Style Archives - Page 10 of 12

The Dolly Half-Dozen

July 5, 2013

The Dolly Half-Dozen offers six tasty treats to nourish, inform, and entertain. On today’s menu…

1. Nine delicious ways to top a sausage (via A Cup of Jo)

2. The surprising (and smart!) reason why Lego minifigures have a hole in their head

3. How to make your own bubbles and bubble wands

4. Try this loving kindness mediation to rid your mind of jealousy, anger, or resentment (image via Paperblog)

5. The faces kids make when having sunscreen applied

6. A week-long manicure: No UV lamp required

Have a happy weekend!

Packing for a recent beach vacation, I came to the sad realization that I hate all of my summer clothing. Unfortunately, my dissatisfaction was not a new feeling; I typically feel bummed about my wardrobe at the start of each new season.

Rather than splurging on a closetful worth of clothing when the thermometer jumps, I seek out ways to incorporate a couple of new trends into last year’s wardrobe. This summer I have my eye on three sizzling styles…

Click here to continue reading this post on Lifetime Moms!

P.S. – Five spring trends I’m still wearing.

Father’s Day gifts

June 6, 2013

We have several reasons to celebrate JB in the upcoming months: a milestone birthday, completion of his master’s degree, and, of course, Father’s Day. I typically have a hard time buying my husband gifts because he doesn’t ask for anything, but recently I’ve been ~~forcing~~ encouraging him to brainstorm with me.

Inspired by JB’s wish list, here are some potential birthday, anniversary, or Father’s Day gifts for the guy in your life .

1. Striped nylon watch

2. Classic backpack

3. Trendy boat shoe

4. Shaving kit

5. Futuristic binary clock

6. Wireless activity & sleep tracker

What are you getting your dad (or baby daddy) this year?

P.S. – JB’s Father’s Day wish list from last year, plus what I actually bought him. He loved it!

Shop your very own showroom

May 21, 2013

image source

With the unofficial start of summer less than a week away, it’s time to swap my well-worn winter shoes for sandals, flats, and wedges. The problem is that I’m bored with all of my warm weather shoes. The solution? Time to go shoe shopping.

I don’t know about you, but I can spend hours browsing online department and speciality shoe stores and ultimately not purchase anything. And it’s usually not because I don’t see anything I like. Just the opposite — there are too many things I like, and I can’t decide which to buy!

Sheena Iyengar, author of “The Art of Choosing,” conducted a 1995 study researching choice. When she offered 24 varieties of jam as samples, 60% of customers stopped by her booth but only 3% purchased a jar. However, when only six jars of jam were displayed, 40% of customers stopped by and 30% made a purchase.

When discussing her famous 1995 jam study, Professor Iyengar explained that the study “raised the hypothesis that the presence of choice might be appealing as a theory, but in reality, people might find more and more choice to actually be debilitating,” according to The New York Times.

So what does this have to do with shoe shopping? Well, when ShoeDazzle asked me to check out how they are changing women’s online shopping experiences, I was intrigued. First, you take a short quiz so ShoeDazzle can identify your style and are presented with personalized shoe and accessory recommendations in your very own “showroom.”

Each month you’ll receive a new showroom that fits your individual style, and as new products get added to the site, ShoeDazzle will continue to tailor your personalized recommendations. Essentially, you’re browsing a curated collection of shoes and handbags selected just for you (although you do have the option to search the entire site), and fewer options mean you’ll be less likely to feel overwhelmed!

Above are a couple of summer shoes from my showroom. I was happily surprised by how much I liked so many of the options presented to me; I could really see myself wearing many of them, especially the four in the photo.

Another surprise? The cost. All of the shoes are very reasonably priced. Plus, if you make a purchase within two days of taking the quiz, you’ll get 25% off your first item ordered.

Oh, and their Chief Stylist? The inimitable Rachel Zoe!

Curious? Click here to take your ShoeDazzle style quiz and let me know what you think!

Thanks to ShoeDazzle for supporting today’s discussion! As always, opinions are my own.

Botox at 33?

May 9, 2013

cartoon via The New Yorker

When I turned 33 in March, family members sent checks in birthday cards with instructions to “buy something I really want.” The fact that nobody sends me gift-wrapped presents anymore is a testament to how difficult I am to shop for.

Last month, my mom asked me if I had decided how to spend my birthday money.

“Well, I’m thinking about either getting another Brazilian Blowout or trying Botox.”

“Oh, okay,” she replied. And that was the end of that conversation.

I know it must seem strange for a woman in her early 30s with minimal wrinkles or visible skin damage to be contemplating Botox, but I have my reasons…

To start, I’m vain. (Don’t judge me! If you’ve ever checked out your reflection in a store window, you’re vain, too.) When I stare at my face in the mirror, I see imperfections that you probably don’t see when looking at me – at least, I hope you don’t see them.

The tiny crow’s feet don’t bother me as much as the lines etched across my forehead. I hesitate to even call those wrinkles, as I’ve had them for as long as I can remember. They’re genetic, I’m sure. But they bug the crap out of me, and my side-swept bangs can only partially conceal them.

Second, Botox can actually help to prevent wrinkles rather than simply erasing the ones you already have. According to Dr. Debra Jaliman, a NYC dermatologist and author of the book Skin Rules: Trade Secrets from a Top New York Dermatologist, starting cosmetic procedures like Botox early can stop the clock.

Yes, I already take preventative action by using sunscreen religiously and shading my face with a hat when I’m out in the sun. However, like I said, the forehead lines are already there, they’re genetic, and they’re only going to get worse.

Some people are adamantly against cosmetic procedures, and I respect their opinions. I mean, Botox is a toxin that temporarily paralyzes your muscles, and that’s really creepy, but to me, it’s less creepy than getting a full-on facelift in 25 years.

P.S. – Some of my favorite forehead-concealing hairstyles.

4 spring trends + plus a bonus favorite

April 25, 2013

According to the calendar, we’re more than a month into spring – although you wouldn’t know it by the weather outside my window! Temperatures are below average where I live, so I’m still donning long sleeves and boots with socks (my feet get very cold). I’m eagerly anticipating a warm, sunshine-y spring day so I can break out the newest additions to my wardrobe.

You can read about four spring trends I’m excited to wear this season over on Lifetime Moms, but I wanted to share one more trend I’m currently crushing on this season: orange!

When paired with pink, orange feels almost tropical, but when matched with navy or other neutrals, it’s perfectly preppy. I love how a pop of orange can brighten up an entire look (especially when you’re still wearing cold-weather clothing). Here are some orange accessories on my wish list that’ll put you in the mood for warmer temps, too:

Revlon nail polish / MICHAEL Michael Kors sunglasses / Fossil watch (on sale!)

Coach loafers / Givenchy lip gloss

photo of J.Crew model via Allure

BRIKA and a Well-Crafted Life

April 10, 2013

Are you more inclined to make a purchase if you know the story behind the product’s origin? If you know that a simple swipe of your credit card will help to support an independent artist pursuing his or her passion?

BRIKA is a new online shopping destination that connects you, the buyer, with the markers, artisans, and designers of beautiful, modern crafts. The site’s founders believe in the value of following one’s passions and building a beautiful life through well-crafted everyday objects. In addition to offering a curated selection of jewelry, home decor, paper goods, and baby accessories, BRIKA celebrates the makers behind these special pieces.

Here are some of my favorite makers…

In addition to searching BRIKA by makers, you can search by products to find exactly what you need and by occasion to discover the perfect present. Want to see some of the products I love? Check out my Well-Crafted Life board on Pinterest.

BRIKA is offering a $15 credit to all new customers who sign up using this link. Plus, you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two $100 BRIKA gift cards just by signing up!

Tell me, what do you think of the concept behind BRIKA? Who are some of your favorite makers? Did anything on the website catch your eye?

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. Thanks to BRIKA for sponsoring Bunny & Dolly!

Shorter Hair for Spring

April 3, 2013

If I were to bump into friends I made at Alt Summit this past January, the first thing they might notice is that I changed my hairstyle. The long hair I wore in Salt Lake City (and while posing with this friendly taxidermy bear) has been replaced with a shoulder-length ‘do, a slightly longer version of the Karlie or the Chop.

I wasn’t trying to make a fashion statement by cutting my hair shorter. In fact, I was partial to having an abundance of hair; I could wear it down, braid it, or twist it up in a blogger’s top knot. However, I was unhappy with the long face-framing layers that my hairstylist had cut into my hair (without asking me first!) at my last appointment. The style looked very 1990s to me, like Jennifer Aniston‘s hair as she grew out “The Rachel.”

After studying my hair, my new stylist determined that only way to minimize the severity of the face-framing layers was to lose some of the length. Desperate for a more modern look, I let him go scissor-happy — and I’m so glad that I did. Although I can’t fashion a blogger’s bun anymore, my hair finally has a style to it. (FYI, “long” is not a style.) It feels lighter, takes less time to blow dry, and had garnered more compliments than my previous hairstyle (or lack thereof).

And it appears I’m not the only one choosing shorter hair for spring. A number of bloggers like Julia and Emily have also chopped their long locks into shoulder-length bobs. Even E!’s Giuliana Rancic decided to (finally) ditch her hair extensions for a more sophisticated blunt cut this season.

What do you think of spring’s shorter hairstyles? Are you inspired by Karlie Kloss to make “the chop” or are you still partial to long hair? How do you currently wear your hair?

PS: The time I got bangs like Bella Heathcote to conceal my postpartum hair loss.

UPDATED: In the past week, even more bloggers went short, including Mara from M Loves M.

A DIY manicure that lasts a week!

March 21, 2013

Remember how I painted my nails green last week in honor of St. Patrick’s Day? Well, when I glanced at my hands last night I noticed they looked almost as good as when I polished them seven days ago! Somehow they’ve remained chip-free with just some minor growth near my cuticles.

Perhaps I’ve finally cracked the code on how to make at-home manis last. Here’s how I achieved my long lasting manicure…… READ MORE!