OOTD: J & J Forever

Two weeks ago, my cousin Jenny married the love of her life. I was so fortunate to be able to join them and celebrate their love with some of my favorite people in the world: my family and Brendan. We dressed ourselves to the nines and spent the evening dancing and eating and generally having a good time. 

I spent months searching for the perfect dress and accessories. After all, it's not every day that your closest cousin gets married! I finally found a dress from ASOS after some non-response on Poshmark. I actually ended up getting a different dress from the website than I'd ordered, but at least it was still red and long, so I wasn't going to let it ruin my weekend!

I was so glad that Brendan got to join us in Arizona for the weekend after my birthday. We got to celebrate my birthday just days after and he got to take part in his first big Goldstein family event.

This was the first time our family had been together since Winter Break last year. I'm so lucky to be able to be able to see them so often.

Photo by April Maura Photography

Back to Bat Mitzvahs

At the beginning of the summer, Brendan and I took a trip back to Bend for Father's Day weekend. It just so happened that one of the girls I used to nanny for was having her Bat Mitzvah that same weekend. I was so excited to bring Brendan to his first real Jewish experience. 

Shoes | Dress | Clutch | Necklace

The party was so cute! The colors were purple and pink, and they were everywhere: in the candy, in the flowers, and in the photobooth photos.

It's always very interesting going to a Bar or Bat Mitzvah now that I'm past Bat Mitzvah age. I loved being 12-14 and going to all my friends' Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. Of course, I loved my own Bat Mitzvah, but learning hours worth of Hebrew prayers and readings makes the experience a little different. It was so much fun sharing this part of my life with Brendan.

OOTD: Blue Lace

Emily got this dress in Ireland and gifted it to me when she was going through her closet at the end of the year. The skater dress style is so Emily, but not something I have a lot of experience with. She owns, like, at least a dozen skater dresses, but this is my first. I wore it to see a local production of Avenue Q when I was in Bend over the summer. I particularly loved my makeup in this look.

Everyone Deserves Their Perfect Prom

I was so lucky to have a perfect senior prom. I found my dress for $12 at a discount clothing store and I got to go with my best friends. Not to mention that's how my boyfriend and I started dating! However, I understand that not everyone isn't nearly as lucky as I was that year. While I can't make your crush ask you to prom, I can help by providing some prom style inspiration that often get overlooked in prom magazines or sites. After all: everyone deserves to have their perfect prom.

If you're uncomfortable in a dress (and not just because they often fit a bit tight), a jumpsuit is an awesome alternative. A formal jumpsuit is great because they can so easily be dressed up or down, so you can wear it long after prom is over!

Shop left-right: Diane von Furstenberg, Nasty Gal, ASOS, ASTR, BCBGeneration

I've never paid more than $20 for a school formal dress. It can be pretty tricky to find dresses at such a low price, but I promise, they're out there! Here are some of my favorite places to find inexpensive formal dresses: Jolly Chic, Lookbook Store, Cichic, Tidestore, Choies, Rosewholesale, OASAP, ROMWE, ASOS, and stores like Ross, TJ Maxx, and Last Chance.

Shop left-right: ROMWE, ASOS, Lovelelify

Shop left-right: City Chic, H&M, ASOS, Windsor

Some schools have strict dress codes for formals, but conservative in no way has to mean unstylish.

Shop left-right: Vakind, Lulu*s, ModCloth, SL Fashions, ASOS

Shop left-right: J.Crew, Ann Taylor Loft, Pisarro Nights, John Zack

Shop left-right: Adrianna Papell, Badgley Mischka, Truly You, Donna Morgan

Fashionista Friday: Ice Queen

Skirt: Similar from DailyLook
Shirt: Similar from Free People
Necklace 1: Similar from Overstock.com
Necklace 2: Stella & Dot
Jacket: Similar from ROMWE
Lipstick: Similar from Vapour Organic Beauty

Head on over to CollegeFashionista for my Style Guru Bio for this semester! I talk about how I always seem to be dressed more formally than everyone else. It used to embarrass me when I was younger, but I've grown into my sense of style as I've gotten older.

1 Dress, 7 Holiday Parties

The holiday season is expensive even before you consider the what you're going to wear to the holiday parties. Luckily, there are quite a few ways to make one outfit go a long way. If you, like me, have found yourself with only enough money for a single dress this holiday season, check out these 7 ways to style a simple dress 7 very different ways.

The dress: a simple but stylish LBD from H&M

Shoes: Capezio, $68

+ Bracelet: Forever 21, $4.80

+ Lipstick: Urban Decay, $22

+ Headband: Charlotte Russe, $7.99

+ Eyeliner: Nasty Gal, $15.00

               = $117.79

Shoes: H&M, $59.95
+ Kimono: Chicnova, $30
+ Earrings: Unique Vintage, $14
+ Necklace: ASOS, $34.41
                = $138.36

Shoes: DailyLook, $39.99
+ Rings: Accessorize, $23
+ Necklace: ModCloth, $29.99
+ Lipstick: Paul & Joe Beaute, $20
                 = $112.98

Shoes: Fashion Union, $24.99
+ Ring: Style Moi, $6.99
+ Necklace: OASAP, $7.99
+ Eyeshadow: e.l.f., $2
+ Eyeliner: Nasty Gal, $14
                 = $55.97

Shoes: A'GACI, $25.99
+ Fishnets: Lori's, $6.90
+ Belt: boohoo, $14
+ Scarf: Accessory|o, $23.49
+ Hat: Swell, $34.50
         = $104.88

Boots: Legend Footwear, $26.97
+ Nail polish: OPI, $19.95
+ Bracelet: GoJane, $12.34
+ Lipstick: Urban Decay, $22
+ Eyelashes: boohoo, $5
                   = $86.26

Boots: New Look, $39.15
+ Stockings: Revolve, $34
+ Cardigan: H&M, $15
+ Choker: TopShop, $12
+ Lipstick: Tarte, $16
                 = $116.15

Holiday Wear Inspiration

'Tis the season for holiday celebrations, and the monotonous Instagram and Facebook pictures that come along with any excuse to dress up. If you're looking to set yourself apart from the rest of the formal holiday crowd, check out these tips to rework your holiday attire.

Black is the perfect color for an evening dress. Take your look one step further by adding some serious texture with lace all-over or even some well-placed lace overlay.

Sparkles for the new year are, well, so last year. Dress in one of the sultriest colors and you'll stand out even more from the crowd!

There are so many nights of Hanukkah (happy 2nd night, by the way!) that it's hard to dress up for all 8. Go a little more casual with a full high-waisted navy skirt. Dress it up or down, depending on the formality of your family.

Green is a classic Christmas color, which is nifty as this emerald green is simply perfect for winter. Don't just go with a silky green dress: step out of your comfort zone and dress up silk trousers or a silk top.

Sure: as a Jew, I don't know a lot about Christmas. But from the minimal experience I have had with the holiday, I know that a lot of the day is just lounging around with family. Stay comfortable but ready for pictures in a magnificent oversized sweater dress.