The Great Bun Debate

I put the question to my friends on Instagram {and if we aren't friends on there, hop to it! @breezy_days}, on whether the girls usually lean towards a messy bun or a top knot for those days when your hair is just plotting to ruin your entire day. I was surprised that it was basically a 50/50 response! A few voted for the top knot because it was more professional looking, others said messy bun all day 'err day, and some just said that you don't actually get to decide...your hair does.

If my hair isn't doing anything for me that day, it's no doubt in a bun. So now it's decision time...When I'm throwing up my messy bun it's because I'm feeling sassy & bohemian that day. My make-up is did, the loosey goosey outfit is picked out, and I just don't have time to worry about my hair 'do. The top knot is for those days when I'm feelin' extra blogger, collegiate, or classy. Thus, I'm usually a little more streamlined when wearing my top knot. Sooo yes, you can tell what kind of mood I'm in based on the pile of hair pinned to the top of my head. 

So now it's your turn to chirp in....what's your bun of choice?

Movie Star

As soon as I tried on this dress at Ross {found for under $18, check out my dress shopping strategy here}, I just knew I would have to go all out and play vintage movie star for a day when wearing it. I jazzed up this lace frock with MAC Rebel lipstick, Steve Madden nude heels, and a vintage crystal necklace passed down from my Grandma. Sometimes I think that I was born in the wrong decade...I definitely could have been a 40's jazz singer alongside Ella Fitzgerald or a 50's housewife in another life. I swoon over the crooning of Billie Holiday and exaggerated fit & flare dresses. Good thing I was born in this time so I could be and wear all those things and confuse the heck out of people. ;)

Modest Dresses: How + Where to Find Them

{Left-->Right. Blue pattern: Loft, $20. Purple floral: Ross, $16. Pink floral: Francesca's, $28 with employee discount. White lace: Ross, $17. Blue&Cream: Anthropologie sale, $40.}

I've had many people comment here or on Instagram with something to this effect:
"How do you find all these cute/modest/affordable dresses?!"
Well my friends, I will now divulge to you my tips & tricks for dress shopping!

{Left-->Right. Teal pencil: Banana Republic, gift from friend+$5 strap tailoring. Taupe pattern: Banana Republic via Plato's Closet, $14+$5 strap tailoring. Cream lace: GDazzle.com, won in a giveaway. Yellow gingham: eShakti, c/o for a review+$5 strap tailoring. Orange eyelet: Old Navy, $7 on sale rack.}

How?

+ Know your height and figure! This will make shopping easier and much more time efficient. If you know that you have longer legs, then you probably shouldn't go for a dress that looks short on the hanger. As for me, being 5'3 with an hourglass shape, I usually go for pencil or fit & flare dress styles. I also know that dresses that look kind of short on the hanger will hit my knee when I try them on because I'm so short! Now that I can eyeball it, I go directly for the dresses that I know will flatter my shape. After lots of trying on and shopping practice, you will soon learn how to spot a dress that will fit your figure by just looking at it on the hanger.

+ Is it worth the hassle? I'm not a huge fan on lots of layering and the most I'll do is a lightweight sweater {I get so freaking hot, no more layers!}. So if a dress needs a top/tank underneath and a sweater on top or needs extensive tailoring, I usually just pass on it. You want dresses in your closet that are fun and easy to style, not something you have to constantly adjust or use a bazillion different layers for it to be deemed appropriate.

+ Sleeves, tank tops, and sweaters, oh my! If I love a dress but it doesn't meet my sleeve requirement, I think about what in my closet I could layer with it. An orange sweater? A tough leather jacket? Then the next question is whether or not it's worth paying for a dress that I would have to layer something over the top? If it's a good price, length, and it tugs at my heart strings...I'll give in and purchase the dress. All of these dresses are completely adorable and I would layer my sweater or chambray shirt over the top to not only make it modest, but give it some personality :)

Where?

 + Ross. I almost always find a nice pencil or lace dress at Ross {and adorable shoes, but that's beside the point!}. You have to visit Ross when you are in a "thrifting" mood, because you have to search for items in your size and try everything on. Although, it is completely worth it when you score a good deal because the dresses are usually $30 and under!

+ Secondhand Stores {i.e. Plato's Closet}. I have found many Banana Republic dresses at secondhand stores for only $14-$16, and the only tailoring needed was to pull up the straps! {yet again, midget status}. It is completely worth the inexpensive fix because they are classic pencil dresses that can be mixed and matched with anything for any season.

+ Anthropologie. Stop rolling your eyes! It can be inexpensive, it just takes more effort and time to keep track of the dress you want until it hits the sale racks. I've found funky pieces for $30-$50 on sale that add personality to my wardrobe AND meet my appropriate requirements.

+ Ann Taylor Loft. This is one of my favoritest places to shop. Seriously EVERYTHING goes on sale, and they can run from $15-$30 on the sale rack! A lot of times they will even do an additional 40-60% off of sale items which is awesome. Most everything has sleeves, is classy, and a good length. Definitely one of my top places to find comfy, affordable, and casual dresses!

In the Moment

I can't even believe we are more than half way through the summer and by this time next month we will be packing up our apartment here in Corona, CA to head back for our home in Provo, UT. The summer has flown by so fast! I feel like as you get older the time seems to go by faster. I remember when I was young that the summer felt like EONS and thinking that it was NEVER gonna get to my birthday in September and that I would NEVER get back to school {yes, I was a nerd and actually kind of enjoyed school}. Now I'm hoping it would slow down a bit! Although, I'm sure by next month I'll be more than happy to go back to a comfy king size bed, the use of a legitimate kitchen, and the feeling of a decorated & put together home. Until then...I'm still living it up by hitting the beach/pool, shopping & crafting with my mom, and having time with family & friends. I'm making it a point to take advantage of where I'm at now and soaking up every last minute I'm here before another life change. Gotta make sure you love where you're at & live in the moment, right?

Hostess Attire

With all the fun summer BBQ parties that Ryan & I planning on having, two bridal showers I'm throwing, and movie nights we are preparing for...I would love me some cute & casual outfits.

The dress & sandal combo is probably one of my most favorite in the WORLD, so I'm loving these ideas from the Anthropologie FB fan page! 

I'm due for some dress updating in my closet, anyone seen any cute & inexpensive dresses around?

Happy Sunday!!

<3 Bri

A Not So Shabby Giveaway {CLOSED}

Now that I'm officially a "Rios", that means I'm part Mexican...right?

I took four years of Spanish in high school. And yes, this was by choice.

I loved the people, language, and culture so I decided to go all the way to AP Spanish 4.

I would joke that I'm an "honorary Mexican" and that one day I would have brown babies.

 {My favoritest tacos}

Ya....That ended up not being much of a joke when I married a Rios.

Good thing I freaking LOVE Mexican food.

Meaning, I'll be partyin' it up at my fave taco shop and panaderia today con mi esposo :)

In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, I have a giveaway for you!

A $50 gift card to Shabby Apple sound good to anyone?

{The "Heart of Me" dress I'm totally digging!}

Both of these are required for ONE Comment Entry:

-Be a follower of Breezy Days

-"Like" Shabby Apple on Facebook

Extra Entries (1 comment per entry):

-Visit the Shabby Apple site, and tell me what your favorite dress is 

-Share this giveaway on your Facebook wall

-"Like" Breezy Days on Facebook
-Follow on Instagram @breezy_days

That means you have FIVE different opportunities to win! 

The winner will be announced May 10th!
So you better hustle your buns and enter!!!

If you just wanna buy one of Shabby's new dresses?

Make sure to use this discount code at checkout:

breezydays10off

Que tengan un buen fin de semana y ¡feliz Cinco de Mayo!

<3 Bri

Dresses Galore

This dress was made by the amazing Terri Moore. 

She is from my home ward in Corona, CA and she is insanely talented and absolutely hilarious.

She took into account that I LOVE Audrey Hepburn {hence the boat neck}, that I need to be modest, and that it's starting to get freeezing in Utah {the longer sleeves}.

So she sent this up with my mom for Thanksgiving and I totally feel like January Jones or Christina Hendricks in 'Mad Men'.

Dress: Terri Moore. Shoes: Kohls. Bracelets: F21. Earrings: gift. 

Not only did she create this beauty, but she is also the one who tailored my dress!

She made this strapless Vera Wang into this!

To read the how-to, click here!

Happy monday!

<3 Bri