How to Style a Moto Jacket

|| Sweater: J.Crew Factory || Jacket: J.Crew Factory (available in black faux-leather) || Skirt: J.Crew Factory (same pattern, different skirt) || Booties: kate spade new york (from previous season) || Necklace: kate spade new york || Earrings: kate spade new york || Photos: Melanie Foster Photography ||

Believe it or not, I am a little shy when it comes to trendy items. Let's take moto jackets for example. They were everywhere last fall, and they have bounced back for another season. At the time, it seemed like a risky purchase. I couldn't decide if they would stick around or be a one-season and done type of thing. Much like the teddy coat, they seem to have some staying power. You can find them at high-end retailers and lower price points. It's all about finding the one that works for you and your budget.

Before our vacation to Paris this fall, we took a trip to the outlet mall to stock up on a few things. Our main mission was to find Jered a few more casual outfits. Wouldn't you know it, I would find something for me! I took a moment to browse J.Crew Factory and stood in shock. When I saw this jacket in person, I knew I wanted to add it to my collection. I will admit, it is a little less edgy than the black faux-leather moto jacket (and I am 100% okay with that). The best thing was the price point! There was a promotion through the entire store, and I had a coupon from the mail, so it made it very affordable. I love this jacket paired with a black turtleneck and black jeans, very monochromatic and effortlessly chic. I love mixing camel and black — especially when I can sneak in a leopard print accessory to tie it all together.

This sweater comes in three colors: burgundy (which I am wearing), heather dusk and black. I thought that this red wine color was the perfect addition to my fall lineup. Even with the bell sleeves, it worked as a layering piece. Honestly, I am considering getting the black sweater as well. For one, I think it would be great under or over a few shift dresses I have. Secondly, it would be great with a pop of orange for an Oklahoma State University occasion in the fall and winter season.

Last fall, I picked up that adorable hot pink ruffled mini skirt from J.Crew. I was so excited when I saw the same style at J.Crew Factory. I thought that this pattern was interesting. When it comes to tops, there are so many different color pairing possibilities! If you like this camel houndstooth, you are in luck, it's available in a pencil skirt. This is a timeless piece that you will enjoy for many seasons to come.

Why I Wanted to Test Lavelier's Skin Care

|| Divine Day Defense SPF 30 || Skin Clair Repair || Coral Luminous Masque || In partnership with Lavelier, all opinions are my own ||

For the last 18 years, I have struggled off and on with acne. During that timeframe, I have taken Accutane four different times. All of that to say, my skin is less than perfect. If there is one area in my life where I struggle the most with confidence, it has to be my acne scars. That is why most generally I wear full-coverage foundation. In the past five years, I feel like I have been performing damage control on my skin. I want to age gracefully, and there are things that I can do now to help address that. Between my acne battle scars and years of lifeguarding, I have my work cut out for me! I am on the lookout for products that address discoloration caused by sun and acne. When Lavelier reached out to me, I jumped at the opportunity to test their Coral Luminous Collection! This collection evens skin tone and protects from harmful rays.

I packed all three of these full-size products with me during our trip to Paris. One night after dinner, I turned the bathroom into a spa (complete with a rose petal bubble bath). During my soak, I tried out the Coral Luminous Masque and let me tell you—this stuff is powerful! For best results, you should use it every four weeks. I am looking forward to my second mask over the weekend! It is packed with marine botanicals and seaweed extract to promote a more balanced complexion and leaves your skin moisturized and bright. I don't know about you, but this busy time of year I need all of the help I can get!

I love learning. I am always reading reviews, watching videos and listening to podcasts. The beauty industry is absolutely fascinating to me, I can get lost in a deep-dive! I think that our generation is expecting more from brands. And with the buying power of millennial women, brands seem to be listening! I believe there is an exciting movement happening right now. More brands are coming to the table with solutions. The Coral Luminous Collection is paraben-free and not tested on animals. I want to feel confident about the things I am putting on my skin each and every day!

Want to hear a silly story? When we made it home from Paris, I was unpacking and noticed that I left a few beauty products behind at the hotel. I was in a panic! I frantically emailed the hotel asking if they happened to see the three things I left behind. Thankfully, they noticed and put them at the front desk for me. They were able to ship them back to Oklahoma! I would like to pretend that this is the first time something like this has happened, but sadly, it is not. Ugh, talk about embarrassing! One of the items was the Divine Day Defense SPF 30. I left it out on the counter because I wore it the morning we left for the airport at 3:30 a.m. I was almost so happy I cried when I unboxed my missing goodies. Thank you to Lavelier for letting me test this luxurious collection!

What to Wear to a Black Tie Optional Wedding

|| Dress: Marchesa Notte (rented via Rent The Runway) || Heels: kate spade new york (from 2013) || Earrings: kate spade new york (similar color, different style) || Ring: Tiffany & Co. || Photos: Melanie Foster Photography ||

A few months ago, my husband and I had a chance to attend a wedding down in Austin. The invitation noted that the special occasion was "black tie optional." Upon reading this, I was giddy with excitement! Living in Oklahoma and working in the agriculture industry, I do not get invited to a lot of black tie events. This was an opportunity for me to serve a look from head-to-toe! But first, I had to figure out what the heck to even wear to a black tie optional wedding.

The first clue to decoding the dress code is looking to the invitation for guidance. Here are a few things to look for:

Where is the event taking place?

What time of day or night is the event?

How formal is the material and style of the paper good? 

By answering these questions, you will have some insight into what the couple is thinking. To me, black tie optional is a chance to wear a fabulous cocktail dress (close to knee length or longer) or an evening gown. Remember, you are not going to a nightclub or a New Year's Eve party. As a last resort, if you are still feeling stumped, reach out to the bride or groom (in advance) to get their feedback. I would love to say these things were common knowledge for me; however, that is not the truth. I have picked up on these things by listening to The Emily Post Institute's Awesome Etiquette Podcast. Special thanks to Dan and Lizzie for keeping me from making a fashion faux pas!

When I was searching for a dress on Rent the Runway, I was looking for something a little more over the top than what I would typically wear to a wedding. I figured this was as good a time as any to experiment with something I have had my eye on. One of the biggest perks about RTR is the ability to get a backup size for free. This particular designer is on the expensive side, so I was not sure what size I would be. I always take time to read the stylists notes and user reviews before ordering. Since the dress is a little extra, I decided to keep things simple with my hair, makeup, and jewelry. By doing those things, I could pair it with a great statement shoe.

Speaking of shoes, during the wedding reception, I had a horrible shoe mishap. One of my high heels came apart out on the dance floor! It's funny now, but during the time I was not laughing. During this long weekend trip, I only packed three pairs of shoes (shocker, I know). Thank goodness I had a neutral heel back in my hotel room. I made a quick dash from the venue to the hotel and swapped out shoes. We happened to shoot this look after that wedding. My heels were not yet repaired, so I opted for these seafoam green heels. I thought they paired nicely with the floral-embroidered lace. I have never received so many compliments from random strangers. People in the hotel lobby and bar were even approaching me telling me how beautiful I looked. I felt like a modern-day princess, twirling the night away on the dance floor.

Oklahoma City Restaurant Review: The Metro Diner

|| Jumpsuit: La Vie Rebecca Taylor (own or rent) || Flats: kate spade new york || Earrings:  SugarFix by BaubleBar || Ring: Tiffany & Co. || Restaurant Review: [gift card c/o The Metro Diner]

After a long week at the office, Jered and I have two options on a Friday night: dinner out on the town or a night at home watching Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. I would almost put money on it, we have seen every single episode! When we travel, we love checking out places that have been highlighted on DDD. We get really excited when there is a place in Oklahoma! Recently, The Metro Diner opened in our neighborhood; it's less than five miles away from our house! They are an old-fashioned diner focused on the classic dishes with a few modern twists sprinkled in. Their food is hand-made with love and served with a smile!

Before the grand opening, they reached out to me to make a visit in exchange for a blog post. Now it was time to do my research! Thanks to, Brittni, one of my old co-workers (and dear friend), I always look at the menu before visiting a restaurant for the first time. That is when I realized that one of their locations was on DDD! You can only imagine how much I freaked out, I think I may have even squealed out loud. I couldn't wait to have the chance to check out this place and share my review with you!

Everyone has his or her own idea of what comfort food is. It varies from person to person; we each have different experiences and memories to draw upon. My comfort food dish is pot roast. Now, I know that may sound unusual, but hear me out. When I was younger, my family had lunch together each Sunday after church, before working cattle. We probably had pot roast two times a month (more or less depending on the season). That meal was complete with the vegetables, mashed potatoes, brown gravy and some type of bread. That meal is like a hug for my soul. As odd as this may sound, it makes me feel connected to my past. It doesn't matter if its 90 degrees out I crave this dish year-round! When I saw it on the menu at The Metro Diner, I knew I had to give it a try. I held it to a very high standard and I must say, it did not disappoint!

My friend, Azure and her daughter, Kirby, tagged along as my dinner guests. We had a great evening of catching up! Kirby girl is growing like a weed! Azure ordered the Chicken Pot Pie. Kirby had the best of both worlds because she sampled a little of both. During our visit, our waitresses took such good care of us, their attention to detail was appreciated! They made us feel warm and welcome. I cannot wait to go back and check out their breakfast options. The cinnamon roll pancakes have my name written all over it! When you visit, make sure to let me know what you ordered.