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Fashion Lifestyle

Walking with PFlag Metro DC!

Earlier this month I had the honor to walk in the DC Pride parade with the non-profit PFlag DC! One of my best friends is on the Board of Directors for this organization whose mission is to help keep families together and promotes equality and the well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) people and their families through support, education, and advocacy.

As I was reading about their mission it made me think about how important it is to have organizations like this that are in the corner of those that may feel like they have no one. I feel very blessed that I grew up in a household where we were taught to love and accept everyone and to not judge others so quickly because everyone has a story or a struggle that on the outside you may not always see. Unfortunately, there are many that do not grow up in homes with these same kind of views. To really understand PFlag DC’s impact on families check out these amazing and personal stories.

For my first Gay Pride Parade in DC let me tell you that it was a feeling that was truly memorable.  Hearing people cheering on Pflag DC you could automatically feel the energy of how this organization has personally affected that individual cheering in the crowd or maybe it has helped a loved one that they know. Then to the hugs and kind words of support it gave me a glimmer of hope that one day we can all unite together so our LGBTQ friends can live how they want to live and love who they want to love.

If you would like to volunteer, donate, or if you are interested in their services for yourself, family member, or a friend follow this link!

XO

Catherine

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Fashion

I got it from Dress Barn…yes I said Dress Barn!

Does anyone else have those stores that come to mind that have felt like they have been around forever, but you have never thought to step foot in? Well, it is true confession time my friends since I experienced this recently. A couple of weeks ago I received a lovely e-mail from the people at Dress Barn about a collaboration. When I saw the subject line of Dress Barn it definitely intrigued me since I could not remember the last time I has been in their store…probably at least 10 years!

Well, I am so happy that this little message made it’s way into my inbox because it gave me a chance to check out what Dress Barn has transformed into. Let me tell you…it is so so soooooo good! Just from their new summer arrivals alone I was obsessed with the variety in sizes, unique cuts and shapes to their dress selection, and super fun prints and colors galore! To get real for a second their plus selection in my opinion has amazing variety. It is definitely not just a section that has your basic colors with no shape dresses…it is awesome!

So when I was picking out my looks to share with you guys I wanted to really put Dress Barn to the test. So I went ahead and selected a look that would not be something I would automatically be drawn too. I do not wear short sleeves that often and I for sure do not own anything polka dot so that is where it made the most sense for me to pick out this ruffled black and white polka dot wrap dress! Well, let me just say that they totally delivered on this one. It came very nicely packaged, was true to size, quality is amazing, and that price point is literally on point…$25 I mean hellooooooooo!

Well, Bravo DB…yes we are on a nickname basis now since we are BFF’s…you have won my heart and I will for sure be making your store be part of my go-stops for finding weekend summertime looks. Oh and of course your online store too! Shop my dress via this link! 

Make sure you check out my Instagram stories today where I will be sharing more of my favorite looks from their collection for all sizes!

XO

Catherine

Photo Credit- LSP Photography
Spray Tan by Pineapple Tan

 

Categories
Fashion Lifestyle

Spray Tan Review with Pineapple Tan!

So I was at the doctor’s office last summer for my annual physical. This is thirty when you get excited about not having to reschedule your doctor’s appointment 12 times due to forgetting to put it on your dang iPhone calendar! Not speaking from experience or anything…wait…I absolutely am.

During this appointment as we were going through the ol “how many drinks do you have per week” questions where I lie to myself and say oh yes maybe 1-2 per week when in reality I guzzled down a giant margarita that weekend before and dove into a giant goblet of guacamole. Then my correspondence with my doctor went something like this:

Doc- “Catherine, you are just too tan.”

Me- (Insert blushing and casual hair flip) Well, thank you so much!

Doc- “Ummm no, I mean you need to be careful how much sun exposure you get it is not good for your skin!”

Me- (Insert awkward laugh)

After this interaction it really got me to thinking about the days of me lathering myself up in baby oil and tanning by the pool for hours or hopping into the tanning bed before prom to get burned like a lobster. The thought of how bad that was for my skin made me cringe!

This summer I am going to try to be extra diligent about wearing sunscreen and being mindful of how much time I am in the sun. The hard thing is who doesn’t love that bronzed feeling during the summer, ergh! Well, I have found the solution…spray tans!

Now I know this may not seem as ground breaking to you, but the first spray tan I got about 12 years ago was literally the worst! I stood in a tube with my eyes closed, holding my breath trying not to pass out or sweat as the machine would manually spray you. The problem with this is that I would never turn quick enough or didn’t position myself correctly so I would come out looking like a lightly cheese dusted Cheeto.

When my friend who owns Pineapple Tan approached me about collaborating I still felt like I had this experience from so long ago stuck in my head. Well, let me tell you she totally proved me wrong! Ok, so here is the scoop about my friends biz:

  • Convenient- She is totally mobile so she can come to your house and bring this little tent you stand in and she sprays you from head to toe. Don’t have the space? No worries, you can come to her place too!
  • Affordable- When she told me what she charges for mobile tans I literally had to say wait, did I hear right? Depending on what package you want it can range from about $40-60…such a deal!
  • Quality- I sweat…a lot. So in my mind I thought the tan would wipe away so quick. I was so wrong. My skin was bronzed for literally a week! It was the perfect shade too. I wanted it to have a natural feel which she absolutely delivered on.
  • Comfort- Usually I would feel a bit uncomfortable in my birthday suit in front of someone, but she totally made me feel so relaxed. During the session we just talked about work stuff, life, wine…of course!
  • Personable- Although I have known the owner for quite some time she still gave me the all-star customer treatment with being so flexible with my schedule, having everything prepared for me when I got there, and it was super fast and convenient!

The photo that you see above on the left is me before my spray tan and the one on the right after…omg what a difference! Also, I used the same photographer for both photos so that gives you extra assurance she does an amazing job. So if you are interested in booking or just have more questions check out her website by following this link!

Stay tuned for later this week…I will be sharing details about the amazing polka dot dress I am wearing too!

XO

Catherine

Photo Credit- LSP Art Studios

 

 

Categories
Fashion

My vow to photos!

Are you ever the one when you are with family or friends and the camera comes out and all of a sudden you find yourself like a magician disppearing from the photo? Along with this disappearing act comes statements like, “Oh nooooo I look awful today,” or “Oh wait is that my cell phone, oven buzzing, doorbell, or anything that I think is making a sound that I can check on so I don’t have to be in this photo?”

Well, I have been having my moments where I am feeling like this more often. Even though you see me in front of the camera for my blog for some reason as of lately I have been dodging group photos with the pit feeling in my stomach of not looking forward to how I look in the photo. Whether it be me being overly critical of if it looks like I have a double chin, or if my arms look big, or if my stomach is bulging out. Let me tell you these thoughts are truly getting exhausting!

A moment that sticks out the most to me was when my family was all hanging out in the living room last month and my sister was about to snap a photo of all of us. Well, I did the whole sneak out of the photo move because I was feeling like I looked a hot mess with my hair on top of my head, wearing a over sized sweater, and my face felt super bloated. I saw the photo after it was taken and it just made me think that truly the purpose of this photo is to help spark that feeling of a really amazing memory of being with the people you love most. By choosing to exclude myself from that photo felt like I was removing myself from this moment, which was a total wake up call!

Not only in everyday life, but even in this photoshoot with this amazing look from Eloquii this happened too! I remember feeling so self conscious about how the skirt made my body look and how the top paired with the skirt. I was just going on and on about it and Will, my photographer, at one point was basically like, “Who cares! Now strut towards me and let’s get to work!” Well, thank god he snapped me out of this and wouldn’t you know these photos were my favorite out of all the looks we did!

So I am making a vow to myself that I will not let this toxic habit have me miss out on being part of memories that we are so lucky to live in a time that we can capture these moments in a single photo!

Ok now that we are all feeling more empowered let’s talk about my look. The gingham wrap top is from the Draper James collection with Eloquii! It is the perfect mix of feeling classy and a lil bit of spice to it. What I love about this collection is that all of their pieces can be paired with options outside of the collection, like this hot red tulle skirt. You know I am all about options people. So here are a couple of ways that you can pair looks from this Draper James Collection and other amazing pieces from Eloquii!

   

   

XO

Catherine

Photo Credit LSP Art Studios