Floral Valentine's Day Look

dress: Lord & Taylor (similar, similar)
heels: Zara (similar)
clutch: Target
watch: FOSSIL

Nothing pleases the eye more than a gorgeous dress! My man always pays me tons of compliments for sexy, yet classy outfits. This Valentine's day is no exception and I hope the snow and chill will be bearable by Friday night because this dress is calling my name! 

Also, shoes! The shoes complete an outfit and without a killer pair. whatever suits your style, you don't have a gorgeous outfit. So here I have a selection of my favorite RED shoes for every taste.  

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Enjoy and thank you for stopping by!

xo, Anna

Red Valentine's Day Look

skirt: LOFT (similar here and here)
top: Forever21 (similar here & here)
booties: Ann Taylor (here & here)
scarf: Target
clutch: Target
watch: FOSSIL (on sale!!!)

I'm not sure if this outfit looks more Christmas-y or Valentine's Day-ish. I was trying to go with red and black but somehow this scarf makes me think Christmas. I know that every year for V-day I try to wear something like a killer LBD that hugs my bod in all the right places or skinny jeans with a liiiiiitle lower cut top. It's a treat for the hubs after all. But I think this year I will be bundling up with something warm like this scarf and extra thick fleece-lined tights. Geese Louise it's cold here! I hope you are getting your red on this weekend and I have a few more V-day inspired outfits coming your way. Have you thought of any romantic gestures yet? Are you staying in or going our to celebrate the day of love?

Thank you for stopping by.

xo, Anna

Easy Long Hair Curls Tutorial {Beauty}

Hello lovelies! I have had many (by many I mean three) requests about my daily hair routine and how I get volume in my hair. So here is my first attempt at a sort-of kind-of how-to tutorial. Hubby isn't on board with these kinds of things yet so we didn't get too many detailed shots but it's the concept and not the exact steps that matter. 

Here are the products that I used and pretty much use every day for my styling. It's nothing fancy or expensive but they work for me. 

Step 1. Wash your hair the night before (or at least a few hours before you have to leave the house). I use the Fructis Shampoo and then rinse with Paul Mitchel Daily Rinse. I feel like the rinse is a little lighter than regular conditioner and doesn't leave a greasy feeling.

Step 2: Blow dry your hair until almost dry so that the roots are still a little damp. Braid the hair into a French braid (here is an easy tutorial) or just in regular braid if you don't know French.

Step 3. Sleep with the braid or walk around for hour or two. The braid is very close to the head and it won't bother you when you are sleeping.

Step 4. Undo the French braid and brush your hair through. The above picture is with me walking around the house for 2 hours. It will be much more curly and defined over night. 

At this point you can choose to put the remaining of your products and a little hair spray and move on.

Step 5: Spray the entire hair with Fructis Style Glossing spray and lightly curl you hair. Since it already has the curly definition, it will literally take about 5-7 minutes for long hair to be curled. When you take the hot iron off the hair, don't touch the curl and leave it be until you are done with the entire head. 

Step 6: Flip your hair over and gently run your fingers through the curls, separating them but not brushing. Next grab your hair clip and pick up the crown of the hair and make a large pouf so that the hair is standing up. I'm sure you will have at least a few minutes to get ready so keep your hair picked up until you are ready to walk out the door. (I do that even with day old hair to bring back a little volume)

Step 7: Take off the hair clip and finish off with light hair spray and another toss upside.

And that's all there is to it. It's just my system that works for my hair and if you find something different or decide that it does't work for your hair, that's just the nature of the beast. 

PIN THE IMAGE BELOW FOR FUTURE REFERENCES.

Thank you so much for stopping by! 

Winter Style w/ Willfully Elegant

Today we have Sush from Willfully Elegant blog who has a very classic sense of style and approaches every outfit with a sense of ease. Let's see what's her go-to winter basics! 

Hello everybody. It’s a pleasure to guest post today at the Happy Medley. Anna approached me with an awesome idea, an idea that I hold true to my style, year around. That idea is very basic. Well let me explain. Irrespective of summer, fall, winter or spring, I swear by a set of basic outfit pieces that have always been true and trusted in my wardrobe. Given that its reigning winter in most of the US, I will of course be talking about my winter basics. And the one thing I use repeatedly throughout the winter months are my turtle neck layering tees. I have invested in multiple different colors so as to be able to wear them with just about any outfit. The turtle necks I wear are snug on me so as to not add any extra bulk when layering. The other piece I rely on during the brutal winter months are my fleece lined tights. Everyone who lives in a colder place must own one. It is comfortable enough for me to want to live in it and non-itchy for a whole days’ worth of wear to work.

In this outfit, I chose to wear a spring dress with both of my go to winter basics. Keeping it simple with a bright cross body, I completed this look with leg warmers and a pair of riding boots. Here is a simple how to, to avoid any layering pieces to scrunch up throughout the day. Even it out and tuck it into your tights. This way, not only is the bulk due to layering is hidden, so is any chance of the layering top making its way up.

I also use them as transitional outfits during fall. They are perfect for the extra warmth during those chilly nights. I choose to wear them tucked in or leave it out depending on the outfit style I am going for. As you can see, the outfit below is heavily menswear inspired and the one below it is pretty feminine with the translucent top over the grey turtle neck. 

Thank you Anna for letting me into your creative space and for letting me share my go to winter basic pieces. 

Thank you for stopping by! 

Valentine's Day Picks {Under $50)

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Valentine's Day is next week and it conveniently falls on a weekend. You can go out to dinner, stay home and cook something together or just spend the night in bed (if ya know what I mean).  No matter what you are doing, get your color of love ready. No matter what you're wearing, I'm sure your man will appreciate the a little extra effort and pretty outfit. Here is a selection of some of my Valentine's Day picks for under $50. All of these will be here by next week so hurry and get something red to wear for next weekend.

Thank you for stopping by and have a great (hump) day! :) 

Winter Style w/ Kat's Fashion Fix

Hello Happy Medley fans! I'm so excited to be guest posting today for the lovely Anna. My name is Kathleen and I'm the creator of Kat's Fashion Fix, a fashion and lifestyle blog similar to Anna's. I find style inspiration everywhere I go - I'm quite obsessed - and I aspire to be a fashion editor in NYC. 

Today I'd like to share with you a few of my favorite cold-weather looks, as well as some tips on how to maximize your winter wardrobe. I'm sure most of you, me included, are tired of snow flurries and freezing temps, but with a few creative closet tuneups, your sweaters and boots can seem fresh and exciting again! Let me show you how...

A mix between preppy and glam, this winter look is gleaming in gold yet classically grounded. I just adore the Peter Pan collar on this sweater and I love how it looks paired with such a rich fabric. Introduce some sparkles into your winter wardrobe for a welcome twist on the expected. 

 Metallic and leather are a killer combo for any night of the year! A black leather jacket is a closet staple for me and I love the way this top glistens underneath. Up your jeans game by sporting coated denim, a modern and totally rocker-chick alternative to your run-of-the-mill blue jean. 

 A sweater is the obvious choice for freezing February temps, but to add extra oomph to a simple sweater, layer a blouse underneath. The result? Extra warmth and extra polish. I'm also a total sucker for jewelry, and a look-at-me statement necklace like this one adds a whole new dimension to an otherwise simple ensemble. 

 One small addition in the accessory department can make a world of difference when it comes to fashion. I don't wear my glasses often, but when I do, I make sure they highlight the quirky side of my style. Wear your accessories so that they become the icing on the cake to your personal taste and overall look. And who says you can only wear shorts in summer? I paired black shorts with black tights and boots for a unique cold-weather alternative to skinny jeans or leggings. I like the contrast between the light chambray blouse up top and all-black on the bottom. 

 Keep your color palette clean and bright. Think: grey shades, creams, medium-to-light denim, and gold to make it all pop. To compliment the grey tones I've got going on, I opted for a cream, knit beanie. I've been loving beanies lately and this one effortlessly brightens up my winter wardrobe. 

 Forget winter's dark hues and monochromatic pieces - inject some flower power into your wardrobe for a fresh take on cold-weather fashion. Trust me, it's never too early to bust out your favorite florals! Not to mention giving your favorite white button-down a break from office slacks by pairing it with something way more fun and adventurous. 

 Black is a common color to turn to during these chilly months, but to make yourself standout when rocking this monochromatic look, it's vital to incorporate a variety of textures into your ensemble. This allows the eye to see each individual piece clearly, thus eliminating the "blob" illusion. In short: you'll look leaner, and your clothing will appear more expensive. Here I've got leather, silk, cotton, and ponte all in one look. 

Red is a color that everyone looks great in but not everyone takes advantage of. Especially during these dreary days of February. Red serves as a fun burst of color that can easily be transitioned into any wardrobe and is still appropriate for winter. I love a chambray blouse underneath a sweater, and even though it's a preppy look, you can put your own spin on it by adding black jeans, attention-grabbing footwear, and dazzling accessories.

 I love rocking a bold, bright hue - especially to brighten up dreary winter days. Make the most out of your favorite solid-colored sweater by pairing it with a scarf in a fun print and/or silky texture. Leopard is my go-to choice! 

Let your last layer be your favorite because, after all, your coat is the piece that gets the most playing time in the winter. This season I chose a wool coat with leather sleeves - edgy yet timeless. Center an entire outfit around your coat for a warm look that you can comfortably wear both inside and out. 

Happy winter dressing everyone! 
Thank you for stopping by!

Winter Style w/ The Brandied Pair

Hello lovelies! This week I have a whole range of different styles from amazing style bloggers. I think we all get bored of seeing same old, same old so check out how these ladies style their winter favorites - from scarves and hats to simple blouses. Hope you enjoy it! 

Blouse: JCrew│Denim: JCrew│Pumps: JCrew│Handbag: Agora Vintage I am so excited to be guest posting for Anna.  She is one of my favorite up and coming bloggers.  We actually have a lot in common, our love of classic shapes and styles dominate most of our looks.  So when she contacted me about posting in her "Winter Basics" series, I was very excited.  
I live in Georgia and don't really experience "hard winters."  My winter basics typically include, fabulous denim, blouses and classic jackets.  On this particular day, it was 50+ degrees meaning I nixed the jacket.  In my opinion though, blouses and denim are necessities for winter.  Whether you layer with a sweater and scarf or you go without, a basic classic look can be created with these ultra feminine pieces.

Things He Says [Part I]

As Jonathan's vocabulary grows, he is becoming fun, interesting and more adult-like. The things he says at the most unexpected times, are just pure hilarious sometimes.

While pulling a little wooden carriage full of toys, he accidentally runs it into the table.
Jonathan: Oh boy!
Anna: Did you just say ' oh boy'?
Jonathan: Da (Yes in Russian)



As I was making  purple cabbage slaw some of the cabbage ended up on the floor. He comes over from the play room
Jonathan: Oh meeeeeeeess, mama
Anna: Yes dear. Mama will clean it up later.
Proceeds to take his little chair, climbs to find the kitchen towel from the top drawer, then starts wiping the floor
Jonathan (singing): clean up, clean up, everybody do their share




Potty training has finally took off and he hasn't had an accident in a week. As I put him on the potty,
Anna: Go ahead and pee.
Jonathan: I did it. I pee.
Anna: Do you need to go #2?
Jonathan: Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm yes. Mama go. Shut the door.



As I'm pulling out of the driveway
Jonathan: Mama, this way.
Anna: no, Jonathan we are going different way.
Jonathan: No this way!
Anna: We can go that way next time, ok?
Jonathan: OK.



We are all together playing on the couch. Jonathan passes gas and starts laughing hysterically
Anna: Jonathan, was that you?
Jonathan: No. Ummmmmm (thinks for a minute) papa!



He wants me to give him another bottle of milk, before bed time.
Jonathan: more moty (his word for milk)
Anna: no more milk.
Jonathan: why, mama, why?
Anna: because you already had milk. you can't drink too much before bed...blah blah blah
Jonathan: why? why? why?
Anna: (more logical explaining) why am I explaining this to you? (laughing)
Jonathan: I don't know. (in the most grown up voice ever)

How to Stay Warm in Style

Most of the country is a frozen land right now and those who don't see snow can't call it winter (i'm looking at you Texas). I'm often jealous of bloggers who get mild winter temperatures and can just imply layer their best shirts and sweaters, then throw on a puffer vest and call it a day. However, where I live, one must have all proper essentials for below zero temperatures. So how does one stay warm AND stylish? Here are some examples of winter styles collected from Pinterest, of course (and some with yours truly). 

1. Cognac/brown/riding boots: this is one boot that I consider my winter essential and many other stylish ladies out there seem to favor them too. They are the perfect neutral and can be dressed up or down, jeans or dress they work with everything. 

2. Beanies/ floppy and fur hats: beanie is not only a cold weather accessories it's also a savior for your bad hair day. Throw on a simple black beanie and an oversized scarf and you have half of an outfit. I love hats but it's so hard to find what I want most times. They are either too floppy or too small, too saggy or too tight. Black seems to be the color a lot of ladies favor but brown is also a classic that can work with a lot of things.

3. Puffers: These cold weather must-haves don't seem like statement makers but they can be stylish too. Pick a basic color and add some fun scarves along with statement bags. This is one cold weather garment that will last you for years and you will reach for over and over, plus it's very practical.

 4. Scarves: Honestly, I cannot live without a scarf in winter months and I love the coziness of it. Also it's a great accessory which can change an outfit from blah to 'gorgeous'. Of course, recent obsession with the plaid over sized scarf has over taken the blogosphere but there are other prints out there. No really.  I love bright scarves that add color to any outfit and paired with the same coat make it look like a whole new outfit. Did I mention they add warmth? So the more the merrier.

There you have it. Stay warm and stylish ladies.

xo, Anna

Winter Wedding {Weddington Way}

dress: Weddington Way (also love this one)
clutch: Nordstrom
hair clip: Overstock 
wrap: Etsy
bracelet: Nordstrom Rack
pumps: French Connection

Hair, Make Up and Flowers

When Weddington Way asked me to style a winter wedding look, I jumped right on board. I love weddings! I love attending them, decorating them and being in them - it always makes me feel nostalgic and romantic. 

Winter weddings are all about drama! If in summer brides tend to gravitate towards bright colors and all shades of pastels, winter is the time to put some dark colors into play. I love the deep purple and grey combination because it has so much character to it. I added gorgeous faux fur wrap (obviously it's a little chilly) and a pretty hair clip to the silver dress Adding a smokey eye make up and dramatic curly locks, finishes the look perfectly. 

How what do you think? Weddings are fun or a huge waste of time and money?

xo, Anna

The Issue of Leggings

cardi: Target
top: LOFT
leggings: Gap
bag: Kate Spade
heels: Zara (similar)

watch: Fossil

In these pictures I'm wearing leggings. GASP! After this post by a Christian blogger who made a personal vow not to ever wear leggings, entire web has exploded with controversy over the issue. There all kinds of responses to the post and even Good Morning America interview. I mean, seriously? A little too much I think. 

Well, after thinking much about it and examining my own views, I decided to share. This post seemed to have been centered around an item of clothing, not the issue of modesty. She shared that her husband's eye were drawn to women's bottoms more when they were wearing leggings. So to honor God and her husband she set off to never wear leggings to not be a temptation. Good cause right? Right. 

If my husband would tell me that his eyes are drawn to a woman's bottom when she wears a tight fitting dress, I will not stop wearing dresses. The same thing for jeans, pants and skirts. You can find really immodest and risqué item of clothing in any department. Granted, when some women wear tights-like leggings which show every detail of their undergarments, it's very inappropriate. And I'm totally against that but I'm not going to say I'm against leggings, or skinny jeans or what not. Some skinny jeans are even more seductive than some leggings. 

The conversation should not be about an item of clothing but immodest apparel in general and that's a wide range of clothing. Also it depends on individual's definition of modesty and their personal relationship with Christ. In the end, if you are convicted as a Christian not to wear something, then don't. Just don't make it seem like people who do wear those items aren't modest. I wear leggings but they are very thick and I always wear longer sweaters or cardigans with them. 

Modesty is a matter of personal relationship with Christ. This article received this much controversy because a lot of people don't see leggings immodest or just don't have modesty standards. That's why we should be talking about a heart issue in our society and not a legging issue. She doesn't have to wear leggings to be seductive. A tight fitting silk dress with high heels will draw more attention than leggings in most cases. Let's be real here. Modesty is only important to us and God when we're doing it from the heart and not just following rules because we have to.

What do you ladies think? I would love to hear your opinion on this.

xo, Anna