just wanted to thank you guys for all of your sweet comments, questions, advice, inspiration, and support. I've seen so many ladies come and go, many who have perhaps moved onto other interests. But I've also known quite a few of you since the beginning (you know who you are). I've never had a real vision for Beautygirl24, and I think that's why I've enjoyed it so much over the years! I've never wanted to put pressure on something that I choose to participate in out of pure joy. I hope to continue to build relationships within this community, and I'm always open to new friends who love style, fashion, and beauty as much as I do. 

Happy birthday blog :)



Oh, and I need to thank this man for his support too! He photographs me while we laugh together, and until a year ago, he had never delved into photography. He tells me I'm beautiful even when I feel anything but. And he takes a genuine interest in my interests.

P.S. - We devoured the red velvet cupcake seconds after this photo.