SMU Graduation 2015 OOTD

I've officially graduated from SMU and not only was it a day to celebrate 4 years of achievement, it was a day of style too.  My family was there to cheer me on.  It was a memorable day so I needed a memorable outfit.  I planned it all out months in advance!  I fell in love with a Ralph Lauren metallic jacquard dress at TJMaxx, which you can now get at Lord & Taylor or at Dillard's in navy.  But you couldn't see that until the after party.  Because I was covered in a polyester blue gown all day, my accessories had to be amazing.  I wore big sparkly Kate Spade earrings and Vince Camuto shoes, which killed my feet after standing in them all day ( it was worth it).  I completed the look with my signature pearls, of course!

with Michael and Stephanie

SMU PR Girls ♥ Chuck Steelman

One of the most experienced and stylish guys in the fashion industry joined Fashion PR class at SMU on Tuesday, Oct. 28.  Chuck Steelman is the Corporate Manager of Special Events at Neiman Marcus and the Regional Director of FGI Dallas. 

The 13 girls in the class got the rare opportunity to explore the career path of a fashion industry professional.  Beginning with his experience on a department store teen board (like I did at Nordstrom!) to tons of pictures of designers he's worked with, Chuck has done it all.  He's so good at creating legendary NM events to give customers special, once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

For someone as busy and influential as Chuck, he was so cool to take the time to talk about his job and allow us to ask questions... lots of questions!  The fashion industry hopefuls - everyone - in the room were eager to hear what he had to say. 

Rosanne Hart (Professor Hart) has consistently impressed me with the speakers she's brought in to speak to the class.  It's such a privilege to have the opportunity to hear from some of the best in the business.  Previous Speakers include Galleria Dallas stylist Holly Quartaro and Power PR CEO Amy Power.  Lisa Petty is scheduled to share her fashion industry insights on Dec. 2!

Blingsting: Safety that Stings

Every two minutes, someone is sexually assaulted in the United States.  One in four women will be sexually assaulted on a college campus.  Predators will always be creepy, but there's something we can do to protect ourselves.  Luckily there's a new sparkly accessory that looks cute and keeps us safe: Blingsting.  After her dad brought home an ugly pepper spray for her key chain, Andi Atteberry saw a need for pepper spray that would actually see the light of day.  Blingsting specializes in attractive bedazzled pepper sprays that can be clipped on to your purse, book bag, or key chain.

Blingsting has been featured in popular magazines like Glamour, Marie Claire, and Cosmopolitan.  Celebrity hotties like Gilles Marini from the Sex and the City movie have even been spotted picking up Blingsting!

Blingsting's latest and greatest product is the Ahh!-larm, which is available for pre-order and will be officially released in mid-September.  I got to test it at the Blinsting HQ.  You just pull on the heart when you're in danger and a strong alarm will sound instantly.

Blingsting is something that every girl should carry.  Andi believes that the first step to safety is being aware of our surroundings.  Avoiding dangerous situations is the most important and Blingsting comes second.   The ultimate hope is that you won't actually have to use your Blingsting, but it's there if you need it!  See all of the cute colors and order your Blingsting on blingsting.com!

NYC New York Color Big Bold Gloss

Long-wear lip gloss that plumps and shines for $4?  I didn't think it was possible until I tried NYC New York Color's new Big Bold Gloss.  Infused with green tea and vitamin E, this impossibly fat lip gloss makes your lips 50% fuller and 100% fabulous-er.

May28th Watches: New Site, More Style

Tick tock, tick tock!  It's time to get a cool, modern watch from May28th Watches.  Watches aren't just for function, they're also really fun accessories.  When you can't look at your phone for the time, having a watch is really handy.  Just last week I took a test in a room with no clock, and my May28th kept me on track.  When you're in a boring class or meeting and looking at your phone would be inappropriate, you can rely on your favorite May28th watch.  Plus, watches are like glasses... they make everyone look smarter.   

This fall, May28th launched a new and improved website with even more custom features, like 50/50 band color choices and glossy or matte finish options.  Now fans can even vote on the design they want to be produced next.  May28th has had high-profile collaborations with brands like Free People and one of my favorites, Kate Spade.  I can't wait to see what they do next.  Rumor has it that there are some cool new European partnerships on the horizon. 

The watches featured in this post are the "1:16 Watch" and the "1:12 Watch."  Get them for $39 each on May28th's fabulous new site! 

Mockingbird Station is FALL-ing for Fashion Fun!

What an awesome, busy month it has been.  School has been overwhelming to say the least, but Mockingbird Station has been the place where I can unwind with friends and fashionistas.  During the first week of school, I got the opportunity to host the Station's Back to School Beauty Night at Castle and Pouf.  Last week, I tweeted and styled a look at the What to Wear Style Lab event.  Mockingbird Station is a super-cool shopping center in Dallas, right across Central Expressway / 75 from SMU.

At Back to School Beauty Night, students and stylistas alike got pedis at Castle Nail Spa and blowouts and hairstyles at Pouf.  Both Mockingbird Station beauty destinations are exceptional.  I bet you're wondering who the VIPs were that night.  It wouldn't be a night of pampering without Project Emilie star Aunt Emilie.  Mom (Elaine) and other auntie (Lou Lou) joined us to help support Genesis Women's Shelter.  Mockingbird station introduced old friend Elizabeth West to pedicures and Pouf blowouts, woohoo!

What to Wear fall 2013 at Mockingbird Station was another fabulous success.  Priya Bhola Rathod of DFW Style Daily and Via Priya was an amazing host.  She put some audience members on the spot by asking how they would rock the runway styles.  That night was all about runway looks for less while putting your own spin on it with fashions from Movida Boutique, Lavo Collections, Francesca's, and more!  Fashion writer and stylist Abby Gregory put together the runway looks.  Me, @small4style, was the live tweeter for @mockingbirdsta with the help of Jasmin Brand of @brandpointe (PS follow us all on Twitter!).  After the show, I caught up with the fabulous Sean Charles of Sean in the City.  

What is Mockingbird Station going to do next?  Stay tuned on Mockingbird's Facebook page and here on Small 4 Style to find out!    

Runway-Ready Hair in Real Life

Having runway-ready hair every day would be awesome, but let's get real.  Behind the scenes at the runway shows, we all know those models aren't doing their own hair.  Most of us don't have access to the world's top hair pros, but that doesn't mean we can't get that runway hair in real life.  In honor of my love of the runway, I've added Organix Blow Out Cream and Ouidad Styling Mist to my beauty routine for model-esque hair when I'm working all of life's runways.  

The Organix Blow Out Cream has nourishing Moroccan Oil, which is something I've been hearing about but had never tried before.  It makes my hair smooth and shiny.  I set my style with the Ouidad Styling Mist, which is like hairspray with more flexibility.  My hair stays in place without looking like I have helmet-hair.

So all of this sounds great when you've freshly styled your hair, but I put these products to the test in real life.  In 100+ degree weather at the SMU football game, the humidity didn't get to my hair.  On the golf course, my hair stayed flyaway-free.  Most importantly, at Yvonne Crum's ultra-chic, fancy fashion event, my hair was mingle-ready.  

Supermodel or not, we all need to have fantastic hair.  I absolutely love using the Organix Blowout Cream and the Ouidad Styling Mist because they're perfect for all of life's runways!

Back To School is Better with #HEBfirstday Contest

The first week of school is always a little nerve-wracking, but it's always good to see old friends, make new ones, and express your personal style.  H-E-B (which is the same company as Central Market!) wants to see how you're getting ready for back to school with a contest on Instagram and it's super easy to enter.  All you have to do is post a photo of how you and you friends/family are getting ready for the big year ahead with the hashtag #HEBfirstday. 

Today and tomorrow (Sunday, September 1), show off how you get ready for back to school on Instagram for a chance to win a $100 HEB gift card!

Project Emilie: Collegiate Chic 2013

It's been many years since Emilie was in school, but she has fond memories of her schoolgirl days.  For both me and Emilie, the most fun part of school is back to school shopping, of course.  Emilie wanted to show you her fall semester fashion picks, and I think she looks super-collegiate chic!  She thought it would be fitting to do our photoshoot at SMU since I'm starting my junior year.  And remember... even though she is not in school anymore, Emilie will always be a NERD!  I hope you enjoy our first day of school adventure.   

 Walking to class on our first day... do you know how hard it is to find parking?? 

 Once we arrived at Dallas Hall for our first class, Em was a little nervous.  But she was OK!  Don't you love her "nerdy" backpack?

 After our first class, Emilie enthusiastically told me about her fabulous summer!

 Em will be forever preppy in this layered look.

 And what could be preppier than loafers?  Em's Sperry's are the SMU school colors... Go Mustangs!

 Between classes, Emilie had to strike a pose at Fondren Library.

 Our next class was in the Cox Business area.

 After going to our individual classes, Em and I met up for more summer chit-chat.

 I think it's safe to say that Emilie had a great first day!

 We can't forget to thank our official photographer, Grant Small! 

Steal Our Style!  

Nerd Alert! Visionworks' Back to School Night at Northpark

If eyes are the window to the soul, then the glasses must be really important, right?  Glasses make everyone look a little smarter, sophisticated, and more distinguished.  Whether you have to wear prescription glasses or not, students of every age should complete their back to school looks with glasses from Visionworks.  

Visionworks at Northpark invited a group of Dallas bloggers to learn more about eye care and what makes them stand out from the competitors.  Their "buy one get one free" promotion, their quick turnaround on glasses, and their fabulous selection of glasses makes Visionworks the place for glasses shopping. 

When I was younger, I used to get made fun of for wearing glasses but now, they are one of my go-to accessories.  Times have changed and glasses will never go out of style.  What I liked most about my visit to Visionworks was the emphasis on style and great prices so you don't have to choose one over the other.  So be the chic nerd at school this fall with Visionworks glasses.  Visionworks is located all around the USA to get your perfect glasses anywhere.

P.S. - Grant really liked Visionworks too!