Monthly Archives: August 2015

Fall Wardrobe Staples

Fall Outfit in Plaid shirt and Taupe Booties | Lady in Violet

Fall Plaid Shirt Blue | Lady in Violet
Fall Style - Plaid, Black Denim, Taupe Booties | Lady in Violet

Fall Must Have- Check or Plaid Shirt | Lady in Violet

DL1961 Denim and Taupe Booties | Lady in Violet

How to Style Plaid for Fall | Lady in Violet

Nordstrom Hinge Check Shirt | Lady in Violet

Plaid or Flannel Shirt for Fall with Silver Bracelets | Lady in Violet

Fall Outfit - Plaid Shirt, Black Skinny Jeans, Taupe Booties | Lady in Violet

| DETAILS |

HINGE Check Cotton Shirt | DL1961 c/o Emma in Riker  | DOLCE VITA Taupe Booties [SIMILAR] | KENDRA SCOTT Elisa Necklace, Arden Bracelet, c/o Addie Earrings | STELLA & DOT Pavé Chevron Ring, Renegade Cluster Bracelet | NADRI Crystal Bangle | RAYBAN Mirrored Aviator Sunglasses | IT COSMETICS CC+ Lip Serum in Love | ESSIE Nail Color in Bahama Mama

Fall items are taking over the stores, and one item you will be seeing everywhere this season is plaid and checked shirts.  I am a huge fan of these for both fall and winter.  I picked this one up at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale this summer.  While the weather is warmer, I like to roll up the sleeves of my shirts to create a 3/4 length look.  I love that this shirt has a pretty floral lining, so it creates a pretty cuff when rolled up.  If you are already shopping for fall, I recommend picking up a few plaid shirts.   I find the best/affordable ones go first, so stock up now.  I created a widget below of a few more fall plaid shirts I like.  These shirts are super versatile, and I can guarantee you will be seeing my styling them mulitple ways on the blog this season.  I love pairing them with pencil skirts for the office, tall boots and skinny jeans for the weekend, and layering under chunky sweaters and jackets in winter.

A few other hot items this fall, taupe booties and black skinny jeans.  My booties are from last year, but I found a nearly identical pair from Sole Society (linked above).  I wore these so much last year with cuffed jeans of all colors.  The taupe shade is the perfect color to be able to mix with a multitude of colors and prints.  If you keep an eye on my current cravings at the bottom of my site, you have seen a few taupe booties pass through the list.  Black skinnies are another hot item!  You can tuck them into tall boots or cuff and wear with booties.  I pair mine with all sorts of tops from tunics, chunky sweaters, slim fit turtlenecks, button down shirts, and just plain old t-shirts too.  All three of these items are going to be fall wardrobe staples that can be remixed into different outfits all season long.

Today is the last day to get your pair of DL1961 denim 30% off with code KAREN30.  This brand is a bit on the pricey side with pairs ranging in the $150-$200 zone, so you are saving a pretty penny with a 30% discount!

PS – Congrats to Rae the winner of the My Kind of Lovely Gift Card Giveaway!!

RESTYLED & REMIXED
DL1961 DENIM: Farmer’s Market Outfit
DOLCE VITA BOOTIES: Traveling Texas

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My Birthday Wish List

Birthday Wish List | Lady in Violet

| DETAILS |

JESSICA SIMPSONS Romy Leather Platform Mule | KATE SPADE Perforated Pumps | DOLCE VITA Halton Heel |  TORY BURCH Perry Leather Tote | GIGI NY All in One Bag in Wine | KATE SPADE Neva Clutch | GORJANA Alejo Pendant Necklace | MACY’S Round Diamond Stud Earrings | BAUBLEBAR Ray Cuff

I have been talking about it all week, and the day is finally here!! It is finally my BIRTHDAY!!  I couldn’t think of a more fun way to celebrate with ya’ll than to share some of my birthday wish list favorites and a fun givewaway!

No surprise my wish list consists of shoes, beautiful bags, and lots of jewelry.  I rarely ask for clothes because of fit reasons.  It can sometimes be hard to return a clothing gift if it doesn’t fit or look like you thought it might.  I really hope to get a mule sandal for my birthday! I have a couple different ones on my list, but I like these Jessica Simpson ones with two straps.  I am also obsessed with these pink perforated pumps from Kate Spade.  They are the perfect shoe to wear with both jeans and dresses!!  I did not have any Gigi NY items on my list until this beautiful wine color was revealed yesterday.  I am definitely using some of my birthday money to buy a bag in this color!!!!  I always have a few fun colorful clutches on my wish list, and this year I added a few cognac brown totes.  This gem from Tory Burch is probably my favorite and a bit of splurge item!  I have to put some jewelry on my list.  As soon as I saw this new pendant necklace from Gorjana, I immediately added it to my wish list. I love the unique pendant design on this necklace.  Diamonds are a girl’s best friends, so I always like to put something sparkly on my wish list.

I cannot wait to celebrate with family this weekend!  I already have my champagne chilling for a morning pineapple mimosa!  Enjoy and I will see you guys on Monday!!

Lady in Violet

Signature Style + GIVEAWAY

Dressed Up Casual Outfit with Blazer Jacket | Lady in Violet

Lily Pulitzer Bag and Hallmark Signature greeting card | Lady in Violet

Topshop White Blazer | Lady in Violet #signaturestyle

Dressed Up Casual Outfit for Fall | Lady in Violet

Hallmark Signature Wine Card | Lady in Violet #signaturestyle

Hallmark Signature Greeting Cards | Lady in Violet #signaturestyle

Sharing my #signaturestyle in dressed up casual outfit | Lady in Violet

Sharing my signature style with Hallmark | Lady in Violet

| DETAILS |

TOPSHOP Poppy Double Collar Blazer | 4PAIZ Gray Tee [SIMILAR] | LUCKY BRAND Zoe Boot Cut Jeans [SIMILAR] | CHARLES BY CHARLES DAVID Fox Peep Toe Pump | LILLY PULITZER c/o Seaspray Pouch [NOT SIMILAR, BUT I LOVE IT!!] | GORJANA Aldridge Earrings | KENDRA SCOTT Harlie Statement Necklace | ESSIE Nail Color in Bahama Mama | IT COSMETICS CC+ Lip Serum in Love

I cannot believe it is already Friday! This week flew by! I’m so excited to be kicking off my birthday weekend in just a few short hours!!!!  One of my favorite birthday activities is to take a moment and reflect on the past year.  The changes that have happen and the new people I have met and where I want to go in the new and exciting year ahead.  Before I wrote this post, I took a minute to look back at some of my old blog posts.  My blog was a huge, exciting change for me this year.  It was in August of last year that I officially decided (aka told my friends and family) that I was going to finally start a blog.  One of my favorite things with this blog is being able to look back at my style throughout the past year.  I never really thought I had a signature style, but as I looked back through old outfit posts I realized I definitely have one!  It was like a light went off as I thought back to my style and how it has changed and evolved over the past few years.  One constant is that I love a fabulous dressed-up casual outfit.

I love taking a basic outfit like a t-shirt and jeans and making it a little more fancy.  A few of my personal favorite tips for creating a dressed up casual look – add statement jewelry, toss on some heels, and add a structured piece or sequins.  I just purchased this Kendra Scott Harlie necklace with my birthday coupon. I LOVE this necklace.  I like that it hangs low like a pendant necklace, but can also be worn high and closer to the neckline.  I knew I wanted white stones because I wanted to be able to wear this necklace with everything.  My go to for dressing up  a look is always to add a heel.  I have a small shoe addiction, and so I always have a fun pump to pair with an outfit.  I kept to a simple nude peep toe with this look, because I wanted all the attention on my fabulous new blazer.  I have been in the market for a white blazer for awhile now.  I wanted one that was a little less work and a little more fitted and trendy.  I wanted fun lines and something that could be worn with dresses and pants.  I came across this one at Topshop and it was love at first sight.  It was everything I was looking for in a white blazer.

When Hallmark asked me to share my signature style, my first thought was I don’t have one I like to wear everything.  While I will always have days where I want to put on a fancy dress and sky high heels or ripped jeans and a vintage tee, I have realized through the years I have often landed on stepping out the door dressed-up casual. So, what is your signature style?

Because it’s my birthday weekend and all, I figured it would be fun to do a giveaway.  All the fun birthday cards featured in today’s post are from the new Hallmark Signature greeting card line.  I’m obsessed with these stylish cards.  I love picking out a card that I think will fit a person’s style and personality.  I mean these cards fit me to a T!  Wine, shoes, royalty – YES!  Hallmark wants to give one of you a free package of their Signature Style cards!  Enter the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post and be sure to check out their site to see more people sharing their #signaturestyle!

Thanks to Hallmark Signature for partnering with me for this post and giveaway! Thanks for supporting the brands that support Lady in Violet!

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

What’s in My Beauty Bag? Teeth Whitening

What's in my Beauty Bag? Teeth Whitening Trays

Have you noticed any differences in my outfit posts this month?  It may be small, but I have lately noticed I am smiling way more with my teeth on full display in my photos.  As an avid coffee and red wine drinker, my teeth take a stain beating on a daily basis.  I love the look of pearly whites and have tried almost everything on the market!  I have done whitening strips which never stay put, in-office dental whitening which I think is also a form of torture and is expensive, whitening mouth washes and toothpastes which didn’t last past a day or two, and drugstore whitening trays which were bulky and annoying. On top of that, I have sensitive teeth.  After my in-office dental whitening, I was on a ibuprofen for like 3 days because of the pain.  Whitening strips and trays start to affect my sensitivity too, and I usually end up calling it quits after a week.  I seriously had like 3 boxes of half-used whitening strips in my bathroom.  Eventually, I gave up on ever having beautiful white teeth.  I loved my coffee and red wine just too much, and nothing worked to my satisfaction.

What's in my Beauty Bag? Teeth Whitening | Lady in Violet

Enter Smile Brilliant.  My sister uses super expensive whitening trays from her dentist.  Her teeth look amazing, but if I have to choose between $500+ for whitening trays or going shopping, shopping always wins!  Smile Brilliant offers the same whitening trays and gels for a fraction of the cost! You easily create your own trays which is really kind of fun.  You combine the blue and white paste which is very reminiscent of playing with clay as a kid. Once the two turn a pretty light blue, you place in the tray and put the tray in your mouth.  Ok this part is kind of uncomfortable/awkward.  I have a small mouth, so trays are usually too big for me.  These fit in pretty comfortably.  The awkward part is just holding the tray still in your mouth for two minutes. I have issues standing still and doing nothing, this was hard for me.  You do the process twice, once for bottom and once for top.  Then let the trays dry overnight.  I let mine dry for like 2 days to be sure. 🙂  Then mail them off in the pre-addressed envelope and wait for your new trays.  Oh and they give you extra paste in case you mess up on one of your molds.

How to Create Mold for Whitening Trays | Lady in Violet Creating Mold for Teeth Whitening Trays | Lady in Violet Smile Brilliant Teeth Whitening Trays | Lady in Violet Teeth Whitening Trays and a Discount | Lady in Violet Smile Brilliant Teeth Whitening Review | Lady in Violet

About a week or so later, your trays arrive back and are ready to use.  The trays are clear and fit your entire mouth. I really liked this because all your teeth get to be whitened. I never understood why those whitening strips only did the front teeth. I mean what if I smile really big and my other teeth show.

Smile Brilliant Teeth Whitening Review | Lady in Violet

A big seller on this product for me is that wonderful purple tube.  That is the desensitizing gel.  If you have sensitive teeth like me, I highly recommend adding on that gel to your kit.  You put the gel in the trays after you whiten and leave on for about 15 minutes.  I was able to whiten almost everyday and had very little sensitivity issues.  I never had to take ibuprofen or wait a few days to let the sensitivity die down.  Now I did have some mild sensitivity towards the end, especially when eating cold foods, but it reminded me of the sensitivity I used to have before I started using sensitive toothpastes.  I believe this gel is a huge reason why I was able to do this system for the full two weeks.

How to apply gel to teeth whitening trays | Lady in Violet

Using the trays is pretty simple.  You apply the whitening gel in the front portion of the trays and place on your teeth.  Then leave them in for 30 minutes to up to 3 hours.  The remove and rinse.  (This is when I did the extra step of the desensitizing gel.)  I started with the 30 minutes and eventually went up to 2 hours.  I did my trays at night, so I usually only did 1 1/2 hours with the trays.  When I first heard how long you had to keep them in, I was kind of concerned. I have things to do after all, remember that can’t sit still thing.  But the trays are comfortable and stay put, so you sometimes kind of forget they are in.  I usually would watch tv or write my blog posts and even clean house while I had the trays in.  You can even talk without them falling out.  I mean you sound like you have a retainer in, but you can talk.  I did the process for just over two weeks.  Some nights life got in the way and I skipped a night.   Now that I have reached a nice color, I am going to just do the trays once a week for a few more weeks, and then probably go to once a month.  I want to see if I can get them just a bit whiter, before I go to the once a month maintenance.

Before and After Teeth Whitening | Lady in Violet

If you are looking for a great teeth whitening system, I would try this product. I liked the results and plan on continuing it for many years to come!  Check out the Smile Brilliant website for more information and to read other customer reviews.  If you decide you want to try out the system too, you can use promo code INVIOLET to save 5% off your order!  If you have any questions about my experience, please feel free to email me or leave them in the comments.

This post is in partnership with Smile Brilliant.  All opinions are 100% my own.  Thanks for supporting the brands that support Lady in Violet!

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Lady in Violet


Teeth Whitening Trays