It has been ages since I have done a fashion post for the blog and since I just returned from a week’s vacation (and actually wore something other than yoga pants or paint-stained umbros), I thought I would share some of my “beauty secrets” with you! Matt and I were in the Dominican Republic last week celebrating 15 years of wedded bliss. I’ll tell you more about the trip in a separate post (it was amazing!), but today is all about what I wore. You know. The important stuff!
Before I begin though, I feel like I should start with a disclaimer. I just finished reading Nester’s book The Nesting Place where she preaches the mantra: It doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. She demonstrates how this motto applies to everything in our lives, including our bodies. I’ve worked so hard this year to get healthier, but as I was putting this post together I started second guessing myself. I love fashion and embracing beauty, and I love sharing what I know about how to achieve beauty affordably. And yet, I realize that I’m so not perfect. I’m so not the ideal standard of “media beautiful”. I know I’m too poofy, and ruddy, and flawed, and nearly forty. But you know what? It’s all good…because chances are that you’re not perfect either. So let’s pretend we’re sitting across from each other at the coffee shop, and I’m showing you these pics on my phone. We are bonding girlfriend-to-girlfriend over our venti iced-caramel macchiatos, whispering about the right undergarments to wear under a bodycon dress, and discussing whether a nearly-forty-year-old should still be shopping at Forever 21!
French Restaurant Night
The first night we arrived, I wanted to impress my man. I decided to dive right in and grab hold of my most daring fashion choice for the week. Well, daring being a very relative term considering everyone around me was strolling around in a Brazilian-cut bikini. My goal for my vacation wardrobe was to spend as little money as possible which required some creative shopping and visits to stores I might not normally step foot in.
Tip: Resort wear shouldn’t cost a fortune, so be brave when shopping and venture into stores you might not normally walk into. That store with the thudding bass that looks like more like a nightclub than a store might just have what you are looking for. 😉
I found this dress on clearance for $17 at a mall store called Body Central. That seriously was the name of the store, and it did its best to live up to its name. If you’re looking for some body conscious clothing, they have you covered—but barely. LOL! Couldn’t resist. This dress ended up being the perfect first night resort dress, and I felt sassy wearing it!
Dress: Body Con Necklace: Amazon Earrings: Forever 21 Shoes: Payless
Italian Restaurant Night
The second night we ate at a fabulous Italian restaurant where the pasta and red wine flowed freely. I wore a gray dress with orange embroidery and silver beading. This dress was found on clearance at Macy’s a few years ago and was from their INC line. The shoes are ancient, and I can’t even remember where I purchased them. This outfit is a good example of “shop the closet” before heading to the store. You probably have some gems stashed away in there that you have completely forgotten about!
Dress: Macy’s Shoes: (Amazon similar) (Amazon similar)(Amazon similar) Chandelier Earrings: Amazon
Japanese Restaurant Night
The Japanese restaurant was a hibachi grill similar to Benihana. I wanted to wear something that had a bit of Asian flare to it and this was the closest thing I had in my suitcase! I found a dress similar to this by Ivanka Trump at Macy’s for $148. That was just too pricey for what I was willing to spend. I went over to the juniors section and found this comparable dress on sale for $46.
Tip: Don’t be afraid to occasionally check the juniors section of the store for dress options. The dresses will often be less expensive.
This updo is very quick and easy to create! I have a video tutorial that I posted four years ago on how to create this look, Easy and Quick Summer Hair Tutorial.
Dress: Macy’s (Amazon similar) (Amazon similar)
Eclectic Gourmet Restaurant
For this look, I channeled my inner-Marilyn Monroe and wore a white eyelet halter dress. I added a red belt and red heels for some added interest.
Dress: Ross (Lily Pulitzer similar) (Mod Cloth similar) (Amazon similar under $50) (Amazon similar) Shoes: Payless (similar) (Amazon similar) Belt: Amazon Earrings: similar
Drinks & Dancing
This outfit pushed me out of my comfort zone a bit, but it was a fun and flirty outfit to wear for drinks and dancing!
Top: Marshall’s (similar lace crochet top) Shorts: TJ Maxx (similar lace shorts) Jewelry: Forever 21 Shoes: Marshall’s (BCBGeneration similar)
Surf & Turf Restaurant
The resort had a fake ship that was actually a bar/dance club. It provided the perfect pre-dinner backdrop for my nautical sundress. I found this dress at a discount store called Gabriel Brothers for $12. It was exactly what I was looking for and the price couldn’t be beat!
Dress: (Ralph Lauren Amazon similar), (Lily Pulitzer Amazon similar), (Amazon similar)
Shhhhhh…the Secrets
Here are some of the secrets I used with these outfits! First secret: A spray tan makes everything look slimmer. My father passed away from melanoma, so I am vigilant about wearing sunscreen and minimizing my time in the sun. However, I like to look tan occasionally so Mystic tans are my friends in the summer. Second secret: Wearing the right undergarments make all the difference in the WORLD! Some open-back dresses don’t allow for conventional bras. Nippies Skin and the NuBra work great in place of a bra. They are reusable and are relatively comfortable to wear. For mid-section control, I typically wear Spanx under my dresses. But for this trip I tried out Flexees by Maidenform and I LOVED them. They were more comfortable than my Spanx and gave great tummy and bum control. Third secret: I wore clip-in hair extensions in three of the looks pictured above. Can you tell which ones? My hair is very fine and the clip-in extensions add fullness and length to my hair. I love wearing them for special night’s out. I’ve owned my extensions for about 8 years now and they still look great.
Kimm at Reinvented says
You go girl! As I read this post this morning, my hubby peeked over my should and said, “wow, who’s that?” 🙂 Sounds like it was an awesome vacation. I need to check into the spray tan also, as I’m pale as a ghost. Look for me at Haven, I’ll be the newly bronzed goddess! 😉
jessica @fourgenerationsoneroof says
Looks like you had a great time and love the outfits and tips 🙂 Nicely done!
Jaimie says
Beth, LOVE the outfits and you look amazing! I want to hear all about the spray tan experience. Living in So Cal and being as white as I am, I definitely stand out. But I’m totally afraid to try spray tanning. And do you have to be naked? I want the DETAILS!! 😉
Beth says
Ha! I will have to do a spray tan post. There seems to be some serious inquiries on the process. Until then, nakeyness is completely up to you but I highly recommend it :). No tan lines!
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
These dresses are gorgeous! You look amazing!
Beckie says
Beth!!! Hot mama! You looked amazing on vacation. I am sure your husband loved every inch of those outfits. Thanks for sharing your secrets. I am so looking into those Flexees. And I have never spray tanned but have been thinking about it. My friend said to me “if you can’t tone it then tan it.” I do hear tanning covers a multitude of sins. I should totally try spray tan. I am just nervous I will look like a pumpkin. I will have to ask around at good places around here.
Beth says
Thanks girl! I am always nervous I’ll turn orange with my spray tan but I’m a little ruddy and orangey to begin with :). I really like Hollywood Tans Mystic booth as well as the spray tan booths at Palm Beach Tan. Palm Beach Tan tends to be more pricey for some reason. If you look online though you can often find coupons for first time spray tan for around $15.
Cheryl Jones says
Beth, you are beautiful in all the photos! Your wardrobe is pretty and very becoming. I’m crazy about the lacy shorts & top!
And you & hubby look like a blissfully happy couple!!!
Thank you for sharing!
Beth says
Thank you Cheryl!
Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says
You look amaaaaazing!
Beth says
Thanks girl!
maura says
Beth I love all the outfits. Looks like a great vacation!
Elyse says
My favorites are the lace dress and the navy with red heels. However, you look incredible in them all. I love the hair extension tip. With my luck, a chunk would fall out!
Beth says
Ha! I’ve worn them tons of times and haven’t lost one yet. 🙂 I do worry about the wind blowing too hard and having the clips show. (That may have happened without me knowing.)