Uva Ursi Earrings from Moorea Seal (c/o) // Free People With Love Dress // Super Moon Ring from Moorea Seal (c/o) // Stardust Quartz Ring from Moorea Seal (c/o) // Classic Stacking Ring from Moorea Seal (c/o) // SARTO By Franco Sarto Pierson Lace-Up Sandal
I have exciting news! Well, I think it’s exciting anyway. I’ve started working with photographers. Yesss. I met Shaun and Tori at Gracious’ Spring Fling Soiree a few weeks ago and they were both super friendly and outgoing and we immediately planned to work together. We got together last Friday and look at how these photos turned out! They’re really really nice. The photos and Shaun and Tori. Everything is nice.
Thank you to Shaun Turley Photography (and Shaun and Tori in general but especially Shaun because he was super helpful with getting these to me)
Dan usually takes my photos and he’s done a good job so far, don’t get me wrong I’ve been very lucky to have him deal with me and this whole blogging adventure. Dan knows more about photography than me but neither of us really know what we’re doing, and I have to say I’m a little sad about Dan not taking my photos but even he said that he wants me to succeed and he knows that good photos make a huge difference. Dan, I still like you. We still have to take photos when we go on trips and stuff anyway so you’re not completely off the hook. :)
I was really nervous to shoot with Shaun and Tori. Not because I was like “oh no, strangers” (they’re cool, and easy to work with), but because I didn’t want to be a shit model. I don’t have experience working with photographers. I don’t know how to stand, pose, look so I didn’t want to burden them with teaching me. Turns out my nervousness was the problem.
Thankfully they were very willing to show me how to stand and look (yay! thank you!) but I couldn’t relax. It didn’t help that I chose to wear a very short dress on a very windy day. Moral of the story is…it didn’t matter. The photos turned out amazing! They still like and want to shoot with me again! And all that nervousness didn’t need to be there because they wanted to shoot with me and were more than willing to take their time to get great shots. I was worried for no reason. Bah! Thank god for nice photographers who are also cool people. Yay friendship and growth and doing good work together and all that.
We’ll see where this goes. I’m looking forward to what we do next and will likely be A LOT calmer. And it’s really awesome being around other creative people who have skills that are different from your own. Like you can bounce ideas off each other and just feel very into the process.
But let’s talk about the outfit which was inspired by my desire to stop wearing a coat. I don’t care that the weather isn’t cooperating, I am ready for sunshine, warmth, and less layers. If you follow me on Snapchat (styleandcheek), you may have noticed or even helped me with my decision to buy this Free People red lace dress.
There have been a few recent events with more coming in the next few months that require dresses, and dear god dress shopping is hard. I’m having a really hard time this year and not for lack of trying, so I went with the Free People With Love dress in red. I need to buy some cute shorts to wear underneath but the dress itself is a beauty. I love the lace, the color, the plunging and I do mean plunging neckline, and big bell sleeves. It’s dramatic, it’s romantic, it’s sexy, and it’s witchy (you know I like that). I almost bought it in blue but the red was what I needed. Get that blood flowing people, always go for the power color.
Unlike dresses, I have never had an easier time finding shoes! I guess this is THE time to buy shoes because Nordstrom had so many things that worked that I had too many options. That never happens for me. Go buy shoes you guys. I thought I wanted some gladiator sandals. Like full on gladiators but ended up liking the shorter, black Sarto by Franco Sarto lace-up sandal best.
Although I recommend trying the Free People Sun Seeker Gladiator which were so cool! I tried them in charcoal and really liked them. They’re comfy, unique, fun, but I went for the practical choice that I’ll be able to wear with jeans. But who knew Free People made such great shoes? Now you know. I still feel like I made the right choice. The Sarto lace up sandals are both comfortable and pretty.
I kept the jewelry simple, opting for really awesome earrings and my signature rings from Moorea Seal that I’ve been wearing non-stop. Moorea Seal has some really unique pieces from designer Laurel Hill and the Uva Ursi earrings are one of them. They have a very beautiful and symbolic look and feel to them and the Uva Ursi earrings have moonstone which is for protection, passion, and clarity. Might as well add some extra passion to dress that is already on fire, right?