Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Michelle Gonzalez Collaboration










Michelle contacted me for this super fun boho photo shoot and I can't say enough good things about her.
She is so sweet and talented and if you are ever in the Fort Myers/Naples area and you want a fun dreamy photo shoot she is your girl!!!
Did I mention she also made the flower crown herself?!
Click the link below for her website!
Instagram is @Michellegonzalezphoto

Also I have this slip in both the shirt and the dress slip you see here.
It is buttery soft and comes in Light tan and Black. 
If you are interested here's a link to the best slips I've ever owned!!! --> Honey Slip 

 Cream Dress: Old LC Lauren Conrad collection
Floral Dress: Nordstrom Rack



Saturday, October 7, 2017

Basic






So I think it's no secret that when one gets dressed in a hurry it's easy to reach for a uniform of sorts...
Mine just happens to be a white Hanes shirt and denim.
I've worn many interpretations of the exact same outfit and the trick to make it different is accessorizing it!

This time I paired it with some casual black booties and a blue bandana that I've hand washed and rung out to make it a little bit worn in.

It was simple and comfortable and it took 10 minutes to throw together.
This look isn't always practical depending on the event but for my day to day I'll probably stick with it!

Bottoms: I can't remember(sorry)
Shoes: Black Booties
Bandana: Scarf



Thursday, September 28, 2017

Fall and JORD


JORD WATCH

wooden watch

Fall Style

watch=

So it's officially Fall and I couldn't be happier!
To celebrate the changing season I've teamed up with JORD (Pronounced like yoad)
wooden watches to do a cool giveaway for you guys!!!
Everyone who enters will get a $25 off code for their own JORD wooden watch and one lucky winner will receive a $100 off code for your order!!!!!
So basically everyone is a winner!

To enter the giveaway click HERE!!!
The giveaway ends on October 22nd and the codes will expire by November 30th so Act fast!

My favorite style and the watch I chose is the FRAKIE series and I'm obsessed!
The Frankie can come in different types of wood as well as different metal and face colors, mine is the Dark Sandalwood and smoke face with rose gold.
Not only did I love the watch, the packaging and detail put into this Luxury wooden watch delighted me!
I seriously made my husband smell the box it came in.

It started to rain in the middle of our shoot and my husband said, "You better get that nice wooden watch out of the rain!"
Well I had already read everything I could on the care and protection of my new timepiece and it turns out that the watch is water resistant and things like rain and washing your hands while wearing it isn't such a big deal.
Although I wouldn't go swimming with it on or submerge it in any way, the watch is very sturdy and I plan on wearing it dressed up and down.

It matches my Fall mood perfectly and I can't wait to wear it all season!!!
Since the watch is made out of natural materials I was inspired to go for a very earthy vibe.
This sweater is one of my current favorites and it's also one of my favorite colors.
I tucked it into a high rise distressed denim pants that I cuffed at the bottom.
It's very rare that I don't have to cuff my pants. (Short girl problems)
To finish off the look I went with some leather loafers that most likely matches a pair your Grandmother has.

I kept the accessories simple with no belt and a pair of small stud earrings, I let the Watch do all of the talking.
 The Dark Sandalwood inspired me to do a dark bold lip with a soft neutral smokey eye.

If you're wondering about the tree in the first picture it's one that fell during Hurricane Irma a couple of weeks ago.
We are all safe here but our roof needs a little TLC, we were really very fortunate.
I'll save that for another blog post though!

For now I hope this inspired you with a simple and cozy #OOTD and don't forget to fallout the giveaway entry form, it takes less than a minute!

xoxo
Piper Arielle






Luxury Wooden Watch

Monday, September 25, 2017

DIY Skirt

wrap skirt

fall outfit

fall fashion

hapa

fall style
 Here is a simple outfit that I threw together in 15 minutes and that includes my skirt DIY!

I bought this long maxi skirt about a year ago from the thrift store with the intention of taking it in.
The skirt was too big but I liked the floral pattern and the classic black and white colors.
Well a year passes and I never took it in, go figure!
I decided I would make the skirt into a sarong/wrap skirt situation. 
It's not really a permanent DIY but just incase someone is in a rush I'll give you the instructions anyways!

To start with the skirt had about 6 inches of extra room in the waist.
I cut the skirt from the waist to the hem vertically on one side.
I tied the fabric at the top and safety pined it together from beneath as far down as desired.
It ended up having a slightly ruffled look on the side that I really liked.
Since this is held together by a knot, safety pins and a prayer I would suggest wearing a slip underneath!
My favorite slip to use is the Honey Slip it comes in a buttery soft material and hides straps and things for a cleaner look.
You can click the link I provided to check it out! 
I'll definitely have an entire blogpost dedicated to how I wear my Honey Slip!

Shirt: Hanes
Skirt: Thrifted
Bag: Vintage
Earrings: Best of everything in Naples
Sandals: Jack Rogers 


Thursday, August 31, 2017

Ring Talk




When Mike and I got engaged he proposed with a play ring of my niece's.
I said yes and then he pulled out the real ring, you can read more about the proposal Here.

One of  Mike and my favorite things about the ring is the ornate cage underneath.
When I was looking for a wedding band all of the jewelry store employees said I needed to get a band with a round contour so it would fit around my ring and/or I should probably get it soldered or it would eventually damage the cage. 
I didn't want to hear that but it was the same everywhere I went and I am a little stubborn.
I didn't want a contoured band and I didn't want to have my rings soldered together.
I wanted to be able to stack rings or wear my wedding band on its own, I'm indecisive, I need options.
But I didn't want to ruin my favorite part of the ring either. 
So I did some digging for a solution that could give me the most options.

Finally, after many a forum I found my answer! 
The option that would work best for me would be a spacer band.
That tiny 1mm thick band is barely noticeable but makes a world of difference.
It holds the two rings just far enough apart to never touch and it sits so low that it never touches any delicate parts. 
Another plus that I didn't expect is that if I am doing something outside or messy I put the spacer band on by itself. 
Also I don't sleep with my rings on (my fingers swell in my sleep) but the spacer is so comfy I put it on again after I take the other two off. 
I found mine on Etsy and the price was almost too good to believe!
 I'll put a link to the shop HERE.
This shop doesn't offer platinum but if you have a Platinum ring you shouldn't have to worry about this issue as much anyways! 
But if you still want one Etsy has other options.

I wanted to share this just in case there were any other girls out there like me trying to find what works best for them.
If what works best for you is soldering or a contoured band or even just wearing your rings together as is, that's perfectly fine. :) 

Now I will leave you with a picture of it on from a last post.

xoxo
Piper Arielle

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Meet Anubis






So I thought I would do a little introduction of Anubis.
He's the newest member of the family and we adopted him about 8 months ago from a rescue that specializes in Belgian Malinois (which is what Mike thought we wanted).

We waited patiently as each dog was brought out to us one by one, they were all very nice and VERY hyper, which is to be expected with working dogs.
None of them felt like a perfect fit and then the last one came out.
He hung back and inspected us from a distance, he slowly made his way towards me and sniffed my hand not yet letting me touch him. 
Finally he decided I was okay and let me pet the top of his head only, he kept his distance from Mike at first making wide turns around him just close enough that mike touched him with barely his fingertips. 
Then it happened, his ears perked up high on his head and he trotted over to the entrance of the building.
He stood up on his back legs with his ears still perked, we couldn't hear anything.
The rescue owner said it was probably his favorite rescue worker the one who picked him up from the airport and let him come home with her from time to time over the weekend.
He turned his head back and forth listening and waiting patiently.
As soon as she came through the door he was jumping up and letting her know just how much he missed her.
He was the one, he was smart and cautious, not hyper but not lazy either and once he bonded with you he was yours and you were his.
I jokingly tell Mike that we didn't know it then but if Mike were a dog he would be Anubis. 

We went home and read as much as we could about this strange dog from Spain called a Podenco.
A date was set to pick him up from the rescue, we bought all of the essentials and then the day came.
We called the rescue to make sure we were still good for the time we had scheduled to pick up our new family member and we got a voicemail box instead.
Then we got a call saying someone else was coming to look at him a 3rd time with the probability of adoption.
As dramatic as it sounds to say my heart broke a little bit, it really did.
I told myself that if the rescue owner believed there may be a better fit for him with someone else I ultimately wanted what was best for him.
Since Mike and I had cleared our day to pick up "Buddy" at the time, we had a free day. 
Retail therapy was the answer and we ended up buying a giant clawfoot bathtub.
I don't regret buying the tub but it was definitely to console us and it was a crazy good deal.

A week passed and we got a call saying it didn't work out with the other guy and we could pick him up whenever we wanted to.
Saying that my emotions had been taken on a rollercoaster ride would be an understatement.
I admire men and women who adopt children and my experience was a grain of sand compared to what they go through.

Anubis, for now, is like our child.
We're practicing our parenting skills and he keeps me company when Mike is gone.
He loves hopping around and prefers night walks to day walks.
He is not a fan of rain (hence the rain coat) yet doesn't mind running through the water filled ditches if he catches the scent of a rabbit or other small game animal on the other side.
Checking all of the windows periodically while he is inside to show us he's got our back is one of his favorite pastimes.
He's also likes being an only child and will not play with a ball or toy if he sees another dog playing with it.
He looks very friendly but will bark and growl at strangers if they get too close to me, especially men.
He also doesn't like dogs with fancy hairstyles no matter their size, which I think is hilarious and it may just be that he's jealous.

We're pretty smitten and I'd like to think he's in love with us too.

Thank you to all of those who took the time to read about how obsessed I am with my fur child!
I'm sure if you have one you understand! :) 

xoxo
Piper Arielle 

    

Thursday, August 10, 2017

A Long Casual Weekend

Anubis after all of the packing is done.
He always follows me from room to room as I put things together so he was pretty pooped by the end of it.
 Here's an overview of the outfits I'm bringing with me.
If you saw my Tried and True post you already know the black atlas bag has all of my favorite makeup products. If you want to check out that post it's Here
The orange little bag contains my travel size toiletries.
I usually pack one set of heels just in case but I don't think I'll be needing them this trip, so why take up the room right?
 I like options but I also like to pack light, that means packing interchangeable items and items that can be dressed up or down.
From the left I have floral pajamas, a midi T-shirt dress, a black belt and brown belt, high waisted jeans, graphic T, striped button up, gingham button up and a pair of black leggings.
All of the outfits I've put together are pretty casual so I like to add accessories to dress it up a bit.
I keep my small accessories in a bag so nothing gets lost and I can just toss my stuff in it!
Of course this is for a quick trip to go back home and do some photo shoots so the dressiest place I'll be going is church and the movies.
(A family tradition every time I come home)
Oh and I will be bringing my hunter boots(not pictured) because you never know what sorts of terrain awaits you on a photo shoot!

Thanks for stopping in, I was starting to pack and I figured why not share the thought process?

xoxo
Piper Arielle



Saturday, August 5, 2017

Crewnecked Stripes




Date night at True Food Kitchen and this is what I wore.

I figured since I posted an outfit with one of my shirt obsessions I needed to share the other one as well!
This shirt has seriously been on an embarrassing rotation in my wardrobe these days.
Embarrassing because if I can't figure out what to wear I go for this shirt.
 That happens too many times for me to comfortably admit.
Okay, probably at least once a week!!!
It's just so comfortable and it is all of my favorite things! 
Blue, striped and it has a crewneck that hits in just the right spot.
Did I mention it came from Target? 
Okay, I'll stop talking about the shirt but I won't stop wearing it! 

The pants are some old Paige Denim that I cut the bottoms off of and left a raw hem.
I bought them at a thrift store for about $6 so I didn't mind if I messed up.

The belt is vintage from my mom and so are the Gold hoops.
I'll admit I was never a hoops person until this year and now these are some of my favorites!

The red heels are not very practical but since it was just dinner I figured it would only be a few hours.
I brought a pair of sandals for the end of the night Whole foods run we always seem to make.
We got dessert while we were there.
I had the salted caramel mochi and it was heavenly, like stunned silent good!
Then we headed home to our furry baby.

Okay enough babbling thank you for stopping in loves!!!

xoxo
Piper Arielle

Monday, July 31, 2017

How I Started Modeling



First off, I'm so excited to show you this cover, I just received it in the mail today and I'm still feeling giddy about it!

Well this got me thinking about a question I've received a few times and I figured why not answer it here.
I'm 5'4, and I'm a freelance Model.
It took me a very long time to actually say that aloud and I don't really claim this when people ask me what I do.
To be fair I haven't done it as much since moving and getting married but I still dabble here and there.

So I'm going to start off with, not when I started but when I didn't...
I know that sounds nonsensical but stay with me!

When I was around 6 or 7 a woman at the mall told my mom she should consider putting me in modeling and gave mom a card.
Since I was there and I heard the conversation I was excited and wanted to do it, My mom thought otherwise.
Some people reading this are probably thinking, "That was mean of her to do." but HOLD ON!
I'm forever grateful!
Anytime someone would say I was cute growing up my mom wouldn't say thank you she would immediately say "She's very smart" or "She's very kind".
She wasn't being rude or disagreeing with anyone. 
She wanted me to know that looks don't define a person, their actions do.

Now for the part where I really did start modeling.
It's going to sound silly but photographer friends wanted to practice or had editorial type shoots in mind and asked if I would model.
Since I had never modeled before but I had acting experience I simply acted like I knew what I was doing.
They would give direction and I would follow it, a friend of mine has a vintage clothing store on Etsy, I didn't know her at that point but she asked if I could model some of the pieces.
I started to meet more photographers, makeup artists and stylists who would recommend me for jobs.
Instead of acting like a model I started to be one.
 I worked hard at the photo shoots.
Modeling is rarely as glamorous as it appears in the printed outcome.
I've hiked to locations in insensible shoes, sat on and surrounded by ice in a very thin dress and worn layers upon layers of clothing on blistering summer days.
I offered to help carry equipment and enjoyed getting to know everyone involved.
I wasn't always paid and many of the first photo shoots were creative collaborations for everyone to stretch their muscles.
I've met so many talented people along the way that I can honestly say that is my favorite part of all of it.

Do I think I'm a Supermodel? Absolutely not. 
Does this experience make me an expert? Nope.
Will I ever be represented by an agency? Most likely no.
Am I bragging? I'm not really that sort.
(I think you already knew these things though.)

So now that you know my start came form dumb luck and hard work I'm going to share with you some tips from what I've learned as a freelance model and a photographer!

  1. Instagram is a great tool to connect Models and Photographers. 
  2. Practice with a phone camera or regular camera to find your best angles.
  3. NEVER meet with a photographer by yourself and in a private location if you don't know them. 
  4. Reach out to new photographers in your area to collaborate and build mutual portfolios.
  5. Don't ask an experienced photographer if they will photograph you in exchange for "exposure".
  6. You may have to do your own hair and makeup sometimes so practice.
  7. NEVER let someone talk you into doing a photo shoot you are uncomfortable with.
  8. Accept the fact that your feelings will most likely get hurt at some point.
  9. If you are under 5'6 (more like 5'8) you most likely won't be doing high fashion, that's okay.
  10. Stay humble and kind, people will want to work with you more if you remember that.   

All of the modeling I've done has been mostly local and respectively on a small scale.
 I wanted to post this as a disclaimer since I'm sure someone will read this and shout "Imposter!"

xoxo
Piper Arielle

All of the vendors websites will be linked below.
The Magazine is Gulf Coast Bride
Editorial Photography by: Taylor Kaderly
Concept, Hair and Makeup by: Rachel of Dear Bride
Venue Coordinator: Avis Glenister
Jewelry: H.M. Willow



Friday, July 28, 2017

Mary Ann





My husband thinks I look like a picnic and I think I look like Mary Ann if the gang from Gilligan's Island had landed off of New England somewhere.

Also I'm pretty sure my handbag and earrings are from a time when the show wasn't a rerun!
I love pairing the old and the new and while my style has multiple personalities I think that is something they can all agree on.

Outfit Info
Top: J.Crew Similar Here
Jeans: Old Navy Similar Here
Sandels: Similar Here
Bag: Vintage
Earrings: Vintage




Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Gingham And A Basket

A few of my current favorites at the moment!
The blue shirt is from Target and I've worn it so much I'm considering getting another one before it's gone!
The coral gingham shirt is an older J.Crew boy shirt.
The basket purse is vintage and I adore the worn in brass hardware!

And because someone wanted to be the center of attention like always, I took pictures of Anubis being Anubis!
He is pretty cute though! 


xoxo
Piper Arielle