Mermaid Life

I've been kind of obsessed with mermaid wear this summer. Don't ask me why, but I love it. And with my crazy long hair, I feel like it just fits. I grabbed this tank at SheIn for under $9! SheIn offers free standard shipping to the U.S. and you can receive 40% off on your first purchase! This cropped tank is available in sizes S-XL.

I styled this top with my fave new jean shorts from Gap and topped it off with my go-to kimono (yes...I know I wear this one all the time). And yes....I do have these sunglasses in two colors. But they were so cheap and I love both the light pink and my staple red! I added a fun pop of color with these arrow earrings from Kendra Scott that I recently recieved in my latest RocksBox set. Don't forget that you can use code "emilyxoxo7" for a completely free month - no strings attached. Get your free month here!

xoxo

top

shorts

kimono (similar)

earrings

sunglasses

Memorial Day

First, let me say I'm sorry that these images aren't the best. This was literally the worst day for a photoshoot - we had a serious storm rolling in (we're talking crazy winds, super dark skies and lots of rain), but I'm heading out of town and wanted to shoot this look before Memorial Day for you all! 

I just received these white distressed skinnies from Wild Blue Denim and I must say - these are the comfiest jeans EVER. If I had to describe them, I would say their a hybrid jean/legging/yoga pant combo. They have just the right amount of stretch and the cutest button detailing. And this line is designed by the fabulous Sadie Robertson, so you know it's all adorable. Be sure to shop Wild Blue Denim x Sadie Robertson here!

I paired my skinnies with an off the shoulder top (I know...you're starting to get sick of them - but I LOVE them) and added some red accessories to finish it off! 

I'm heading to Dallas this weekend, so if anyone has fun suggestions of what to do, let me know! I hope you all enjoy your Memorial Day! Big thank you to all the men and women out there who serve our country.

xoxo

jeans

top (similar here and here)

sunglasses

necklace 

How To: Beachy Waves with Headbands of Hope

Recently the inspiring company, Headbands for Hope, reached out to me for a collaboration. If you haven't heard of this company yet - you MUST check them out. Not only do they have the cutest hair accessories (included the head chain you see above), but the best part is that for every headband sold, one is donated to a child with cancer. Headbands of Hope is providing hope to children with cancer in hospitals all over the U.S. one headband at a time.

But being slightly accessory challenged - I teamed up with my amazing stylist Lauren Treat. Lauren is ridiculously talented with color, so of course I had her give my hair a little touch up before we started. I mean...check out that bayalage.  If you're in Conway or NWA, be sure to make an appointment with her at her salon. But if you want to see how she gave me this gorgeous style, check out the tutorial below!

First Lauren prepped my hair with Hold Me Tight Finishing Spray by Paul Mitchell to add shine and flexible hold before she curled it. Once that was worked through the hair, she sectioned off the top half and clipped it aside.

She then wrapped small sections around a one inch curling wand. She loosely wrapped varying sized sections horizontally around the barrel, and tilted the barrel vertically on the last loop so the curls fall softly from the scalp. Continue this all the way around your head (and don't forget the top section!).

To finish it off, Lauren used Aveda's Control Force Hairspray. Lauren said this is her all time fave hairspray for serious hold (even in humidity) because it dries hard initially but is easily combed through with no sticky residue left behind. It's the perfect hold especially for styles with long/heavy hair like mine or setting an updo that needs to stay in place for hours! Then she gently ran her fingers through my hair to get a nice beachy wave. Tip from Lauren - only run your fingers through the top portion, don't go all the way down the curl!

Then she attached this Pearl Head Chain by first inserting the comb forward (towards my face) to anchor it and then flipped it and pushed it backward.

Side note - I felt like a fairy princess in this head chain. I've never worn one before and I'm officially obsessed. Such a fun accessory and it looks so gorgeous on!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! Tag me if you decide to recreate it! I absolutely adore this head chain from Headbands of Hope - but I love their mission even more. So definitely head to their website and check out all the gorgeous hair accessories they offer! For each headband you purchase, one will be donated to a child with cancer - so it's a win win! And use code "ginahope" for $1 off!

And you can check out Lauren on her Instagram or Pinterest!

Go-To Summer Wear

It's only May and it is already CRAZY hot in Arkansas, so I'm embracing my summer wardrobe. Recently I've been adding a few new staples into my summer rotation, including this fun asymmetric denim skirt from Loft. It's super comfy and perfect for those days you aren't feeling shorts (but it's denim - so it's still wind friendly).  And y'all know I'm a sucker for a good tank top. I'm in love this olive one I picked up at Maude the other day! It's cropped - so you can wear it tucked into a skirt or shorts or leave it out with some flare jeans! Olive is one of my favorite colors to wear because it's still neutral without being grey, white or black - so you can wear it with just about anything! It's safe to say that this top has become a new staple in my wardrobe. 

Also - my hair has gotten super long, so I've been trying to master braiding before this summer fully hits! So if anyone has fun braid ideas - let me know!

xoxo

top (if you're local you can pick it up at Maude in Rogers - if not, here it is online!)

skirt

sunglasses (similar)

purse

Festival Feelings

Summer is officially upon us, and along with summer comes festival season. Sadly, I'll be in school all summer working on my masters degree - but I plan on vicariously living through all of my fabulous friends as they attend some of the killer music festivals happening soon! 

When I first started seeing the neck scarf trend, I wasn't feeling it. But it has slowly grown on me over the past few months and I decided to give it a try. I shockingly liked it more than I thought! I felt very "hipster cool" in this outfit. And paired with my current go-to, the OFS top, it was a perfect match.

Y'all are going to thank me for this. This top is less than $13. LESS THAN $13! Not only is it super cheap - but it's high quality too. My favorite part about this shirt (besides the price) is that the arms have separate elastic than the base of the top. I know that sounds weird - but when the elastic continues all the way around the shirt, it makes it impossible to lift your arms up without the whole shirt popping up too - so I love that this top keeps it separate! And something about how the stripes are laid out, but this top is really flattering as well. It went perfectly with my fave flares, but this top would look great with shorts too!

xoxo

top

neck scarf (similar)

jeans (similar)

sunnies

Surviving The Heat - Summer Updo

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #StyleByGoody #CollectiveBias

I teamed up with my friends over at Goody to bring you all a hairstyle tutorial today! If you're like me, you've got TONS of summer weddings coming up. And if the current weather trend continues, it is going to be seriously hot this summer. So I decided to share my favorite summer updo with y'all!

This look is super simply to do - but you will need a few things! I picked all of mine up at my local Walgreens (who just so happen to be running a BOGO "buy one get one" offer - it's a win win! Offer valid from 5/1 - 6/4)

1. Good Clean Radiance Brush - the base to any hairstyle is smooth, untangled hair and this brush does the trick! It has copper bristles which reduce buildup and leaves hair healthy and shiny.

2. Goody SlideProof Silicon Clear Ponytailers (they come in a pack of 30) - these are perfect because they're thicker than most clear elastics so they securely hold your hair but still aren't very noticable.

3. Goody Simple Styles Hair Spin Pin (they come in packs of 2) - I just used these for the first time and seriously, they each do the work of 20 bobby pins!

4. Your favorite hairspray!

First step is to thoroughly brush out your hair. Make sure you don't have any tangles! I went through and straightened my roots to make sure I have a nice smooth base before I start. But this style would look gorgeous with curly hair as well! And if you want to add any extra volume - now is the time to get out that teasing comb!

After all of your tangles are out, gather your hair to the side you want your bun on (you could even do this in the back) and start a normal 3-strand braid.

Braid all the way down and then secure with one of the clear ponytailers.

Once tied off, go through and loosen a braid the bit. The more you pull - the messier your bun will get! I typically pull mine out quite a bit to make it as thick as possible.

Once you have it loosened to your liking, simply roll the braid up and under.

Once you've reached the base of your head, use the spin pins to secure the bun. Finish it off with some hairspray!

And that's it! Heat-proof for all those summer events coming up and it literally takes less than 10 minutes!

You can even add a flower crown or whatever embellishments your heart desires! You can find all of the products I used here.