Gracefully Sassy

Never Dull Your Sparkle

January 24, 2017

Photography By: C Wright Photography
Hair Stylist: Cattleya Hair Studio

This post isn’t exactly easy to write… I say this because I am not feeling all that sparkly right now (long story, and maybe I will tell it one day). The point of this statement is, put that negative behind you and SPARKLE like the diamond you are! I am refusing to accept the negative and pretty much screaming this to myself in the mirror right now. I know my beauty inside and out and if you don’t see it or appreciate it then get off of this sass train! This blog gives me that little pick me up to where I am back sparkling with all my sass in just a matter of time when life is throwing me lemons. Always remember those who bring you down don’t deserve your time or attention so take those lemons they’re jealously throwing and make some delicious cocktails with them 🙂

Now onto the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! My friend and photographer Christine Wright and I are hosting our first Galentine’s Day Party at Kate Spade on Wednesday, February 8 6:30-9:00pm in highland village. This big gal pal party will include everything from a glitter hair bar (so luxe! you will want it everyday), sips of champagne and a Deep Eddy Vodka signature cocktail, cupcakes and macaroons, paper flower wall with big tasseled balloons for all your photo taking pleasure, and LAST BUT NOT LEAST.. 15% off of your purchase during our event. STOP IT! I know, it’s so exciting! This location is a Kate Spade Flagship Store and the only other location is in NYC, so let’s just say you will be wanting to purchase just about everything they have perfectly displayed. I think I could just sit in this store for hours just starting all the beauty and never see it all. There is just so much to love!

Shopping From the Comfort of Your Couch with Amazon Fashion

January 20, 2017

Hair Stylist: Cattleya Hair Studio

If you haven’t noticed the recent trend of stores closing to go exclusively online, well I am telling you now.. IT’S A THING! lol For about 6 years now, I would say 75% of my shopping is done from the comfort of my couch. The HUGE benefit to me is that I can shop multiple stores to compare pricing and merchandise all in a matter of minutes. And unless your name is Flash then I am not sure how you would be able to do that in a large mall.

Who doesn’t love 2-day shipping?! With Amazon they offer a service of Amazon Prime with a flat yearly fee that lets you indulge in free 2-day shipping. If you’re like me with a jam packed schedule and you wait until the week of to start outfit shopping for the events you have penciled in, then this is YOUR fashion life savior! Amazon Fashion carries all your favorite brands (at total steals $), and then tops that off with free 2-day shipping when signing up for Amazon Prime. I have picked out my favorites with all your Valentine’s festivities coming up, along with my favorite trends that are NOT going anywhere anytime soon and will be perfect for any event, family gathering, birthday party, or brunch with the girls you may have planned.

I am heading to a lovely Galentine’s Day Brunch with my fellow blogger babes this weekend so be sure to tune into SnapChat {gracefulsass} for all the fun!
May the shopping odds be ever in your favor!

Neutral Booties: Must Have Trend

January 17, 2017

Fashion Blogger, Style Bloger, Blogger, Houston Photographer, Ripped Jeans, Nordstrom, Vici Collection, Booties, Michael Kors, Pravana Vivids,

Faux Leather Jacket: Amazon // Layered Top: Amazon // Jeans: Nordstrom // Booties: Vici Collection // Clutch: Michael Kors

Photography By: C Wright Photography
Hair Stylist: Cattleya Hair Studio

I am currently obsessing over neutrals! This is a trend you’re seeing everywhere. I am sure it has something to do with everyone gearing down from the glitter and holiday colors. Neutrals are forever pieces, they aren’t the gorgeous piece you purchase for a fun night out and quickly bury in the closet. These pieces are definitely worth the investment and have LOTS of wear time! And with a showing of how this works, you will be seeing this layered ruffled top again 😉

Articles of Society have quickly become a favorite denim of mine, and this pair of ripped knees jeans are a staple you need to snag. Sadly, these booties sold out super fast.. BUT Vici Collection has an email notify option when they do come back in stock. They are the perfect neutral for fall, winter, spring, and even summer! The slits in the sides give it that versatility.

Fashion Blogger, Style Bloger, Blogger, Houston Photographer, Ripped Jeans, Nordstrom, Vici Collection, Booties, Michael Kors, Pravana Vivids,

6 Month Blogging Update & 5 Things I have Learned

Patience is a Virtue: HA! patience is not something I am good with. I don’t think most of us GOAL digger babes are. I have a list of higher end things I want to do for Gracefully Sassy and when I don’t seem to get them in the timing (overnight) I would like, I take it a little personally. Simple put, I want to give you the best of the best so I need to put a little less pressure on myself. Let go and let God!
I Need a DSLR Camera: I say “Need” because I want to up my weekly blog posts to 3x a week and to do so I need to shoot all sorts of thing weekly. Yes I did they that kind of contradicted each other lol, but I do need to up my weekly blog posts for your benefit. I will still shoot with a professional photographer regularly, but I also would like better product shots. Also this is a good investment for a goal I have in starting a VLOG for you as well! When I do start a Vlog, I will show how to style multiple outfits with a few key pieces, beauty hack for the not so makeup savvy girl (like me!), and EASY hair tutorials. These are questions I have received for years and have a pretty good feeling you will love the feedback I have to give.
Knowing My Worth: I am still building my following and I get down on myself saying I am a baby blogger, but regardless of that I put a lot of Time, Money, and Heart into Gracefully Sassy. I had to have a heart to heart in the mirror with myself about knowing how valuable my blog is, and what goes into it. I am worth SOMETHING (not just product)! I never mean this to sound entitled. I work full time, and yes I blog full time as well (30 hrs a week minimum). This is why there may be typos on my blog lol, I am running on fumes at times. A small charge for a collaboration post only allows me to make the post EVERYTHING it should be when featured on someone’s blog. Ie. high quality photos, well written and honest product reviews, social media sharing across multiple sites and multiple times.
Find Your Boss Babe Tribe: To say I am blessed is an understatement! Houston is filled with amazing creative, blogger babes, and girl boss go getters. I truly believe in community over competition and lifting one another up. This is essential especially since we’re all in some way in the public eye and need a pick me up from time to time when a little negativity gets us down. I will be the first to tell you.. question master should be my title in life. I have questions about everything, and all the other more experienced people around me are so kind to answer all my crazy questions and do it in a kind way! If you are considering starting a blog, heading into a creative career, or just have questions in general about this whole world feel free to email me and we will chat our little hearts out 🙂
I Do NOT Regret “Going For It”: I struggle with severe anxiety, but thanks to God and my therapist I decided to chase my long time standing fashion passion in starting Gracefully Sassy. No matter what your day to day struggle is, NEVER give up on your goals! I am refusing to let anxiety define me, or better yet take away my passion. With your love and support I keep going, pushing through, and loving every second of it. Sooooo THANK YOU! Yes, this is a daily struggle and some days are better than others. BUT the good news is you’re not a lone and please reach out to me anyway you can should you need to vent or want advice. Us boss babes have to stick together in this crazy world!

Gear Up for The Big Game With Eats and Drinks Your Guests Will Love

January 12, 2017

Graphic Tee: ATX Mafia
Photography By: C Wright Photography
Hair Stylist: Cattleya Hair Studio

When watching the local news in the mornings before heading into work all we keep hearing about in Houston is Super Bowl! Many of us Houstonians will not be attending the game since we are not just sitting on thousands of dollars we can shell out for the big game day tickets. This leaves another great option to enjoy the game with friends and family.. SUPER BOWL PARTY. I married into an avid Dallas Cowboys fan family, so fingers crossed the boys make it to the final game and kick some butt! Okay enough of all that talk, onto the two most important parts of any party, Eats & Drinks. Between myself, Michelle from Elle Talk, and Meredith from Cake and Confetti we will ensure your party is delicious!
*Disclaimer: I am in no way a Betty Crocker so I hope you love my idea of something tasty*

Barbecue Alvacado Chicken Quesadillas

2 Chicken Breast (fully cooked)
1 1/2 Cups of Mozzarella
1/2 Chopped Avacado
1/2 Cup of Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Sauce
6/8 Flour Tortillas

makes 3 to 4 full quesadillas

The fully cooked chicken will now be shredded and then you will add in the barbecue sauce and mix until everything is consistent. Heat a non stick pan on low heat/medium heat and place one tortilla in the pan. You will then add one layer of mozzarella cheese, shredded chicken, and roughly a a small handful of avocado onto the tortilla. Add one last small layer of mozzarella and top with another tortilla. Cook the tortillas till just lightly golden brown flipping every so often and when the cheese is melted. Place on a plate and cut in a T pattern to make 4 perfect quesadillas triangles. Garnish with sour cream and a pinch of cilantro and enjoy!

With Houston being a city full of amazing food, we are also blessed with blogger babes who create their own tasty delights.

Michelle from Elle Talk debuts her Spicy Adobe Bean Dip

And what is a party without delightful cocktails?! Meredith from Cake and Confetti showcases her Tangerine & Vanilla Bean Spritzer

I hope this helped you spark some tasty ideas and see other creatives amazing designs! Now let’s cheers to the Dallas Cowboys going to Super Bowl and WINNING.

Wake Up, Dress Up, Show Up

January 11, 2017

Top: Francesca’s, Sold Out (similar) // Jeans: Vici Collections // Block Heels: Vici Collection, Sold Out (similar)
Photography By: Stacy Anderson Photography
Hair Stylist: Heddie with Cattleya Hair Studio

My new motto is “2017 is the year of me!”. I think we should all have this positive attitude for ourselves. Pursue your passion, hit that long time goal, achieve unbelievable happiness! Okay, yes I am sure that sounds easier said than done lol, but it is doable. For me, being organized and having a plan not only makes me happy and calm, but I actually accomplish the things I set out to do.

The cutest planners you ever did see!

Have you ever not had a phone charger on hand and then all of a sudden, there goes the power to your life line? This is an all too familiar feeling for me. As a blogger, I live on my phone. Social media is like second nature to me. I rely on my physical planner to list out everything I need to know for my blog post, personal life, events, family get togethers, birthday parties, and even date nights for those times when my phone is just null and void. For me, my planner is my LIFE SAVIOR for the day to day. Amazon has the cutest planners with Bloom Daily that are perfectly detailed with large enough spaces to list everything down to your grocery list. AND an added bonus, if you have anxiety these even have coloring book areas to soothe you when things a little too tough for words. Again.. saving me on my day to day craziness!

Something I have noticed in this year’s “resolutions” or “goals” people have is Kindness. We have probably all heard about “Pay It Forward”, a simple act of kindness can change someone’s entire year. Daily Bloom has even stepped it up by creating these pay it forward kindness quote cards. How fun would these be to give to someone who looks a little sad at your local Starbucks, or even the lady who seems frazzled who pulled over to get gas in rush hour traffic? We can spark change in this world in the smallest ways!

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Event Designer: The Cultivate ProjectPaper Flowers: Arts by Aaron