Bits + Bobs Update

Hi friends! I'm slowly starting to come out of my news-watching daze after the tornado on Monday. Not that we can forget, but I know that we must progress forward. There have been so many exciting things happening lately that I wanted to share so I thought I'd wrangle them all up in one post! Some are huge (hello, I'm speaking at a conference!) and others are small but delightful (I've been spray-painting everything I can get my hands on gold) So here we go!

I'll start with the biggest news in case you missed it. I'll be speaking at Go Blog Social this summer in Kansas City! I've been asked to present on the law, business and blogging. The conference will be held August 1-4 in Kansas City. Check out the hotel, it looks beautiful! I can't really remember ever spending time as a grown-up in KC (driving through on road trips with the family when I was 9 don't count, right?!) I'm so excited because I have also never been to a big blog conference! The blogosphere is such a huge part of my world so I'm thrilled to be connecting with like-minded women! It's going to be so fun! And to top it all off, I'm presenting. I feel so official. I really hope to meet as many of you as possible, but I know space is limited. Please do drop me a note or tweet me if you're coming!

And now almost as exciting (for me at least) I'm starting a newsletter! I'll be sharing fun and exclusive extras. I have tons of personal development material I'd like to share, as well as styling tips and some surprises I can't tell you quite yet ;) I'd love for you to join my list, you can do so here

No doubt you've heard me talking (or more like tweeting) about all my crazy adventures in opening my blowout salon in my hometown of Stillwater, Oklahoma called The Blo Bar. Of course it's stressful, but I'm seriously having a blast! I constantly have to remind myself that I'm opening a blowout and beauty bar in Smalltown USA not Chicago, New York or Paris. Sometimes I gotta reign it in. There are times when people have no idea what I'm talking about. But other times, actually most of the time, when a woman hears about it and gets a huge smile on her face and says she can't wait til we open....well, that makes it all worth it. I just can't wait. I also wanted to make sure to document the process so I could look back on it all one day so The Blo Bar now has an Instagram! Follow along with a little behind-the-scences look as we get ready to open! Here's a little peek at our mirrors that we're installed earlier this week.

And last but not least, I have been a spray-painting, DIY fool the past few weeks. Pretty much any cute little thing that I find is getting a coat of gold spray paint....from an elephant planter to an old plastic tray. Also, my mom and I (ok, really just my mom) are reupholstering a couple antique chairs and a settee to use in our space.

Oh and one more thing, I have been in NYC and Dallas the last 2 weekends. I promise to share my Pepperologie recap next week. Better late than never, right?

Have a fabulous weekend!

x

PS- thank you again so much for your messages about Oklahoma. I'm just truly heartbroken at all the loss and ask that you all continue to pray for my home state and these wonderful people.

Prayers for my state

I'm really at a loss for words today. I'm just heart broken, watching all the coverage of this devasting tornado in my home state. I can't stop thinking about those kids at school. And the teachers. My family and friends are thankfully all safe and well. [We live about 60 miles away] I appreciate all of your messages. My mom and I were just leaving Dallas when the tornado hit Moore and we decided to go ahead and drive home. We drove through very severe weather in Northern Texas and somehow managed to keep going. We got to the Moore/Norman area just as it was getting dark and for about 3 hours we were stuck in traffic, stopped on the highway and creeping along the side roads as police cars directed us round and round in large circles. At one point we were stopped at the front of a barricade and what we saw was incredible. Emergency vehicles, civilian trucks, tankers, police cars....all of them whizzing by with sirens and lights flashing. Organized chaos. It honestly looked like a war zone. We saw military personnel in uniform hanging out of the back of a truck. We saw normal, everyday people walking around in the dark with flashlights trying to do whatever they could to help. When they finally allowed us back on the highway, we drove through Moore and witnessed just a little of the damage firsthand. It was horrific.

Today, I'm grateful. Grateful my loved ones are safe. Grateful for all of those who are offering their assistance. And grateful to be an Oklahoman. One of my friends posted on Facebook today that she overheard some people in line at Wal-Mart, as they were purchasing supplies to donate, they said "Today, we are all from Moore"

I love this state, it holds my family and so many wonderful memories. I have been blessed to live all over this world for varying lengths of time, but truly...this place will always be my home.

Thank you for praying for us.

PS- I don't want to promote one avenue of helping over another. However, my friends at Sweet Lemon Magazine have compiled a list of how you can help. 

Guide to Style | Spring Essentials

So excited to share that I'll be contributing to a print magazine here in Oklahoma! It's a small publication for our area, but I'm so excited to be collaborating on a style post every month! The first issue just came out...it's so neat to see my designs in print! This month, I shared my essentials for Spring. Even though the weather is still acting crazy, it's hard to believe Spring is almost over and Summer officially begins next month. Even so, here are my picks:

1. The Little White Dress | It used to be all about the little black dress, but with warmer temperatures and the lightness that comes with Spring, it's important to switch out your classic black dress for a fresh white one. It will be your go-to dress all Spring and throughout the Summer for brunch, a day of shopping, even a baby shower. It's a one-size-fits-all-occassions dress. Shown above styled for a casual day of errands, you can also spruce it up with a set of pearls and nude pumps.

2. Round Tortoise Sunnies | I would argue tortoise is in style year round, but trend setters and taste makers are labeling tortoise the hot pattern for Spring and round sunglasses are making a comeback. They flatter all face shapes, just pay attention to proportions and look for various shades of tortoise such as brown or green to complement your coloring.

3. Colorful Flats | Spring is all about color and wearing fun flats is just another way to add a pop of color to your outfit. Also look for little details such as bows or embellishments for an extra touch.

4. Lightweight Scarf | The weather is still changing in the Spring so it's important to have a scarf just in case the temperature drops. It also serves as an accessory, just choose a lighter weight material in a fun pattern. Using a scarf is a great way to ease into the trend of mixing pattens.

5. Anything Mint | Although emerald green has been dubbed the color of the year, mint green is stealing the show. Mint accessories and pants are the most popular way to add this fabulous color into your outfit. It's a very flattering shade for all skin tones and hair colors.

6. Printed Pants | Don't be scared to try this style essential. You can begin with a light pattern in less contrasting colors if you're shy to jump right in. But for the brave fashion forward, this is a fantastic way to add an element of interest.

7. Striped T-shirt | This is truly a staple and should be a part of every woman's wardrobe. Stripes are the new neutral and can easily be mixed with other patterns or solids.

8. Coral Lips | The worlds of beauty and fashion are inter-mixed and always influencing each other. This season try a coral lip, which is more forgiving than red. It's perfect to add a fresh touch to your daily beauty routine.

What did I miss? Any essentials you would add to the list?

NYC Recap | Scatter My Ashes At Bergdorf's

Hi friends! I missed y'all during my little holiday, such a fun last-minute pop over to NYC. It was literally perfect. I promise I'll have a full recap of Pepperologie next week, but until then I wanted to share a bit about one of the (other) most exciting parts of my trip: I got to see Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf's! In case you haven't heard, it's a fashion documentary about the history behind the iconic 5th avenue retail store, Bergdorf Goodman.

It's the most mythic of all American emporiums - a one-of-a-kind Manhattan institution where over the last century, the view of fashion has been transformed into modern art. But behind Bergdorf Goodman's magical window displays lies a very real world where the rich and famous wield their power and eccentricity, where young and talented designers have their dreams granted and denied, and where money and ambitions co-mingle with radical ideas of beauty and provocative style. Now, for the first time, audiences get a chance to peek inside this world, as Matthew Miele's "Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf's" explores the history, inner workings, and untold stories behind the store's rise from a modest ladies' tailor shop to a mirror of contemporary culture.

The film is based on this cartoon featured in The New Yorker in 1990

I loved, loved, loved the film. I got in to the City late Friday night, grabbed dinner with my cousin and then headed to the theatre. There was something so magical about watching it in the middle of NYC, late at night. It was perfect. I didn't want to miss the opportunity to see it since it's not showing in other parts of the country (certainly not in my little Southern town)

Here's the trailer, if you get the opportunity I highly recommend checking it out!

Caitlin Wilson's Home

Obsessed doesn't even begin to describe how I feel about Caitlin Wilson's home tour on Design*Sponge. Did y'all see it? Oh my beautiful.

And with this inspiration, let's make it a fabulous week!

ps-

I'm coming back from NYC Tuesday night, cannot wait to share my recap of Pepperologie!

Happy Weekend!

And I'm off to NYC today! This is such a welcome little escape for me. It was totally last minute and everything has fallen into place perfectly. I've been a bit (extra) stressed with opening The Blo Bar and a million other random things. So this trip is perfect timing. I'll be spending Friday night with my fabulous cousin who lives/works/plays in Manhattan, then Saturday I'll be at Pepperologie (!) and then spending a couple days just outside the city in Poughkeepsie with my aunt, uncle and cousins! Be back in Oklahoma Tuesday, ready to share what I learned at Pepperologie. Did I mention how excited I am? ;) Hope y'all have a lovely weekend, full of all the things that make you happy! x