Iconic Styles: Rollneck Sweater

|| Sweater: J.Crew (available in numerous colors) || Jeans: J.Crew || Smoking slippers: J.Crew (sold out) || Earrings: SUGARFIX by BaubleBar (from last fall) || Purse: kate spade new york (different style, similar vibe) || Photos: Melanie Foster Photography ||

Growing up, my mom had a fantastic selection of sweaters for the fall and winter season. A lot of them had shoulder pads, most of them full of color and silly themes, some with detail and others on the simple side. The best one might have been a Christmas sweater with different breeds of dogs wearing hats. From what I remember, she kept them neatly folded in a deep cedar chest. Each time I smell anything cedar-scented, I think about her crazy sweaters and it makes me laugh. I may not have a cedar chest of my own, but I do have fur and firewood private label Blue Volcano candle that I scooped up a few weeks ago at Aldi (and I know many of my followers did too thanks to my Instagram story PSA).  This fall, J.Crew brought back a style that was made extremely popular in the 1980s (it wouldn't surprise me if my mom or her friends had one like this).  Not kidding, I was so excited about this timeless style, I scooped up one in mustard yellow and another in oatmeal cream.

I spend a lot of time on a computer between my full-time job and blogging. During my lunch break, I like to take a pause (even if it is for thirty minutes). I pack my lunch, shut my office door and turn on Hulu. For the six months or so, my show of choice has been "Boy Meets World." Man, you want to talk about a wholesome entertainment — this might be one of the greatest shows of all-time. I watched it religiously growing up but I must say, I think the show might be more impactful as an adult. Even though I am not a mom, I cannot help but think of seeing this show as told by my future children. I have cried more times than I would like to admit. BMW had so many valuable life lessons intertwined with hilarious situations.

While watching this summer, I noticed this great sweater Eric Matthews had on. It was a rollneck sweater in a light evergreen color. It seems to be a go-to in his high school wardrobe. He wears it multiple times throughout the season, that is why I remember it vividly. You can imagine my surprise when I saw this sweater online at J.Crew earlier this fall. I think I laughed out loud and clicked add to cart immediately! You can wear it into the office, on the weekend or over your gym clothes on your way to brunch. I can't help but to smile and think of BMW each time I wear this outfit (especially paired with my pair of light wash high waisted jeans). Maybe next time I wear it, I'll post a side-by-side of who wore it better, Lindsey or Eric Matthews.

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.