Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Insta-life













I've been taking a little bit of time away from blogging lately. Studying for the bar really gets in the way of one's hobbies. Since I'm probably not posting any new outfit ideas this week, I wanted to share a few pictures that I've posted on Instagram this summer that haven't been on the blog yet. Some are from various Atlanta happenings, like my birthday, an outdoor music festival, and the cooking class I took with Matt, and some are from our recent trip to the Dominican Republic.

By the way I always swore you would never see me in a bathing suit on social media or the blog, but this one by Topshop (above) was so flattering that I changed my mind! Never say never.

I've linked some of the other items from my outfits or similar pieces in the widget below. Hope everyone has a wonderful Fourth of July!

The Pricey Pauper


Thursday, June 25, 2015

Paradise Blue




Dress: Collective Concepts via Dakota J's (almost identical for under $27 here) // Sandals (on sale!) //  Sunnies // Earrings

As you can see, Punta Cana was basically paradise. The sun is so strong down there that it gives everything sort of a brighter glow than we ever see here, even when it's overcast. Even though I grew up around palm trees, seeing them growing naturally on the beach is somehow fascinating to me. Both the palms and bright tropical flowers are everywhere like weeds. 

The condo we were staying in had a view of the beach from the back patio and a view of the marina from all the bedrooms in the front. Looking at all the boats was particularly entertaining for me because I have a running joke with my dad that someday I'll buy him a yacht. I kept taking pictures on my phone to send to him. 

I kept my hair braided to the side like this almost the entire trip. It's just so hot in the summer in the Dominican that you have to put your hair up somehow, and I pretty much only wore tank dresses like this one or my bathing suit.  It is truly scorching during the daytime, and that's coming from a southerner. 

I loved the print of this dress when I saw it on the rack in my favorite store, but then when I saw the tassels in the back it was a done deal. I don't usually commit to specific trends so zealously, but I'm really on board with all the tassel details this summer. 

I've linked several other whimsical blue sundresses below. This would also be a great look for the Fourth of July if you're not planning on going so literal with the red, white, and blue. 

The Pricey Pauper 



Thursday, June 18, 2015

Black & Blue












Dress // Lace shawl // Bag (black) // Wedges // Tassel bracelets: Zacasha // Gold bangle, gold rings, pave necklace, all Gorjana via Rocksbox c/o (use code 'aldengishxoxo' for your first month of RB free!) // Sunnies // Earrings 

Hello from the Atlanta airport! Matt and I are on our way to Punta Cana for a much needed short vacation with his family. I've been looking forward to this trip for months, and I can't believe it's finally here! 

The photos are from last weekend, when I finally got to meet my friend Kasey, who writes the blog, Blonde Allure, in person. We've been pen pals for about six months, and even though we're both originally from the same area, this is the first time it's worked out for us to get together. Isn't she an awesome photographer?

If you've been saving for a new summer bag, I can honestly say that my new satchel from Kate Spade is such a convenient bag to travel with. Since I just wielded it from an Uber, to Marta (our subway), to the plane train, and then through security, I'm pretty positive this is the only bag I'll be taking on any trips for a long time. I don't like to travel, or really go anywhere with an open bag, so I love that it fully closes with the top flap, has a large back side compartment for things you need to grab quickly, and both have a magnetic closure. I've found it in both the blue that I have and in black

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Shaglam










Dress // Sandals // Bag (similar) // Sunnies // Hair by Shaglam 

Whenever I have a special day or event, my go-to move is always to get a blowout. On the morning of my 25th birthday, I had the treat of having my hair styled at home by the original Glampro, Raina, founder of a new app called Shaglam, which is essentially Uber for glam girls on the go. After downloading the Shaglam app on your phone (launching at the end of June), simply choose within the app whether you need a professional hairstylist, makeup artist, or both, and a Glampro will come right to your home or office in the metro Atlanta area.

Although I consider myself fairly adept at doing my own makeup, getting a smooth, bouncy, professional-looking blowout on my own is a completely different story. Living in Atlanta, one of the hardest things about getting to a hair appointment is actually getting there, and sometimes I just don't have the time to plan ahead or fight traffic. With the Shaglam app, now I don't have to make an appointment or even get in the car to get that perfectly smooth style that lasts for days (how do they do it?!). At around the same price point as a salon blowout, my apartment is now my favorite hot new blowout bar. 

Brought to you by Shaglam. 

The Pricey Pauper 

Friday, June 5, 2015

Trendspot: Braids, Blush, and Tassels












I recently learned how to dutch braid, thanks to the Barefoot Blonde, Amber Fillerup Clark, and I seriously could not be more proud of myself. I've never been able to do anything but the regular three-strand braid that a boy could probably figure out, so this is a huge accomplishment.

This top is only available in blue online, but I linked a bunch of similar ones in blush in the widget. Also, my saddle bag has turned out to be much more versatile than I originally thought it would be. It definitely adds a summery boho vibe to otherwise kind of simple outfits. 

By the way, I added a videos tab on the blog and posted a tutorial on how I get this nude lip and natural-but-bold brows. Check it out and let me know what you think!

The Pricey Pauper