Style Crush: Emily B - Silver Sparkles

Hi loves,

I hope you all love all things sparkly as much as I do! I mean really, who can resist a sparkly sequin skirt??? I'm especially obsessed because it can be worn so versatile and cheap (only $20)! I used to think of sequins or sparkly things only for a holiday party or fancy event.

I've had this skirt for over a year, but couldn't fit it at all when I first ordered it. I decided to try it on when I had less than an hour to get ready for dinner reservations and I literally died! There was no way that I could resist the skirt! I didn't have a great shirt to wear it with so I paired it with a grey t-shirt that I tied up to give a casual look.

"Charisma is a sparkle in people that money can't buy. It's an invisible energy with visible effects." 

~ Marianne Williamson 

What I Wore: 

Top Target | Skirt eBay | Bag Aldo | Shoes Target 

I can always appreciate Emily B's effortless looks. I brought the final look together with a little help from Emily B. I remember she wore a similar look last year. Emily has the same exact skirt! She also paired her sequin skirt with a grey top. 

She added icing on the cake to her somewhat casual look. She took her look step further and adding an additional layer, a jean jacket. I'm obsessed, but would've been entirely too hot in 90 degree weather :(

Xoxo, 

Courtney 

My L.B.D.

Happy Monday!

"The little black dress is a uniform for all women of taste." ~ Coco Chanel

Are you tired of destroying your room when you have to go to an event? Are you looking for something to wear to go perfect with your curves, while maintaining sophistication? The solution to your problem is a Little Black Dress aka LBD! I believe that every girl should own at least one.

I know you're probably thinking, "No way, it's too simple. It's too boring. I don't like black," but I promise adding accessories or playing with your make up will add the finishing touches to this classic look.

Owning an LBD is problem solving. It took me 20 minutes to do my hair, makeup and find an outfit when I grabbed my LBD! Normally takes me over an hour (or three). I'm usually destroying my room trying to find the perfect outfit and accessories to match. However, you can't go wrong pairing most accessories with your LBD which reduces your time for getting ready. Not only are they a timeless fashion staple, but they have so much versatility!

It also gave me the perfect shape! All my life I've been pear-shaped which means that sometimes I need a forgiving outfit. Since black is naturally slimming, I find that my curves look absolutely amazing. It's just something about simplicity meeting curves, a match made in heaven for sure!

What I Wore: 

Dress Bebe | Shoes YSL

XOXO, 

Courtney :)

Celebrating Magic in Pink

Hi loves, 

It's been so long! I'm back :)

As I get older, my favorite season has become wedding season. It's just so good to be around love with great music and great people. It gives me so much to look forward to with my love life. 

The hardest part is always picking the right attire. I literally went to the mall for 2 hours and walked out with NOTHING. Of course it's my fault for waiting until the night before, but stillllll; how can you go to the mall and come out with nothing??  

I only found white dresses. I learned my lesson early after going to a wedding with my mother who NEVER explained the golden rules for ladies: NEVER WEAR WHITE!  In fact, she even took my picture for me after I got dressed. I have never been side-eyed so many times in my entire life. Put it this way, I'll never make that mistake again, EVER! White takes away from the bride.

I came home and decided to try on all the things I kept, hoping to one day be able to fit again. OMG this literally made my night! I was finally able to fit so many things again! Can you say happy girl??? 

This pink dress was one of the very few dresses I kept and boy was this a great decision. This was so perfect since I avoid black and white, fun and bold for the win! 

"The only magic I still believe in is love."

What I Wore:

Dress BCBG | Bag Aldo | Shoes Zara

 If you don't take away anything from this post, please remember to NEVER WEAR WHITE!!!!!

XOXO, 

Courtney :)

The Working Gal

"Everyday brings about a new opportunity and you owe it to yourself to meet that opportunity looking your absolute best."

Who doesn't love those super cute outfits with great colors and don't break your pocket???

Shirt $10, Necklace Thrifted (can't remember the price), Shoes $25 during a Black Friday sale and Skirt $27 from the Who What Wear collection at Target!

"Happiness comes from being who you are, not who people think you are. Don't apologize, don't explain."

What I Wore: 
Shirt +H&M | Skirt +Target | Shoes +Lord & Taylor 

Hi Loves! 

Hope everyone is having a great week so far. 

I keep getting the same question at work now... What are you doing, why are you glowing so much? It's something different about you!" and I always smile and reply, "I guess happy looks good on me." 

Tapping into who you really are brings such a joy in your every day life, especially at work. If I could give any advice to the younger me, it would be to love YOU and put YOU first! I was once the girl that put everybody else's happiness first. That only caused me to stunt my growth. Some of the very people you helped along the way are happy, growing and enjoying their lives (while you remain the same, very unhappy). Your negative thoughts will be replaced with positives ones so you never have to worry about many bad days ahead of you. For example, I used to be the type that went to work and absolutely hated being there. I hated dealing and interacting with so many different personalities. Since this new found happiness, I enjoy going to work and talking to different types of people because they have taught me so much about myself (and how to deal with people!). 

I learned to take in all the good and throw out the bad! Things will go wrong, people will be mad, but I must always remain the same. I also learned that you must determine the proper time to use the words "No" and "Yes." At one time I was ALWAYS using the word "yes" as a response to everything (then beat myself up later for it.) I learned the hard way that "no" MUST be added to your vocabulary without feeling guilty! I took these work lessons into other aspects in my life and the results are very rewarding!

I finally feel like it's my time to shine and I'm doing everything it takes to exceed my goals, all while looking and feeling my best :)

Xoxo, 

Courtney 

Rusty Mondays

Happy Monday! 

Lately, I've been working on living everyday like it's Friday. Making sure that every single day counts! Often times we are so excited for Friday because it's the closest place of freedom, forgetting to value the rest of the days. 

Thinking this way helped me a lot. Your life will never change if you don't change your vision! I changed the way I saw/thought about things and I received a lot of positive results. 

• If you see yourself as weak, you will get negative results
• If you see yourself as strong, you will be able to do so many things! 
• If you see yourself accomplishing your dreams, they will come true!
• If you see yourself as blessed, you will be blessed!

I took this aspect into my work style, especially on Mondays! After the weekend would come to an end, I dreaded Mondays! I would literally roll out of bed, brush my teeth, shower and put on anything! Now, I try to do simple make up, fix my hair and put on a nice outfit (daily). 

Today, I chose to wear this rust colored dress. Since it's such a bold color, I toned it down with black. This dress was a steal! It was originally $109.95 and you will never guess how much I got it for.... $25! I also added these fringed heels just because they are my favorites! 

 “Stop waiting for Friday, for summer, for someone to fall in love with you, for life. Happiness is achieved when you stop waiting for it and make the most of the moment you are in right now.” ~Unknown

What I Wore: 

Dress The Limited | Necklace Thrifted | Shoes Steve Madden 

Xoxo, 

Courtney :)

Style Crush: Jessica Alba- Who What Wear

Hi loves,

Since high school, I've been spending my Friday nights looking at sites like "Who What Wear" to look at stylish inspirations. They recently collaborated with Target. To see this collaboration transpire since then is really amazing!

I have NEVER anticipated something sooooooooo much before! I couldn't wait for January 31st, 2016 to arrive, just to head over to my favorite store for a new collection.

Their collection had all of the things I look for while shopping these days, including:

• bold looks
• great prices
• classic looks
• prints

The first person I saw sport an outfit from the collection was Jessica Alba, one of my style crushes. I was beyond impressed!

Just in case you haven't noticed, I love all things "Honey," including Jessica Alba. My love for her really began after that movie. She also has great style, often playing with color and prints (my personal favs). I can always count on her for a great ladylike style inspiration. I couldn't resist recreating one of my favorite looks that she did from Target/Who What Wear!

I loved that Jessica was able to mix a vintage look with a more modern look by adding bold, metallic heels, a mixed print and a moto jacket!

My favorite item from the collection happened to be this beautiful floral skirt.

Who does love stripes and floral?! #MatchMadeInHeaven

"Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul."  

 ~Luther Burbank

I added a heavier jacket since I'm always super cold :(

I also added a metallic clutch to make the shoes come out a little more. 

What I Wore: 

Top Kohls | Skirt Target | Jacket BCBG | Shoes Target 

Xoxo,

Courtney :)

True Beauty

Hi loves!

I know I'm super late, but Happy New Year! Everyone always has this "New Year, New Me" thing going, but this year I chose to do away with it. I felt like we are always making goals that we NEVER achieve. (This is true for me anyway because I've had the same goal of losing weight for about 2 years now. lol) I couldn't understand why I couldn't achieve my goal of simply losing weight and getting a little healthier.

I thought losing weight would help me become a little more happier. Boy was a I wrong! I'm the happiest I've ever been and I haven't even lost a pound! lol

This goal taught me a lot. I was so focused on the outside beauty that I wasn't paying attention to my inner beauty.

I learned to understand where true beauty comes from. True beauty comes from within. (see 1 Peter 3:3-4). I saw how society altered where most of us thought true beauty came from. Many of us thought it came from things or even people.

Last year, I can remember spending my last after all my bills were paid to make sure I had the latest everything just to feel a certain way. I partied ALL THE TIME, I drank socially ALL THE TIME and spent money ALL THE TIME.

So far this year I learned to focus on the things that really mattered and things weren't it. I focused a little more on my relationship with God which helped me find the peaceful, beautiful state of mind that I'm in now. And guess what...I lost 7lbs! :)

If the inside, doesn't match your outside appearance, it's false advertisement! Your main focus should be on achieving lasting beauty. Your outside appearance is temporary, but your inner beauty is everlasting! :) (see Psalms 139:13-16).

I started embracing my natural beauty all the way around. Natural hair (hardest thing EVER), natural nails and embracing my curves. For example, today I wore a bun and a printed pencil skirt.

Since the skirt was already printed, I added a black and white printed bracelets to compliment the pattern. (Follow @EurphoricTreasuresCouture on IG to get cute customized bracelets)

It's always ok to go nude when embracing natural! :) jkI love adding nudes to every outfit! They go with everything! 

   

I'm super obsessed with prints! This skirt was only $25 so I had to get it!

What I wore: 

Necklace Thrifted | Top Kohls | Skirt Target | Shoes Lolashoetique 

What have your goals taught you so far??

Xoxo,

Courtney :)