On a Safari Honeymoon with Over the Moon

Thanks to Over the Moon, going on a safari has now moved to the tippity top of my to-travel list. Check out my how-to-pack-for-a-safari-honeymoon-so-you-look-like-you-know-what-you're-doing post on OTM here. 

Hat - Stetson for Best Made Co.// Capsule Bag - Paravel// Carnival Earrings - Mercedes Salazar// Leaf Earrings - Asha by ADM// Sunglasses - Krewe// Turban Headband - Zara

Q: What should I wear to a Newport wedding? A: Anything you want to wear because you're perfect and I love you.

When Over the Moon (your favorite wedding website of all time) knocks on your door, you politely ask for a second (to let out your excitement (aka scream in your pillow) without scaring them away) before inviting them in. And when they proceed to tell you about their All Encompassing Guide to Newport, Rhode Island, you resist the urge to shout a litany of words like "YES! hydrangeas! ocean! America! AHH!" in their face, and instead get to collaging in the most professional, cool-as-a-cucumber way. Check out my first OTM feature here (!!!!!). 

White Tassel Earrings - Hart Hagerty// Beaded Flower Earrings - Roarke

Q: What do I wear to a Blend Party? A: What is a Blend Party?

This weekend I'll be attending my first Blend Party. What in the fat hell is a Blend Party, you ask? Well, I'm not 100% sure - but as it has been explained to me, it is a genius idea derived from my amiga's mom's college hay days that entails creating a blended cocktail of sorts and presenting it to the pool party attendees with a themed song and dance. Contestants are judged on their song/outfit, drink and overall performance. Say it with me now: THIS. IS. SO. FUN!!!

With August lurking just around the corner, eager to penetrate our minds with that "it's fall, y'all" back-to-school headache (jk it's my favorite season but don't, like, force it on me in July ya know?!), it is our civic duty to make the most of what is left of Summer 2017. What better way to do that than by being a lil' hostess with the mostess and throwing a Blend Party of your own? Here are a few of my initial ideas I'm more than happy to give you to get your blend-head going since the song & dance I'm going with is - dare I say - too good to share (and would ruin the sorpresa):

  • Watermelon Margaritas presented to Bey's "Drunk in Love" (hellz yeah you've been drinking that watermelon, gurl)
  • Lemon Drops presented to Christina Milian's (remember her?) "Drop it Low" (lots of bend & snap material there)
  • Irish Car Bombs presented to any bagpiping tune your heart desires (add Doc Martens for bonus points)
  • Fireball shots presented to Pitbull's "Fireball" (da da da da da da)
  • Jungle Juice presented to Guns N' Roses "Welcome to the Jungle" (just try not to look like this when you crawl like the lioness we both know you are)

Lemon Earrings - Jennifer Louiselle// Lemon Swimsuit - R édition// Leopard Swimsuit - Swim Outlet// Tartan Swimsuit - Bang Bong Bing// Bagpipe Hat - Amazon// Red Ombre Wig - The Halloween Spot// Red Ombre Tassel Earrings - Etsy// Flame Heels - Prada (via 1st Dibs)

Q: How do I avoid looking really cheesy on my Bachelorette Party? A: By looking just a little bit cheesy

I was recently asked to assist a bride-to-be in finding some outfit ideas for her upcoming bachelorette, with the added challenge of sourcing looks that were not too cheesy. I call this a challenge because when it comes to both life and diet, I am a cheese fiend. Indeed, almost a year ago I was celebrating my bachelorette in Nashville and planned not one but two themed activities: a Dolly Parton-inspired glitter bomb evening and a Nash-Vegas barge daytime fandango. I know what you're thinking: my poor, poor friends. 

Of course, I understand not every bride wants to subject her bachelorette attendees to a forced let's-play-dress-up-all-weekend situation like I so graciously did, and if you fall into this camp then there are ways to keep things fun-yet-understated-yet-fun. Just throw me bone and include a disco ball or a flamingo or something.   

Flower Headband - Lizzie Fortunato// Off the Shoulder Top - Mi Golondrina// White Tassel Earrings - Hart Hagerty// Monogram Clutch - Mariella Vilar// White Dress - The Reformation// Woven Clutch - Sarah Sharp// Blue Earrings - Ranjana Khan

Q: How do you Flora & Fauna? A: With a South Texas Inspired Frock-A

On the agenda this weekend is a (drrrrrumrrrrollll): themed par-tay!!! During my college glory days of yore I never understood those girls who would shoot death stares in my (ahem) social chair direction as I would contemplate all the themed party options aloud. Sure, wearing normal clothes is easier, but are we not the members of the "the first Greek letter fraternity known among women"? If we are the hard-working, goal-oriented femme fatales we make ourselves out to be on paper should we not also flaunt our skills on our person while rising to meet a dress code challenge?! You may think I digress here, but when a themed party invitation lands on my lap I channel that same go-getter attitude I did back in 2010, when I spent hours glue-gunning strips of tissue paper to an American Apparel dress in order to be the most authentic piñata frat city had ever seen (we will save that photo evidence for a rainy day). 

"Flora and Fauna" is the theme of choice for Saturday's shindig, which will take place at a ranch in South Texas. Now I will admit this particular theme, being so broad as to encompass the entire plant and animal kingdom, could get a little tricky. But by drawing inspiration from the venue's iconic ecosystem (in this case, peacocks, cattle, cacti & butterflies), not only do you get bonus points for sticking a theme within a theme (meta, baby), but you also up your chances of having a photo opp with the living, breathing creature you're emulating (helloOo, likes). Got a good themed party in the queue? Holla at your gurl - we can have a beautiful-symbiotic-inspiration-filled-brain-storming-session (I pinky promise to not to be as overwhelming as I sound).

Feather Top - Pucci// Feather Skirt - Alice McCall// Feather Drop Earrings - Marte Frisnes// Peacock Clutch - Kate Spade// Teal Heels - Marco de Vicenzo// Horn Earrings - Katherine Cordero// Embroidered Crop Top - Josie Natori// Suede Pants - Theory// Calf Hair Clutch - Rebecca Minkoff// Bone Heels - Alexander McQueen// Pink Organza Flower Top - Bambah// Metallic Green Pants - Prada// Cactus Purse - Charming Charlie// Cactus Slides - Kate Spade// White Flower Earrings - Marni// Butterfly Dress - Yuliya Magdych// Butterfly Clutch - Nancy Gonzalez// Gold Mules - Loeffler Randall