Blogger’s Night Out at the St. Louis Premium Outlets

I have the best blogger friends in St. Louis, and last night, we went shopping at the St. Louis Premium Outlets. It was fun, fabulous, and fashion-filled! I had the pleasure of hosting the evening at my favorite place for outlet shopping thanks to the generous support of the St. Louis Premium Outlets.

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What I’m Wearing:

Dress: Ann Taylor (on sale w/extra 60% off)

Shoes: Madewell (on sale | I sized down a 1/2 size)

Earrings: Kendra Scott “Caroline” 

Rings: Kendra Scott (on sale), Kendra Scott (on sale)

Watch: Movado (new #NSale style)

The St. Louis Premium Outlets has long been my go-to spot for fashion-forward pieces and luxury items at off-prices. Remember my Kate Spade Landscape dress? I found it at the St. Louis Premium Outlets. What about my Kate Spade leopard dot dress? I found it there too. Today’s post shares a few highlights from the last night’s event.

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I’ve been so excited about last night’s event for weeks. Here I am welcoming everybody before we get to the fun part―outlet shopping!

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The St. Louis Premium Outlets team had so many surprises for us. There are fabulous opportunities for you too. If you’ve been planning a trip out to the outlets, tax-free weekend (August 5th to 7th, 2016) is the perfect time to save even more on your purchases. Also, if you’re a Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas fan, you have the opportunity to actually MEET THEM at the St. Louis Premium Outlets on August 5th.

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The gift bags? Best swag bag I’ve ever received! They were filled with products from retailers at the mall, including Vera Bradley, Gold Toe Socks, the Luggage Store, Saks Off 5th, Crabtree & Evelyn, and Starbucks.

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I’d like to send a special shout-out to all my blogger gals for coming out to the event. Be sure to follow them to see what they #FoundAtSimon. Their links are below.

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Back: Carmen (The Ruby Zipper), Jenna (Champagne and Polka Dots), Cara (Caradise Found),

Roxy (Royalty in Reality), Me, Kim (KNR Styling), and Julia (Oh Julia Ann)

Front: Elena (Cheetah Talk Y Mas), Aramide (The Sassy Peach), and Caryl (More Pieces of Me)

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Let the shopping begin!

Outlet shopping at St. Louis Premium Outlets

Come back next week to see me style my finds. I found so many fabulous and affordable items that I might be styling a few outfits. Stay tuned and have a wonderful weekend!

Thank you to the St. Louis Premium Outlets for sponsoring the entire experience!

My Life Got Better When I Started Living it My Way

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. The following content is intended for readers who are 21 or older. #passiondefinedremyrefined #CollectiveBias

Would you believe me if I told you that I toured the Midwest as the lead singer of a popular reggae band? Fact! The opportunity to perform reggae music while living in St. Louis made me feel so connected to my island roots. Caribbean culture shaped who I am after all! I’ve performed at the Wild Hare in Chicago and opened for international recording artists like Luciano and Steel Pulse. While music had always been a passion, it had never been one I thought I could or should explore while building my academic career. But, why can’t we have it all? I’m really excited, then, that Rémy Martin feels the same way and wants to help you pursue your passions, whatever they may be.

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I’m so grateful for three important role models who guided me while I navigated my varied interests. They encouraged me not to be defined by what I do and to instead do all the things that inspire me. I had no idea at the time how important that lesson was. I now know; however, that that encouragement has served as a catalyst for me to continue exploring new interests. I started a blog. I started teaching dance fitness courses. I’ve embraced opportunities to do public speaking. And, all of these things paint the picture of who I am.

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Need help pursuing your passion? Enter the Rémy Martin Sweepstakes:

To enter the sweepstakes, the Entrant must log on to his/her Twitter account and (i) follow @RemyRefined (if he/she does not already), and (ii) Tweet an image of Entrant showing their life passion and including the hashtags #RemyRefined and either #ChicagoSweepstakes, #DetroitSweepstakes, or #StLouisSweepstakes, depending on Entrant’s state of residence.

  •      Grand Prize (1): The grand prize winner will receive a mentor for one (1) year to help winner live out his/her passion and a check for $5,000 (“Grand Prize”).
  •      First Prize (15 [five (5) per location]): Each first prize winner will receive two (2) tickets to a Jhené Aiko concert on either August 12, 2016 for Michigan winners, August 16, 2016 for Illinois winners, or August 17, 2016 for Missouri winners, a meet and greet with Jhené Aiko, and a Rémy Martin gift bag (“First Prize”).
  •      Second Prize (30 [ten (10) per location]): Each second prize winner will receive two (2) tickets to a Jhené Aiko concert on either August 12, 2016 for Michigan winners, August 16, 2016 for Illinois winners, or August 17, 2016 for Missouri winners (“Second Prize’).

No Purch. Nec. Ends 8/31/16. 21+, IL, MI, MO only, Rules: RemyRefined.com

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One of my mottos is to live colorfully. You’ve seen my colorful clothing and outfits. You’ve seen my colorful home. I eat and drink in color as well. Here’s one of my favorite cocktails to serve during the summertime. It’s tropical, it’s bright, and it’s super tasty. I like to call it “Paradise Blend.” The drink uses Rémy Martin VSOP (or Rémy Martin 1738 on special occasions), my favorite Fine Champagne cognac. This cognac has fruity notes that blend perfectly with tropical juices.

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Paradise Blend Recipe:

1 oz Rémy Martin VSOP

2 oz Tropical juice (I used a blend of pineapple, apple, carrot, and passion fruit)

Ice for shaking

Strawberry slices for garnish

Lemon slices for garnish

Directions: Shake ice, Rémy Martin VSOP, and juice together. Strain into a glass. Add garnishes et voila!

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What would you most love to do if you could be supported in that endeavor? Give yourself a chance, and enter the Rémy Martin sweepstakes today.

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When You Decide It’s Time to Just #PutOnASwimsuit

A couple Sundays ago, my local blogger network had it’s member appreciation party at the pool at The Cheshire. I spent the entire day walking tall in a swimsuit, y’all. Not a swimsuit cover-up, but a swimsuit! I felt so comfortable that day. Was it the support of my super fly blogger squad? Perhaps it was my flawless makeup done by Brea Polittle or my free fro created by stylists from Dominic Michael Salon? Maybe it was my retro-inspired swimwear? I tried to figure out what was going on and eventually realized that I didn’t need a reason to just put on a swimsuit and be confident. Rocking a swimsuit by a pool is as natural as humming a tune after all!

Lori Coulter Swim Put On a Swimsuit

Left to Right (starting at the back)Julia | Amy | Manu | Elena | Jenna | Cary | Cara

Lori Coulter is a St. Louis-based, luxurious collection of ready-to-wear and made-to-order swimsuits. I became an instant fan of the brand the moment I noticed that it creates swimwear that celebrates the diversity of the female form. I have a pear shape, for example, and love flaunting my arms and upper body. The Ann Plunge Shirred Maillot was perfect for me, then, with its plunging neckline and shirred wrap torso.

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I’m wearing The Ann swimsuit in the color “nectarine,” a perfectly bright hue for this lover of color. It is available, however, in several other shades. I wore OPI “Live.Love.Carnaval” on my nails because it perfectly complemented the color of my suit. I’m also wearing my Kendra Scott “Caroline” earrings for a little sparkle.

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If you also find your perfect swim style at Lori Coulter, be sure to use the code economyofstyle2016 to get 20% off your order. The code is valid through July 31, 2016.

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Special thanks to Lori Coulter and the Alive Network for creating such an awesome experience. And, a super special thank you to Elizabeth Wiseman Photography for beautifully capturing the moments.

 

Give Thoughtfully: 4 Easy Ways I Support My Community

I believe that poverty is a pervasive social problem that’s at the root of most community turmoil, and hence affects us all. Given the escalating poverty rates in this country, we all share a responsibility, then, in trying to reduce its impact in our neighborhoods. And, if we’re creative, helping can be easier than we think. Here are 4 simple ways I offer support in my local St. Louis neighborhood.

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1. I donate clothing to neighborhood organizations.
As a fashion blogger, I’m constantly editing my wardrobe. I donate clothing and accessories
to 3 neighborhood organizations that raise money for antipoverty programs via thrift stores.

2. I teach free fitness classes for low-income women in my community.
Every Saturday, I teach an hour-long dance fitness class that’s free to all members of a local group helping women strive for economic independence.

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3. I donate beauty products and toiletries to local shelters.
As an influencer, I receive more beauty products and toiletries than I could ever use. A few times a year, I round those products up and gift them to local women’s shelters.

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4. I contribute to professional development workshops for women in transition.
I’ve had the honor of contributing to an inspiring group of women who are transitioning from social assistance to work. We’ve worked on everything from writing effective cover letters to practicing for job interviews.

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I do these particular things because they allow me to simultaneously tap into my strengths and the strengths of the people I work with and for. I believe that meaningful social change happens that way.

I also love supporting organizations that are committed to promoting social change. That’s why I’ve been voting daily for my favorite cause in the Band Together campaign by Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company. Join me! Our votes will help Jewelers Mutual decide how to divide a generous $2 million donation among 3 important nonprofits—St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Habitat for Humanity, and Feeding America or Food Banks Canada. Voting closes on July 31, 2016 at 11pm CT. At that time, the cause with the most votes will receive a whopping $1 million donation from Jewelers Mutual. $700,ooo will be donated to the runner-up and $300,000 to third place. As an added bonus for voting, you’ll be entered for a weekly chance to win a set of 3 stacking bands valued at $450. Let’s band together to support these 3 causes.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

I Hopped on The Fashion Lane Truck and Something Special Happened

I see fashion trucks around St. Louis all the time. Do you see them in your neighborhoods too? When I spotted The Fashion Lane, a local mobile boutique, in my neighborhood recently, I decided to hop on, and I’m so glad I did.

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The Fashion Lane truck carries modern pieces for everyday wear. I quickly noticed that pieces were affordable, too, with right-on-trend blouses priced around $38.

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Within seconds of hopping on The Fashion Lane truck, I knew I was in for a special treat.

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I found so many items that were just my style and my price range, from a silky blue and white striped top to a sheer geometric print blouse to a mixed print cold shoulder top. My try-on pile was growing quickly.

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I especially loved a mixed print cold shoulder top, so much so that I immediately started envisioning how I would wear it. Print on print on print, of course! The Fashion Lane mobile boutique had the perfect striped clutch to help me fulfill my print-mixing dreams too.

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Shopping a mobile boutique is a special experience. It’s as convenient as online shopping with the added bonus that we get to try on the clothes before we buy them. I took advantage of this perk and carried a ton of stuff to the adorable fitting room on The Fashion Lane truck.

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Once I found my perfect fit, I couldn’t help but check out more of the accessories. They do make the outfit after all, right?

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After a fun shopping session on The Fashion Lane, I found the perfect look for an upcoming event.

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Tis the summer of baring shoulders, and this cold shoulder top has my name all over it. Lace trim details, mixed prints, and shoulder cut-outs? This top had my attention at first sight.

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I still don’t quite understand how this top is only $38. Want even greater savvy shopper news? The Fashion Lane truck is marking down its prices by as much as 40% at the upcoming Cash + Carry event, a two-day boutique sale going down on July 22 and 23.

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Want to attend this fun and highy anticipated event? Purchase tickets to the 2016 Cash + Carry Event here: Cash + Carry Tickets.

This post is sponsored by Cash + Carry. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of the Alive Influencer Network.