Lace & Pearls Test

A Seattle Life + Style blog

Flutter Skirt

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Photos by Michelle Dorman Photography

Blouse: Club Monaco | Skirt: Club Monaco | Necklaces: Nadri| Bracelet: J.Crew (old) | Rings: Stella & Dot | Gorjana (similar) | Earrings: Banana Republic (similar)| Purse: Rebecca Minkoff | Sandals: (old) | Lipstick: Bite Beauty (color Moka)

This weekend I went to the Taylor Swift 1989 concert in Seattle. It was a sold out crowd of 60,000 people. There were two opening acts, Shawn Mendes and Vance Joy. Russell Wilson (Seahawks) and Ciara made an appearance. Taylor also brought out Fetty Wap for a duet of his song Trap Queen. Overall I thought the performance was good, but the music and crowd sometimes overpowered Taylor’s voice. I was grateful when Taylor brought out her guitar and performed Mean from Speak Now. It was so much more intimate and surreal.

For these photos I worked with Seattle photographer Michelle Dorman. We met at Golden Gardens for the shoot. I have never shot in such a public place. It was a bit unnerving, but Michelle put me at ease and I’m happy with how the photos turned out.

I wasn’t sure how this blouse was going to photograph with my full chest and broad shoulders. It turned out better than expected. The length is perfect for skirts – no fussing with getting the perfect tuck.

I love the tiered layers of this floral skirt. The print is super sweet and the color is the perfect shade of orange.

Let’s connect: Instagram | Twitter| Bloglovin

Blogging Resource: Ask Jess (The Golden Girl Blog)

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Image Source: The Golden Girl Blog

Today is the final installment of the Blogging Resource series. If you missed any of the previous post, you can check them out here.

This week I am featuring Ask Jess, a weekly email/video column about blogging. Jess Keys is the creator of The Golden Girl Blog and Fashion Editor of The Everygirl. Ask Jess is a column for new and seasoned bloggers looking to brush up on their skills. Subscribers can submit questions to Jess, and each week she answers one in her video. Jess reads all of her comments, and often will respond and provide feedback. She is very personable and down to earth, frequently sporting her pj’s in her videos.

One of my favorite post was from week #2 on putting yourself out there. When I started my blog I didn’t really tell anyone, so using my personal social media was not an option. I left Jess a comment expressing my apprehension and she suggested creating separate accounts for my blog. So I created an Instagram account and I couldn’t be happier. It has been a lot of fun to learn the ropes on another channel.

If you don’t currently read The Golden Girl Blog, check it out. It’s one of my favorites.

Resources:

  1. Ask Jess
  2. The Golden Girl Blog
  3. The Everygirl

Social Media: 

  1. Facebook
  2. Instagram
  3. Pinterest
  4. Twitter
  5. Bloglovin

Do you read The Golden Girl Blog or subscribe to Ask Jess? If you have other blogging resources, please share in the comments. I would love to check them out and I’m sure others will too.

Let’s connect: Instagram | Twitter

Bumble Bee

Lace & Pearls stripe shorts1 Lace & Pearls stripe shorts2 Lace & Pearls stripe shorts3 Lace & Pearls stripe shorts4Blouse: Loft (old) | Shorts: Gap (old) | Bracelet: J.Crew | Necklace: Madewell (old) | Earrings: J.Crew (old) |Watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs (similar) |  Sandals: Dansko (old) | Lipstick: Bite Beauty (color Moka)

Friday my husband and I celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary. We are such homebodies that we stayed in the entire day and just relaxed. My husband made Salmon with Green Pea Mash for lunch and Steak with Red Wine Sauce and Smashed Potatoes for dinner. Both were incredible and I honestly can not choose a favorite.

For the longest time, I didn’t have shorts in my wardrobe. A Vegas trip last year meant they needed to happen. Shorts drive me bananas. If the inseam is too short they ride up, and then I’m constantly having to pull at them. Because of the insanely hot weather we’ve been having, shorts are the best option for beating the heat. Since I love printed pants, I had to get a pair of printed shorts. These black & white stripes were perfect. To glam things up a bit, I added a pop of color up top and a pair of statement earrings. Unintentionally, this outfit ended up resembling a bumble bee. Hopefully a cute one.

Let’s connect: Instagram | Twitter

Blogging Resource: I Can Build A Blog

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Image Source: I Can Build A Blog

Welcome to the third installment of the Blogging Resource series. If you missed any of the previous post, you can check them out here. This is a four part series that will post every Thursday for the next few weeks.

Last week I spoke about Wonder Forest, this week I am featuring  Dana Fox’s other blog I Can Build A Blog.  Even though this blog was mentioned last week, I thought it was important enough to revisit.

I Can Build A Blog focuses on the technical side of blogging. This site is great for not only current bloggers, but also people who are interested in starting a blog. I Can Build A Blog walks you through setting up a site  on WordPress or Blogger. See her article on Blogger vs WordPress to determine which platform is best for you. If you’re currently on Blogger and want to switch to WordPress this tutorial will walk you through it. If you want to keep your Blogspot URL, but want to migrate to WordPress check out this post.

My Favorite Posts

  1. Tips For Finding Your Own Niche
  2. How To Drive Traffic Back To Old Post
  3. Why Do You Need A Mailing List?
  4. How To Get Blog Followers
  5. How To Run A Successful Blog Giveaway
  6. How To Get More Blog Traffic

More Resources

  1. Videos
  2. Blog Themes
  3. Social Media Tutorials
  4. HTML & CSS Tutorials

I Can Build A Blog Social Media

  1. Facebook 
  2. Twitter
  3. Instagram

Do you read I Can Build A Blog? If you have other blogging resources, please share in the comments. I would love to check them out and I’m sure others will too.

Let’s connect: Instagram | Twitter

Breton Stripes

Lace & Pearls Stripe Tee 1 Lace & Pearls Stripe Tee 2 Lace & Pearls Stripe Tee 3 Lace & Pearls Stripe Tee 4 Lace & Pearls Stripe Tee 5Tee: J.Crew | Jeans: Zara (old) | Necklace: J.Crew (old) | Bracelet: J.Crew (old) | Earrings: Nadri | Shoes: Jessica Simpson (leather version) | Lip gloss: Giorgio Armanicolor 519| Lipliner: NARS color Rosebud

Saturday I went thrifting with my friend Kelly from Sweet Kelly Anne (she is also a stylist). I usually like to go shopping solo, but with Kelly it was a total breeze. I felt like we had the entire store to ourselves as we perused the racks. I found the cutest chambray dress, a girlie coral dress, and a pair of tri-colored sandals. I have been looking for a chambray dress, and this one is made out of the softest material and hangs just right.

I am obsessed with this outfit! It is a simple look, but I love it. I have been searching for the perfect stripe tee. I found this beauty at my favorite store J.Crew and I couldn’t be happier. I want it in every color. The weight of the material is just right and the silhouette is not too boxy. These shoes were love at first sight. I almost died when I spotted them. Ballerina shoes in a pale pink suede, what’s not to like!

Thank you so much for reading. See you Thursday!

P.S. You might also like Stripes and Put A Bow On It.

Let’s connect: Instagram | Twitter| Bloglovin

Blogging Resource: Wonder Forest

Wonder Forest

Image Source: Wonder Forest

Welcome to the second installment of the Blogging Resource series. If you missed the first one, you can check it out here. This is a four part series that will post every Thursday for the next few weeks.

This week I am featuring Wonder Forest. This site is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Dana Fox is a self taught, bona fide business owner who has been designing website since she was thirteen. Her adorable watercolor designs can be seen throughout her site. Wonder Forest is a platform for creative projects, tutorials, and blog design tips. Most of the content is targeted towards those with minimal experience and is super easy to follow.

There are so many great resources on Wonder Forest that it can be a little overwhelming. I encourage you to check out her About page and the Resource page (for all things blogging).

My favorite posts

  1. 8 Things Nobody Told Me About Blogging
  2. How to do an End of the Year Blog Survey (& Why You Should)
  3. Staying Productive With Backup Blog Post
  4. Blog Photography My Tips & Equipment
  5. How To Make a Product Collage in Photoshop

More Resources

  1. Envye – beautiful templates for Blogger and WordPress
  2. Products – adorable watercolor cell phone cases
  3. I Can Build a Blog – blog help site
  4. Beautician – YouTube channel (A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!)
  5. Get Noticed – A blog course for bloggers
  6. 365 Blog Topic Ideas – her book
  7. Tools
  8. Apps

Wonder Forest Social Media

  1. Instagram
  2. Twitter 
  3. Facebook
  4. Pinterest
  5. Bloglovin

Have you read Wonder Forest? If you have other blogging resources, please share in the comments. I would love to check them out and I’m sure others will too.

Let’s connect: Instagram | Twitter

Pretty in Pink

Lace & Pearls Pink Skirt 1 Lace & Pearls Pink Skirt 2Lace & Pearls Pink Skirt 5Lace & Pearls Pink Skirt 7Blouse: J.Crew (old) | Skirt: J.Crew (1 size left) | Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell (old)  | Necklace: Nadri | Rings (top to bottom): Gorjana | Stella & Dot| Bracelet: J.crew (old) | Purse: Rebecca Minkoff (available in other colors) | Lip Gloss: Smashbox Limitless Long Wear (Endless)| Lip liner: NARS color Rosebud

What an amazing weekend. Saturday I met up with Mil & Jules from South by Northwest to go see Emily Schuman from Cupcakes & Cashmere! She was in Seattle promoting her latest book and clothing line. The meet and greet was at the downtown Nordstrom and everyone who came got the opportunity to meet Emily, get her autograph, and pose for a photo (see my pic on Instagram).

I’ve been to these events before, but this one was very organized, and Emily was an absolute gem! She was so personable and 100% genuine. I felt like I was chatting with a girlfriend. This made me respect her that much more.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Julianna from Blush & Camo. I spotted her in line, and she greeted me with a big hug and smile. It felt like we had known each other for years. Definitely check out her lovely blog. She’s a doll.

Let’s talk about this skirt. I love the color, the pleats, and the laser cut details, but for some reason I found it difficult to style. The solution: keep it simple. I wore this look with my favorite silk blouse and light brown wedges, and topped it off with my new layering necklace and gold stacking rings.

Thanks so much for reading. Don’t forget to stop by this Thursday for the second installment of my blogging resource series. If you missed the first one, you can check it out here. See you then!

Let’s connect: Instagram | Twitter| Bloglovin

Blogging Resource: The Nectar Collective

The Nectar CollectiveImage Source: The Nectar Collective

Blogging can be a lot of fun, but there is so much to learn. I have found several amazing resources that have been game changers for me. This will be the start of a four part series that will post every Thursday for the next four weeks.  So grab a cup of your favorite tea and keep reading, you don’t want to miss this!

The Nectar Collective (TNC) is a community for creative entrepreneurs, bloggers, and small business owners. This site covers business, design, self-development, and lifestyle topics. Melyssa Griffin, the creator, along with some amazing contributors make this blog a one stop shop. Melyssa is amazingly talented and her story rings true to my heart. Like a lot of us, she was unhappy in her job and life. Through her passion and determination she created TNC and was able to quit her job eight months later. She has accomplished so much, and lucky for us, all of her tips can be found on her site.

Here are some of my favorite posts: 

  1. Our 15 Most Popular “Blogging Tips” Posts *contains a few of my picks
  2. 9 Ways to Increase Blog Traffic By Updating Old Blog Posts
  3. How to Write a Killer About Me Page for Your Blog
  4. A Better Way to Introduce Yourself as a Freelancer or Blogger
  5. How to Earn Money as a Blogger
  6. Can You Still Make a Living as a Blogger?

More Resources:

  1. The Nectar Collective Design Studio – where Melyssa helps bloggers and business owners create websites.
  2. The Nectar Collective Blog Coaching + Consulting

The Nectar Collective Social Media:

  1. Instagram
  2. Twitter
  3. Pinterest
  4. Facebook

The Nectar Collective Newsletter

If you don’t do anything else, I encourage you to sign up for the TNC newsletter.

Have you checked out the Nectar Collective? If you have other blogging resources, please share in the comments. I would love to check them out and I’m sure others will too.

Let’s connect: Instagram | Twitter

Aztec Print

Lace & Pearls Aztec dress 2Lace & Pearls Aztec dress 3 Lace & Pearls Aztec dress 5Lace & Pearls Aztec dress 4Dress: Lush (old)| Necklace: Stella & Dot | Bracelet: J.Crew (old) | Watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs (similar) | Sandals: DSW (old) | Purse: Michael Michael Kors (old)| Lipstick: Bite Beauty (color Moka)

This is one of my favorite dresses. There is just something about it; the shape, the pattern, the keyhole back (not shown), and pockets!

I primarily only wear dresses in the summer.  I find them hard to style in the colder months. I get hung up on what color tight to wear, the shoe, and layering piece. Plus, I’m always cold and would rather wear pants.

This dress is fun because depending on the type of jewelry you wear it with, this will ultimately determine your overall look. I decided to go with a colorful bracelet, gold necklace, and sandals. I’ve also worn it with turquoise jewelry in the past.

I’ll be starting up a mini series on blogging resources later this week. I am really excited about it and hope you guys will find it useful. Be sure to stop by on Thursday.

As always, thanks so much for reading!

Let’s connect: Instagram | Twitter

Red Hot

Lace & Pearls Red Pant 1 Lace & Pearls Red Pant 2 Lace & Pearls Red Pant 3 Lace & Pearls Red Pant 4Denim Jacket: Loft (old)| Blouse: Joe Fresh (old) | Pants: J.Crew Factory (red is sold out but other colors are available) | Bow Bracelet: Rachael Leigh (old) | Necklace: Madewell (similar) | Rhinestone Brooch: Vintage | Rings: Gorjana (old) | Watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs (similar)| Sandals (old) | Lip gloss: M.A.C in color Sinnamon

It’s been hot in Seattle this week. Anything over 80 feels sweltering with our humidity. We are very happy to have AC at the current place! #blessed

I finally found the perfect fire engine red pants. It’s such a classic staple that looks great with just about anything. I can see these pants with a stripe tee, button up blouse, or even a fun printed top.

I now have these pants in five colors: red, bright pink, burgundy, navy, and black. In this post I wore the navy and mentioned that the red and pink were on my wish list. As you can see, I decided to take the plunge and it was totally worth it. The fabric is so stretchy and forgiving, and it works great for the office. I wear mine at least once a week.

How else would you style these pants? You guys had such great suggestion for this navy and white stripe dress.

Thank so much for reading. Have a lovely weekend!

Let’s connect: Instagram | Twitter

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