Category: Uncategorized

I had such a vivid dream the other night that I flashed back to my high school prom. I don’t really remember a lot of the details of the dream, but it did give me a bit of inspiration for this post. Speaking of prom, what was your dress shopping experience like?

Well, thinking back on mine about 14 years ago…wow…that is over a decade ago! I only went to formal and prom senior year so when I went dress shopping I was ready to finish off high school with a bang! What was not so much of a bang was the stress of finding a formal gown that fit properly, in my budget, and also something I felt like a movie star in! My experience was one where I only was able to fill maybe only 1 of these 3 categories.

My search started at the mall and the options were so limited I had to find myself in the mother of the bride section at JC Penney, which for a 17 year was not where I wanted to be seen. Then my Mom and I would venture closer to the city for the more boutique style places where there would only be a handful that would fit and the ones that I did like basically costed the equivalent of a wedding dress!

I do wonder if I had the options and access at my fingertips to formal wear like there is now, what would I have chosen? So, here is a round up of formal wear websites that you can share with your daughter, niece, cousin, or maybe you may be an adult needing a gown for your next formal event. Saving you time, stress, and money is what I am here for! Also, I selected looks that I think my 17 year old self would have fallen head over heels for!

So my sequin dress is by Badgley Mischka from Rent the Runway and my clutch is handmade by this amazing company, Sister Epic! Check out on my Instagram (@dreamyrealist_) for how you can enter to win one of their gorgeous hand made leather wallets!

XO

Catherine

It cracks me up that in the early 2000’s the long tops and low rise jeans were in and now we have swung the other way with high waisted everything and crop tops galore. I will say I am thankful that low rises have taken a time out and all things high waisted are here to stay. Now crop tops are another story. It is almost like when I see some of my favorite bloggers or style icons rocking a crop top I am alllll about it! Now when I slipped one on for the first time I felt like, ok looks like I can’t raise my arms, sit down, or make any rapid movements in this thing or its all over. Really what it boiled down to was finding the right kind of top, quality is totally key.

Second, the little insecure voice inside my head was also holding me back from rocking this trend. Thinking about how I already feel insecure about my mid section and then I am going to expose my stomach to the whole world while in line at Trader Joes, at the movie theater seeing the Lion King, or singing “Proud Mary” on stage at karaoke.

Well, my friends I got over this insecurity thanks to this gingham wrap skirt from Ellos. As I was trying to style this beauty nothing felt right. A top looked tucked in was too bunchy, untucked looked sloppy, so that is when this white linen crop top made its appearance from the back of the closet. So lets hold hands and dive into this trend together. Here is a round up of some of my favorite tops that I think can look great on anyone for these final days of summer!

XO

Catherine

When wearing sequins comes across my day dreaming I automatically equate wearing sequins either on new years eve, the Grammy Awards (ya know when I eventually get invited), or that one time I had this Limited Too purse that had just a touch of sequins to make me feel like I was cool. When it does not cross my mind to sport sequins is in the middle of summer.

Yes I agree, I hear you over there thinking it is so dang hot out there is no way I can wear more than a napkin designed into some kind of top, because wearing anything else will make you sweat to all ends! Lets admit though, there are those times where you may want to be a bit of a head turner with your sequins shining in the sun and basically you are feeling as fresh as a giant disco ball.

I chose this midi sequin skirt for my shoot this month with Sarah in front of the glorious mural designed by Meg Biram which really embodies the vibrant community of old town and the local boutique district!

The art of sequins in the summer all depends on the piece. Midi skirts with a high slit, sheer like poly blend tanks with a touch of sequin, mini dresses, clutches, camisoles and more is what I rounded up for you guys below! These pieces are all from Asos because they are having some serious sequin moments.