Color Block Dress

Photo cred: Jathan Campell

Dress: Sheinside (on sale!) / Shoes: Jessica Simpson / Belt: Rustic Thread 

Oh hey friends! Why yes, that is snow in the background of my pics. And yes, it was freezing when we shot this pics. The things we do for a good pic, right?!

Anyway... Let's talk about this dress. First off, it's on sale for $15.33. Yes, you read that right. Second, I love this dress. It's one of my go-to's for work when I have a day full of meetings and just need want to feel like a professional boss, if you will. I've dressed it down with sandals and flat boots/booties and dressed it up with tights and heels/nicer booties like the ones pictured. It's one of those great dresses that is simple enough to be business professional, but the color-blocking adds a little something that helps you stand out. Who said business professional had to be boring?

On to my next topic. Has anyone shopped at Sheinside before? I stumbled across them through a blog and was blown away! They have everything and it's cheap! However, I will warn you, the fit is definitely not consistent.  For instance, when I placed my order, that included this dress, a bought a handful of other items to try (they have free returns...score!) to figure out what I wanted to keep. I bought the same size in everything and I had to return half of the items I bought due to inconsistent sizing. That was a bummer. I'm overall impressed and definitely obsessed with all their stuff, especially their coat assortment! I didn't know I was such a coat lover until I found their site. I've shown two different coats I bought from Sheinside here and here.

Have you shopped with Sheinside? What's your go-to clothing website? I'd love to hear!

Floral Kimono

Photo cred: Jathan Campbell

Kimono: Patterns & Pops / Pants: H&M / Tank: Nordstrom / Necklace: Vince Camuto / Shoes: Jessica Simpson (on sale!) / Sunglasses: Ray-Ban / Watch: Michael Kors (my color no longer available) / Lip Color (my FAVORITE combo): Maybelline 'The Buffs' collection in Blushing Beige (#915) + Cargo lipgloss in Anguilla

So. I completely fell IN LOVE with this floral kimono. As in when I visited the wonderful ladies from Patterns & Pops during one of their pop up shops, I didn't take this thing off once I tried it on. What a fun piece! I love pairing it with all black or white so it stands out. During the summer I can't wait to wear it with rompers, shorts, and even as a swimsuit coverup! When I was in Nice this past September, I wore another kimono of mine to the beach over a suit and felt just a touch more glamorous after a day on the beach. See that pic below!

Now let me tell you about these pants. Oh my gosh are they awesome. I don't even know how to explain the material. It kind of looks like leather, but feels more like rubber - which sounds bizarre but they are literally the best and most comfortable pants EVER. Whenever I'm struggling to come up with an outfit or I'm in a rush to change, these are always my go to. They pair perfectly with a simple tee, or look extra chic with a dressy blouse. You'll see much more of these pants in the future :)

Nice, France (kimono from TJ Maxx)

Barcelona & A Dress

Photo cred: Jathan Campbell

Dress: Similar, similar, similar / Necklace: Macy's / Shoes: Qupid

Oh hey there friends! Today is a different kind of post for Sweet & Sauer - I wanted to share a personal story with you all. And the story involves this dress. I can't find this dress online to save my life (and I know, how mean of me to post about a dress that you can't even buy), but I've found some similar options (linked above). I wanted to shoot this dress and share the pics because 1. It's pretty (and looked cool in this parking garage we found to shoot in), and 2. I wanted to share a personal story with you all. Keep reading if you're interested :)

This past September I traveled Europe for two weeks all by myself. And it was the most exciting and terrifying thing I've ever done. Being alone on the trip obviously made me cautious but on the last leg of my trip, Barcelona, I realized I was almost being too cautious and didn't let go enough. And that realization came at a mojito bar (isn't that where all life-altering revelations happen?). I was watching everyone dance, and salsa line dance (yes, that's really a thing), and laugh, and chat, and just genuinely have a good time, and I was too scared to do any of that. I was scared of what could happen or what could go wrong. So I went home upset feeling like I hadn't let go enough on my trip.

After a tearful phone call with a friend, I snapped myself out of my wallowing and decided to make the last day of my trip the absolute best. So I did. And I had one of the best days I've ever had. I went to the beach, I rode a motorized bicycle along the boardwalk, I ate the most delicious tapas, explored a new neighborhood, poked around in the cutest little boutiques and ended my night on the 26th floor of the W Hotel in the coolest bar enjoying drinks overlooking the ocean and the city. I let go, and ended up having truly one of the most memorable days I've ever had.

I found this dress in one of the hole in the wall boutiques I shopped at, and will always associate it with that day, not only because it was a really great day, but because it was a day where I really got in touch with Mal.

Moral of this story is this; doing new things (like going to Europe on your own) is scary, but it's truly letting go (especially in said scary situations) that takes guts. You'd be amazed at the things you can do and how much better you can feel once you finally dig deep, break out of your comfort zone and just be. It's important to be connected to yourself, to be your own best friend, and to be comfortable in your own skin. I'll wrap up this novel with one of my favorite quotes from Diane von Furstenberg, "When a woman becomes her own best friend, life is easier." So go on, get out of your comfort zone and be your own best friend.