Have any of you guys watched Orange is the New Black? We JUST started the first season and episodes 1-3 sucked us right in. But we’ve heard from a few people now that season two is a let down?! Did you watch? Thoughts?!? We hadn’t used our Apple TV in forever and I finally did the software upgrade (which took SEVEN friggen hours!) so we’re finally catching up on our Netflix series. Before we started OITNB, we gave Parenthood a try but quit after two shows. I’ve heard it’s supposed to be good but it just seemd a little too Seventh Heaven-y or something. I never even watched Seventh Heaven but I imagine it was a lot like Parenthood. LOL.

Outfit Details:
Black Tank via Swirl Boutique (only $18!)
Ladakh Floral Skirt (sold out)
Sandals c/o Justfab
Deux Lux Fringe Clutch
Madewell Bracelet
Nameplate Necklace c/o Teressa Lane Jewelry

P.S. It’s Linkup Wednesday! Be sure and link up your fashion related post below! All I ask is that you please link back to The Stylish Housewife. I can’t wait to see what you’re wearing!

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*linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Mix & Match Fashion and Happiness at Midlife.

As most of you guys know, I take all of my own pics myself with a tripod & remote. But a few weeks ago, I was introduced to Togally, which is a website that allows you to choose a photographer and book a photoshoot in literally minutes. I can’t even tell you how many times I have wished that I could just hire a professional photographer for special projects I’ve done here on the blog. It takes me a minimum of an hour to take one set of photos for any outfit post because I am trying to switch up my locations/backgrounds all while adjusting my settings every few minutes for changes in lighting, etc. and running back and forth to get everything in focus. For each look, I take 50-100 photos and then sort through them all and narrow it down to four to edit. So when Togally asked if I would like to try out their services, it was a no brainer. And then I had a mini panic attack at the idea of having someone else take my pics. After all, I’ve been doing it alone for almost five years now. But as soon as I met Cameron, I knew I had chosen the right photographer for this project. He arrived on time, immediately broke the ice by having me take a really bad pic on purpose (which I made SURE he deleted before he left) and by the end I was thinking I could get used to having someone else take my pics for me! He even brought along extra lighting (a girl can always use more light!) which I really appreciated. I was shocked when I received an email the same night that my photos were already posted to Togally for review! How amazing is that?!? I was thoroughly impressed with how easy the site was to use but was also super happy with my pics! What do you guys think?

HOW TOGALLY WORKS:

1. Browse phoTOGraphers that specialize in the category you are looking for (wedding, family portraits, etc.). You can view ratings, reviews and portfolios all in one place.

2. Post your job with specifics about your photo needs (category, date & time of your shoot, any additional details).

3. Pick the package you want. Togally offers three affordable pricing packages for each category.

4. Hire the TOG you want from among those that apply for your request (I had 12 apply for mine).

5. Have an awesome photoshoot! The phoTOGrapher comes to you, takes your pics and then posts them to Togally for you to review.

AND NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY: I’ve teamed up with Togally to give away one free mini shoot (valued at $50)! To enter to win, just leave me a comment with a valid email address and one winner will be chosen at random. Can’t wait to book your own phoTOG? Get 20% off your first booking with discount code: STYLISH20. Contest ends 08/24/15 and will be announced here on the blog. You must be 18 to win and PLEASE NOTE…Togally is currently only available in Los Angeles and San Diego. Thanks for reading and good luck!

Outfit Details:
Harlyn Romper
Fringe Booties c/o Justfab
Target Hat (sold out, similar)
Duex Lux Fringe Clutch
Nameplate Necklace c/o Teressa Lane Jewelry

Disclaimer: PHOTO CREDITS: RMG PHOTOGRAPHY. My photo shoot was provided c/o Togally for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

I don’t have the best of luck at Old Navy. For some reason the sizing doesn’t work very well for me. I’m usually in-between sizes and end up leaving empty handed. But I bought these Old Navy shorts a couple of years ago and they are still one of my faves. Even though they’re distressed, they are actually very well made. This top is another one of my basic faves (it’s not by Old Navy). I have a ton of dressy tops so it’s nice to have something that is casual but still feels pulled together. It took me a while to warm up to “cold shoulder” tops but I am now a fan! Unfortunately neither of these items are available to purchase anymore but I rounded up some cute “cold shoulder” tops for you below. Happy Friday friends!

SHOP MORE COLD SHOULDER TOPS BELOW:

It’s hard to believe that Summer is ALMOST over. We have honestly had THE MOST bizarre Summer weather ever. I am born & raised in Southern CA and I am not exaggerating when I say that this has been the most humid Summer of my entire life. BUT…for the first time in months…I woke up to blue skies this morning! HALLELUJAH. But enough about the weather. Let’s talk Fall trends, shall we??

You may recognize these heels from my last post? I scored them on major sale during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. They are now $129.95 but I got them for $86.90! But that’s not all. I also used Splender to make my purchase so I saved an additional 8% on my total balance. I MADE MONEY Y’ALL. I don’t even say “y’all” but what can I say…making money WHILE saving money floats my boat (more about that below)! Anywho…FRINGE IS IN for Fall and I for one, could not be happier. I’ve always loved a boho vibe so I’m thrilled that 70’s trends are sticking around. Bring on the fringe, flared jeans, rope belts (although I’m also loving the western chic belts that have been popping up everywhere), saddle bags and jumpsuits! Anyone who know me knows I love a good jumpsuit. I’m still on the hunt for the perfect clog heels too!

YOU CAN SAVE/MAKE MONEY TOO! LEARN ALL ABOUT SPLENDER BELOW:

If you haven’t heard of Splender, it is a cash back shopping experience and it’s totally free to join. Here’s how it works:

1. Create an account at Splender.com. And be sure to bookmark it for future shopping!

2. While logged in, shop hundreds (800+) of top stores (I shopped Nordstrom) and their latest deals, coupon codes and free shipping offers.

3. Click on the desired store or offer and you’ll be taken to the store website. Shop as you normally would. Remember to only use coupon codes from Splender, at checkout, if provided.

4. Once you make a qualifying purchase, you will earn cash back and receive a confirmation email, usually within 5 days. They’ll make pay outs monthly once your balance is $10 or more. It’s SO easy!

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

P.S. I almost forgot! It’s link up Wednesday so be sure and link up your fashion related post below! All I ask is that you link back to The Stylish Housewife. I can’t wait to see what you’re wearing!

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*linking up with The Pleated Poppy and Mix Match Fashion.

This morning I had a dentist appointment with a new dentist. I ALWAYS dread seeing a new dentist because EVERY time…the new dentist tells me how terrible of a job the last dentist did. Which may be partially true but I genetically have horrible teeth and gums. But for this appointment, I went specifically to look into invisalign. Which then turned into…you need this, that and the other done before you can get to any cosmetic stuff. And then by the time I do this, that and the other…new problems arise. So I never get to the cosmetic stuff I wanted done in the first place. You can’t tell in pictures but I have a HUGE overbite and my front tooth is slowly but surely overlapping the other one. I could go on and on…but I don’t think any of you are interested in my dental problems.

Which brings me to this article. A mom blogger group that I belong to on Facebook shared this article and it REALLY hit home for me. I started The Stylish Housewife close to five years ago, but I’ve been blogging since 2008. Things have changed SOOOOOO much since then. I started out as an open book (which I am in real life) and then you realize that there are crazies out there (seriously). And then you realize you’ve set yourself up for people to openly criticize you. I’ve had emails just to tell me my eyebrows are ugly. And another didn’t get my sense of humor so wrote me a several paragraph email about how we all have veins so I shouldn’t complain that my veins were showing in a picture. It was a HOT day and I jokingly apologized about them bulging in my hands. Oh, but my favorite was the girl who made fun of the “cheap fake stone pillar” I used to take all of my pics in front of. Um, my whole house is made out of that “cheap fake stone” (it’s not, but thanks!). And the reason I took all of my pics there was because my son was an infant and I was trying to take all of my outfit pics on our front doorstep so I could hear his monitor if he woke up crying. Thankfully, I am not easily offended and have pretty thick skin. Social media has changed/progressed so much too! I can barely tolerate Facebook anymore. My feed is littered with political opinions, vaccination wars, etc. Sifting through all of that to see what my friends/family are actually up to is exhausting.

BTW…after typing all of this and coming back to read it later, my first instinct was to delete it and talk about the weather or something less personal. But instead…I’m pushing publish.

A FEW MORE THINGS INSPIRING ME ON THE WEB:

1. I’ve been obsessed with skincare for probably the last five years. If it has anti-aging anything in it, I will try it. I came across this beauty blogger probably about a year ago and I LOVE her product reviews.

2. Did you know that you can create albums in your iphone camera roll?!? HOW DID I NOT KNOW THIS?!?! Read more here. But seriously, how did I not know this?

3. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale ends Aug 2nd! Hurry and shop the new Fall arrivals before the prices go back up on the 3rd! I snagged these fringe heels (and this hat) and they are even better in person! You can shop my faves from the sale here.