When Sex and City first entered my life, it was on E!. I was five when the first episode aired on HBO. I remember my parents would put my sister and I to bed on Sunday nights a littler earlier so that they could be on the couch for that opening theme music. As an adult, I see a lot of unrealistic moments on the show. I am still drawn in and inspired by all of the fashion moments and questioning thoughts presented throughout the series and the movies.
While watching reruns the other day, I was suddenly struck with inspiration. Carrie is the OG working from home woman and her style never suffers just from being at home. I think the infamous stylist of the show, Patricia Field, made Carrie into this icon rather then a realistic depiction of what people wear at home. As an ode to my love of the show and my love of fashion, I decided I wanted to create some of her looks for the 2020 girl.
While we muddle through in our sweatpants and old hoodies, I have recreated 5 iconic #WFH looks inspired by the one and only, Carrie Bradshaw.
Carrie Bradshaw made a career of asking question and finding her own version of the truth. I don’t know what is going to happen next or when things will return to normal. In the meantime, I am comforted by my business, my clients, my family and my dreams. Stay fabulous at home lovely, if for no one other then yourself. I hope you find your inspiration every day!
It is hard to believe that I have been married 6 months now, how time flies. Once the thrill of being a newly wed started to sink in, I began to think about how I can preserve all of my wedding memories. Memories as special as these are going to be cherished. All throughout my childhood, I preserved memories in scrap books with my Nana. Not much has changed as I have gotten older, my Nana still made me a beautiful scrap book with all my wedding photos that I will cherish forever.
I wanted to find other ways to capture our love in our everyday life. With the power of Etsy and Small Woods Home, there are so many creative ways to do just that!
This creative beauty was given to me by my husband on our first married Valentine’s day. I love how simply elegant this is. It also reminds me of a night that flew by as we danced under this star filled sky.
We danced to “Today” by Brad Paisley on our wedding day. I look at this framed image and can hear the song in my head. Not to mention, the vintage look goes great with our farmhouse styled home.
I always incorporate pressed flowers into my scrap books if there were any at the event. This is like hanging that page right on my wall in a beautiful frame.
I have several Small Woods prints hanging in my house. This is my go to company for a great farmhouse print or image. This was my first try with custom work, but I knew I wanted to hang our vows over our bed from day one. I also blew up my favorite photo from our wedding by Sabrina Boykin Photography for the middle. I have to say this was well with every penny and every minute of trying to make sure they were perfect. I have a daily reminder of those promises I made to Jacob.
I raise a glass to you and your wedding memories. May they never be forgotten or lost in time.
I will be honest, I do not travel very much. My childhood vacations were spent in Williamsburg, VA and VA beach. Both no more then 2 hours from home. In my teen years, I loathed the same old trip with family to such a “boring” place. Now as an adult, we don’t take many family vacations anymore. I would give a lot to go back to those family trips and memories. During this time when family seems far away and travel, even further away, I can’t help but day dream on memories and my next adventure.
I have not traveled much, but I have always had an incredible desire to explore the USA. Below are some of my wish list travel locations that are keeping my day dreams positively filled with light!
New York is filled with all the fabulous things. The Museum of ice cream and all its childlike wonder would defiantly be a stop during my stay. I would also make time a taping of the The Wendy Williams show (hot topics is such a guilty pleasure) I would also stop at the Met of course and enjoy some unique dining options paired with a Carrie Bradshaw Manhattan wherever I roam into.
If you are looking for that tropical destination without a passport, I have always though Florida was the answer. Relaxation, beaches and one large strawberry daiquiri and I will be set.
A southern dream, to roam the gardens and rooms of the Biltmore. Then to return to your yurt to sleep under a blanket of stars, I think it sounds magical. This glamorous site is only a few hours from my home so potentially a perfect weekend trip.
I would love to explore the west the a modern day cowgirl. Get outside with a jeep tour of the rocks and terrain or a tour through the canyons. The west looks like nothing else I have ever experienced. Not to mention a great excuse to pack a suitcase full of fringe and turquoise.
That’s so Raven was based in San Fran and from that moment I wanted to visit and see what it was all about. Roam the hills from the bay to China town, something tells me I would not be disappointed. Not to mention a quick visit to the Full House house, what an iconic city for that alone.
I hope these destinations fill your mind and make you want to wander. What are your bucket list trips? Drop your comments below!
In the beginning of your planning, determining your budget is a huge first step. No venue can be booked and it is hard to get started without an idea in mind. When Jacob and I started planning our wedding, we knew we had a smaller budget. Once we selected our venue and that was over budget from the get go, I knew that we would have to find other bargains along the way. Today I wanted to share three places you can start to look for savings from the beginning of your planning process.
Be Realistic
Be Early
Be Flexible
Create a realistic budget
A lot of people think that coming up with a budget is just pulling a number basically out of thin air. The reality is, that a budget is just as personal to every couple as any other wedding detail. You have to create realistic expectations for yourself. If you have no clue what a wedding costs in your neck of the woods, do some research first. Reach out to venues and ask for a price sheet broken down by day and time of year. This should give you a good place to start. Starting off in the right mindset is a key to saving in the long run, if you know what the average venue cost is, you can determine what you need roughly fora a venue and other vendors.
Start early
Every couple is different when it comes to their timeline. While not everyone has the longest timelines to get marred, the earlier you start booking vendors the better chance you have to negotiate if needed. Planners, photographers, and venues all book up extremely early but lets say you are a 8 months to a year out. Those vendors might have more availability and may be able to work with you and your budget. If you are going to negotiate with you vendors, please always remember to be kind and not to under value their work.
Days, times and seasons
If you are open to new times of year, day and the week this is a great place to look for savings. On average a wedding hosted on a Friday or Sunday is at least 30% less then it’s Saturday equivalent. You can also explore the “off season” November – April. If your venue is inside for example, does it matter if it is warm and sunny outside if it means saving money?
I hope these tips give you an idea of where you can look for hidden savings in your wedding planning.
My real secret resource, is your wedding planner! Someone who knows the industry, knows the vendors, the area and can provide you unmatched advice on where to save and where to splurge. If you are looking for a wedding planner or day of coordinator shoot me and email at Thedirtyblondestylist@gmail.com. I can’t wait to hear from you!
For a lot of us today, we are ignoring those structured pieces, bulky sweaters and extra tight pants, in exchange for cozy cottons and fuzzy socks. I feel for my poor clothes, pushed to the side in exchange for something cozy. Even more so…my poor shoes! I haven’t worn anything other than bunny slippers and the occasional tennis shoe in so long! I am constantly thinking about when COVID-19 is all over and we are back to normal. As excited as I am for life to get back to normal, I am so excited get back to getting all dressed up again!
“What better time to stock my wardrobe” how I rationalize a little online shopping during lunch and in the evenings as a way to wind down. I must say, I am also just excited to have something coming, something fun just for me on the way.
When you find your free time, for a little retail therapy, check out some of my spring favorites!
The eternal optimist in me has become determined with creating special events even while we are stuck at home. My heart hurts for all of us, especially those of us who have had their wedding, baby shower, or birthday “taken away from them” this year. I have seen some pretty creative celebrations come out of all this including drive-through birthdays, Zoom flip cup and drinking games, then, of course, the smaller gatherings when those were still allowed.
For my sister, her birthday fell subject the the Corona Virus repercussions. It became my mission to still create something wonderful for her despite the stick rules. If you have a cotton candy loving person in your life, follow these decorating tips below to through a simple cotton candy bash on a budget!
Decor:
Cotton candy letters
Cotton candy banner
Photo wall props
Streamer photo wall
Snacks and Treats
Pink and blue rice crisps
Cotton candy cocktails
Sweetly topped cake
The Decor DIY
I am proud to say that I made all of the decor myself and was not limited by stores being closed or reducing shipping.
Supplies:
Hot glue gun
Fuzzy/stuffing
Pink and blue spray paint
Glitter
White card stock
Tissue banner
Card board letters
Start by creating a decent inventory of both blue and pink “cotton candy”. Lay a decent amount of the stuffing out on a flat surface and spray paint. Let dry before turning over to do the other side. Avoid spraying every inch of the fuzz, cotton candy is light and airy, so some white is okay!
To create the letters, cover small sections of the letters with hot glue and apply thin layers of the painted fluff. Careful not to press down with your fingers, use a pen or the tip of the glue gun to avoid burning yourself. Make sure you cover all of the brown but don’t lose the integrity of the letters. Pull the fuzz tight in some areas to avoid the fluff taking over.
Pack you patience for this cotton candy banner. This is not hard but is fairly time consuming. Fold the paper balls out to make a circle.Optional: spray paint the balls with white paint to dull the bright colors. If a white banner is available, get that!
Cut the white card stock into 4 equal squares. roll the squares into a cone shape and secure with a dab of hot glue. sit up straight to let dry. Once they are dry, apply a little glue to the bottom of the cone and dip into the glitter. Return to straight-up position to dry. Once the glitter is dry, apply a lot of hot glue around the top of the cone and secure it to the paper ball. I applied the cone along the seam of the ball so I knew all the cones would face the same direction. I sued the top of the glitter to sit the ball in so that they would also dry standing up. Once the cones are secure, apply more painted fuzz across the front of the ball. Go on smaller sections with the hot glue to avoid burning yourself. I alternated between pink and blue fuzz, but you are welcome to use just one color if you would prefer.
For the larger props, I made oversized cotton candies the same way I made the banner. This cone is one full sheet of card stock rather than a forth. Since the cotton candy here is not balancing in a ball like with the banner, you can stick some of the cotton down in the cone to create a more stable base.
One of my favorite elements to a party is a custom welcome cocktail. for this soiree we kept it simple. A pinch of cotton candy with champagne over top and that’s it! A delicious pink drink that is sweet and festive.
To all your quarantined birthday folks out there, happy birthday! I hope you were able to find your own sparkle in your at home celebrations!
Over the last few weeks, as more and more people have headed home, I find myself curious. How does everyone look? Are you still showering regularly? Are you exclusively wearing your comfy sweatpants from senior year basketball that are not all that cute anymore?
The mind of a stylist is always styling not judging. Stay at home moms and a lot of small business folk, have been trailblazing this path for years. I turned to them for guidance and to determine how they start their day!
Based on my research, most of them get up, get dressed and put themselves together even they aren’t facing a client that day. When I say get dressed that does not mean sweatpants usually. Truth be told, even if we are at home, clothes still make us feel a certain way about ourselves. Remember that feeling you had when you wore that super fabulous outfit to work, remember how confident you roamed the halls and the compliments from your co workers? Even though it seems like ages ago, everyone has had a moment like that.
While many of us are home, there has to be a way to keep that feminine look that makes us feel good about ourselves. I am sharing some of my favorite at home looks. These are all designed to make you feel confident and comfy!
Every outfit is complete with bunny slippers and little to no make up! Work from home in style without being uncomfortable. They say the people who work at home in jeans are trying to prove something. Yeah, trying to prove to myself, “yes I am still worth my own time. I am worth a little extra effort!”
If you are looking to update your style, at home or for when we all get back to the real world, shoot me an email about my online styling services at Thedirtyblondestylist@gmail.com.
Often I hear my brides say that wedding planning is like building a house, there are so many options! Options can certainly feel over whelming at times. Without a clear vision, the options will swallow you into a ball of stress. When it comes to your beauty options, I always look to the artist for her professional opinion for each Bride. While there are still many variables, some things remain the same.
I sat down with my dear friend, and fellow vendor, Ashley from Beauty Boss to talk wedding day makeup options. Not to mention some of her favorite products for every day and the big day!
What is the difference between an airbrushed look and regular foundation?
“The key difference is coverage. Airbrush foundation doesn’t offer much coverage, so I would only suggest an airbrush application to clients that either have flawless skin or are having a morning wedding. Liquid foundation offers much more coverage because there are more color pigments. They now even make HD liquid foundation that hides flaws when a camera is snapped! Concealer is a thicker, super concentrated version of foundation. They have under-eye concealers that don’t “crease” and color-correcting concealers. My best advice is to try different concealers prior to your big day only because they are hit and miss – and they work differently for everyone!”
Whatis your favorite wedding technique for a glamours eye?
“Utilize the “blend-build-blend” method. Blending before adding additional eyeshadow and/or eyeliner ensures that you will get the want you look without going overboard on color. Always remember that you can add color, but you can’t subtract color.”
What is one trick you recommend for wedding make-up?
“I actually have 2 key tricks. No one likes seeing photos of themselves and focusing on their oily face. Your wedding pictures will be no different! Always keep a powder brush and some loose setting powder close at hand to touch up your T-zone throughout your special day! My other trick is to use extra-strength eyelash glue. Ladies, an undone eyelash will drive you nuts, and who wants to spend their wedding day fighting with a stubborn eyelash? No one I know, so just go ahead and get the strongest faux lash superglue on the market – you won’t be disappointed!”
What is your favorite all day finishing spray or powder solution?
“I LOOOOVE NYX’s Finishing Spray! However, after I apply the Finishing Spray, I go back on top of it with Bare Minerals’ Mineral Veil. This dynamic duo will work hard to ensure oil doesn’t even think about stealing your wedding day limelight!”
What is your personal favorite waterproof mascara?
“For waterproof mascara (which is a must, even for bridesmaids) I recommend Too Faced’s Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara. The original formula can make even the smallest lashes compete with faux. But for your wedding day, you will need the added benefit of waterproof.”
Final thoughts from the Beauty Boss:
No amount of “designer” makeup can compare to properly applied makeup. Yes, drugstore makeup is just as good if you know how to apply. It really is best to sit down, watch YouTube videos and try to recreate a look. You will get good at doing your own makeup and ladies, that skill will take you farther in your marriage than a wedding makeup artist ever could.
If you are looking for more advice from the Beauty Boss or to inquire about her services for your big day head over to Facebook to learn more!
For those of you who don’t know, I am still a newly wed. I got married October 26, 2019 and some claim I still walk around with my head in the clouds like a newly wed would do. This time last year, I was knee deep in planning. To fast forward to two months out from October, I was almost 100% done with my planning. Invites were out, RSVPs were coming back, all vendors secured, timelines being created and I was so ready to get married.
Fast forward to today, my focus has shifted back to my clients and the brides I am serving today. My heart is breaking for all Brides who are currently faced with the decision “do we need to postpone our wedding?” Many brides are looking for guidance during this time. If there was ever a time to have a wedding planner now is the time. I am so relieved to hear other brides reference there wedding planner during this time. This unique situation is difficult to navigate even for the most experienced planner. Here are a few tips of places you can start if you have found your day at risk.
Seek outside help from the people on your team: This is an emotional time for everyone involved. Gather opinions from three key people involved in your planning who can offer logical advice. Your wedding planner, venue coordinator and your fiance as an example.
Look at your contracts: Knowing your options at face value will help you set the stage for what could happen. While some vendors are being lenient with their contracts and clauses, others may hold firm to cancellation or postponing clauses. Prepare yourself for what that total might look like as a way to brace yourself. You may also find a way out given the situation under a force majeure clause. I have been looking through all vendor contracts for my brides in an effort to save the couple money.
Let your planner help you: I know it can be hard for a lot of brides to let go and trust in someone else. In this case, the benefits of a professional will prove its worth. If you have not already, ask your planner to help in the following ways:
Review all contracts
Touch base with your venue
Present options for possible solutions
Serve as the liaison between you and the vendors during negotiating and rescheduling
All I can think is “how can I help?” For the next few weeks, I am offering what I call the “Social distancing discount” I am offering 20% off my three month coordination package. I truly want to help any way I can. If you are looking for a wedding planner or day of coordinator, send me an email at Thedirtyblondestylist@gmail.com.
I know I am not the only Bride who has walked herself down the aisle for one reason or another on her wedding day. I remember every moment of that walk.
For such a quick moment of a long day, it certainly can hold its own in as far as memories go. To fully tell this story I need to back to up just a bit.
Jacob and I started dating the summer of 2016, we spent every moment we could together. Since I lived with my parents still, a lot of our time together in the beginning was spent with my parents at their house. He would drive an hour every Wednesday night to hang out with me and my family and have family dinner. It was our only time during the week we really saw each other until the weekends. Over that first year, Jacob got to know my family and vise versa. In the spring of 2018 Jacob asked my parents if he could marry me. So I have heard, my Dad leaned back in his chair and with a smile said “I think that would be alright.” On June 2, 2018 Jacob dropped to his knee in the sand of VA beach and asked me point blank “Will you marry me?” My life changed forever that day and that weekend remains one of the best weekends of my life. The months after that took a turn quickly and on Christmas eve, 2018 my Dad went to be with the Lord.
2019 was right around the corner at that point and I channeled my energy into distracting myself from that pain. I went into full on wedding planning mode starting in February. As the planning continued, people tiptoed around me trying to ask “Well, who is going to walk you down the aisle?” “Are you going to dance with someone else at the reception?” Questions, that for a long time, I was not ready to answer.
Once I started thinking about it, I quickly decided that I wanted no one other than my Dad to make that walk with me. The father daughter dance was a little trickier. That moment has been a long time favorite of mine at other weddings, a testament to me being a Daddies girl. So I entertained the idea of dances with my brother, my mom, one of my uncles, even my father in law. I wanted Jacob to be able to have a mother son dance with his mom and not take that away from them. In the end, Jacob and I only danced with each other. I had decided that I did not want to force a dance just for traditions sake and Jacob’s mom told me she would have cried through the whole dance with him and would rather not do that in front of everyone.
After months of planning, October 25th finally came and it was our rehearsal. I remember waiting with the bridal party to walk in, they each went one by one until it was just me standing there behind the barn. For just a moment I felt alone. Not a second after that feeling settled into my soul, a gust of wind came over my face. I swallowed the tears welling up in my eyes and out loud to myself I said “Let’s do this Dad.” My wedding planner signaled me to start walking and I did. I felt the strength of my Dad in every step I took. I left that night feeling comforted and assured myself I could do this for real the next day.
Wedding day came. There was no immediate sadness, for a brief moment I remembered the first look I had wanted to do with my Dad. The first look I did with my girls was such a moment that I won’t ever forget. The time had really come, on the day of I was never by myself behind the barn like I was at the rehearsal. As each of my girls left my wedding planner and one of the photographers were right there with me. Right before I turned the corner, I took a deep breath, told my Dad I loved him and just walked. In that real moment I did not feel alone, I didn’t feel like anything was missing or lost. I felt my Dad walking with me as if his arm was actually linked in mine. When I got to the end of the aisle, I was given away jointly by my mom, sister and brother. From there, the rest is history they say.
For all of you who face this walk alone, I know what you are going through. Some say this was supposed to be the hardest walk of my life. In truth, I was walking towards my future with the strength of my Dad. I pray anyone facing this journey is able to find the strength that I did. I wish for everyone that you are able to find the blessings that I did. I hope that every Bride is nothing but filled with love on her wedding day.
The Dirty Blonde Stylist 