My Style: A Carrie Bradshaw Moment

Anthropologie Necklace // J.Crew Turtleneck // Shabby Apple Skirt {Splurge} // Steve Madden Heels

This is what I wore last week to the first event for the #DSMFABB.  When Anthro debuted their Alexandra Grecco Tulle Skirt a few short weeks ago, I swooned and swooned and than swooned some more. I think it played a little too much into the ballerina in me. It wasn't available online for purchase and the price tag was just out of my reach. After a quick search, I came across a similar {read less expensive} version from Shabby Apple and, just my luck, there was one left in my size {read fate}. Add to cart. Boom. Mine all mine.

 I can tell this baby's cost per wear is going down by the second. I've already worn it twice in one week (stay tuned later this week to see how I remixed it}.  And one thing I've learned from twirling around in this creation is that every woman should invest in a tulle party skirt because every woman out there deserves a Carrie Bradshaw moment.

 

Have you ever had a Carrie Bradshaw moment? Do tell!

Event: DSMFABB

On Wednesday, Katelyn and I hosted our first Des Moines Fashion and Beauty Blogger event at aimee. After a month or so of planning we were more than excited to see our plans unfold. We donned our best party dresses {or skirts!}, toasted with champagne, devoured a few too many Crème cupcakes, & chatted about nothing but blogging & fashion. Sometimes it's nice to be surrounded by other women who understand what it means to come home from school or your day job and spend endless hours working on posts, researching {aka pinning}, or taking photographs for something you are truly passionate about. 

Crème Cupcakes

Pouring the champagne.

This staircase. Swoon.

Added a bit of Sequin to our arm parties.

 Kiley, Katelyn, Brittney, Emily T., Emily G., Kelsey

Lucy, Amy, Meagan

Love me because I'm beautiful.

When in doubt, wear sequins.

A bit of swag that the girls left with! Stay tuned...one of you lucky Des Moines readers will win one!

My Style: Portobello Road Fashion's Night Out

ASOS Sweater {sold out but similar} // F21 Skirt {similar} // Steve Madden Heels // Lia Sophia Necklace

This is what I wore to Portobello Road's Fashion Night Out. While only picking this outfit out about an hour before I arrived at the event, I loved how it turned out. I knew I wanted to wear leather and if you follow me on instagram you know I own quite a bit of faux fur (pants, shorts, two skirts, and now this top).  Knowing Katelyn was going to wear her faux leather pants, I knew I wanted to mix things up. 

How are you wearing leather this fall? 

Guest Stylist for Portobello Road

Cut-off Vintage Tee // Rich & Skinny Jeans // Steve Madden Heels // Lia Sophia Necklace

Two weeks ago I was a guest stylist for Portobell Road's FNO! We had so much fun picking out our outfits and toasting the night away with champagne. As a guest stylist, I had to pick one outfit that combined all of my favorite things. Let me tell you this, with a store filled with just about everything that was on my wish list {cheeky tees, leather, lace, sequins, the list can goes on...and on..}, this wasn't the easiest task. For my picks, I selected this ultra-soft, cut-off band tee band tee. Paired with these Rich & Skinny jeans, I completed the look with a chunky necklace and these black heels. As cooler temperatures are officially here to stay, I would mix this up with a velvet oversized blazer or boyfriend cardigan & leather leggings. Don't forget your statement necklace!

Happiness is...

This print sums me up in the most complete way. 

I have a lot going on this week which started with our annual corporate meeting and ended up with a company wide party at our local piano bar - talk about FUN. Only a few more days until the weekend & hip, hip, hooray - it's another casual day at work! Sometimes it's the little things in life.

Happy Thursday!

Market Day

Saturday morning Emily, Katelyn, & I made our way down to the Farmer's Market and to Market Day and even made it to Aimee & Velvet Coat.  We made sure to stay warm with a cup of apple cider from Java Joe's as we walked about Market Day. Below are a few snapshots from our day!

XXX-Large Cup of Joe

Tasty Treats 

Emily, Me {get this bulldog sweater here}, Katelyn

Snapping a few outfit photos

Good Advice

The Sara Initiative

Oh Goodness Paperie

#videofymyfashion

Just having a little fun before grabbing a late lunch in the East Village. 

When I'm lost in my closet, I always click over to Pinterest to find last minute inspiration.  This did the trick.

Head over to #videofymyfashion tumblr to see the video & click the heart to vote for my summer look! 

braid-y bunch

I can't wait to try this braid out.

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Life Lately

 

No brand dress {from boutique in Iowa City} // BCBGeneration Heels // Forever 21 Clutch & Sunnies

My good friends from high school FINALLY tied the knot! We drank champagne and danced the night away!

Sundays are meant for brunching and shopping. I met up with my friend Sam {she's the blonde one} and we caught up over bloody mary's and spent the afternoon perusing J.Crew with our trusty venti black iced teas in hand.

The views from above.

 _thebrunetteone

^^^

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Model Off Duty: Caroline Brasch Nielsen

T by Alexander Wang Tee // Current/Elliott Denim {love this style} // TOPSHOP Leather Quilted Pouch // Daytrip Leather Vest // Michael Antonio Love Me Suede Nude Heels // Ray-Ban Sunnies

Happy Friday! It's been a busy week over here at The Brunette One. After my recent traveling escapades, I've spent the entire week playing catch up {laundry is for Sundays - right??}. And on a very exciting note, I can officially announce that I have accepted a new job within my company and will be working in merchandise buying by the end of the month. I have been lucky to work at a place where I've been able to not only travel around the world but further my career in a direction that I've been itching to get into since starting my blog.  


Have a great weekend!! :)

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My Style: Neon Pink

J.Crew Sweater // StyleMint shorts // Clarks Indigo Luna Orbit Heels // J.Crew Clutch // BaubleBar Necklace // F21 Sunnies

The power of online shopping & a good sale scored me this neon sweater & amazing chambray shorts while I was traveling. I have a feeling that, despite the heat, this sweater is about to become a closet staple. And the shorts - don't even get me started - they go with EVERYTHING in my closet. The only challenge I will have with them is that I can't wear them to the office!

PS. The only thing worse then packing is unpacking. Three weeks worth of laundry has peppered my bedroom floor. It's a test to see who will cave first. The floor or me. So far, I'm winning. 

Guest Post: A Sequin Dress at Breakfast

My dear friend Kiley, from A Sequin Dress at Breakfast, is here today to share with us her latest lust vs. must! 

While there are some items that are worth splurging on (a timeless purse, classic watch, and great pair of black heels for example), others are not. While this summer every girl should have a pair of bright colored sandals, the season can be rough on shoes and it doesn't make sense to spend more than needed on such a seasonal and easily worn down item. While I love Dolce Vita, and $70 for a great pair of shoes isn't unreasonable, it does seem silly when these Target ones are nearly identical in appearance but much less in price. These sandals come in all the best summer colors - turquoise and pink are my favorites - and with the money you save you'll have enough to pick up one in every color!

Guest Post: The Unprecedented

The lovely Randa from The Unprecedented & the lovely artist behind the I See Noise prints on Etsy was kind enough to cover for me while I'm still away for my work trip! 

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Hello to all the lovely readers of The Brunette One! I am so honored to be writing a post for all of you to read and I hope you enjoy it. My blog highlights everything I love in fashion, beauty and home decor so this post is a little mix of everything I talk about on the blog. Enjoy! xoxo R


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Fashion and Home Decor – in my opinion – go hand in hand. You take aspects of fashion (trends, textures, colors) and mix it into your personal spaces. I have just recently noticed the similarities between the two for myself.

My home is vibrant and eclectic with tons of white mixed with touches of mint, gold and silver. However, my outfits seem to be overpowered with darker shades of blue denim, black and grey and tan. The idea is very much the same between the two with the palette, the way I accessorize and how I top it all off.

The Palette – Clean colors, vibrant in either bright or dark shades, basic and somewhat neutral.

My clothes are neutral in the base seem to be the raw pieces of my outfits. I add on with accessories and a great bag! My home is also in neutrals but topped off with lovely patterns and textures.

The Accessories – Always gold and silver.

My clothing may be neutral and the basis of the outfit but I always add a touch of sparkle with a great gold watch or chain link bracelet or a great leather handbag. My home is the same way with every separate area treated as a different outfit. Each area has its own sparkle with a vintage silver desert tray holding tea lights or a gold lamp.

The Topper – This would definitely be my shoes for an outfit! I love my shoe collection and each pair gives my outfit character. In my home it’s the fashion book collection and throw pillows. It brings it all together and gives the home a sense of who lives in it!

Guest Post: Notes from Sarah Lagen

Hi everyone!  I am Sarah from Notes by Sarah Lagen... my dear friend Sam is off in a far away place enjoying some sun [and doing a little work] so I'm here to share a little something!  I'm a 20-something single girl living in Chicago, I went to college & was once roomies with Miss. Samantha of The Brunette One!

Over the past few months I've been falling deeper and deeper in love with everything neon and have been searching for small fun ways to add it into my life more.  Recently I saw a striped neon t-shirt and decided that was something I could put my DIY moves on!  

Supplies: 

1 white t-shirt (I reused one that I don't wear anymore)

Neon fabric paint

Duck Tape to create the pattern

Good luck and have fun adding neon to your life!  I'm really loving this shirt and I think I'll wear it way more then if it was a boring normal white t-shirt-- the only thing is I wish I could tie it in a little knot on the side, any tips? Advice? 

Guest Post: Hush n Wonder

Hello, readers of The Brunette One! My name is Brittney author of the blog Hush n Wonder and I'm honored to be guest posting for Sam while she's away.  Today I wanted to talk about one of my very favorite guilty pleasures - pajamas.  I love to shop for pretty little nighties, cozy sleep shirts, and cute printed shorts, even if they are to only be worn in the comfort of my own home.  In my opinion, there is nothing better than cuddling up in some comfy pjs for a night on the couch watching movies and drinking wine, followed up with a long night's sleep.  It is laziness at it's best and to stay nice and cool in the summer months sleepwear in light silks and breathable cottons are key.  Below are some of my favorite pajama picks I'm dying to get my hands on.

• Floral sleep pants and cami from TopShop
• Terry thong slippers from Old Navy
• Sleep shirt and short from Juicy Couture
• Sleep romper from The Webster at Target
• Floral sleep pants from Old Navy
• Nightie from Donna Karan
• Short Pajama set from Marigot Collection

And remember, never feel guilty about splurging on a cute pair of pajamas... After all, you never know who you'll meet in your dreams.