Get Your Shopping On with Evereve!

I was listening to a Podcast recently and they were talking about the clothing store Evereve. Have you heard about this clothing brand? Megan Tamte is the Co-Founder, Co-CEO, and I can relate with her the most because she is a Mama, just like me. Her dream was to open a store that loved and empowered women and fellow moms, and to create a comfortable and kid friendly space. Not only did she do that, Y’all, she actually now has 80 stores across the country, as well as an online site where you can purchase from, and she stands passionately behind her message to mamas around the globe: “We’re cheering for you as you balance playdates and date nights, work and weekends, the daily routine and your dreams.”

All of that being said, I am so excited to have partnered with Evereve to spruce up MY spring closet. I have been rotating outfits for a very, very long time, and it was so nice to be given the opportunity to shop and choose new styles that I feel comfortable and beautiful in. I remember my first email with the company, I told them that I am not a fashion blogger or someone who writes often about clothes/style, and she responded saying, “Don't you worry about a thing. We just expect you to be you. You take beautiful images and we want them to feel authentic and real to you.” I was immediately in and gave a very excited YES when it came to collaborating. I work with a lot of different brands and companies, but when you get the ones who actually fully BELIEVE in you and empower you to be 100% yourself?? Those are the keepers, my friends.

Here are 3 outfits that I absolutely love from Evereve, and I think they are great for spring AND summer!

These cut-out wedges can be worn with almost anything! Jeans, skirts, dresses, even cropped pants! I’ve worn them with several outfits now and always get so many compliments. I’m also a fan of how comfortable these white pants are; they can easily be dressed up OR down. I like wearing these pants with this striped woven tee, but I also wear this tee with dark jeans and sandals. Being able to mix and match the same pieces is definitely ideal for me as a mom who is always looking for ways to save money and be conservative with what I buy.

Now let’s talk about color! I so often am prone to getting grays or neutrals when it comes to tops and blouses, I literally think 90% of my closet currently consists of navy, gray, olive green, and white. When I saw this tank top, I had to get it to add some sunshine to my closet, and it can also be worn with so many different pant options. These are my new skinny ankle jeans, and they’re definitely my new denim favorite. I have also gotten so many compliments on them (especially from my husband, which always feels good am I right??) ;)

This black jumpsuit I purchased with weddings in mind. I am a professional photographer and I always try to wear comfortable and breathable pieces while I shoot weddings. This one will absolutely do the job, and I can also wear it to work, on the go, and when running errands with my kids. I’m wearing it with my new Dr. Scholl’s sandals, which are SO SO SO comfortable! They’re like walking on clouds! The platform wedge gives me just enough boost that I feel taller (something I’m all about since my husband is 6’4) without making me feel like I may break an ankle :)

I think all my Mama friends are going to want the necklace I’m wearing in all of these looks: it is dainty and elegant, and can be worn with literally any outfit! At the price of $34, I really think this is a piece you’re going to want to add to your collection!

So what do you think after scrolling through this post and looking at these outfits? Does it make you want to shop? Mom or not, this store has something for every female! Check out the Evereve locations here, and important for my Louisville gals, they are opening a BRAND NEW store over at Oxmoor and it’s coming June 2019! I cannot wait to go IN PERSON to do some shopping, especially on those ‘treat yo self’ days. Something I want you to remember: you are important. You are loved, you are beautiful, and you are YOU. If you’re already a fan of Evereve and shop there, yay! This is SUCH a good and authentic brand!! And if you are brand new to this company, also yay, because I hope you will be inspired to do some browsing and pick a piece or two (or ten) that screams your name.

Happy shopping, Friends! And thank you so much, Evereve for sponsoring this post and being a company that I 100% believe in.

Be Willing to Celebrate Your Beauty

My entire life I have never been one to get too much into makeup or skin care products. Yes, I wear makeup, but that daily routine consists of a little concealer, eyeliner, mascara, and some foundation powder. The {kind of} gross truth, is that I've also *never* had a skin care routine, and rarely was even washing my face before bed. When I asked a friend about her regimen, her response was, "Ashley, you MIGHT want to start washing the makeup off your face before bed....just a thought." Okay, okay, I finally have realized that I need to redo how I take care of my skin. 

As I approach thirty, I'm not going to lie to you and say that I don't care that I am aging. The truth is, I DO care. Where did my twenties go?!? Why didn't I appreciate my smooth and line-less skin in those years? There is nothing wrong with getting older, I believe that. And I wouldn't go back and turn the clock, even if I could, because all of my years hold massive stories of wisdom and growth. But I'm discovering now more than ever, that without good skin care products, I'm also not really doing my skin any favors.

Willing Beauty approached me at THE perfect time, because I had literally been searching for something GREAT to try. As I said, I never had a good regimen to follow; a routine that I could get in the hang of repeating. Which is why I am LOVING the HY+5 products that they sent me. The regimen includes: 

Do Over Nourishing Cleanser

Two times a day, I use the cleanser. Yup, you got it, I finally have gotten in the rhythm of washing my face before getting into bed, and again in the morning when I wake. I don't wear makeup daily, especially now that it's summer; but I still like to make sure I get the daily grime off and this cleanser feels so good on my face.

Daydream Illuminating Day Moisturizer

Would you believe me if I told you I have NEVER used a moisturizer? Well wait, that's not 100% accurate. Back in my high school days I had terrible cystic acne and went through this god awful strong dosage of Accutane. My skin was so red and dry, for a short number of months I used a generic moisturizer. But literally never since then, and that's been what, fourteen years ago?! This moisturizer from Willing Beauty is NOT heavy, and my biggest perk, it doesn't leave my skin oily. 

Partner in Time Age-Defying Night Serum

This product along with the night cream, are my two favorites. It was designed to improve the elasticity of skin as well as to diminish the appearance of fine lines, After two+ weeks of using this system, my skin feels firmer and definitely smoother!

Get Set SPF 30 Tinted Primer

A primer that I put on before applying makeup, AND, if I don't wear any that day, I've been applying anyway. Hello, I live in Kentucky and with our incredibly hot and sunny days, I'm all about protecting my face. Like I've said, I haven't been good about this until now--I really think it's because I have this whole regimen that I've gotten better about caring for my face. I lay out the products on my bedside table, and it's just easy to follow the steps and remember to do them daily. 

Sleepover Replenishing Night Cream

I apply this cream immediately following the night serum, and every morning when I wake, I swear my face feels SO freekin' soft. This replenishing cream consists of moisture attracting molecules and stimulates collagen. 

You can read more about Willing Beauty's story here, and I really encourage you to do so. While they gifted me with my products, this post is not sponsored; I just love them THAT much! I am definitely hooked on the HY+5 challenge, and firmly believe that these will be long term products for me. Anyone else not the greatest at self care? Well, I say it's time we change that, don't you?? Be willing to celebrate your beauty, inside and out!

**Thank you, Willing Beauty for these amazing products!!**

Precious Keepsakes from Lisa Leonard's Jewelry

Every year for Christmas or our anniversary, my husband has asked, "Would you like any jewelry?" Up until now (the past month), I just haven't seen anything that I thought I would consistently wear. I am not what I would call an 'accessory gal,' or someone who wears bracelets or earrings, etc. That all changed when I discovered Lisa Leonard and her BEAUTIFUL shop. 

It didn't hurt that I saw a bunch of these beauties floating around my Instagram feed, and when I saw her sterling silver stacked rings, I knew those were it. Hand molded and customizable, they are honest to goodness my favorite accessories that I've worn in YEARS, besides my wedding ring. 

These rings can be customized with words or a short phrase, and they can be stacked for a modern and chic accessorized look. I love having Pierson and Reese's name right on my fingers; every time I look down to type or write, I see them, and I think they're the most heart-felt jewelry a mama could wear. 

I actually received these rings right around Mother's Day, and they meant (and will forever mean) SO much to me. What is it about Motherhood that sometimes makes us mamas so emotional? When you see your children's names, do you immediately think back to finding out when they were in your belly? Or the labor and delivery? The first weeks and months, the many milestones, the fact that they REFUSE to slow down growing up wise?! 

Lisa [the creator and founder of this brand] is a beautiful soul. Her story about her OWN journey of motherhood is touching, emotional, raw, and incredibly heartfelt. I'm blessed to be a part of her business; to have received these rings and to promote her story. 

Being Pierson and Reese's mama is one of my greatest callings. I believe that God is telling a beautiful story through my children, and I am honored to walk in front of them, to guide and direct them in this great big world. There is something magical about this season of life, probably about the the many NEXT seasons of life, and Lisa Leonard is 100% about embracing the magic. Please, check out her website, her blog, and read part of her family's story. I haven't taken these rings off since I got them, and I am forever grateful I stumbled upon her business through the world of social media! 

Getting Wedding Ready with Drybar!

I'm sure many of you reading this have been in weddings and if not one, than probably MANY; and you KNOW how expensive they can be! Don't get me wrong, we all know that they are so fun to be a part of, but the getting there takes some work; budgeting, and planning and all that jazz. This past weekend, I had the honor to be in an out of state wedding for a girlfriend of mine, and my daughter was even going to be one of her flower girls! Talk about EXCITING!! So I had my dress, shoes, earrings--we had our hotel booked, and literally, all I needed was my hair left to be planned. When Drybar of Louisville informed me that they'd love to partner with me the day before I left, I was DOWN. The salon officially opened January 22, and is Louisville's FIRST Drybar. 

They are located on Shelbyville road, in between Toys R Us and Whole Foods. A bright white shop with tons of windows and bright, vibrant decor--it's a shop hard to miss. I was welcomed by smiling faces, from the receptionists and stylists and also the owners themselves! [How cool right??] The salon is big enough to hold MANY clients and I've always thought it would be the perfect spot for bride's and their girls to get ready at. 

A lot of women haven't heard about the Drybar blow-out experience, so here's the scoop. You're immediately welcomed with your drink of choice: ice water, diet coke, tea, etc. [I chose diet coke because after running the 5k that morning, this mama was in dire need of caffeine!] Then you're given a menu which you can select your ideal look from: some examples include the Mai Tai, loose, beach-like waves; or a traditional blow-out called Straight Up. If you're really wanting fancy though, there's a fun look called the Uptini, which is more of an up-do. You can see the full menu here if you want to take a peek before going in! 

The stylist greeted me so friendly and took me back for a wash. We chatted about our kids and my race that morning and swapped motherhood stories the whole time. By the end of the appointment I felt like I had known her way longer than the 40-ish minutes it took! She dried my hair and curled it with some loose waves--I was in love with the finished product! (Please excuse my sweatpants and baggy tee; keep in mind I had just ran three miles before hand! Ahh, SO tired!!)

I had actually been to Drybar before, when we had our family pictures taken back in October, and I was SO pleased with that experience as well. The curls lasted me well over 24-hours and I never even had to re-touch it!! The same goes for this visit; my family of four and I left for Cincinnati right after my hair appointment and we went to the rehearsal, dinner, and I sat with my kiddos in the hotel where they swam for almost an hour. Even after sleeping on it, it was STILL in excellent shape. If you're a product junkie like me, or if you're even looking for the simple necessities, Drybar WON'T let you down. Their dry shampoo (Detox) is one of my absolute faves, and I actually did use some of this a few hours before the wedding ceremony. As a mom of two, I kinda feel like dry shampoo is at the TOP of my priority list these days...

I can't say enough about Drybar of Louisville. Excellent staff, TALENTED stylists, and a wonderful opportunity. I am not the best at 'treating myself' but I think days like these are so needed. Mamas, if you CAN, check this salon out. And if you have any questions at all, comment or e-mail me! I assure you that the time is worth it, and the hair styles do NOT disappoint. 

Thank you Drybar, for this amazing gift that could not have come at a more perfect time for me!! You definitely have made me a lifelong customer!