2-day Yosemite Itinerary and Gear List

James Roy Photography            

DAY 1 - Vernal and Nevada Falls
3 miles to Vernal Fall, 7 miles to Nevada Fall roundtrip, Difficulty: Strenuous
- From Yosemite Valley, take the free shuttle service to station 16 at Happy Isles or walk 1 mile SE from Curry Village to the Mist trailhead
- Follow the signs for Vernal Fall
- If you're ready for more, continue on to Nevada Fall
- For new views and less steep descent, take the John Muir trail back to the trailhead
- For more info, click here

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DAY 2 - Lembert Dome

2.8 miles round trip, Difficulty: Moderate
- From Yosemite Valley, take Highway 120 ten miles to the Crane Flat turnoff onto Tioga Road, then take Tioga Road 40 miles East to reach the trailhead at the far eastern edge of Tuolumne Meadows
- The top of Lembert Dome offers beautiful views of Tuolomne Meadows
- For more info, click here

James Roy Photography

Gear list for day hikes:
I borrowed generously from our friends Oren's and Cassie's gear list. You can check out their year-long around-the-world travels at 42nd Class (here).
- Layers of sweat-wicking clothes
- Pack and Camelbak reservoir
- If hiking with a partner, additional Camelbak

- Plenty of food and high-energy snacks
- Hiking shoes (men/women)
- Hat and/or sunglasses
- Hand sanitizer
- Tissues

How To: Rework a Bridesmaid Dress

Thanks to savvy retailers and designers and brands who know what their customers want, bridesmaids dresses are more stylish and rewearable than ever. 

One of my very best friends is getting married this Saturday and I couldn't be happier about the bridesmaid dress I'm wearing for her wedding (here).

But sometimes, whether it's a mental block - I wore this in a wedding, ergo it is a bridesmaid dress - or the style/fabric reads a little bridesmaidsy - silk dupioni, anyone? - it can be hard to reimagine a bridesmaid dress. 

So how do you do it?

A tell-tale sign of a bridesmaid look is pretty, put-together, but not-too-flashy styling. Because who wants to out-sparkle the bride?

Shake the bridesmaid look with bold accessories. Pick pieces that that can transform a simple dress like a statement necklace, a belt, and chic shoes. Don't be afraid to play with color, pattern, and texture to give your bridesmaid dress a whole new look!

dress | earrings | bangle | nude pumps | necklace | suede pumps | belt

Good things

Happy Friday, friends! We're headed to Door County for the long weekend for a family reunion and to celebrate James' birthday a bit early. Wishing you a happy Labor Day weekend!

Before we scoot out, I wanted to share a few good things I've been enjoying recently. To start with my favorite, meet EyeLeo...

• EyeLeo: a free program for your computer that reduces eye strain and promotes getting up and moving your body during the work day. I've been using it for about two weeks now and I have to say, this  cute little lion really does get me to take breaks.
• Hoegaarden: a delicious, light, white ale.
• Sprouted Kitchen: my mother-in-law bought me this cookbook for my birthday and I'm loving it. Our favorite recipe to date is the green herb shrimp with summer squash couscous and we're making the grilled flatbreads with pear, arugula, and goat cheese tonight!
• Goodreads: a site where you can keep track of books you've read and books you want to read, as well as share recommendations with your friends. I have so many books on my to-read list, I wouldn't be able to remember them all without Goodreads!

packing light for vacation

before we dive in, i want to say thank you for the sweet comments last week! i was sick for a week straight, but i'm on the mend.
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today's post is 100% inspired by my excitement about our upcoming vacation to the riviera maya. it isn't until may (why didn't i book earlier??), but that's besides the point. i'm already dreaming about sunny beaches, local shopping, and romantic dinners.

i'm a big fan of packing light on trips and avoid checking a bag when i can. i find when i overpack, i haven't planned efficiently and i haven't included the most versatile items. to avoid hauling multiple bags, pick pieces that you can mix and match and visualizing how you'll pair them ahead of time. for example, a staple like a neutral tank or tee is a no-brainer because you can pair it with any color pant, skirt, short, etc.

below is a guide to packing light that will give you well over a week's worth of outfit options.

now let's take a look at how we might pair some of these pieces to create several different outfits:

jeans | maxi skirt | pencil skirt | shorts | mini skirt | maxi dress | short dress | jacket | necklace | cuff | flats | sandals | sperry's | wedges

high-low pairing

today's post is inspired by one of the write-in recommendations from my survey, asking me to explain how i pair higher-priced items with lower-priced ones. this high-low pairing is a great way to save and still follow trends without breaking the bank.

i said it before in my workwear essentials post and i'll say it again: a pencil skirt, particularly a black one, is a staple every woman should have in her wardrobe. i would recommend investing in a quality skirt and have this be your "high" item. and to keep things simple, we'll look at one retailer for "low" item in this pairing. LOFT is a favorite of mine for affordable, but fashionable tops, like this cardigan. 

now let's take a look at how we might wear these skirts and tops...

skirt 1 (50% off!) | skirt 2 (65% off!) | skirt 3 | skirt 4 | skirt 5 | skirt 6 (30% off!) | skirt 7
top 1 | top 2 | top 3 | top 4 | top 5 | top 6 | top 7 | top 8

a couple of things to keep in  mind:

the most important thing to consider when choosing a skirt is fit - you want the skirt to hug you in the right places without being too tight. my favorite fit is a high-waisted pencil skirt that hits just below the knee.

you can never go wrong by tucking in a silk camisole or shell into your skirt and topping with a cardigan. 

so, what do you think? is this helpful? what other styling or beauty advice would you like to see?

and if these options weren't enough, you can shop more LOFT tops below:

LOFT tops

THE blush you need

first off, a big thank you to those who have taken my survey about ANC! i love my readers and want you to keep coming back, so thank you for your suggestions and ideas! if you haven't taken it yet and want to, clickity click HERE. 

one of the topics you said you wanted to see more of is beauty and i aim to please.

i have professed my love of the book how to look expensive on ANC before and today i reference again because it introduced me to the best beauty purchase i have made in the last year. i give you... "the multiple" in orgasm by nars.

it's called "the multiple" because you can wear it on your eyes, cheeks, and lips; although i would recommend using it sparingly on your lips because it can look dried out. lustig specifically references "the multiple" in orgasm several times in her book, so much so, that i decided to give it a try.

it's no secret that the orgasm blush shade has been acclaimed by beauty experts the world over for working with every skin tone, but when i tried the powder blush a couple of years ago, i wasn't all that impressed. the powder looked flat on my face and the color wasn't interesting enough for me to leave my laura mercier spiced cider. so, i didn't have high hopes for "the multiple," but boy was i wrong!

the cream blush is luminous, giving an effortless, subtle flush that truly looks natural. i find it brings out the pink in my lips, so i don't need to wear lipstick or lipgloss to finish my look. but there is definitely a "right" way to apply this product. i had the resident artist at the nars counter at macy's break it down for me and i created the chart below to share with you.

i am a total believer of the multiple and would highly recommend it! i'd love to hear if you try it out or if you already have it, if you try my recommended application method.

illustrations: thinkstock and via

valentine's day gift guide: thoughtful gifts

valentine's day is right around the corner and you or your girl might be tired of the traditional red and pink fare and are looking for something a bit more unique. 

my advice for gift-giving is to keep the person you're buying for front of mind - what kind of gal is she? think about the her hobbies, her sense of style, her personality. did she live abroad or does she have a favorite travel destination? consider a destination-themed gift or even a trip there. does she want to learn to draw? try a starter art kit, with drawing pencils, paper, and a pretty box to keep them in.

the amount of thought you put into a gift is what will set it apart. 

so, who are you buying for this valentine's day?

decorative boxes | map | teacup | dog necklace | salt and pepper cellars | color wheel necklace | brass sailboat

getting fit with friends

a focus on fitness isn't technically one of my intentions for 2013, but i do have a renewed energy about working out since the start of the new year. there are so many times that i mean to work out, but don't actually make it to the gym and even though i have a gym in my office building, i haven't been going very often.

after talking with some friends at work who felt the same way, i decided to create a "peer pressure work out club" or what i've dubbed PWOC. our PWOC includes people of all fitness levels, but we've committed to meeting at the same time every wednesday to head to the gym together. by blocking time in our calendars ahead of time, we can plan around the gym time, and by committing to the "club" together, we can encourage each other to go and to motivate one another once we're there.  

if you want to jumpstart your workout routine, consider working out with a friend. there is strength in numbers! you'll be less likely to cancel on a friend and you can motivate each other once you're out on the trail or groovin' during zumba. hopefully it will be something you look forward to!

your PWOC can be a pal you meet with for yoga or a more formal group like a running club. it can even be a long distance friend that you e-mail/text/tweet with to keep each other on track. choose whatever works best for you, but set a time and date each week to work out. put it on the calendar and make it a priority.

as my mother says, "a priority is what gets done." now get 'er done! 

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the hair game changers

marilyn in a costume test for how to marry a millionaire via. for the life of me i can't find the original source - please e-mail me if you know! 

if you haven't heard about how to look expensive or have and never read it: this is for you. 

this book is the beauty bible for us girls who don't have stylists, don't go to the salon for a blowout every week, can't afford $500 facials and haircuts. andrea pomerantz lusitg is the former beauty columnist for glamour, started glamour.com's beauty blog, and spent 10 years before that as the beauty guru for sephora.com and cosmopolitan. 

she provides practical, DIY beauty advice and tips, calling upon some of the best (read: expensive) stylists, on how to achieve the flawless looks stars pay oodles for. she doesn't claim that her advice will make you looks like blake lively on the red carpet, but there are insider tricks and tips that we mere mortals aren't privy to. for example, there is a step-by-step guide to blow-drying your hair, with illustrations. after reading that i realized i had been blow-drying my hair incorrectly my whole life. womp womp.

and let's talk about the illustrations. the insanely talented and stylish, dallas shaw, illustrated the entire book, including the adorable cover. i've been a longtime fan of dallas' work and blog and bought the book primarily to support her, not realizing how much i would be impressed with the quality and content.

there are also diagrams for the best haircuts for your face and lifestyle and tips on what kind of highlights are best for your hair color and how to get the most bang for your buck. rather than give you a "best of" list of eye creams, lotions and potions, she provides the ingredients you should be looking for and then gives a few examples of products. 

i'm pretty happy with my overall makeup routine, so i spent more time in the hair section, and so glad that i did. lustig tells you the hair products you absolutely need, offering options at all price ranges. and i'm sharing my favorites with you today. the marilyn tuxedo-pro boar bristle brush is a must-have for a shiny, silky blowout. i'm not kidding you, it has changed my hair. it comes in all sizes, but i went with the 3". hint: amazon has the best prices! 

the terrycloth hair turban wasn't listed in "the only hair tools you'll ever need" section, but i think it should have been! beauty experts will tell you it's better for your hair to wash it every other day or every couple of days, but obviously you'll still be showering. simply pinning your hair up or using a shower cap lets in steam which essentially deflates your hair. i finally purchased a turban and it worked wonders. my hair retained its style and looked just as buoyant as before. 

i'll be honest and say i feel a little self-conscious about carrying the book around town or talking about it with people i don't know that well because i'm afraid the title makes me look superficial. that being said, it's one of the best purchases i made in the last year and i refer to it over and over.

*this is not a sponsored post, just sharing the love!

book | turban | brush

so, you've been invited to a wedding

hello, lovelies! with my own wedding this year and a couple of good friends planning theirs, i've had wedding etiquette on the brain. i think we tend to pay a lot of attention to the behavior of the bride, but what about the invitees?

if you have never planned a wedding, you might not be aware of the amount of preparation and consideration that goes into coordinating such a big event. many brides and grooms pour over small details like typography and favors because they care and want to create a special and memorable day for themselves and their guests. 

if you've been invited to a wedding, here are some basics to keep in mind:

meghan sepe photography via style me pretty

1. send in your RSVP

there's no slack here, friends. it is common courtesy to respond to an invitation and it takes minimal effort. in many cases, the RSVP card comes with a stamped envelope, so no excuses for not sending it in or sending it in late.

it may not be the biggest event on your calendar for the year, but if you have been invited to a wedding, that means you were hand-picked to share in one of the most important days in the bride's and groom's life. you should feel honored to be included; it that means your name is on an excel spreadsheet somewhere with details like your plus one and child's name. it means your name is strategically placed on a seating chart, which the couple has probably agonized over, to ensure you are seated with people you know or at least will have fun with.

you may not think your response a big deal when the couple is sending out dozens, hundreds of invitations at a time, but every RSVP is tracked and impacts things like food, seating, favors, and of course, price. some couples can only afford to invite a certain number of guests, in which case, the hand-picking really stands out. you may have been chosen over another friend and it was likely a difficult decision for the couple to make.

you should also know that the bride likely cares a lot about each little RSVP. if you are a good friend or close family member and you can't make it, consider writing a little note on the back of the card or sending an e-mail. it's disappointing when favorite-cousin-betty or best-friend-from-basketball-joey just marks NO. even if you are able to attend, rest assured, the bride and groom will smile if you write them a note on the RSVP. 

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2. read between the lines

if your invitation was addressed just to you, that means you alone are invited. you may think it uncouth that the couple did not give you a plus one or invite your child, but that choice is theirs and it is your prerogative not to attend. if you don't have a plus one, it is likely because the couple cannot afford it and not because they are being cheap. in some cases, you might even find that the bride will offer you a plus one leading up to the wedding because one of the guests she had to invite (like dads-golfing-buddy-tom) can't make it. 

so, in practice that means you should not a) ask the couple if your boyfriend or toddler can attend, b) show up with a guest, or c) complain to a member of the wedding party in the hopes that it will get back to the couple and they will reconsider. 

the one caveat i would highlight for this and any other etiquette question is to use your best judgment. if you are engaged, your fiance should be invited and if he/she wasn't, it might have been an oversight. if you have been invited to every one of your significant other's family's weddings and were left off of the invitation this time, ask your sig-o to check on that for you. again, it was likely an oversight and don't take offense. the bride and groom have a lot of details to manage and every once in a while, something might fall through the cracks.

photography: tec petaja via once wed

3. be self-sufficient

hopefully, the couple has included logistics information on a wedding website or in the invitation, but if they have not or if the directions aren't clear, use google maps or ask another attendant. don't e-mail the bride asking her for directions.

be particularly sensitive the week of the wedding. there are a lot of last-minute to-dos, family coming in town, and the bride and groom might even be surprised at the amount of running around that goes on in the last few days before the wedding. so, don't ask the couple to pick you up at the airport the day of the rehearsal or especially, the day of the wedding. and if you are in the wedding, the wedding day is not the time to figure out where to distribute programs or to complain about the order of the procession.

there you have it. three rules isn't so bad, is it? but i'm curious - do you agree with these etiquette tips? are there any others that should be added to the list?

i'm linking up with a charming occasion for "wedding wednesday" today, so hop on over to see lots of wedding goodness.

what to wear to a fall wedding

if you're like me and have a fall wedding to attend, think about incorporating transitional pieces, into your look for those cool-but-not-quite-cold days and nights. in fashion, "transitional," refers to articles of clothing that are worn in between seasons and can transition from one season to another.

think of a lightweight sweater or trench coat for those sunny spring days when there's still a chill in the air. or pairing tights under your skirts and dresses as summer turns to fall. these are the items that will keep you comfortable and weather-appropriate before a season is in full swing.

coat | dress | bracelet | ring | pumps | clutch | lipstick

i love this rich emerald hue for fall; the jewel tone is elegant and flattering on most complexions. pairing it with rose gold is a sophisticated, but unique touch. with a neutral trench and modest nude pumps, this look is appropriate for a wedding, but i've kept it fun and fresh with a leopard print clutch and red lipstick. 

shop your closet by annie

i am thrilled to have annie of live simply by annie guest posting on ANC today! annie is a professional organizer in the seattle area and offers services like closet makeovers and home office streamlining. annie's blog is full of amazing advice and i love her tough-love approach to de-cluttering and simplifying your life, so stop by!

Hi there little top knots! I’m delighted to be posting for Miss ANC, who has asked me over to discuss the term “shop your closet.” Her request was quite timely, as it turns out; seasonal transitions are an apt time to reevaluate your wardrobe. Let’s get into it, shall we?

First things first, you need to organize and edit. Your aim in shopping your closet is to compose a very wearable wardrobe, and those pieces that don’t fit, are monstrously ugly, etc etc, won’t be helpful in making that happen. Rather, they’ll distract from the pieces that you want to really be utilizing. If it’s not serving you, get rid of it!

“Shopping your closet,” for those who use the phrase in its most devout sense, means drawing upon the bounty that’s already in your possession. If that’s your goal- some personal experiment thing- or if you’re limited by funds and truly can’t afford to buy additional goods then please: stay within the confines of your current closet/ don’t read the next paragraph.

If you can afford to purchase a few items, then this would be a good time in the process to do so. Evaluate what basic, key items are missing as you organize. Then fill in those gaps with pieces that can be used in loads of different ways. This step, is course, optional.

When you’re ready to start shopping your closet, it’s optimal if you can call in the eyes and honest opinion of a close friend or relative. Someone who’ll be able to see your clothing objectively/ tell you that shirt looks heinously unflattering on you. That’s what friends are for!

Your next step is to begin outfit building. You can approach this from the angle of the type of look you want to create (work outfits, date looks, etc) or from the items of clothing you want to showcase. Either way, you want to try to use your clothing in new ways.

[Another optional step for those limited by funds, etc- consider having pieces that are almost-to-your- liking-but-not-quite altered or updated. For instance, sleeves can easily be removed from coats, legs can be shortened, fur can be added to collars. A quick trip to the tailor can land you with a whole new item of clothing through just a few slight alterations.]

Forget how you always wear that navy dress– paired with nude heels, your gold watch, yadah yadah– the outfits you now reach for out of habit. While they may have worked for a while, if you’re feeling bored and fed-up with your clothing situation, chances are those ingrained clothing combo’s aren’t cutting it anymore.

Instead, reach for combinations you haven’t or wouldn’t normally put together. Think about working with different patterns and colors. Use your imagination to the greatest of your abilities and pretend that you’re in a store, selecting items from this rack and that to style and merchandise. Try to have fun with it! If a glass of wine is a necessary ingredient towards making that notion a reality, then by all means. Perhaps the alcohol will reveal some ingenious fashion wisdom! Potentially also really slutty and/ or sloppy, so know your limit folks.

Don’t just go halfway here, either. We’re talking full on outfit building. That means that once you’ve assembled the clothing, you should go ahead and add in the accessories, the shoes, the handbag. Then the three magic words– Try. It. On. Get ready to try on the entire contents of your closet times three if need be. This can take time, but if you end up feeling as though you actually have desirable ways to cover your little body then it will be well worth it.

Winning looks can be photographed for later reference. It sounds a little- no, make that a lot- Cher Horowitz-esque, but can be immensely helpful. A personal lookbook, if you will. When you’re in need of an outfit, simply find the picture that captures the appropriate look/ utilizes the chosen garment.

So there you have it peanuts! I hope I’ve inspired you to access and employ your clothing in a fresh way. Many thank you’s to the lovely ANC for having me today. For further ramblings on organization, please feel free to visit me at www.livesimplybyannie.com

Image credits: The Coveteur, Sassy Hong Kong, Belle Epoque, Charade Style, Sassy Hong Kong, IHeart Organizing

wedding advice: selecting music

first dance

your wedding music is a great way to put a personal stamp on your big day. maybe you're a totally cool, hip couple with indie songs as the backdrop to your wedding. or maybe you want want your reception to be a party, so you pick great dance tunes. whatever you decide, your music selection can set the mood for the day and can be a reflection of you and your new spouse's style. 

the mr. and i are both musically-inclined, so our wedding music was very important to us. our relationship started long distance and james would sneak mixes onto my ipod, or gift them to me via itunes, to listen to when we were apart. i guess you could say he wooed me with music. music, and wit. and charm. and he's not bad on the eyes either.

if we had a million dollars (and had married in a church that allowed it) we would have had a string quartet playing beatles songs. maybe even a love actually moment because that was AWESOME. 

my girls gettin' down | images: lorenzo de gregorio photography

we picked songs and artists we loved for the cocktail hour and dinner, but tried to select songs with a message for the special moments throughout the night...

first dance: darling, i do by landon pigg and lucy schwartz

bride & groom intro: i believe in a thing called love by the darkness

cake cutting: you're my best friend by queen

last song: we are young by fun.

that's us in the video below, singing and dancing to the last song with our closest family and friends around us. best night of my life.

because i love you all so much, i created a handy wedding song planner which will help you think through what songs and artists you want to hear at your reception. whether you're making a playlist for a friend to play on an ipod or hiring a DJ, this planner will be a helpful tool to keep you organized. 

i've included all the typical moments you might want to hear a special song played, but remember, there are no rules when it comes to wedding planning. do what feels right for you and your fiance. 

my dad passed away in 2007, and since i didn't have a father/daughter dance, james chose not to have the mother/son dance either. we also skipped the garter and bouquet tosses, but we were really specific about what songs we wanted to hear during the cocktail hour and dinner. it's your day, so don't let conventions stand in the way of creating a memorable and personal day for you and your groom!

by the way, bridget, our DJ, was fantastic and totally got our taste in music and the mood we wanted to create throughout the night. i think i even yelled, "i love you!" to her when she played a 90's song out of nowhere. i'll be sharing tips for finding fabulous wedding vendors soon!

click the toolbar below to download and for advice on selecting a wedding gown, click here!

workwear essentials

today's post is dedicated to one of my readers who sent me an e-mail asking for help styling workwear options. she is about to enter the workforce and needs budget-friendly, stylish pieces to wear to the office.

i was happy to help because i remember being fresh out of college and not really knowing what type of clothing was appropriate. i've worked in offices that have required business professional more often than not (suits) and ones that are business casual (blouse and skirt/trouser), so over time i've learned a few tricks that work for me.

first off, where to shop: below are my go-to retailers for chic workwear. i've listed what i typically buy from each store and if you've never shopped for professional clothing at these retailers before, this checklist might make the trip a little less daunting.

but let's get down to it. what are the items a girl has to have to survive the work week? in short, a pencil skirt, a silk blouse, a work-appropriate dress, a cardigan, trousers, heels, and jewelry. now, if you only buy one of each item, you will probably be making several trips to the dry cleaners. my suggestion is to find the items that work best for your body and buy them in different colors/patterns. for example, buy a pencil skirt in black (that's a staple!) and another color you love, and a silk blouse in white and a color that will match your 2nd skirt. with those four pieces, you have most of the work week covered.

so, what does this look like? using j.crew products as an example, i've shown you which pieces are essential building blocks for a versatile work wardrobe.

make mixing and matching your bff - it is the number one way to the most bang for your buck! and keep in mind, that means mixing and matching pieces from different retailers. banana republic has beautiful sleeveless silk blouses (i own at least four) and they regularly have 40% off sales. it should be enjoyable - your wardrobe can be a great way to express yourself, so have fun experimenting with different looks!

now, let's put it all together. here, i've taken the workwear essentials and given you a few ways to mix and match. there are dozens of other possibilities, which means with a few carefully selected pieces, you will have a work wardrobe that is versatile, fresh, and budget-friendly!

blouse | skirt | bracelet | belt | nude heels | nude & black pumps | dress | necklace | cardigan | trousers

expert hair advice

i am so excited to have my hair and makeup artist for the wedding (alex's makeup artist too!) guest posting today! carley martin is seriously talented and super fun to work with! she has a great sense of style and she knows how to style every hair type. check out her website for her gorgeous portfolio. carley has some great wedding and everyday hairstyle advice to share today. thanks, carley!

Modern bridal hairstyles have come a long way from their very stiff previous prom-like counterparts.  The two most popular styles include wearing hair down with full luscious curls or natural looking up-do's with a lot of volume.  These hairstyles require a lot of hair to work with, so if you are going without extensions, start growing your hair out now. Work together with your hairstylist to preserve as much length as possible, and also consult about the "bang" or "fringe" area, as the length of this hair will play a big role in the face framing pieces around your face.   Then finally after the wedding,  give your locks some love and try out a new, shorter style; afterall - it's a new, exciting chapter in your life so kick it off right!
   

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Ashley has gorgeous hair to work with for the particular wedding-day style she wanted.  However, we started thinking ahead for new looks, and this adorable haircut would be perfect for her!  The bob can go two ways: either totally fabulous or really bad so invest in a quality haircut for a big change.  Since her hair is on the finer side, it's ideal to stick with as few layers as possible so the bottom layers don't end up stringy-looking and sparse.  You can play around with different partings and bang length; for Ashley, the long bang deeply parted on the side would work well with her beautiful strong jaw.  A little volumizing mouse, large round boar-bristled brush, and large velcro rollers will do the trick.  Finish with a light spritz of light hold hairspray, and you are good to go!   Here are my favorite products for this look:

How to style: 

1) Prep hair with a volumizing yet conditioning shampoo and conditioner.  I love the Kevin Murphy - it smells amazing and lasts a long time. 

2) Rake a small handful of volumizing mouse to your damp hair; make sure to saturate all the hair by applying the product in sections.

3) Blowdry your hair and remove 75% of the moisture.  Using horizontal sections, start with the nape of the neck working up using a large vented roundbrush.  This one is my favorite! 

4)  Finish with a quick spritz of light weight hairspray to lock it in, and you are good to go! 

finding THE dress

i bought a wedding dress this weekend and could not be more excited!! i went home to austin for the weekend and while i had planned on dress shopping with my mom and a close friend, i did not plan on finding the dress, let alone buying it! that being said, the experience was perfect and i'm thrilled! if you'll indulge me, i'd love to share some things i learned this weekend about bridal gown shopping:

1. consider who you take to the bridal salon carefully.

i recommend taking friends and/or relatives who means the world to you, but those who will encourage you to try the dresses you like and will give you honest feedback. i would also limit how many people you have in tow - it's too easy to get distracted with lots of varying opinions.

it was absolutely perfect that i had time just with my mom and just with a friend over the weekend. love it or hate it, your mom (or step-mom or future mother-in-law or sister or...) will probably have a strong opinion on what she envisions you wearing on the big day. if you're anything like me, that vision will be pretty much the complete opposite of what you want. even though our tastes are very different, i wanted my mom to be a part of the process and to like what i eventually chose. i tried on a few dresses that she picked out, but had the opportunity to select dresses without any i-don't-like-that's and that's-nice-but-what-about-this-one's when my friend and i went to the salon early for my appointment. i had almost 10 dresses selected by the time the consultant met up with us and by the time my mom got there, i had it narrowed down to two.

because i didn't have much hope my mom would love the style of dress i chose, i was so incredibly touched when she cried seeing me in my favorite gown. actually, we all started crying - my mom, my friend, the bridal consultant and i! and then we had champagne. so yeah, pretty much perfect.


2. your bridal consultant matters.

i had the amazing fortune of happening upon a former kleinfeld (of "say yes to the dress" fame) consultant at serendipity bridal salon in austin. we didn't find out until the end of the appointment that she had just relocated from nyc, but it made so much sense she worked for kleinfeld because she was amazing. she was accommodating, thoughtful and most of all, she listened.

although the consultant was armed with recommendations, i picked all but one of the 15+ dresses i tried on at the salon. what can i say - i know what i like! she was great about making me helping me narrow down dresses along the way and reminding me of what i had liked about other dresses, like neckline and length of train. if you have difficulty making decisions, an experienced consultant will guide you and help you stay focused. if you're more decisive, like me, a fabulous consultant is still important because she/he can help you think about the big picture like hair and accessories.


3. don't be afraid to pull the trigger.

whether it costs $500 or $5,000, purchasing a wedding dress is a big step emotionally and financially. take the time to do online research (hello, style me pretty!) but don't be surprised if the styles you like on are different than the ones you've been pinning. you just never know until it's on. the same holds true for looking at dresses on the rack - make sure you try on enough dresses and in different styles and don't be afraid to drag your besties to more than one salon.

do know, however, that at some point, you'll have to stop looking. there will always be new styles and new inspiration to draw from, but if you find a dress you love, don't be afraid to go ahead and buy it! the salon offered me a discount on the dress and veil if i purchased that day, so i went with it. i had the this is my dress moment, made my mom cry and couldn't stop smiling. what else could i possibly want?! i've also resolved to not "shop" for other dresses online or in magazines because i don't want any buyers remorse. i love the dress i picked and even though the wedding is still over 300 days away, i know it was the right choice. i even cancelled the appointments i had set up in chicago!

images: lazaro, bliss by monique lhuillier, reverie by melissa sweet, melissa sweet via the knot

i hope my advice helps and that the brides out there have an amazing wedding dress shopping experience! stay true to your personal style, gather the most supportive people around you, don't settle for anything but the most attentive bridal consultant, and buy that dress, girl!

beauty staples + my regimen

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage SC-2, $28Laura Mercier - Second Skin Cheek Colour - Soft Clove 3.6g/0.13oz, $32Laura Mercier - Eye Colour Coffee Ground (Matte), $30Amazon.com: Laura Mercier Undercover Pot UC-2: Beauty, $34Laura Mercier - Secret Concealer - #6 2.2g/0.08oz, $30Laura Mercier - Eye Basics - Linen 5.1g/0.18oz, $28Rosebud Perfume Co. Rosebud Salve 0.8 oz, $6Mario Badescu Glycolic Eye Cream, $20Neutrogena -Oil-Free Moisture SPF 35, $11

i've been thinking about sharing my arsenal of beauty products for some time now because i love them so much! on weekends, i rarely wear makeup, but every weekday i use each of these products.

since the winters in chicago are so cold, moisturizing is a necessity. the best lip balm by far is smith's rosebud salve - in the tin, not the tube. it leaves a pretty sheen, without being greasy, so i usually don't wear lip gloss or lipstick over it. neutrogena's oil free spf moisturizer is the best for my sensitive-yet-combination skin.

as you'll see, i use several products to mask dark circles, so a moisturizing, healing eye cream is a must for me. i'm a huge fan mario badescu products and love trying out the numerous eye creams. right now i'm using the chamomile cream and it's divine.

my makeup regimen:

1. my makeup routine always starts with using an eyelash curler. i have long eyelashes, but unfortunately, they're stick straight. i've tried dozens of eyelash curlers and shu uemura's is the best.

2. since i was "blessed" with dark circles, i focus most of my makeup attention to the eye area. laura mercier is my go-to brand for makeup and i love her for making such great concealer. after applying eye cream, i put on the rosy-colored "secret" concealer, which provides a base for the "undercover" concealer. it seems strange to put a pink color under your eyes, but i promise it works. i then apply the undercover concealer by blending both colors in the pot and then dab the finishing powder that screws off the bottom portion.

3. the eye basics is a cream applied to the lids that can serve as a base for eyeshadow or to brighten the eye, which is what i use it for.

4. the secret concealer is for any blemishes or unevenness. it's a hugely popular product because it conceals so well!

5. i then apply the "coffee ground" eye shadow as an eyeliner with an angled brush. it gives good definition but eyeshadow has a softer look than traditional eyeliner.

6. maybelline's mascara is ranked #1 for a reason. by far the best i've used to give length and volume without clumping.

7. i usually finish off with a dash of blush high on the cheekbones for a healthy glow!

wow, okay, that looks like a lot, but i promise it doesn't take more than 10 minutes! anyway, hope i inspired you to try a new product or two! what are your favorite beauty staples? anything, i have to try?