Last month, Nick and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary and 15 whopping years together! It was incredibly special bringing our sweet girl to the library courtyard where we’d exchanged vows, and to have her become part of our little family’s tradition. The morning of our anniversary, Nori helped her papa surprise me with a small gift in the traditional 4th year anniversary theme – silk (or flowers, depending on who you ask)! Nick combined both in an Hermes silk floral scarf, a perfect touch for wrapping around my purse handle.

Each year I dust off my “something blue” wedding shoes for this occasion, and I decided to go with this slightly daring, cascading lace dress (also available in ="https://rstyle. me/+3BP6jXAvGDbpD1HlOjjE_g" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">yellow & ="https://rstyle. me/+-JEEOYOEpVzNEue8azCiQQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">white lace) for a monochromatic look. The true color is in between what’s shown in the two photos above (the lighting kept changing). An xxs in this dress is very fitted on me in the torso, but as expected it’s a little long. I adjusted the shoulder straps to a shorter setting, and I used hand sewing to stitch the waistline of the skirt upward an inch or two. The plunge neckline was a little bold for this mama, so I also closed it up a tad with a few hand stitches.

Here’s a walk down memory lane from over the years! There are some similar versions of my dresses from prior years that are back and available in petites (these brands run small, FYI)!

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The perfect summer uniform!  From work to weekend, it’s a great mix of volume and color.

I’m very fortunate to have jobs (both at WLB and Artemis) that give me freedom to dress in whatever I want.  I remembered my old Wells Fargo banking days when this was not an option.  I wore this copper set to work and then dinner afterwards, and was stopped multiple times by curious minds all complimenting the style and design.

I switched out my suede pumps and work bag for leather sandals and a PVC bag for the weekends.  This outfit works so well with casual elements as well.  To be honest with you, I love sets.  They make dressing so easy and they’re great worn as separates.

And the best part – Marissa Webb is on sale (plus many designer items up to 40% off) right now.  Below are some of my favorites.  Enjoy!

Summer is here (even if we in Los Angeles are still dealing with some June Gloom)  which means its time to kick back, let your hair down and enjoy the warm weather. This week is big for sale shoppers, as brands like ="https://rstyle. me/+2wZTbEMBaqpQjkzyEKlAPA" target="_blank">Anthropologie,  ="https://rstyle. me/+AJVVsR_v0gZq2KIuMpuihQ" target="_blank">ASOS, ="https://rstyle. me/+zCSlkZPEyO4A6j2HfvVdfQ" target="_blank">LOFT, and ="https://rstyle. me/+n475goZGbKo1qnm4H3pKbA" target="_blank">J. CREW have all kicked off their summer sales, with up to 50% off some seriously key pieces. To help you find the best pieces of the summer sale season, I’ve curated a few of my favorites below.  So far, favorites include the perfect beach ready maxi, swimwear and cult classic summer handbags. Scroll down to shop the must have pieces from all the summer sales.

="https://rstyle. me/+LHwtMnYniBpNUwVVUKjVww" target="_blank">Anthropologie. is having up to 50% off all sale items. With pieces like this lovely garden party dress and many more!

="https://rstyle. me/+gyhbOjiY2z2X_AtizGGP9Q" target="_blank">Boohoo is offering 60% off the whole site.

="https://rstyle. me/+fQkrq1ABcR7rUxqW_7ndUA" target="_blank">Bloomingdale’s. is having a long weekend sale with a range of items on sale!

="https://rstyle. me/+5T76V7FUMXaM-_Ze9fieCA" target="_blank">City Chic is having 40% off all items.

="https://rstyle. me/+Vj8ofHxtzlxiFj70CuqI5w" rel="attachment wp-att-4774">="https://rstyle. me/+LHwtMnYniBpNUwVVUKjVww" target="_blank">Eloquii is having up to 35% off most items including pieces like this chic af white jumpsuit!

="https://rstyle. me/+4yp7MG5h4jpNer-LSdwFUg">Forever21 is having up to 70% off items.

="https://rstyle. me/+n475goZGbKo1qnm4H3pKbA" target="_blank">JCREW  is having up to 50% off all sale items and 40% off full price items. With pieces like this striped party dress I’ve been wearing all summer! Also check out my latest ="https://www. instagram. com/p/By29il7AkJQ/" target="_blank">JCREW Plus Size Haul!

="https://rstyle. me/+fQkrq1ABcR7rUxqW_7ndUA" rel="attachment wp-att-4775">="https://rstyle. me/+zCSlkZPEyO4A6j2HfvVdfQ" target="_blank">LOFT  up to 60% off all items. With pieces like this ="https://rstyle. me/+CMNJBgzM7vJRrHOLEMuuTA" target="_blank">polka dot dress and many more!

="https://rstyle. me/+fQkrq1ABcR7rUxqW_7ndUA" target="_blank">Madewell is having a huge sale as well with up to an extra 30% percent off. They make some of my favorite jeans!

="https://rstyle. me/+97IzIB2PNyStVPQKjqwDRw" target="_blank">Modcloth is having up to 50% off all sale items. With pieces like this lovely rainbow dress and many more!

="https://rstyle. me/+Hyd7rERJ4_V8hp3Hl2yNjw" target="_blank">Torrid is having 50% off sale items.

="https://rstyle. me/+Hyd7rERJ4_V8hp3Hl2yNjw" target="_blank">Violeta by Mango is having an extra 15% off sale items.

That’s just a quick roundup for now. What other brands would you love for me to try? I am working on some hauls now and would love to get your input.

Xo ~ Rachel

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Fifty percent of the items that I’m wearing in these two looks are from Sample Sales. Yes, you’ve got it. I’m a Sample Sale shoppah.

I recently attended a workshop at ="https://rstyle. me/+CiykG0nwY55WZJnOwyf3kA">The Real Real about sustainability and one of the major keys for being sustainable was buying well. Basically, it was said that when you purchase well, the pieces are more likely to last. Hello, my name is Tiffany and I like nice sh*t! Ok.

A sample sale is a really good way to buy well and save a whole lotta money. Let’s get into these tips, shall we?

You get discouraged, don’t you, girl?

It’s your brother’s world for a while longer

We gotta dance with the devil on a river

To beat the stream

Call it living the dream, call it kicking the ladder

They come to kick dirt in your face

To call you weak and then displace you

After carrying your baby on your back

Across the desert

I saw your eyes behind your hair

And you’re looking tired,

But you don’t look scared

Let ’em laugh while they can

Let ’em spin, let ’em scatter in the wind

I have been to the movies, I’ve seen how it ends

And the joke’s on them

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Lifestyle

06/21/19

I always try to take a little time on my birthday to both reflect on the past and set new goals for the future. No matter how big or small. My birthday for me is a sort of New Years celebration. I actually treat my birthday more like new years day than the actual new years day.

Today in reflection I wanted to share these photo’s that I took back in April in beautiful ="http://bit. ly/2ZFbCvo" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">Tulum. It was violently windy this particular evening. The mist from the ocean shore was making its way into the air and onto my skin and with every gust of wind the ocean would dust my skin. So rather than fight it, off my jacket went and with that an awakening.

I have to admit, a not entirely comfortable exposure both physically and mentally which brought about a vulnerability that I chose to conquer as I faced the the open sea and all the people watching the shoot from the various restaurants and hotels in the area.

I love the ocean

I always think of it as a place of reflection. A place of cleansing. A place that allows for clean new thoughts and action to find their way in to my DNA, my cells and my spirit. My very fabric. The ocean is extremely symbolic and it’s a place that with every motion of the water that hits and leaves the shore can both bring you the energy you need and take with it the energy you need to let go of.

The ocean like life is a in constant motion. Constantly renewing and refreshing itself. No matter how old it may get. Continuously changing.

Today on my Birthday.. the longest day and shortest night of the year. The first day of Summer. The summer solstice. The season of warmth, joy, fun and laughter…I want to leave you with this..

Today I woke up and after hugging my little pups and thanking the universe for them and their unconditional love, I opened Instagram and the very first post was from Gary Vee and what he said in this video hit me like a ton of bricks in the best way. It was perfect for this day.. this New Year for me and I want to share it with you…

These are his exact words because I could not have ever said it better myself..

Is anybody else tired? Cause I’m f**king tired. I’m just tired of everybody living their life based on somebody else’s opinion. I am so devastated that you actually let your grandma’s point of view, your neighbors point of view, your mom, your dad, your sister, your aunt…

You still let somebody else dictate based on their opinion, every action you do, and it’s your life!

Please let this be the video that drills through your head that your life is predicated on when you get real quiet and you can’t hear another f**king person’s two cents that has nothing to do with you and everything to do with were they are in life.

Most people’s judgements on you are a reflection of the anger sadness regret and animosity that’s inside of them.

Are you really gonna let those people dictate your life because you’re so fearful of judgment from others that at the end of the day when you’re 87 you will not give a f**k about [their opinions]?

I’m tired! I hope you’re too.

Gary Vay-Ner-Chuk

Let’s all, no matter how young or old we are, start living everyday by these words.

Love and appreciate you all!

SUIT: ="https://www. zara. com/us/en/double-breasted-buttoned-blazer-p02472618.html? v1=13580927&v2=1292786" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">Zara | HEADBAND: ="https://cinta-the-label. com/collections/cinta-the-label-x-namjosh/products/cinta-the-label-x-namjosh-taurus-turban" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">Cinta the label | BAG: ="http://bit. ly/2ZMSYlJ" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">Aspinal of London |

EARRINGS: ="http://bit. ly/2VwUvNW" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">Mignonne Gavigan | SIGNET RING: ="http://bit. ly/2FjV7xl" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">Sydney Evan

="https://www. instagram. com/tv/By-NGU-AO_8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">To see the Gary Vee Video click Here

Love, Taye

you might also like

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With all the focus we put on face creams and anti aging treatments, it’s sometimes easy to forget one of the easiest steps in preventative skin care – daily sun protection! The sheer number of sunscreen choices can be overwhelming, so I wanted to share some that I’ve used and loved over the years, all of which offer both UVA and UVB protection, are fragrance free, and work with my daily makeup. 

While writing this post, I also tapped into Tara Foley, the founder of ="https://rstyle. me/+J9_Lt9w-YdPF3ejwZ-haDA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Follain, for her insight. She’s an expert on all things clean beauty and helped educate me on some things to look for (see a brief overview at the end on physical vs. chemical sunscreen). Working on this post also served as a gentle reminder to apply sunscreen daily, not just on my face but also on the back of the hands (especially if you drive to/from work)!

Let’s Get Into It: sunscreens that I love

1. ="https://rstyle. me/+5_47mMW9KhxIrgW6tHRGVA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Babo Botanicals Tinted Sunscreen (="https://rstyle. me/+vu9bWvfK50qiYZV6lDy4Sg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Non-Tinted Version)

KEY FEATURES: Physical Sunscreen, SPF 30 to 40, moisturizing

GREAT IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR: 

A more natural option from a clean-focused brand that passes Follain’s ="https://rstyle. me/+987q-SDTSC58nF37m6UmCA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">product approval standards and stringent ="https://rstyle. me/+JpypswcurF4IyEr9WaoHJg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">restricted ingredients list. I was able to get code extrapetite15 for 15% off ="https://rstyle. me/+VlbIDCKpIxUCLzLKXms_Lw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">their store which has been a slight obsession of mine lately.  A gentle, non-tinted option safe to use on babies and children. I would opt for the lightly tinted version if you have slightly darker skin or if you plan on wearing it with makeup.

Note: Slightly thicker texture than Elta MD.

2. ="https://rstyle. me/+tL4uR-_A6Jq0VwfqKE96oA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Elta MD UV Clear Sunscreen (="https://rstyle. me/+u5lep6tC-Wqe0L48l37UPw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tinted version) 

KEY FEATURES: Physical + Chemical Sunscreen, SPF 46, moisturizing, oil free 

GREAT IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR: 

A formula to calm sensitive or acne prone skin (the UV “Clear” collection stands for clear skin).  A physical sunscreen that glides on silkily and leaves almost no white cast. Update: Thank you to those of you who messaged me about UV Clear being a combo with both physical and chemical active ingredients. Elta MD also makes a tinted ="https://rstyle. me/+kJP5scxEbtx435FZyiM4ow" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">UV Physical and a non-tinted ="https://rstyle. me/+dGR9NOIeylKHbPWkmC3-4A" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">UV Replenish, both of which are listed for extra sensitive facial skin and are purely physical options.

Note: As seen above, the tinted Elta MD is a little darker than the tinted Babo. 

3. ="https://rstyle. me/+fYLNKMb9pt1ZhwvNk2JbsA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen (Also at ="https://rstyle. me/+lsZlJJ7T9XDRvG_Sm_zKHA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Anthro and ="https://rstyle. me/+bGkfWFl0plvf_HpLsHYafw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Nordstrom)

KEY FEATURES: Chemical Sunscreen, SPF 40, oil free, makeup-gripping.

GREAT IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR: 

A velvety matte finish that doubles as an awesome primer under makeup. A completely clear formula that’s 100% invisible once applied.

Note: This may not be the best for breakout prone skin based on some of the reviews I read.

A note about Physical vs Chemical SunscreenS

Physical Sunscreen sits on top of the skin and reflects the sun’s rays. The minerals titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are the main active ingredients. Some say these formulas are less likely to clog pores and may help to reduce redness caused by the sun as it deflects heat from the skin. If you plan to be wearing under makeup or in photos, physical formulas are typically white and can cast an underlying white tone. 

Chemical Sunscreen absorbs into the skin and then absorbs UV rays, converts the rays into heat, and releases them from the body. These formulas are good for under makeup as they are typically clear, lighter in texture and easy to spread. Usually chemical sunscreens are a little more water resistant but it’s important to keep in mind that they take about 20 minutes on average to activate after application. I also want to caveat that chemical sunscreens are more controversial regarding impact to the environment (when products wash off swimmers into the ocean) and there are not a lot of studies done to date on the safety of the ingredients.

I would love to hear your sun protection recommendations!

Is there a favorite product that you love and live by?

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If you aren't one for subtlety and like high drama, this is the liquid eyeliner for you. You won't be able to draw a thin line with the L'Oreal Paris Super Liner Blackbuster Intense, but you will find a super-slick, heavy flick easy to create. The nib is super soft and won't drag your eyelid, even though the colour is bold and dark and the liquid heavy and quick drying. Thanks to the firm applicator, you can get really close to the lashes, without worrying about getting the product in your eyes - a must for getting a flawless finish with no gaps.

Shop now: ="https://fabled. com/loreal-paris-superliner-blackbuster-black-2ml-90527011?utm_source=marieclaire. co. uk&utm_medium=Referrer&utm_content=Sept2016&utm_campaign=LiquidEyeliner">L'Oreal Paris Super Liner Blackbuster Intense for?7 from fabled. com