Life + Style

You can't be singing the blues when you're wearing Mink Pink's gorgeous soft suede-like kimono! We're especially swooning over the delicate laser cutout and scallop trim! Taylor wants to show how to take this one beautiful overlay and give it two different vibes.

In the first outfit, Taylor has a laid-back summer approach. Mix textures like distressed denim and delicate crochet. Throw on some hard metal jewelry and colorful beaded bracelets. Don't forget some tall wedge sandals to add some height!

Mink Pink Lackawanna Blues Kimono $86 // Tank Top $43 // Shorts $37 // Roxy Rabb Necklace $33 // Brown Bracelet $22.95 // Tan/Cream Bracelet $26.95 // Wedge Sandals $37

After wearing your favorite new Mink Pink Lackawanna Blues Kimono during the day, get ready for date night! Taylor makes this soft overlay super sexy by layering on top of a basic black tank slip dress. Tie in the earthy tones with a statement necklace and layer stone jewelry. Add strappy flat sandals and get ready for dinner with the significant other!

Mink Pink Lackawanna Blues Kimono $86 // Tank Dress $25 // Roxy Rabb Necklace $75 // Mason Strap Sandals $29 // Black Bracelet $32 // Gold Rock Bracelet $30

Which style would you wear?

Stay Stylish!!

For a successful style, you need to start with the basics. This week, Taylor took a simple black tank top with back buttons and created two different outfits. And let us add...this tank is only $29!! For the first look, Taylor made the perfect ensemble for a day shopping with friends. Wear the black tank with your favorite destroyed rolled cuff denim, metallic strappy sandals and oversized handbag. But make sure that handbag has fringe!! Have you noticed are are loving the fringe trend?? A simple style needs layers of metallic jewelry for an edgy addition.

Black Tank Top with Back Buttons $29 // Blank NYC Denim Capri $88 // Dixin Gold Leather Sandals $80 // Fringe Handbag $140 // Bangles $8 // Giving Keys Inspire Necklace $55 // Black Bracelet $11

 In the second look, Taylor took our affordable black tank top and created a date night look with a girly touch! Tuck the tank top into our Aztec skirt for an hourglass shape. Add a statement necklace and lace up gladiator heels for the finishing touch!

Black Tank Top with Back Buttons $29 // Aztec Skirt $55 // Princess Gladiator Lace Up Heels $49 // Ring $17 // Bracelet $33

So what mood are you in: Casual Shopping Day or Girly Date Night?

Stay Stylish!

From the moment I found out I was expecting, I just knew I was having a boy! It was time for me to give up buying high heels and start buying diapers. I'm now a girly girl who is blessed to be raising a boy! Ledger is my sweet, happy and cute little two year old man. I adore how curious and carefree he is. To be honest, I didn't know anything about boy stuff before him. I grew up in a girl family and we just didn't tackle each other (haha)! Sports were never a part of my interests...I was more concerned about what I was going to wear to the games instead!

So, for any other girly girls, here is what I've learned while raising a boy:

1. Getting dirty is a requirement. Whether it's digging in the dirt or rolling around in the grass, I use better judgment on when I wear white clothing!
2. Wrestling is not just something on television. It's a real contact sport...and little boys have to get out all of their energy!
3. Stitches and ER visits are not my favorite....but have happened more times than I want to admit.
4. Bruises and scratches become a part of the landscape while he interacts with the world.
5. Water guns and games are more thrilling than I expected!
6. Wear running shoes. All. Day. Long.
7. Our second language is "Dinosaur." Rawr!!
8. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Hot Dog Dance" is a better workout than Zumba.
9. One short day can be full of more love than I ever expected.

As a boutique owner, I love how one part of my day is full of pretty dresses and stylish shoes....but then I get to end my day digging in the dirt searching for dinosaur fossils.

XO,

Lauren

Happy Mommy Tee $32 // Polka Dot Scarf // White Tank Top with Pom Poms // Hat

We are so excited to feature Mandy Rose, author of House of Rose, on our blog today! If you are following her blog, you know that she is full of excitement and joy. If you haven't been following her blog...well...you need to start! It's easy to feel like she's your best friend before you even know her. Well, we just had to spend a day with Mandy and capture some pretty pictures of her wearing our hottest looks this season.

Tell us a little about yourself:

I'm Mandy, author of House of Rose, Dollars & Roses and Co-Founder of Happy Mommy Box. I'm a boy mom, fountain coke lover and diy wanna-be. I believe in celebrating motherhood & creating a fun place for women to BE INSPIRED, SHARE JOY & love one another.

As a mother of three boys, how important is it to dress up and feel feminine?

From two square in my living room to baseball in the hallway to dirt digging in the front yard, I am constantly surrounded by all things BOY. One of the things I love most about being a boy mom is being able to dress up all girly and pretty and having my boys say to me "You look beautiful mommy!"  There's nothing like a compliment like that from your sweet little boys.

Mandy grew up in Carterville, Illinois. She is now raising her family in her beloved small Southern Illinois town. Since we are also located in this friendly community, we knew this was the perfect location for a style inspiration shoot with this successful blogger.  So we grabbed a camera, lipstick, and a couple cute outfits.

What’s something you do every day that you love?

Drink fountain coke. #oops 

No really, every day I get up and put on makeup. Not a ton of makeup, but powder, blush, mascara and lip gloss can make you feel 100 times more put together and it only takes 5 minutes!

What do you love most about living in Carterville?

For those of you who don't know this about me, I was born and raised in Carterville and I never left. You may think that sounds boring, but I happened to love it! Small town life is just my thang'! This town is my home. The comfort and joy I get from knowing almost every person I see at the grocery store or gas station is something you can't replace.

We had such a wonderful afternoon full of laughter with Mandy! Which of her outfits is your favorite? Stay tuned for more collaborations with House of Rose!

Stay stylish!