Pre-Fall Lineup

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7

It’s no secret I’ve been dreaming of fall! And for me, the return of the pumpkin spice latte officially signals the season! {Had my first of many last night after a great sushi dinner with the fam.} However, in so Cal, it seems like the warmer weather lasts well into what other states around the country consider fall. Often we have spurts of cooler weather, but by the next day, temperatures can heat back up. So I put together my pre-fall looks that will work through the rest of the warmer summer days and warm spells all while drinking your pumpkin spice latte and pretending the leaves are changing! And these looks will transition easily into cooler fall temps once they arrive.
If you’re on a budget, don’t love shopping, want to invest in quality pieces
and make your dollars stretch on trends, I’ll be sharing with you my 3 secrets to building a wardrobe palette that will transition through the seasons later this week. I’ll be posting a few tips in a style video to my youtube channel, so stay tuned for that!
Happy Hump Day!

Pre-Fall Lineup

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7

It’s no secret I’ve been dreaming of fall! And for me, the return of the pumpkin spice latte officially signals the season! {Had my first of many last night after a great sushi dinner with the fam.} However, in so Cal, it seems like the warmer weather lasts well into what other states around the country consider fall. Often we have spurts of cooler weather, but by the next day, temperatures can heat back up. So I put together my pre-fall looks that will work through the rest of the warmer summer days and warm spells all while drinking your pumpkin spice latte and pretending the leaves are changing! And these looks will transition easily into cooler fall temps once they arrive.
If you’re on a budget, don’t love shopping, want to invest in quality pieces
and make your dollars stretch on trends, I’ll be sharing with you my 3 secrets to building a wardrobe palette that will transition through the seasons later this week. I’ll be posting a few tips in a style video to my youtube channel, so stay tuned for that!
Happy Hump Day!

Weekend Style

french connection tee // kimono {similar; last seen here} // asos cutoffs {similar} // aldo clutch // lollipop wedges // michael kors watch // bracelets {angl leaf cuff similar here & kitsylane similar here} // lips in mac’s please me

Since Thursday, we spent our time moving A from her nursery to her new big girl room. Ah, I can’t believe she is nearly 3 1/2. It seems like yesterday we were preparing her nursery! Anywho, we painted all weekend, sanded my grandmother’s antique furniture and painted some more {room pictures coming soon!}. And then decided while we had the paint, we’d decorate a new office space. After all our work, most everything is done. There are a few more touches to add to A’s room, and now it’s just a matter of sorting through an accumulation of toys and stuffed animals to make a donation pile. 

Sunday, we scrubbed the paint off of ourselves and cleaned up to celebrate my brother-in-law’s birthday. My weekend style has been cutoffs and tees, so no change there… and honestly, this is one of my favorite summer looks! Why mess with comfort?!

Now it’s back to the grind this Monday, but before I can get to my regular cleaning, there’s this little thing of putting my house back in order. 

Have a great week!

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Linked up with More Pieces of Me & On the Daily Express for Manic Monday.

Weekend Style

french connection tee // kimono {similar; last seen here} // asos cutoffs {similar} // aldo clutch // lollipop wedges // michael kors watch // bracelets {angl leaf cuff similar here & kitsylane similar here} // lips in mac’s please me

Since Thursday, we spent our time moving A from her nursery to her new big girl room. Ah, I can’t believe she is nearly 3 1/2. It seems like yesterday we were preparing her nursery! Anywho, we painted all weekend, sanded my grandmother’s antique furniture and painted some more {room pictures coming soon!}. And then decided while we had the paint, we’d decorate a new office space. After all our work, most everything is done. There are a few more touches to add to A’s room, and now it’s just a matter of sorting through an accumulation of toys and stuffed animals to make a donation pile. 

Sunday, we scrubbed the paint off of ourselves and cleaned up to celebrate my brother-in-law’s birthday. My weekend style has been cutoffs and tees, so no change there… and honestly, this is one of my favorite summer looks! Why mess with comfort?!

Now it’s back to the grind this Monday, but before I can get to my regular cleaning, there’s this little thing of putting my house back in order. 

Have a great week!

Linked up with More Pieces of Me & On the Daily Express for Manic Monday.

Faux Hawk Braid Tutorial

Happy Saturday!
Big plans for your weekend? We’re finishing up Amélia’s big girl room, so I should have a post up about that soon!
For now, I’ve got a youtube video tutorial on a faux hawk braid I wore in this post. Every time I wear this braid I get comments, compliments, and questions, so I’m posting step-by-step instructions, but head over to my youtube channel for an exclusive video… don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on anything. Once in a while I’ll have exclusive videos there that won’t be on the blog…

Step-by-step

1. Using a rat tail comb {found here} section off a front piece of hair and create a bouffant. You’ll want to be sure there are no flyaways, so if there are, use a pomade or hairspray. To hold this section, use 2 bobby pins in opposite directions.
2. Begin braiding by taking the pinned section and dividing into 3. You’ll be creating a dutch braid for this look.
3. Continue the dutch braid adding outer pieces to the 3 sections, and braid until there is only a few inches left at the bottom. I personally like to pull the braid to the side at the nape of my neck, so you can do that also. Secure your hair tie once you have only a few inches left.
4. At this point, fluff {pancake} the braid. Don’t be afraid to really go for it. You want definition of your braid to create the faux hawk. You will use bobby pins later to secure all loose pieces.
5. After you’ve really fluffed the braid, you’re going to hairspray the sides. Again, don’t be shy. I’m not a huge hairspray wearer, but this style needs it!
6. Take your bobby pins and pin each side so that the pins are hidden in and under the braid. Use as many bobby pins as you need. You want to make sure the sides lay flat, creating a slicked look; once again to define your faux hawk.
7. Fluff again for a big, defined faux hawk.
8. Spray, spray, spray. You want to really slick the hair. Strays will detract from the look, so go to town with the hairspray!

I think this look is perfect for a dressed up date night, or with cutoffs and tees. I’d love to see your re-creations, so don’t forget to tag me on IG with #fashionablymelissa

Faux Hawk Braid Tutorial

Happy Saturday!
Big plans for your weekend? We’re finishing up Amélia’s big girl room, so I should have a post up about that soon!
For now, I’ve got a youtube video tutorial on a faux hawk braid I wore in this post. Every time I wear this braid I get comments, compliments, and questions, so I’m posting step-by-step instructions, but head over to my youtube channel for an exclusive video… don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on anything. Once in a while I’ll have exclusive videos there that won’t be on the blog…

Step-by-step

1. Using a rat tail comb {found here} section off a front piece of hair and create a bouffant. You’ll want to be sure there are no flyaways, so if there are, use a pomade or hairspray. To hold this section, use 2 bobby pins in opposite directions.
2. Begin braiding by taking the pinned section and dividing into 3. You’ll be creating a dutch braid for this look.
3. Continue the dutch braid adding outer pieces to the 3 sections, and braid until there is only a few inches left at the bottom. I personally like to pull the braid to the side at the nape of my neck, so you can do that also. Secure your hair tie once you have only a few inches left.
4. At this point, fluff {pancake} the braid. Don’t be afraid to really go for it. You want definition of your braid to create the faux hawk. You will use bobby pins later to secure all loose pieces.
5. After you’ve really fluffed the braid, you’re going to hairspray the sides. Again, don’t be shy. I’m not a huge hairspray wearer, but this style needs it!
6. Take your bobby pins and pin each side so that the pins are hidden in and under the braid. Use as many bobby pins as you need. You want to make sure the sides lay flat, creating a slicked look; once again to define your faux hawk.
7. Fluff again for a big, defined faux hawk.
8. Spray, spray, spray. You want to really slick the hair. Strays will detract from the look, so go to town with the hairspray!

I think this look is perfect for a dressed up date night, or with cutoffs and tees. I’d love to see your re-creations, so don’t forget to tag me on IG with #fashionablymelissa

Summer to Fall Mix Up

american eagle jacket {very old; similar splurge, save} // graphic pullover via Nordstrom {similar} // boyfriends // heels via target {similar} // watch // bangles // rings // belt // essie polish in bikini so teeny // lips in fusion pink

Hey guys, it’s a late post, and I know I haven’t posted much lately, but thank you for sticking with me. It’s been a bit busy ’round here. Thank you for all the kind emails about my grandmother. I took some much needed time to spend with my mom and my family, and am in the process of creating Amélia’s big girl room. We even missed a vacation we were supposed to take to northern California. As much as we were looking forward to it, I’m glad I spent the time with my mom. We ended up at the lake house in Havasu and I’ll post some fun photos from our time spent there later this week.

Today, I’m dreaming of fall! After hot, hot weather in Havasu, a 16 hour power outage, and some last ditch summer tanning efforts and soaking up the sun, I’m so ready for cooler weather. The one day we experienced some drop in temps, I pretended fall was on the horizon and mixed up some summer pieces with fall attire. I’m itching to break out the sweaters and live in all my jeans, like these boyfriends! And this jacket is one of my closet staples I’m excited to pair with more fall outfits. 

Hope y’all have had a great week, happy Friday! 

Saturday’s are for hair tutorials, so head on over to my youtube channel tomorrow for some hair inspo. And be sure to subscribe as not all videos will be posted to the blog.

http://widget.shopstyle.com/widget?pid=uid1601-13325449-37&faveList=44328548&size=Small&width=5&height=1&layouttype=0&border=0&footer=0

Linked up with Friday’s Fab Favorites & Fashion Friday.

Summer to Fall Mix Up

american eagle jacket {very old; similar splurge, save} // graphic pullover via Nordstrom {similar} // boyfriends // heels via target {similar} // watch // bangles // rings // belt // essie polish in bikini so teeny // lips in fusion pink

Hey guys, it’s a late post, and I know I haven’t posted much lately, but thank you for sticking with me. It’s been a bit busy ’round here. Thank you for all the kind emails about my grandmother. I took some much needed time to spend with my mom and my family, and am in the process of creating Amélia’s big girl room. We even missed a vacation we were supposed to take to northern California. As much as we were looking forward to it, I’m glad I spent the time with my mom. We ended up at the lake house in Havasu and I’ll post some fun photos from our time spent there later this week.

Today, I’m dreaming of fall! After hot, hot weather in Havasu, a 16 hour power outage, and some last ditch summer tanning efforts and soaking up the sun, I’m so ready for cooler weather. The one day we experienced some drop in temps, I pretended fall was on the horizon and mixed up some summer pieces with fall attire. I’m itching to break out the sweaters and live in all my jeans, like these boyfriends! And this jacket is one of my closet staples I’m excited to pair with more fall outfits. 

Hope y’all have had a great week, happy Friday! 

Saturday’s are for hair tutorials, so head on over to my youtube channel tomorrow for some hair inspo. And be sure to subscribe as not all videos will be posted to the blog.

Linked up with Friday’s Fab Favorites & Fashion Friday.

Braid on Braid – Fishtail Braids Tutorial

It has been pretty hot, and besides dressing myself in shorts and tees everyday, I’m finding braids have also become my best friend. I love changing up the typical braid, and by throwing in braids on braids, I can get my face framing layers pulled back easily. 

Today’s tutorial is fishtails. If you aren’t familiar with how to fishtail, it is a basic braid for all the more complicated braiding. If you don’t know how, let me know and I’ll create a quick video.

Happy braiding!

Products Used:

sam villa brush

goody hair ties in black

Braid on Braid – Fishtail Braids Tutorial

It has been pretty hot, and besides dressing myself in shorts and tees everyday, I’m finding braids have also become my best friend. I love changing up the typical braid, and by throwing in braids on braids, I can get my face framing layers pulled back easily. 

Today’s tutorial is fishtails. If you aren’t familiar with how to fishtail, it is a basic braid for all the more complicated braiding. If you don’t know how, let me know and I’ll create a quick video.

Happy braiding!

Products Used:

sam villa brush

goody hair ties in black