I’ve always been a fan of a great at-home bar. I strongly believe it’s a must-learn life skill to mix up classic cocktails, and as an avid host, it’s important to provide an array...
Looking back on Easter as a child, I remember how excited I was to dig through my Easter basket. Full of chocolate bunnies, malt ball Easter eggs, Peeps, golden coins, and my favorite Cadbury...
Lets be honest, salads can be boring. So I’m always trying to think outside of the box to come up with salad recipes that I’ll thoroughly enjoy, but are beyond easy to make. Enter...
Lets be honest, salads can be boring. So I’m always trying to think outside of the box to come up with salad recipes that I’ll thoroughly enjoy, but are beyond easy to make. Enter...
An outfit that makes you feel like a lady, but is also on-trend…that’s hard to find. Usually you can feel one or the other. But today’s outfit does it all.
This beautiful and intricate white dress by Self-Portrait is truly like no other. If I’m being honest I wasn’t searching for a white dress, but had a need for a white dress. You see, a few weeks ago I had to attend a “white party” for the design vignette I created during Market Week at Americas Mark. Being me, I of course waited till the last minute. Like, 2 days before hand. I didn’t of course take into account that a chic white dress is almost impossible to find. White dresses tend to fit into two categories: beach or casual. What I needed was of course neither.
Thank goodness I stumbled upon this gem; lady-like, but with a bit of edge. At $510, it’s a definite splurge, but it’s also something you’ll always, always be happy to have in your wardrobe. Being familiar with Self-Portrait and owning a few of their pieces I knew this would be a piece I could wear again and again, and most importantly I’ve found that no one even comes close to Self Portrait in terms of detail, quality and craftsmanship. This is my second time wearing the dress in 3 weeks, and I know there will be many more times to come. It does, however, run small, so size up when ordering.
In the thick of wedding season, and with a few special events on the books, I recently found myself at a loss for a go-to source for what to wear to all of these upcoming occasions. And as someone who loves a good excuse to dress up, anything short of extraordinary would never do. With visions of flowy gowns, fluted hems and beaded detailing, I swear I think the wardrobe gods must have heard me when wondering what to wear to a summer wedding. My prayers were answered as the BHLDN team reached out about their new collection, giving me beautiful inspiration for my social calendar.
As you may know, since its launch in 2011, BHLDN has offered more than bridal gowns; the brand has an assortment of dresses perfect for bridesmaids, wedding guests and special occasions. And just last spring, the brand expanded their wedding guest and event collection even further, which now includes top names such as Jenny Yoo, Needle & Threat, Nicole Miller and Watters, as well as a a few pieces that are entirely BHLDN-exclusive.
So with an upcoming beach wedding in mind, I scheduled a private appointment at our Atlanta boutique, where I received a full 60-minutes with a dedicated stylist that helped me with sizing advice and recommendations on styles and accessories. You don’t typically need to make an appointment to try on bridesmaids or event dresses, but you absolutely can if you’re looking for additional guidance on look you’re going for.
The styling appointment was truly a refreshing run to the dressing room; I received personalized attention and tips that gave me options I never would have imagined on my own. While I chose the stunning Inesse Dress as shown above, I was especially smitten with the detailing on the Marina Dress and the Anessa Dress—how amazing would these be at a garden wedding?—and the Nevena Dress for a black-tie affair.
I shared my favorite picks via Instagram Stories and was blown away by everyone’s helpful comments and engagement! I received a lot of comments from you all about not wearing white or neutrals to a wedding in risk of offending the bride, and I must say I’ve always agreed with that stance. While the dress I chose at the end of the day, pictured above, shows more white than it is, I was confident in the fact that it’s a truly floral dress. I wasn’t worried about offending the bride, as I know her well. I think everyone should take that into consideration when they’re selecting a dress that could be seen as similar to a wedding gown; know the bride and if she wouldn’t be comfortable with it, then don’t wear it!
While you can see the one I decided on, I’m sharing the rest of my top picks below, along with tips for specific weddings they’d be perfect for. And I must say: the little white number was a HUGE hit with all of you, and again I must clarify that this would be best for the bride at the rehearsal dinner or even an elopement! It was the #1 choice from everyone via IG Stories; it got the most votes but caused the most controversy. I actually almost bought this for date night; it’s just so good on other levels!
Dreaming of a donning a BHLDN dress for a wedding or event this summer? I’d love to know which styles you’re eyeing! Truly, MKR
P.S. Booking an appointment with a stylist is easy for whatever you’re dressing for, and it’s even possible to have all of your maids try on at the same time, too. Simply go to the STORES pages on bhldn.com and select your location, clicking either “Bridal Appointments” or “Bridesmaid Appointments.”
SHOP THE STORY / CLICK LEFT & RIGHT ARROWS TO EXPLORE
For a Cocktail (of Even Black-Tie) Wedding This super comfortable elegant jersey dress can be worn a whopping number of fifteen different ways, from strapless to halter and criss-crossed in tons of colors. Its versatility and universally flattering fits make it a top choice for bridesmaids, too. I especially loved the olive green for a fall or winter wedding!
For a Black Tie Wedding You’ll have to see this one up close to truly appreciate the amazing level of detail; the allover beading is truly breathtaking. This form-fitting, long-sleeve dress is sure to make a statement at any black-tie affair. My favorite part? It has a back slit for fuss-free dancing all night long.
Another beautiful option is HERE (a girl can dream!).
For a Beach or Destination Wedding
Another stunning option that comes in numerous colors, this Jenny Woo number was my top choice after my fitting. It’s a wonderfully flowy dress in a gorgeous watercolor print that’s classic and feminine. The blouson top with v-back and airy chiffon material complimented my figure and felt amazing from the second I tried it on.
For a Garden or Day Wedding I especially love to wear little detailed dresses like this one for a garden or daytime affair. The allover embroidery over the silk organza material make it an elevated option that’s sure to turn heads.
For the Bride; an Elopement, Vegas or Fancy Courthouse Wedding While this dress has a modest neckline, its fitted bodice, tuplic skirt and flare sleeves give it a flirty fun vibe. And yet, at the same time, this simple yet sophisticated dress is the perfect option for a courthouse wedding. A great versatile number for a slew of events!
Photography, Haley Sheffield for Waiting on Martha | This post is in collaboration with BHLDN, a brand we love and adore. All opinions are 100% our own.
By now you know how much I enjoy discovering new all natural beauty and personal care products. And when I find good buys I want to sing it from the rooftops, like this Glo Pro microneedling tool and a completely clean and hypoallergenic perfume. I just love the fact that so many clean, nontoxic brands are surfacing now that we’re putting a focus on the ingredients and processes behind them. Today, I’ve included a few game-changers in my weekly beauty routine that nail all of the above.
Read more about all of the products below, and tell me if you’ve given any of them a try too! I loved talking to so many of you at our grand opening of Waiting on Martha Home about natural beauty and skincare, and I’m thrilled to find so many of you enjoy the finds as much as I do and have interest in learning about new products. We have more exciting brand launches coming to The Well Code collection soon! Truly, MKR
P.S. For more all natural beauty must-haves and tools, be sure to browse HERE. xo
SHOP THE STORY / CLICK LEFT & RIGHT ARROWS TO EXPLORE
I’ve written often about my love affair with dry brushing after learning about how potent this simple tool can be. It can help exfoliate the skin, while stimulating the lymphatic system for full-body health.
I love to dry brush in the morning before I take a shower; it helps to wake me up and slough off dry skin before cleansing. Always dry brush in circular motions, starting at the feet and moving over the entire body with light pressure in the direction of your heart.
This convenient monthly subscription service makes taking your vitamins as easy as can be. Ritual changed the game recently when it came on the scene, offering the nine essential nutrients that women lack the most, leaving out the common multi-vitamin ingredients that we don’t actually need.
Ritual has taken the guesswork out of what vitamins to buy, keeping a monthly delivery plan affordable, and for that I’m definitely drinking the Kool-aid.
Really pleased to see the big dogs like L’Oreal come out with 5-free formulas that don’t include harsh sulfates, salts or surfactants that strip hair. I’m always on the hunt for nourishing shampoo and conditioner that can help my dry and brittle locks after years of heat damage, and I’m thrilled to have this duo as part of my hair routine. It’s especially gentle on color, and it smells divine.
Merben Coconut Foot Brush with Healing Foot Butter Set
This handmade foot brush is the secret to a great foot massage at home, and summer-ready feet! I’ve found that it helps relieve aching feet, while also sloughing dry skin. I follow the dry brush massage with the foot butter that’s included in the pack for maximum TLC.
Microneedling is a wonderful way to help your skin undergo the rejuvenation process, creating new collagen and restoring skin’s volume. It also helps your skincare products be absorbed 200x more!
GloPro is definitely more of an investment than the microneedling tools found on Amazon, but it also includes a red LED light that helps cells grow 150-200% faster. Also, once you buy the main device, the attachments aren’t too expensive to add on. I recently purchased the body attachment for my décolleté area.
I’ve found that my skin feels firmer, smoother and altogether better after using this tool at night, usually 2-3 times per week.
Did you know that according to the EWG, companies that manufacture personal care products are required by law to list the ingredients they use, but fragrances and trade-secret formulas are exempt? Your fancy perfume is most likely laden with toxic ingredients. And I recently read that fragrance can even be considered the new “second hand smoke” these days. #Yikes
Skylar, on the other hand, believes that amazing scents come naturally. The brand offers all natural, cruelty-free and hypoallergenic scents that happen to smell beautiful.
I picked up this mint Satin Facial Scrub as part of my Young Living Essential Rewards order last month, and I really enjoy using it a few times per week. It’s a water-based exfoliant that contains super nourishing ingredients like jojoba oil, mango butter, MSM, aloe, and revitalizing Peppermint essential oil. It’s thought to minimize the appearance of pores and invigorate dull skin.
Being present is one of my biggest focuses these days, especially with a million moving pieces going on at once for WOM. I’m really taken by this all natural essential oil blend right now, and I’ve started to incorporate it into my morning ritual as I tell myself intentional mantras before I start my day.
The brand also offers samples to help you test blends with your body chemistry before committing to full size products. I found this to be a really helpful way to decide which one resonated the best with me.
The second that I watched this Instagram post, I knew I had to order this thing ASAP. As you may know, cupping is known to reduce fine lines and deep wrinkles, while boosting collagen production and improving the overall look and feel of the skin. And it only takes 3-5 minutes per day to see results…I’m hooked.
This simple cupping massage set can be found on Amazon under $30, and used in the comfort of your own home. I’ve found that it calms me and even boosts my mind when I do it! The set includes two face cups (face, neck, décolletage), two eye cups, and a free exfoliating brush.
These beautiful, handmade soap bars include a mix of nourishing and healing ingredients like olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, shea butter and essential oils. Each 4 oz bar has been traditionally air-cured for six weeks.
The nontoxic blend helps make bath time more intentional and simply more of a self care treat. And not to mention, the bars make wonderful gifts for family and friends when paired with a sea soak or sea polish!
I LOVE this super-rich body moisturizer. It actually has facial-grade ingredients that are blended specifically for the body, including an ultra-concentrated combination of vitamin C ester, papaya enzymes and organic shea oil. The mixture works together to deeply hydrate and gently exfoliate. Not to mention, the oil leaves skin smelling amazing.
Featured image, Rustic White for Waiting on Martha
