Before I Shop || Giveaway

Online shopping can be a daunting task. Making sure the fit and quality can be hard if you are looking into a new store, I mean, let's be honest... it can be hard even if you are shopping at a store you are super familiar with. Whenever I shop online I spend a lot of time reading reviews. I really value what previous customers have said about the product and the store. Sometimes I will even go online to check out reviews and see what items might be in a store before I head out to the mall. It saves a lot of time. And a lot of money because I don't spend just to spend. I have something in mind. And now there is a website that makes all the pre-shopping shopping way easier.

Before I Shop is a website that is dedicated to helping you shop better. Whether it be through product reviews or sharing all the sales and deals - they have you covered. And they want to help you have better shopping experiences at the stores that you already love, which sounds like a win to me! Before I Shop knows there’s nothing better than discovering a great sale, scoring an awesome deal, and then sharing your latest finds with others who get why you’re so excited. They want the Before I Shop community to be your platform to share and show off your savvy shopping skills.

Right now they have a handful of stores to pick from - but they will slowly start adding more as things pick up. You can create your own "shopper profile" and go in to share the deals you've found and share the items you love. Then, like any good social media platform, people can like your post by clicking the little heart or they can leave you a comment - either some social snaps or some questions about the items you have picked.



They want this to be a community where we help each other out. They say,"Before I Shop is about shopping. Shopping releases dopamine. Dopamine makes you happy. So please leave snarky comments, inappropriate images, and trolls at home. Use your shopping prowess for good, not evil. Let’s help each other make smarter shopping decisions." I would recommend making a profile - you can sign up with email or Facebook & try any of these ideas: an outfit featuring something you got for an awesome price, something you love that’s currently on sale, dressing reviews, haul videos, or your tips on what to buy & what to skip.

Oh, and a bonus for making a profile and posting a review? You can enter to win a $50 e-card to the Before I Shop store of your choice - compliments of Before I Shop! Doesn't that make you love them even more? If it doesn't... you are CRAZY! The giveaway is open to international followers. So what are you waiting for?!
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The American Dream

Something that I love about being in the blogging community is all of the shop owners you meet. No matter what get together or event you go to, you are bound to meet someone who is a well established shop owner or someone that is just starting their own shop. It really is a beautiful thing. On a daily basis I have the opportunity to work with men and women that are living the American dream! Of doing the things they want and building a life around that. These shop owners are building a path for themselves based on the freedoms around them. And that is poetic in my mind!

Like I said, I have had the opportunity to work with lots of different shops. You've seen them on my blog before. Shops like Our World Boutique, Bluebird Bridal, Alexa Z Design, 3eleven Design,The Little Black Fashion Truck, and so on. The list is endless. But recently I had the opportunity to work with two newer shops. 

Cowl: c/o Leather and Wool // Sweater Shirt: c/o toAdorn // Chambray: Gap

Leggings: Gap // Booties: Francescas

The first is toAdorn. You might recognize them from a giveaway I helped host last week. ToAdorn.com features brand new products every single day – and at a very low price. They sell products from vendors all over the USA that offer the best handmade, fashion, home décor and boutique items. ToAdorn is what I like to call the gateway dream. Because while they are building their own business, they are also helping other shops grow! And you can get 10% off your order with the code "Ilovetoadorn". The second shop is Leather and Wool. A shop that focuses on handmade cowls for children and adults. The unique triangle design of these handmade cowls is modern, comfortable, and trendsetting. Made with a real wool blend yarn for softness, durability, and authenticity and always genuine leather buttons.

Like I said earlier, working with these shops is one of my favorite parts of blogging. Getting the chance to team up and collaborate with people that are so passionate about what they do. It is a good feeling and they often fuel a new fire for me to work harder for what they want. Do you ever buy things from home-grown stores? What are your favorite local shops? 

Agnes and Dora

Okay. Let's talk LEGGINGS. And by talk leggings I don't mean get into the whole "are leggings pants?!" debate - because that doesn't interest me. But let us talk about my spandex and leggings obsession. That is right. I said obsession. I wear them when I work out, I wear them when I lounge, I wear them when I hang out with my friends, and I even wear them on date nights. It isn't a matter of them not being pants or whatever - it is a matter of proper styling. And boy, oh boy have I got a styling opportunity for you. An opportunity for you to get a pair of the most COMFORTABLE LEGGINGS known to man kind, I am talking heaven on your legs, at a killer deal! Tonight I am hosting an Agnes and Dora party. Nothing over $20! Agnes and Dora takes cash or card & it only takes a few minutes to make a purchase. At the party I attended I was in and out in about 10 minutes.

My floral Agnes and Dora leggings.
I am seriously obsessed.
I also have a black and white pair with reindeer.
And tonight I plan to get a cheetah pair!

Sizing: Adult leggings and fleece lined leggings: one size fits most  \\ Kids leggings:S\M or M\L \\Maxi skirts: XS-L 

Pricing: Adult leggings: $18 or 2 for $32 \\ Fleece lined leggings: $15 or 2 for $28 \\ Kids leggings: $16 or 2 for $30. 

But get this!? As a Christmas treat, Agnes and Dora is hosting an EXTRA special deal for my party. Buy 3 pairs of leggings and get 1 pair free. Now, if that isn't a deal, I don't know what it!

I went to an Agnes and Dora party about a month ago, and I am obsessed with my leggings. They aren't see-through, which is super rare in leggings these days. They are soft, soft, SOFT! They come in all sorts of patterns and colors. I got two pairs when I went, but I wish I would have gotten more. They are that great! Take a look online to see some of the leggings they have to offer, and if you see anything you MIGHT like, come over tonight! Because the website only shows 15% of their inventory. Agnes and Dora work mainly through leggings parties. They also have harem pants, which I am just loving lately.

Let me know if you have ANY questions, I would be happy to answer. I hope to see you at my place TONIGHT from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM for some leggings and some socializing. You are free to park on the road or in any uncovered parking spots. Bring your friends, your neighbors, your mom, you cousin, your roommates.. I mean, really bring anyone! And pass this along, because the more the merrier. It is bound to be a ball!

The Perfect Dress

A couple weeks ago I had the privilege of attending an open house at The Perfect Dress at their new location. I've been to The Perfect Dress a few times at their old location as I shopped for my wedding gown and my best friend shopped for her gown. About 4 months ago they moved up to a new shop in Holliday, and let me tell you. The shop is stunning. Absolutely beautiful. Imagine all white and all bright, a beautiful jewelry counter, gowns lining all the walls except one, and on that one there is exposed white washed brick. It was seriously beautiful. The second I walked in I wished I had a reason to go wedding dress shopping again. 

Look at those jewels and those store front gowns! How could you walk into that store and not feel absolutely bridal? Beyond just a beautiful store, the store owner has a beautiful event set up for all of the woman in attendance. Perrier bottles, macaroons, swag bags full of girly goodies, and models showing off all her new designs. 

Okay. So here is Michelle and I with the store owner. She is just a babe. Seriously. A spunky lady with all the wedding knowledge you need. Plus a little more. Here are a few of her wedding tips:

1. The front needs to look as good as the back.  So often, as women, we pick our outfits based on what looks good in the front. But what about the back? When you are getting married you will most likely have your back to those in attendance for the entire ceremony. Make sure the back is just as flattering to your body and that things are laid perfect. This is one of the very few, if not the only, moments that you will have all the attention on you and on your backside.

2. Have a sense of urgency. Gowns don't grow on trees! And they aren't just sitting in a store waiting for you to go buy it up. Most dresses take 3 months to get. That is because stores only carry sample dresses and designers only make them when they are ordered. It is always safe to go wedding dress shopping at least 4 months before the wedding to make sure you get the gown you love and you have time to alter it.

3. Alter the dress to you not yourself to the dress. This makes me think of the movie Bride Wars... "You don't alter Vera! You alter yourself for Vera!" But seriously... who doesn't want to look absolutely perfect in their gown? And every bride wants something unique. Don't go cookie cutter. Make the dress your own with an awesome seamstress. The Perfect Dress has 6 in house seamstresses that can make anything work and look great. Don't be afraid to buy a strapless and make it perfect for you.

4. Don't buy white. It's a nice day for a white wedding? Nope. Starch white gowns are heading out for three reasons. First, your pearly whites wont look as white. Second, you tend to appear like you have dark eyes. Third, lots of times the gown photographs blue and will need lots of touching up. Don't be afraid to go ivory!

She has a lot more tips than that though. She has been in the business for over ten years, she has sold thousands of gowns, attended wedding markets year over year, and she will help you make beautiful for your wedding day. Now some dresses!

As you can see they have sleeves and sleeveless, but they can make anything work for any type of wedding. Whether you need a temple fill or just something for a springtime garden wedding. The Perfect Dress is not your typical wedding gown. They will make any gown in their store YOUR gown.

Here we have Miss Michelle and I heading out after a perfect night at The Perfect Dress. Michelle and I both work in events and we studied together at BYU. We also talked through our own wedding details with each other a lot. You'll be hearing more on weddings in the near future. So keep your eyes peeled and your ears open for that! 

Oh and isn't that store front just beautiful? I am in love with the store. Now... who wants to get married so I can help you plan your wedding? I will take you straight to The Perfect Dress. And don't get me wrong, I love my wedding dress. Love, love, love it. But I wouldn't mind trying on the gowns at The Perfect Dress! What style of dress do you love? Would you trade in your wedding gown for a different style?

Dear Date Night,

Last weekend we went on a double with our friends Chito and Michelle. And then we added one million other things to our to-double date list. I am glad our husbands get along and that we can go on double dates. Michelle and I have been friends since sophomore year. We started out as some sort of frenemies... a boy in our ward claims he brought us together, but I think he is the reason it took us so long to become friends. To be honest... Michelle's whole apartment intimidated me. They were all so cool! Well. Either way. Somehow we became friends through a series of random meetings, including me having to sit in her apartment one day (so scary!) while I waited for a locksmith to come. Since then... the rest is history. We ended up in the same major, we interned together, we shared books and a locker for junior and senior year, and we are both in the same career field now. now where was I going with this story? Oh, that's right. We went on a double date.

Ever since our double date to the state fair, which I swore I posted about but I just found it in my drafts, we have been talking about a roadtrip to Scheels. So our Friday night double date consisted of.... Christmas Lights at Thanksgiving Point, dinner at Chipotle, an adventure in Scheels, and after a drive back home the boys played Halo and Michelle and I went to Walmart to run an errand. So exciting, right?

First of all. Adam and I have had really great luck with Thanksgiving Point lights. This is the second year we have gone, and we always seem to pick the REALLY slow night so we don't have to wait in a line of cars a million miles long and we pick the pace we drive through at. I love the lights at Thanksgiving Point.

Scheels. What an adventure. And that is all I will say. Actually... I will say more. Who would have thought there would be so many opportunities for photos?

Also... the FUNNIEST thing happened at Scheels. There was some camouflage lingerie on the wall so Michelle and I were joking about getting it. Right as Michelle was saying, "I will get that for you for Christmas!" a lady in her... mid 60s maybe came and SNATCHED UP THE CAMO LINGERIE! And walked away just as quickly as she came. She must have been eying it.

Fun night. Great lights. Best memories. Do you like to go on double dates? Got any good ideas?