small business saturday fort worth shopping guide

Happy Small Business Saturday!! As a small business owner myself (you can join my Mary Kay deals here) I'm passionate about supporting other small businesses and entrepreneurs! The small business community in Fort Worth is truly amazing and in the past year I've met so many killer women through blogging and networking! The support of this community is probably one of my most favorite things about Fort Worth... the phrase "Community over competition" truly thrives in Funkytown and I love the energy it brings to this city!

Today I just wanted to share a few small business sales from some of my favorite Fort Worth businesses so you can make sure to get some deals and show your love to all of these hard working business owners! Have you done any of your Christmas shopping? Whether you're finishing up or just getting started, shopping local is an amazing way to show your support for your community and also get really unique and fun gifts for others (or yourself!) And remember, since most of these are small boutiques, you should shop them in person! There are a couple with shopping online but let's all get in the Christmas spirit and go IN PERSON and enjoy the holiday atmosphere and meeting the designers behind the products and hard work!

Hale House- 20% off in store by showing receipt from another FW small business

Kelly Kay Paper- 25% off everything with code 'BFCM18'

Local Revere- 30% off with code 'LRTHANKS'

LTO Design FW- 20% off Christmas decor in store

Mustard Seed Jewelry- 30% off everything in studio (not retailers), bubbly and light bites shopping party! (2508 College Ave, Fort Worth) AND online shopping with code 'BLING30'

Play Studio FW- 20% off play passes and parents classes with code 'GIFTOFPLAY'

Shop Small Fort Worth- BOGO deals & huge discounts in The Collective showroom + 25% off all Cowtown Made "Exclusive" items online with code 'SHOPSMALL25'!

Sitting Made Simple Fort Worth- $10 off membership ($50 value for only $40!)

Wanderer Boutique- 15% off everything + pop-up shop from Refined Wreaths (and mimosas!)

Winton + Waits- 10% off plus choose the charity from their list that you want your purchase to benefit plus small business scavenger hunt for a chance to win a $100 AMEX gift card

Yours Truly- in store promo- Buy a $100 gift card, receive a $20 gift card

If you know of a small business that I've left off the list, comment below or email me so I can be sure to add them!  I will add to this throughout the day as I discover more deals! Happy Shopping y'all! 

 

london calling: thakoon for designation

"American designer Thakoon Panichgul puts a British spin on his signature feminine-tomboy style. Classic menswear shirting; mash-ups of English rose prints, checks and plaids; and three-dimensional knits are made to be mixed and layered." - Kohl's

I've been previewing the Thakoon for DesigNation collection and I'm obsessed with so much of it!  We're still sweating here in Texas, but I know some people are lucky enough to be getting close to wearing fall fashion.  So here's another Designer Collaboration to add to your wish list!  

I'm loving the deep blues, maroons and the various checks and plaids, mixed with florals!  Everything is so chic.  The High Street Kensington Floral Fit & Flare Dress and Ribbed Mockneck Capelet is probably my favorite look.  

This collection is launching September 10 and you can preview everything HERE.

Dreaming of fall + Tory Burch private sale

This heat is really getting to me!  You'd think I'd be used to it after living in Texas for 28 years, 13 of which were in Houston... but no, I don't think there's ever a real getting used to it point.  This week has been ridiculous in DFW and chances are if you live around here, you've been staying inside as much as possible.

I ventured to the mall on Sunday for about .5 seconds to pick up a wedding shower gift.  That's seriously about all I could take... in one store, grab the gift at customer service that I purchased online, and out the door.  Between the horrific heat and the ridiculous crowds for tax-free weekend, I'm starting to lean more to online shopping.  I've never been one for online shopping.  I like the experience of being in the store, trying on the clothes (seriously, everything fits funny on me, I am NOT a one-size, click-it and know it'll fit kind of girl).  But this summer I'm really starting to appreciate the appeal of online shopping (does that mean I'm getting old?!)

Many times I turn to other bloggers for sale alerts because I'll be honest, I'm not always the best at it.

what's black and white and chic all over?

Uptown giiiirrrl, she's been livin' in her downtown world...

Ok y'all.  I'm sharing another fantastic outfit today from Uptown Cheapskate Fort Worth!! I'm in love with how easy it is to find such trendy pieces and how affordable they are!  Today's spring trends are aplenty: Mix, don't Match / Pattern / Fringe / Boho vibes / Wedges / Crop Tops

Once again I feel as though I'm walking around town in comfortable pajamas while looking so the opposite!  These pants are soft, lightweight and perhaps a little MC Hammerish (am I showing my age?) but totally awesome!! I love the pattern; I'm a pattern girl.  They are elastic waist and have front pockets and faux back pockets. 

resale heaven

I'm in Heaven!  Resale Heaven that is!  I'm super excited to now know about this amazing source for high fashion and trends!  If you haven't heard of Uptown Cheapskate, you have to check it out!

Uptown isn't your typical resale shop.  They strive to provide you with a boutique experience on a budget!  From trendy items to high-end designer bags and clothing, you can find just about anything in this shop!  Plus, if you're a girl that likes to turn around your wardrobe often, you can sell your gently used items to them!  

I am honestly shocked at the amazing deals I found!!!  Throughout my entire shopping experience, I was finding popular retail items from Forever 21, Kohls, American Eagle, and Loft, just to name a few.  And I mean only a few of the many quality brands you love!  If you're wanting a designer label, you can easily find a variety!! Gently used handbags, shoes, clothing, etc were everywhere!  Labels like Gucci, Kate Spade, Fossil, Michael Kors, Furla and more!  I had a moment with this BCBG Suede Skirt in the dressing room!

Today I'm sharing a super cute outfit that I found entirely at Uptown Cheapskate Fort Worth!  The best part is the final price so keep scrolling to the bottom!  Whether you need a last minute outfit for Easter {they have adorable dresses!!!!} or you're just wanting a new boutique to shop, check them out!

Casual Friday ~ Cute Cardi

I'm headed out to do some shopping with my mom on another rainy day!  UGH to the rain, YAY to the shopping, of course!  I'm wearing this cute cardigan from Kohl's and noticed it's on a great clearance!  Link below!  Happy Friday loves!!

(picture from Kohls.com)

 ELLE Embellished Cardigan 

Don't forget to take a look at some other items before you check out since Kohl's is offering their Kohl's Cash this weekend! 

hello yellow!

Hooray sunshine!!  We're having another sunny day in Fort Worth and it's making me super happy!!  I'm finally feeling like spring is, well, springing!  So let's talk about a bright, super spring-like color, that actually I haven't been that fond of in the past, but am loving right now... HELLO YELLOW!

Yellow is SO HOT right now.  We're seeing it everywhere and not just pastel, but bright, attention-grabbing, saturated yellow.  I happen to be wearing a gorgeous yellow dress in about a week when I'm a bridesmaid for a dear friend!  Go girl, you're so on trend!!  I can't wait to see how she has incorporated this color into her wedding!

I've rounded up a few yellow favorites below!  Shop them by clicking the small thumbnails at the bottom!
Happy almost-Friday!!

Yellow may seem like a tricky color to wear, and yeah, it can be.  I personally have a little bit of a hard time because my skin tone is definitely more on the pale side.  My advice is go towards the opposite saturation as your skin tone.  So if you have paler skin, go with a bolder, more saturated yellow, like canary yellow, or mustard.  If you have a darker skin tone, feel free to play more with the pastels.  That's not to say you can't wear pastels with lighter skin and vice versa, you just have to play around and try on different things and see what works for YOU. 

If you're still nervous about wearing head-to-toe yellow, opt for a pop in your handbag or shoes, or even just a belt.  When you wear yellow, you're sure to brighten your day as well as those around you!  You'll also be seen!!  Did you know that yellow gets the most attention from people?  Think about it... warning signs, school buses, taxis... there's a reason they're all bright yellow!  So if you're wanting to stand out, yellow is for you!  What's your favorite item?  

SHOP THESE ITEMS:

rain rain go away

I am SO over this weather.  I mean seriously... the gloomy days, the rain, the bitter cold.  I thought I lived in Texas..??  I don't mind cold here and there and I definitely don't mind snow!  But day after day of no sun and nothing but cold rain... NOT ok!  

GAL-entine's Day Guide

I happen to be someone that loves Valentine's Day... always have.  Even when I was single, I didn't quite understand the hate for this day.  I mean really, isn't everyone always saying to love one another?  And then turning around and hating on a day dedicated to love..?   Ok yeah, I get it... it's a "hallmark holiday"... unnecessary upcharge, lavish displays of love that seem to only serve the purpose of out-doing each other... that stuff I don't get.  To me, it's just everyone taking a very simple idea and making it ridiculously complicated (what else is new nowadays)  But when you take away all the stupid crap, it's just about showing each other, significant others, family, friends, whoever it may be, that we love them.

Showing our girlfriends love during this time can be very rewarding and pretty simple to do!  How about planning a GAL-entine's Night for you and your friends?  What's that, you ask?  Oh well here's my friend Leslie Knope to explain...
LOL Love that woman!  So if you'd love to host a GALentine's Day this year, I've linked some super cute items for you below!!! They'll help you entertain, get comfy and look cute!  And don't feel like you have to plan a whole night... it can be as simple as a few girlfriends in their PJs, painting nails, baking cookies (*cough* or eating the cookie dough *cough cough*) and watching chick flicks!

{product links below}

And remember, it doesn't have to be about bashing what you DON'T HAVE... rather, just celebrate what you DO HAVE... great girlfriends to share a fab cocktail with!  Speaking of, here's a couple of simple cocktail recipes!

{Rasmopolitan}

picture and recipe from MarthaStewart.com

• 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) citrus-flavored vodka
• 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) raspberry-flavored vodka
• 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) Chambord
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 tablespoon Simple Syrup Simple Syrup
• 2 tablespoons cranberry juice
• Raspberries for garnish
• Directions: Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add vodkas, Chambord, lime juice, simple syrup,  & cranberry juice. Shake or stir until well chilled. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with raspberries; serve. (Originally from MarthaStewart.com)
• 
  
• {Raspberry Chocolate Kiss Martini}

picture from MarthaStewart.com

• 1/4 cup Mint-Infused Simple Syrup, plus more for rim
• 3 chocolate cookies, finely crushed, such as Nabisco Famous Wafers
• 10 raspberries
• 1/4 cup vodka
• 2 tablespoons cranberry juice
• Ice cubes
• Directions: Fill a shallow dish with enough simple syrup to just cover the bottom. Place crushed cookies into another shallow dish. Invert a martini glass into simple syrup and then immediately into crushed cookies to coat the rim of the glass.  Place raspberries in a cocktail shaker; crush with a muddler. Add simple syrup and muddle again. Add vodka and cranberry juice; fill shaker with ice. Shake well until chilled. Strain into prepared martini glass. Serve immediately. (Originally from MarthaStewart.com)

Do you have a favorite girly cocktail or item to share?  I'd love to hear about it!  Are you planning a girls' night this year?  How do you spoil your girlfriends and show them love?  Comment below!  Let's spread the LOVE!