My New Year's Eve Style

New Year's Eve is always one of those bitter sweet holiday's... "out with the old, in with the new". This year I am ringing in the New Year in style! 

You can never go wrong with a Tulle Skirt and I love this one from LC Lauren Conrad from Kohl's. I paired it with this adorable 'Metallic Gold Polk a Dot' Tee from my boutique and layered a Black Blazer [also from my boutique]. The Pink Pewter Stretch Band "Allison' Gold is the perfect hair bling to ring in the New Year! 2014 was a year of hardship and new beginnings for me. I am ready for a "New Year, New Me",  did I mention I will be turning 30? Thanks for your continued love and support this year! How will you be ringing in the New Year?

 May your 2015 be filled with love & lots of sparkle!

 Cheers to a Fabulous 2015!

Xo, 
Miranda

4 Ways to Style Sequin Leggings

If you know me... you know I LOVE SEQUINS and any opportunity to wear them I take!  One of the must have trends right now is sequin leggings. I was ecstatic when I found these to sell in my boutique! One comment I have heard a lot of people say while shopping is how fun they are, but don't know how they would wear them. So I decided to put together 4 ways to style our sequin leggings.

Graphic Print + Blazer for a sophisticated yet playful look.

Fur + Sequins adds texture and class.

Blouse + Sequin Leggings creates a dressy look great for a Holiday Party.

Long Cotton Tunic + Sequin Leggings creates a more casual daytime look.

There are endless ways you could style your gold sequin leggings, you just have to be creative! What is your favorite combo? If you have any suggestions on how you might style yours I would love to hear, or send me a photo! 

"Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak." - Rachel Zoe

XO!

Miranda

Last Minute Gift Ideas For Her!

The Holiday's are upon us and Christmas shopping can be stressful trust me I am stressed too. Running across town, trying to find the perfect gift for those on your list, plus baking, holiday parties, working, the list goes on and on. I put together a guide of 10 Holiday Gift Ideas for Her: $30 or less from my boutique to help make your shopping a little less stressful!

1. Coobie Bra: $22 // 2. Beanies: $15 // 3. Blessing Bracelets: $26 // 4. Necklace Set: $28 //

5. Journals: $15 // 6. Smitten For Mittens: $28.99 // 7. Glam Jars: $10-$20 // 8. Scarves: $15 // 

9. Pink Pewter: [Genevieve] $25 // 10. Grace & Lace [Boot Cuffs] $22 

Only 15 Days Until Christmas... But who's counting?! :)

Happy Shopping!

Miranda

Juicing...My Natural Cold Remedy

I have been a little under the weather lately...cold season is here unfortunately and I have been trying whatever I can to keep myself well! Between the busy shopping season in my store, holiday parties and Christmas shopping I don't have time to be sick! I decided to peruse Pinterest and find Juicing recipes for colds, and I will say this one really seemed to help, plus it's tasty! First you need a juicer, I have a Breville Compact which I really love, then its time to juice....!

Lemons, and Oranges are really high in Vitamin C. Ginger helps your immune system, and the Cayanne Pepper is a Anti-Cold and Flu agent. These 4 ingredients make up an amazingly powerful all-natural cold remedy! I would highly recommend it if you have a juicer at home! If you don't have a juicer yet and are thinking about getting one, DO! I got mine last Christmas and have used it almost everyday this year not quite, but close. It does get expensive but it is worth it!

Stay Healthy!

Miranda

#ShopSmall

Small Business Saturday is this Saturday and I am encouraging you to #ShopSmall not only on Saturday but all year long! 

10 Reasons to Shop Small

1. Your supporting your local community.
2. Your keeping your dollars local.
3. Most Small Businesses donate to local charities [Over 90% of Small Businesses give back].
4. They appreciate you.
5. You get better service.
6. You don't have to fight the crowds of the Big Box Stores.
7. They have unique items. 
8. Your helping a friend/family/neighbor make a difference in growing your community in a positive way.
9. Sometimes less is more.
10. Its good to be part of the dream by supporting small businesses. 

I am so blessed to share my dream business with the lady who showed me the way! I love you mom! Make sure you ‪#‎ShopSmall‬ and support your local community! Keep your money local and remember next time you hit the big box stores how important it is to support your friends/family/neighbors in your community!

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

XO,

Miranda

Girls Night "Art in the City" Style

Every month my girlfriends and I get together for a "Girls Night" which usually consists of good food, drinking wine and "girl talk". Did I mention wine? A few weeks ago we had the opportunity to do a "Art in the City" paint night. There was a art instructor who came to one of the girls houses and she taught us all how to paint. We had the best time most of us didn't have much confidence going into the paint night, and everyone's painting's turned out great! We started with a blank canvas...

Erica, Emily, and I with our finished products! 

Anna and Amanda with their paintings and of course WINE!

My finished painting....next Monet?? 

All of us with our paintings!

 It was such a fun night! I would highly recommend getting your girlfriends together and doing a paint night. I would like to thank Carrie Schaefer for the fun night and teaching us how to paint. Visit Schaefer Art in the City for more information. Also a BIG Thank You to these girls who I now call my friends.  They have recently included me in their group,  I feel so blessed having them in my life, and look forward to our monthly "Girls Nights".  Meeting them has allowed me to experience new things and realize how important "girl time" actually is! This coming weekend we are taking a trip to Galena, IL! I can't wait! 

XO,

Miranda

Be Bold This Winter

I can't believe November is here already! Cooler weather has arrived, and those sweaters that were tucked to the back of our closets all summer long are now part of our everyday wardrobe. This season try adding a pop of color + bold print to your wardrobe.

Boot Cuffs [Grace & Lace]

White Textured Necklace from Spotlight

Sweater: Spotlight// Boots: Spotlight [Similar]

This bold sweater just makes me happy when I wear it! The beautiful bright colors + aztec print make the cooler temps worth it. Don't let the long cold winter get you down, this season try adding a bright bold print to your wardrobe. 

XO,

Miranda

In Honor of Halloween This Week...

I thought I would share some of my favorite photos of Halloween parties I attended these past few weekends...

My 'Flapper Girl' Hair + Makeup Look [Pink Pewter Stretch Band]

Prepping for my Flapper Costume I used these products:
Hair Products Top Left: Pureology 'Density Definer'//Surface 'Bassu Gold Oil'// Pureology 'Strengthening Control Hairsparay'// Redken 'Quick Tease'// Redken 'Iron Shape'
Makeup Top Left: Be a Bombshell Lip Crayon 'Hot Damn'// Mary Kay Eyeshadow 'Silver Satin'// Eyelash Curler// Revlon 'Blod Lacquer Length + Volume' Mascara// Urban Decay 'Ammo' Palette// Teasing Brush

Of Course I had to share my Pug Izzy in her Banana costume! 

Only 3 Days left until Halloween! Are you dressing up this year? I'd love to hear what your wearing!

Happy Halloween!

Miranda

Must Have Boyfriend Sweater

The temperatures are dropping, and sweaters are finally making their appearance for the season! We recently received a shipment of these must have Boyfriend Sweater's in my boutique, {Spotlight Style Boutique & Salon} and have nearly sold out of them!

GREY + YELLOW {SOLD OUT!}

Boyfriend Sweater// Spotlight

As you can see why we have almost sold out of these, they are not only adorable but they are easy to wear! Did I mention they are cozy too?! The sweaters are made with Angora which makes them extra soft. With both looks I have accessorized Charcoal Grey Leggings//Toms Suede Wedges//Michael Kors tote. I have also paired a chunky scarf/necklace as seen in both looks. I will be placing another order of these in a different color! What color would you like to see next? Stay tuned...

Happy Monday!

XO,

Miranda

Pink Ribbon Run

It's October, which means it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This past weekend I took part in the annual Pink Ribbon 5K downtown Cedar Falls. It was my first time participating in this race, as I have mentioned in previous blogs, this summer was the first time I've done a 5K this one being my third. This particular 5K really meant a lot to me, because Breast Cancer has effected so many women. My aunt is currently battling breast cancer, as well as a distant cousin (who was only in her 30s) lost her battle 2 years ago. I have known many women that have also battled this disease. This year's Pink Ribbon Run had record breaking numbers, just over 700. There were 54 courageous women who participated in the Pink Ribbon Run that were Breast Cancer Survivors. It is amazing how young some of these women are, and their strength inspires me!

54 Breast Cancer Survivors (Photo Courtesy of Breast Cancer Awareness Facebook)

Running into the finish line TIME: 31:43

Pink Ribbon in honor of my loved ones 

 My cheering squad

Family <3 

During this run I learned: 

• 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer in their lifetime. 
• Breast Cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women.
• Breast Cancer is the second leading cause of death among women.
• Each year it is estimated that over 220,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer and more than 40,000 will loose their life.
• Although it is rare, approximately 2,150 men will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer and approximately 410 will loose their life. 

I hope this blog has inspired you to keep up with your monthly self exams as well as regular mammograms. For more information about Breast Cancer, please visit National Breast Cancer website, or check out this amazing charity that started in honor of my relative Kelley Lind who lost her fight to Breast Cancer two years ago Gifts From Kelley.

XO,

Miranda