newness

since i've been on this "sort-of" vacation for the past week i've tried to be very productive.

today my husband and i took a trip to the social security office to take the first step in getting my name legally changed. exciting!

tortoise-like sunglasses: dollar general

pearl studs: walmart

statement necklace: bauble bar

layered top: target

rose gold bracelet: vince camuto

rhinestone bracelet: american eagle

handbag: michael kors

denim skinnies: victoria's secret (thrifted)

cognac heels: target

i'm also working with a new photographer who has amazing ideas for the future of this blog. 

here's to growth, passion and making dreams come true!

cheers.

XOXO.

-B

a first for everything

evening! 

had a great time on the drag yesterday with lauren. i love seeing all of the art on the sides of buildings. the colors are always so vibrant and the images so creative. 

i love everything about austin (except the traffic)! 

hat: dollar general

earrings: kendra scott

lipstick (in honor of national lipstick day): maybelline pink me up (my favorite!)

leather wrap bracelet: tory burch

denim vest: american living (thrifted)

dress: agaci (thrifted)

leather satchel: tory burch

gold flip flops: old navy 

lo-lo

magnificent right?!

we had to jump a car (my car) for the first time last night all by ourselves. so proud! 

i got some amazing mail today!

 i ended up getting the elliott lucca!!

it's so beautiful in person. the leather is soft and pebbled and the hand-painted feather is a real work of art. all hardware has a matte black finish. i love it!

the bauble bar necklace was a gift from my boss. gorgeous! so thankful. 

i hope to style my new pieces very soon. let me know if y'all have any future post requests.

XOXO.

-B

kodey's choice

had a great day today! 

kodey decided what we were going to do on this beautiful, hot (105 degrees!) sunday. 

he doesn't get out much because of his injury, but he found out cabela's, an outdoor store, has electric scooters so he could get around easier. 

i love cabela's because it has a lot of amazing, life-like taxidermy and surprisingly awesome food. 

i also got some shoes out of the trip so we were BOTH happy campers.

a little casual ootd for y'all: 

bar studs: nordstrom rack

turquoise cuff: kendra scott

tank: h&m

sweat-skirt: thrifted

watercolor handbag: kate spade new york

leopard wedges: target

what we ate: 

yum!

photoshoot tomorrow! who knows what i'll come up with...

XOXO.

-B

insta-plans: kendra scott

today was a good example of why i follow so many companies and celebs on instagram.

i came home after work today with no plans other than to take a nap. i was scrolling through instagram and saw that kendra scott herself was going to be visiting her austin store to promote her collaboration with raven + lily, another austin-based business. 

insta-plans!

the event was SO much fun. they had hors d'oeuvres, yummy drinks and gorgeous new jewelry. 

i made great connections while i was there and when i got a chance to talk to kendra she was even sweeter than i imagined. very authentic and warm. 

i asked her when it was that she first had someone believe in what she was doing. kendra told me it all started with a loft on 6th street and one of oscar de la renta's interns wearing one of her pieces. magical.

i didn't snap a ton of pictures but here's a short photo recap of the event and my purchases: 

not the best pic of me but ay!

amethyst: my birthstone :)

part of the glam rocks collection 

only $35 on sale!

the bev

needless to say it was a fantastic end to my day.

on a different note: i just added the blog lovin' button to my account so that it's easier to keep up to the minute with my blog. feel free to follow me! ;)

until next time.

XOXO.

-B

outfit inspo: day off with friends

hi all!

today's outfit ideas were put together for a day off running around town or hanging out with your friends. they're nice and casual and i included a skirt option, a dress option, a denim option and a shorts option so you can use these pics as inspiration and tailor the combos to you preference.

enjoy!

SKIRT THE RULES

this outfit is perfect for brunching with your girls. complimentary colors and a pop of leopard create a laid-back feel with pizazz. 

beaded hoops: hand-me-down

open-knit tank: free people

gold watch: fossil

circle skirt: express

leopard wedges: target

BACK TO BASICS

i'd wear this outfit to the movies or even to an indoor mall where there's a.c. and i could get chilly. i like to take my basics to the next level with blingy earrings and a bright summery bag. 

teardrop earrings: lauren's (borrowed)

white tank: h&m

white watch: casio

dark denim: j. crew (thrifted)

mesh clogs: strut

BREEZY DOES IT

you could take this simple dress anywhere! i love taking what i call a "blank canvas" item and jazzing it up with all sorts of accessory combos. this time i went for neutral tones. i could see myself wearing this to the farmers' market or even garage sale shopping! 

teardrop studs: old navy

cutout dress: hand-me-down

statement necklace: banana republic (purchased off poshmark ap) 

handbag: michael kors

cognac heels: target

AZTEC SAFARI

i probably wouldn't wear this casual combo on an actual aztec safari... i'd take this look to an outdoor event. somewhere you'd want to be cute and cool, like an outdoor concert or the zoo. 

earrings: kendra scott "elle" 

printed top: hand-me-down

utility belt: hand-me-down

small rhinestone bracelet: american eagle

large rhinestone bracelet: claire's

shorts: old navy (thrifted)

faux leather sandals: walmart

fun fact about me: i strongly dislike looking at a camera head-on (if you can't tell). i'm horrible at faking emotions so if i'm not actually cracking up about something, i can't do a fake laugh, fake smile, etc. i'd like to think it's my genuine spirit coming through...

let me know what you think about these outfit posts. more? less?
i love feedback!

until tomorrow.

XOXO.
-B

nordstrom anniversary sale lust list

as many of you know nordstrom is currently having their anniversary sale.

so many good products at even better prices!

vv here is my lust list of sale items vv

 (click to enlarge)

i'm a major handbag addict (i admit)! i typically don't spend a lot of money on clothes so the only item on my list that i'm SERIOUSLY considering right now is the elliott lucca feather bag. the rest i'll use as inspiration for future thrift shopping sprees :) 

here's the deets: 

• hot and delicious faux fur jacket: orig. $67: sale $43.90
• topshop cutaway wrap back shell: orig. $68: sale $44.90
• nars 'dulce vita' lip and nail set: orig. $52: $68 value
• elliott lucca hand painted feather tote: orig. $198: sale $138.60
• berry fringe stretch bracelet: orig. $45: sale 29.90
• marc by marc  jacobs percy crossbody bag: orig. $238: sale $158.90!!
• brahmin camden leather crossbody bag: orig. $225: sale $149.90
• tory burch 'tory split t' long logo charm necklace: orig. $195: sale $129.90
• two-tone jeans and rose gold jeans (went back online and they weren't there anymore :( )

there you have it!

i REALLY hope to get the e.l. bag. genuine leather. hand-painted feather. can it get any better?!

i'll keep you posted.

more photo sessions tomorrow with more pics to come so STAY TUNED!

off to date night. 

XOXO. 

-B

beauty cheapie haul

yesterday was a great beauty day for this girl!

kodey has gotten into adult RC cars so i dropped his bum off at hobby town and i shot over to big lots and the dollar store to entertain myself. 

so glad i did! i scored some amazing beauty deals that i want to share with y'all!

(all original prices vary depending on where you purchase the products)

big lots:

sally hansen magnetic nail color in atomic alloy: $1.80 (usually $5.99)

maybelline color show nail lacquer in audacious asphalt: $1 (usually $3.99)

revlon nail enamel 2 pack in charming and smoldering: $2 (usually $3.97 each)

maybelline eyeshadow single in copper craze: $1 (usually $4.39)

maybelline lipstick in coral gleam: $1.50 (usually $5.99)

total: $7.30 (not including tax)

money saved (approx.): $17.03

dollar store: 

l'oreal colour riche nail lingerie stickers in elite chic: $1 (usually $8.99)

l'oreal colour riche nail lingerie stickers in bling addict: $1 (usually $8.99)

sassy+chic fashion nail stickers: $1

tortoise-look sunglasses: $1

soft fedora-style hat: $1

total: $5 (not including tax)

money saved (approx.): $15.98

and thats not including what an average fedora and pair of sunglasses would cost!

i love all my purchases! 

i enjoy experimenting with nail looks so getting fun nail stuff for super cheap is a dream! 

do you have a place that you always score great beauty deals? let me know!

XOXO.

-B

savers style: part 2

the sequel is here!

i had so much fun shooting these photos with my gorgeous friend lauren (insta: @lbeau2012).

if you haven't checked out part 1 please do!

purchase: embroidered scarf: $4

i wanted to style this scarf in an unexpected way. i used it as a sort of vest over solid-colored satin shorts and a ruffled camisole so the scarf could stand front and center. 

ruffled camisole: zara (thrifted)

abalone necklace: kendra scott

navy satin shorts: vintage lingerie (thrifted)

embroidered belt: loft

cognac heels: xhilaration (target)

purchase: nine west stacked heels: $8

these are like precious easter shoes with a twist. i love the light pastel color. i paired this feminine pair with my version of a suit. 

stud earrings: nordstrom rack

statement necklace: loft

floral blazer: forever XXI

tank: h&m

harem pants: lily white (marshall's)

purchase: crop top: $5

another perfect match for high-waisted items? crop tops! this breezy outfit is probably one of my favorites! you CAN wear black during summer! 

fedora: target

teardrop earrings: payless

abalone necklace: kendra scott

high-waisted jeans: aeropostale

cutout wedges: target

satchel: tory burch

purchase: free people top: $6

i thought this would be a great transition piece from fall to winter. this top is nice and airy, but also perfect for layering. usually i would pair a flowy top with tighter bottoms but i've recently learned that a baggier top works well with boyfriend jeans (capris) on a small frame. 

fedora: target

oversized studs: house of harlow

necklace: loft

cami: abercrombie and fitch 

silver watch: fossil

jeans: joe's jeans (thrifted)

denim wedges: guess (thrifted)

i hope y'all enjoyed this little series! i hope to have many more in the future.

i'd love to take any post request! let me know if there's anything you'd like to see in the future here on candid charismatic. 

as for tomorrow, i'm hauling all my cheapie beauty picks from today's shopping trip.

see you then!

XOXO. 

-B