Advice to My Younger Self

|| Dress: J.Crew (without open-back) || Slides: kate spade new york (similar style) || Earrings: Sugarfix by BaubleBar || Purse: kate spade new york (in black) || Ring: Tiffany & Co. || Photos: Melanie Foster Photography ||

The past four years I have found myself investing time into a group of young women. I volunteer at my church leading about ten girls (some weeks more, other times we have fewer). We started our journey together in seventh grade and now they are sophomores in high school. Throughout the years, we have had ups and downs. I must say, I think this generation has it a lot harder. The things that they are experiencing make my problems look minuscule. All of this got me thinking, if I could go back in time, what would I tell my younger self? Oh, the things I have learned on this crazy road trip that we call life. There must be something about turning 30, I find myself being reminiscent, thinking about my past and looking towards the future with excitement.

Dear Lindsey,

You are going to experience some struggles in your youth. Buckle up, buttercup, it's going to be a wild ride! You will be called names, put down and you will feel like an outsider. Your mom is right about a few things, for example, one day you will turn into your version of a beautiful swan. I know that seems impossible to believe, but don't give up! The years of glasses wearing, struggling with acne and wearing metal braces will give you the biggest blessing of all. You will learn to love yourself for who you are on the inside. Some people search their entire life yearning to find the meaning of life. Beleive it or not, you will escape your hometown, never look back and create your own path. Stay true to yourself, be kind to others and never give up on your dreams.

Love,

Lindsey

This backless sweater dress is a little out of my comfort zone. For whatever reason, anything backless feels so scandalous to me! I wish I had worn things like this much sooner in life. Now I don't see myself wearing this sweater dress at work, it is perfect for running around on the weekend. If you wanted to extend the life of the dress, you could wear a longer cardigan over it, covering the open back. To dress it up, wear knee-high black boots. To dress it town, pair it with white Converse sneakers.

I was a little worried about the dress sticking in the wrong places (if you know what I mean), so I wore a slip dress underneath, which seemed to work really well. Thank you, Nana, for teaching me to love and respect undergarments! I am a big fan of these satin slips. If you love this look but hate the open back, I have found an option for you! I promise you will see yourself reaching for this dress at least once a week.

Boss Babe Companies to Watch: Packed Party

|| Dress: Vince (purchase or rent) || Slides: Target (Gucci dupes, without fur or with faux fur) || Earrings: Kendra Scott (old, similar style) || Necklace: Kendra Scott (old, similar style) || Navy Pomaliscious Party Pouch: Packed Party || Ring: Tiffany & Co. || Photos: Melanie Foster Photography ||

Growing up, my parents were self-employed (my dad still is). At the time, I didn't realize how fortunate I was to grow up in this environment. Dinnertime conversations were a lesson in economics, supply and demand was a phrase talked about on the regular. I come from a long line of entrepreneurs, mostly men who worked in the agricultural and natural resources sector. I feel like to go into the world of owning your own business; your brain is wired a little differently than others. You see the world from a different perspective.

This next statement might sound silly, but I love finding new companies that are run by boss babes. I am team women support women! PackedParty came to my radar in the fall of 2014. My friend (and co-worker at the time) Lindsey Fry, introduced me to PP. From that moment, I became an instant fan-girl, double-tapping every single Instagram post. I knew that Jordan and her team were on to something incredible. January 2015 I sent my first "Birthday Beb" packaged to my best friend, Olivia. Postgrad life is hard enough, living in different states from your friends (and sorority sisters in my case), seeing her reaction to that birthday package filled my heart with joy.

Packed Party is now located in Austin, Texas. Jordan started this company from the ground up, in her apartment in San Francisco. She is a good ole' Oklahoma State University grad who moved out to the west coast after graduation to chase her dreams. She was feeling a little lonely and the idea of a "pity party" came to here. Thus, Packed Party was born. Now, this company has grown to more than just perfectly instagrammable packages. They are home to the original disco drink, confetti pouches and adorable trinkets. Each season they seem to add more products to their ever-growing list! I cannot wait to see what they roll out this spring and summer. You know I have been obsessed with these pom-pom pouches!

My favorite Party Packages:

Birthday Beb

Thanks (X Million)

Miss Ya A Latte

You Pampered Thing, You

YAY, You

Jordan also has a podcast, where she is honest and a pure joy to listen to. Now, let me have a real moment with y'all. I cannot express how angry I become when I see brands rip off other companies. I do not understand how a company can look at PP and say, yeah--I am going to make the same thing and just change the name of it. There is nothing wrong with keeping an eye on your competitors, but copying is illegal.

Okay, phew--rant over! I hope that you check out Packed Party and see what fun items they have for you or your gal pals. I currently have my eye on the Carry Confetti Keychains. My small group girls are turning sixteen and I think these would make an adorable gift for them!

When Should I Start Taking Care of My Skin?

|| Dress: Milly (sold out, rent it) || Slides: Target (Gucci dupes, without fur or with faux fur) || Earrings: BaubleBar (five years old, similar statement) || Ring: Tiffany & Co. || Handbag: kate spade new york (winter 2013, similar style in black) || Photos: Melanie Foster Photography ||

I have struggled with acne since sixth grade. My skin is extremely oily and most of my issues have been linked back to genetics (gotta love your DNA). Since my teenage years, I have completed four different rounds of Accutane. The most recent series finished up with before my engagement photos. For now, my skin has calmed down for the most part. I have finally found my groove and products that work for me! I cannot stress enough how important it is to find products that meet your specific needs.

For the last few years, I have stepped up my skincare game. It all started when I was getting my makeup done for my engagement photos back in 2012. I went to one of my favorite places in Oklahoma City, Balliet's. They have a fantastic beauty counter upstairs. That's when my obsession with Bobbi Brown started. The lady doing my makeup informed me that my under eyes were dehydrated. When she said that phrase, my mind was racing a million miles an hour! How could anything on my face by dehydrated? I have the oiliest skin around, I am talking greaseball here! During my appointment, we talked about my skin type, my age and my goals. We were able to identify a few products to add to my day and nighttime routine to keep me on track.

I don't think you can start skincare too early. I wish I would have started taking it more seriously in college. Special shoutout to my Neutrogena two-in-one moisturizer in a pump. I get an E for effort, right? With all of the long nights and stress revoking havoc on your skin, that is a recipe for disaster. If you are freaking out while reading this, good news—you can start your journey today! I am going to share with you my current skincare routine. To me, these are preventative measures that will help me age gracefully.

My morning skincare routine:

Lathering Tube Soap 

Hydrating Face Tonic

Intensive Skin Supplement

Hydrating Eye Cream

Hydrating Gel Cream

My evening skincare routine:

Soothing Cleansing Oil

Lathering Tube Soap 

Buffing Grains For Face (twice a week)

Hydrating Face Tonic

Instant Detox Mask (twice a week)

Intensive Skin Supplement

Hydrating Eye Cream

Hydrating Gel Cream

Growing up, I felt like I was cursed by having oily skin. At this point in my life, I am somewhat thankful. I think that my oily skin is helping me combat fine lines and wrinkles. There is a lot of pressure on us ladies to look young and radiant. I hope that this has helped you find at least one product to try! As I keep testing and trying new products, I will be sure to let you know my honest reviews. I am currently testing a new moisturizer from Clinique. I cannot wait to let you know what I think!

How to Make Your Old Dress Look New

|| Dress: J.Crew (fall 2016) || Sweater: J.Crew (fall 2017, sold out) || Slides: Target (Gucci dupes, without fur or with faux fur) || Earrings: I found these years ago at a boutique in my hometown || Watch: JORD [c/o] in navy || Tote: kate spade new york (available in multiple colors) || Ring: Tiffany & Co. || Photos: Melanie Foster Photography ||

As I am getting older, I realize that less is more. I am making that shift to quality over quantity! Now, don't read that statement and think I am becoming a minimalist. Because I am not. However, over the past three years, I have been taking a hard look at my closet and thinking of it in more of terms of inventory. I want to have items hanging in my closet that bring me joy, no matter how old they are or what season they are from. One of the questions I get most from my friends is, how do I make old things new?

I found this dress last fall at J.Crew and fell in love with the structure of the dress and the unusual pattern. I didn't have anything like it. I remember telling you all last summer that I was trying to love on navy a little more, still a goal of mine. Anywho, this fall I wanted to refresh this dress and give it new life. One of the easiest was I have found to extend your style with a dress is treat it like a skirt.

Ways to make your old dress look new in the fall or winter:

•       Wear a sweater over it (like I did here)
•       Layer a tissue turtleneck under it
•       Layer a crisp button-down under it
•       Toss a sweatshirt over it and pair it with tennis shoes for Saturday brunch
•       Pair it with a black blazer to give it a more polished look for the office
•       Adding tights and pairing it with booties
•       Wear a longer skirt (think fit and flare) over the dress, tuck it in, and wear it as a top

Last fall and this winter, I have turned this navy check dress from last season into multiple different outfits, for both the office and the weekend wear. I hope this makes you look at your favorite items a little differently. There is no shame in wearing something that isn't brand new from this season!

As a fashion blogger, I think it's okay to repeat outfits. I don't know about you, but over here at Sassy Southern Lindsey, I am balling on a budget! If an outfit or garment makes me happy, you better believe I am wearing it more than once. Heck, I might wear it a hundred times! It's all about how you style things. Adding something interesting goes a long way. You will have the world thinking your closet is endless. Don't worry; your secret is safe with me! Get creative, have some fun, and rock your look with confidence.

My New Year's Resolutions and Goals

|| Dress: J.Crew (fall 2017, different color) || Blazer: J.Crew Factory (sold out in orange, same style but different colors) || Heels: kate spade new york (few years old) || Earrings: kate spade new york (gift from my sister) || Ring: Tiffany & Co. || Photos: Melanie Foster Photography ||

The smell of fresh planners and new pens have me feeling giddy with excitement. With the new year here, it's a great time to reflect and revaluate. I saw a lot of change in 2017, both personally and professionally. Adaptability is not in my top five strengths; times like this I honestly wish it was. The past few months I have been juggling jobs, freelance work and my family. My hair is falling out and I have felt on edge. Last week I took a hard look at myself and decided it was time to reevaluate my path.

In 2018, I vow to say no more often. No gets a nasty rap when it comes to the English vocabulary. We are taught from such a young age to fear no. No, don't touch that. No, don't eat that. No, don't hit your brother. I could go on and on. I think that this sticks with us into childhood and extends into adulthood. At work, you feel like you cannot say no because it is a sign of weakness. You can't say no to your best friend because you feel like you will disappoint them. You can't say no to a brand about an unpaid partnership because you feel like you will burn a bridge. Saying yes is what got me here in the first place. Spread too thin and living in constant anxiety about not being able to get everything done is no way to live life.

This year, I vow to be more intentional with my relationships both friends and family. I am a very independent person who happened to get married. I could say the same thing about my husband. We honestly don't require much from one another except for quality time. Jered's other love language is words of affirmation. I am going to go the extra mile to let him know how much I appreciate and adore him. I also want to do this with my other relationships, and this will take some investigative reporting if you will. I want my friends to feel known and understood when speaking with them, sending a gift or spending time with them. We all have our personal preferences, and I need to be more in tune with the people who matter most to me.

In 2018, I am going to treat my body better. I have been working out consistently for almost four years now, between personal trainers and Pure Barre. I want to continue my fitness journey, without a doubt. However, I need to take a hard look at how I am treating my body both physically and mentally. We have been married for almost five years, and I will turn 30 this fall. We do not have children yet; by definition we will be "older parents." I want to be a fun mom like my mom was (I see you, Debbie). That will require being in shape, having energy, and a sharp mind. I am looking at life a little in reverse. I want to do things right now, so my body will thank me down the road.

Taking a hard look at our path is scary. To be this honest with yourself takes guts. I pray that you can muster the courage to do the same (if you haven't already). Let's kick butt in 2018, ready, break!