Falling for Fall

 

Dress || Booties || Bag || Vest- Here, Here & Here || Other Natural Amethyst Earrings

One of my favorite things about fall is the opportunity to layer. An easy fall staple for layering is a vest. This olive green vest could also easily be paired with a pair of jeans, leggings, stripes and patterns, long sleeves, short  sleeves, skirts...and the list goes on. I loved it paired with this lace up black dress, it was just warm enough and it created a perfect amount of texture to my outfit. What are some of your favorite versatile fall pieces?

Ps. I am obsessed with this vegan leather bag from Urban Expressions.

 To get 25% at Urban Expressions use promo code: UE25GQ5J8 

xx,

Melody

Home Progress-Outside

Many of you have been asking for updates on our home...so here you are, well at least an update on the outside. We thank you for the support and thank you for your patience with my blogging as we tackle this HUGE endeavor!  

These before photos really make me question what the ##^$* we were thinking!!! When we first bought our home back in April, spring had not yet, sprung! Little did we know the amount of foliage Spring and Summer would bring. We were working hard on demoing the inside of our home, and we were feeling accomplished. We were finally finishing the demoing inside of our home (which also ended up taking on a life of it's own), and we were ready to move forward.  To our disappointment, the progress we had made on the inside, was only greeter by an overwhelming amount of discouragement by the appearance of the outside of our home. The foliage was so bad and critters like mice and snakes were trying to use our yard has their home. Just mowing, clearly, was no longer going to cut it!  

So, we scheduled one day with about 8 of our family members and tackled that yard! There was no way we could continue to show up to do work there and be greeted by that mess, it was so disheartening. The day our families united to take on this yard will forever be a day I remember. We had about six chainsaws on hand and the guys were ready to take trees and brushes out!  It was so crazy!  I took sooo many before and after pictures, that day. Once we started no one wanted to leave until it was done! It was instant gratification at it's finest and everyone was loving it.

While, this whole foliage obstacle was being tackled there was no resting in the evenings. We were diligently working on all the details, which in turn brought more excitement.  We FINALLY finalizing floorplans, and the color of the siding of our home.

Shortly after that, we were watching, Osborn Renovations, work day in and day out at our house...that was actually starting to resemble a home! They were installing new siding, new windows, new doors and, new framework for our floorplan! We felt completely grateful to have these resources to help us, with these next steps. We still have a very long way to go...and a lot more work to do- but like I said every step feels like a big step! 

Thanks again for your support and encouragement- keep an eye out for inside updates!

Love always your, blogging fixer upper.

xx,

Melody

Flower Crown Made EASY

 

 

 

 

 

Tunic Free People Dress: Similar & Here || Lace up Heels || Tory Burch Necklace: Similar

Details: Earrings and bangle are from Stella & Dot, they are sold out but here are some of my new similar favorite. Stud Earrings & Double Sided Studs and Pearl Cuff & Gold Cuff

 

The perfect light weight tunic dress for this heat!! Enough said right?? It has been hotter than hot, not mad at all about it but dresses like this definitely save lives in summers like this!

 

Ps. Here a cheat sheet on how I made making a flower crown super simple!

 

What you will need:

Artificial Flowers

Floral Tape

Scissors

Wire Cutters

 

1. Buy 2 long flower stems/ flower branches ( I used 2 different colors). You want them to be the length that would be able to fill a tall floor vase. Normally they come as a branch in that size.

 

2.Cut your"flower branches" into separate pieces using the wire cutter. They will end up looking like long floral individual stems. Keep them as long as possible. Remember you can always shorten the stems if your crown is too big.

 

3.Take one of your long flower stems and wrap it around your head, once it fits, mark it and cut it if necessary.

 

4. Secure your first measured flower stem, which should look like a halo, with the floral tape. This is the first layer of your flower crown!

 

5.Once your first layer is secured take one of your other flower stems you cut, I would use a different color flower for this step if you want different colors in your crown. Repeat step 3 with this flower stem to ensure fit.

 

6. Once the 2nd flower branch is measured- twist it around your first layer that you have already created. The two ends of your 2nd flower stem should meet where your first layer to your crown is secured. Once the stems are blended and keep at the correct point, secure the now, 2nd layer to your crown!

 

7. Repeat steps as needed to make your crown as luscious as you would like!

 

I chose flower branches that were neutral and had greenery already on them. Be sure to buy flower branches with greenery already on them or an extra branch of greenery so your crown comes out lovely and full!

 

Let me know if you have any questions!

 

Good luck, flower child!

 

xx,

Melody

Tropic Like It's Hot

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

Forever 21 Bodysuit S/O Forever21 Option || #mycalvins || Kicks || Crossbody || Silpada Choker S/O Silpada Option || Sunnies || Earrings

 

Summer Vibes ONLY over here! There is nothing that makes me happier than a good time in the sunshine while being well dressed, of course.

 

Tropic like it's hot:

 I am on the tropical trend and on the look out for some tropical swimsuits to wear on my Cancun and Austin vacas aka bachelorette parties that are coming up- so stay tuned to see what I find! This tropical bodysuit from Forever21 is sold out but check out the summery palm tree one, I linked! 

 

 If you don't know, now you know...

Silpada is closing [insert distraught emoji] but good news- sales on sales...I linked a similar choker as the one I am wearing, is sold out so while you are checking that out be sure to shop the sales on the rest of the site!  Ps. I am obsessed with this sterling silver choker, you don't see them on everyone, yet! #MyBRANDOM

 

Side Note:

 Currently, swooning over this Urban Expressions red fringe crossbody...get it now, for 25% OFF using UE25GQ5J8. [Promo code is good for the whole site] You're welcome! xx

 

What's everyone's plans this weekend? I have friends coming to town to celebrate my birthday, which is Monday, but we'll be having a little Sunday Funday action at the pool!

 Follow along via snapchat... @wybrandom!

 

xx,

Melody

 

Photos by the one and only... Rachel Gross Photography

 

Midriff Midi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crop Top || Floral Skirt || Heels || Bag

 

A midi skirt with a crop top are always welcomed in my wardrobe. This crop top and skirt were both fabulous Forever 21 finds!  Oh and the oversized tote from Urban Expressions is my favorite bag! It is so useful yet stylish. I can dress it up for any occasion or dress it down for a casual night out. The gold details in the bag, popped perfectly with these Sam Edelman heels.

 

For more Urban Expression bags shop here!... Use Code UE25GQ5J8 for 25% OFF!! 

 

Happy Shopping!

xx,

Melody

 

Photo Cred: http://rachelgrossphotography.com/

 

Summer Crush

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Dress // Heels: Here & Here // Clutch: Similar

 

Heyyy! So, long time no blog, I know! Life has been busy in the best kind of way. Between work (sigh, not a full time blogger yet :) )  working on our fixer upper, our engagement (wahoo!) weddings, bridal/baby showers, and Jonathan's baseball games- life has been none stop, but it's been filled with all the good stuff, so I will not complain! I miss you guys though!  Let me know if there are any summer trends you are looking to try or have questions about. I am happy to give you an example or show you different ways to wear certain pieces.

 

I am currently crushin' on all things, Lulu's. I mean I have always been a fan but I am swooning over all their summer styles. You can find this fabulous maxi there for under $50! You can wear the dress a little lower than I did as I was with the fam so I chose to not have the neckline plunge so much but I love the plunging neckline for a winery day, or beach day.  Gotta love a dress that makes you look dressed up but makes you feel like you are in your most comfortable t-shirt. Ps. No bra necessary with this maxi, and in my book that's always a win! LOL

 

Where are these heels from, you ask? Lulu's #mysummercrush. Lulu's has Steve Madden's this style and they also have Social Scene in this style. Have your pick!

 

Hope you are enjoying the sunshine!

Let me know about those summer trends- what summer trends are you looking to try or have questions about? I am happy to share tips & tricks and show you various ways to wear season selections!

 

xx,

Melody

Photo Creds: Rachel Gross Photography