Sunday, August 5, 2018

BOW TIE SKIRT & SUEDE WEDGES


When I saw this adorable bow tie skirt, I knew I had to have it. For less than $50, it's a steal. I brought it home, styled it, and shot it all within 24 hours because, honestly, it's so cute! I would wear this to synagogue (or church, if I went,) to the office, or even for a luncheon.

This skirt can easily be paired with so many shirts in different patterns, fabrics, and colors, but, I'm a sucker for keeping it simple, so I pulled out my favorite silky cami. This cami is super affordable, but looks expensive. It can be thrown in the washer and dryer, without a second thought.

I have paired it with this bralette. It's one of the more affordable ones I've found and I've owned several of this brand since discovering them in college. They're adjustable, and come in a ton of different styles and colors. I'm not busty, so I can get away with only wearing a bralette under a loose fitting shirt. For those of you who are more well endowed, I would recommend wearing a strapless bra under the bralette.

Now, let's talk about these wedges. Fortunately, they are still being sold, even though they're over a year old! They are at an amazing price point, and I can wear them all day and not have sore feet. They have never left blisters, and do not need to "broken in," to be comfortable.

I believe that certain jewelry items are worth the investment, especially if it's pieces that you love and know you'll wear for years to come. That's how I feel about these bracelets. I've been blessed enough to have been gifted several of these for birthdays and anniversaries, but have also saved and purchased some on my own when I feel like I "deserve" it.


Do you have a different way that you'd style this skirt? If so, I'd love to hear about it in the comments below! As always, thanks for stopping by :)


Wednesday, April 4, 2018

SPRING BREAK ESSENTIALS

Sometimes, you just need a weekend, on a beach, in a foreign country, with your girlfriends. A few weeks ago one of my college roommates asked if any of us wanted to go to Aruba. I did out the math, and decided that fiscally, it would be wiser if I put the money into my savings account. Fast forward to today. Life throws a lot of curveballs at us; sometimes they leave us feeling like we've been pummeled by The Hulk. This is where that beach in a foreign country comes in. We're headed to Aruba this morning. We will spend 5 days not focusing on the storms that we've weathered in our own lives, and instead, we will be grateful that we have jobs that afford us such luxuries. We will breathe in the salty air, and let the sun kiss our cheeks and be reminded that every day is a gift. God never gives us more than we can handle, I firmly believe that. Girlfriends are there to lend you a shoulder to cry on, and also remind you that it's time to buck up when you're really down. So, now that I've been all mushy, let's talk about my Spring Break Essentials!


Having a really cute outfit for the pool, or beach is always a must. I've been really into the crochet look lately, and I chose two great options. This bikini is colorful and fun, and this one piece is a bit more modest but also has adorable detailing along the edges. I also love to mix and match pieces, which is what I did with this scalloped top and high waisted bottom. To go along with these, I chose a cover up that would go with all three. This cover up is super soft, and lightweight. If you're not into using a cover up, I found these shorts last year, and have bought three pairs since then because they are just that good. Throw on some flip flops with any of these outfits and you're ready to go!

Accessories can really step up an outfit without much effort. I bought a straw hat in Costa Rica years ago, that I still use and found a great dupe for it.  I never leave home without these sunglasses. They're a bit pricey but I love them and to me, they were worth the investment since I've been wearing them for 4 years. How stinking cute is this beach bag? It's timeless, and has enough room for a towel, sun tan lotion, a bottle of water, and your favorite book!

Protecting my skin is super important which is why I always carry something with SPF in it. I like this CC cream because it can be applied alone, and covers up any blemishes while also smoothing skin and protecting it. Speaking of protection, not many people think about their hair when applying sun tan lotion. My hair is pretty fine, and already takes a beating from heat tools. A few years ago, my hair dresser suggested that I start using this hair protectant spray. It comes in especially handy since I travel often, usually to warmer destinations, and I live near the beach. She told me that it can be used every day, even just for walking Finn around the neighborhood, if I wanted.

Okay, now that the water activities have been covered, as I almost forget to mention this too cute for words pool float, let's talk about the versatility of the other items I've chosen to pack. Finding pieces that can be used day and night, simply by switching out shoes or an accessory, make me so happy!

This adorable floral romper is a great example. I'll be pairing it with these studded sandals and my favorite hat during the day. For a night time look, I'll ditch the hat, and swap out the sandals for these designer dupe wedges. Another piece I'm excited to wear is this flowy maxi dress. It can be worn during the day with some flip flops and you can simply swap them out with these block heels for a more formal, night time feel. Either of these outfits can be accessorized with a straw clutch, like this one, or even a crossbody bag. This one is my current favorite.

At the end of a long, tiring day, full of fun in the sun, and drinks with little umbrellas, what's better than getting into some super comfy, and equally adorable pajamas? I found these online and was quick to add them to my cart and just as quickly shoved them into my suitcase!

Do you have any plans for spring break? If so, I'd love to hear about them in the comments below! As always, thanks for stopping by :)




Saturday, March 10, 2018

20 THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ME


In every post, I talk about something personal, but I suppose after a year of doing this, I should probably reveal more about myself than just my favorite brand of denim, or how I keep my skin looking refreshed. Here's 20 random facts that many people may not know. 
  1. I am the oldest of two; I have a younger brother, Jared. He is currently in law school in Southern California.
  2. I was born and raised in CT until age 26. I moved to Charleston, South Carolina for my first teaching job.
  3. I am a certified elementary school teacher in 3 states. I taught three years of 2nd and 3rd grade in South Carolina. I do not regret a single minute that I have been out of the classroom – it’s by far the smartest decision I ever made.
  4. I hate feet, especially other people’s feet. My toes are always painted and manicured nicely, and I wouldn’t be caught dead in flip flops with chipped polish, even in the dead of winter.
  5. I have a huge sweet tooth. I have my dad to thank for this. My first word was “dadoo,” which in my mind, meant “chocolate.”
  6. Even though I live by the beach, I spent every winter skiing until I was 26. 
  7. I broke my right hand and left wrist simply playing outside as a kid.
  8. I rode horses competitively until late in my 20s - my plan in the next 6 months is to get back into it, just for fun.
  9. Cobalt blue is my favorite color, although my wardrobe is made up of 90% neutrals.
  10. I am terrible in crowds and small elevators; my anxiety goes off the charts and I start to sweat and get panicky.
  11. I'm a control freak over things at work, but would rather let someone else choose where we're eating dinner; heck, they could even order for me! 
  12.  I make my bed every morning, even on the weekends - it gives me peace of mind.
  13. Due to a fear of heights, I lost consciousness while bungy jumping off the K Bridge in New Zealand....it's 150ft drop. There's footage to prove I actually did it! 
  14. I am always late for social gatherings, but will be 2 hours early to the airport for a domestic flight, even though we have a tiny airport and I have TSA pre-check.
  15. I started Not Set in Silverstone when I was transitioning out of teaching and trying to figure out what I really wanted to do with my life.
  16. I get restless living in the same spot for too long...I have lived in 4 different areas of Charleston and 2 areas of Charlotte. 
  17. Dating makes me super self conscious, and I've never even had a terrible first date. 
  18. "Sissy" was my nickname in my house growing up; to this day it's how my mother refers to me. 
  19. Two years ago, I tried to give up coffee and failed miserably....I drink at least 2 cups before 9am each day.
  20. Finn was given to me in 2013. I was not looking for a dog, but she's the biggest blessing in my life. She will be 5 next week!
There you have it! Hope you've enjoyed getting to know me a bit better. Feel free to ask me a question in the comments, and I'll be sure to answer! As always, thanks for stopping by :) 

Monday, February 26, 2018

CHUNKY KNIT SWEATER AND OVER-THE-KNEE BOOTS

 
BRACELETS  GOLD X | HOOK | DIAMOND X
It's finally warming up in Charleston, hallelujah! I'm already tempted to wear white everywhere, in anticipation of spring and summer, but for now, piecing it together slowly will suffice.

This bubble sweater is from a store that I shopped in religiously all throughout high school. I strayed away from this retailer the past 5 years or so, until someone at work came in wearing this sweater. I asked her where she got it and immediately bought it online. It's so versatile, which is always what I shoot for, as most of you know! I can pair it with jeans, as I've done here, or I can wear it with black leggings, or even some cute dress pants: these are my favorite. It can be worn on both, or just one shoulder. I put a cami, like this one, underneath, for added warmth.

If ever there was a better brand of jeans for me, I haven't found them yet. This denim has been washed weekly and holds up like it's brand new! The style comes in so many washes that it's hard not to buy every pair I see when I'm shopping. I promise you, you won't be disappointed.

I bought these over-the-knee boots on a whim, and have gotten so much use of out them. They were a great price, so obviously, I couldn't resist. I have worm them with denim, as well as dresses (post about that outfit, coming soon.) They stay up all day without falling or needing to constantly be readjusted, and are super comfortable.

After I take photos, I like to immediately upload them to my laptop and decide if I need to take more. On this particular Sunday, two things happened: it started to downpour as soon as I got inside, and then, my card reader completely died. I tried everything possible to make it work, alas, I had to buy a new one. This post would have been up over a week ago, but.......life happens. So, I hope you've enjoyed now that I've finally been able to import, edit, and upload all these photos!




Do you have a retailer that you've recently gone back to purchasing from? I'd love to hear all about it in the comments, below! As always, thanks for stopping by!


Wednesday, January 31, 2018

14 LAST MINUTE VALENTINE'S DAY GIFTS UNDER $100


Every year, no matter where in the country I'm living (since let's be honest, I've lived in a quite a few places!), my dad sends me a bouquet of lilies for Valentine's Day. They're his favorite flower, and I have come to love them, too, because of that. Last year, my house was only 15 minutes from my parents' so he took the time to hand deliver chocolates. It's the little things that our loved ones do that mean the most.

If you're anything like me, you may be a last minute shopper with the best intentions! Without fail, special occasions seem to sneak up on me when I have the least amount of time to pick out a gift. With exactly two weeks left until Valentine's Day, I've rounded up 14 great last minute gift ideas for her, all under $100. Throw in a bouquet of her favorite flowers, or a card with a hand written, heart felt message, and she'll feel all the love and appreciation you have for her. Wife, girlfriend, mother, daughter, whoever the special lady in your life is - she'll love any of these gifts! I'll give a quick breakdown of each of these items, below:

POP SOCKET The latest rage in making holding your phone and taking selfies easy. For $10, you can't beat this adorable rose gold tech accessory.
SCARF This scarf just went on sale from one of my favorite retailers. It can be worn so many different ways and is the perfect way to show your love!
EARRINGS These earrings are the perfect way to dress up an outfit, especially with spring right around the corner. They're lightweight but still give a great POP of color!
NECKLACE This designer has a plethora of quality, budget friendly pieces for all occasions, this pendant necklace included.
PAJAMAS What girl doesn't want to feel like she's being pampered wearing silky pajamas? This satin set will surely make her feel comfortable, and fashionable in sleepwear.
BRACELET Another piece from one of my favorite trendy jewelry designers. This piece is easy to add to your outfit on your way out the door, and she's sure to get a ton of compliments throughout the day!
CANDLE My brother gifted me one of these candles for my birthday, and I repurchase one as often as I can because they smell amazing and last a good while!
WATCH Every girl needs an accessory that looks good and has function - this watch covers both bases! It's the perfect size for any wrist and isn't too gaudy or heavy for every day wear.
GIFT SET Three items for the price of one! This designer gift set includes perfume, shower gel, and body lotion with a scent inspired by a love story.
FITBIT You'd never know, looking at this bracelet, that it's also a fitness tracker! Now, she can track her steps without sacrificing a fashionable look.
MAKE-UP CASE Every girl needs a pretty place to put her makeup and/or other accessories! This pouch is perfect for home, travel, or even work to keep her organized.
EARRINGS This second pair of earrings is a little more formal, but can certainly be dressed down with a fun shirt and pair of jeans. They are dainty, lightweight and are sure to make her smile!
BELT How fun is this bow belt?! It's a great accessory to add a cute touch to any outfit! Whether dinner, or the office, it's a must have.
WATER BOTTLE Last but certainly not least, this might be my favorite on this list! This precious pink water bottle will keep her beverage of choice cold all day, and can easily be toted around the office, the gym, or in her purse.

Is there something special you're wanting for Valentine's Day or a gift you received that meant a lot to you? I'd love to hear about it in the comments, below! As always, thanks for stopping by!

Monday, January 8, 2018

UPDATED HAIR CARE ROUTINE

http://www.shopstyle.com/collective/notsetinsilverstone/42998139



Heading into the New Year, I decided to change up a lot of things, including my hair care routine! I never want to give feedback on products that I haven’t had a chance to really integrate into my daily routine, so it’s taken me about a month to fairly and honestly review each product that I’ve listed. I’m excited to say that I have been loving the products, and the results that I've been seeing. Below, are all the steps and products that I use. Hope you enjoy!

SHAMPOO – If you're like me, you associate minty freshness with winter. I have found a shampoo (and linked a very similar one) that I love! Maple Holistic recently reached out to me, and asked if I'd like to try one of their tea tree shampoos. Not only are their product extremely affordable, they are cruelty and paraben free, and actually promote hair growth!

CONDITIONER – Unfortunately, this conditioner is only available through your hair salon, or the L’Oreal site, however, it is definitely worth looking into. My stylist recommended this after I had complained about excessive breakage. He said I could use it as an overnight mask, or as a conditioner. It is on the pricier side, but I love it so far, especially since

HAIR MASK – I’ve been using this mask twice a week now, and my hair is always silky smooth after. I shampoo, and condition, then leave this mask on while I’m shaving my legs. It doesn’t leave any sort of film after being washed out, and is super versatile. It can be used as a conditioner, as a mask, or as a leave in product.

LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER – After years of coloring my hair, I started to see the toll that it was taking and wanted to up my conditioning game, even out of the shower. This company makes so many great products, that all smell amazing, and I’ve found that a nickel-size amount of this leave-in conditioner not only detangles, but also adds moisture to my hair without weighing it down.

BLOW DRY GEL – I always thought that if I put too many products in my hair, it would leave a residue; it’s all about finding the right products though! My hair is relatively thin, and it seems to be especially flat in the back of my head. This is where this volumizing gel comes in handy. It’s a great first layer to use as a heat protectant, and to give your hair some body while blow drying it. A small amount goes a long way, so even though it’s pricier than most drug-store brands, it will last you a while. 

STYLING TOOLS – I’ve also learned that it’s important to use the correct brush and blow dryer to style your hair. I love this brush, and this blow dryer. The blow dryer I have is an older model, so I’ve linked an almost identical one which includes the same nozzle attachments as mine. It took me a couple years to find the correct round brush, as I would wait until mine was practically falling apart to buy a new one. I picked this one up at a local drugstore. When I was in college, I shelled out close to $100 for an expensive straightener, and 6 months later, it died on me. I found this flatiron when I was searching for my hair dryer, and it has lasted me going on 4 years. It uses the same technology, and is a third of the price of a high end one. For me, that’s a win! 

FLAT IRON SPRAY – After I blow dry my hair, I let it cool for a few minutes, and then I spray on this heat protectant spray. Didn’t I just protect my hair with my volumizing gel? Yes, but I feel like this spray is dual purpose – it protects and it leaves my hair feeling silky smooth and gets rid of the fly-away baby hairs I have. Plus, it smells great!

HAIR OIL – One of my roommates in college brought this home one day, and I was terrified to use it, especially since my scalp can get rather oily in the summer. She reassured me that the tiniest bit would add shine to my hair without making it look like I could fry an egg on it. She was right! You can use this oil in wet or dry hair, and again, the smallest amount goes the longest way, especially in dry hair. This is the last step in my hair care process; I normally use it on the ends of my hair, and put the remainder all throughout the top and middle layers of my hair.



Et voilĂ ! There is my updated hair care routine. Do you have a favorite hair product or tool that you love? I’m always up for any recommendations! Feel free to leave a comment below and as always, thanks so much for stopping by!