Must Have Maxi

One of my favorite things about owning my boutique is being able to pick out the styles that we sell and seeing how excited people get about them! My favorite season to buy for is Spring/Summer because I love the bight colors and prints, especially dresses! There is always that one style that goes out the door about as fast as it comes in and in this case it was this beautiful Floral Maxi. 

I have to say I wasn't too surprised that this dress sold so fast. The colors are so striking and Maxi's are always a huge hit in our store. I also love that this dress has pockets. It's one of those dresses that works so perfectly for a wedding or graduation but also fun for brunch with friends. Sometimes being a boutique owner can be hard because you have to tell yourself that you can't have everything don't have anymore room in your closet and that you need to sell to customers. :) In this case I decided to opt out and not purchase this dress for myself because I have SO MANY Maxi's already! I will say, this dress will be sadly missed in my closet but happier in someone else's! 

XO,

Miranda

Like what you see? You can always shop our website! :)

Step Outside of the Box

I have been MIA lately, taking some time away from my blog but I am excited to be back! I have to say the warmer weather has helped me get my motivation back, not to mention the bright summer colors + prints that are arriving in my boutique Spotlight Style Boutique & Salon! So I have decided to step outside of the box and get my mojo + inspiration back by blogging again!  Insert excited face!

As I look around my Boutique I think to myself, what do we have in here that would be a step outside of the box style for me and then I realize...

I have to say after putting this beautiful + bold print top on I became a little less intimidated and felt like I could step outside of the box and possibly pull this style off! I love prints and color, however I think the hi/low + looseness of this style made me hesitant that it wasn't going to flatter me. By pairing this top with skinny jeans and wedges it helped show off my figure more. One thing I have learned from owning a clothing store is you always have to try things on before you assume you won't look good in them! Have you ever had a style that you stepped outside of the box for and ended up loving? 

XO,

Miranda

  Shop my look

DIY Tea Cart turned Bar Cart

I recently moved into my new downtown apartment which lead me to a lot of Pinterest pinning. One thing I was really looking forward to creating was a Bar Cart! My grandma found this one for $5 at a thrift store. I am not going to lie, when she first brought this to me it took a little convincing from her and my mom that this could be cute in the end...

Old $5 Thrift Tea Cart find.

WALLA! This old Tea Cart sure cleaned up nicely! 

I couldn't resist the ceramic Pug beings I have a Pug of my own!

My great Grandma's Cream & Sugar vintage set looks so adorable sitting on my cart with the Gold accents!

Gold Spray Paint  //  Gold Stripe Vase//Hobby Lobby // Gold Polk a Dot Jar//Similar 

XOXO Plate//Hobby Lobby [Sold Out] // Pineapple Plate//Hobby Lobby [Sold Out] //

 Light Up "&"//Hobby Lobby  // Chevron Straws// Target // Hydrangeas// Hobby Lobby

I had to sand the cart down a little before spraying the gold spray paint, but I am SO THRILLED with how it turned out!  It took a couple coats of gold, but turned out better than I could of imagined! The light up "&" sign completes the look! The best thing is, there is no right or wrong way to creating a Bar Cart, plus you can change it up anytime. Do you have a Bar Cart? If so I would love to see photos of how yours looks! 

Happy Tuesday!

Miranda

Bachelorette Bash

I have been a little MIA lately and haven't had time to sit down and write a blog. Moving into my new downtown apartment has pretty much consumed the last several months + party planning for my friend's upcoming wedding that I am honored to be a part of. This past weekend we had her Bridal Shower + Bachelorette Party in Des Moines, IA. I enjoyed helping her sister the MOH plan her party! We made mostly everything from scratch Pinterest inspired of course. The bridal shower was in a hotel, so trying to make the party not look like it was set in a hotel room took a little extra creativity.

Plastic Wine Glasses Sprayed with Adhesive Spray + Gold Glitter.

Popcorn + Cookie Bar from the Des Moines Farmers Market. 

Party Favors: Bridesmaid Tanks, Hang Over Kits, Water Bottles with Ring Pop's Attached. 

Party Favors: Brides Entourage Koozie + Mini Wine Bottles + Hershey's Kisses 

Bride Barf Bucket Included:                 

Advil                                                             

Pepto Bismol                                             

Band-Aid                                                 

Water                                      

Sprite

Bride Tank

Drug Test

Saltine Crackers

"Oh Shit" Hangover Kits for Guests Included:

Band-Aid

Advil

Tums

Granola Bar

You can put whatever you want in your kits. We went to the Dollar Store and picked out items and used small makeup bags to fill. 

The party was a hit and the Big Yellow Bike was a fun unique spin on the typical "Party Bus".  Luckily everyone was accounted for by the end of the night and the Bride didn't have to use her Barf Bucket. Can't wait for the wedding! Have you had to plan a bachelorette party lately? I would love to hear about it!

XO,

Miranda

Meet My Mom: My Business Partner!

In honor of Mother's Day week, I thought it would be fun to share with you the joys of owning a small business with my mom.

Meet my mom: Ranee

Now your first reaction might be: "Wow they look like twins"! Yes, it wouldn't be the first time I have heard this! We are both be very alike, yet very different, which helps balance our business out. 

What is it like working with my mom everyday? It is one of the most rewarding yet challenging things I have done! Getting to go to work everyday and spend time with my mom + watch our business grow together is so much fun!

What is my favorite part about working with my mom? Sharing the same excitement when new clothes come in and being able to attend markets together. Seeing our business grow from the ground up has been really cool. Of course coming to work everyday and spending time with her is also rewarding!

My mom at Market in Dallas, TX

2 Years in Business!

What strength's does my mom bring to the business? She is better grounded than I am about the business side of things. I have always had a harder time with that side of things. Of course, she also does great helping customers out!

What are the challenges of working with my mom? Switching from Mother/Daughter mode to Business Partner mode. We both are so much alike that sometimes we can butt heads. It's easier to get mad at your mom than it is someone else. 

Enjoying Martini's with my mom at Market in Dallas. 

In the end, I wouldn't trade anything for having this amazing opportunity in owning my dream business with my mom! Being able to say that we did this together is something I will always cherish! 

Happy Mothers's Day Mom!

XO,

Miranda

Finding the Perfect Spring Dress

'Blossom' Dress//Spotlight    Floral Necklace[Sold Out]//Spotlight    Clutch//Spotlight

Spring has always been one of my favorite seasons! The flowers are blooming, birds are chirping and the sun is shinning! I love the bold prints and colors that start popping up everywhere.  Spring is also a busy time with graduations, weddings and events. Finding the perfect dress is key to not only looking your best, but you will feel your very best while flaunting it! For me, I chose this bold floral a-line dress because I LOVE the print and colors. Its feminine, flirty and fun! I can do so much with accessories, and the shape works great with my curvy figure. When it comes to finding the perfect Spring dress, you must be true to yourself by finding the right one that best suites your personal style and works well with your body shape. You will know its the right dress because you will feel confident and your very best while wearing it!

XO,

Miranda

Downtown Girl

I have been a little MIA on the blog lately because I am working on a exciting new project that will soon effect my future living situation. I am moving to an amazing apartment in downtown Cedar Falls which happens to be above my boutique! I have been fortunate enough to be able to help design the space from head to toe. From picking out kitchen cabinets, counter tops and flooring to paint colors and bathroom fixtures. Pinterest has been my new best friend lately in helping me design my new downtown apartment! Here are a few design inspirations that have lead me to the end result!

                                        Kitchen Inspiration: White Here. 

Living Room Inspiration: Light walls with colorful accents

 Here

Here

Here

Bathroom Inspiration: Here

Dining Room Inspiration: 

Grey Walls Here

Gallery Wall inspiration Here

Bedroom Inspiration: Here

Bedroom turned Girl's Dream Walk In Closet Inspiration:

Here

 Here

Here

Work Space Inspiration: Here

The apartment is coming along quite quickly, and my roommate and I should hopefully be moving in sometime next month! I am so anxious to see the end result and start decorating! I will keep you up to date with photos of the finished product. In the mean time, you can find more on my design inspiration on my Pinterest board.

XO,

Miranda