Bloggers Who Budget: Maxi Dresses

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Bloggers Who Budget is back! This month, we are sharing maxi dresses for $100 or less. Maxi dresses are what I am mostly wearing on my down time these days, easy to throw on & no one knows that I haven't shaved my legs in a while. I will definitely be channeling these other lovely ladies' looks soon!

I wore this Peter Som for Kohl's map print maxi while on our honeymoon & have loved sporting it around Nashville too! It is already pretty steamy here, so I know this will continue to be a much loved staple in my Summer wardrobe!

all photos | Zipporah Photography

{ What I Wore: Peter Som x Kohl's maxi dress ℅ Kohl's // J.Crew Panama Hat // Ray Ban aviators // lace-up sandals ℅ Shoe Carnival // Vince Camuto link bracelet ℅ Macy's }

See my other maxi moments here: 1 // 2 // 3 

Still looking for your Summer maxi dress? Shop my top picks:

Sunday Shopping: Sézane

Today's Sunday Shopping post is about my newest online boutique crush - Sezane. This French e-shop offers monthly collections of trendy items & seasonal must haves along with their perennial essentials. The epitome of French chic. I seriously love everything, but the leopard pumps are definitely topping my wish list! The print & shape of the toe are Per.fect.ion 

As I enter the second half of my 2nd decade, I am definitely more drawn to a minimalistic lifestyle - having a smaller collection of higher quality items, pieces with utility, versatility, and stylish functionality. Building a strong wardrobe of basics (black jeans, white button downs, rich cognac accessories), & adding a couple of seasonal trendy items each quarter. Are you itching for Parisian style these days too?

1 the white button down // 2 leopard pumps (also in peep-toe) // 3 the perfect black jeans // 4 tan sandals // 5 brown booties

1 varsity sweatshirt // 2 tribal print // 3 skinny jeans // 4 the little black tee  // 5 pink houndstooth dress // 6 the slip-on sneaker

weekend reading: 06.14.14

1 // 2 // 3

This weekend why don't you :: embrace the great outdoors! Maybe go chasing some waterfalls!?

{what you might have missed on Here&Now}

{1.}  Have you met the gorgeous lady in my sidebar this month? She's pregnant & I still wish I could be that stylish! 

{2.} Wedding Week: To save or splurge; all about the bridesmaids; saying yes to the dress; Etsy wedding finds. 

{3.} An unexpected & affordable place home goods! 

{4.}  Style essentials from bloggers!

{5.} Our wedding video - OB.Sessed!

{posts I'm loving around the internets}

{1.} Three Little Blue Dresses 1 // 2 // 3 

{2.} Tips for shopping online.

{3.} But seriously, palazzo pants are where it's at!

{4.} Do you dare to wear jogger pants?

{5.} Feeling transparent?

Wedding Week: Etsy Finds

Last day of wedding week! I know that Pinterest is now a huge resource for brides planning their big day, but another great place I found inspiration was Etsy. We definitely wanted our ceremony & reception to have a bit of a made-with-love personal touch, so finding unique, handmade items on Etsy was a huge procrastination tool at work fount of goodies!

These are the things that came to me in cute boxes from talented people all over the US via Etsy:
1. Flower crowns 

baby flower crowns 

2. Pug bow ties

3. Tassel garlands - use these on 2 tables and some large balloons too! 

4. sequin hangers

5 . bridesmaid knot rings - I forgot in yesterday's Bridesmaids box, but this is a peek into what I sent when I asked to be a part of our wedding. A note, my request, and a knot ring, with the tag "thanks for helping me tie the knot"…. a tee hee!

6. embroidered parent hankies 

We also got our chalkboard stickers on Etsy! You can check out all my favorites on Etsy here. Some things that were made/gifted to me, but I've also seen great versions of them on Etsy.

return address stamp - saves your hand so much!

What have you found on Etsy lately?

I hoped you liked Wedding Week. If you missed a post, catch up:

Our Wedding Video trailer, saying yes to The Dress, where we saved vs. splurged, and bridesmaids.

And a wedding related giveaway! If you want to win tickets to the Nashville Not Wedding, enter here.

Wedding Week: Bridesmaids

I owe a big shootout to my lovely bridesmaids. They hosted showers, traveled many miles, partied down at my bachelorette party, purchased gifts, gave heartfelt toasts, saved the day by convincing the venue coordinator to let us use the sky lanterns last minute, and were just the best friends any gal could have. 

Oh and they did a super swell job of taking my annoyingly vague dress shopping directions of "blush chiffon", to create the best mixed bridesmaid dress roundup I've ever seen!

Tips for making your best friends happy during your engagement, wedding planning & big day?

1. Be upfront about your expectations. When you ask your ladies to be a part of your day, include the activities/costs that you expect as their duties. Having a destination wedding, with a destination bachelorette party and dreams of your bridesmaids footing the bill for their Vera Wang dresses… it's only nice that you tell them that!

2. And then stick to what you said. If you say, "I don't need you at my shower" & then get super hurt that they don't show up, that is poor communication. You still want to be friends after the wedding day!

3. Give them clear directions & then let them actually do their assigned jobs without you micromanaging. They are not only your closest friends that know you better than anyone else, they are also totally capable adults. Don't lose sight of this during the wedding planning craze.

4. Treat them right - say thank you, get them a token of your appreciation (I went with pretty robes to get ready in on the Big Day), remember to ask about their lives, go out for lady dates, don't forget to be a good friend back.

Any Bridesmaids horror stories or tips you have learned as either the bride or bridesmaid?

I'd love to hear them!